Vail to consider funding 2018 stage of Colorado Classic pro cycling tour

Editor’s note: On Tuesday, according to the Vail Daily, the Vail Town Council approved a $300,000 funding request from the Vail Valley Foundation to host two stages of the Colorado Classic on Aug. 16-17 — a Vail Village criterion and the Vail Hill Climb up Vail Pass on what’s left of Highway 6.

The Vail Town Council will consider a funding request to bring the Colorado Classic pro cycling tour to Vail next summer during a discussion at its Tuesday, Dec. 19 meeting. The presentation item is listed as 5.1 on the agenda which begins at 6 p.m. in the Vail Town Council Chambers with opportunities for public comment.

The Colorado Classic is in its second year, with a successful tour in 2017 that did not include the Vail Valley as a stage race. Since then, representatives from the Vail Valley Foundation have been working with event organizers to consider Vail for a circuit race on Aug. 16, 2018 followed by a time trial on Aug. 17, 2018. The event would conclude with stages in Denver on Aug. 18-19.

During Tuesday’s meeting, Mike Imhof from the Vail Valley Foundation along with representatives from the Colorado Classic event, will present an update on negotiations with the Colorado Classic which will include a formal funding request to the Town of Vail of $310,000 plus $65,000 for in-kind services to bring the two stages to Vail. While the August dates are still tentative, the proposal incudes a three-year term with Vail hosting two stages of the event through 2020.

As presented by the Vail Valley Foundation, the potential Colorado Classic schedule would include the following:

Thursday, August 16, 2018
–Circuit race to start and finish in Vail Village (women’s race followed by men’s race)
–Village activation to include expo, food and beverage, and ancillary activities
–Evening activation and/or races to be determined

Friday, August 17, 2018
–Time Trial to start and finish in Vail Village (women’s race followed by men’s race)
–Village activation to include expo, food and beverage, and ancillary activities

Vail last hosted a cycling event in 2014 during the USA Pro Challenge. The Vail Valley Foundation is projecting an estimated 20,000 racing fans would attend the event over three days with a significant, positive economic impact for the Town of Vail.

To review the staff memo on the Colorado Classic funding request, click here or to forward feedback to the Town Council in advance of Tuesday’s discussion email towncouncil@vailgov.com.