Folsom Field: Guide for Visiting Fans

Boulder doesn't have a light rail stop — it's a bus town. Your best regional option from Denver is the RTD Flatiron Flyer. If you're coming from Denver, take the RTD Flatiron Flyer (FF1) and disembark at Broadway and Euclid in Boulder — from there it's a half-mile walk to the stadium. The Flatiron Flyer is RTD's Bus Rapid Transit service along Highway 36, running regularly throughout the day. Denver International Airport (DEN) is roughly 45–50 miles away; budget 60–75 minutes by car or take an RTD SkyRide bus to Boulder Station, then transfer to the Flatiron Flyer — all in, about 90 minutes on a good day.

Multiple buses, including the HOP and Flatiron Flyer, have stops on or next to main campus. The nearest bus stop to the stadium is Colorado Ave & Folsom St, just a 3-minute walk away. For rideshare, drop-off and pick-up is designated at Euclid and 18th, with alternate locations at the Safeway on Arapahoe and University Ave and Macky Dr. Driving in on US-36 is fine — Colorado Avenue is the direct shot to the stadium — but expect construction-related delays near the stadium. Drivers should be aware of city of Boulder road construction along Colorado Avenue, which can cause travel delays, as new lane configurations indicate red "bus only" lanes reserved for buses and right turns only.

Campus is most busy in the 60 minutes after the game ends, so every mode of egress has a cost during that window. Here's how to think about each:

Bus/Transit: The HOP and connecting routes run after events, but they fill immediately after the final whistle. If you're taking transit back to a park-and-ride or downtown, wait 20–25 minutes after the game ends before heading to the stop. The surge fades quickly. The free shuttle from the east campus lot runs for one hour after the game ends, so don't dally — if you're parked there, leave within 45 minutes of the final whistle or accept a longer wait.

Driving: Main campus lots are gridlocked for 30–45 minutes post-game. Colorado Avenue heading east toward 28th Street clears faster than trying to go west or north immediately. If you're in the main campus lots, sit in your car for 20 minutes and let the worst of it drain. The east campus lot via Discovery Drive tends to clear more smoothly since it's feeding directly onto Colorado Avenue with fewer conflict points.

Rideshare: The designated rideshare pickup is at Euclid and 18th, with the Safeway on Arapahoe as an alternate. Surge pricing is real and peaks in the 10–15 minutes immediately after the game. The tip: walk 5–8 minutes away from the stadium perimeter — toward 28th Street or Pearl Street — before requesting your ride. You'll get a driver faster, pay less, and skip the congestion around the main pickup zone entirely. Wait 15 minutes post-game before even opening the app.

Parking on campus is genuinely limited and sells out. Don't arrive late and expect to find something close. Parking lots on campus open six hours before kickoff; all public lots on main campus run $30 per game, paid via Text to Pay after you park, and are filled on a first-come, first-served basis — main campus public parking is very limited and will fill each game.

The smarter move: Parking on east campus, off Colorado Avenue and Discovery Drive, is $20 per game, also paid via Text to Pay. From that east campus lot, a free shuttle to and from the stadium begins three hours before kickoff and runs for one hour after the game ends. That $10 savings plus a short shuttle ride beats circling the main campus looking for a miracle. ADA parking is available in Lot 204 at 18th Street and Euclid Avenue for $35 via Text to Pay, requiring a state-issued ADA placard or license plate.

Boulder is fairly geographically compact, so most hotels are only a few minutes from Folsom Field. That said, proximity matters differently depending on what kind of trip this is.

University Hill is the closest neighborhood to the stadium — walkable, loud on game nights, dominated by students, and cheap if you find the right spot. It's fun for a night, hectic for a weekend. Downtown Boulder / Pearl Street is the sweet spot: about a mile from the stadium, home to plenty of hotels affiliated with major chains, though most are at least a mile-plus away from the Colorado campus. The St. Julien and Hotel Boulderado are the boutique picks here — both walkable to pre-game bars, both priced accordingly ($250–$400/night on game weekends). If you want to spend less, look at hotels along 28th Street or Baseline Road — you'll need a rideshare to the stadium but save $80–$100 a night, and the HOP bus connects easily.

The Sink — A unique, quirky family-owned establishment in the University Hill neighborhood, famous for its Sinkburgers, Ugly Crust Pizza, and a selection of local and regional microbrews — it's been around for over 90 years and holds a special place in the hearts of CU students. Named one of the 150 Best Bars in America, it's about 0.6 miles from the stadium and gets absolutely packed on game day. Go early or accept the crowd.

Backcountry Pizza & Tap House — Located near Folsom Field, it boasts an extensive beer selection with over 60 rotating taps and 300 bottles to choose from. The restaurant takes pizza-making seriously, offering build-your-own options as well as specialty pies. Great for groups and an easy walk pre-game.

Avanti F&B — A modern food hall with multiple vendors and a rooftop bar overlooking the Flatirons — perfect for groups with diverse tastes since everyone can grab something different. Every night before a home game, Avanti hosts a rooftop party with a performance by The Golden Buffalo Marching Band and views of the downtown parade. If you're in town Friday, this is your move.

West End Tavern — Combines rooftop views with excellent food and drink specials. Their barbecue plates and Colorado craft beer list are crowd favorites, and the rooftop offers one of the best vantage points in Boulder. About 1.2 miles from the stadium — worth the rideshare.

Once inside Folsom Field, fans will find plenty of options to keep the party going.

