Colorado State University Athletics
Rocky Mountain Showdown gameday advisory
8/31/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
Rocky Mountain Showdown Parking and Traffic Tips 
DENVER, Colo. - The 2016 Rocky Mountain Showdown between the Colorado State Rams and the Colorado Buffaloes will take place on Friday at Sports Authority Field at Mile High (6 p.m. MT kickoff). The Rams look to win the annual rivalry game for the third time in the past five seasons. CSU's game notes can be viewed here.
Tickets are still available and can be purchased at the McGraw Athletic Center ticket office, Ram Zone retail store in Old Town, over the phone at 1-800-491-RAMS or online. Ticket sales and will-call at the McGraw Athletic Center Ticket Office are only available until 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 1. On gameday, Friday, Sept. 2, the McGraw Athletic Center Ticket Office will be open from 8 a.m. to Noon to service other events. Will-call and ticket sales will not be available at the McGraw Athletic Center Ticket Office on Friday, Sept. 2, as football ticket operations move to Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Please see below for gameday details.
GAMEDAY TIMELINE
11 a.m. - CSU Tickets Sales and Will-Call Opens at Gate 9 (photo ID is required for ticket pick-up)
2 p.m. - All Stadium Parking Lots Open
4 p.m. - Premium Gates Open
4:30 p.m. - All Stadium Gates Open
6 p.m. - Kickoff
RAM RALLIES
Several Ram Rallies and festivities will take place leading up to the Rocky Mountain Showdown:
- Tailgating festivities begin Wednesday with a Get Your Green On Happy Hour at the Denver Ram Zone (475 17th St.) at 5 p.m. Giveaways and special discounts on merchandise will be available.
- On Thursday, the CSU Alumni Association and other Rams fans will gather at Baker Street Pub (8101 E. Belleview Ave.) at 5:30 p.m. for a Ram Rally.
- Earlier on Thursday (11:40 a.m.), ASCSU will host its annual Grill the Buffs pep rally outside the Lory Student Center on campus, which will feature comments from head coach Mike Boboand performances by CSU's marching band, cheerleaders and spirit squads, plus free buffalo burgers for students and staff.
- Finally, on Friday at 2 p.m., Rams fans will gather in Lot J of Sports Authority Field at Mile High for the official Rocky Mountain Showdown Alumni Tailgate. Admission is free with food and beverage options available to purchase.
- Prior to the game and extending past kickoff, Rock Bottom Brewery in Downtown Denver (16th and Curtis streets) will host a kickoff party featuring specials throughout the day, including $20 for pizza and two beers and a $20 shuttle service before and after the game (4-11 p.m.).
WATCH PARTIES
For fans unable to make Saturday's game, the CSU Alumni Association has several watch parties throughout the country. Click here to view a complete list. The game will be broadcast nationwide on ESPN and through the WatchESPN mobile app.
TRAFFIC ADVISORY
With rush-hour city traffic and gameday traffic, heavy volume and congestion is anticipated. Please allow extra time if driving to the stadium. Public or alternative transportation options - including bus, RTD light rail and biking - should be considered to minimize delays and inconvenience. Follow the official Twitter feed or Facebook page for Sports Authority Field at Mile High (@SportsAuthField) to receive real-time, gameday parking and traffic updates.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
RTD light rail and shuttle schedules
The Regional Transportation District (RTD) will provide bus and light rail service to and from the stadium with more transit options than ever. The choices fans have for direct service to and from the game include bus service from several Park-n-Ride locations in the metro area, the Federal Shuttle, or the C, E and W rail lines.
If you are heading downtown before the game, new services to Union Station are available on the Flatiron Flyer, the University of Colorado A Line and the B Line. From there, it is a quick transfer and trip to the stadium via the C, E and W Lines. Consider using a transportation network company like Uber or Lyft to make connections to and from RTD stations.
Round-trip fares range from $5.20 to $9, depending on trip origination. Visit http://www.rtd-denver.com/CUvsCSU.shtml for more information, or call 303-299-6000.
Passengers may pay upon boarding or can use Special Service Free Ride coupons. RTD passes, tickets and transfers are not accepted for game day service.
Shuttle busses will depart to the stadium from Park-n-Ride locations approximately 2.5 hours before kickoff. Service back to the Park-n-Rides will continue for 45 minutes following the game. Passengers are not permitted to leave personal belongings on busses during the game.
In addition to park and ride shuttles, the Federal Shuttle provides additional service to the stadium, running every 20 minutes from two hours prior to kickoff until 10 minutes before kickoff. Service resumes immediately after the game ends. The Federal Shuttle stops at Lincoln High School (2285 South Federal Blvd.) and at bus stops along Federal Boulevard.
