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Rockies Opening Day: What you need to know regarding street closures, parking, parties, food & more

Posted at 5:49 PM, Apr 04, 2019
and last updated 2019-04-05 20:29:30-04

DENVER – The Colorado Rockies, notorious for the color purple, are going a little green this year with the introduction of LED field lights, a new mobile ticketing system and healthier food options for those looking to keep their diet game strong on Opening Day this Friday.

Before heading out to see the Rockies take on their biggest division rivals, however, you’ll want to make sure you have the MLB Ballpark App as print-at-home tickets will no longer be accepted at the gates for the 2019 season. Learn everything about Rockies digital tickets by clicking here.

After you make it past the gates, you have a choice: Get to the nearest concession stand to try one of the 11 new food options at the ballpark, or test your skills at the batting simulator!

Obviously, we recommend the batting simulator on the Main Course in the right-center field: Not only can you show off to your friends (or in the worst-case scenario, make that girl or guy rethink going on further dates with you), but the arm workout will surely make you hungry.

Which brings us to the next big thing that’s new at Coors Field this year: The food!

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Just like last year, 11 new eats are coming to the ballpark – and because we’re all health-focused nowadays, there is a healthy option for those looking to eat green. Here’s what you can expect to find as you try to sate your hunger:

- Elote Totcho: Tater tots loaded with green chili queso, charred corn, Mexican crema, cotija cheese, cilantro and topped with a zesty mayonnaise.
- Shishito Peppers: Shishito peppers, queso dipping sauce with crumbled chorizo and diced red onions.
- Tenders, Love and Chicken (a new concept at The Wazee Market): Gourmet chicken tenders with French fries and multiple dipping sauces plus Gourmet chicken wings with French fries and multiple dipping sauces.

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- Denver Cheesesteak Dog: Nathan’s Hot Dog topped with Cheesesteak Beef, Peppers, Onions and Green Chili Queso.
- Frozen Rosé: Frosé (frozen wine slushies).
- Mesquite Smoked Sausage (from Rounders Smokehouse): Sausage link smoked in-house and served with house-made pickles.
- Inside the Mountain Ranch Bar & Grille: Brat Burger (a 6oz Brat Patty with sauerkraut, caramelized onions, Swiss cheese, Bavarian-style pretzel bun and beer mustard); the Green Chili Ravioli (a combination of green chili ravioli, corn, black beans, onions, garlic and peppers – all tossed in a white cream sauce); Thin Mint Ice Cream Sandwich (Mint chocolate chip ice cream, fudge brownies, dark chocolate ganache and fresh berries).

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- On the Suite Level you’ll find Grilled Mediterranean Vegetable Platter (a platter including grilled artichokes, asparagus, mini peppers, tri-colored baby carrots, naan bread and green chili hummus); and a Pretzel Charcuterie Board - two jumbo pretzels, Wisconsin cheese, salami, prosciutto, red grapes, berries, beer mustard, honey comb, cheese dipping sauce, and a bacon jam.

If you’re looking for some more traditional when it comes to food, the first level of the Rooftop will now feature a Smashburger location inside Coors Field.

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Once you find your seat, you might also notice that the lighting will seem different at Coors Field. That’s because the ballpark is replacing their metal halide lighting luminaires with 428 LED lights, which Rockies officials say will cut back on the amount of electricity generated by the field – which ultimately comes down to a reduction in power costs.

Other renovations

The Wells Fargo Club Level has been completely renovated, and now includes a new merchandise store behind the home plate, a reconfigured bar and a coffee stand on the first base side, as well as new carpet, lighting and restrooms, according to Rockies officials.

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The Rockies’ home clubhouse also has a new locker room, as well as a new training room, workout facility, dining room and lounge, showers, various officers and more.

Once the Rockies take the field, you might notice their brand-new uniforms! According to officials, the Rockies have added solid white pants with purple piping to their uniform choices, which will be paired with the home purple or home sleeveless black jerseys. The white pants with purple pinstripes will now be paired only with the purple-pinstriped white jersey, officials said in a news release.

What you need to know in terms of street closures, parking, Opening Day festivities and more

If you’re going – and even if you’re not – there are some things you should be aware of hours before the scheduled start of the Rockies’ first pitch.

Coors Field parking lots will open at 9 a.m. Friday, so if you commute through downtown to get to work, you might want to make plans to avoid the area surrounding Blake Street between 20th and 22nd Streets as traffic – both vehicle and pedestrian – will swarm the area early on and into the late hours of the afternoon.

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The ballpark’s main parking lots (A and B) can be accessed on 22nd and Blake Streets, Wazee St. and Park Ave. or 33rd and Blake St., so you’ll also want to avoid these intersections for most of the day.

On-site parking starts at $17 and you should expect to pay more on privately-owned lots in the surrounding area.

The Rockies’ annual Opening Day Fest on Blake and 21st Streets will begin at 11 a.m. and go through 1 p.m., while The Rooftop inside Coors Field will begin their pre-Opening Day celebrations starting at noon. All entry gates will also open at this time.

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That won’t be the only spot where fans will pre-celebrate, however, as LoDo will transform into a big party for the remainder of the weekend, which is why Denver Police recommends leaving your car at home and using a rideshare service, public transportation, or getting a cab to get to the ballpark.

The forecast calls for partly cloudy skies and highs in the 60s for Friday in Denver. While First Alert Weather Meteorologist Lisa Hidalgo calls for a 10% chance of isolated storms later in the day, the storms will be high-based, bringing mainly gusty winds and a little thunder, but only brief rainfall.

As a security reminder, Rockies officials say fans entering the field will be required to remove cell phones, cameras and keys prior to passing through the gates’ metal detectors. You’ll also be allowed to bring bags, backpacks and purses into Coors Field – but there is a size limit, so maybe leave those at home as well.

Expect the longest waits outside the field to be 30 minutes before the first pitch and 30 minutes after it.

The home opener against the Dodger starts at 2:10 p.m., but you’re encouraged to be in your seat by 1:15 p.m. for pregame ceremonies.