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The Denver Broncos submitted a hosting application to the NFL's Super Bowl Advisory Committee on Wednesday, looking to bring the 2018 Super Bowl to the Mile High City.
Denver's application included potential bids for the 2019 and 2020 Super Bowls as well, should 2018 fall through. If any of those bids be accepted, it will be the first time that the NFL's championship game will be played in Colorado.
"I think Denver would be head and shoulders above any other city to compete to host a Super Bowl," Denver mayor Michael Hancock told the Denver Post.
Denver will have plenty of competition. New Orleans, Minneapolis, and Indianapolis will also be submitting bids for 2018. Eligible cities will be selected next year, and the Super Bowl host will be chosen in May 2014.
The big hurdle for Denver will be the fact that Sports Authority Field at Mile High is outdoors. The NFL has never played a Super Bowl in an outdoor, cold-weather city. The first test will come in 2014, when New Jersey hosts the Super Bowl at MetLife Stadium. A problem-free game, weather-wise, would probably boost Denver's chances at a successful bid.
This isn't the first time Denver has thought about hosting the Super Bowl. In 2010, the city submitted a hosting application for the 2015 game, but did not make a formal bid. That Super Bowl was awarded to Phoenix.