The O. Zone
Denver 2022 Winter Olympic bid only makes sense if it comes with mountain rail
Editor's note: This is part two of a three-part series of blogs on the Vancouver Winter Olympics and Denver's prospects of a successful bid for the 2022 Games. Part one ran Wednesday, and the entire series was originally posted on the old version of Real Vail in April.
The 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics were essentially two different Games - the Vancouver and Whistler Olympics – separated by a mere 70 miles and an unnecessarily difficult mass transit mess that took more than three hours to navigate.

The inexplicable, and to me indefensible, decision to shut down part of the scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway to most private vehicle traffic isolated the mountain resort area of Whistler – host to the sliding, Nordic and ski racing events – from the vibrant metropolitan area of Vancouver, which hosted hockey, skating, freestyle skiing, snowboarding and curling.
It would be the equivalent of shutting down Interstate 70 between Denver and the mountain resorts of Summit and Eagle County in Colorado and inviting the world to come enjoy a grueling three-hour bus ride. That, to me, is simply an unacceptable scenario if Denver wants to seriously consider hosting the 2022 Winter Olympics.
Harry Dale, an engineer and former telecommunications project manager who's now a Clear Creek County commissioner and president of the Rocky Mountain Rail Authority (RMRA), agrees. The only reason he thinks Colorado should even consider such a bid is if it results in a massive influx of federal funds to build a mountain rail system.
“You've got to come up with a plan that is going to be able to move people effectively, and I don't think just shutting the highway down and running buses is much of a plan,” said Dale, who helped build the video distribution network prior to the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics in Utah in 2002.
Having just completed a grueling high-speed rail feasibility study examining the possibility of such a system along the Interstate 70 and Interstate 25 corridors in Colorado, Dale noted Salt Lake City not only landed funds for highway improvements, but also built light rail and some commuter rail as a result of the Games.
Colorado voters in the 1970s rejected the Winter Olympics after the International Olympic Committee had already awarded Denver the 1976 Games, in part because of the massive tax burden and a perceived lack of infrastructure funding to accommodate huge Olympic crowds and the subsequent development.
As a result, Denver may have cost itself a shot at not only the 2018 Winter Olympics, which the United States Olympic Committee decided to forego in order to focus on a failed 2016 Chicago Summer Olympics bid, but some observers say it lost any realistic hope of landing any future Games.
“The fear in '76 was, ‘Well, we're not going to get any money for infrastructure and it's going to place this huge demand on us, so why would we want [the Olympics]?'” Dale said. “And I would say 2022 is the same way. If you're not going to get $20 billion for infrastructure, don't do it. You've got to walk away with something.”
Vancouver and Whistler, in my opinion, walked away with very little for $6 billion. Dale's $20 billion price tag, incidentally, is about what high-speed rail would cost along I-25 and I-70 – the conclusion of the RMRA study released this week.
A reporter for the Olympic News Service working the alpine skiing events at Whistler, I flew into Seattle in late January to save a few bucks, see family in Bellingham, Wash., and slowly make my way up the coast to Vancouver. Flights into Seattle were half as much as Vancouver (already the victim of Olympic markup), and Amtrak between Bellingham and Vancouver was a mere $19.
Of course, the slow-moving, heavy diesel trains took more than two hours to cover the mere 45 miles between the northern Washington city and Vancouver, British Columbia, but the ride along the Sound is beautiful, peaceful and generally relaxing. I wasn't in a particular hurry.
The problem, Dale said, with putting passenger service on existing freight rail corridors is that people generally are in a hurry. Heavy, slow-moving trains built to survive collisions with freight trains or derailments in freight corridors often only get up to about 45 mph, which most car commuters can top even in the most onerous of gridlock.
That type of car congestion was obviously what the Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC) was trying to avoid by turning the Sea-to-Sky Highway into one big bus lane, but that's a terrible way to show off $570 million in improvements that merely widened what is still a very meandering route to one of the world's top-rated ski resorts.
Once in Vancouver I was dismayed to discover passenger rail service to Whistler wasn't even an option, shut down earlier in the decade as a money loser. The only way to ride the rails to Whistler was on an invite-only train sponsored by the province of Alberta.
When I worked the 2006 Winter Olympics, at least you could catch a train (occasionally even a French high-speed TGV) between Torino, Italy, and the mountain town of Oulx. Once there, everything broke down with lumbering bus service navigating narrow, twisting Alpine roads, but at least rail was a partial option.
Closing I-70 between Denver and Colorado's ski resorts isn't feasible. It's a major interstate trucking corridor and the only real way to get between the metropolitan areas of the Front Range to the more than 20 Western Slope ski areas.
