Bikes, Bands and Beer: New, World-Class Pro Cycling Race and Block Party Highlight the Best of Denver on an International Stage

From August 11-13, Denver’s River North (RiNo) Art District will welcome the first-ever Colorado Classic professional cycling race and Velorama Festival, a 12-block, three-day block party highlighting the Colorado Classic finish line, national music acts and a craft marketplace. The events aim to reimagine pro cycling races appealing to a broader audience and diving into Denver’s neighborhoods – and The Mile High City is the ideal destination for the these events, with its 300 days of annual sunshine, enthusiastic cycling community and active residents.

“Velorama Colorado aims to celebrate many of the things that make Colorado special,” said David Koff, CEO of RPM Events Group. "By combining an outdoor sporting event and a block party that includes already popular events like Denver Flea and local vendors, cycling fans can explore a music festival at their bike race, and music fans can experience a professional bike race alongside their music festival. Either way, Velorama promises to be a weekend filled with world-class cycling, broadly appealing music and more."

The Colorado Classic will be a four-day series of races that will bring together top international men and women cyclists – including Tour de France runner-up, Rigoberto Uran and Colorado’s own three-time Olympian, Taylor Phinney. Weekday races are scheduled in Colorado Springs and Breckenridge, leading up to a big finale weekend in Denver, where the women's criterium will be held on Friday, August 11, followed by the men's Peak to Peak Highway out-and-back race on Saturday, August 12. The men's city circuit will run through Denver’s neighborhoods and the beautiful City Park on Sunday, August 13, culminating in an exciting finish in the center of the hip RiNo neighborhood.

Velorama Colorado will take place throughout the weekend during Denver’s race stages. Headliners include Wilco, Death Cab for Cutie, the Jayhawks and the Old 97s. During the festival, there will be a bike expo with 150 exhibitors, food, craft beer and various cycling events in RiNo. It will be coupled with an expanded Denver Flea highlighting more than 200 artisan vendors. Ultimately, the event is designed to bring pro-cycling to a broader audience, and to showcase the urban adventure and lifestyle Denver has to offer. 

“Together, the Colorado Classic and Velorama Festival will bring a thrilling event to one of Denver’s most colorful and creative neighborhoods,” said Richard Scharf, president and CEO of VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau. “By locating the festival in the RiNo Art District and adding an outdoor sport like professional cycling, with its passionate fan base, local and national musical acts, a massive artisan marketplace and local food and drink, many of the things that make Denver unique will be highlighted in a single, exciting event.”