Published: Feb. 7, 2016
Rick George and Frances Draper

This morning, AEG Live announced that Dead & Company (three of the surviving members of the Grateful Dead, touring with John Mayer and others) will play two shows at Folsom Field on July 2 and 3. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Friday, with various pre-sale opportunities starting Tuesday. To purchase tickets, visit the . For concert day information, visit .

As many members of our campus and community will recall, Folsom Field hosted many high-profile concerts throughout the 70s, 80s and 90s, featuring bands such as the Rolling Stones, the Who, the Eagles, and Fleetwood Mac. The Grateful Dead also made memorable appearances in the venue in 1972 and in 1980. This will be the first concert at Folsom Field since the Dave Matthews Band performed and recorded its live album (Live at Folsom Field, Boulder Colorado) in 2001.

Now that we are nearing completion on our athletic facilities expansion, these two July concerts are part of a strategic effort to increase event programming and revenue by using the stadium for more than just football games, commencement, the BolderBOULDER and Ralphie鈥檚 Independence Day Blast. Our goal is to host additional events during the summer (after the BolderBOULDER in late May and before the first home football game in early September) so as to not impact peak times of the academic year.

While events such as this create significant economic opportunities for city businesses and sales tax revenue, we recognize that there will be traffic and noise impacts on the city and neighbors near Folsom Field. The university is working with concert promoters to ensure that this concert is a positive experience for not only concertgoers, but also for the community at large. As we move forward, we will carefully consider issues related to traffic flow, noise and security. We will work with neighbors in adjacent neighborhoods and partner with city officials to keep them informed. Some of the efforts will include:

  • Notifying the community well in advance of events
  • Encouraging concertgoers to use alternative transportation
  • Planning traffic flow and parking with the city of Boulder and the Boulder Police Department
  • Hiring extra security to help reduce the impact on surrounding neighborhoods
  • Working with concert promoters to possibly offer discounted tickets to immediately adjacent neighbors or an alternative benefit for those uninterested in the concerts听

We are excited about the opportunity to use the recently renovated stadium and new parking garage to accommodate events beyond just football games. Those include weddings, business conferences, Chamber events and other large functions that previously sought venues outside the city of Boulder. It is our sincere hope and plan that though community collaboration and careful event planning, the Dead & Company concerts will be good for the university and the city, enjoyable for attendees and minimally disruptive to our neighbors.听

Rick George,
Athletic Director

Frances Draper,
Vice Chancellor for Strategic Relations