(ATR) A bid for the Winter Olympics by Denver, Colorado could be achieved without public money.
That’s according to leaders of an exploratory committee examining the possibility of returning the Winter Olympics to the United States for the first time since Salt Lake City 2002.
Led by chairman Rob Cohen, the committee estimates a price tag of $2 billion to host the Olympics in Denver that it believes can be reached solely with private investments. The committee adds that no mega-projects would be needed to host the event and that potential revenues above $100 million could be used to fund future infrastructure projects.
The exploratory committee confirmed their focus on bidding for the 2030 Winter Games although the International Olympic Committee is currently seeking bidders for 2026. The Denver exploratory committee had until March to determine whether it would pursue a bid for 2026.
However, the United States Olympic Committee announced while in PyeongChang that it would not seek a 2026 bid unless another dual-Olympic award possibility was opened for 2026 and 2030. The USOC was the beneficiary of a dual award for the 2028 Summer Olympics after Los Angeles originally bid for the 2024 edition.
Los Angeles hosting in 2028 has caused potential U.S. bidders to readjust their Olympic plans for 2026 to 2030 as the USOC aims to protect its marketing strategy for LA 2028.
Salt Lake City was the first U.S. city to confirm the shift in focus to 2030 earlier this month, touting its existing facilities from the 2002 Winter Games and the expertise acquired staging the 17-day event. Reno, Nevada is also contemplating an Olympic bid.
The IOC could be reluctant to give Denver another shot at hosting the Games as the city infamously withdrew its hosting rights after winning the vote for the 1976 Winter Olympics. Innsbruck stood in to deliver the Games and Denver remains the sole city to willingly renege on its winning Olympic bid.
The 2030 exploratory committee is expected to make its recommendation to Denver Mayor Michael Hancock before May unless the potential for a dual award surfaces, according to Cohen.
Written by Kevin Nutley
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