DENVER — Every game day, one Denver Broncos superfan transforms into his alter ego, Bronco Libre—a tribute to Mexican lucha libre and his deep love for the Broncos.
With a custom-made wrestling champion belt, two blinding championship rings, and a luchador mask, Bronco Libre is impossible to miss.
After nearly a decade of showing up to every game in costume, fans now eagerly approach him for photos, and he cheerfully hands out stickers featuring his iconic masked face.
Behind the mask is Elias Balderrama, a father of two who spends his weekdays working behind a desk, managing retirement funds.
"It’s just like a second identity — like a Superman situation, where this is what Elias is doing Monday through Friday, and then on Sundays, he’s Bronco Libre," Balderrama said.
The persona began as a Halloween costume in 2015, but Balderrama’s Broncos fandom traces back to his uncle, Archie Trujillo, who took him to football games and Broncos training camps in Greeley as a child.
"My fandom is because of him. Because if he didn’t introduce me to it, I may not have been Bronco Libre now," Balderrama said.
Balderrama now owns four custom-made masks that he chooses from depending on the game and the weather.
Trujillo, who the family now calls "Tío Libre" (tío means "uncle" in Spanish), is proud of his nephew.
For the Broncos' home opener on Sunday, Balderrama hosted a tailgate, and his weekly transformation commenced. The event, filled with tacos and Modelos, was organized for a group of Broncos fans from Mexico who had flown in to join him.
"Some are from Chihuahua, some from Mexico City, some from Monterrey. It feels amazing being able to bring people from Mexico up here who have the same love and support for the Broncos," Balderrama said. "They asked me to help host this tailgate, and I felt honored for that. And today being the beginning of Mexican Heritage Month is a perfect fit."
More than 160 people attended, with fans from Mexico donning their own lucha libre masks, many in Broncos orange and blue.
Bronco Libre's home opener tailgate
"To see the number of people that actually came with masks is a surprise to me, but I love seeing it. I love seeing the community come together," Balderrama said.
What started as a costume has turned into so much more.
"That’s what I love about this—it’s the community," he said. "We’re bringing everyone together for one common cause, and that’s the love of the Broncos."
Over the years Balderrama has grown a collection of Bronco Libre custom-made items, including flags, hats, posters and more. Each year he has been trying to win NFL Fan of the Year, and he hopes this year is the one. People can submit nominations until Sept. 30, and the winner is announced in February.