Colorado Gets First Major Facility Upgrade of Coach Prime Era

The University of Colorado Boulder has seen an immense surge in relevance and financial fortunes with Deion Sanders as its head football coach. Now, it’s making sure the fans in the stands can adequately take in the action.

Colorado announced that it will build a new video board for Folsom Field that will be ready for the beginning of the 2024 football season. Construction will begin in January and is expected to cost approximately $15 million, with the university seeking donations to help fund the project.

At 32 feet wide by 28 feet high, the Buffs’ current video board is one of the smallest in Power 5 football; the new proposed video board will measure 130 feet wide by 36 feet high to exceed the P5 average for size. It will also cover five times the surface area of the current board.

As part of the renovations, Colorado will also significantly expand the ribbon board underneath the main video board, stretching it to over 1,000 feet.

“Enhancing the atmosphere of Folsom Field on game day is always a top priority, and we are always looking for ways to improve,” CU athletic director Rick George said. “I’m confident this new video board will further enrich and elevate the game day experience for our fans next year in our first season in the Big 12 Conference.”

The enhanced in-stadium experience is the most recent result of the “Coach Prime Effect” the school has experienced since Sanders started patrolling the sidelines.

Earlier in the season, Colorado reported a $14 million increase in football ticket revenue, a 42% bump in athletic department sponsorship revenue, and significant surges in merchandise sales and out-of-state applications.