In 2003, Coach Tom Miller and lifters Danny and Ed met and formed a powerlifting team under Special Olympics Colorado. In the beginning, they competed under the name Colorado Athletic Club Cannons. As time went on, they moved from the Colorado Athletic Club and started practicing at Rude Recreation Center, which is where Tom saw a sign from above.

The sign was a plaque mounted above the entry to the weight room at Rude Rec which said “Rude Dogs”. Upon seeing the plaque, Tom changed the team’s name to Rude Dogs. That’s the name that stuck.

Over the years, the team has grown and shrunk. But, whatever our size, we’ve always been a family. And during all that time, our philosophy has always been simple:  Be Safe and Have Fun! 

But when it’s time to get busy, we do just that! Our lifters try their hardest, achieve personal records, and haul in ribbons and medals at competitions.

Rude Dogs lifters have competed in powerlifting at Special Olympics USA Games and Special Olympics World Games. Our lifters have set Colorado State Powerlifting Records and have even been recognized by the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame.

With 2027 being our 175th year (well, dog years) as a team, Coach Tom will be the first to remind you – Rude Dogs isn’t his team, “it’s all y-all’s team.”