Ready to Start Racing?

I've been into road cycling for 5ish years, but this past year the love has taken off. My goal is to spend the rest of the season training and continuing over the winter via zwift with the goal of racing next spring/summer. I've done a few fondos and have the urge to actually race but am having trouble with two pieces.

1. Really having trouble just finding organized races. I'm in northern Colorado and have to imagine they exist. I'm looking specifically for road but wouldn't be opposed to gravel down the line as it seems like there are more gravel races from what I can tell. What are the main resources for just finding/registering for races?

2. How far from ready am I? I'd just do Cat 5 to start, but can average 18 to 19 mph over 50 miles w/ a little over 1000 ft climbing. I'm fine being.dropped initially but realistically how far am I from being able to at least stick with the group for a decent chunk of the race?