USA BMX 2021 NATIONAL EVENT PROPOSAL Greater Grand Junction Sports Commission EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

We’re ready to host your USA BMX National event. Let your racers shred in the best venue in the west.

OVERVIEW Greater Grand Junction Sports Commission (GGJSC), on behalf of Grand Valley BMX and with the support of Mesa County and the City of Grand Junction, is seeking hosting rights to the USA BMX 2021 Nationals.

Grand Junction is a venue perfectly poised to host this national event.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Race Venue ...... Page 4 Lodging Information ...... Page 8 Financial Fees & Enhancements ...... Page 12 Media & Marketing Promotions ...... Page 13 Greater Grand Junction Sports Commission ...... Page 14 History of Events About Grand Junction ...... Page 16 Demographic Analysis Weather Analysis Letters of Support ...... Page 22

2 GREATER GRAND JUNCTION SPORTS COMMISSION PROPOSED LOCATION Grand Valley BMX 2785 US-50 Grand Junction, CO 81503 DETAILS ON PAGE 4

LODGING The Greater Grand Junction Sports Commission has a great working relationship with Visit Grand Junction and our lodging partners. With 37 hotels and over 500 vacation homes, Grand Junction has a variety of comfortable and affordable lodging options perfect for this event. DETAILS ON PAGE 8

ENHANCEMENTS • Event sponsorship/rights fees • Rental cars • Advertisement in PULL magazine • GGJSC will work with Grand Valley BMX to host a local event prior to Nationals, offering discounts to activate new local membership. DETAILS ON PAGE 12

LOCAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for our community’s National BMX events will be comprised of a list of notable leaders, sponsors, and organizers. With support from Nick Adams, the BMX track operator and former USA BMX employee, the group will include experienced individuals. Should we be awarded hosting rights, the Greater Grand Junction Sports Commission is committed to developing a Local Organizing Committee that will generate local engagement to support this event and will provide additional contacts as we develop our committee and outreach. DETAILS ON PAGE 12

USA BMX 2021 NATIONALS PROPOSAL 3 RACE VENUE

4 GREATER GRAND JUNCTION SPORTS COMMISSION GRAND VALLEY BMX

Grand Valley BMX has been a top-10 track in the Central Region, 8 of the last 10 years, and the number 1 track in Colorado from 2008 to 2015, and again in 2017.

he track is one of five public tracks in the United States with an Olympic Starting Hill (8m) and Twas rebuilt this year by USA BMX National Track Builder, Billy Allen.

Covered bleachers Ample parking & green Night lighting space around track

USA BMX 2021 NATIONALS PROPOSAL 5 Grand Valley BMX provides superior amenities for hosting the 2021 Nationals:

1. Ample parking! With only two entrances 6. Portable restrooms will be provided by into the parking area, and the necessary Western Colorado Waste and cleaned after manpower, organization, and maintenance, Friday and Saturday events. parking will not be a hurdle. 7. Monument Waste will provide trash 2. Green space around the track allows plenty receptacles that will be placed throughout of space for teams and vendors. the venue and parking lots.

3. Food & Beverage/Concessions. Grand 8. Venue has night lighting. Valley BMX will contract with a preferred vendor, familiar with working national BMX 9. Venue has dedicated track maintenance events, to serve up delicious food and icy employees for the duration of the event. refreshments. 10. Covered bleachers seat approximately 4. No venue permit fees. 1,000. If more bleacher seating is required, capacity can be increased. 5. Grand Valley BMX will work with the USA BMX medical director to ensure that all 11. Full hook-up camping on-site. requirements are met. Grand Valley BMX will also work with local medics to provide additional assistance.

6 GREATER GRAND JUNCTION SPORTS COMMISSION USA BMX 2021 NATIONALS PROPOSAL 7 ACCOMMODATIONS

With 37 hotels and over 500 vacation homes, Grand Junction has a variety

he Greater Grand Junction Sports Commission of comfortable and Thas a great working relationship with Visit affordable lodging Grand Junction and our lodging partners. We are committed to making the appropriate options. introductions and providing lodging information that meets the needs of this national event.

