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10 Year Anniversary!
10 Years! Airsoft Colorado has been running weekly games for just over 10 years now! Can you believe it? Sometimes I can’t! The past ten years since Airsoft Colorado’s inception have been great for the sport of airsoft not only in Colorado, but also throughout the United States. The reason this organization has been so successful is the player base. Below I have written a post with the basic history of ASCO through my eyes that also includes some cool facts and details about us you may not have known. If your like me, you hate long forum posts, so I broke it up into sections you can read.
**Please note that the following narrative does not include the history of other airsoft organizations and their help in establishing the sport of airsoft in Colorado. That being said I do believe they should be equally recognized. I am referring to UAC (ISF) and Colorado Airsoft since other organizations have dropped off the face of the map (e.g. – MGSF). **
The History of ASCO
1999-2000
We were not always Airsoft Colorado. In fact, ASCO is a rather new development that just took shape over the past few years. Back in 1999 a group of young paintball players were tired of the paintball scene. A common theme in paintball was starting to arise which included playing on speedball fields and lobbing paint from behind bunkers. The tactical movements and mature player base coming to an end. This was a new era in which aggression, responsibility, and tactics were no longer needed. About this time in our paintball magazines, Action Pursuit Games, we noticed advertisements for airsoft guns. Although they were expensive we decided to give it a shot. Not long after this the airsoft team, Swampfox 12 was formed in Parker, Colorado. The team was initially formed to attend the largest airsoft event in the nation, AS2K in Virginia Dale, Colorado. In training for this event we quickly gained a group of loyal players who happened to run into us at our Parker field. From day one we made sure to instill the highest standards to all of our participants and the rules were formed. Since the area in which we played was also prone to walkers and runners, we had to have a high amount of discipline. We were 100% sure to make sure there was no shooting when goggles were off, we were sure to identify all visitors before they were in range of the field and took measures to be friendly and safe. This among many other items started to make the group of weekly players stand out from other airsoft groups.
2000-2006
When we started to grow, the Fox Airsoft Club was started. The Fox Airsoft Club held weekly airsoft games in the back of the Pinery housing district in Parker, Colorado. Although we had no official system of communication in place (website, etc.), there was a mutual understanding and players would show up every week. When it snowed we played. When it rained we played. And of course, when it was sunny we played. Our consistency eliminated the need for a schedule and players continued to show up. By establishing a strong base of discipline to ensure our fun was always safe the regular attendees started to become professionals. Although we would get new players every week, some found that the Fox Airsoft club was not for them. Players who just wanted to full auto people and laugh were not a good fit. However, those who respected their weapons and themselves started to grow in the sport and develop as natural role models. The club itself was a reason to work hard during the week so that you could come out for the weekly games. The club was something to look forward to every Saturday morning. The fellowship, bond, and games created a type of brotherhood that can only be found in small number of organizations today. The games continued and the parking lot at the top of the field started to fill up every Saturday.
**Update #1 added 3/11/10** - We also had a field in Elizabeth, CO that we would switch to from time to time. Can't believe I left it out!
2007-Present
In 2007 many ideas were thrown around about how to best manage the club. After the collaboration efforts of Casey Meraz and Rob Daihl and the help of many others we decided to change the name of the club. This was partly due to the fact that there was much confusion around how Swampfox 12( Airsoft Team) , The Fox Airsoft Club, and Fox Airsoft (Airsoft Store) were different. From this, the name Airsoft Colorado was born. Our goal was to bring airsoft to a national level, to develop professional Colorado teams to travel to national airsoft events. During this time we were about experience a major change. It was becoming very apparent that the field we were using in Parker, Colorado would be coming to an end. The permission from the landowners was jeopardy due to an unfortunate event by irresponsible teenagers resulted in the death of another teenager. For liability reasons, ASCO had to find a new home. In 2007, the use of the Pinery field was terminated and we had to work quickly to find a new home. Although we would occasionally hold airsoft games in Pike National Forest we wondered if it would be too far for everyone to drive. With a lack of immediately available options we decided to relocate our weekly operations to Pike. Although it was less convenient for some of the Parker players, the location became more convenient overall for players traveling from different areas. Since we have been in Pike National forest we have again experienced an exponential growth, while maintaining the same principals. Since becoming Airsoft Colorado we have grown from having one team with 12 players attending national events to 5+ major teams with 40+ players attending national operations.
Conclusion:
Although our organization has had growing pains like any other, I am very proud to be apart of this organization. The players are what sets us apart from many other organizations. Over the years we have been called many names and some people feel we have had an elitist attitude. This is simply not the case. However, You guys are dedicated, motivated, mature, responsible, and friendly players who are committed to doing what’s right. This organization has been very blessed over the years and since its inception there have only been two banned players out of the approximate 2000+ players we have had at our games. The total number of hot headed incidents where players have lost their cool; I can count with my hand. This truly says a lot after considering we have played over 500 days of airsoft including over 5000+ individual airsoft games. Having a strong player base with players such as you makes me proud to say I am apart of this organization. Continue to keep up the good work, high standards, and promote airsoft in a safe and responsible manner!
Now it’s time to work on Airsoft California…
Short Thank You List
Below is a list of people I want to thank. I can’t include everyone because I don’t have a month to type, but below are people that have made a significant contribution to ASCO in one form or another. I’m sorry if I forgot your name. I will probably have to continually update this list.
The Players – Without you this would not be possible. Pat yourself on the back.
Matthew Meraz – For starting Swampfox 12 and the Fox Airsoft Club
Tom Allred – for your help and advice in the Fox Airsoft Club, ASCO, etc.
Rob Daihl – For ASCO, Colorado Milsim, and too many other things to list.
Damon Sickmon – For switching to the light side and contributing excellent games
Bearclaw – For starting a respectable team with strong principles & leadership in ASCO
Sawmpfox 12- For all of your hard work over the years making this a reality
Drew – For being an excellent moderator
Team Thank You's - For Consistently upholding the ASCO Brand
Rockymountain Combat Team
Swampfox 12
Shadowpack
Wildcards
Sincerely,
Casey Meraz
Airsoft Colorado Founder (Co-Founder in reality)
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