“You're probably going to have events at five or six different ski resorts,” Dale said. “Say you're going to do that tomorrow with I-70 just the way it is – you're screwed. There's no way you're going to do this.”
Even though I live in Vail, my own vision would be to spread the Olympic love throughout Colorado ski country with events all over the state. We would wind up with an interconnecting rail system that would give Colorado a winter sports competitive edge for decades to come because of our high altitude and lower travel costs in an era of rising fuel prices and global warming.
The alpine skiing could be held at Vail and Beaver Creek, which already has one of the top downhill courses in the world. Aspen, which dedicates all of Buttermilk to the X Games, could host snowboarding, ski cross and boarder cross. Winter Park, a Denver City and County-owned resort that already has rail access and one of the best mogul mountains in the world at Mary Jane, could host freestyle moguls.
Steamboat Springs, because of its tradition of producing Olympic athletes and its dedicated Nordic ski jumping facility at Howelsen Hill, could host those events, as well as cross-country skiing and biathlon. Breckenridge, or one of the other Summit County resort towns, could host all the sliding sports: luge, skeleton and bobsled. All skating events and curling could be held at Denver's Pepsi Center, which should not be wastefully rebuilt within what still would only be a couple of decades of first opening.
Existing freight rail lines, or old corridors that could be revived (like the one along Highway 82 in the Roaring Valley to Aspen), connect virtually all of the mountain venues. Some, like the southern line from Pueblo to Dotsero could serve not only as tourist trains but commuter rail lines for workers who live in lower-cost towns like Dotsero and Leadville but work in resorts in Eagle and Summit counties.
Tie it into a major regional airport like the one in Eagle County, which has spent millions in the last decade to expand runways and build a state-of-the-art air traffic control tower and radar system and destination tourists could be removed from the day-skier snarl between Denver and the ski towns – for a fraction of the cost of high-speed rail along I-70. That cost is estimated at $16 billion between Denver International and Eagle and $9 billion just to Summit County.
“A lot of people have said the only way you're ever going to build a transit system in the I-70 corridor is to get an Olympics because that will create the motivation to do it,” Dale said. “I think when we to $10 a gallon for gas in the next five to 10 years that might do it too.”
47 Comments on "Denver 2022 Winter Olympic bid only makes sense if it comes with mountain rail"
Apoorva – Sept. 30, 2021, at 6:56 a.m.
Nice article, thanks for sharing informative content. I like the content of the post.
Salesforce Training
visheshpaliwal9 – Oct. 02, 2021, at 2:01 a.m.
Write Great article. You are such a Great blogger and your website is inspiration for me to start a blog. This article is very helpful for us.
visheshpaliwal9 – Oct. 02, 2021, at 2:02 a.m.
Thankyou for sharing the information. Website is so easy to use – I am impressed with it.
Aws course
Nikhil12 – Oct. 02, 2021, at 6:41 a.m.
Thank you for sharing such good information. Very informative and effective post. Keep it up!
cyber security course
lepetiw688 – May 06, 2022, at 7:53 a.m.
The the next occasion I read a weblog, Lets hope so it doesnt disappoint me as much as this. I am talking about, I know it was my choice to read, but I personally thought youd have some thing intriguing to say. All I hear is a lot of whining about something you could fix if you werent too busy trying to find attention. www.betflik28.co
lepetiw688 – May 06, 2022, at 1:09 p.m.
Fantastic site. A lot of useful information here. I am sending it to several friends ans additionally sharing in delicious. And naturally, thank you on your effort! https://www.ULTRACLUBASIA.com
lepetiw688 – May 06, 2022, at 4:03 p.m.
I in addition to my friends have already been analyzing the great tips and hints found on your website and immediately developed a terrible feeling I never expressed respect to the blog owner for those strategies. Most of the people became as a result happy to read them and already have surely been having fun with those things. Many thanks for actually being simply kind and also for deciding upon these kinds of useful topics millions of individuals are really wanting to be aware of. Our own sincere regret for not saying thanks to you sooner. https://www.Ibizaclub88.com I discovered your website web site online and appearance many of your early posts. Continue to keep up the really good operate. I recently extra encourage Rss to my MSN News Reader. Looking for toward reading far more from you down the line!… https://www.Ibiza789.com
lepetiw688 – May 07, 2022, at 2:19 p.m.
