The warning came ahead of the Rockies’ next home stand, with authorities saying each unauthorized flight forces law enforcement to divert attention from detecting genuine security threats — a concern that has taken on new weight as the federal government and World Cup host cities invest hundreds of millions of dollars in drone defense systems.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the FBI warned drone operators Thursday against flying near Coors Field in Denver after more than a half-dozen unauthorized drone sightings disrupted law enforcement operations during Colorado Rockies home games April 3 through April 5. No operators were arrested, but both agencies said violators could still face fines of up to $75,000 per violation.
The warnings came ahead of the Rockies’ next home stand as officials cited concerns that illegal drone flights — even those without hostile intent — force law enforcement to divert resources from detecting genuine security threats.
“The illegal drone activity did not jeopardize anyone’s safety, but there were enough violations that the teams on the ground were concerned about the number of operators that did not seem to understand the seriousness of the situation. Thus the proactive messaging,” FBI spokeswoman Vikki Migoya said.
The sightings occurred during the Rockies’ opening homestand against the Philadelphia Phillies. Law enforcement scrambled to track down operators across the more than six incidents, but identified no one for arrest.
Airspace rules and penalties
FAA regulations restrict all airspace within 3 miles of Coors Field starting one hour before a game and continuing for one hour after baseball or football games. Pilots are responsible for checking those restrictions before flying, the agency said.
Operators who violate the restrictions could face fines of up to $75,000 per violation and could lose their licenses, the FAA said. Drones are also required by regulation to broadcast their locations, though authorities said other tracking methods are available to identify operators.
The law enforcement burden
Migoya said the volume of incidents — not any single threat — drove the decision to issue a public warning. Each unauthorized flight, she said, demands a response regardless of the operator’s apparent intent.
“Every instance of illegal drone activity requires a law enforcement intervention to ensure the intent is not nefarious; the fewer violations there are, the more law enforcement can focus on what might be a true threat,” she said.
Broader context
The FAA routinely restricts airspace around major sporting events to protect crowds and prevent game disruptions. Officials said the concern extends to the potential for drones to be weaponized in the manner seen on military battlefields — a threat that has prompted the federal government and World Cup host cities to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in drone defense systems ahead of those events.