DENVER, CO (BRAIN)—Citing environmental and wildlife concerns, the Quiznos Pro Challenge bike race won't roll a stage through Colorado National Monument in 2012.
"Closing the park to accommodate the needs of a commercial bike race goes against our management policies, would adversely impact park resources and would deny access to the park to other visitors," said National Park service director Jonathan Jarvis in a statement.
According to the Denver Post, U.S. Sen. Mark Udall and Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper asked federal officials in February to open the monument for the race, arguing that it "will bring beneficial commerce and attention to this important part of the state."
But Jarvis wrote Monday that "federal law and NPS policy restrict commercial activities in national parks to those that are 'necessary and appropriate' to park purposes. This bike race is neither necessary nor appropriate in the park."
The inaugural Quiznos Pro Challenge runs Aug. 22 through Aug. 28 this year, starting in Colorado Springs and winding through Salida, Crested Butte, Gunnison, Aspen, Vail, Avon, Steamboat Springs, Breckenridge and Golden before ending in Denver.