With 37 hotels and over 500 vacation homes, Once a date has been selected, working with our Grand Junction has a variety of comfortable and lodging partners will be seamless and easy! Visit affordable lodging options perfect for this event. Grand Junction will send out a lead request to Participants can stay close to I-70 along Horizon properties who will then respond with competitive Drive or in Downtown Grand Junction. Both are room rates or available room blocks for the event. within walking distance to a variety of restaurants as well as outdoor activities. Bringing your furry friend? No problem, Grand Junction has plenty of pet-friendly options, too.

8 GREATER GRAND JUNCTION SPORTS COMMISSION LODGING LOCATIONS

EST GRAND HORION DRIVE JUNCTION DISTRICT

DONTON DISTRICT

GRAND VALLEY BMX

USA BMX 2021 NATIONALS PROPOSAL 9 Total Lodging Rooms 3,086

10 GREATER GRAND JUNCTION SPORTS COMMISSION GRAND JUNCTION LODGING PROPERTIES AND RATES

Name City # of Average Miles from Name City # of Average Miles from rooms Rates Start/Finish rooms Rates Start/Finish

Americas Best GJ 97 $52 - $99 8 Knights Inn GJ 42 $49-$99 8 Value Inn Candlewood Suites GJ 97 $89 - $229 8 La Quinta Inn & GJ 108 $94 8 Suites Clarion Inn GJ 239 $79 - $129 8 Marriott Downtown GJ 70 $94-$249 4 Fairfield Inn & Suites Columbine Motel GJ 14 $79 - $129 6 Marriott-Downtown GJ 100 $94-$259 4 Springhill Suites Comfort Inn GJ 54 8 Mesa Inn Grand GJ 123 $39 - $110 7 Junction Courtyard by GJ 136 $94-$160 8 Marriott Motel 6 GJ 100 $37 - $199 8 Days Inn Grand GJ 80 7 Junction Quality Inn GJ 107 $79 8 Doubletree by GJ 273 $129 8 Hilton Ramada Inn GJ 100 8 Econo Lodge GJ 48 $59 - $99 8 Red Roof Inn GJ 100 $59 - $99 10

Frontier Motor GJ 22 6 Lodge Residence Inn by GJ 104 $89-$229 8 Marriott Grand Vista Hotel GJ 158 $52 - $159 8 Super 8 Grand GJ 50 $60 - $99 8 Junction Hampton Inn GJ 80 $94-$209 4 (downtown) Timbers Motel GJ 28 8 Historic Melrose GJ 20 $55 - $100 4 Hotel Travelodge GJ 141 $54-$120 8 Holiday Inn Express GJ 89 $84 - $199 8 & Suites Tru by Hilton GJ 92 $94-$209 4 (downtown) Holiday Inn GJ 119 $119 8 Horizon Dr Woodsprings GJ 124 8 Suites Home2 Suites By GJ 91 8 Hilton

USA BMX 2021 NATIONALS PROPOSAL 11 FINANCIAL FEES & ENHANCEMENTS The Greater Grand Junction Sports Commission proposes the following event enhancements

Host fee of $20,000 plus the following:

Paid advertisement in PULL magazine

GGJSC will work with Grand Valley BMX to host a local event prior to Nationals, offering discounts to activate new local memberships.

Two (2) rental cars for 7 rental days

We will work with area entertainers and organizations to explore doing a festival adjacent to the BMX track.

The Local Organizing Committee for our community’s National BMX events will be comprised of a list of notable leaders, sponsors, and organizers. With support from Nick Adams, the BMX track operator and former USA BMX employee, the group will include experienced individuals. Should we be awarded hosting rights, the Greater Grand Junction Sports Commission is committed to developing a Local Organizing Committee that will generate local engagement to support this event and will provide additional contacts as we develop our committee and outreach.

PROPOSED DATES

MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 1-31 1-30 1-31 1-31 1-30 1-31

12 GREATER GRAND JUNCTION SPORTS COMMISSION MEDIA & MARKETING Attracting and maintaining local riders is our primary focus. Grand Valley BMX and GGJSC will work with schools through the Foundation outreach programs and local media to establish interviews and airtime for top local and national riders competing. In addition to this outreach, GGJSC and Grand Valley BMX will utilize the Colorado Mesa University Cycling team and coaches to help promote the event. Also. if the event is the right time of year, we would be honored to host the Collegiate National Championships.

