Securing Invesco For Obama's Big Night

Average Security and Scalped Tickets Puts Nomination Event On Par With a Broncos Game

by John Maggs

Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008


Shhhhh! Want to know a secret about the Big Speech at Invesco Field? Barack Obama's acceptance of the nomination in front of more than 75,000 people, billed as "one of the most secure events in American history" won't be much more secure than a big sporting event or rock concert.

Yes, many of the 3,000 police and other security officers protecting the convention this week will be on hand. But it is not unusual for 1,000 or more police officers to be deployed for routine sporting events, and the actual number inside the stadium and protecting the perimeter is limited by space, a practical saturation point that is often reached for big events.

Delegates and other attendees will have to pass through metal detectors and open their bags for inspection, but such measures are now commonplace for professional and even some college sporting events, and for auto races. Although access to the field at Invesco will be reserved for delegates, tickets for the rest of the facility have been distributed in a variety of ways, including freebies given to a large number of people in the Denver area. It was probably easier to get an Obama ticket than one for U2's last concert tour.

And probably cheaper. The Craigslist asking price for a ticket a day before the Invesco event was $500, although the actual sales prices might be a lot lower. It is not unusual to pay that for a good Lakers or Yankees ticket. During the regular season.

The rules for the tickets are meaningless. A spokeswoman for Denver's Joint Information Center for the convention said, "Ticket holders are not supposed to sell them but there is nothing to preclude them from doing so."

The DNC's list of things you can't bring to Invesco for the speech is a long one, but it is based on the list for most events at the stadium -- no weapons, no food or drink, no baby strollers or folding chairs. Attendees are also prohibited from bringing signs or other things that might obstruct someone's view. (This will put a crimp in some of the most creative headwear this week.) Interestingly, guests are also enjoined from bringing "unauthorized merchandise," perhaps an effort to boost sales of official Obama buttons and T-shirts, of which there will be lots. And in a blow against litter, and free speech, all are advised that unapproved "pamphlets" and "handouts" will be seized. Take that, Tom Paine.

Delegates will arrive by bus in the same fashion that worked well at the Pepsi Center, but many spectators will arrive by foot. Parking is prohibited, and the only mass transit will be the light rail to the Invesco station, and two shuttle buses that will ferry people from Coors Field. Security officials did not say how many metal detectors will be used, but the 30 or so to be transferred from the Pepsi Center could easily be overloaded by the three- to fourfold increase in seating capacity at Invesco.

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