The Colorado Grand, a magnificent 1000-mile tour for cars built prior to 1960, is in its 30th year. Started by car lover extraordinaire Robert Sutherland in 1988, it has grown into a world renown event, not just for its scenic drive through the Colorado Rockies, but for the variety of good it does in supporting various charities. Significant enough to attract participants from across the United States and internationally with two Granders from Switzerland piloting a pair of Bentley 4-1/2 Liters from 1928 and 1929, this year.
“Over the years, the entrants, the great group of people who get to join us on this adventure continue to make the event better,” 11-time Colorado Grand Chairman, Tom Horan expressed. “These people get it. They enjoy the scenery, the camaraderie, the generosity of their fellow entrants. They are able to see the great things we do with each of the small towns we visit.”
Having participated twice before behind the wheel of a 1961 Ferrari 250 SWB Berlinetta, protected from the elements, I was determined to drive all 1000 miles, no matter what – rain, snow or shine – with the top down on my 1958 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider Veloce. Among a variety of Alfa Romeos traversing the Colorado countryside (some with their tops down too!) ranging from 1928 to 1960 model years, it proved to be among the most popular marque of the variety represented including: Ferrari, Jaguar, Lancia, Maserati and Porsche.
In 2018, it was surprisingly warm and bright throughout most of the rally allowing me to comfortably cruise with the top down at every elevation the Colorado Grand brought us to throughout the tour. The route originated in Vail, at the beautiful Hotel Talisa, with a mid-morning stop at family-owned and world-famous C Lazy U Ranch, acknowledged as one of the top destination resorts in the United States by USA Today.
From Steamboat Springs, off to Meeker via the “Rabbit Ears” cross the Continental Divide Trail at nearly 10,000 feet, participants saw the leaves changing colors on the beautiful Aspen trees. The day ended in Steamboat Springs providing Granders the opportunity to explore the town. The Colorado Grand ventured in a loop to Encampment, Wyoming, returning to Steamboat Springs on the third evening, allowing participants to enjoy a “dine around,” selecting from an array of wonderful eateries, to enjoy a delectable meal while supporting local business. There was enough time along the route to enjoy the magnificent vistas and many Granders saw local wildlife, including deer and even a bear!
Granders enjoyed lunch by Meeker City and Hotchkiss City on the final days of the tour with a dessert stop in Paonia at the Paradise Theatre. The stop provided participants the opportunity to visit one of the more meaningful gifts The Colorado Grand has bestowed upon a town along the route – a new movie theatre projection system. Purchased by the Grand to keep the beautiful movie theatre alive and keep it current with the times. This gesture was relevant to Paonia because, in the back country of Colorado, leaving the ranch to go to town is a big deal. It allowed neighbors to enjoy a viable movie theatre, gave them a reason to go into town, helped surrounding shop owners, café owners and the general store succeed. The support to Paonia kept the western town vibrant and flourishing. It was great to see firsthand especially on the final driving day of the Colorado Grand.
It was clear to all, whether a participant or spectator, that each car that crossed finish line was thrilled to do so. It was evident to those who drove alongside each other, that everyone was thrilled to drive every mile, to spend evenings with friends and make new ones – it did not matter if it was your first Grand or your 30th. This well-organized event encourages sports car enthusiasts to share their passion with others, whether they be fellow participants, towns that support the Grand, or spectators who enjoy watching a parade of prominent vehicles drive through their hometown. There is no doubt this is an annual event that many look forward to each year.
For the organizers and the participants, the event is more than an opportunity to share the camaraderie of beautiful automobiles and the open road, it is the chance to positively impact the automobile community and the communities the Grand drives through. The event has generated more than $6 million over the years, supporting organizations such as the Colorado State Patrol Family Foundation, Small Town Scholarships, CASA of Continental Divide, Humane Society of Boulder Valley and, as previously noted, Friends of the Paradise Theater. Together with sponsors that include Mercedes-Benz, RM Sotheby’s Auction, Passport Transport, Hagerty Insurance and WeatherTech, participants support towns that host stops throughout the Grand. Along the route, the small towns that provide breakfast or lunch, spend their time and their resources to support the Grand and provide well-deserved respite to drivers and co-drivers alike. In each town the Grand stops, including Vail, a graduating high-school senior receives an $8,500 college scholarship. It is the legacy of the Colorado Grand.
“It is a big deal to some of these families,” Horan shared. “The donations made by the Grand make a tremendous impact.”
The Colorado State Patrol Family Foundation is among one of the greatest recipients of the Grand’s generosity. This is certainly no question as eight Colorado State Patrol motorcycle officers accompany Grand participants for every mile. It is a small thank you to the organization that grants sports car enthusiasts the ability to enjoy a beautiful state with piece of mind as they drive through what could be every element of road and weather.
“Most of the Granders are as passionate as the board in supporting the Colorado State Patrol Family Foundation,” Horan stated. “These people bring great cars and bring great items to support the auction on the final night of The Grand. The Granders, with their passion and their generosity, make this a premiere event, they make the experience as great as it can be, all while charities benefit from these wonderful, passionate car people.”
Horan, who began as an entrant, knows first-hand as well as from his position on the Colorado Grand board, that this is among the best rallies in the United States to meet like-minded, enthusiastic car people. It was fantastic to be surrounded by such wonderful people, striking up dinner conversations about the cars, the scenery and the opportunity to drive amongst friends – old and new.
For me, the overall experience was a tremendous success. My little Alfa Romeo performed perfectly, Colorado was as beautiful as ever and my trusted co-pilot kept us on course every day with a smile. I am looking forward to next year when the tour goes south through Telluride.
