CU Events Center – Colorado Buffaloes

Photos by Michael Davis, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29

CU Events Center 950 Regent Drive Boulder, CO 80309

Year Opened: 1979

Capacity: 11,064

CU Events Center Roams on in Boulder

An eight-sided concrete structure, CU Events Center opened in 1979, replacing Balch Fieldhouse as home of the University of Colorado’s basketball and volleyball programs. CU Events Center is an 11,064-seat arena on the campus of the University of Colorado-Boulder. The venue has the highest elevation in the Big 12 Conference, and has seen a few renovations over the 45 years of its existence, the most recent in August 2017, when a new high-definition video and scoreboard was installed in the center of the ceiling. The facility also had a distinguished honor in 2016, when His holiness The Dalai Lama spoke inside the arena during his US tour.

Food & Beverage 3

The concessions at CU Events Center don’t have any wow factor for fans – this keeps concession prices at the typical cost fans are used to at a sporting event. The coolest thing about the concessions here, though, is the way they are set up, i.e. in a grab-and-go model; this type of set- up helps move lines faster than at conventional concession stands. At these grab ’n goes fans can find pizza, bratwurst, hot dogs, popcorn – basically, all the familiar favorites. Pepsi is the beverage on CU campus, with bottled, canned, and fountain soft drinks. Fans should be able to find the concessions adequate when looking for a drink or snack during the game.

There is one stand that provides a choice away the traditional food above, namely food-in-a-bowl offered by Ralphie Rice Bowl, consisting of fried rice, grilled chicken thighs, and topped with house-made teriyaki.

The adult beverages sold at CU Events Center are a little better than the food offerings. Coors Light is the highlighted beer, but there are also several craft beers available, such as Stampede from Breckenridge Brewery. Or, for fans that aren’t beer drinkers there is wine in a can, along with Topo Chico and High Noon hard seltzers.

Atmosphere 3

The atmosphere inside CU Events Center is what the average basketball fan has come to expect – there is nothing pre-game set up outside the arena. As you walk, the main concourse has concession stands, restrooms, and a small team shop circling the top of the seating bowl. The stands have both bleachers and seatbacks.

The Golden Buffalo Marching Band is situated amidst the student section. Chip, the Buffaloes mascot, along with the spirit and dance team, provides entertainment during timeouts. However, the fans, although good, aren’t creating a tough environment for the opposing team. A high-quality Bose PA system plays music, while the main scoreboard hangs over center court and has a high-definition video display board for highlights, replays, and in-game promotions. Although the atmosphere is nothing out of the ordinary for college basketball, it still has enough to make an enjoyable visit to see a basketball game.

Neighborhood 4

CU Events Center is only 2 miles from downtown Boulder; Boulder is an ideal college town, the highlight being the pedestrian Pearl Street Mall which has art galleries, boutiques, and cafes. Boulder also has many bars and restaurants, all set on the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. A short walk to the southeast of CU Events Center is Dark Horse, a landmark since 1975 serving beer and burgers among movie props and other items. Another Boulder classic, The Sink, is off 13th Street on the other side of Folsom Field. Opened in 1923, The Sink has been a family-owned landmark for burgers and pizza, as well as serving the area’s microbrews. There are plenty of other places around Boulder, but these two establishments won’t let you down, as they have an excellent full menu.

The City of Boulder offers plenty of lodging, but downtown Denver is only 27 miles away if you aren’t planning to stay in Boulder. If you do want to stay in town, however, Boulder Marriott is a good choice, while Residence Inn Boulder Canyon Boulevard and Embassy Suites Hilton Garden Inn are both just a short drive from CU Events Center.

Besides Boulder mainly being a college town, it is also a gateway to the outdoors. Chautauqua Park is a wonderful spot for hikers, where there are numerous trails to explore of varying levels of difficulty. The Chautauqua Trail to Bluebell Baird Trail loop is a 1.6-mile trail that can lead to other trails, but there is also Boulder Creek, part of CU’s campus and a great spot to trout fish.

