For Sal Pace, ultimate has always been about more than just a game. As a long time player who served for a decade as an elected official, including as the Democratic leader in the Colorado State House and co-chair of Governor Polis’s transition committee, Sal understands the power of community organization and the importance of opening doors. Pueblo, Colorado has some of the state’s highest poverty and crime rates. It’s not the typical ultimate community. There’s never been a regular pickup game in Pueblo, let alone a high school, college or club team. The nearest ultimate community is 50 miles away in Colorado Springs. But, Sal and his kids have built a thriving competitive youth team, Pueblo EC Burns, from the ground up in one of the most unlikely communities in Colorado.
“I’ve spent my life trying to make a difference through government and politics,” Sal says. “But what I’ve found with this team is that the impact is immediate, personal and real. At this point, this team isn’t separate from my life; it is my life. They’re family now.”
The impact of this work is life-changing for the families involved. For many of these young athletes, the team is a vital community. One mother shared how the team helped her son recover after a life-threatening incident in school: “Ultimate frisbee, Sal and his teammates have really given him that focus and drive he needed to spring back… I see how much he looks up to Mr. Pace and how much he respects and admires him.” Another mother noted the profound shift in her home, saying, “I can see his spark back and it’s amazing… I truly feel like with this team, my son has changed so much.”
The story of Pueblo EC Burns, a majority Hispanic team, is a showcase of what is possible when a community rallies together. For Pueblo native Adrian Cisneros, who now plays for the semi-pro team Colorado Apex, seeing a team rise from his hometown is the realization of a dream.
“Growing up in Pueblo can be challenging for youth, especially when it feels like the cards are always stacked against you,” Adrian says. “When I started playing, it became obvious to me, as someone of Latin descent, that there weren’t many players that were BIPOC. This lack of representation initially made me doubt my place in the frisbee community. Since I started playing in 2017, representation has grown significantly in the frisbee community, especially in my hometown. Even my sisters are getting into the game and playing for Pueblo EC Burns. It’s been an inspiration to watch this team grow, not just as their brother, but also because of the Latin heritage they represent. I believe this helps shape the culture of inclusivity that ultimate upholds.”
For Sal and his players, Pueblo EC Burns is more than just a team, it is a support system for each other and a place to belong. The team spends time together on and off the field, often gathering at Sal’s house for team meals and shared holidays. Sal’s efforts first started with clinics he helped organize with Colorado Apex in Pueblo, and were bolstered by volunteer support from club players like Alex Atkins, who was a special guest coach at some practices and early tournaments, providing inspiration for the students. Adrian has helped raise funds for the team, and Sal is grateful to finally have an assistant coach this season, Ian Vickers, an Army veteran who plays club for Colorado Springs Incline.
“I think having ultimate in Pueblo is absolutely amazing. I appreciate everyone who helps these kids thrive in life. This group of kids are now our family and are a great group of kids.” -A Pueblo EC Burns Team Parent
Guest coach, Alex Atkins with Pueblo EC Burns is seen leading a team mini-camp in 2025.
“These Pueblo kids have grown so much through ultimate frisbee,” said Alex Atkins. “A lot of them come from neighborhoods without a lot of opportunities, but this sport has given them confidence and direction. They’re hilarious kids, full of personality, and it’s been amazing watching them grow on and off the field. I wear my Pueblo jersey all the time. I love those kids.”
As the team has grown from zero to nearly 30 players, they have received additional support from the community, like the local Boys & Girls Club of Pueblo County that provided vans and transportation support for tournaments. Ben Fletcher of Altitude Youth Ultimate, a USA Ultimate Affiliate organization, has helped line up games for Pueblo, even though EC Burns often has to drive more than four hours roundtrip just to play a scrimmage. This collective effort allowed the team to prove their mettle at the Lone Peak Invitation Tournament in Utah this Spring and then finish their season at the Colorado High School State Tournament, competing in the top division for the first time. Pueblo EC Burns played in multiple universe point games this season, notably scoring the most points of any opponent in pool play against national contender Green Canyon High School in Utah, and losing to perennial powerhouse Denver East by a single point at Colorado States. These results prove that “frisbee can be a way up,” as one parent put it.
“We couldn’t win a single game when we started,” Sal reflects. “We were losing many games 13-0. Now we’re beating those same teams. If you start with community as the foundation, the winning will come next.”
To support Sal’s continued efforts, USA Ultimate and The Ultimate Foundation have provided USA Ultimate membership financial assistance to the entire team’s roster to ensure they can focus on their games rather than how to access the sport. Sal notes that without this support, he simply couldn’t get all his kids to tournaments due to the financial barriers.
As Adrian puts it: “When I step on the field, I’m grateful for the odds I’ve overcome and I’m honored that kids who were dealt a similar hand are seeing more opportunities than I did at their age. I’m hoping that my story will help continue this pipeline because it means more to us than just a game of tossing plastic. Ultimate, like many things in life, is better with a little spice.”
We are proud to celebrate Sal Pace and the Pueblo EC Burns Team as Play it Forward Partners who are championing access in the sport of ultimate. This partnership showcases the potential for ultimate to engage all communities, proving that the sport’s future is bright whenever we empower and support the leaders who are on the ground doing the work.
