Wildfires force postponement of Pike’s Peak Hill Climb

Wildfires threatening the Colorado Springs area have forced postponement of the 90th Pike's Peak International Hill Climb, which was scheduled for July 8.

Organizers hope to stage the event later this summer.

“We have been informed by the U.S. Forest Service that conditions are so extreme, along with the inability to forecast the future of the fire, and with access to Pikes Peak in jeopardy that the agency can't permit the event to go as scheduled, “said Tom Osborne, Chairman of the Board of the PPIHC and President & CEO of the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation.

“This race began in 1916 and it has earned its place among the world's greatest motor sports events, and it is an important part of the sports heritage of Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Region," said Colorado Springs Mayor Steve Bach. “We are committed to making sure it takes place this year and that we carry on the tradition. We are disappointed, but our first concern is our city, its residents, their homes, businesses and public safety."

“At the end of our meeting today, it was clear that we would not be able to go as scheduled," said Osborne. “Our deepest concern is for the safety of the public and the competitors, and it was obvious that several agencies charged with public safety would not be able to commit the resources and manpower required to ensure those requirements because of the critical need for their resources at this time. Our city is in an unprecedented struggle right now and we are deeply sensitive to it."