2026 Colorado Preseason MaxPreps Top 25 high school football rankings

Cherry Creek is the early front-runner after winning state and going undefeated in 2025.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Thomas Frey
By
Aug 3, 2026, 12:00pm
State champion Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village) enters 2026 as the top-ranked team in the MaxPreps preseason top 25 for Colorado.

The Bruins defeated Ralston Valley (Arvada) 56-28 to capture the 2025 CHSAA state championship and sixth over the past seven years. UCLA commit Jackson Roper is back on the offensive line after helping the offense average 198 rushing yards per game.

Other players to watch from the Centennial State this season include Cherry Creek junior running back Elijah Cromwell and Titus Huard, a four-star junior from Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch).

Reigning Colorado state champions include Dakota Ridge (Littleton) in Class 4A, Pomona (Arvada) in Class 3A, Wellington in Class 2A and Limon in Class 1A.
Cherry Creek starts the season No. 1 in Colorado after going 14-0 and winning a state title in 2025. (PHOTO: Steve Abeyta)
Cherry Creek starts the season No. 1 in Colorado after going 14-0 and winning a state title in 2025. (PHOTO: Steve Abeyta)
MaxPreps Preseason Colorado Top 25
1. Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village), 14-0 in 2025
2. Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch), 10-3
3. Ralston Valley (Arvada), 13-1
4. Dakota Ridge (Littleton), 14-0
5. Legend (Parker), 10-2
6. Mountain Vista (Highlands Ranch), 12-1
7. Pine Creek (Colorado Springs), 7-4
8. Arapahoe (Centennial), 7-5
9. Montrose, 12-1
10. Regis Jesuit (Aurora), 4-7
11. Palmer Ridge (Monument), 13-1
12. Grandview (Aurora), 6-6
13. Heritage (Littleton), 9-4
14. Columbine (Littleton), 6-6
15. Fairview (Boulder), 10-2
16. Arvada West (Arvada), 10-2
17. Mullen (Denver), 8-5
18. Erie, 7-5
19. Durango, 9-3
20. Limon, 12-1
21. Broomfield, 9-3
22. Eaglecrest (Centennial), 7-5
23. Roosevelt (Johnstown), 8-4
24. Wellington, 13-0
25. Pomona (Arvada), 13-1

Related Content