League-wide financial problems and the high rate of rent at Rentschler Field led to the league suspending the Colonials' operations in August 2011, a month before it would have begun play in its third season.

The Colonials and Sentinels were historically the worst of the UFL's five teams, having a combined record of 3–11 (.214) and finishing in last place in both seasons.

[1] Both New York and Hartford were among the six inaugural teams originally announced for the 2009 season, along with Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Orlando, and San Francisco.

Northland AEG, L.L.C., the operators of Rentschler Field,[7] purchased a stake in the franchise upon the team's arrival in Hartford, though exactly what size share the company owned is unknown.

The Colonials presented a living history program that featured Revolutionary War soldiers with muskets, a horseman portraying Connecticut hero David Humphreys, and a period cannon and crew in the end zone that fired after every Colonials score, all interacting with fans before and during the home games.

[8] The Colonials were a bellwether for many of the problems that would plague the league beginning at the end of the 2010 season; the team narrowly averted a strike in protest to a proposed transfer fee that would have effectively prevented players from signing on with a National Football League franchise after the season ended.

An agreement had not yet been secured for the team to return to Rentschler Field until June 2011;[10] unpaid debts and a change in stadium management held up negotiations.