Denver was the original host selected for the 1976 Winter Olympics during the United States Bicentennial era.
The International Olympic Committee awarded the Games to Denver in 1970. Colorado voters later rejected public funding in a 1972 referendum, and Denver withdrew from hosting the event.
The IOC eventually selected Innsbruck, Austria, as the replacement host. Innsbruck had already hosted the Winter Olympics in 1964, making the 1976 Games its second time hosting the event. The Games were held from February 4 to February 15, 1976.
Denver’s withdrawal is a notable part of Olympic history because it was the first time a city awarded the Winter Games rejected them. Lake Placid later hosted the Winter Olympics in 1980, while Salt Lake City hosted in 2002.