Larry Zimmer, the iconic sports broadcaster, passed away at the age of 88 in Lakewood on Saturday, leaving behind a legacy that resonates with multiple generations of Colorado sports enthusiasts. For many Denver Broncos and Colorado Buffaloes fans, Zimmer’s voice became synonymous with the pivotal moments of their teams.
Having arrived in Colorado from Michigan in 1971 after graduating from the University of Missouri, Larry Zimmer began his career in television and radio, contributing to KOA-Ch. 4 (now KCNC) and KOA-AM 850. Immediately, he assumed the triple responsibilities of radio play-by-play for CU football and men’s basketball, along with serving as the color analyst alongside Bob Martin for Broncos radio.
Zimmer continued in the analyst role for the Broncos until Super Bowl XXIV when he took over play-by-play duties due to Martin’s serious illness. Following Martin’s passing, Zimmer became the play-by-play voice for the Broncos for seven seasons, partnering with Dave Logan, whose games he had called at CU in the 1970s.
Except for a brief period from 1982 to 1984, Zimmer remained the “Voice of the Buffaloes” for play-by-play until 2004. Subsequently, he transitioned to a color analyst role alongside Mark Johnson for 12 seasons, ultimately retiring after the 2015 season, completing an impressive 42-year tenure in the CU booth.
Larry Zimmer is survived by his wife, Brigitte, two children, and a granddaughter, leaving behind a lasting impact on the sports community he served for decades.
Leave a Reply