Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock, with the support of Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, has assembled a group of civic and community leaders from around the State of Colorado to determine whether Denver should submit a bid for a future Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games when the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) issues a call for U.S. candidates.

Denver’s exploratory committee will, first and foremost, determine if hosting a future Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games would be good for Denver and Colorado. That includes identifying ways for the Games to be financed privately, while still meeting all of the requirements of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The exploratory committee will also determine what legacy an Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games would leave for Denver and Colorado, as well as establish the appropriate forums for community input.

The exploratory committee is tasked with working with our local, regional and statewide communities and stakeholders to determine if an Olympic Winter Games bid is feasible. The mayor asked the exploratory committee to consider four critical elements:

• Would an Olympic Winter Games be good for Denver, our partners in the metro region and Colorado?


• Could the Games be financed privately and what are the risks of hosting?


• What would the legacy be for Denver and Colorado? We must consider our needs, as well as those of the Olympic movement.


• What are the appropriate forums for community input? This will require a strong community effort.