Fans can also pick up an Uber at the stadium post-game rideshare pickup location off Federal Blvd. and 17th Ave.
LIGHT RAIL
The Sports Authority Field at Mile High and Decatur-Federal Station provide direct access to the stadium. Regular one-way light rail fares apply. Fans should purchase a day trip pass at their initial boarding station to avoid delays after the game.
The C, E or W light rail lines stop at the Sports Authority Field at Mile High Station, an 8-minute walk to the stadium. Fans may also take the D or H lines and transfer to the C or E lines at I-25 & Broadway, Alameda, or 10th & Osage stations.
Decatur-Federal Station: The Decatur Federal station provides service to the stadium from the W Line. The Decatur-Federal Station is also an 8-minute walk to the stadium.
STUDENT ENTRANCES
All students are required to enter the stadium through the following designated student gates. Colorado State students enter through Gate 5, located on northeast corner of the stadium. Colorado students enter through Gate 9, located on southeast corner of the stadium.
WALK-THRU METAL DETECTORS
In response to fan requests to improve the screening process to enter the stadium, a total of 93 walk-thru metal detectors are in place at all gates of Sports Authority Field at Mile High, replacing the hand wand and pat down systems that had been in place prior to 2015. The metal detectors are similar to those which are currently used at Coors Field and Pepsi Center in Denver
The metal detectors, referred to as magnetometers (mags) in the security industry, are similar to those used by TSA officials at airports. Unlike airport security checkpoints, however, fans will not need to remove shoes, belts, coins, watches, wallets or jewelry.
Fans that have medical conditions or are otherwise unable to pass through the metal detectors will be screened through other methods.
STADIUM BAG POLICY
All fans are reminded that the stadium bag policy, which limits the size and type of bags permitted into the stadium, will be enforced. Fans should review the policy prior to arriving at the stadium for the game. While we encourage fans not to bring any bags, if possible, the following bags will be permitted.
- One clear bag no larger than 12" by 6" x 12" OR a one-gallon clear freezer bag (Ziploc or similar).
- Fans may also carry a small clutch bag or purse no larger than 6.5" x 4.5", with or without a strap.
- Each ticket holder, including children, may carry an approved clear bag and a clutch purse.
- Prior to entering stadium gates, all patrons will be subject to security screening, including a walk-thru metal detector screening and inspection of bags or other items carried in. Fans are strongly encouraged to review the policy to minimize delays and inconvenience.
CSU will be implementing a similar clear-bag policy at the new on-campus stadium in 2017, and is introducing the policy under a permissive system at Hughes Stadium in 2016. Under the permissive system, fans entering the stadium with clear bags no larger than 12" by 6" x 12" or one-gallon clear freezer bag (Ziploc brand or similar) may choose to enter through Gate 6 to expedite their entry process.
PARKING
Parking spaces in on-site stadium lots are reserved primarily for CSU and CU season ticket holders with pre-sold permits. Fans are encouraged to purchase parking permits in advance of the game. Call the CSU ticket office or visit online.
A limited number of single-game spaces for fans without a permit will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis and will cost $25 per space/vehicle, cash only please. This limited availability is expected to sell out by 4 p.m.
Fans without permits have several parking options in privately managed lots adjacent to the stadium area with the Pepsi Center and Auraria Campus parking lots providing the largest inventory. Parking spaces in off-site parking lots average $10-15 per space, cash only. Fans without pre sold-permits planning to arrive at the stadium with 1 hour or less before kickoff should avoid roads around the immediate stadium area and go directly to off-site parking lots such as the Pepsi Center or Auraria Campus in order to minimize delays and inconvenience.
PARKING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS AROUND THE STADIUM IS ILLEGAL. VIOLATORS WILL BE TICKETED AND TOWED.
TAILGATING
Tailgating is allowed in the stadium parking lots, however, tailgating is limited to the lined 8.5' x 17' parking space you've purchased, either directly behind or in front of your vehicle. If you are arriving early to tailgate, it is highly advised that you back your car into the parking spaces on the perimeter of the parking lot to utilize the adjacent landscaped areas to set up your tailgate equipment. Fans are not allowed to set up tailgate equipment (tables, chairs, tents, grills, games, etc.) in the unoccupied parking spaces adjacent to them or the drive lanes. Barbeque grills are allowed; open-flame fires are prohibited.
A 14-foot drive lane must be maintained at all times. Tents or canopies exceeding an 8' x 8' footprint and vehicles measuring more than 18' in length and/or 8' in width are not permitted in a lined parking space. Tailgating is permitted on medians and landscaped areas adjacent to parking lots. There will be strict enforcement of the one permit one parking space policy. All tailgates must break down 1 hour prior to kick-off.
