Denver's First Community-Based High School Robotics Team Competes at Regional Event

Denbot Robotics Team aims to expand STEM access and opportunity for Denver students.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 1:06am

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A highly structured abstract painting in muted tones of green, brown, and blue, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise mechanical spirals, conceptually representing the complex technical systems and programming involved in a high school robotics competition.Denbot Robotics Team's community-based approach aims to make competitive STEM opportunities accessible to more Denver students.Denver Today

Denbot Robotics Team, a unique nonprofit community-based high school initiative, is redefining STEM access and opportunity by empowering Denver students. The team, made up of 17 students from five Denver high schools, is competing this week at the FIRST Robotics Denver Regional against nearly 50 other teams, bringing together students who otherwise would have no access to competitive robotics.

Why it matters

Of the roughly 60 to 70 public, private and charter high schools in the Denver area, only about five offer FIRST Robotics programs, leaving most students without a pathway into competitive robotics. Denbot Robotics Team was created specifically to address this gap in access and make STEM opportunities more inclusive for Denver students.

The details

Denbot Robotics Team, registered as FIRST Robotics Team No. 9586, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The team is competing in a tournament where robots designed and built by student teams pick up large yellow balls and fire them into elevated goals, a timed challenge that combines autonomous programming with human-controlled driving. Students on the team work with mentors across multiple disciplines to design, build and program a 120-pound industrial-style robot, gaining experience in prototyping, computer-aided design, electrical wiring and programming in Java.

  • The FIRST Robotics Denver Regional is taking place from April 9-11, 2026 at the University of Denver's Ritchie Center.
  • Denbot Robotics Team was created specifically to address the gap in access to competitive robotics programs in the Denver area.

The players

Denbot Robotics Team

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit community-based high school robotics team made up of 17 students from five Denver high schools.

Arturo

The co-founder of Denbot Robotics Team, who created the team to address the lack of access to competitive robotics programs in Denver.

Hailey Philp

A 17-year-old junior at East High School who serves as the team's driver, responsible for operating the robot during matches.

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What they’re saying

“A student's zip code or school affiliation should never determine their access to high-quality STEM opportunities.”

— Arturo, Co-founder, Denbot Robotics Team

“Through Denbot, I've learned where my passions really are in material sciences. It really just gives you a great STEM program to get you into college and to help you learn what your passions are.”

— Hailey Philp, Junior, East High School

What’s next

Denbot Robotics Team is actively recruiting new members, particularly as a wave of seniors prepares to graduate. The team is hoping to expand its reach and provide more Denver students with access to competitive robotics programs.

The takeaway

Denbot Robotics Team's community-based approach to high school robotics is a model for how to make STEM opportunities more inclusive and accessible, ensuring that a student's background or school affiliation does not limit their access to valuable learning experiences.