The City of Boulder anticipates several localized traffic delays on Wednesday, Oct. 28 related to the Republican Presidential candidate debate to be held in the Coors Event Center on the University of Colorado-Boulder campus. 

Light traffic impacts will occur throughout the day as candidates, media and attendees arrive on campus. The combination of national media, groups exercising First Amendment rights, candidates and related security details, and the normal rush hour traffic may cause significant delays on Broadway, US 36, and around campus later in the day.

Drivers wishing to avoid potential traffic congestion may wish to use alternate routes or adjust their travel schedules. Rolling road closures and traffic delays are expected on Broadway between Arapahoe Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue between 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.as attendees and advocacy groups arrive and between 8:15 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. when the debate adjourns. Regent Drive has been closed for the debate.

Debate ticket holders are expected to be onsite between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. The majority of attendees for the debate are expected to be bused to campus from offsite locations, use public transportation or walk to the event.

CU also is providing a Free Speech Zone on campus at the Business Field, just north of the Coors Event Center; this area will be open to the public from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Wednesday. The city has approved three advocacy permits related to the debate for groups who expect to exercise their First Amendment rights. One group intends to be entirely on campus. Two others plan to gather in Central Park at 3 p.m. and walk to the Free Speech Zone between 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.  Advocacy groups have indicated that many participants will be bused into the city as there is no event parking associated with the debate.

The debate will be televised on CNBC, and candidates are expected to be in place well in advance of the event.  For more information on the debate, go to Colorado.edu/rnc-debate.