Stadium Series traffic causes major delays on Interstate 25
Hockey fans headed south to the NHL’s Stadium Series game at the Air Force Academy encountered a traffic nightmare on Interstate 25 Saturday.
For many fans, the trip from Denver to Colorado Springs took up to four hours, resulting in many people missing a good chunk of the NHL’s outdoor hockey game at Falcon Stadium.
Standstill traffic reportedly prompted some fans to leave their cars to walk 3 or 4 miles to the academy. Midway through the first period of the game between the Colorado Avalanche and the Los Angeles Kings, traffic remained backed up to Interquest Parkway on I-25.
The traffic jam was compounded by at least one reported crash and emergency pothole repairs, which began at 1 p.m. on I-25 between Monument and Castle Rock. A CDOT spokeswoman said the repairs were expected to impact both directions of I-25 overnight.
“We had a large (pothole) today that had to be fixed for the safety of motorists. More are popping up and crews will be addressing them overnight and ongoing throughout winter,” said CDOT spokeswoman Presley Fowler in an email Saturday night.
About 4 hours prior to the 6 p.m. game, CDOT tweeted that the left southbound lane of I-25 would be blocked for emergency pothole repairs between County Line Road and Monument.
CDOT had warned drivers about traffic delays on Twitter at noon, and told 9News earlier in the day that fans heading to the game should leave as soon as possible.
Upset hockey fans who spent hours stuck in traffic took to Twitter to voice their disappointment, demand refunds and criticize the venue and the planning of the event.
“What a (expletive) show! 4 seats cost me $1000. We left Johnstown at 1400 hours and missed the opening ceremony at 1800 hours. The last 5 miles to the Air Force Academy took (an) hour and half. Got inside the Falcon Stadium and they were out of beer and food,” wrote Twitter user Ryan Byers.
“This traffic to get to the game has been the single worst (expletive) experience getting anywhere ever,’ said Twitter user Grumpy. “5 hours and still not (expletive) there.”
“The traffic is a disaster. Huge planning failure.” wrote Scott Heathcoat.
“Been in the car an hour and only gone 2 miles… this traffic is unbeareable (sic)!” wrote Lauren Tostenson.
“After 2 hours in traffic on I25 we had to give up on the #StadiumSeries and find a bar to watch at. Absolute fail,” wrote another user.
After the game, fans reportedly spent two hours stuck in the parking lot.
The official attendance of the game, which ended in a 3-1 loss for the Avs, was announced at 43,574.
Southbound traffic on I-25 just north of County Line Road in Monument backed up in June 2019.