I am grateful for your post. Id really like to comment that the expense of car insurance varies greatly from one coverage to another, since there are so many different issues which give rise to the overall cost. As an example, the model and make of the motor vehicle will have a large bearing on the fee. A reliable old family car will have a more affordable premium when compared to a flashy expensive car. 안전놀이터
lepetiw688 – May 08, 2022, at 1:11 p.m.
always choose your travel agency very well, you would not really want to deal with those rip-off travel agents., Domanda di visto online per la Turchia
lepetiw688 – May 09, 2022, at 7:20 a.m.
There may be noticeably a bundle to find out about this. I assume you made sure good factors in options also. 스웨디시
lepetiw688 – May 10, 2022, at 7:11 a.m.
Hi blog owner, hope all is well. You mind sharing the name of your current theme? I would appreciate it much. Have a blessed afternoon. Check out mine AV baywind residences showflat
lepetiw688 – May 10, 2022, at 1:00 p.m.
Wonderful article! thank you for sharing your knowledge with us hokk finance meme coins
lepetiw688 – May 11, 2022, at 8:39 a.m.
There is noticeably a bundle to know about this. I assume you made certain good points in options also. ИНДИЙСКА ВИЗА ЗА ЙОГА
lepetiw688 – May 14, 2022, at 8:36 a.m.
This article saved me a lot of time with research. Very well thought out. Now if only I get an A. If I do next one is on me! Канада ETA онлайн
lepetiw688 – May 16, 2022, at 5:22 a.m.
This web site may be a walk-through you discover the data you wished about it and didn’t know who ought to. Glimpse here, and you’ll definitely discover it. 美国签证申请表
lepetiw688 – May 18, 2022, at 6:25 a.m.
Oh my goodness! an incredible write-up dude. Appreciate it Nonetheless I’m experiencing problem with ur rss . Don’t know why Unable to register for it. Perhaps there is everyone obtaining identical rss dilemma? Anybody who knows kindly respond. Thnkx หวยออนไลน์
lepetiw688 – May 18, 2022, at 6:54 a.m.
What platform and theme are you using if I may ask? Where can I buy them? Hmm… เครดิตฟรี
lepetiw688 – May 18, 2022, at 7:14 a.m.
I’m really loving the theme/design of your website. Do you ever run into any internet browser compatibility issues? A couple of my blog audience have complained about my site not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Chrome. Do you have any advice to help fix this problem? ยูฟ่า ฝากถอน ผ่านวอลเลท
lepetiw688 – May 18, 2022, at 7:50 a.m.
very nice submit, i actually love this website, keep on it} เซ็กซี่บาคาร่า
lepetiw688 – May 18, 2022, at 8:12 a.m.
What i don’t understood is in fact how you’re not actually much more neatly-liked than you may be now. You’re very intelligent. You recognize thus significantly when it comes to this topic, produced me for my part consider it from so many various angles. Its like women and men aren’t interested until it?s something to accomplish with Lady gaga! Your personal stuffs great. All the time care for it up! สล็อต pg
lepetiw688 – May 18, 2022, at 8:32 a.m.
I needed to say thanks a lot just as before wrist watches dazzling web-site you can have written reading this. It will be jam-packed with smart ideas if you’re contemplating the following make any difference, mainly this type of really quite article. You’re in fact every single one fully fantastic a great bonus accommodating coming from all blog writers for a few incontrovertible fact result your blog site comments is a fantastic pleasure when camping. Also good job on a substantial current! Serta and have hype in your inspirations in doing what came across get in most calendar months. Our new home listing should be a extended distance particularly long together with thoughts rrs going to be offer ideal purposes. ไฮโล kingmaker
lepetiw688 – May 18, 2022, at 12:02 p.m.
Thanks for your posting. I also believe that laptop computers have become more and more popular currently, and now are usually the only kind of computer utilized in a household. Simply because at the same time that they are becoming more and more reasonably priced, their computing power keeps growing to the point where these are as powerful as desktop computers from just a few in years past. 카드현금화
lepetiw688 – May 21, 2022, at 6:46 a.m.
I bet you slice it into the woods. A hundred bucks! Transgender electrolysis hair removal
lepetiw688 – May 21, 2022, at 12:55 p.m.
Hello very nice blog!! Man .. Excellent .. Wonderful .. I will bookmark your site and take the feeds additionally…I’m glad to find so many useful information here within the submit, we want develop extra techniques in this regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . . nolte games
lepetiw688 – May 24, 2022, at 6:33 a.m.
Hi, Neat post. There’s a problem along with your web site in internet explorer, could test this… IE nonetheless is the marketplace leader and a huge element of folks will miss your magnificent writing due to this problem. 먹튀검증
lepetiw688 – May 24, 2022, at 2:10 p.m.
very nice post, i certainly love this website, keep on the good work Wiza biznesowa dla Indii
lepetiw688 – May 25, 2022, at 7:13 a.m.
