COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC announced on Wednesday that Weidner Apartment Homes – one of the largest apartment owners in the United States – is taking full ownership of the club, ushering in a new era of leadership for the reigning 2024 USL Championship title winners.

This transition builds on a decade of dedication from Ed Ragain and his family, ensuring the club’s legacy and its lasting connection with the community. The Ragain family was instrumental in bringing professional soccer to Colorado Springs, launching the Switchbacks in 2014 as part of the City for Champions initiative. Their efforts established the foundation for the club’s development and long-term investment in the region. 

“We are incredibly appreciative of the Ragain family’s contributions to the growth of the Switchbacks and their steadfast dedication to the club over the past decade,” said USL Chief Executive Officer Alec Papadakis. “As Weidner Apartment Homes takes on full ownership, we are confident in their vision and ability to drive the next phase of the club’s success. With strong leadership, we are excited to see how they will elevate the Switchbacks as one of the league’s flagship clubs and expand their influence both within Colorado Springs and on the national stage.” 

Switchbacks FC entered a partnership with Weidner Apartment Homes, owned by Colorado Springs native Dean Weidner, in 2016. This partnership would lay the foundation for the club’s exponential growth, fueled by the construction of the $50M, 8,000-seat Weidner Field, which opened in 2020. The stadium has become a cornerstone of the city’s sports scene, drawing record crowds, including a sell-out during November’s USL Championship Final. 

“Weidner Apartment Homes is proud to take full ownership of the Switchbacks and continue the legacy built by the Ragain family,” Weidner said. “When we envisioned the Epicenter sculpture at the entrance to Weidner Field, we had a vision of enhancing Colorado Springs’ reputation as a leader in Olympic, professional, collegiate and amateur sports. As a community builder for nearly 50 years, I believe that in its purest form, sport has a unique power to unite and build community. Through that lens, we recently made the strategic decision to deepen our commitment to Switchbacks FC, and the city of Colorado Springs, with this significant investment into this franchise.” 

The club will be led by Board of Directors Robert Carr, Eric Moselle, Greg Cerbana and Laura Neumann. Neumann has been instrumental in Weidner’s investment in Colorado Springs since 2018, leading key business initiatives and strengthening partnerships. In her expanded role on the Board of Directors, she will work closely with the Switchbacks’ business and technical staffs to build on the team’s achievements and enhance its regional connections. 

“Alongside my fellow Board of Directors, I am honored to lead the Colorado Springs Switchbacks and excited to work shoulder to shoulder with our talented staff and dedicated ownership to build on the club’s strong foundation,” Neumann said. “Our focus is on ensuring the Switchbacks continue to thrive—both on and off the field—by delivering meaningful experiences for our fans and the community. With a clear vision for the future and a commitment to sustainable success, we are poised to compete at the highest level and create lasting impact for years to come.” 

The club’s technical leadership will remain intact under the new ownership structure, and both Nick and James Ragain have accepted offers to stay with the club through the transition.

The Switchbacks have reached the playoffs in each of the last four seasons, culminating in the 2024 USL Championship Final, which was broadcast to a national television audience of 431,000 on the CBS Television Network – the largest in league history.