Denver’s unofficial holiday got off to a “Rockies” start Friday as baseball fans flocked to Coors Field to watch the team take on the Philadelphia Phillies in their first home game of the season.

Fan festivities began at 9 a.m. in McGregor Square, though some cold and windy weather may have dissuaded fans from showing up until the weather warmed. Fans were trickling in around the start before the Square and areas around Coors Field in Lower Downtown started getting packed around noon.

Purple and black jerseys filled LoDo’s streets, along with other teams’ jerseys — even the occasional ones in red and light blue. Fans patronized bars in the Ballpark neighborhood as the beers were flowing, streets were blocked off and pictures were taken in front of The Player statue.

The Player statue pictured on April 3, 2026. (Matt Kyle, The Denver Gazette)

Mary Lou Duran, 65, came to the opening day game with her children, including Aileen Balasalle, 43, and another daughter who requested not to be named since she called in sick to work in order to attend the game. The family said attending opening day is a family tradition, with the family attending games dating back to the Rockies’ first season in 1993.

Gov. Jared Polis jokingly issued a proclamation granting “an official, fully sanctioned excuse from all responsibilities that may interfere with the celebration of the of the Colorado Rockies Home Opener.”

“Employers, educators, and all other authority figures are strongly encouraged to honor this excused absence and, where possible, join the celebration,” Polis’ statement read.

Duran, who wore earrings the shape of the Rockies logo and purple shoes similarly adorned with the “CR” logo, said she is a huge baseball fan who was thrilled when the Rockies came to Colorado. She and her daughters said they hope the Rockies have a better season than they have had in recent years, though they said they would be at the games regardless.

“We’re diehard fans, through the good and the bad,” Balasalle said. 

Phillies fans Drew and Joshua Cleland, a father and son who live in Cincinnati, said they came to Denver for the Rockies game and the Saturday matchup between the Denver Nuggets and San Antonio Spurs. Joshua, 17, said he became a Phillies fan because he is a big fan of Phillies star Bryce Harper.

The pair said they are also trying to attend a game in all 30 MLB stadiums, with Friday’s game being the first one at Coors Field for Joshua. Drew said he only has five more stadiums to go — Rangers, Astros, Royals, Blue Jays and Mariners — while the game Friday marks stadium number 17 for his son.

The Clelands said they are hoping for a high-scoring game with lots of home runs. With the game only just starting, they got their wish, with Philadelphia scoring 7 runs in their first inning.

Rockies fans wait in line at Coors Field ahead of the Rockies’ home opener on April 3, 2026. (Matt Kyle, The Denver Gazette)

Some fans came simply to enjoy the opening day atmosphere around the stadium. Josh Newman and his girlfriend Sam Yanker said they weren’t planning on going to the game, and just like coming to McGregor Square to drink and have fun with friends amidst other baseball fans.

Newman said he is primarily a St. Louis Cardinals fan because of his father, but likes to root for the Rockies as well. He said the first two series the Rockies played were encouraging, so he is hopeful the team can be more competitive this year.

Christian Puls, 35, came to opening day with his son Isaiah, 3. Puls said Friday’s game was Isaiah’s second time attending a Rockies home opener. The two attended last year’s opener, which got a lot of snow, so for them, the windy weather Friday was an upgrade.

Puls said he and his son have attended about 20 Rockies games together.

“This kid breathes and sleeps baseball,” Puls said. “He’s been looking forward to this for weeks.”

Christian Puls, 35, plays catch with his son Isaiah, 3, at McGregor Square ahead of the Rockies’ home opener on April 3, 2026. (Matt Kyle, The Denver Gazette)

For the season, Puls said he is looking forward to seeing how the Rockies develop their young players through the team’s current rebuilding phase, as the team hasn’t had a winning season since 2018. Despite the losing, Puls said his love of baseball and love for his hometown team have kept him rooting for the Rockies.

“Coors Field is such a hard place to have a bad time, even if the team’s doing poorly,” Puls said. “There’s always something good in the air.”

When asked if he had anything to say about the game, Isaiah smiled.

“Go Rockies!” Isaiah cheered.

Denver horseback police officers ride past Coors Field down Blake Street ahead of the Rockies home opener on April 3, 2026. (Matt Kyle, The Denver Gazette)