Boulder to meet about USA Pro Challenge's Flagstaff finish

The Boulder City Council will hold a public hearing in June to address legal and logistical concerns surrounding plans to end the USA Pro Cycling Challenge's much-anticipated Boulder stage at the top of Flagstaff Mountain in August.

An announcement that the elite cycling race will include an Aug. 25 finishing climb up Flagstaff was greeted with great enthusiasm - but also raised logistical questions about handling the expected crowds and legal questions about holding a competitive event on open space.

A city ordinance bans competitive events on city open space.

The public hearing will be part of the council's June 5 meeting, which starts at 6 p.m.

"It is on open space," Mayor Matt Appelbaum said of the race finish on Flagstaff. "We do have regulations about use of open space. At times like this, the council is called upon to listen to the public, and we may need some ordinance changes.

"This is a big deal for us."

Members of the public can address any race-related topic at the public hearing.

Read more about the ordinance and discussions under way in Boulder at the Daily Camera's website.