The Federation of Gay Games has trotted out the shortlist for cities vying to host the 2030 event, and Denver finds itself on the map as one of the top three contenders, pitted against international locales in a spirited bid to reel in thousands of LGBTQ+ athletes from around the globe for the 2030 Gay Games XIII, as reported by KDVR.
In a push to bolster its odds, Denver's game plan involved the creation of a slick bid book and a presentation pitched in the nation's capital, these efforts were marked by the tagline "Together Out West," the bid by the Gay Games Denver 2030 Bid Committee (GGDEN) and Visit Denver is meant to showcase an all-embracing potpourri of sports and cultural shindigs, welcoming a projected 12,000 athletes for a decathlon of days, regardless of their muscle or mettle, and that's not all Richard Scharf, President and CEO of Visit Denver, touted the city's diverse culture, thriving gastronomy, and embrace of inclusivity as obtained by 9News.
Support in Denver doesn't come scant, the city musters backing from political bigwigs, with Mayor Mike Johnston and Colorado Governor Jared Polis banding together with over 50 entities and individuals to root for the Rocky Mountain capital, and as Mayor Johnston put it, "Denver is the only U.S. city to be a finalist to host the Gay Games, and I couldn’t be more ready to welcome them,” he said, as per 9News, asserting Denver's prime candidacy.
While Denver guns for the slot, it isn't the only city feeling the buzz, as Perth takes the stage as the sole Australian city in the hunt for the 2030 limelight, following on the heels of Hong Kong's 2023 hosting with Guadalajara sharing the spotlight, and ahead of Valencia's stint for the 2026 games, the 2023 incarnation saw over 5,000 fervent attendees living it up throughout the ten-day affair, as chronicled by the Star Observer.
