Special Olympics Colorado (SOCO) will be returning to CMU for the 2014 SOCO Summer Games, according to a press release distributed by the CMU Sunday.

The announcement was made at the Hamilton Recreation Center by Special Olympics Colorado during CMU’s annual Western Area Basketball Championship.

“Our first year with Special Olympics Summer Games in Grand Junction was overwhelmingly positive, from competitions in the state’s finest facilities to the response from the Grand Junction community,” said SOCO President and CEO Mindy Watrous. “We encourage people to come out again and cheer on our athletes as they showcase their abilities. The enthusiasm from the large crowd at Opening Ceremonies was heart-warming.”

According to the press release, the largest Special Olympics sporting event in Colorado will take place May 31-June 1 and will bring together athletes with intellectual disabilities to compete in five sports, including track, swimming and powerlifting.

Last year 1,200 athletes competed with the help of 500 volunteers.

“It was gratifying to see how everyone embraced the Special Olympics Summer Games last year when the event was held at CMU for the first time. Initially there was concern about our ability to provide enough volunteers. The reality turned out to be that we had more volunteers than we had jobs for them to do,” said CMU President Tim Foster. “I know we were hoping for a return engagement this year, and I think a lot of folks in the community shared our hope. We are very pleased to have the competition coming back to our campus and to our community.”

Opening ceremonies will begin May 31 at 10 a.m., with the five sports continuing throughout the day into mid-Sunday. All events are free and open to the public, including an athlete dance and fireworks show.

cferganc@mavs.coloradomesa.edu