The Greater Grand Junction Sports Commission and Grand Valley BMX will work collaboratively to host a local event to help activate new membership into the sport and foster interest and accessibility throughout the valley.

Furthermore, our municipal and governmental partners view this event as an opportunity to enhance our community’s economic development, of which the sports commission is a part. The yielding result is a community that will be fully vested in the success of the event for all involved.

USA BMX 2021 NATIONALS PROPOSAL 13 The Grand Junction community has a longstanding history of supporting successful ABOUT GGJSC sporting events. Whether we’re hosting the The Greater Grand Junction Sports Commission Junior College World Series, cheering on the (GGJSC) is a collaborative effort between Grand Junction Rockies, watching mountain Colorado Mesa University, the City of Grand bike races, running marathons, supporting the Junction, Mesa County, the City of Fruita and the Colorado Special Olympics, or watching the USA Town of Palisade to promote sport tourism in Cycling championships – the foundation is in the community. The organization’s mission is to place to make your athletic event a success. represent the greater Grand Junction Area while attracting new events and enhancing existing Additionally, Grand Valley BMX is no stranger events. GGJSC positively impacts the economy to hosting events. The track was scheduled to and community, and delivers the highest level of host approximately 55 local races in 2020, 3 customer service. five-week sessions of the BMX Racing League, approximately 50 practice sessions and 20 clinics. Furthermore, they host an Olympic Day, GGJSC serves as an advocate Race for Life, Bob Warnicke Scholarship Race, to local amateur, collegiate, and state and regional qualifiers. and professional sports These events, in addition to many others not organizations because we highlighted, are incredible assets to the Grand Junction area and are embraced year after year. understand the cultural As evident by the success of the many events in importance of sports in our our event resume, USA BMX can be assured that the 2021 National event will be well received by community. this supportive community.

GGJSC'S EVENT TRACK RECORD:

Host of the USA Cycling 2017 & 2018 Collegiate Road National Championship. This event brought nearly 400 collegiate athletes from 35 institutions and para- cyclists from around the country in a four-day national championship on four different race courses in and around Grand Junction.

The Rim Rock Marathon is an annual marathon benefiting Colorado Mesa University’s Track and Field and Cross-Country teams. Since its inception in the mid-1990s, the marathon has attracted runners from around the world with its beautiful course and excellent reputation.

Our community’s flagship event is undoubtedly the National Junior College Athletic Association World Series. Grand Junction has hosted the world series for 62 years, and is contracted to continue this tenure through 2024.

14 GREATER GRAND JUNCTION SPORTS COMMISSION The Maverick Classic Road Race is a collegiate regional championship event held throughout the Grand Valley. This event, entering its fifth year, features four races: a hill climb on the Colorado National Monument, a team and individual time trial in Fruita, a Downtown Grand Junction Criterium (held in conjunction with a large outdoor apparel and gear festival) and a road race in Palisade. Participants include top collegiate cycling programs from the region as well as professional and open- class riders, including a number of national championship athletes. The 2015 Maverick Classic saw approximately 120 collegiate riders and 140 unique open- class riders participate.

From 2017-2019, our community hosted the Train to Hunt Regional Qualifiers and National Championships, a partnership continuing into the future. This event, held at Powderhorn Mountain Resort combines functional fitness with archery skill in a test of athletes’ hunting preparedness.

In 2014 and 2017, Colorado Mesa University hosted the Colorado Master’s Swimming Association Short Course State Championships. More than 160 masters- lever swimmers competed in the two-day event to qualify for the national short course championships. The Short Course State Championships will be help in Grand Junction again in 2021.

In 2015, our community was a start town, and overnight community, for Ride The Rockies, a week-long recreational bicycle tour. With over 2,000 participants descending on the community for 2-nights in June, we arranged lodging accommodations, put together safe courses and developed a personalized itinerary of things to do and attractions to see.

