If you’ve spent any time at Coors Field on a humid July evening, you’ve likely seen the frustration of fans firsthand. They love the purple pinstripes, but they aren’t always thrilled with the guys signing the checks. When people ask who owns the Rockies, they usually aren’t just looking for a name. They’re looking for someone to blame for the pitching woes or wondering if the team is ever going to be sold to a deep-pocketed tech mogul who wants to buy a championship.
The short answer is the Monfort brothers. Dick and Charlie Monfort have been the face of the Colorado Rockies since the mid-90s, but the way they came to power—and how they maintain it—is actually a pretty wild saga involving embezzlement, cattle money, and a massive real estate empire that extends far beyond the diamond.
The Beef Industry Origins of the Monfort Empire
You can't understand why the Monforts run the team the way they do without looking at where their money came from. Honestly, it’s all about the cows.
The family business was Monfort of Colorado, a massive meatpacking and distribution company based in Greeley. Dick and Charlie’s father, Kenneth Monfort, was a legendary figure in the industry. He turned a family cattle-feeding operation into a global powerhouse. Eventually, they sold the company to ConAgra Foods in 1987 for a massive sum, which gave the brothers the liquidity they needed to dive into the world of professional sports.
When Major League Baseball finally decided to expand to Denver in the early 90s, the Monforts weren't actually the main guys. The original ownership group was led by John Antonucci and Michael Monus.
But then things got weird.
Monus was the founder of a discount drugstore chain called Phar-Mor. Just before the Rockies threw their first pitch, he was caught up in a massive $1 billion embezzlement scandal. He was eventually ousted and headed to prison. This left the fledgling franchise in a lurch. Jerry McMorris stepped in to lead the group, and Charlie Monfort joined him as a general partner in 1992. Dick came on board officially a few years later in 1997.
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By 2005, the Monfort brothers bought out McMorris’s remaining interest, giving them the 64 percent controlling stake they still hold today in 2026.
Who Owns the Rockies Today? The Current Structure
While Dick and Charlie are the "owners," the Colorado Rockies are technically owned by a group called Colorado Rockies Baseball Club, Ltd. Dick Monfort serves as the Chairman and CEO, while Charlie is the General Partner.
It's a family affair through and through. In recent years, specifically leading into this 2026 season, we've seen a massive shift in how the team is managed internally. Walker Monfort, Dick’s son, has taken over as the President of the club after the retirement of Greg Feasel. This transition wasn't just a title change; it was a signal that the Monforts have no intention of selling the team anytime soon. They are building a multi-generational legacy.
Here is a breakdown of the key figures you’ll find in the 2026 front office:
- Dick Monfort: The Big Boss. He’s the guy who takes the heat on talk radio and oversees the financial side.
- Walker Monfort: The new President. He’s been with the organization for 20 years and is now the one steering the ship day-to-day.
- Paul DePodesta: The President of Baseball Operations. Hiring the "Moneyball" guy was a huge move for an ownership group often accused of being too "old school."
- Josh Byrnes: The General Manager, tasked with actually building a roster that can survive 81 games at 5,280 feet.
There are also minority owners involved, like Alvarado Construction (owned by the Linda Alvarado family), the Breakthru Beverage Group, and even The Denver Post has a small slice of the pie. But make no mistake: Dick Monfort makes the final call.
The Coors Field Real Estate Machine
If you think the Rockies are just a baseball team, you’re missing the biggest part of the business.
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One reason the Monforts are so reluctant to sell is that they’ve turned the area around Coors Field into a gold mine. Have you been to McGregor Square lately? That massive development with the hotel, the giant screen, and the high-end condos didn't happen by accident.
In 2017, the team signed a 30-year lease to stay at Coors Field through 2047. As part of that deal, they got the rights to develop the "West Lot" parking area. They built a "live-work-play" district that generates revenue 365 days a year, not just on the 81 days the Rockies are playing at home.
When you ask who owns the Rockies, you also have to realize they own a significant chunk of Lower Downtown (LoDo) Denver. Between the team, McGregor Square, and various other holdings like "Whiskey Row" on Market Street, the Monfort family is essentially one of the biggest landlords in the city.
The stadium itself, Coors Field, is actually owned by the Denver Metropolitan Major League Baseball Stadium District—a government entity. The Rockies pay about $2.5 million a year in rent, but they keep the lion's share of the concessions, advertising, and ticket revenue. It’s a sweet deal that makes the franchise's valuation skyrocket even when the team is in last place.
Why People Think They Might Sell (And Why They Won't)
Every time the Rockies lose 100 games—which, let's be honest, has happened a lot lately—the "Sell the Team" chants start up. Fans look at the Dodgers or the Mets and wonder why the Rockies don't just spend $300 million on free agents.
Dick Monfort’s net worth is estimated around $700 million to $800 million. In the world of MLB owners, that’s actually on the lower end. He’s not Steve Cohen. He’s a guy who runs the team like a family business, and for a long time, he was criticized for being too loyal to "his guys" rather than hiring outside experts.
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The 2026 season feels different because of the DePodesta hire, but the ownership remains the same. People often speculate that a Denver billionaire like Philip Anschutz or someone from the tech world might swoop in. However, the Rockies are a cash cow. They consistently rank in the top half of MLB attendance because Coors Field is basically a giant outdoor bar with a baseball game in the background.
As long as fans keep showing up to watch the sunset and drink a Silver Bullet, the Monforts have zero financial incentive to walk away.
Key Facts About the Ownership Group
If you're looking for the hard data to settle a bar bet, here it is:
- Controlling Interest: The Monfort family owns roughly 64% of the team.
- Purchase Price: The original expansion fee was $95 million in 1991. Today, the team is valued at well over $1.5 billion.
- Revenue Sharing: Like all MLB teams, the Rockies benefit from a massive revenue-sharing pool, meaning they make money even if their local TV deal is modest compared to the Yankees.
- Community Impact: Through the Monfort Family Foundation, they’ve donated tens of millions to places like Children’s Hospital Colorado and the University of Northern Colorado.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Investors
If you’re a fan trying to make sense of the future of the team, or just someone interested in the business of sports, here is what you need to watch for in the coming years:
- Watch the Real Estate: The Monforts' focus is moving toward more development. If you see them buying up more land near the stadium, it’s a sign they are doubling down on their stay in Denver.
- The "DePodesta Effect": This is the first time in decades the owners have ceded this much control to an analytical "outsider." If the team’s record improves by 2027, the Monforts will feel vindicated in their "stay the course" strategy.
- Succession Planning: With Walker Monfort now in the President's chair, the "next generation" is officially in charge. Expect more modern marketing and perhaps a bit more aggressive spending as the younger Monfort tries to make his mark.
- Attendance is the Key Metric: If you want to see change in ownership, the only thing that moves the needle is empty seats. As long as Coors Field stays full, the Monforts stay in the owner's box.
Ultimately, the Rockies aren't just a sports team; they are a cornerstone of Denver's urban economy. Whether you love them or hate them, the Monforts have woven themselves into the literal fabric of the city's downtown. Understanding that helps explain why they aren't going anywhere anytime soon.
For now, the best thing you can do is keep an eye on how Walker Monfort handles the 2026 trade deadline—it’ll be the first real test of this "new era" of ownership.