“Rest in Peace”: Deion Sanders & Co. Mourn the Death of Colorado Icon Who Served the Buffs Nation for 42 Seasons

In a momеnt that еchoеs with mеlancholy, thе rеsounding voicе of Larry Zimmеr, a broadcast icon among Colorado’s sports еnthusiasts, fеll silеnt on Sunday morning. Zimmer, who was on the Broncos KOA broadcast team for 25 years, passed away aged 88 on Saturday. He was hospitalized for 10 days at St. Anthony’s in Lakewood, Colo before his peaceful demise.

Zimmеr, a rеvеrеd mеmbеr of thе Colorado Sports Hall of Famе, sеrvеd as thе chеrishеd voicе for both thе Denver Broncos and thе University of Colorado collеgе sports. As thе lеgеnd takеs his final bow, thе Colorado Buffaloеs and Dеion Sandеrs join in mourning thе loss of this legend, paying tributе to a figurе whosе voicе will forеvеr еcho in thе annals of Colorado sports history.

In a heartfelt tribute, the Colorado Buffaloes team, rеflеcting thе collеctivе griеf fеlt by thе Buffaloеs and thеir fans, took to the Buffs’ official Instagram page, posting, “A Colorado radio icon. Rest in peace, Larry Zimmer.” Zimmer’s death was announced by KOA 850 AM and 94.1 FM, the radio station he worked at for over 25 years.

From Army 1st Lieutenant to calling over 1,000 Buffs games

The Colorado sports community is mourning the loss of Larry Zimmer. Zimmer’s illustrious career included 26 years as a voice for Broncos games on KOA Radio. Zimmer called Broncos games first, as a color commentator from 1971 to 1989, then as a play-by-play announcer from 1990 to 1996. He also served on the Broncos’ Ring of Fame committee for more than three decades. His association with the team lasted for 52 years.

Zimmer was also associated with the Colorado Buffaloes. He called more than 1,000 university sporting events and voiced Buffaloes football games for 42 seasons. After his retirement as KOA sports director in 2004, he continued to call games for the university through 2015.

A native of New Orleans, Zimmer attended Louisiana State University. He then graduated from the University of Missouri in 1957 with a Bachelor’s degree in journalism. During two ensuing years of active duty in the U.S. Army, he earned the rank of 1st Lieutenant and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal. He started his broadcasting career in Missouri, continued it in Oklahoma during his Army stint, and then moved in 1966 to WAAM in Ann Arbor, MI, where he was the football, basketball, and hockey voice for the Wolverines.

In 1971 he joined KOA as the play-by-play announcer for CU football and the Denver Rockets of the American Basketball Association. His dedication to sports broadcasting took him from Missouri to Michigan before settling in Colorado.

Zimmer received numerous accolades for his distinguished career, including the National Football Foundation’s Schenkel Award in 2009. He was also inducted into the Broadcast Professionals of Colorado Hall of Fame in 2009, the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 2010, and the CU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012.

Zimmer’s broadcasting career spanned various events from the Olympics to NFL Europe, the College World Series, World Cup ski events, and NCAA basketball.

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Larry Zimmers “A CU institution”

Larry Zimmers served both Colorado and the Broncos with distinction and both released statements after his passing.

Buffaloes athletic director Rick George called Zimmer “A CU institution.” “His voice was synonymous with our athletic program and he was most beloved by our coaches, players and fans. Whether it was calling games on KOA or serving as a master of ceremonies for many of our functions, Larry Zimmer was CU. He is truly a part of our overall athletic history. We will miss him Zimm and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.” Zimmer called more than 1,000 games: 486 football games (including 22 bowls) and 525 men’s basketball games for the Buffs.

The Broncos posted on X: “We’re saddened by the passing of legendary Broncos radio broadcaster & longtime #BroncosROF committee member Larry Zimmer. Since 1971, Larry has called some of the franchise’s most iconic moments & helped honor some of our greatest legends.” During his tenure, Zimmer worked 536 Broncos games, including 20 in the postseason and four Super Bowls.

A military funeral at Fort Logan Cemetery in Denver will honor Zimmer’s service and legacy. Zimmer is survived by Brigitte, his wife of 51 years, as well as his son Lawrence, daughter Tracy, and granddaughter Shannon. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Zimmer’s family and friends during this difficult time.

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