All concessions at Folsom Field are cashless, so leave the bills in the wallet — there's a cash-to-card exchange station at Gate 10 near sections 120–121 if you need it. Beer runs $12–$16 a can; a personal pizza is around $9.25. The signature drink worth knowing: Folsom Field has a signature lager developed by Boulder's Avery Brewing Company — Stampede is the official beer of the CU Athletic Department and features Ralphie's image on every can. It's actually pretty good for a stadium exclusive.

Only clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags no larger than 12"×6"×12" are permitted; alternatively, one-gallon clear plastic Ziploc-style bags are allowed; and small clutch purses no bigger than 4.5"×6.5" are also acceptable. Backpacks, diaper bags, coolers, and any non-clear bags are prohibited, regardless of size. Non-compliant bags cannot be stored on-site; you must return them to your vehicle or dispose of them. There are no lockers.

Entrances to Folsom Field open 2 hours prior to kickoff, and CU recommends entering at least 60 minutes before kickoff. All patrons are subject to security screening, which may include walk-through metal detectors, electronic wanding, and inspection of bags. For away fans specifically, head toward the south end — the visiting team's fans and band typically sit in Sections 101, 102, and 103, which are in the south end zone. One practical note: Folsom's grandstands have only metal bleachers, but fans can rent cushioned seatbacks for $8 outside the stadium's southeast entrances. On a cold September night at elevation, you'll be glad you grabbed one.

ADA seating is positioned at the top of sections 103, 104, and 114, accessible from any entrance. ADA parking is available in Lot 204 at 18th Street and Euclid Avenue for $35 via Text to Pay, requiring a state-issued ADA placard or license plate; a complimentary wheelchair-accessible shuttle runs continuously from that lot to the Southwest Entrance, starting three hours before the event and continuing for one hour after.

Colorado Athletics has partnered with KultureCity to promote sensory disability awareness — the venue is Sensory Inclusive certified, staff are trained to recognize guests dealing with sensory disabilities, and Sensory Bags containing noise-cancelling headphones, fidget spinners, and communication tools can be checked out at the Gate 5 Guest Services Kiosk inside Folsom Field. Emergency medical treatment is available at Gate 3 and Gate 11 at Balch Fieldhouse's northeast corner.

The visiting team's fans and band typically sit in Sections 101, 102, and 103 — the south end zone. These seats are low-numbered, close to the action, and you'll have company in away colors. They're not premium sightlines, but for atmosphere and finding your people, it works.

The seats on Folsom Field's east side face the mountains to the west, providing a dramatic backdrop to the action on the field. If you can secure a midfield seat on the east side (sections 108–112), you get both a great view of the game and the Flatirons looming in the background on every play — easily one of the best incidental views in college football. Seating on the west side is good for those who might want to take cover in the adjacent Balch Fieldhouse, where concession stands, big-screen televisions, and warmth are all under one roof — useful for early-season night games when mountain cold rolls in. For the best view of Ralphie as she leads the team onto the field, Sections 119, 120, and 121 are your best bets. If you're going neutral and just want a great experience, grab something there and marvel at a 1,200-pound bison sprinting at full speed.

Away fans venturing into Folsom Field should prepare for a passionate, loud, and overwhelming sea of black and gold.

Folsom is a genuinely enjoyable place to visit as an away fan — Boulder is one of the more civilized college towns in the country, and the crowd tends to be more chatty than menacing. That said, post-Deion Sanders, this program has energy it hasn't had in decades, and a sold-out Folsom is legitimately loud. The thing that catches away fans off guard: the elevation. The playing field sits at an elevation of 5,360 feet — more than a mile above sea level — and that's not just trivia for the players. Two stadium beers at altitude feel like three at sea level. Drink water before you even get on-site, and bring an empty plastic bottle to refill at the stadium's free water stations. The other thing nobody warns you about: weather variance is real. A 75-degree noon kickoff can turn into a 48-degree fourth quarter once the sun drops behind the Flatirons. Wear layers. Always.

What's the best way to get to Folsom Field from Denver?

Take the RTD Flatiron Flyer (FF1) from Denver and get off at Broadway and Euclid in Boulder — it's then a half-mile walk to the stadium. Total trip from downtown Denver is typically 45–60 minutes.

What airport do I fly into for a Boulder/Folsom Field trip? Denver International Airport (DEN) is the only commercial option — about 45–50 miles from Boulder. Rent a car, grab a Groome Transportation shuttle to Boulder, or piece together an RTD SkyRide bus to Boulder Station. Budget 75–90 minutes.

What is the Folsom Field bag policy?

Only clear plastic bags up to 12"×6"×12", one-gallon clear Ziploc-style bags, or small clutch purses no bigger than 4.5"×6.5" are allowed. No backpacks, no opaque bags, no exceptions and no on-site storage.

How much does parking cost at Folsom Field?

All public lots on main campus are $30 per game, paid via Text to Pay. East campus parking off Colorado Avenue and Discovery Drive is $20 per game — the better deal, given the free shuttle.

When do gates open?

Entrances to Folsom Field open 2 hours prior to kickoff. CU recommends arriving at least an hour early to clear security without rushing.

Where do away fans sit at Folsom Field?

The visiting team's fans and band typically sit in Sections 101, 102, and 103 in the south end zone. Buy tickets in that range to find your traveling party.

Is Folsom Field cashless?

Folsom Field operates entirely cashless for all concessions, merchandise, and ticket office transactions — bring your credit card, debit card, or mobile payment like Apple Pay. A cash-to-card exchange station is available at Gate 10 near sections 120–121 if needed.

What's the playing surface at Folsom Field?

In March 2025, Colorado announced that the natural grass surface would be replaced with AstroTurf 3D3 starting the next season, in part to prepare Folsom Field for potentially hosting the College Football Playoff in the future, as grass is difficult to grow in winter.