A Native American chief called “Little Rover” was cited in an 1860 newspaper, and perhaps this influenced the “Rover” nickname. “Red-skinned rover” was also cited in print in 1860.
FROM THE PIKE’S PEAK GOLD REGION.
DENVER CITY, Pike’s Peak, June 16, 1860.
About a thousand Arrapahoes have been encamped near Denver; but a day or two since their braves, led by “Little Rover,” the chief and “left Hand,” the interpreter, starter on a war party against the “Utes,” leaving their squaws and papooses here.
NICKNAMES APPLIED OT THE PEOPLE OF THE STATES.
Colorado...Rovers...The roving disposition of its settlers, at the time of the Pike’s Peak gold fever.
Colorado. Rovers (from their roving disposition).
Wikipedia: Colorado Rovers S. C.
The Colorado Rovers are an American soccer club based in Denver, Colorado. The club is a member of the United States Specialty Sports Association, A US Soccer affiliate that plays in the Colorado Amateur Soccer League’s first division. Founded in 1992, the club gained notoriety in 2013 when they reached the play-in round of the 2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, upon winning the 2013 USSSA National Cup.
St. Clair Shores, MI: Somerset Publishing, Inc.
Rovers 1896 Colorado State (ind.). SPanish explorers camped here in the eighteenth century. Later, trappers, traders and prospectors reached the area, leading to the establishment of Fort Pueblo in 1842. “Rover” is another name for “explorer” or “wanderer.” Colorado is the “Buffalo Plains State.” Buffalo herds roamed and roved across this region. “Rover” was also a nineteenth century slang for a baseball player.