DENVER -- In 1972, by almost a two to one margin, Colorado voters rejected the Winter Olympic Games.

To this day, Colorado remains the only city, state or nation to turn down the Olympics.

A convention this week has sporting leaders from around the globe in Denver, discussing the future of sport. Some are calling this convention Denver’s “port of entry” into luring the Olympics once again.

More than 30 years after that fateful vote, Denver might be once again positioning itself for an Olympic bid.

The Sportaccord convention is a gathering of leaders in international sport who come together annually to build relationships and develop ideas. It could be the proverbial “foot in the door” for Denver’s future Winter Olympic dreams.

“Should a bid ever materialize, having this group of people thinking Denver is a world class city is a very good thing,” said Mayor John Hickenlooper.

Leaders from Rio, a leading contender for the 2016 Summer Olympics, said this is a good start for Denver.

“Denver’s got the goods. It’s a great city. There are great mountains nearby. It has a sporting culture,” said secretary general of Rio 2016 Carlos Roberto Osorio.

It’s not like Denver hasn’t had its chances. In 1970, Colorado stunned the world by being awarded the 1976 games. But two years later, in equally stunning fashion, Colorado voters rejected the Olympics on fears of rising costs, a potential population boom and environmental concerns.

Colorado remains the only state to turn down the Olympics. This might be a first step at erasing that distinction.

“I can tell that Denver will be a perfect site for the Winter Olympic games,” said Osorio.

Osorio said Rio has distinguished itself as a front-runner for the 2016 Summer Olympics because it is the only city of the four finalists in the Southern Hemisphere.

“We really think Rio is the city that will take, for the first time, the Games to South America,” said Osorio. “The other three cities are from country’s that have already organized the Olympic Games. They would offer more of the same. Rio is change, Rio is fresh, Rio is new.”

The three other candidate cities are Chicago, Tokyo and Madrid.

“I think the most important thing for Denver is to engage the international Olympic family, and I think Sportaccord is a great port of entry,” said Osorio.

The Sportaccord is a five day convention, wrapping up later this week.

Many critics believe Colorado has forever prevented itself from being a serious contender.

But others believe the torch could soon burn bright in Denver. Some leaders said even the International Olympic Committee is capable of letting bygones be bygones.

Realistically, because Salt Lake City hosted the Winter Games in 2002, a 2018 bid might be too soon for another American city. However, many believe 2022 is a practical goal for Denver.

Others even believe Denver could be a serious contender for the Summer Olympic Games.

“In terms of world leaders, this is probably almost as big as when we hosted the Democratic National Convention last summer. We have many of the most powerful people in the world of sport here in Denver,” Hickenlooper said.