With strapped leather boots and cash at hand, thousands of tourists are expected to follow the rumble of a highly anticipated event this weekend.
Two Southwest Colorado motorcycle rallies will make their presence known this Labor Day weekend as one of the county’s largest economic draws of the year.
The rallies are the 21st annual Four Corners Motorcycle Rally, formerly known as Ignacio Bike Week, and the Sugar Pine Ranch Rally based north of Mancos. Motorists will come a long way to cruise the rugged terrain of Southwest Colorado.
Bob Kunkel, downtown business development manager for the city of Durango, said the picturesque ride from desert to mountaintops has drawn thousands of eager riders for more than two decades.
“People come to the Four Corners because the riding is exceptional,” Kunkel said.
The heart of the Four Corners rally will take place in Ignacio at Sky Ute Casino Resort and Sky Ute Fairgrounds. The casino also will give away a brand-new Harley-Davidson to a lucky participant.
Emily Meisner, who recently retired as president of the Ignacio Chamber of Commerce and owner of the Patio Restaurant in Ignacio, said the area is expecting last year’s equivalent or perhaps more attendees, an estimated 20,000 visitors. Leading business owners are preparing for the influx of people vastly exceeding the town’s population of 700.
“This is a very big weekend with the rally and the return of the Fort Lewis College students,” said Jack Llewellyn, executive director of Durango Chamber of Commerce. “People come here and like to spend money. Positive cash flow for vendors, plus college students.”
Durango is actively getting in on the action this weekend, as well. A slate of events will be taking place Friday, Saturday and Sunday on Main Avenue. Downtown parking also will be free Friday, and always is free on weekends.
Meisner projects more than $1 million will be introduced to the county as tourists splurge on lodging, restaurants and bars. Conveniently, Durango lies in an ideal resting stop as motorcyclists cruise the “Million Dollar Highway” and the “San Juan Skyway.”
An economic study done by the Fort Lewis College School of Business estimated the 2010 rally in Ignacio generated between $1.5 million to $2.8 million for the county. That same year, the city of Durango generated an estimated additional $14,000 in lodging taxes that weekend as a result of the rally.
Event sponsors include the Durango Harley-Davidson, La Plata Electric Association, Sky Ute Casino Resort and other local businesses.
vguthrie@durangoherald.com
