Organizers of the first “Thunder in the Rockies” motorcycle rally say the event generated goodwill and millions in revenue for local communities.
Between 58,000 and 62,000 bikers attended the rally, held over Labor Day weekend at The Ranch at the Larimer County Fairgrounds in Loveland. The Ranch consists of the 7,200-seat Budweiser Events Center, an indoor arena and exhibition halls.
The rally generated $14,614,729 for northern Colorado towns and cities surrounding The Ranch, according to an economic impact report released last week.
The $14.6 million figure is based on the number of bikers who attended the rally, officials said.
“Overall, attendees were very satisfied with the event,” said Glenda Catron, marketing coordinator for the events center.
The Sports Marketing Institute at the University of Northern Colorado said 77 percent of the attendees thought their rally experience was “very good or excellent,” Catron said.
At least 40 percent of the attendees were from outside the area. The report also said 31.6 percent were ages 41-50, 20.8 percent were 31-40 and 18 percent were 51-60.
Loveland businesses overall said they weren’t overwhelmed with biker business over the Labor Day holiday, said Gaye Stockman, president and chief executive of the Loveland Chamber of Commerce.
The rally, Stockman said, did not have a “big, big impact on us.”
Still, local residents and law enforcement were pleased that noise and other problems usually associated with a huge motorcycle rally were almost nonexistent.
“Everyone went into the event not knowing what would happen, and we were pleasantly surprised,” she said.
The rally also raised $38,000 in donations for Hurricane Katrina relief aid in partnership with the American Red Cross.
Another $12,418 was raised for charities including the Larimer Humane Society, the first fully accessible playground in Colorado for handicapped children, the Make-A- Wish Foundation and United Way of Larimer County.
Staff writer Monte Whaley can be reached at 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com.
