Luxury Suite Usage At Broncos Games To Be Debated

DENVER (CBS4)- A group of nine political appointees enjoying the free use of a luxury suite at Sports Authority Field at Mile High for Bronco games for years will be debated by the public board the oversees operations.

The developments come after a CBS4 investigation raised questions about the use of the 23 person suite shared by the political appointees for the opening game of the season and playoff games.

The suite is worth at least $12,000 for each game.

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The suite technically belongs to the public but the nine board members use it to hose their friends and family for Denver Broncos games.

The football stadium's $400 million cost was primarily paid for by Colorado taxpayers, and the facility is overseen and managed by the Metropolitan Football Stadium District, which represents the public.

The district board is comprised of nine political appointees: six from area counties and three appointees named by the governor.

All of the appointees are volunteers and most of the appointees have been on the board for years.

When the board meets on Thursday morning at least one member will vote to keep the suite and not give it away.

"I don't see it as a perk I just see it as when the lease was negotiated the district got its suite and each member gets, on that date, to allocate the tickets as they wish," said Board Member Gene Ciancio.

Another board member, Ray Baker, wants to turn the suite over to charities and non-profits.

Gov. John Hickenlooper has two appointees on the board. A spokesman for Hickenlooper would not answer specific questions about the use of the suite but said, "We are confident that under Ray Baker's leadership this issue will be resolved."

Baker is the chairman of the stadium board. The meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday.