History

2012
Men's Pro race:

  1. Frank Pipp
  2. Sean Sullivan
  3. Jorge Espinoza
  4. Russel Harding
  5. Drew Christopher

Women's Pro race:

  1. Alison Powers
  2. Cari Higgins
  3. Kate Powlison
  4. Anne Donley
  5. Merideth Miller

2011
Men's Pro race:

  1. Jorge Espinoza
  2. Sean Sullivan
  3. Josh Yeaton
  4. Lawson Craddock
  5. Russel Harding

Women's Pro race:

  1. Megan Hottman
  2. Kori Seehafer
  3. Cari Higgins
  4. Kasey Clark
  5. Beth Fisk

2010
Men's Pro race:

  1. Alex Howes
  2. Sean Sullivan
  3. Jorge Espinoza
  4. Colby Pearce
  5. Jason Donald

Women's Pro race:

  1. Megan Hottman
  2. Kori Seehafer
  3. Andrea Dvorak
  4. Alison Powers
  5. Anne Samplonius

2009
Men's Pro race:

  1. Ian MacGregor
  2. Jon Tarkington
  3. Brent Hanlin
  4. Zach Watson
  5. Keith Harper

Women's Pro race:

  1. Gina Grain
  2. Tiffany Cromwell
  3. Cari Higgins
  4. Mara Abbott
  5. Terri Clouse

2008
Men's Pro Winner:

  1. Jorge Espinoza

Women's Pro Winner:

  1. Mara Abbott

2007
Men's Pro Winner:

  1. Phil Zajicek

Women's Pro Winner:

  1. Mara Abbott

2006
Men's Pro Winner:

  1. Will Frischcorn

Women's Pro Winner:

  1. Maegan Daigler

2005
Men's Pro Winner:

  1. Pete Lopinto

Women's Pro Winner:

  1. Catherine Powers

In The Begining...

George Mount
Big crowds watch George Mount win the 1979 edition of the Red Zinger Classic in North Boulder Park.
Credit: Celestial Seasonings

In 1975, Mo Siegel — Celestial Seasonings Tea Company founder — backed a stage race and called it the Red Zinger. It was a three-day event that included the North Boulder Park criterium, a venue that soon became very popular with the fans.

The event grew and in 1980 the race took on a new sponsor becoming the Coors International Bicycle Classic and was directed by Boulder's own Michael Aisner. Throughout the decade of the Coors Classic's history North Boulder Park was almost always included as the final stage.

At the height of it's popularity, it was said that as many as 300,000 people descended upon North Boulder Park to witness the Men's and Women's Pro Races.

The Zinger Days

Above: Bob Shaver at North Boulder Park in the 1978 Red Zinger's final stage.

Left: Gary Doering in action at the same NBP race.
Connie Carpenter
Connie Carpenter won the Red Zinger in 1976 and 1977 (not sure if she ever won a NBP stage but it's quite likely).

The Coors Classic and North Boulder Park

Ron Keifel
Ron Kiefel wins the North Boulder Park stage of the Coors


TL: Ron Kiefel & Alan McCormack
TR: Ron Kiefel & Davis Phinney
BL: Phil Anderson, Chris Carmichael, Greg LeMond and Doug Shapiro
BR: Connie Carpenter
photos by John Maynard
Coors Classic final