Special Olympics Colorado Summer Games (2013-2019): The Summer Games, a five-sport state championship, is the largest Special Olympics sporting event of the year in the state. The games are held in state-of-the-art Grand Junction facilities and bring over 1000 athletes.

Grand Junction has been host to the Annual Epic Rides Grand Junction Off-Road, bringing over 1,000 professional and amateur riders, plus their families from all over the country to ride the extensive Grand Junction trail system with 15, 30, and 40 miles distances; each consisting of a carefully curated set of geologically mesmerizing trails. The start and finish line is downtown along with a huge outdoor bike & gear expo featuring vendors from across the mountain biking industry.

USA BMX 2021 NATIONALS PROPOSAL 15 About Grand Junction The Grand Junction Regional Airport and Interstate 70 enable Grand Junction to be easily With a county population of 156,000 and strong accessible all year. The airport is located only community support of the outdoor lifestyle, five miles from downtown and offers year-round competition and sports, the greater Grand service to a number of hubs, including Denver, Junction area is an ideal location to host your Salt Lake City, Dallas/Fort Worth, Phoenix, Los next National Championship! Angeles, and Las Vegas. Interstate I-70 provides As the largest city between Denver, CO, and direct east/west ground travel access. Salt Lake City, UT, our community welcomes visitors from regional, national, and international The Grand Junction community is a tight-knit destinations. Tucked between the iconic population centered around an active lifestyle. Colorado National Monument, Grand Mesa and For many residents and visitors, participating the Book Cliffs, at the junction of the Colorado in various outdoor activities is this lifestyle. and Gunnison Rivers, Grand Junction is nestled Whatever the activity — rock climbing, mountain in one of the most geographically diverse and biking, backpacking, BMX or hiking — the area beautiful areas of the country. These natural is often dubbed one of the greatest outdoor features offer ancillary recreational opportunities cities in the country. Visitation to the area for the for participants and spectators, including purpose of outdoor activities increases annually exploring more than 10,000 miles of trails, and has drawn thousands of people to the area sweeping red rock canyons, alpine recreation over the years. and a robust culture of agritourism. In Downtown Grand Junction, visitors on Main Street can enjoy locally-sourced eateries and quaint shops, along with over 100 sculptures, all part of the award- winning Art on the Corner program. Greater Grand Junction has all the amenities of a larger city, with the friendly appeal of small-town charm and hospitality.

16 GREATER GRAND JUNCTION SPORTS COMMISSION POPULATION

Unincorporated Metropolitan Statistical Area City of Grand Junction City of Fruita Town of Palisade Mesa County

145,884 58,704 12,881 2,692 71,607

WEATHER CONDITIONS Beautiful and sunny, our moderate climate is a BMXer's dream.

MAY JUNE JULY

76°/48° 87°/58° 93°/64° 4 days 2 days 3 days

AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER

90°/62° 81°/53° 67°/41° 4 days 4 days 4 days

USA BMX 2021 NATIONALS PROPOSAL 17 TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Below is a list of just a few of the more popular attractions for visitors.

Mountain Biking: Grand Junction is a popular mountain biking trip destination. The Lunch Loops trail system in Grand Junction is a playground for technical mountain biking making it a popular trip destination. The rock features here give Moab a run for its money. Just to the west, the Kokopelli’s trails offer flow, technical rocks, and stellar views on the high desert ridges. Furthermore, the Palisade Plunge is nearly completed and will connect the top of the Grand Mesa to the valley floor in the town of Palisade, Colorado. This 32 miles of downhill through breathtaking back-country trails and challenging terrain descends 6,000 feet in elevation on fast, fun, high-energy trails through untravelled public lands and unbelievable scenery.

MOUNTAIN BIKING: PALISADE PLUNGE

18 GREATER GRAND JUNCTION SPORTS COMMISSION This wonderfully diverse environment is home to over 200 different species of birds, three endangered species of fish, and an abundance of small JAMES M. ROBB - CONNECTED LAKES animals.

Connected Lakes: The James M. Robb Colorado River State Park is made up of five sections, each containing small lakes that stretch out like pearls along the Colorado River. There are natural and paved trails popular with runners, bikers, picnickers, and nature enthusiasts.

