The stuff of legends is sometimes real
The Colorado Grand first entered my consciousness about fifteen years ago, back when I was living in Chicago and on a Fuelfed group drive to the hilly “driftless” region of southwestern Wisconsin. You see, when you’re an automotive enthusiast in the Windy City, the good roads are always three hours away and in a different state. Over cheap old-fashioned drinks at a supper club, the topic of the Grand came up, and it seemed like the stuff of legend. The details were murky and distinctly secondhand, but it was clear that the Grand was an exclusive event, with priceless cars and seemingly even more priceless participants. In my mind’s eye, the Grand existed something like a driver’s equivalent of the Bohemian Grove gathering, set not in the redwood forests of Northern California but in the rugged mountains of Colorado, where billionaires prayed to the gods of speed rather than a giant concrete owl.
Aaron Fanselow, aaronfanselowphoto.com
A few years later, I found myself living in Colorado, drawn in no small part by the state’s wonderful network of roads. In my newfound enthusiast circles, I’d hear even more recycled stories of the Grand and I’d occasionally spot one of the iconic Grand arrow stickers on a car; an understated nod to one another for those in the know. But the event itself was always discussed in hushed tones, and the message seemed clear: the Grand was something for thee, not for me. None other than Matt Farah echoed that same sentiment on an episode of The Smoking Tire; even for him, the Grand was perceived as out of reach. But no matter the source, the refrain was always the same: the Grand meant the best cars. On the best roads. With the best people.
Aaron Fanselow, aaronfanselowphoto.com
If you don’t know, now you know
In reality, the Grand has always been hiding in plain sight. Founded in 1989 by the late Bob Sutherland, the Colorado Grand was conceived as a way to bring the spirit of the Mille Miglia to American roads. The premise is simple: one thousand miles over one week in the best vintage sports and racing cars on the greatest driving roads Colorado and nearby states have to offer. It’s non-competitive, but the driving is spirited. Unique among events of its type, the Grand organization is a highly regarded non-profit that has contributed more than $10 million to various local charities over the years.
Aaron Fanselow, aaronfanselowphoto.com
But all that was unknown to me until 2021, when I was approached by Tom Horan, the longtime chairman of the Colorado Grand. It turns out that Tom was a listener of the car podcast I co-hosted, and he asked if I’d be interested in getting involved with the Grand. Four years later, I’m honored to continue as the event’s contributing editor, responsible for writing and editing the descriptions of the participating vehicles that appear in each year’s route book. Since that proverbial tap on the shoulder, I’ve learned a lot about the cars, the roads, and the people of the Grand.
The cars
To say that the Grand attracts some of the best cars in the world is no exaggeration. Generally speaking, they hail from 1960 and earlier and have sporting or racing pretensions. They’ve also got to be robust enough to handle all types of weather and the high mountain passes that are a part of every Colorado Grand.
Aaron Fanselow, aaronfanselowphoto.com
While each year’s lineup is different, this year’s roster of cars was as impressive as ever. When was the last time you saw 16 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLs together, much less driving? There were fifteen significant Ferraris as well, including ten 250 GTs, many of them competition models. And good god, you haven’t lived until you’ve seen the world’s only unrestored 1957 Testa Rossa—a car with an incredible racing pedigree—at speed, in the rain; I’ll never again think twice about taking my own modern Porsche out in any kind of weather.
Speaking of Porsches, there were 19 356s of various types, including five Speedsters and a similar number of Emory Outlaws. There were three(!) Jaguar D-Types, including one in the most beautiful shade of dark green and another in its period-correct Cuban racing livery, which—let’s be honest—you didn’t even know was a thing. Those D-Types were complemented by a brace of C-Types, naturally. Then there were the Bentleys—including the very first blower Bentley—and AC Aces, Aston-Martins, a Maserati 250S and a 300S, various special Lancias and several amazing pre- and post-war Alfa Romeos.
Aaron Fanselow, aaronfanselowphoto.com
Let’s not forget the marques and models on the Grand that are equally exceptional, if lesser-known: stuff like an Allard J2X, an Invicta Low Chassis, a Kurtis Swallow Body, a Bocar XP-6, and a Hughes-Kircher Special (look it up—it’s a fascinating thing).
Aaron Fanselow, aaronfanselowphoto.com
The roads
Colorado has no shortage of amazing driving roads, and the organizers of the Grand deserve a ton of credit for crafting a unique route each year, while also managing the impressive logistical feat of securing hotels that can accommodate over 300 participants and more than 100 cars. This year’s route started and ended in Vail, included two nights in Steamboat Springs, and ventured off the beaten path through the Snowy Range Mountains, with memorable stops in places like Encampment, Wyoming. Past events have brought us to Telluride, Durango, Aspen, and Moab, Utah. The towns where the Grand stops for coffee and meals benefit from its charitable giving, in return for the hospitality, and several substantial college scholarships are awarded to high school students along the way.
Aaron Fanselow, aaronfanselowphoto.com
The people
As good as the cars and the roads of the Grand are, the people are even better. A highlight for me this year was riding shotgun for a day with Rod Emory in one of his own 356 Outlaws. The rumors are true: Rod is a genuinely nice guy, and his cars are the real deal. There was an Irish contingent who had their cars shipped to Los Angeles and then drove them a thousand miles just to reach the start of the Grand in Colorado. Then, after the Grand, they drove them back to L.A. Most were open cars, by the way. There were several father-and-son and mother-and-daughter teams, and there were extended families who fielded multiple cars. Yes, there were billionaires, and there were also big-time collectors, land-speed record holders, corporate leaders with names you’d know, and a handful of celebrities. But, for the week of the Grand, business and politics were cast aside in favor of car talk. Because, at the end of the day, Granders are all enthusiasts.
Aaron Fanselow, aaronfanselowphoto.com
Another unique human aspect of the Grand is its longstanding partnership with the Colorado State Patrol, a collaboration that enhances safety and is mutually beneficial. Each year, eight motorcycle officers—who are themselves enthusiasts—ride alongside participants, offering both support and a friendly reminder to drive responsibly. Despite the rumors, even Granders have to follow the rules of the road.
Aaron Fanselow, aaronfanselowphoto.com
And the “enchanted forest” that is the Colorado Grand
After four years immersed in Colorado Grand, I can honestly say it’s even better than the stories. The cars are amazing, the roads are incredible, and the people are remarkable. But what truly sets the Grand apart is the spirit of it all: a shared love of driving and the kind of camaraderie that transcends backgrounds, bank accounts, and generations. For one glorious week each September, time slows down, egos fade, and the mountain roads come alive with the sound of history in motion. They call it the enchanted forest. It’s the realization that you’re part of something rare and something meaningful. That’s the magic of the Colorado Grand.
Aaron Fanselow, aaronfanselowphoto.com
If you know, you know. And I know exactly how lucky I am to be part of it each year. For more information on the Colorado Grand, visit co1000.com.
About the author
Ryan Bahrke
Contributing Writer, Autoblog