An annual event that attracts more than 1,000 people a year to Montezuma County is coming back this year with a potential added twist.
Twelve Hours of Mesa Verde Director Dani Gregory approached the Montezuma County Commission Monday morning to ask if the event could serve alcohol to the participants this year.
Alcohol has never been served or provided in the 10-year history of the bicycling race event, but Gregory requested that this be allowed from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. May 12 without having to have a liquor license be approved by the county since it would only be for a few hours.
She explained to the commission that the alcohol is being donated for the event, and that she nor anyone helping put on the event would charge for it.
The two donations would come from Oskar Blues Brewery and Ska Brewing Co., Gregory said.
She said event participants are generally a mellow crowd, and added racers would like to relax and have a beer after the event.
Gregory added most of the participants would not even go into the town.
Commissioner Steve Chappell asked if the event would have non alcoholic beverages for the participants who choose not to drink and Gregory said there would be an assortment beverages for all participants.
County attorney Bob Slough said if the commission were to approve the use of alcohol for the event, it would have to be done safely on how this was going to handle this.
Slough said there were two issues, though he said they had already been resolved. Since the county would be the landlord, they could provide alcohol and added no one would be selling the alcohol to make a profit.
People are giving it to you, and you are giving it to someone, so no one is making money, Slough said.
Gregory said she was also told that the organizers did not have to get a space permit for the alcohol to be served because it was not being sold. Slough pointed out that serving alcohol in any venue could result in potential problems or issues.
As long as there is no gimmick you should not have a problem, Slough said. He recommended that Gregory check with Tammy Neely from the county clerks office about obtaining a liquor permit and then report back to the commission.
Gregory om Tuesday said she was told by Neely that everything had been squared away and she would no longer have to report back to the commission.
Commissioner Larrie Rule asked Gregory about how security would be handled at the event. Gregory mentioned that there are law enforcement officers on her board of directors who would help out.
Gregory also asked if it was possible for the 12 Hours of Mesa Verde event to be penciled in for the weekend of Mothers Day for a few years out rather than coming back to the county to ask for approval every year.
She said the racing guidelines could change, but the dates would remain the same.
Gregory said she thinks the event will bring between 1,200 to 1,800 people into the community with many coming in as early as Wednesday and leaving the following Tuesday.
Michael Maresh can be reached at michaelm@cortezjournal.com.