September in Boulder: Football, Momentum & the Ripple Effect
Ally DelPrete September 9, 2025
Ally DelPrete September 9, 2025
With CU students back in session, Boulder once again becomes a hub of energy—academic, athletic, and economic. Football season isn’t just games under the lights; it’s the spark that fuels momentum throughout the city. From hospitality to housing, the ripple effect of CU's energy is remarkable.
Coach Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders continues to show that football in Boulder is about more than performance—it’s about momentum. In 2024, CU football generated a staggering $146.5 million in economic impact, with record-breaking ticket prices, booming hotel bookings, and bustling downtown foot traffic. Ticket demand remains among the nation's strongest (and ticket prices rank among the highest), with sellouts signaling both fan loyalty and national attention. That set the stage, and the conversation now is how Boulder can exceed that benchmark.
Third-string quarterback Ryan Staub—long in Sanders’ system—literally turned heads during the season opener, entering the game and delivering a show-stealing performance. He completed 7 of 10 passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns, igniting a 31-7 win over Delaware and sparking debate about Boulder’s next QB leader.
Staub’s poise and electrifying plays—like a 71-yard touchdown bomb and leading three separate touchdown drives—transformed assumptions about the QB race. Coach Prime even noted, “This is who he is… he just needed opportunity.”
This dynamic ripple extends into Boulder’s property market. August has again seen a seasonal spike in listings and activity—a trend once tied only to game-day excitement, now increasingly anchored in broader optimism. Out-of-state buyers, especially from Texas, Florida, and California, remain active.
Boulder thrives on energy, tradition, and vision. Football accelerates that, but the city stands on a broader base—academics, culture, lifestyle. With new hotels like the Limelight—just freshly open, and high-profile events like the Sundance Film Festival headed to town in 2027, Boulder isn’t just riding a wave, it’s building one.
From lifelong fans like Miss Peggy, who celebrated her 100th birthday last season, to newcomers discovering Folsom Field’s electricity for the first time, Boulder football symbolizes continuity, pride, and forward momentum. The team’s success matters—but the bigger story is Boulder’s growth story: resilient, uplifting, and driven by opportunity.
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