I am glad to be a visitant of this consummate website ! , thankyou for this rare information! . 토토커뮤니티
lepetiw688 – May 25, 2022, at 12:56 p.m.
Excellent weblog here! Additionally your website rather a lot up fast! What host are you the usage of? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my site loaded up as fast as yours lol 먹튀폴리스
lepetiw688 – May 26, 2022, at 5:38 a.m.
Good post. I be taught one thing tougher on totally different blogs everyday. It should always be stimulating to learn content material from other writers and practice a bit of something from their store. I’d favor to make use of some with the content on my weblog whether or not you don’t mind. Natually I’ll give you a hyperlink in your net blog. Thanks for sharing. 스웨디시구인
lepetiw688 – May 27, 2022, at 6:37 a.m.
Nice site, very well made ~ Please keep updating, I will def read more. I’ll bookmark it and be backk! 꽁머니 3만원
lepetiw688 – May 28, 2022, at 10:50 a.m.
This is sensible info! Where else can if ind out more?? Who runs this joint too? keep up the good work 다음드바로가기
lepetiw688 – May 29, 2022, at 6:04 a.m.
i love to do both online shopping and online window shopping for goods and other stuffs** สมัครบาคาร่า
lepetiw688 – May 30, 2022, at 3:05 p.m.
Spot lets start work on this write-up, I actually believe this site needs much more consideration. I’ll apt to be once again to read a lot more, many thanks that info. ΑΙΤΗΣΗ ΙΝΔΙΚΗΣ ΒΙΖΑ
lepetiw688 – June 01, 2022, at 1:57 a.m.
Thank you so much for this convenient website. i like enjoying transformice flash game. 美国签证要求
lepetiw688 – June 04, 2022, at 6:42 a.m.
A powerful share, I simply given this onto a colleague who was doing a little bit analysis on this. And he the truth is bought me breakfast as a result of I found it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the deal with! But yeah Thnkx for spending the time to discuss this, I really feel strongly about it and love studying extra on this topic. If possible, as you turn into expertise, would you mind updating your blog with extra details? It is highly helpful for me. Big thumb up for this blog submit! अमेरिकी भिसा आवेदन
lepetiw688 – June 05, 2022, at 4:17 a.m.
I’m keen on this post, enjoyed this one thank you posting . Pochon Tissu
lepetiw688 – June 05, 2022, at 7:34 a.m.
Good day! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be ok. I’m undoubtedly enjoying your blog and look forward to new posts. טערקיי וויזאַ אַפּפּליקאַטיאָן צענטער
lepetiw688 – June 11, 2022, at 11:20 a.m.
This is a great blog. and i want to visit this every day of the week . 꽁머니홍보
lepetiw688 – June 12, 2022, at 11:37 a.m.
Thanks for this wicked post. I am wondering if you were thining of publishing similar posts to this. .Keep up the excellent posts! 먹튀폴리스
lepetiw688 – June 20, 2022, at 4:18 a.m.
using wooden wall decors at home is a great alternative to using those expensive metal wall decors,, กล้องวงจรปิด wifi ในตัว
lepetiw688 – June 20, 2022, at 6:56 a.m.
Howdy. Very nice web site!! Guy .. Excellent .. Wonderful .. I’ll bookmark your web site and take the feeds additionally…I am satisfied to locate numerous helpful information here within the article. Thank you for sharing. รับติดตั้งกล้องวงจรปิด สมุทรปราการ
farhan – March 21, 2023, at 6:41 a.m.
Gambling games are very simple and only require you think about numbers that you want to bet on. 검증업체
farhan – April 02, 2023, at 6:33 p.m.
low-budget players who can join in the fun with unlimited bets with only ten digits of capital Starting at only 10 baht, a 10 baht gambling website that please visit พนันออนไลน์
farhan – May 02, 2023, at 5:21 p.m.
It's important for you to know or find information about today's gacor slot leaks, it's easy to win for your maximum winning results. slot gacor gampang menang
farhan – May 02, 2023, at 5:21 p.m.
It's important for you to know or find information about today's gacor slot leaks, it's easy to win for your maximum winning results. slot gacor gampang menang
okbet – May 04, 2023, at 5:22 a.m.
Highly recommended did this. Very interesting information. Thanks for sharing!
pba live streaming
kritishah – Sept. 22, 2021, at 9:38 a.m.
Thank you for sharing such a good information. Very informative and effective post. Keep it up!
salesforce admin training