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Broncos tickets rule House

By Alan Gathright, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published February 22, 2008 at 2:05 p.m.
Updated February 22, 2008 at 2:05 p.m.

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House lawmakers gave kidney-wrenching testimony to their devotion as Broncos fans today.

Then they extended their drive in winning fashion.

Representatives gave initial approval to a bill to stop sports teams and other entertainment event operators from barring fans from reselling their tickets.

Rep. John Soper, House sponsor for SB 24, said diehard Broncos fans only resell their tickets in an emergency — not to turn a profit.

"I've had my Bronco tickets since 1968," the Thornton Democrat drawled. "And since 1968 I doubt that I've had to miss more (games) than I can count on one hand. Kidney stones kept me from going to one game."

The bill was introduced at the urging of Broncos fans after the team sent season-ticket holders a letter last spring instructing them that they could not resell their tickets. Broncos officials have said they're just trying to enforce their scalping policy.

Rep. Kathleen Curry, a Gunnison Democrat, talked about how she and her husband have been Broncos season-ticket holders for 20 years.

During winter blizzards, she said, it's sometimes impossible to make the four-hour drive — over two mountain passes — from Gunnison for Sunday games.

"We tried to sell our tickets the way the team wants it handled — through them — and they are not able to handle it in a quick turnaround for us," Curry said.

"So we end up losing a lot of money. We want to sell the tickets, not for profit, but to other people who could use those (tickets)."

This caused Rep. Paul Weissmann, who was chairing the floor action, to quip: "The chairman likes football when it snows."

But the debate turned somewhat serious when Rep. Douglas Bruce rose to protest that the bill contained the "safety clause," which declares the law is "necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety."

The Colorado Springs Republican often protests overuse of the safety clause, saying it blocks citizens' constitutional rights to draft a ballot measure to overturn the legislature's passage of such a law.

"How is that possibly necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety to have a change in the procedure for reselling sports tickets?" Bruce demanded.

Swiftly, Chairman Weissmann retorted: "Rep. Soper, to the mayhem that will result if the Nuggets make the NBA championship?"

Soper chimed in to agree that with Denver boasting the National League champion Rockies and former NHL champion Avalanche — and someday-champion Nuggets: "This bill needs to take place so the folks that have those tickets can sell them when they want to."

Then Bruce's fellow Republicans piled on.

"I think John Lynch would object strenuously to the removal of the safety clause," joked Rep. Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch, in a reference to the Bronco's heralded strong safety.

Rep. Jim Kerr, R-Littleton, another Broncos season-ticket holder, joined the huddle to back the hands-off-the-safety-clause movement. "Let's leave it the way it is."

With that, the bill scored on an initial House vote.

Final passage is expected Monday.

Comments

  • February 22, 2008

    2:55 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    DahmersCookbook writes:

    I got 4 tix 50yd line $5,000, can't make it... uh... broken car yea thats it.

  • February 22, 2008

    3:08 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Shaupeen writes:

    Pat Bowlen is a genius!! He didn't want season ticket holders selling their tickets for profit, so he fielded a team so inept they are guaranteed not to generate any profit for any tickets! He keeps finding new and creative ways to stick it to the fans!! What a guy.

    And this is the most pressing matter for Colorado law makers to spend their time on???

  • February 22, 2008

    3:23 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    DougH writes:

    Let's hear it for our State Legislature. Good for them to stand up to the Broncos lobbyists and lawyers and do something to help the people that paid for their stadium. When you pay $ 1,500 for two tickets for 10 games(only 8 real games) , you should be able to resell the tickets on your terms.

  • February 22, 2008

    3:23 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Geta_clue writes:

    "And this is the most pressing matter for Colorado law makers to spend their time on???"

    I hope they spend the rest of the session debating this bill. At least they are not raising taxes or spending other peoples money.

  • February 22, 2008

    5:27 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    drnugget writes:

    So called 'Broncos fans' that sit around me sell their tickets for a profit all the time. Anyone go to the AFC championship game a couple years ago? I'm not sure that barring fans from doing it is ok, but it's laughable that they think they are sold in 'emergencies' only. I didn't see it near as bad in Mile High. Eff Invesco.

  • February 22, 2008

    8:27 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    DougH writes:

    Ticket prices have steadily gone up every year at Invesco, South End seats that were $ 25.00 at Mile High are now $ 77.00 at Invesco. Plus you usually wind up giving away the preseason games you are forced to buy, so your true cost of the 8 real games is $ 96.25. If the season ticket buyers earn a few bucks to make their budgets work, then good for them, The Broncos are just being greedy to try and prevent it.

  • February 22, 2008

    10:05 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    climber4life writes:

    Maybe everyone fails to realize that there is a 15 year wait list for Broncos season tickets. I have about 6 years left before I'll be able to get some, but I still made it to EVERY home game this season...usually paying much more than face value.

    If your a true Broncos fan then of course your going to make it to the game. The Broncos are trying to stop warm weather fans from taking advantage of people like myself, who WANT to support the Broncos no matter how GOOD or BAD a season they might have.

    And now your telling me the State LEGISLATURE is getting involved and putting a stop to it because they represent those that are trying to scalp their tickets. I thought they were suppose to be on the side of the people.

  • February 22, 2008

    10:39 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Tenoy writes:

    I am glad to see this. I am a Broncos season ticket holder and sold a few games the Broncos way last year - on their web site. Every time I sold my tickets through the Broncos web site I lost money on my prepaid parking (they don't allow you to sell the parking WITH the tickets) and had fans from the VISITING team in my seats. I appreciate all Mr. Bowlen and the Broncos do for fans but limiting resales to the Broncos web partner was just wrong.

    Thanks legislature! How about DeBRUCING the Colorado Constitution next!

  • February 24, 2008

    1:51 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    MontrealBronco writes:

    I was able to buy tickets to a game a few years ago and much appreciated the lady from Idaho for selling them at cost!! Otherwise I probably would have never gone to Denver.
    BTW: $90 odd dollars for a game ain't that bad.....Hockey tix are double that and they play 41 home games!!

    GO BRONCOS!!

  • February 26, 2008

    12:12 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    jcapp77 writes:

    Anyone that says that Bronco fans only sale their tickets in emergencies and not profit didn't go to the Steelers AFC championship game or the Monday night Green Bay Packers game during the World Series. I have seen seats around mine that doesn't have the same people for more than two games in a season; changing every game. These are not Bronco fans, these are people that got tickets through inheritance or something and are selling for their profit. The re-sale through the Broncos is actually through Ticket Master for a small fee processing fee. Ticket master is the one profiting the most from this (I am sure with kick backs to the Broncos). I think the Broncos have the right idea here. If people can't profit, then they might give up their seats, and then they might actually get some rotation on the season tix list and get true fans in the stadium. Fans that will actually make some noise and get on there feet instead of complaining that they can’t see b/c everyone around them is standing up during an important goal line stand or stupid stuff like not being able to sell their tix for a profit. If you don’t like the Broncos discussion here, give up your seats to someone who has been waiting for years to support their team. Unfortunately, it is probably too late. The government has stuck it head into something that is not important to the state running efficiently. Should they be concentrating on items that really are "necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety?" Sounds like someone has been visited by the ticket broker lobby to me.