Copper Hosts 30th Annual Special Olympics Colorado Winter Games

Copper Mountain, CO… February 25, 2008…Copper Mountain hosts athletes from around the state during the Special Olympics Colorado Winter Games March 2 and 3. This season’s Winter Games mark the 20^th consecutive year Copper has hosted the event which includes alpine skiing, alpine snowboarding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. These games represent the culmination of the winter sports season for more than 400 athletes. Copper is proud to be the official winter training site for all Colorado-based Special Olympics athletes as well as the official host resort for the Special Olympics Colorado Winter Games through 2010.

Competition begins at 10 a.m. on Sunday, March 2 with alpine skiing, alpine snowboarding, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing events. Of particular interest to spectators is the camaraderie of the snowshoeing and cross-country events which take place near the base of the Alpine chairlift in the East Village. Opening Ceremony celebrations will take place from 7:15 to 8:00 p.m. in Burning Stones Plaza in the heart of Copper and feature the lighting of the Flame of Hope and a snowcat parade followed by fireworks.

Competition in all four snow disciplines continues Monday, March 3. Closing Ceremonies take place in Copper’s Conference Center at 1:00 p.m. Throughout the games, Special Olympics athletes will be able to visit “Olympic Town,” located in the Copper Conference Center, filled with fun and informative activities for athletes.

Sunday, March 2 (schedule subject to change)

10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Competitions - Sport Specific Venues

Alpine / Snowboarding / Cross-Country / Snowshoeing

5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Athlete and Coach Dinner

7:15 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Opening Ceremonies in Burning Stones Plaza including:

Copper Mountain Ski Patrol Flame Parade & Fireworks

8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Victory Celebration in Bighorn Ballroom, Copper Conference Center

Monday, March 3

9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Competitions

Alpine / Snowboarding / Cross-Country / Snowshoeing/

1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Closing Ceremonies in Copper Conference Center

The mission of Special Olympics Colorado is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for adults and children with intellectual disabilities, eight years of age and older. The games provide opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

Volunteers are still needed to assist with event operations. Individuals as well as groups are encouraged to participate. For more information on volunteering for the Special Olympics Colorado Winter Games please visit www.specialolympicsco.org/get/get_involved.html or call Mandi DeWitt, Family & Volunteer Coordinator, at (720) 359-3117.

Special Olympics Colorado asks tax payers to remember line 36 on this year’s state tax form and to please give generously to this worthy fund.

For more information, including a detailed schedule of events, visit www.specialolympicsco.org.