Thread by @shayshinecastle

OK, another new thread. We're doing a quick discussion and public hearing about a couple new special events in Boulder.

Here they are: Beyond Pesticides Forum
April 17-18, Boulder Public Library
Typical attendance: 200-500
Expected to be 600-800 in Boulder
$30,000 in-kind support

It's not expected to be ongoing.

Colorado Classic Women’s Pro Ride
Stage/hosting declined in 2019 bc it was during CU move-in and construction projects on Boulder Canyon and Lee Hill
Other stages in Steamboat, Avon, Golden, Denver
30,000 participants; $75,000 purse (larger than 2018 men’s)

Stage 3 will be held in Boulder on August 29
Up to $25,000 in-kind support
Convention Visitors Bureau being asked to give $10K in hotel/lodging support

Boulderthon
2018 event declined bc there wasn’t enough planning time (less than 12 months), too many road closures, full event calendar and many other full and half marathons, no event organizing experience from founder Phil Dumantet (Whole Sol Blend Bar owner)

Dumantet purchased the existing Backroads Marathon, so space opened up. Will be held Oct. 4, 2020
Will end downtown and include closures on multi-use paths; typically not approved, but without Ironman (which uses path) only one event is using it in 2020
$0 in-kind support

Mike Eubank, special events coordinator, is addressing this before council. "I'm one of the only persons in the city of Boulder that's tied to special events."

I learned some pretty cool stuff in this packet, like this: The Red Zinger bike race, established in 1975 and renamed in the 1980s to the Coors Classic, was the fourth largest cycling race in the world behind Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España.

And the Boulder Bolder, established in 1979, with 50K+ participants, 65K+ spectators, is the third largest running event in the U.S. and the largest participation event in Colorado

It provides $10M in economic output to Boulder
Boulder (the city) pays nothing; race pays for support, police, etc.

Eubank discussing why the full Ironman will not be hold in Boulder anymore. It's nothing to do with the city, he says. These things just fluctuate. "We did a great job with the full and facilitated that for 5 yrs." (The half, 70.3, will still continue.)

Yates explaining support for new events. Typically, the Convention and Visitor's Bureau gives a declining amount of support (mostly from hotel tax) for three years to a community.

"If an organization can't get up and get its feet under it, then maybe there should be an examination" of the size, scope, community support, etc., he says.

Eubank discussing Boulder turning down the Colorado Classic. (see above) Apparently even the governor asked the city to do it. But it was just not possible, Eubank says.

"It's a good fit for Boulder," Eubank says. So the one-day stage event will happen this year, NOT during freshmen move-in.

The route will mostly likely NOT include Flagstaff Road, Eubank says. It hasn't been in any of the discussions, tho the route is still a bit in flux. But Boulder is trying to shift the route north.

Yates: Can we say no Flagstaff, no open space?
Eubank: It's not even an option. It doesn't work for them.

So, OK, clarification to earlier tweet: NO Flagstaff.

Wallach is asking about a non-disparagement clause in the race contract so council members can't talk about it... ?
Carr: That was from 2012 that other cities agreed to. That's not generally something we do.

Carr and Eubank having an exchange about that 2012 event.
Eubank: It's no one's fault, it's just that we as a community have learned best practices. "What we did in 2012 is significantly different from what we did in 2012?"

WHAT HAPPENED IN 2012???

Also did not know: Bolder Boulder is the only large race event that starts and finishes in city limits.

The Boulderthon will start at the Rez but end downtown. But since the full Ironman isn't happening, Boulderthon will replace it as a downtown finish. And as the only race to use the multi-use paths (Boulder Creek, etc.) but NOT close them down.

(I may have gotten that wrong in an earlier tweet.)

Current plan: Coming in from Boulder County near Stazio ballfields, up along Folsom and Pearl.

But, again, that's being negotiated.

Young: When you're looking at an event, how far-reaching is your lookout for other events that may be happening?

Eubank: We do partner very closely with CU, we know their calendar; the county, we know their calendar; CDOT, Convention and Visitor's Bureau. We do our best (but) "our focus is on public events." (Young had asked about Google, as a for-instance)

Young: So there's always the possibility that there can be a conflict?
Yes, Eubank says.

Swetlik with a process concern: This is our only sign-off on these events. I have a concern about that.

The blank check approach hasn't been the best in the past, he says.

The route isn't set, etc.

Eubank: I apologize in advance, bc I want your input. But "we take significant time and process with police, with fire, with agencies to make sure that every step of the way, we minimize impact."

I want to be careful of having any one body (council) be responsible for those detail-level decisions. ... "We spend the entire year on Bolder Boulder. As soon as it's done, we start on the next year."

"We do make mistakes every once in awhile... but I want to be careful where we get in a situation where every event comes in for approval of route, etc."

Brautigam clarifies: Once the route is clarified, if we think it will be controversial in any way, we'll come back to council.

Swetlik: I didn't mean to say you didn't do a good job. I just don't know where it's going to be.
Wallach: I share (those) concerns. I don't want to micromanage this, but....

Eubank: None of the bike races have race parts in the city of Boulder. They start here, but we don't race in situations that are not safe. We create a timing map for areas that are critical or controversial.

Brautigam summarizing: We'll come back with the bike race route. And give you a week to make objections to the route.

Council, that is.

Wallach: I assume you get massive quantities of liability insurance from these guys.
Yes, Carr says. It's standard.

OK, council votes unanimously to OK these events. But they will get a chance to OK (or not) the Colorado Classic route.

Yates: I know some ppl complain we get too many events. We get some high-quality events. Glad to see new events, especially the women's bike race. Great portfolio.

@threadreaderapp please unroll. Thank you!