Colorado Governor Bill Ritter said he was disappointed that Chicago lost the 2016 Games, but he was still “extremely” interested in a future Olympic bid.
The Governor issued a joint statement with Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper in which he said, “in Colorado our interest in attracting and hosting world-class athletic events, including the Olympics, remains extremely high, and we will follow the guidance of the USOC when it comes to any Olympic efforts. As we consider possible next steps I look forward to working with Mayor Hickenlooper, the Metro Denver Sports Commission, and the U.S. Olympic Committee in the hear future”.
The Associated Press reports that last year the Governor said if Chicago didn’t win the 2016 Summer Games, Denver would be a viable candidate for the 2018 Winter Games.
Karen Brownell, President of the Metro Denver Sports Commission, said Friday it will be up to the U.S. Olympic Committee to decide who bids next. She said there is another Summer Olympics before the race for the 2022 Winter Olympics begins in 2013 that could attract U.S. cities, and the 2022 Olympics won’t be awarded until 2015. “I think we can be ready by then”, she said.
Brownell added that times have changed in Colorado, including tough limits on taxes and spending approved by voters in 1992, so any bid by Colorado would have to be self-funding and provide a good return on investment.
“For events we bring to Denver, it’s imperative that we create a sustainable economic model”, she said.
