Denver Police Chief Gerald Whitman has a message for Colorado State and University of Colorado football fans: Be nice or leave.
Whitman sent a letter to both schools this week, urging sober rivalry and revelry at Invesco Field at Mile High Saturday. He promised consequences for those who can’t abide.
“There will be a large contingent of uniformed and plain-clothes officers from the Denver Police Department, University of Colorado Police Department and Colorado State Police Department assigned to the event” to “strictly enforce all applicable local and state laws.”
Police and school officials are warning fans of a zero-tolerance policy for drunkenness, fighting, damaging stadium property and throwing items on the field.
“We want the fans to come to Denver and enjoy the facilities,” Denver police spokesman Sonny Jackson said. “But we don’t want them to drink too much and pose a risk to themselves and others.
“We’ll have enough officers on duty to try to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
Tough rules and lots of cops have been the rule since rowdy fans brawled at Mile High Stadium in 1999, prompting police to scatter the crowds with pepper spray and tear gas. Seventy-seven people were arrested.
Since thens, no alcohol has been sold during the game and pre-game tailgating has been limited to two hours. Kegs and glass bottles are banned, along with fireworks, firearms, animals and noisemakers.
Fans will have to get used to Invesco’s rules; under a deal reached last year, the game will be played in Denver every year through 2019.
Police will share information about students cited or arrested with the universities, which could also punish them.
Anyone taken into custody for drunkenness will spend between 12 hours and three days in detox, at a cost of at least $325 a day, police said.
In a memo this week, the CSU Public Safety Team, made up of school administrators, warned students they also could be held financially liable for property damage, as well as police overtime, if caused by a riot.
Kickoff Saturday is at noon. Tailgate parties can start at 9 a.m. and must end by 11. Stadium gates open at 10:30.
Fans can line up for parking spaces no earlier than 7:30 a.m.
Parking at the stadium is expected to sell out before 10 a.m., however, so game officials suggested fans also consider public lots at the Pepsi Center and the Auraria Campus.
Joey Bunch: 303-954-1174 or jbunch@denverpost.com
Mile High Mischief
According to Denver police, these arrests have been made inside or within one block of Invesco Field at Mile High during the last decade. Games in 2004, 2005 and 2009 were played in Boulder and arrests figures were not available.
2001
Assault: 3
Disorderly intoxication: 1
Disturbing the peace: 2
Drinking in public: 1
Drug paraphernalia: 1
Failure to appear: 1
Obstruction of an officer: 1
Throwing objects: 1
Trespassing: 4
Urinating in public: 3
Total: 16
2002
Assault: 1
Defacing private property: 1
Obstruction of an officer: 6
Trespassing: 1
Urinating in public: 8
Total: 17
2003
Assault: 10
Liquor violation: 1
Disturbing the peace: 9
Drinking in public: 1
Driving under restriction: 1
Obstruction of an officer: 4
Theft: 1
Urinating in public: 3
Total: 30
2006
Assault: 8
Disorderly intoxication: 1
Disturbing the peace: 8
Weapon: 1
Fugitive: 1
Obstruction of an officer: 2
Possession of Marijuana: 1
Trespassing: 4
Urinating in public: 6
Total: 32
2007
Assault: 3
Theft: 1
Obstruction of an officer: 5
Narcotics possession: 1
Throwing objects: 1
Trespassing: 5
Urinating in public: 2
Total: 18
2008
Assault: 5
Liquor violation: 18
Defacing property: 1
Drinking in public: 4
Obstruction of an officer: 1
Throwing objects: 3
Trespassing: 2
Urinating in public: 8
Total: 42
Source: Denver Police Department
