Fort Collins Welcomes Ride The Rockies

By, Michael

Despite assumed complaints from Fort Collins residents, Larimer County Commissioners granted permission for Ride the Rockies to enter town with no opposition – thanks to the local beer. For a second year, Odell Brewing Company is co-sponsoring the event along with the Colorado Convention and Visitors Bureau, but this time the ride will end at the brewery to create another beer and bicycling marriage that Fort Collins seems to love.

The proposed route of Ride the Rockies initially conflicted with Larimer County policy that limits the number of special events on county roads, said County Manager Frank Lancaster, but the county commissioners approved the route after a public hearing on Jan. 23. Because the approval exceeds the policy in June, only one event is now permissible for July.

Some Fort Collins residents who live along major roads have complained about events that shut down traffic in the past, but according to Amanda Johnson-King, no one opposed the route at this year’s meeting.

Johnson-King, the press manager at Odell’s, explained the details of the Ride. “There is a celebration in every community that the ride goes through,” Johnson-King said, “So a final festival will be at Odell’s. There will be food, music and bike vendors to make it an enjoyable get-together once everyone is done,” Johnson-King said.

2012 makes this the 27th annual Ride the Rockies for Colorado and Fort Collins’ first time as a host city since 1993. The ride begins in Gunnison and weaves through mountain towns such as Hotchkiss, Carbondale, Leadville, Granby and Estes Park before coming to rest at Odell’s in Fort Collins.

The ride continues to grow over the years with over 2,000 cyclists and $1.5 million in Colorado tourism business. Main sponsors of the entire event include The Denver Post, King Soopers, Wells Fargo and Gatorade.

The event is scheduled June 9 - 15 and coordinators expect a usually large turnout. “Odell’s is excited to be considered a host again along with the Colorado Convention and Visitors Bureau.” Johnson-King said.