So you're asking "when does Colorado play"? Man, I get this question all the time from friends planning game nights or road trips. Truth is, it's trickier than it seems. See, Colorado has multiple teams across different leagues, and schedules flip every season. I remember driving to Boulder last fall only to realize the Buffs game started earlier than ESPN showed – total chaos when highways jam up.
Let's break this down properly so you never miss kickoff or tip-off again.
Getting Specific: Which Colorado Team Are You Asking About?
"When does Colorado play" could mean six different things depending on who's asking:
"Planning a Boulder trip – when do the CU Buffs play Nebraska this fall?"
"Just moved to Denver – when's the next Nuggets game?"
| Team Type | Key Teams | Season Months | Peak Interest Months |
|---|---|---|---|
| College Football | CU Buffs (University of Colorado) | Late Aug - Nov | Sept-Oct (rivalry games) |
| Pro Football | Denver Broncos | Sept - Jan | Dec (playoff pushes) |
| College Basketball | CU Buffs MBB & WBB | Nov - Mar | Feb-Mar (March Madness) |
| Pro Basketball | Denver Nuggets | Oct - Apr | Apr-Jun (playoffs) |
| Hockey | Colorado Avalanche | Oct - Jun | Apr-Jun (Stanley Cup) |
| Baseball | Colorado Rockies | Mar - Sep | Jun-Jul (summer games) |
See what I mean? Gotta narrow it down. Most folks asking "when does Colorado play football" mean either the CU Buffs or Broncos.
When Does University of Colorado Play? CU Buffs Schedules
Colorado Buffaloes Football Schedule Explained
Man, nothing beats game day in Boulder. But finding accurate CU Buffs schedules? That's a headache. Official sites bury info, and third-party sites often show outdated times. Here's the real deal:
2024 Key Dates (Football):
- Season opener: Aug 31 vs North Dakota State (Folsom Field)
- Rivalry game: Sept 7 @ Nebraska (always chaotic)
- Homecoming: Oct 26 vs Cincinnati (book hotels early)
- Thanksgiving weekend: Nov 29 vs Oklahoma State
Kickoff times get announced in waves – usually 12 days before games. Why? TV networks play scheduling games. I missed first quarter last year assuming 1 PM start when it actually was 11 AM.
Where to find REAL-TIME updates:
- CU Buffs Official App (push notifications save lives when times change)
- @CUBuffsFootball on Twitter (first with updates)
- ESPN College Football (set team alerts)
Colorado Basketball: Men's and Women's Teams
Basketball season gets wild in Boulder. Tad Boyle's squad usually tips off in November with non-conference games. Key things to note:
| Team | Season Start | Key Home Games | Ticket Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men's Basketball | Early Nov | Arizona, Utah, Oregon | Buy preseason for 40% cheaper |
| Women's Basketball | Early Nov | Stanford, UCLA, USC | Senior Day games sell fastest |
Conference play starts January-February. Pro tip: Weeknight games against smaller schools have cheaper tickets but same energy. Saw CU vs Oregon State last February for $15!
When Do Colorado's Pro Teams Play? Broncos, Nuggets, Avalanche
Denver's pro scene is year-round. But each team has quirks:
Denver Broncos Schedule Tricks
Everyone wants to know "when do the Broncos play at home?" Here's the breakdown:
- Season starts: Second Sunday in September
- Prime home games: Chiefs (Oct/Nov), Raiders (Nov/Dec)
- Night games: Usually 1-2 per season (parking nightmare)
Full schedules drop in May, but dates shift for TV. My advice? Check NFL.com/Broncos Schedule weekly. That Thursday night game against Chargers last year? Originally listed Sunday.
Denver Nuggets: Defending Champs Schedule
After their 2023 championship, Nuggets games became impossible to get. Key schedule notes:
- Season starts mid-October
- Major home games: Lakers (Jan/Mar), Warriors (Feb/Apr)
- Back-to-backs: Avoid these – starters often rest
Ball Arena does "dynamic pricing." That Lakers game? $200 upper deck if you buy late. Buy when schedule drops in August.
