This weekend will bring back the Colorado Motorcycle Expo at the Western Complex and vendors are beginning to move in, with 1 exception, the Confederation of Clubs and Motorcycle Clubs will not be attending. The COC will be having their own event at Mile High Harley Davidson in Parker.
There has been growing discussion on social media about what is going on? Why are the clubs allegedly boycotting this event? The Expo’s owner Jeff Brown trying to explain the changes that he has been forced to make. Independent riders trying to understand what the big deal is.
Colorado Rider News had the distinct pleasure of speaking with the President of the Confederation of Clubs (“COC”) Diablo today to give a new perspective on the COC and clubs not attending the Colorado Motorcycle Expo. Many other publications have written articles about this event, but we feel that the message of why the COC is having a separate event is not rising to the surface.
The COC wanted independent riders and the community to understand the following:
- This is not a BOYCOTT against The Colorado Motorcycle Expo or against Owner, Jeff Brown. The COC met with Jeff Brown 3 times to try to work out a solution and AGREED with Jeff that there isn’t another venue outside of the City of Denver that can accommodate the parking and size required to put on such an event.
- The COC and the motorcycle clubs have chosen to do their own event. The City of Denver, along with the National Western Stock Show Association, have given Jeff Brown parameters that have to be met for the Expo to continue. The COC feels that the parameters affect all riders not just the motorcycle clubs and should be something that independent riders should be aware of.
- The COC feels that the exclusion of a member club is not acceptable. We have chosen not to attend.
- Paul Andrews, President and CEO of the National Western Complex security measures are discriminatory against any attendee having the right to protect themselves. The weapons ban will be strictly enforced, he said. “Not even a pocket knife will be allowed,” he also said. “If you’ve got anything on you, don’t even think of bringing it in.” Motorcycle riders who have concealed weapon permits will not be allowed to legally carry a weapon for protection. Independent riders, carrying knives or stun guns for protective measures will not be allowed to bring any of these items into the Expo. This is discriminatory against your right to protect yourself. In the past years, this community outside of the biker community has suffered numerous attacks on innocent individuals at the hands of someone bringing a weapon into an event. Attendees will have nothing to protect themselves in the event of another altercation.
- Here is a list of what you cannot bring into the Expo:
- Knives and Guns (including concealed carry permit holders)
- Weapons – This includes brass knuckles, no large sticks and no spikes. (walking canes are allowed)
- Outside Alcohol or – Drugs (of any kind)
- Water bottles unless factory sealed or empty
- Bags larger than: 10”x10”x3”, Coolers and backpacks
- Here is a list of what you cannot bring into the Expo:
- The COC is not accepting to these new rules and they can only make their point during the Colorado Motorcycle Expo.
- The COC hopes that in the future with a degree of negotiation that a peaceful resolution can be found so that all riders, clubs, groups and vendors can attend the Expo in the future.
- The COC along with COIR spends a great amount of time at the government and legislative level trying to protect the rights of ALL riders and hopes to create a more unified front on future issues. They are on the front line watching for laws that affect the biker community such as Helmet Laws, Distracted Driving and other issues.
There is a movement in this country about discrimination. People, groups and individuals are discriminated against every day and this country boycotts, stands up, protests and plasters social media with their thoughts and opinions of outrage.
Motorcycle riders are no exception to discrimination. This Expo has been going on for over 38 years with no altercation. The punishment to the biker community was the loss of our Expo in 2017, the COC and others believe that the parameters being imposed by the City of Denver and the National Western Stock Show Association are excessive. All motorcycle riders need to stand united to protect their rights as riders and as citizens
