Colorado should “enthusiastically pursue” a bid to host the 2022 Olympic Winter Games, according to the committee of civic and business leaders tasked with exploring the benefits and ramifications of such a move.
The Denver Olympic Bid Exploratory Committee voted unanimously Wednesday to recommend to Gov. John Hickenlooper and Denver Mayor Michael Hancock that the state and city make a push to serve as the host city.
“The committee finds that there are significant benefits to both pursuing a bid as well as hosting the Games,” according to a seven-page report that the 22-member committee submitted to Hickenlooper and Hancock.
The group estimates that the bid will cost $27.8 million to $45 million.
“Our analysis found Denver and Colorado are capable of financing an Olympic bid without seeking additional financial contributions from the public,” said Don Elliman, co-chairman of the committee. “Our in-depth research of previous bid cities found that even where bids were not successful, the opportunity to bid for the Games had a significant and worthwhile community benefit.”
No companies have pledged financial support, although officials note that fundraising doesn’t typically begin until after a bid is formalized.
“Companies want to sponsor a bid for the Olympics,” said Anne Warhover, co-chairwoman of the committee. “It’s a good way of getting a return on their brand. We’re confident that we could easily raise the private money.”
A “good portion” of the estimated price tag includes anticipated in-kind donations, she said.
A committee-commissioned poll of roughly 600 Colorado voters found that 74 percent favor Denver hosting the Winter Games and 77 percent favor going through with the bid process.
“It is great news to learn about the committee’s unanimous support of a bid,” Hickenlooper and Hancock said in a joint statement. “We will take due consideration of the report, which will inform our decisions on next steps.”
Countries must submit their intent to bid for the 2022 Winter Games by September 2013.
The U.S. Olympic Committee would select the city for the bid. Other cities that may also vie for that spot include Salt Lake City and Reno-Tahoe, Nev.
The International Olympic Committee is expected to select a host city in mid- to late-2015.
This isn’t Denver’s first flirtation with hosting the Olympic Games. The city bid unsuccessfully for the Winter Olympics in 1932 and 1998. Denver was awarded the 1976 Winter Games, but abandoned the opportunity after statewide voters passed a measure in 1972 that banned the use of public money to fund the Olympics.
Warhover said one of the benefits of making a bid is the ” idea of a rallying cry around something that is very positive for the state.”
Andy Vuong : 303-954-1209 or