Colorado Riverfront Trail: The Colorado Riverfront Trail System COLORADO RIVERFRONT TRAIL celebrates and preserves the cottonwood groves, wetlands, cattail marshes, gravel bars and islands of the Colorado and Gunnison Rivers. The junction of these two mighty rivers provides a beautiful and rich habitat for wildlife and riparian vegetation in an otherwise arid region.

Views of the Colorado National Monument: Located less than six miles from Downtown Grand Junction, the Colorado National Monument includes over 40 miles of hikable trails.

Experience Grand Junction and Download the Visitor Guide at grandjunctionsports.org/bmx

COLORADO NATIONAL MONUMENT

USA BMX 2021 NATIONALS PROPOSAL 19 Riverfront at Las Colonias Park: This proposed start and end location is our 130-acre mixed-use park owned by the City of Grand Junction. The park includes a 10,000-seat amphitheater, a boat ramp, multiple ponds, a whitewater park, and zipline along the Colorado River which is being added. The 24.5-mile Riverfront Trail, which connects both ends of the valley, runs through the park, visitors are encouraged to make their way to RIVERFRONT AT LAS COLONIAS PARK Las Colonias while in town to check Downtown Grand Junction: public art, fountains, and out the newly built Our downtown is home historic buildings – along to dozens of outstanding with tantalizing local cuisine, waterpark, it is locally-owned shops, music unique gifts, and relaxing the perfect way to venues, restaurants, and family fun. Downtown is the galleries. Here, tree-lined, hub of activity, commerce, cool off on a warm pedestrian-friendly streets culture, and experience for the summer day. showcase over 100 pieces of Grand Valley.

DOWNTOWN GRAND JUNCTION

20 GREATER GRAND JUNCTION SPORTS COMMISSION Colorado Mesa University: More than 11,000 students live and learn on CMU's beautiful 90-acre campus. Located in an outdoor recreation playground, the campus is just minutes from some of Colorado's best hiking, biking and skiing. Additionally, near the center of campus is a new, unusual cycling venue — a pump track, a continuous loop of berms and mounds that are rode without pedaling. The track can be used by all bike types and as a training facility.

COLORADO MESA UNIVERSITY

USA BMX 2021 NATIONALS PROPOSAL 21 22 GREATER GRAND JUNCTION SPORTS COMMISSION May 11, 2020

John David, Chief Operating Officer USA BMX 1645 W. Sunrise Blvd. Gilbert, AZ 85233

Dear John,

The volunteers and track crew are excited to be working with the Greater Grand Junction Sports Commission to bring a USA BMX National Series event to Grand Valley BMX. Hosting this event has always helped boost the local rider count and is a great opportunity to showcase our wonderful facility to the BMX Community.

Since the last national hosted by Grand Valley BMX, we have performed several upgrades which will make the venue even better suited to host a national event. The first upgrade was to parking. While we had more parking spots than every venue on the national circuit, we added an additional 500 spaces on the same side of the road as the track. In addition, we added electrical and water hookups for vendors in the lot closest to the track. Both of these, while not necessary, are enhancements that will be appreciated by those in attendance. The next upgrade is to the field adjacent to the track. In the past this area included dirt and a pond. Now the entire area is grass and can be used for pit space if necessary. In short, the areas adjacent to the track are now of the same caliber as the BMX facility. Finally, we added a road-way for the USA BMX rig that will allow for a better setup and be more conducive to foot traffic for vendors.

We are excited that the Grand Junction Sports Commission is partnering with us to submit the bid for the 2021 USA BMX National Series event. If awarded the event, we will work with your staff to ensure that we exceed all expectations. Having two of the national events setup crew on our staff, I am sure we will be more than ready when the crew arrives. Our recent rebuild was completed by Billy Allen in February of this year and is national ready.

Grand Junction continues to be a growing area for cycling of all disciplines and is a very supportive community. We look forward to welcoming USA BMX back to our city and are looking forward to hosting a National Series Event in 2021 and beyond.

