DENVER -- There's a new push to bring the 2018 Winter Olympics to Colorado.

A Denver delegation has just returned from Italy, where they met with international and U.S. Olympic officials. They say the next year or two will be crucial in this bid.

The U.S. Olympic Committee has not even decided if it wants to make a formal bid for either the 2016 Summer Games or 2018 Winter Games.

But Colorado is in a unique position, since 30 years ago the International Olympic Committee chose Colorado but back then, state officials said no thank you. The argument against the games in 1976 was that it would be bad for Colorado's environment and economy.

But one person who doesn't agree with that argument anymore is Rob Cohen. Cohen has just returned from Turin, Italy, where thousands of people from around the world have gathered to celebrate the Olympic spirit, cheer on their favorite athletes and have a good time.

For Cohen, who is with the Metro Denver Sports Commission, it was a working trip.

Cohen said it's too early for the group to formally push Colorado as an Olympic venue, but it's not too early to make comparisons.

"I thought Torino did a great job, and yeah, we could do a great job if ever given the chance," said Cohen.

Colorado has the basic requirements -- an international airport, brand new sports facilities and, of course, the Rocky Mountains.

At the ESPN Zone in downtown Denver, sports fans embrace the idea.

"We got snow!" one fan said.

Colorado resident Jeann Anne Gutzmann still regrets that Denver turned down the Olympics in 1976.

"I was really disappointed and it comes back to my memory every time we watch the Olympics in another country," Gutzmann said.

Salt Lake City, Tahoe, and Lake Placid, N.Y., have also expressed interest in the 2018 Winter Olympics. But none of them has ever turned the games down.

"We met with Dick Pound of the IOC who once said, 'You know, Denver has a black eye and black eyes fade.' And when I talk to the people with the International Federation, the issue of '76 is just not an issue with them," said Cohen.

The 2010 Winter Olympics will be held in Vancouver. Next summer a decision will be made about where to hold the 2014 Winter Games. Seven cities in Asia and Europe are in the running to host those games.