Trivia Challenge Seeks 'Smartest Brains in Broomfield'

By Kristen Beckman

It’s time again for Broomfielders to test their trivia talents at the 6th Annual Broomfield Brain Trust Trivia Challenge. The event is scheduled to take place from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Friday, February 24, at the Chateaux at Fox Meadows, 13600 Xavier Lane.

Thirty teams of four, five, or six contestants can enter the challenge for $300 per team. Pizza, salad, drinks, and dessert are provided for participants and included in each team’s entry fee.

The trivia contest includes eight categories consisting of eight questions each. Questions are projected onto a screen, and participants fill out a form with their answers, which contest monitors tally after each round. Questions are developed by the club’s Quiz Mistress, Jan Stokes, with help from a few club members and kept secret until they are presented at the event.

Since the event was launched seven years ago, participation has grown each year, starting with 15 teams during its first year and nearly doubling that number as of 2020. Most teams return to participate year after year. After taking 2021 off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event returned in 2022 to test Broomfielders on their knowledge of a wide variety of topics. Bruce Erley of Creative Strategies Group emceed the event, which included questions on topics ranging from famous movie lines, equine luminaries, textiles and fabrics, and under the sea.

Last year’s challenge drew more than 120 competitors and volunteers, including 17 teams of six competitors competing for the title of “Smartest Brains in Broomfield” and the coveted electronic Broomfield Brain Trust trophy.

Part of the evening’s fun is the creative team names. Last year’s team monikers included Honorable Mention, made up of the Broomfield mayor, mayor protem and four council members. Other team names were Clueless, The Brainy Bunch, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Gray Matters, and Emerald Dragons. Teams were sponsored by local businesses, charities, and individuals.

After all questions were answered last year, there was a tie between the Emerald Dragons, representing Emerald Elementary School, and the Catfished team sponsored by Broomfield FISH. This prompted a single-question run-off that boosted the Catfished team to victory.

The Rotary Club of Broomfield Crossing sponsors and staffs the event each year and the proceeds from the team entry donations benefit charities such as End Polio Now; Broomfield FISH; Emerald Elementary School; FRIENDS of Broomfield; Stargate School; and the Broomfield Community Foundation. Proceeds raised during the event typically total up to $5,000, said Broomfield Brain Trust Boss Jeff Taylor.

“The Trivia Challenge is a great chance for people to get out at a time of year when not much else is happening, enjoy terrific food, and have fun building camaraderie with their teammates while donating to local and global charities,” said Taylor.

Contact Taylor at taylorx3@comcast.net or 970-331-2375 to reserve your table now. Earliest reservations get best seating, and there is a space limitation of 30 tables.