Denver-area businesses may be united in orange, but the strategies for how they’ll observe the high holiday of Super Bowl XLVIII differ.
Some will close, but for others, the show must go on — in Broncos gear.
Everyone from Mexican joints to airlines plan to observe the day, some skipping out on potential profits so their employees can watch the game and others shucking regular uniforms for orange- and-blue gear.
The Blue Bonnet, one of Denver’s oldest family-owned restaurants, has been mixing up blue- and-orange frozen margaritas for weeks, but for the big show, they’re closing.
“We have a lot of team spirit here, but we decided to close because the Broncos don’t get to the Super Bowl as often as we like, and I want everyone to be able to watch and partake in Bronco festivities,” Blue Bonnet owner Gary Mobell said.
The Colorado Symphony also wants everyone to enjoy the game. It moved its Sunday matinee to noon from 2:30 p.m. to avoid a game-time conflict.
“We wanted to support the Broncos, fans and our orchestra members,” spokeswoman Laura Bond said. “They are members of the community too. Moving the concert seemed like the easiest decision so that they could watch the game.”
Everyone who shows up gets coffee and blue-and-orange doughnuts. People who want to buy tickets at the door get half off if they are wearing Broncos team colors. Seahawks fans will be charged double.
Colorado Texas Roadhouse restaurants will close their doors at 4 p.m. Sunday, 30 minutes before kickoff, so its staff can swap rib-eyes for bean dip.
“We wanted our employees to be able to enjoy the game with their families,” spokeswoman Katie Carver said. “Especially since it’s the Broncos.”
If you sidle up to the Frontier Airlines check-in counter at Denver International Airport on Sunday, don’t be surprised if a Peyton Manning or Eric Decker impostor assists you. Frontier has given the all-clear to counter and gate employees dressing in Broncos jerseys. Flight attendants and pilots may be sporting Broncos ties or scarves.
“We are Denver’s hometown airline,” spokeswoman Kate O’Malley said, “and we are excited to support our hometown team, the Broncos.”
The AMC Cherry Creek 8 theater will begin rolling movies around 10 a.m. and plans to wind down around midnight on Super Bowl Sunday.
“Everything will be pretty normal,” manager Jackson Eustrom said. “But since the Broncos are in the Super Bowl, we will probably have a team-spirit weekend so our employees and staff can wear Broncos gear.”
Kate Gibbons: 303-954-1016, kgibbons@denverpost.com or twitter.com/ByKateGibbons
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Denver Post Gametracker
Slick new mobile site that lets you track the game, compare the stats and keep up with breaking news, video and social media posts — for free. Find it at gametracker.denverpost.com/broncos
FOX Sports GO
FOX Sports will live stream the game in both English and Spanish on its web page, FOXSportsGO.com, and through its iPad app, free of charge. The iOS app, due to league restrictions, will not work on smart phones. Viewers will have access to the normally paid content through 3 a.m. Monday.
NFL Mobile
NFL Mobile, the NFL’s official app, exclusive to Verizon subscribers, is available for iPhone, BlackBerry, Windows and Android devices. While the download is free, a $5 subscription is needed to stream Sunday’s game.
Denver Broncos Mobile
The official app of the Broncos is available on iOS mobile devices, Android and BlackBerry phones. Get full roster details and statistics, real-time breaking news, video-on-demand clips of interviews and press conferences, photos, and podcasts.
ESPN SportsCenter
Fans can access the latest action through the ESPN mobile website or app, including up-to-the-minute news and scores.
