Access is Mile High at Invesco Field in Denver, CO

Although we checked out the NFL stadium Invesco Field in Denver, Colorado soon after it opened, we hadn't been back for a game or an access report in years, until last night.

For this year's Thanksgiving celebration, eight of us visited Invesco Field for the Broncos-NY Giants game (5 NYG fans and 3 Broncos fans among us). As always with most new, public facilities - especially those with fat wallets funding them - we were impressed with last night's access in general, but have a minor complaint about guidance and way-finding.

Let's get this out of the way first (before we boast about the access here- which really is excellent), we're used to being pointed out the access, and when we aren't and have to go out of our way to look for it, we have to report that. The ticket office gave us a head start when we purchased the tickets (excellent), by telling us where we'd be seated, and giving us a parking pass that got us closest to our seats. When we arrived, finding the G lot was easy, as was the stroll from lot to entrance. Look for the big wheelchair sign, and enter at the gate nearest your seats- again, easy enough. But from there no one showed us the elevator and before we knew it, we were rolling uphill to the 3rd deck. Craig is strong and fit, and we're all young and able - and perhaps he wasn't offered help because he was coated in Giants gear - but either way, we weren't lead to the easiest route for a wheelchair, but then we didn't sign up for the tour like we did at Yankee Stadium! The flow of a mob is forceful, so this is the only reason I point this out, and at least one of the SIX individuals taking our tickets, checking our bags, and sorting our group could have pointed the elevator or access route out to Craig.

Being that is our only complaint, once inside, the accessible seating is endless. We were on the upper deck which is level with the ramp entrance to it; the accessible seats right there at the bottom, with the rest of the upper-deck seating stretching above it, and the entire circumfrance of the field. The views from here were excellent, and its location to the restrooms perfect.

In the lower decks, the seating is more covered and protected, also right up against the bannister in clustered sections stretching the length of the field. All disabled sections offer power outlets, cup holders, vacant spots for visitors with their own chairs and scooters, and permanent accompanying seating for their companions.

Get there between 10am and 2pm and get a full tour of the stadium that includes the museum, store, media center, TV area, champions club, visitor's locker room, field and club levels.

Visit their website's ADA Access page for more information on ordering tickets, parking, power, closed captioning, and shuttle service. Seating isn't mentioned here, as tickets are sold through brokers, so make sure you are looking at a map of the arena when booking online or with an agent to know the best option for you.

National Wheelchair Basketball Championships, Denver CO, March 18-21

Due to the start of our first annual kids ski camp this weekend, we had to cut our wheelchair March madness short and catch only two of the four days packed with b-ball games of all divisions, sex, and ages. Thursday we saw the bracket break down quick; the Arizona girls creamed our Denver Nuggets, but double elimination kept them alive until later that night. The mens' league were big, tough, and downright nasty; the toughest matchup we saw Heat-Thunder.

Friday brought no less excitement or talent with the junior leagues squaring off for some intense basketball as well. Word on the courts was that the Dallas teams were going to be the ones to beat... we'll see!

We were incredibly dismayed to skip out on the finals, so you can guarantee we'll be down there next year for the excitement as well. Our GADA Belts were a hit, and we found that this event was the most comprehensive brainstorming session we've had, with hundreds of types and sizes of chairs to look at for additional designs; we hope to have those ready soon!

Wheelchair Basketball has been around since Tim Nugent (in photo with Craig and former NBA Nuggets coach Bill Hanzlik) founded the NWBA in the mid-1940s. This was the largest representation of teams in their 61-year history at the National Championships, with 82 teams all under (mostly) one roof at the new Gold Crown Complex off Alameda and Sheridan. In the past, the event was split into several locations. This year only a few Thursday adult games were played at the Metro College Arena while the junior bracket was played.

In addition to the intense, great games we were able to see, the highlight of our two days at this event was meeting Mr Nugent himself, who has been present at every single Championship since its inception. In addition, three Denver Nugget players showed up on Thursday to sign autographs for the juniors, some of who were also being offered recruiting deals from several universities present such as Oklahoma State.

The NWBA is currently revamping and reorganizing its enormous website, but hopes to get video streams up this year from the event. Wheelchair b-ball rules and adaptations can be found on their site as well if you're intrigued!

We have posted more pictures on Flickr as well.

And now on to our kids camp! What a week!