2023 WeAreSC Travel Guide: Game 5 – At Colorado Buffaloes

NO. 8  USC TROJANS (4-0, 2-0 P-12) at COLORADO (3-1, 0-1 P-12)

Date: Sept. 30
TIME: 10 AM MT/9 AM PT
Televised: FOX
Location: Boulder, Colorado

Airports(s): Denver International Airport

Stadium: Folsom Field
Capacity: (50,183)
Surface: Field Turf
Parking lots open: 6 a.m.
Stadium gates open: 8 a.m.
Mask requirement: Optional
Tickets: Sold Out

Colorado’s Folsom Field Seating Chart:

Websites: cubuffs.com / usctrojans.com

The opening line: The Trojans are 24-point favorites to beat Colorado.

Projected Saturday Boulder Weather Game Forecast: Mostly sunny with a high of 83, low of 54, 23% humidity, and 5% precipitation.

Boulder: This small city is located just 25 miles northwest of Denver, exactly where the plains meet the Rocky Mountains. It is neatly nestled into the foothills.

The City of Boulder sits 5,430 feet above sea level, and Boulder enjoys 300-plus days of sunshine a year and moderate weather. At last check, there were 108,000 residents in Boulder, including about 35,000 students who are enrolled at Colorado. 

Hotels and places to stay in Boulder: Boulder is fairly geographically compact, so most hotels are only a few minutes from Folsom Field. The hotels close to CU are listed here.

Things to do in Boulder: Catch a glimpse of some of Boulder’s wildlife while strolling, hiking or biking through our 300 miles of trails and 45,000 acres of open space, people-watch at an outdoor cafe or restaurant on Pearl Street or check out a top attraction like the Museum of Boulder or the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse.

Campus Map: https://www.colorado.edu/map/

Friday – Sept. 29

Pearl Street Stampede: The night before each home game, head to the Pearl Street Mall at 7pm for a fun, family-friendly pep rally and parade. The Pearl Street Stampede features a vintage firetruck, the CU marching band, the cheer team and Chip the mascot, all making their way down Pearl whipping up crowds as they go. It starts at the Boulder County Courthouse (at 13th and Pearl) and moves westward.

Saturday, Sept. 30

DIRECTIONS TO FOLSOM FIELD

From Denver International Airport: If you have a navigator, punch in: 2150 Colorado Ave, Boulder, Colorado

Directions from the Airport: You will fly in or out of Denver International Airport (DIA). Driving time between DIA and Boulder is approximately 45 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic. There are two ways to get from DIA to Boulder, one via the freeway and another using the toll road E-470/Northwest Parkway.

• Freeway — From DIA, follow Pe+¦a Boulevard (10 miles) south to Interstate 70, and exit onto I-70 west. Follow I-70 to I-270 west. I-270 merges onto U.S. Highway 36 west and takes you into Boulder (about 23 miles). Once you’re in Boulder, take a left (west) on Colorado Avenue (first stop light). There is meter parking along Colorado Avenue and in Lot 359 just past Folsom Street. There is also parking near the Dal Ward Athletic Center.
• Toll Road — From DIA, follow Pe+¦a Boulevard and exit onto E-470 north (Exit 6B) towards Fort Collins. Follow E-470/Northwest Parkway for 28 miles until it ends at a stoplight at 96th Street. The one-way cost for the toll road, as of April 2012, is $9.50, and fees are automatically recorded and billed through the automobile’s license plate. Automobiles with ExpressToll Transponders would be charged. Once the toll road ends at 96th Street, continue through the next two stop lights and exit onto U.S. 36 west which takes you into Boulder (about 8 miles). Once you’re in Boulder, take a left (west) on Colorado Avenue (first stop light). There is meter parking along Colorado Avenue and in Lot 359 just past Folsom Street.
  For more information visit E-470.com.

Folsom Field Parking and map:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Folsom+Field/@40.009472,-105.2668869,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x876bedc905dab6e1:0x142d00bdef8eb2d0!8m2!3d40.009472!4d-105.2668869!16zL20vMDYzcmtt?hl=en&entry=ttu

Parking: Parking is available on campus but is very limited. You’ll need to get there at least an hour before kickoff. See the map here (public parking is indicated in black) and purchase online in advance. 

Tailgating: The on-campus tailgate lots open four hours before kickoff. These lots are perfect for setting up your tailgate and also are close to Folsom Field.

Ralphie’s Corral: The official tailgate event for CU football games. (Ralphie is the name of CU’s mascot — an honest-to-goodness real live buffalo.) The Corral is open to everyone, no registration required, and is held on the lawn south of the Duane Physics building. Enjoy:

• Performances by the CU Marching Band and Spirit Squad
• Fun games for kids
• Pictures with Chip, our costumed mascot
• Prizes and giveaways
• Great music
• Concessions

Folsom Field Clear Bag Policy: Fans may bring one clear bag no larger than 12 inches x 6 inches x 12 inches, or a one-gallon resealable clear plastic storage bag, into Folsom Field. Fans also will be allowed one small clutch purse, no larger than 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches. Bags that will no longer be allowed into Folsom Field include backpacks, large purses, oversized tote bags, camera bags and binocular cases, diaper bags, fanny packs and printed plastic bags. Seat cushions and chair backs are allowed, but they must be 18 inches or less in width and cannot have pockets, zippers or covers. Full stadium policies here.

Buffalo Walk: Colorado’s equivalent to the Trojans Walk at USC home games, this Buffs tradition commences two and a half hours before the game. The Colorado band and cheerleaders lead the team as they march from the Duane Physics Building to Folsom Field. For those early risers for this 10 a.m. MT kickoff, this tradition figures to begin at 7:25 a.m. local time.