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Broncos to visit Durango

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Thursday, April 21, 2016 5:05 PM
Denver Broncos fans, from back left, Judy Huckins, Dave Huckins, Kari Kerr and Debrah Frazier, celebrate at the Main Event Bar and Grill in February during the Super Bowl. Fans are invited to come to Buckley Park on Friday to meet players, cheerleaders and the team’s mascot, Miles.
An official game ball for the NFL Super Bowl 50 football game is photographed, Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016. The Wilson Sporting Goods football factory in Ada, Ohio has made the official Super Bowl football since the first Super Bowl in 1966. The company began making this year's game balls last Sunday night, Jan. 24, immediately after the conclusion of the NFC and AFC championship games. The Denver Broncos will play the Carolina Panthers in the Super Bowl on Feb. 7, in Santa Clara, CA. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

The Super Bowl champions are coming to Buckley Park on Friday.

Players, cheerleaders and Miles, the mascot, are visiting as part of the fourth annual Mile High Salute to Fans Tour, and they are expected to draw a delighted crowd.

“I think everybody is still excited coming off a Super Bowl win. We expect the events in this off-season to be well-attended,” said Scott Lantis, a spokesman for the team.

At the free event, the players, cheerleaders and the mascot will sign autographs and take photos on a first-come, first-served basis for an hour-and-a-half, Lantis said.

He could not say which players are coming in case of last-minute schedule changes, he said.

“As soon as we arrive, it will be pretty apparent,” he said.

The fan tour will be focused on the southern part of the state this year, and the players will also be making stops in Montrose, Salida and La Junta. A fan vote that closed on April 15 will determine the final stop.

Private football clinics and hospital visits are also planned as part of the tour.

“The Broncos recognize and appreciate all fans across the state of Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region. While they may not all be able to cheer on the Broncos in person at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, these fans are important to the success of the organization, and we’re doing our part to bring the team to them,” Broncos spokesman Ted Santiago said in a statement.

At the celebration in Buckley Park, city-specific Broncos World Champion stickers will be handed out and each person will be permitted one autograph.

“We try to get to as many people as possible,” Lantis said.

The lines at the fan events tend to vary. But Lantis said he has seen them form an hour ahead of time.

Downtown may be packed for the event, and the Business Improvement District asks fans to consider alternative transportation, such as the trolley.

“If the weather is nice, ride your bike down,” said Tim Walsworth, executive director with the BID.

For those who drive to town, parking is free after 5 p.m. at the city lots on Second Avenue and at the Transit Center on the 700 block of Camino del Rio.

The BID asks fans not to park in Town Plaza to allow customers to use those spaces.

mshinn@durangoherald.com

Broncos in Durango

Friday in Buckley Park on Main Avenue between 12th and 13th streets.5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Broncos players, cheerleaders and the team mascot. They will be signing autographs and taking photos with fans.The event is free and open to the public.

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