Western Slope regional games for Special Olympics Colorado

Garfield County Sheriff's deputies presented awards to the athletes

PRESS RELEASE
February 13, 2024

Sunlight Mountain Resort hosted the 2024 alpine and downhill events for the western region of Colorado Special Olympics. Athletes from as far away as Durango and met for two days of competition. The Alpine events began at 9:30 a.m. on Sunlight Mountain with an Olympic Torch procession down the Mountain and continued throughout the day. Athletes competed in the downhill events, slalom
and grand slalom. There were categories for athletes of all levels so no one was left out.

The Nordic competition followed on Saturday, Feb. 10, at the Argonaut Farm on Four Mile Road. There, athletes competed in various cross-country events depending on their abilities. The Sunlight Ski Area and Argonaut Farm have hosted this event since the 1990s. They should be commended for their support of our local community and for their support of Special Olympics
Colorado. There were over 70 athletes at this year’s event along with their coaches and family members.

The Glenwood Springs Kiwanis Club has provided thousands of volunteer hours since the first regional games at Sunlight in 1989. They continue to assist in this annual event by setting courses, providing meals for the athletes, and, in the past, lodging and a Friday night dinner and a dance.

Sergeant Rohan and Deputy Wilson (see above) from the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office presented awards to the athletes at the Alpine Events on Friday. The weather was variable with intermittent snow flurries as well as sunshine; temperatures ranged accordingly but all endured the roller coaster weather as well as the intermittent cold and stayed until 4:45 p.m. when the last of the awards were presented.