Top Colorado Drag Strip Shuts Down as Suburbs Close In

Bandimere Speedway, Colorado's premiere drag racing venue, has seen its last quarter-mile showdown after 65 years in operation. "Thunder Mountain," as it's popuarly known, closed for good on Monday following a final weekend of racing as Denver's ever-expanding suburban sprawl finally reaches its doorstep at the edge of the Rocky Mountains. But it's not because of noise complaints or angry new transplants; instead, the Bandimere family has decided to sell the land to developers.

Opened in 1958, Bandimere is situated to the southwest of the Denver metropolitan area near Red Rocks Ampitheatre. For decades, the track was a hub of regional motorsport, hosting everything from public test-and-tune sessions to NHRA Top Fuel drag racing. It also happened to be one of the most scenic drag strips around, situated in a natural valley surrounded by rolling hills dotted with pine trees. Its closure after this season was announced back in April, but now that the 2023 season is officially over, the bell has tolled for Bandimere.

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Locally and nationally, racers and fans alike have speculated the track is closing as a consequence of noise complaints from residents of the newly-built suburb across the highway from the track. However, my report in April found that Bandimere Speedway is exempt from county noise ordnances, and that local homebuyers are briefed on the track's noise and must waive their right to complain about it. The reports would've fallen on the deaf ears of local governance, who have collected tax revenue from the successful racetrack for decades.