Neighbors Band Together To Block Sports Authority Signs

DENVER (CBS4)- People living near Sports Authority Field at Mile High are upset over planned signs that will light up the sky at night and interfere with their view of the Denver skyline.

They believe the signs will be too big and too bright. Neighbors who want to express their concerns are expected at a meeting Wednesday at 3 p.m. at the Wellington Webb Building in downtown Denver.

Michael Guiietz teamed up with 16 other community organizations to form Jefferson Park United Neighbors, which opposes the signs proposed to brand the stadium. Guiietz believes the signage is fine, but just not so big and bright.

"Now that is going to be emblazoned with giant red glaring letters that say Sports Authority Field," said Guiietz.

The letters would stand more than nine feet high below the rim of the stadium on the West, North and East sides.

"We certainly don't want our mountains to be branded. We don't want the skyline of Denver to be branded with advertisements," said Guiietz.

He said the signs will be eight-and-a-half times brighter than what the city allows, casting light into homes and detracting from the skyline view.

In a statement, Sports Authority said the signs, "...celebrate the Broncos, the Mile High heritage and Sports Authority's civic commitment, while also accommodating specific requests from the surrounding neighborhoods."

The public is invited to comment during Wednesday's meeting. The City of Denver does plan to listen to everyone's opinion.

"When you look at the scale and size of the signs, what is the impact? And we're going to take that into consideration as part of our measurement," said Kelly Leid, Denver's Director of Development Services.

Guiietz plans to be at the meeting along with many other neighbors who want to preserve the beauty of Denver's skyline.