Here's why Pueblo is in the running to host the National Championship Air Races

Since the early years of airplanes, people have been racing powerful machines up in the air.

The National Championship Air Races have been hosted annually in Reno, Nevada, since 1964, but air racers are looking for a new home.

A contingent of Pueblo leaders flew to Nevada last week to experience the final year of the races in Reno because Pueblo is in the running to host the airplane racing competition starting next year.

Here’s what we know about the major aviation event that may come to southeastern Colorado and why Pueblo is a contender to be its future home.

Why the air race is leaving Reno

The Reno Air Racing Association announced in March that 2023 would be the event’s last year in Reno after 59 years. The Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority decided to sunset the event, partially because of “the region’s significant growth,” the RARA board of directors wrote in a letter.

“For so many around the world, Reno has become synonymous with air racing and it is hard to imagine the National Championship Air Races gracing any other skies than those in the Sierra Nevada. However, we are confident the event will continue,” the letter stated, adding that the RARA board was already looking at other potential sites.

A press release from RARA also noted that the local airport association had “concerns around challenging economic conditions, rapid area development, public safety and the impact on the Reno-Stead Airport and its surrounding areas” as “some of the contributing factors” of ending the races in Reno.

The event ended tragically Sunday after two award-winning racers died after they collided in the air as they were landing.

Why Pueblo is a candidate to host the event

Pueblo Mayor Nick Gradisar, Police Chief Chris Noeller, Fire Chief Barb Huber, Director of Aviation Greg Pedroza and Pueblo Chamber of Commerce Vice President Donielle Kitzman were among the group of city leaders who attended the air show last week.

Kitzman told the Chieftain she appreciated the work and effort that goes into making the air races happen, as well as how important the race is for so many people and families who have attended for years, planning their vacations around the annual event.

She also said that Pueblo is in a large military region and Pueblo Memorial Airport was originally an army base.

“It brings us back to our roots,” Kitzman said.

“Hopefully, this event will put a spotlight on (aviation) for Pueblo, for the region, for the state of Colorado,” Kitzman said, adding that the event could inspire locals to become aviation enthusiasts.

Gradisar told the Chieftain he thinks bringing the event to the region is worth pursuing, but a group is convening next week to discuss the future of Pueblo’s bid.

Getting financial backers to bring the event to Pueblo could affect whether the city can host the event, Gradisar said, but “I think we'll put the best case we can together for this event.”

“If the (RARA) board determines that they want to explore Pueblo further, I'm going to be in support of that,” Gradisar said.

Pedroza said that the airport “fully supports” the idea but declined to comment further because there are many details that remain to be determined.

How the new location will be selected

Greg Gibson, a spokesperson for RARA, explained in an email that a new location will be selected based on three general areas: the airport’s capacity for seven classes of air racing — being close to a military base is “desirable” to accommodate various demonstrations — as well as the airport’s capacity for accommodating fans. That includes space for parking, as well an area for grandstands and vendors.

RV camping is “very popular” for attendees, Gibson said, so nearby space for that will be considered. The new location also needs to be accessible for people who need to fly in — over 60% of the crowd tends to come to Reno from places beyond driving distance.

The final major category that evaluators will consider is the city itself and the surrounding areas, such as availability of hotels or motels, any state or local incentives available, as well as the city’s capacity and experience with “supporting a major influx of tourists.”

“Another consideration is what other attractions and features the community offers that can enhance our guests' experience with local flavor and activities,” Gibson said.

Gibson declined to disclose other cities being considered for the next location because of “confidentiality agreements.”

The new location will be selected by a committee comprising board members of the Reno Air Racing Association, as well as air race experts who have backgrounds in fields such as civil engineering, operations, judging, designing racecourses, tourism and emergency services, Gibson said.

A shortlist of applicants is expected by Dec. 1, Gibson said, and a decision will be made in early 2024.

Leaning on the region for support

Kitzman and Gradisar said Pueblo would likely not have enough hotel rooms to accommodate all of the visitors for the event. Kitzman said that she’s been involved in reaching out to the Colorado Springs tourism bureau and Gradisar mentioned that he’s also spoken with Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade about the potential of bringing the airshow to southern Colorado.

“As it stands, certainly it would be a regional lift and have regional economic impact,” Kitzman said.

Gradisar noted that he stayed at a hotel in Reno that was a 30-minute drive from the airport, so staying somewhere in Colorado Springs would not be much of an inconvenience for some of the visitors.

The Pueblo airport would also likely need to shut down for at least a week, maybe two, to accommodate the event — but the Colorado Springs Airport is only a little more than 40 miles north of town, Gradisar noted.

Pueblo Memorial is already working on an approximately $10 million project to revamp the main runway, but there would probably have to be a few other upgrades to airport infrastructure in order to host the event, Gradisar said, such as expanding the area for vendors.

“There will be some improvements that have to be made to the airport — the extent of which and how they're going to be paid for, we really haven't gotten into those discussions yet,” Gradisar said.

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Anna Lynn Winfrey covers politics for the Pueblo Chieftain. She can be reached at awinfrey@gannett.com or on Twitter, @annalynnfrey. Please support local news at subscribe.chieftain.com.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo seeks to become new home to National Championship Air Races