Bowing to pressure from thousands of cyclists and at least three influential state legislators, the Colorado State Patrol has rescinded [2] its ban on large cyling events [3]. At least for now. "The latest is that the CSP is backing off to ‘study the issue' for the next year," [Rep. Michael] Merrifield [D-Manitou Springs] told VeloNews Friday evening. "I intend to keep up the pressure." Col. Mark Trostel, chief of the CSP, told a press conference at the patrol's Lakewood headquarters that while he had "had a lot of input in support of this, too," he had decided "in the spirit of cooperation and problem solving" to delay implementation of the 2500-rider ceiling for one year. Though the one-year delay is likely nothing more than a face-saving measure by the patrol, Rep. Greg Brophy, the Republican from Wray who earlier in the week [4] lead the charge against the measure, promises to keep up the pressure.

"I am not going to negotiate numbers. I am more than willing to negotiate with them about how we can continue to make these events safer as Colorado grows. "I am very happy they have suspended the rule for a year so we can continue this discussion."