The promoter for Bill Cosby’s two Saturday shows in Denver has promised ticket refunds for those who want them, but people seeking their money back are confused about how to make that happen.
Sara Williams, marketing director for AEG Live Rocky Mountains, said refunds will not be immediate but they will come. People should ask Ticketmaster to put in a request for the refund, she said.
“People are calling Ticketmaster, who’s saying, ‘We will put in a request for refunds for you and let you know,’ but they’re not immediately saying, ‘Here’s your money back.’
“Our assumption is — and probably what you’re hearing is — that people aren’t getting them immediately. You call up, and the initial word isn’t, ‘Here’s your money,’ so they think they’re never going to get them. But they are.”
Lisa Cline of Pueblo is one of those who has placed her name on the list.
Cline had bought the tickets as a Christmas present for her husband before the string of sexual assault accusations against the 77-year-old comedian erupted. Since the Los Angeles Police Department began investigating Cosby, Cline said she and her husband could no longer support him.
The couple now have shelved their plans for a weekend trip to Denver.
When Cline called Ticketmaster, a representative said the company was not authorized to give refunds. Instead, it would forward her name and contact information to the promoter, who would have to approve the request.
“I was expecting it to be this easy process, and now I’m not really sure it will happen,” Cline said.
Cosby is scheduled to perform Saturday at the Buell Theater amid a storm of protests.
Women’s rights attorney Gloria Allred is hosting a “teach-in” to discuss the sexual assault accusations against the comedian. She will be accompanied by one of Cosby’s accusers.
ProgressNow Colorado, which bills itself as a progressive advocacy group, took to social media to organize a protest.
This week, four female Denver City Council members that Cosby is performing at a city-owned theater. Three abstained from voting and one voiced dismay while voting to approve incentives for AEG Live Rocky Mountains, the promoter of Saturday’s shows.
The Denver Police Department is aware of the planned protests and will be available to respond to problems outside the theater, said Sgt. Ron Hackett, a department spokesman. Inside security measures are up to the promoter, he said.
Cosby — known for comedy routines, the “Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids” cartoon and the 1980s hit sitcom “The Cosby Show” — has been accused of drugging and sexually assaulting more than 15 women.
On Thursday, he issued who will attend the Denver shows that thanked them for their support and for their plans to “experience fun, family entertainment.” The statement concluded with, “Hey, hey, hey — I’m far from finished.”
On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Police Department said it would investigate an assault and drugging claim from Chloe Goins, one of Cosby’s accusers. And, it was reported that a Massachusetts venue would cancel a February show because of the negative attention.
Cosby was scheduled to perform Friday night in Pueblo, and protests were planned for that show as well. Television station KRDO in Colorado Springs reported that refunds were not being offered for the Pueblo show.
Noelle Phillips: 303-954-1661 or twitter.com/Noelle_Phillips
Staff writer John Wenzel contributed to this report.