Or, for the inclement weather days in Boulder, there is a list of interesting museums to visit during your time here – University of Colorado Museum and Museum of Boulder are just two that could be enjoyable to visit. The Fiske Planetarium is also a great visit, which doesn’t need inclement weather; it is a wonderful place to spend time.

Even if you are in the area and there isn’t a CU athletics event, Boulder can stand on its own – it is a beautiful place with things to do, see, and enjoy.

Fans 4

The Buffaloes have averaged around 7,000 fans per game so far in their return to the Big 12 Conference. The basketball team has a solid, close-knit fan base, even though the football team has long been the focus in Boulder.

CU’s student section, the C-Unit, is the heart of the basketball arena’s atmosphere – they generate the noise from behind the basket at CU Events Center's south end. The C-Unit organizes cheers, tries to distract opposing free throw shooters, and effectively harasses visiting teams. Even though last season was a down year for the Buffaloes on the court, there were still plenty of fans showing up for the last game of the season. They were attentive with cheers, but I was most impressed by how many fans stayed to the end of the game to salute the seniors, in their last game inside CU Events Center.

Access 3

CU Events Center is located on the southern part of the University of Colorado’s campus, which is convenient for travelers coming from downtown Denver (27 miles away) or Denver International Airport (40 miles away). Although downtown Boulder is only 2 miles away from the arena and within walking distance to CU’s campus, there is plenty of parking in adjacent lots and in the garage next to CU Events Center. Egress from CU Events Center after the game is pretty smooth, as the UC staff keeps cars moving along, although I do see the possibility of gridlock when trying to get leave, if the venue was filled to capacity.

The UC campus is on the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, so the terrain is hilly. The main entrance to CU Events Center has a couple of flights of stairs and can be challenging for older people. However, there is a smoother route from the garage on the south side to find a pedestrian ramp, although it is a longer walk. The concourse on top of the seating area is easy to navigate, depending on the size of the crowd. The concourse around the seating bowl, however, leads to a steep staircase up to the seating area, which could present challenges for those with mobility limitations.

The overall access to CU Events Center is easy compared to a lot of venues; however, the natural terrain and how the arena had to be constructed bring the overall access down to average.

Return on Investment 3

CU basketball tickets are comparable to the rest of the Big 12 Conference. Single-game tickets start at $30 for general admission, and range to $85 for a reserved seat near the center of CU Events Center. The fortunate thing is that tickets here can be found for a lower price throughout the season on the secondary market.

The concessions are where high costs will occur – most fans are aware that sporting event concessions are high, but even the concession company at CU Events Center knows the cost is high, because they intentionally set their prices using $.99 at the end, in order to try and deceive the public. For example, bratwurst is $9.99 and pretzels are $7.99, while bottled soda and water sell for $4.99 each. Beer prices are $14.99 for premium and $13.99 for domestic, 20-ounce draft beers.

The staff makes up in the return on investment, however, with their parking – the parking garage is free for games at CU Events Center. There is a CU garage and several lots within close distance.

If you can find tickets from a third party, eat prior to attending a game at CU Events Center with only water/soda and a smaller snack inside, then your ROI at this venue could be above average.

Extras 3

CU Events Center is an old, throwback-type basketball arena built in 1979, yet well kept. The arena isn’t flashy with all the new amenities, but the concrete building is spruced up inside with a 12-by-22-foot mural of two buffaloes on a wall, along the arena’s south concourse, which is well worth the effort to see at the top of the student section. On the concourse there is also a “Where Are They Now?” wall showing former CU players in their current NBA uniforms, located just inside the main entrance.

The arena is also one of the only three basketball venues that use roof-mounted retractable goals, with the other two being Cameron Indoor Stadium at Duke and Maples Pavilion at Stanford.

Final Thoughts

CU Events Center is a simple surprise, and an enjoyable place to watch college basketball. The building exterior perfectly blends in with the rest of the picturesque campus in Boulder. The venue doesn’t have the overkill of today’s newer venues, and isn’t close to Allen Fieldhouse, Cameron Indoor, or even The Palestra as far as being historic. Instead, the facility is a simple reminder that basketball arenas can have their own unique charm. If you enjoy watching basketball in its purest form, then CU Events Center is the perfect place.