It is being suggested that we could leverage the possibility of a statewide Winter Olympic bid for 2022, to fund an advanced inter-mountain rail system. This would alleviate congestion on the I-70 corridor, which has always been a fear of the Olympic Committee when considering Colorado for an Olympic bid.

David Williams of the Colorado Independent writes:

The only reason Colorado should consider bidding for the 2022 Games is if it results in a massive influx of federal funds to build a mountain rail system, said Harry Dale, an engineer and former telecommunications project manager who’s now a Clear Creek County commissioner and president of the Rocky Mountain 

"Even though I live in Vail, my own vision would be to spread the Olympic love throughout Colorado ski country with events all over the state. We would wind up with an interconnecting rail system that would give Colorado a winter sports competitive edge for decades to come because of our high altitude and lower travel costs in an era of rising fuel prices and global warming.

The alpine skiing could be held at Vail and Beaver Creek, which already has one of the top downhill courses in the world. Aspen, which dedicates all of Buttermilk to the X Games, could host snowboarding, ski cross and boarder cross. Winter Park, a Denver City and County-owned resort that already has rail access and one of the best mogul mountains in the world at Mary Jane, could host freestyle moguls.

Steamboat Springs, because of its tradition of producing Olympic athletes and its dedicated

Nordic ski jumping facility at Howelsen Hill, could host those events, as well as cross-country skiing and biathlon. Breckenridge, or one of the other Summit County resort towns, could host all the sliding sports: luge, skeleton and bobsled. All skating events and curling could be held at Denver’s Pepsi Center, which should not be wastefully rebuilt within what still would only be a couple of decades of first opening.

This is all fine and dandy, but what about the Environmental and Social impact of such an endeavor?

Tell us what you think.

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Comments (3)

• |2011-01-12 12:45:50 Jonathan Mullins  - Way too political!
  As one of the greatest ski and winter-sports sites in the world, how is it that Colorado has not hosted the Winter Olympics already? Granted, there are always infrastructure and industry problems to consider, but what former venue city hasn't experienced this! Colorado and Denver are more than capable of hosting this magnificent event and need to make a push to do so. This should be up to the people of this great state, not the politicians. It is obvious, across this country, how badly things can be f***ed up if left in the hands of politicians to decide! Don't let one of the greatest opportunities for Colorado go to waste because of some career and media-centered politicians.
  Colorado is Ski Country USA!! When a majority of people think of skiing, they think of Colorado. Lets make it even better, with the Olympic games!
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• |2011-07-26 22:46:57 Molly Brown  - Because Denver BLEW IT in 1972!
  J. Mullins asked: how is it that Colorado has not hosted the Winter Olympics already?
  
  Because the foolish citizens of Denver gave it back to the IOC in 1972. The IOC already awarded the 1976 Games to Denver as a Bicentennial gift to the U.S.A. But the NIMBY citizens of Denver decided they didn't want the Games after all, and sent the IOC scrounging for a replacement host.
  
  Now, the Denverites want it again? Isn't that rather shameless? And why should the IOC re-award it to Denver when there are other cities probably more sincere and deserving? U had it in the bag in 1972, and u blew it!! What are you doing going after it again? What a lame move!!
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• |2011-09-17 17:41:48 Sam
  its called learning from your mistakes.
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• |2011-11-06 08:10:05 RJ  - Olympics are Awesome, but are not for Colorado
  There is very little evidence that the Olympics, winter or summer, ever actually generates the revenue anticipated. I think that the reasons that Denver turned down the IOC before are still valid. It will be an extremely costly endeavor that we cannot afford now and will not likely be able to afford in 2020 when construction will have to begin. Colorado is already internationally known for our skiing and mountain activities and despite the ridiculous price hikes in recent years, still attracts millions of people to our state annually.
  Another thing to consider in regards to the Winter Olympics specifically is that snow is never guaranteed. Whistler had to truck in snow for their 2010 Olympics.
  Efforts really do need to be made to alleviate congestion on I-70 but the Olympics is not the answer.
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• |2011-11-26 04:37:22 Martin Kimmitt  - Colorado should sieze this opportunity
  As a British person who regularly visits Colorado for skiing holidays and to visit family, I am amazed Colorado has never hosted the games. Colorado is the no.1 winter sports location in North America and should sieze this amazing opportunity. The economic benefits of hosting the games, not least from a decent rail system that finally links the various resorts to Denver and each other, would be considerable. It would bring in cosiderable investment, TV money and cement and enhance the position of all of Colorado (maybe even Denver!) as a tourist destination. To not put a bid together could well go down as the missed opportunity of a lifetime. Ultimately the people of Colorado should decide after a proper debate, but I certainly hope to see what would undoubtedly be the best games ever, come to Colorado.
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