The Committee could later put forward a proposal to bring the 2030 games to Denver, Salt Lake City or Reno, Nevada.

Putting forward a 2026 bid “would make things extremely complicated from a financial standpoint with Los Angeles,” the Associated Press reports Probst saying.

The USOC has always preferred the idea of 2030, but was keeping doors open for 2026 in case of a repeat of the most recent Summer Games process.

The group tasked with weighing the pros and cons of bringing the Olympics to Colorado plans to put forward a recommendation as early as March so Hancock and Hickenlooper could decide whether to pursue a bid.

“The exploratory committee will continue its dialogue with the USOC and IOC to determine relevant timelines and adjust accordingly, as necessary,” Robinson said in a statement.

The exploratory committee’s work can be used if Denver and Colorado decide to pursue a bid for a future Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, regardless of whether that is in 2026, 2030 or 2034.

Adrian D. Garcia is on business and trends for Denverite, serves as treasurer for the Colorado chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and on the board of the Denver Press Club.