IMPORTANT REMINDERS REGARDING ACCESS TO INVESCO FIELD AT MILE HIGH FOR OBAMA ACCEPTANCE SPEECH
THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2008
City officials today reminded ticket holders for the historic Thursday night acceptance speech at Invesco Field at Mile High to arrive by 2 p.m. The stadium will open to all credential holders at 1 p.m. Security screening will be required of all attendees prior to entry. Concession stands will be open.
“This will be a momentous occasion; we encourage those who have tickets and are planning to attend to head out early, grab lunch in one of our many downtown restaurants, and walk or bike over to the stadium by 2 p.m.,” said Mayor John Hickenlooper. “It will be well worth it to arrive early for this historic event.”
Following are important reminders regarding access to Invesco Field at Mile High.
ROADWAYS
• The portions of Speer Boulevard (I-25 to Lawrence Street) and Auraria Parkway (I-25 to Speer Boulevard) previously closed will be open on Thursday, August 28. Some minor delays are possible along this portion of Speer as traffic barriers and fencing are removed.
• The Colorado Department of Transportation announced the 5 ½-mile stretch of Interstate 25 between U.S. 6 and I-70 will close at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 28. Afternoon/evening commuters who generally use this stretch of I-25 are encouraged to use one of the many alternative routes outlined by CDOT at www.dot.state.co.us. This stretch of I-25 will reopen after Thursday night’s activities conclude at Invesco Field at Mile High and well in advance of Friday morning rush hour.
• Colfax Avenue will remain open during morning rush hour, but will be closed from Mariposa Street to Federal Blvd. beginning at 9 a.m. on Thursday, August 28 until the Convention program concludes at Invesco on Thursday night. One northbound Federal Boulevard traffic lane – from Colfax Avenue to 20th Avenue – will close at 9 a.m. for the designated parade route and reopen at 3 p.m. One northbound lane of Federal Boulevard – and all of southbound Federal Blvd. - will remain open throughout the parades which conclude at 3 p.m.
EVENT PARKING & ACCESS
Ticket holders are encouraged to use public transit, bike or carpool to the event. No public parking will be available in the Invesco Field at Mile High parking lots, and residential streets surrounding the stadium are limited to those with Residential Parking Permits only.
The following multi-modal options for ticketholders to get to Invesco Field at Mile High are recommended:
Park or Commute Downtown and ride RTD Route Shuttle to event
• Free Shuttle service will be available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• The shuttle will run from 22nd and Blake, down Broadway to 8th to Zuni, to 13th and Decatur, to Invesco Field at Mile High
• There should be a healthy inventory of parking available in private pay lots downtown.
www.downtowndenver.com hosts a downtown parking locator.
• All regular parking rules apply on Thursday and will be enforced. This includes time restrictions on parking meters.
Park at Coors Field and take RTD/DPS School Bus Shuttle to event
• Parking is available for $5 per vehicle in Coors Field lots A, B and C, located northeast of Park Avenue West and Wazee Street.
• From 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., a free shuttle service will be available to transport people from Coors Field to 5th and Walnut, where they can walk across the Broncos Bridge to Invesco Field at Mile High.
Park at Auraria Higher Education Center Campus and walk to event
• Parking spaces will be available on a first-come, first-served basis on the Auraria campus in the vicinity of 7th St. and Walnut.
• Ticket holders arriving early will be able to park at Auraria lots and walk to Invesco Field at Mile High.
Park or commute downtown and take the Light Rail to the event
• All light rail service will be available on Thursday, August 28, 2008 to the Invesco Field Station.
• Routes “C” from the southwest corridor and “E” from the southeast corridor stop at the Invesco Field Station.
• Individuals parking downtown can take light rail from Denver Union Station to the Invesco Field Station.
Individuals wishing to be dropped off are encouraged to do so at a light rail station, enabling them to take light rail to the Invesco Field Station.
Pedestrian Route
• A pedestrian route – designated with visible signage and staffed with volunteer guides – is available from the 16th Street Mall and Larimer Street.
• Signs are in place along Larimer Street and continue through the Auraria Campus to Invesco Field at MileHigh.
Ride your bike to the Rude Parke Bike Depot
• The Rude Park Bike depot is located on Federal Boulevard immediately south of the stadium. (specifically 13th and Decatur)
• Only individuals carrying Democratic National Convention Credentials for Thursday, August 28, 2008 will be allowed to park their bicycle at the Rude Park Bike Depot.
• Credentials must be clearly displayed at all times.
• Please consider the conclusion of this event will be in the evening and equip your bike with sufficient lights and reflectors and wear bright or reflective clothing.
• Keep an eye out for the SpinHeads directional markers (Spinhead photo)for additional direction.
Planning to open by noon today – all bikes must be picked up by 11 pm tonight.
Persons with disabilities are encouraged to take light rail to Invesco Station
• DNCC recommends persons with disabilities take the Lightrail to Invesco Station for the most accessible and convenient route
• All light rail vehicles and stations are accessible for the disabled.
• All RTD shuttles from Coors Field Parking Lots and the RTD Bus loop will be accessible for people with disabilities.
Going Home from the Event
• Return shuttle and light rail service will be available at the conclusion of the event.
• Taxi cabs will be available along Federal Blvd. on the west side of Invesco Field or at 5th and Walnut.
• The pedestrian route back to downtown parking will also be available.
AMERICAN PRESIDENTIAL EXPERIENCE
Ticketholders for the Thursday night event will have access to the American Presidential Experience exhibit prior to the event. The 150,000-square foot air-conditioned tent featuring presidential memorabilia celebrates two centuries of presidential history and is located in Parking Lot D at Invesco Field at Mile High. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster or at www.presidentialexperience.com. (Please note: On Thursday, August 28, American
Presidential Experience will only be accessible to Thursday-night credential holders. The exhibit will re-open to the public on Friday.)