DENVER — The horse that has stood watch over the Denver Broncos' stadium since 1975 is back on his perch.
Bucky the Bronco was lifted by crane Thursday and returned to the top of the South Stands scoreboard at Empower Field at Mile High.
The 27-foot-tall fiberglass horse was removed in January as part of $100 million in upgrades to the Broncos' stadium this offseason.
The iconic horse statue has been returned now that the stadium's video screen has been nearly doubled in height.
When complete by the start of the NFL season in August, the Broncos' main video board will rank as the fourth-largest single scoreboard in an NFL stadium at 72 feet high and 225 feet wide.
Bucky originally stood on the south stands' scoreboard at Mile High Stadium before being removed in 2001 and moved to then-Invesco Field at Mile High with a fresh coat of paint.
Bucky the Bronco was modeled after Trigger, the famous horse in Roy Rogers' Western films.
Empower Field scoreboard construction
The construction project, which began after the Broncos' season ended in January, is the single-largest capital improvement in the stadium's 22-year history. The renovation work will make improvements to Empower Field's suites, technology, concessions, the Broncos Team Store and elevators.
The south scoreboard, as well as the two other in-bowl videoboards and ribbon boards, will upgrade to HDR (High Dynamic Range)-quality displays.
The Broncos said more screen surface area will allow for "real-time statistics, hi-definition replays and enhanced in-game entertainment."
Technology
The scoreboard's video control room will be rebuilt with new technology and a conversion to HDR, while tunnel boards will also undergo significant enhancements.
The Broncos said that the stadium's WiFi will be enhanced in 2024.
Broncos team store
The Broncos' team store at Empower Field at Mile High has closed as part of the renovations and is scheduled to reopen in late summer.
The store will expand by 25% (3,000 square feet) with more point-of-sale systems and expanded checkout areas.
For the first time ever, customer restrooms will be installed in the store.
South deck
The south deck of Empower Field at Mile High is getting permanent concessions for the first time ever.
Concession stands
Additional concession enhancements also will be made to Levels 1, 2, 3 and 5.
The Broncos said the stadium will see expanded concession technology with the "largest deployment of autonomous markets of any sports venue."
Elevators
Two new elevators will be installed on both the east and west sides of the stadium.
Breckenridge Bourbon Club
The Breckenridge Bourbon Club will make its debut at Empower Field at Mile High this season. The "premium experience" will feature a new 9,040 square-foot ground-floor space on the east side of the football stadium.
Members of the Breckenridge Bourbon Club will have exclusive access, all-inclusive food and beverage, complimentary parking, and 100-level stadium bowl seats.
The club will receive gameday visits from Broncos alumni, Broncos cheerleaders and mascot Miles.
There will also be a personalized drink locker, complimentary grab-and-go snack and drink stations, Breckenridge Bourbon-branded décor and Broncos memorabilia.
Club members will also be enrolled in Broncos Plus, an additional rewards program for season ticket members that offers discounts and experiences.
Fans can request to enroll as Breckenridge Bourbon Club members with an online form.
Breckenridge Bourbon Club
"This significant investment in Empower Field at Mile High—the largest in the stadium’s history—demonstrates the deep commitment by the Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group to immediately and continually provide the best possible experience for our fans," Broncos' President Damani Leech said. "As we look toward the future with the long-term plans for our stadium, we are equally focused on the present to ensure Empower Field at Mile High remains a premier sports and entertainment venue.
"We are excited to announce these upgrades to Empower Field at Mile High and are grateful for the support of our ownership group, the Metropolitan Football Stadium District and the National Football League."
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