Colorado State University Athletics
CSU to unveil new-look stadium at Saturday's opener
9/8/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 8, 2011
Parking info/directions to stadium | Parking map
By Evan Tynan
Athletic Media Relations
FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- Colorado State is excited to unveil its new-look stadium when the Rams host Northern Colorado in an Ag Day Orange Out opener Saturday at 12 p.m.
CSU has spent the summer upgrading the stadium concourses, complete with spectacular murals and banners to document the football program's rich history. The university also has renovated the grounds around the stadium, creating a new-look Ram Town and surrounding parking lots.
Parking pointers
Due to those additions, fans should note that parking access points and color designations have changed slightly.
Upon entering the Hughes Stadium grounds, fans will follow directions to the lot designated by the color of their parking pass. Those that do not have a pass will be directed to the Orange Lot on the east and south sides of the stadium. The 2011 parking lot designations are as follows:
Green Lot (formerly white parking)
• Hughes Stadium Suites
• Legacy, Ram Benefactor and Golden Ram-level donors, and Rams Wheels
Gold Lot (formerly yellow parking)
• Silver Ram, 1870 and Bronze Ram-level donors
Red Lot
• Athletic Director guests, select media and disabled fans (with hang tag or license plate)
Blue Lot
• Big Horn, Executive, Gold and Century-level donors
Fans approaching from the north via Mulberry or Prospect can still enter Gate 1 and access the Red, Orange, Green or Gold lots.
But fans approaching from the south, especially those with Blue passes, should use County Road 42C (Dixon Canyon Road), which leads from Overland Trail to Horsetooth Reservoir south of the stadium. A new parking gate, Gate 6, is recommended for cars with Green or Gold passes approaching from the south. Gate 6 provides the easiest access to those lots.
That's because the newly constructed Ram Town plaza on the stadium's south grounds now will prevent cars from driving past the field tunnel below the main scoreboard, on their way to the Green and Gold, or Blue, lots.
Overland Trail between parking Gate 2 and County Road 42C will be closed.
Fans with Blue passes should use Drake Rd. to approach the stadium, and County Road 42C to access parking Gates 3, 4 or 5.
Best route to stadium from Denver
The best route for any fan approaching the stadium, especially those coming from Denver on I-25, is to take Harmony west to Timberline, Timberline north to Drake, and Drake west to the stadium. Before football games, Fort Collins traffic lights are timed on Timberline and Drake to accommodate heavy traffic.
New Ram Town
Once fans have reached their designated parking lot, they are encouraged to take in the new additions around Hughes Stadium grounds, including the upgrade of Ram Town. These changes are sure to improve the fan experience before games. Ram Town, which features music, food, fun interactive games for kids and other entertainment, opens three hours before kickoff, on the southeast side of the stadium.
Ram Walk
In Ram Town at approximately 9:30 or 9:35 a.m., the CSU football team is expected to arrive at the stadium. Fans are encouraged to join the CSU band and spirit squads in welcoming the coaches and players as they exit their buses and proceed to their locker room.
New fare
CSU has hired Ovations Food Services as its new stadium and arena concessionaire. Fans are encouraged to check out the new options on the concourses, starting Saturday.
Baseball alumni honored at halftime
Former members of the CSU baseball team are in town and will be recognized during a halftime ceremony.
Giveaway
The first 5,000 fans entering the student gates will receive a free pair of orange sunglasses, courtesy of 1st Bank.
