Coors Field, nestled in the heart of downtown Denver and sitting a mile above sea level, is both a hitter’s paradise and a pitcher’s nightmare. Home to the Colorado Rockies, the thin air of the Mile High City has long given hitters an advantage. Before Major League Baseball arrived, Denver’s baseball history was tied to minor league teams, most notably the Denver Bears, who played at Mile High Stadium for decades. As the city flourished in the 1970s and 1980s, local officials began campaigning for a Major League Baseball team to join the Denver Broncos (NFL) and Denver Nuggets (NBA) as the city’s professional sports franchises.

In August 1985, the National League announced plans to expand by two teams, stipulating that cities vying for a franchise must have a stadium plan in place. Competing with Denver for a franchise were cities including Buffalo, Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Washington, D.C. By 1989, the Denver Metropolitan Major League Baseball Stadium District was established to oversee the construction of a ballpark. Demonstrating their enthusiasm, voters in a six-county area approved a one-percent sales tax in August 1990 to fund stadium construction—this, notably, before Denver had even been awarded a team. In June 1991, MLB granted expansion franchises to Denver and Miami, and construction on Denver’s ballpark at 20th and Blake Street began on October 16, 1992.

Named the Colorado Rockies, the team played its first two seasons (1993 and 1994) at Mile High Stadium while awaiting the completion of Coors Field. Originally designed to seat 43,000 fans, the ballpark’s capacity was expanded to 50,000 in November 1993 after the Rockies drew an astounding three million fans in their debut season. Coors Field officially opened on April 26, 1995, when the Rockies played their inaugural game at the new ballpark against the New York Mets. It became the first baseball-only stadium constructed in the National League since Dodger Stadium in 1962.

With its hand-laid brick facade and iconic clock tower, Coors Field exudes a nostalgic charm reminiscent of a modern-day Ebbets Field while integrating state-of-the-art technology and amenities. The ballpark’s field is located 21 feet below street level, minimizing its impact on the surrounding neighborhood and allowing it to blend seamlessly into downtown Denver. One of its most recognizable features is the clock tower at 20th and Blake Street, a popular meeting spot for fans before games.

Inside, the three-tiered grandstand stretches from the left-field foul pole to home plate, extending to the right-field foul pole and wrapping into right-center field. A row of purple seats encircles the upper deck, marking one mile above sea level. Another unique feature is “The Rockpile,” a 2,300-seat bleacher section situated behind the center-field backdrop, offering a distinctive view of the field. The main HD video scoreboard is located beyond the left-field bleachers, while a 14-foot-tall out-of-town scoreboard is embedded in the right-field wall. The bullpens are nestled behind the right-field fence, adjacent to a landscaped area featuring trees, rocks, water fountains, and a mountain-inspired scene. Adding a personal touch, the Rockies’ relievers maintain a small garden near their bullpen.

In October 2013, the Rockies unveiled plans for a major renovation of the upper deck in right field. By the start of the 2014 season, most of the upper deck seating in right field had been replaced with a two-level rooftop deck. This area offers breathtaking views of the ballpark, downtown Denver, and the Rocky Mountains. It also includes the 5280 Craft Bar with 52 beers on tap, the CHUBurger Restaurant, and a VIP Cabana Terrace. Before the 2018 season, the Rockies installed one of the largest video boards in Major League Baseball. Measuring 59 feet high by 116.5 feet wide, the new board replaced the existing one in left field and features a distinctive rock-shaped top edge inspired by the Rockies’ logo.

Coors Field is packed with amenities, including over 4,400 club seats, the Roundhouse at the Sandlot Brewery (a microbrewery located at the right-field entrance), the Diamond Dry Goods gift shop, the Rockies’ merchandise store, and the Mountain Ranch Club, which offers fine dining across six tiers along the right-field line.

At an elevation of 5,200 feet, Coors Field became a hitter’s paradise upon opening. The thin air increases runs and home runs by 50 percent, making it one of the most offensively charged environments in baseball. Combined with dramatic views of the Rocky Mountains and its pristine design, Coors Field is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful ballparks in Major League Baseball.

Coors Field Pictures