Colorado Field

Colorado Field
Location	College Avenue and University Avenue - Fort Collins, Colorado
Coordinates	40°34′20″N 105°04′41″W / 40.57222°N 105.07806°W / 40.57222; -105.07806
Broke ground	May 1912
Opened	October 5, 1912
Closed	November 25, 1967
Demolished	Summer 1972
Owner	Colorado State University
Operator	Colorado State University
Surface	Natural Grass (First football field in Colorado built with grass)
Capacity	est 14,000 in 1967
Tenants
Colorado State University Rams (NCAA)

Colorado Field was the football stadium at Colorado State University between 1912 and 1967. Constructed entirely by the students and faculty in 1912, Colorado Field was the first football field in the state of Colorado to have grass sod on the playing surface. Located at the corner of College Avenue and University Avenue in Fort Collins, Colorado, the entire athletic complex had, along with the main football field, one football practice field, a baseball field, a cinder track around the varsity football field, volleyball courts, a basketball court, and a locker room facility. The Colorado Aggies won nine conference championships here between 1915 and 1955 with players such as Ralph "Sag" Robinson, Kenny Hyde, Julius Wagner, Thurman "Fum" McGraw, Jack Christiansen, Gary Glick and Oscar Reed playing here during its life.

In 1948 lights were added for night games but as the demand for a more updated stadium was needed, Colorado Field's last season was in 1967 as Hughes Stadium (Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium) opened in 1968. Colorado Field was torn down in 1972 and in 1988 the grounds had a rebirth as Jack Christian Track was built to serve the Colorado State University track team.

Capacity of Colorado Field

• 1912-1920 = 1,000 steel bleachers and temporary bleachers as needed
• 1921-1924 = 5,400 seat wooden grandstand and 2,000 temporary wooden bleachers
• 1925-1929 = 7,500 permanent seats
• 1929-1947 = 10,000
• 1948-1967 = 14,000 maximum capacity with temporary bleachers in the end zones

References