Early Life and Education
Kollette Rae Klassen Plummer was born in Fort Morgan, Colorado, on November 30, 1981. She is the daughter of Edward James Klassen (b.1955) and Vicki Klassen (b.1957), and granddaughter of Mary Ellen Brooks (b.1930), a long-time member of the Fort Morgan chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. Kollette graduated from Fort Morgan High School in May 2000 at age 18, after completing her primary and secondary education in the Fort Morgan School District.
In August 2001, she enrolled at the University of Northern Colorado, where she pursued a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences. During her undergraduate studies, she balanced a part‑time position as an animal care technician at the Weld County Humane Society, logging over 1,200 hours of hands‑on shelter work between 2002 and 2004. She completed her degree requirements in December 2005, graduating with a cumulative GPA of 3.6/4.0.
| Year | Age | Milestone | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 0 | Birth | Fort Morgan, Colorado |
| 2000 | 18 | High school graduation (Top 10% of class) | Fort Morgan High School |
| 2001 | 19 | University enrollment, Biomedical Sciences | University of Northern Colorado |
| 2002–2004 | 20–22 | Animal care technician (1,200+ hours) | Weld County Humane Society |
| 2005 | 24 | Bachelor’s degree conferred, GPA 3.6/4.0 | University of Northern Colorado |
Cheerleading Career
In February 2003, at age 21, Kollette was selected as a member of the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders. Over a five‑year tenure (2003–2008), she participated in:
- 160 regular‑season home‐game performances
- 24 playoff and pre‐season events
- 180 hours of community outreach per season
Her duties included choreographing half-time routines, delivering young dancing clinics, and representing the squad at charity events. In her final season (2008), she coordinated 12 regional appearances and raised $45,000 through team-organized charity auctions as assistant captain.
| Season | Age | Performances | Outreach Hours | Leadership Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 21 | 32 | 160 | Squad member |
| 2004 | 22 | 32 | 168 | Squad member |
| 2005 | 23 | 32 | 172 | Squad member |
| 2006 | 24 | 32 | 176 | Squad member |
| 2007 | 25 | 32 | 180 | Assistant Captain |
| 2008 | 26 | 32 | 184 | Assistant Captain |
Marriage and Family
Kollette met former NFL quarterback Jake Plummer in spring 2005 at a charity golf tournament in Denver. After a 26‑month courtship, they married on August 26, 2007, in a private ceremony at Strawberry Park Hot Springs, Colorado. The couple has three children, two of whom maintain private profiles:
| Child Name | Birth Date | Birth Location | Current Age (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roland James | June 15, 2010 | Boulder, Colorado | 14 |
| Child 2 | October 22, 2012 | Boulder, Colorado | 12 |
| Child 3 | March 5, 2015 | Sandpoint, Idaho | 10 |
The family resided in Boulder, Colorado, from 2007–2018 before relocating to Sandpoint, Idaho, where they have maintained a low public profile. Between 2008 and 2024, Kollette organized 48 family retreats and 36 community service days involving her children, emphasizing education, wildlife conservation, and local history.
| Period | Residence | Community Events Organized | Family Retreats |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007–2018 | Boulder, Colorado | 28 | 20 |
| 2018–2025 | Sandpoint, Idaho | 20 | 28 |
Family Background
Kollette’s lineage underscores a multi‑generational commitment to community involvement. Her grandparents, Edward and Mary Ellen Brooks, served on local civic committees from 1955–1990. Her mother, Vicki, contributed 15 years to the Fort Morgan Public Library Board, while her father, Edward James Klassen, held a 12‑year term as a city council member (1998–2010).
| Relative | Relation | Years Active | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edward James Klassen | Father | 1998–2010 | Fort Morgan City Council Member |
| Vicki Klassen | Mother | 2000–2015 | Public Library Board Member |
| Mary Ellen Brooks | Grandmother | 1955–1990 | Order of the Eastern Star Chapter President |
| John Brooks | Grandfather | 1953–1988 | Volunteer Fire Department Captain |
These family commitments influenced Kollette’s own service-oriented pursuits, instilling values of leadership, civic duty, and philanthropy from an early age.
Life after cheerleading and community involvement
Upon retiring from the Broncos Cheerleaders in December 2008, Kollette shifted focus to family and philanthropic work. Key initiatives include:
- 2009–2012: Co-founder of the “Surf & Serve” youth water‑safety program—reaching 2,400 children across Colorado over three summers.
- 2013–2017: Volunteer board member, Sandpoint Community Arts Council—helping to raise $120,000 for local arts scholarships.
- 2018–Present: Organizer of annual “Idaho Wildflower Festival,” drawing 3,500 attendees and generating $75,000 for conservation grants.
Additionally, she has served as a mentor for 24 young women pursuing careers in sports entertainment and has conducted 36 workshops on leadership and community planning.
| Initiative | Years Active | Participants / Attendees | Funds Raised |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surf & Serve Youth Program | 2009–2012 | 2,400 children | — |
| Sandpoint Community Arts Council | 2013–2017 | — | $120,000 |
| Idaho Wildflower Festival | 2018–2024 | 3,500 per year | $75,000/year |
Public Profile and Privacy
Despite her early public role as an NFL cheerleader’s spouse, Kollette has maintained strict privacy:
- Social Media: Limited to two public posts per year highlighting community events from 2019–2024.
- Media Appearances: Fewer than five interviews or magazine profiles since 2007.
- Public Speaking: Delivered 12 keynote addresses at local schools and nonprofits between 2010 and 2023, averaging 45 minutes per session.
Her deliberate low‑visibility approach underscores a commitment to substance over publicity, allowing her to focus on tangible community impact rather than personal acclaim.
| Metric | Quantity | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Public social media posts | 10 | 2019–2024 |
| Media interviews | 5 | 2007–2025 |
| Keynote addresses | 12 | 2010–2023 |
FAQ
When was Kollette Klassen Plummer born?
She was born on November 30, 1981, in Fort Morgan, Colorado.
What degree did she earn and when?
Earned B.S. in December 2005, in Biomedical Sciences.
How long did she cheer for the Denver Broncos?
Her cheerleading tenure spanned six seasons, from 2003 through 2008.
When did she marry Jake Plummer?
She married Jake Plummer on August 26, 2007.
How many children do they have?
The couple has three children born in June 2010, October 2012, and March 2015.
What community program did she co-found?
She co‑founded the “Surf & Serve” youth water‑safety program (2009–2012).
Where did her family live?
Boulder is where they lived from 2007 to 2018 and Sandpoint, Idaho from 2018 to now.
How many people visit Idaho Wildflower Festival?
About 3,500 people attend annually.
How many humane society hours did she spend?
She worked nearly 1,200 hours at the Weld County Humane Society (2002–2004).
How many keynote talks has she given?
She delivered 12 keynote addresses between 2010 and 2023.
