Late last year, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock appointed a committee aimed at exploring the possibility of the Mile High City bidding for the Winter Olympics and Paralympics. Now, you have the chance to tell them what you think.
You might remember how back in 1972, Denver won and then rejected the 1976 Winter Olympics, saying they didn’t have the money.
The exploratory committee for this go-around involves a group of civic and community leaders from across the state. In addition to determining if hosting the Olympics is a good idea to begin with, the committee is tasked with determining whether the games could be financed privately or would negatively impact the environment.
Big names on the committee include former Nugget and Colorado native Chauncey Billups, former Olympian Jeremy Bloom, Denver City Councilman Albus Brooks, Tami Door, the president and CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership and Peyton Manning.
Rob Cohen, the chairman and CEO of the IMA Financial Group, has been appointed the chair of the committee.
"We get asked about '76," Cohen told 9NEWS. "What the IOC was in '76 and what Denver was. We had one pro team. The Nuggets weren't even in the NBA, games were different. Fast forward 50 years and Denver is completely different."
The committee will have to present their findings to Hancock and Gov. John Hickenlooper (D-Colorado) in March.
The public can weigh in both online and in person. You can find a survey here: http://bit.ly/2DMPpkG
Webinars are slated for Feb. 8 at 6 p.m. and Feb. 24 at 9 a.m.
Details about the webinars and other meetings will be posted here: http://denv.co/2EotGRa
Back in December, U.S. Olympic Committee chairman said Denver, Salt Lake City and Reno, Nevada are among the cities that could be considered for an upcoming Olympic bid.
