USA Pro Cycling Challenge CEO Shawn Hunter Tuesday said that Boulder, Grand Junction and Durango "are among 28 Colorado towns that are interested in hosting a stage for the first time during the 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge," according to John Henderson of the DENVER POST. Eleven towns that "hosted stages last month have requested to do it again after the inaugural week-long race drew an estimated 1 million spectators." Boulder did not host a stage last month "because it conflicted with move-in days for the University of Colorado." Hunter said that he "wants a mountaintop finish" in '12. Mount Evans, "the highest paved road in North America at 14,240 feet, will be considered." But money "will be a factor for the towns." Grand Junction Organizing Committee member Chris Brown said that "hosting a stage costs a town about $250,000." Requests for proposals "will be sent out this month as formal applications," and interested towns "must submit their responses by late October." The "stage hosts will be announced in mid-November" (DENVER POST, 9/14). Officials Tuesday announced that the race will be held next year from Aug. 20-26. Organizers consider "a number of criteria when evaluating a potential host city, which at a minimum includes full city services support." The race "also considers commitments in the areas of lodging, volunteer recruitment, marketing and local tourism" (VAIL DAILY NEWS, 9/15).
