Policy Title: Tailgating and Game Day Activities	Category: Public Safety/Risk Management
Owner: Vice President for University Operations	Policy ID#: 9-0120-004
Contact: Athletics--Senior Associate AD for Facilities Phone: 970-491-2706 Also Contact: Vice President for Student Affairs Web: https://studentaffairs.colostate.edu/ Email: vpsa@colostate.edu Phone: (970) 491-5312	Original Effective Date: 8/24/2017 Last Revision: 9/1/2023

 

PURPOSE OF THIS POLICY

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe and secure environment for the campus community at all athletic events, and to assure that all those participating in, attending, and working at the football stadium enjoy their game day experience. In furtherance of these goals, this policy creates rules for the possession and use of alcoholic beverages inside the stadium and at tailgating events for the game, as well as other requirements and restrictions relating to tailgating.

APPLICATION OF THIS POLICY

This policy applies to all members of the university community who are subject to the jurisdiction and authority of the University with respect to matters of behavior and conduct. This includes, without limitation, students, employees, visitors, ticket holders, volunteers and anyone else present on university property in connection with an athletic event. This policy shall also apply to events approved by the University Special Events Advisory Group (USEAG)

EXEMPTIONS FROM THIS POLICY

None.

POLICY STATEMENT

Possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages are allowed at football games and may be allowed at other events held in the football stadium, within certain limitations. The University expects that those who wish to include alcohol as part of these activities will do so responsibly and lawfully. Responsible drinking includes making sound judgments about whether, when, and how much to drink, understanding the health issues related to the consumption of alcohol, and avoiding excessive or “binge” drinking or any other abuse of alcohol. In addition, safe and responsible tailgating requires observance of certain rules to promote safety before, during and after the game.

POLICY PROVISIONS

Alcohol within the Stadium

1. No alcohol may be brought into the stadium. This rule is strictly enforced.  Security staff screen for alcohol and other prohibited items at entrances to the stadium. Guests found with alcohol brought in from outside will be ejected and subject to citation.
2. Intoxicated individuals will be denied entrance to the stadium. Intoxicated individuals inside the stadium may be evaluated by medical personnel and will be required to safely leave the stadium and the campus.
3. Alcohol service in the stadium is controlled by the University’s contracted concessionaire and security personnel through the following: 

• Underage drinking is strictly prohibited, and proof of legal age will be required. Acceptable forms of identification include:
  
  
  • Current, valid driver’s license with photo
  • Current, valid state identification card with photo
  • Current, valid military ID with photo
  • Current, valid passport
  • No sales to visibly intoxicated persons.
  • A limit of 2 (two) alcoholic beverages will be sold per customer at one time.
  • All alcohol sales on the concourse will close during the third quarter, when 7:30 remains on the game clock. CSU reserves the right to cut off beer sales at any time.
• Alcohol policies are posted at the point of sale.

Additional Alcohol Policies for All Areas

1. Underage drinking is strictly prohibited, and proof of legal age will be required. Acceptable forms of identification include:
   1. Current, valid driver’s license with photo
   2. Current, valid state identification card with photo
   3. Current, valid military ID with photo
   4. Current, valid passport
2. CSU reserves the right to eject any individuals under the age of 21 who illegally purchase, possess or consume alcohol or are visibly intoxicated, and any individual, regardless of age, who provides alcohol to a minor. These individuals are also subject to citation or arrest by law enforcement.
3. All beverages in possession must be in aluminum cans, paper/plastic cups or plastic containers.
4. CSU’s Policy on Alcohol and Drugsapplies on all CSU property, including in and around athletics venues, and will be enforced.

Marijuana and Other Drugs

Pursuant to CSU’s Policy on Alcohol and Drugs, marijuana is not permitted in any form on university property. See also, CSU Guidelines Regarding Amendment 64 and Marijuana.

Tobacco Use and Vaping

CSU’s policy on Smoking, Vaping and Tobacco Use applies inside and outside of the stadium, and on all areas of the CSU campuses. Smoking, vaping and tobacco use are not permitted.

