Colorado Springs City Councilman Tim Leigh has thrown his support behind the proposed Tour of Colorado Springs. Event organizer David Whitaker asked the city of Colorado Springs for $68,000 in in-kind support last week. Leigh is determined to raise private funds to make the event happen.

Here is an e-mail Leigh sent today

"I’m willing to put my money where my mouth is and to that end, I’ve already gotten 2 generous commitments – one from GE Johnson Construction for $10,000 and one from Hoff & Leigh, Inc. for $1,000 (consider order of magnitude - LOL!)

Furthermore, I’m committed to help raise the $68,000 that was requested at Council.  Micro-market constituencies are the best way to form public/private partnerships.  Those folks in a micro-market should be willing to do the heavy lifting in areas where they have real interest.   To that end, (like we did with our successful Sharrow Project), I’m calling on all folks who are interested in cycling, the economic & cultural development of our city and sports in general to step forward and help me help the organizers. 

Let’s make this event happen this year privately.  While I’m not a lawyer, I’m going to guess that hosting this event privately should significantly lessen the city’s and county’s potential liability and should forge a pathway of entrepreneurialism without significant government interference.

I’m calling especially on those folks who would directly benefit from this event; bike shops, hotels, restaurants, gas stations, and private citizens who are interested in the success of the city and this event, etc. Please forward this call for action to your private email lists.  Let’s get a viral attack and get this race launched."

Council will vote on whether to provide the $68,000 at its Feb. 28 meeting. Whitaker is asking the cycling community to attend and speak in support the inaugural event.