CBS’s long-running, Emmy-decorated reality series “The Amazing Race” has an equally long history of casting Colorado residents.
Last year’s 29th season featured Boulder rock climbing instructor Becca Droz, University of Colorado drum major Floyd Pierce and Denver-based professional snowboarder Matt Ladley (none of whom won, sadly).
Mother-son team Margie O’Donnell and Luke Adams competed in 2014’s All-Star challenges, following memorable appearances in Seasons 14 and 18, and Colorado roller-derby moms Mona Egender and Beth Bandimere finished in a hard-won third place in 2013.
Producers have held auditions for the show in Denver the last four years, including at the former Sports Authority location just south of downtown Denver and, last year, at Lower Downtown’s NATIV Hotel.
“Colorado people are the most outdoorsy and adventurous types of people,” Boulder student Pierce told The Denver Post in 2017, citing the state’s diverse geography, thin air and culture of fitness.
That may also explain why producers from “Survivor,” “The Bachelorette,” “American Idol” and other shows have regularly visited the Mile High City — despite Denver being more than 1,000 miles from the national TV-production hub of Los Angeles.
“You have really great people, especially men, here,” said Carli Jo Bidlingmaier, a casting producer for “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette,” during a 2016 stop at the Hard Rock Cafe. “Down-to-earth, nice. Really great qualities.”
This year, “Amazing Race” casting agents plan to visit K1 Speed, an indoor go-kart racing center in Littleton, on Thursday, July 12. Would-be contestants can “grab a partner,” as a press release encourages, and begin lining up at 9 a.m. for the 11 a.m. auditions.
However, if you want to make sure you secure a spot, arrive early: Only the first 200 teams to line up will be able to try out for the cameras. There’s no need to fill out any paperwork ahead of time.
“Bring your teammate and any props that may help you express why you are a good fit for the show,” according to the press release. “Each team will have one minute to creatively express why they should be considered for ‘The Amazing Race.’ “
Save time for the audition by bringing a printed-out video/photo release form for each person on July 12. The PDF can be accessed at bit.ly/2qByR8z.
You can pre-register at https://denver.cbslocal.com/the-amazing-race-casting-call-2018, but if you’re pressed for time you can also do it on-site. Auditions run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 8034 Midway Drive in Littleton.
Happy hunting!