Respectfully,

Nick Adams Track Operator

USA BMX 2021 NATIONALS PROPOSAL 23

P.O. Box 20,000 Grand Junction, CO 81502-5033 (970) 248-6900 www.health.mesacounty.us

John David, Chief Operation Officer USA BMX 1645 W. Sunrise Blvd. Gilbert, AZ 85233

May 28, 2020

Dear Selection Committee:

I am pleased to support the Greater Grand Junction Sports Commission’s proposal to host the USA BMX 2021 Nationals in Grand Junction, Colorado in conjunction with Grand Valley BMX. Grand Valley BMX has been a top-10 track in the Central Region for eight of the last ten years and was ranked the number one track in the State of Colorado, all but one year since 2008. Grand Valley BMX hosted the 2016 & 2017 USA BMX Mile High Nationals with a great participant and spectator turnout; 33 states and eight countries were represented. The event was also popular with our local community, having an average spectator attendance of 3,080.

We are fortunate to live in an amazing community with many outdoor recreation opportunities for our residents and visitors to enjoy. As a local public health agency, we are committed to working with partners across sectors to support efforts that promote health and well-being as it is well known that active lifestyles lead to a lifetime of good health while building important social connections.

Mesa County recognizes the value in hosting events that highlight all our community has to offer. The BMX 2021 Nationals are a perfect fit for a community of our size and for the quality of our facilities. Thank you for your consideration of our request. We look forward to seeing you in Grand Junction!

Sincerely,

Jeff Kuhr, PhD Executive Director

24 GREATER GRAND JUNCTION SPORTS COMMISSION Mr. John David, Chief Operating Officer American Bicycle Association USABMX 1645 W Sunrise Blvd. Gilbert, AZ 85233

Dear Mr. David,

We here at the Colorado Mesa University Cyling Team are thrilled to support the Greater Grand Junction Sports Commison in their bid to host a USA BMX nationals in Grand Junction.

Having a BMX nationals in our backyeard is not only great for us, but it also a great opportunity for our student athletes to race infront of their peers and show them what a great and exciting sport BMX is, if the race is hosted during the academic year. Further it would help the university and our team to show potential recruits the campus and our facilites making them aware of the oppertunites they can riding bikes in college.

Our student-athletes are very involved with the BMX track and help out where they can to make the track great. Recently Tom Ritz was in Grand Junction to finish the pump track on the CMU Campus and through the inicitive of our athletes and Grand Valley BMX, Tom Ritz came out to the facility and rebuild part of the Supercross track.

Grand Junction and Grand Valley BMX are deservent of a USA BMX Nationals, it was one of the best events in the valley when it was here and I am sure it will be again one of the best ones.

Kind Regards,

Patric Rostel Colorado Mesa Universtiy Cycling Operations Manager

USA BMX 2021 NATIONALS PROPOSAL 25 Thank you for considering Grand Junction as a host community for the USA BMX ʺ 2021 Nationals. Our unique community is ready to deliver an unforgettable experience by adding diversity and heart to your national championship.

Renee Smith Executive Director

e | [email protected]

o | 970.248.1469 c | 703.304.6357

26 GREATER GRAND JUNCTION SPORTS COMMISSION DINOSAURS WILD POWDERHORN HORSES MOUNTAIN RESORT

FRUITA AIRPORT

VISITOR CENTER

70 E IV DR 70 GRAND ON RIZ HO MESA

50 COLORADO PALISADE MESA UNIVERSITY PALISADE PLUNGE 3 6 1 7 2 6 DOWNTOWN GRAND JUNCTION COLORADO 4 NATIONAL MONUMENT

BUTTERFLY 5 LAKE 141

3 8 6

R E 50 IV COLORADO R

MESA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS

GUN NISON RIVER UNCOMPAHGRE 1 GLACIER ICE ARENA 5 GRAND VALLEY TRANSIT SYSTEM NATIONAL FOREST 2 GRAND JUNCTION CONVENTION CENTER 6 LAS COLONIAS PARK 3 ONE RIVERFRONT TRAIL 7 STOCKER STADIUM 4 AVALON THEATER 8 LUNCH LOOPS

Experience Grand Junction and Download the Visitor Guide at grandjunctionsports.org/bmx