DENVER—How do you move 75,000 people into a football stadium that is locked down tighter than a drum for one of the most secure events in U.S. history?
No problem, say Denver officials and Democratic National Convention planners. The city drew up a complex transportation plan to get delegates and those with tickets to Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama’s big show Thursday safely and on time.
First, the delegates.
Buses will take the convention’s 6,000 delegates and their families directly from their 56 hotels to Invesco Field at Mile High instead of the Pepsi Center, where the first three days of festivities are being held. Police accompany delegate buses through the Denver area.
Arrivals will be staggered so delegates and alternates don’t show up at the same time. Buses that have been swept by security services before arrival at Invesco Field will have separate entrances to keep them away from the public.
Everyone, including delegates and the news media, will undergo security screening similar to airport security. They’ll pass through metal detectors and have items in their pockets, wallets and purses checked by police.
Others attending the event can use Denver’s light-rail system to the Invesco Field station—or even bicycle routes, which a self-park and self-lock depot at a park near the stadium.
There is no parking at Invesco. Starting 11 a.m. Thursday, people can park their cars at Coors Field—home of baseball’s Colorado Rockies—and take shuttle buses to a drop-off point near the football stadium. The shuttles will shut down at 2 p.m. because of strict security.
Obama’s speech is set for 9 p.m.
Democratic National Convention Committee spokeswoman Natalie Wyeth says convention planners have been working out logistics since Obama announced he wanted to invite the public to his historic nomination speech, increasing the in-the-house audience nearly fourfold.
“Some of the folks leading this effort to make this transition have worked at big events like the Olympics, where they have 30 venues. This is what they do,” she said.
Around the Pepsi Center and Invesco Field, authorities set up perimeter fences and concrete barricades and blocked some intersections with dump trucks and cars. Police also set up rolling barricades but relaxed some traffic restrictions after fewer protesters than expected showed up.
The Invesco event planners have banned noisemakers, signs that could obstruct the view, weapons, fireworks, umbrellas, animals, skates and anything else that might be hazardous. Organizers suggest people bring ponchos if they’re worried about Denver’s famous thunderstorms.
Lindy Eichenbaum Lent, senior adviser to Mayor John Hickenlooper, said the mayor has no major concerns about the big move.
William Neal, an Obama delegate from Jackson, Wyo., said security has been tight at his hotel. A police officer is stationed there and doors are locked overnight. A hotel key is required for access.
Neal said he usually takes light rail downtown to enjoy the festivities before the convention’s evening programs. Whenever he takes the delegate bus, it’s accompanied by a police officer.
“Absolutely, I think this is one of the safest places in the country right now,” Neal said.
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On the Net:
Transportation Plan:
Transportation Map: nE6—120dpi.pdf
