University commits its dorms for racers

Organizers hoping to attract a leg of the USA Pro Challenge bicycle race got a leg up from Colorado Mesa University with a commitment of hundreds of dorm rooms and thousands of room night stays for team members, worth some $145,000. The pledge marks a major step toward demonstrating that Mesa County can put on the race, said CMU President Tim Foster, who noted that one impediment to putting on such an event is housing the nearly 1,000 people who are associated with the race.