The Boulder City Council gave primary approval last week for the return of a professional race to this iconic race town for the first time since 2012, allowing Colorado Classic race organizers to move forward with their plans and return with a final OK in the future.

The Colorado Classic began as a men's and women's event in 2017, but switched to a women's-only UCI 2.1 race this year; the 2020 race will run for four days, August 27-30, with the third stage on August 29 in Boulder.

The Colorado town is home to many professional riders and several cycling magazines, and has held an iconic status in American cycling since hosting stages of the Red Zinger Mini Classic and Coors Classic in the 1970s and 1980s.

Boulder, CO.

The last time Boulder hosted a pro race was in 2012, when the former USA Pro Challenge competed in Stage 6. This stage was 165.6 km long, starting in Golden, followed by several laps through downtown, and finally climbing Flagstaff Mountain.

Australian Rory Sutherland, then with UnitedHealthcare, rode alone in the second half to take the stage win ahead of Astana's Fabio Aru. Garmin's Christian Vande Velde won the final time trial in Denver to take the overall win that year.

The 2012 Boulder stage was not without controversy, as local residents were concerned about the impact on natural areas in Flagstaff. Spectators had to secure passes online prior to the event in order to line up on the climbs and participate in the finish. However, this special measure did not hinder spectator turnout, which was about 10 fans from the top to the finish, making it one of the most dynamic days of racing in recent US Cycling history. The short lap through Boulder also drew a large crowd.

According to the Boulder Daily Camera, Colorado Classic organizers approached Boulder about staging the 2019 race, but the city council rejected the application because the dates overlapped with other events and annual travel days for University of Colorado students.

While the agreement to bring the ProRace back to Boulder next August is not final, city staff is recommending approval of the special event permit application, according to the Daily Camera.

According to online journalist Shay Castle, the application would seek up to $30,000 in in-kind support from the city in the form of police and other public services needed to host the race, as well as $10,000 worth of hotel and lodging support from the local visitors bureau.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis previously sent a letter to the City Council supporting the return of pro racing to Boulder, which, according to the Daily Camera, reads in part I think the Colorado Classic is a great fit for Boulder."

The letter also stated.

Chloe Dygert (Sho Air-Twenty20) won the inaugural women-only Colorado Classic in 2019, winning all four stages in Steamboat, Avon, Golden, and Denver before winning the UCI Road World Championship individual time trial in September title in the UCI Road World Championships.