Tailgating Rules

1. Tailgating with alcohol will be allowed during home football games in parking lots and programmed areas designated by the University as tailgating areas within the borders of Shields Street, Laurel Street, Mason Street, Prospect Road and Parking Lot #440. Alcohol-free tailgating parking lots will also be provided.
2. All alcoholic beverages containing greater than 15% alcohol by volume (ABV) are not permitted in tailgating areas.
3. ID check stands will be located in tailgating areas to issue wristbands to those with proper ID. .
4. All tailgating begins four hours prior to kick-off and ends 30-minutes prior to kickoff. 
5. Each year’s tailgating locations will be published on the CSU Rams website.
6. Alcohol must be kept in designated tailgating parking lots and approved programmed tailgating events. Open containers will not be allowed outside of these areas.
7. Lory Student Center (LSC) will handle alcohol sales to fans at the LSC and Beer Garden tailgate area.
8. Coolers, propane grills (no charcoal), alcoholic beverages 15% ABV or less, and non-alcoholic beverages are permitted. All items must be safely stowed in a vehicle before leaving the tailgate area.
9. University-approved special events that include the service of alcohol taking place outside of the designated tailgating areas are not considered “tailgates” under this policy and are subject to CSU’s Policy on Alcohol and Drugs, which contains provisions relating to such events. For financial rules on expenditures of university funds for alcohol, see also, CSU Financial Rule 2.18and Financial Procedure Instruction (FPI) 2-1.
10. All tailgate areas should be considered dismount zones. Campus-wide bike racks will be available for bike parking outside of the traffic/security barriers. Drink responsibly; biking while impaired is illegal under Colorado’s DUI law.

Prohibited Items

The following items are prohibited at all tailgating events:

• Bonfires, campfires, open flames, charcoal grills
• Glass bottles and drink containers
• Kegs, except for a university-sponsored event approved in advance through the CSU alcohol service permitting process
• Beverages containing more than 15% ABV
• Drinking games & paraphernalia
• Outside alcohol is not permitted inside the Stadium
• Marijuana in any form is prohibited on CSU property; marijuana and all illegal drugs are not allowed at CSU
• Smoking, vaping and tobacco use are not permitted anywhere on CSU property
• Corporate or business signage, sales and solicitation is not allowed, except as agreed between CSU Athletics and an official corporate sponsor

Parking Lots

Use of university parking facilities is subject to the following requirements:

• Only one car per parking space with permit.
• RVs will need to purchase additional permits to cover parking spaces used.
• Saving parking stalls is prohibited; to park together, guests must arrive together.
• Tailgating may only take place within the footprint of the parking space.
• No objects (tables, chairs, grills, etc.) may be placed or encroach in Emergency Access lanes, parking lot driving lanes or other parking spaces.
• Tents, awnings and canopies larger than 10’ x 10’ are prohibited in campus parking lots.
• Tents, awnings and canopies cannot encroach in Emergency Access lanes, parking lot driving lanes or other parking spaces.
• Individuals are responsible for properly securing their tents, awnings and canopies.
• Individuals may purchase additional parking permits, if available, to increase space for tailgating.
• Individuals purchasing the tailgating parking spot are responsible for the conduct of their guests.
• Individuals may not erect or move barricades, barrels, fencing or any other traffic control devices; all signs and instructions must be obeyed.
• Individuals are responsible for properly securing overhead objects (flags, kites, balloons).
• It is the responsibility of each tailgate party to secure tailgating items prior to entering the Stadium.
• Use of quiet portable generators is allowed.
• All motor homes require exhaust extensions that reach the top of the motor home if running the motor continuously for power.
• Animals must be kept on a leash of 6 (six) foot or shorter in all tailgating areas; owners must remain in control of their animals at all times; all buildings on campus including the Stadium do not allow animals with the exception of service dogs for individuals with disabilities (and approved emotional support animals in the residence halls and apartments only). Animals cannot be left unattended in vehicles.
• Music must be confined to individual tailgating areas and speakers must be directed into the individual tailgate areas.
• Use of ATVs, golf carts, gators, scooters, mopeds and other motorized recreational vehicles is prohibited with the exception of emergency vehicles and authorized university personnel.
• All trash from tailgate areas must be disposed of in designated containers.

COMPLIANCE WITH THIS POLICY

Compliance with this policy will be enforced. Persons violating policy provisions may be excluded from university property, and disciplinary processes for students and employees may be enforced in accordance with university policies and procedures.

Violations of the law may also be enforced by law enforcement personnel and violators are subject to prosecution.

REFERENCES

CSU Policy: Alcohol and Drugs
CSU Policy: Smoking, Vaping and Tobacco Use
CSU Tobacco-Free Policy Information
Colorado alcohol laws
CSU Residence Halls Drugs and Alcohol Policy
Lory Student Center Alcoholic Beverages Policy
Fraternity & Sorority Life—Community Policies
CSU Student Conduct Code

FORMS AND TOOLS

Athletics tailgating information site
Special Event Request Form
Facilities Management: Special Event Support

APPROVALS

Approved by Anthony A. Frank, President, on August 24, 2017

Revision approved by Lynn Johnson, Vice President for University Operations, on October 21, 2018

Revision approved by Lynn Johnson, Vice President for University Operations, on September 20, 2019

Revision approved by Brendan Hanlon, Vice President for University Operations, on September 1, 2023.