FAQ Regarding Event Support Program (ESP) Fee
Where do I pay my Event Support Program Fee?
You can pay your fee directly through this payment form.
Does Bicycle Colorado’s Event Support Program serve as the USA Cycling Local Association (LA) for Colorado?
Yes. Additionally, ESP provides many more services above and beyond the LA requirements. See the 2024 report here for last year’s Event Support Program list of accomplishments.
What is ESP’s role as the Local Association?
With a small team, we are responsible for developing the annual racing calendar for the road, track, mountain bike, and cross seasons, maintaining an comprehensive online calendar, managing the race kit, assigning USAC officials to events, and validating race results. See LA contracted responsibilities here.
What will the ESP Fee be used for?
As we face declining revenue from other sources, the Event Support Program Fee will help cover the costs of services we provide to organized bike events across Colorado.
What does Bicycle Colorado do for the racing community above and beyond the LA contracted requirements?
In addition to the required LA obligations, we provide many other services beyond our USA Cycling contract to support the race community and help bike events thrive. We calculate CUP points, provide beginner clinics, and maintain and manage the race kit. Other examples of past work include successfully removing event rider caps imposed by multiple municipalities; negotiating with local and state governments to create a pathway for events to take place during the COVID pandemic; facilitating relationships between event directors and government officials; advocating municipalities to approve event permits; serving as fiscal agent; helping attract volunteers. For a detailed list, see the 2024 report here.
Has there been a Colorado race fee in the past?
For many years, the American Cycling Association (ACA) and then the Bicycle Racing Association of Colorado (BRAC) charged an annual membership fee. The most recent annual fee was in 2022 and was $40. Bicycle Colorado’s ESP will charge a $25 annual fee.
Can I race in 2025 if I do not pay the fee?
It’s critical that racers pay their fee to ensure the continuation of all ESP services. A mechanism to verify that riders pay the fee will not be in place until 2026.
What does Bicycle Colorado’s advocacy work do for the general public and cycling community?
Bicycle Colorado is an advocacy non-profit founded in 1992. We advocate for state and local public policies and programs and provide education services to expand access to safe biking and walking for people of all ages and abilities, whether riding for recreation or everyday trips. One of our goals is to eliminate bicyclist and pedestrian fatalities, which reached a record high in 2023 in Colorado – 153 people lost their lives, up from 65 lives lost in 2003. No matter where a person lives in Colorado, we believe they have the right to bike and walk without fear for their safety. See Bicycle Colorado’s mission, vision, and complete strategic plan here.
Through our advocacy work, we help provide safe places to train and race. Safety is crucial to the long-term sustainability and success of bike events in Colorado.
How does Bicycle Colorado fund its advocacy work?
Thousands of generous members from across Colorado fund our advocacy and education work. We also pursue public and private grants. Our members are essential to realizing our vision that all people and communities in Colorado benefit from safe and accessible bicycling.
The ESP Fee does not fund our advocacy work (other than advocating on behalf of events). If you care about expanding access to safe biking and are not a member, we hope you will become one by making a tax-deductible donation.
What if I am already a Bicycle Colorado member? Do I still have to pay the ESP Fee?
We truly appreciate your membership with Bicycle Colorado. Our advocacy efforts rely on the support of our members and donors; we couldn’t do this vital work without them.
Your advocacy membership does not cover Bicycle Colorado’s Event Support Program. Therefore, your ESP Fee is important to ensure the continuation of our event services. We hope you will continue supporting our advocacy work through your regular Bicycle Colorado membership and pay your Event Support Program Fee.
Is my ESP Fee tax-deductible?
Your ESP Fee is a fee-for-service and, therefore, not tax-deductible. However, any additional contributions to Bicycle Colorado are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