Colorado Avalanche NHL Schedule
Avs games have the craziest schedule changes. Why? Arena conflicts with Nuggets. Must-knows:
- Home opener: Usually mid-October
- Rivalry games: Vegas (Dec/Feb), Blues (Jan/Mar)
- Back-to-backs: 12+ per season (performance dips)
I use the NHL app with notifications ON. Had tickets for March game against Oilers that shifted from 7 PM to 1 PM – almost missed it.
Colorado Rockies Baseball Schedule
Coors Field summers are magical... except when you show up during rain delay. Schedule quirks:
| Period | Game Type | Best Value | Worst Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| April-May | Cold weather games | $5 Rockpile seats | Premium seats (half empty) |
| June-Aug | Fireworks nights | Weekday afternoons | Dodgers/Cubs series |
| Sept | Meaningless games | $2 ticket promos | Weekend games (full price) |
Pro tip: Buy "Blake Street Bomber" pass for $99 - gets you into 10+ games.
Why Official Schedules Lie (And Where to Find Truth)
Here's the dirty secret: team websites often show placeholder times. Real kickoff times get set later for TV. Where I check religiously:
- 506 Sports: NFL/CBS/FOX maps show actual times earliest
- Team Twitter accounts: @Broncos, @Nuggets etc tweet changes instantly
- Score app alerts: Customize for Colorado teams
Example: Last CU vs Oregon game was listed as "TBD" until 10 days prior. Wound up being 8 PM MT – ruined my dinner plans but great atmosphere!
Ticket Buying Guide: When to Purchase for Each Team
Timing is everything. Buy wrong week, pay double:
| Team | Cheapest Time to Buy | Most Expensive Time | My Go-To Site |
|---|---|---|---|
| CU Football | Summer (preseason) | Rivalry game week | CU Buffs Ticket Exchange |
| Broncos | Week after schedule release | Day before game | Ticketmaster Verified Resale |
| Nuggets | August (schedule drop) | Playoff announcement | Altitude Tickets App |
| Avalanche | September | Stanley Cup finals | Ball Arena Direct |
| Rockies | February-March | Opening Day | Rockies.com "Value Games" |
That Broncos vs Chiefs ticket cost me $400 because I waited. Bought same seats in May for $180 next year.
Time Zone Traps: Mountain Time vs Everyone Else
This screws visitors constantly. Mountain Time (MT) means:
- East Coast games start 2 hours earlier here (1 PM ET = 11 AM MT)
- West Coast games start 1 hour later (7:30 PM PT = 8:30 PM MT)
My California cousins missed first half of Broncos game thinking 1 PM PT was same as MT. Painful.
Frequently Asked Questions: When Does Colorado Play Edition
Here's what fans actually ask me:
Q: When does Colorado play Nebraska in 2024?
Sept 7 in Lincoln. Kickoff probably 1:30 or 2:30 PM MT (announced late August)
Q: When do the Rockies play at home in July?
Usually 10-12 home games monthly. Check May when full schedule releases.
Q: What time do Avs games usually start?
Weeknights: 7 PM MT. Weekends: Noon, 5 PM, or 8 PM MT (TV decides)
Q: When does CU basketball season start?
Early November with exhibition games. Real games mid-November.
Q: How to know if game time changes?
Follow team accounts on Twitter. Turn on notifications.
Q: What's the cheapest way to see Broncos play?
Preseason games. Or December games against bad teams (if Broncos are losing).
My Personal Game Day Checklist
After 10 years of Colorado sports mishaps, here's my routine:
- Set Google Calendar alerts with venue address (traffic varies wildly)
- Check parking reservations 3 days prior (ParkWhiz app)
- Verify start time 48 hours before on 506 Sports or team site
- Charge phone + portable charger (stadium outlets jammed)
- Bring clear bag only (security turns others away)
Last thing: always budget extra time for I-25 traffic. Nothing worse than hearing roar from parking lot because you asked "when does Colorado play" but not "how bad is game day traffic"...
See you at the game!
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