UNC Bears Athletics approved for lights at Nottingham Stadium ...Saudi Arabia

The University of Northern Colorado athletic department plans to add lights to Nottingham Stadium in Greeley by football season this fall.

Athletic leadership said the lights would bring an increased profile for the university’s athletics programs, more revenue and a better environment, while investing in the football program.

The University of Northern Colorado Board of Trustees approved the plans Friday, allowing the athletic department to continue fundraising for the privately backed capital project with an estimated price tag of $1.6 million.

UNC athletic director Darren Dunn said he’s appreciative of the board’s support for the lights. It’s an effort that’s been in the progress for a decade or longer, but it has not worked out in the past.

“We’ve been close a number of times, so I think this is going to be the year,” Dunn said. “I also know there’s a lot of work to be done between now and April. I’m looking forward to that.” A look at the facade of the media space at Nottingham Field on the campus of the University of Northern Colorado during the Bears football game against Idaho State in Sept. 2025 in Greeley. (Joseph Sykes/For the Greeley Tribune).

Four conditions surrounding the project must be met by April 1 if the lights are to be turned on in time for the football season.

The UNC football and track and field teams use the 8,533-seat stadium on the west side of campus on 17th Avenue near Reservoir Road. The stadium opened in 1995 and has a synthetic turf field surface.

“It’s a shame the guys who built this didn’t put lights in,” board of trustees chair Dick Monfort said during Friday’s meeting.

The lights will be a first for Nottingham Stadium. UNC football teams had lights when the program was based at Jackson Field, according to Dunn. Just south of Nottingham, the practice fields have lights because the Denver Broncos needed lights when the team was based in Greeley for training camp.

A few residents who live near Nottingham have spoken positively of the plan for new lights.

“I think if they’re using the lights for football games and an occasional night game here and there, I don’t think it will be too problematic,” Will said. “But if they’re having night practices and using them (the lights) more frequently, I can see how it would be bothersome. I would hope they’d have times when the lights have to be off.”

The existing practice field lights are more of a problem for UNC neighbor Scott Bell. He’s lived in his home for 38 years on 17th Avenue near Bethel Baptist Church and across the avenue from UNC.

Bell said the university doesn’t always do a good job in policing how long the practice field lights are on. Bell also said he has problems with drivers speeding on 17th Avenue. The stretch from Reservoir Road to 25th Street is a “drag strip,” he said, adding he’s contacted police.

“The lights at Nottingham are probably not as big an issue with us,” Bell said. “If there are night games, there will be more traffic. We do live next to a university. We’ve tried to be decent neighbors, and they will do what they want.”

A city of Greeley spokeswoman said the city would not be involved in any UNC permits for the lights.

The city code has specific standards for outdoor recreational field lighting, including a 90-foot limit on any light fixture and restrictions on lights of a certain brightness remaining on after 11 p.m. or within one hour after the event, whichever is later. The standards also say some limited exceptions might be granted by the city.

Documents on the lights project said all of the cost will come from private philanthropic support and sponsorship revenue. No university money is to be used.

In late 2025, UNC laid off 50 staff positions because of an anticipated budget deficit stretching into summer 2027.

Fifty filled and 35 vacant staff positions were among those impacted by the workforce reduction, which officials say was required due a variety of factors, including an altered enrollment forecast this summer, a lower-than-anticipated employee turnover and a lack of state funding.

More than one-third of the project cost has been secured by athletics and university advancement. The work will continue to raise the remaining $1 million from targeted 1- to 3-year pledges from key donors and sponsors.

The athletic department asked for the trustees’ advanced approval for the lights, pending completion of the four conditions.

The cost of the project is not to exceed $1.6 million, with funding commitments or pledges before the project’s start and 50% or more funding received by December. The rest must be secured no later than December 2028. Officials will also need final confirmation and approval of the scope and technical requirements from the selected project vendor, as well as approval from the Office of the State Architect.

If these conditions are not met by April, the lights will be postponed and a new request for approval will have to wait until after the 2026 football season.

Dunn said work would have to begin by April 1 for lights to be ready for the first football game in late August. UNC’s season-opening game is scheduled for Nottingham Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 29 against Big Sky Conference opponent Weber State.

The university had a facilities plan in place about 10 or years ago, and lights at Nottingham were among the top priorities in the plan, according to Dunn.

He said said significant funding is needed for a lights project, but it’s also one of several other needs and efforts that have been completed within the athletic department. These include the Empower Center, which is a sports performance facility on the south end of campus, renovating the academic center, upgrading athletic training facilities and setting up a multipurpose film room, press room and recruiting space for coaches.

Work is also underway to renovate the women’s basketball locker room.

“We have a lot of needs,” Dunn said. “This (the lights) is certainly a super important project, but those other projects have just jumped in front.”

University documents describe the installation of lights at the stadium as a “transformative opportunity” for the athletic department that will “significantly enhance the gameday experience, expand our reach and elevate the overall profile of UNC football.”

Attendance at evening games is higher across college sports, and stadium lights will allow the university to “create a true event atmosphere that draws more fans, students, alumni and community members,” also according to the documents.

Having lights is better for recruiting athletes — the with officials describing them as “critical” for recruiting. Night games enhance media exposure as well as television and streaming coverage.

UNC is the only program in the Big Sky Conference without lights at its stadium.

“I think a lot more people in our community will start going to games if they’re evening games,” said UNC President Andy Feinstein said, who announced at the meeting he’s stepping down as university president on Aug. 1.

“I think we’ll have a different type of atmosphere and a different audience,” Feinstein added. “Very excited about that.”

University officials hope the project will increase revenue through more ticket sales, concessions and parking. With lights at the stadium, UNC will also be able to host high school games, concerts and special events.

Glynn said he’s more bothered by those street lights than the lights on the practice fields at UNC or any lighting from the stadium. Glynn has lived in the home for five years, and he likes the location and its proximity to the university. Glynn’s mother retired from a UNC library, and his wife is also a former employee.

“We go way back,” he said of the university. “I absolutely love it (living here).”

Glynn and the Gersches enjoy living near UNC for the atmosphere and increased activity they see and hear around the university.

“It’s engaging, and I don’t mind whatsoever,” Glynn said. “Add lights to the stadium. I’m all for it.”

The Gersches said they see more impact on the neighborhood from graduation held at Bank of Colorado Arena than is evident during football games. They said UNC is good about posting no parking signs and placing barriers to divert traffic.

“There’s obviously more traffic, and most people are respectful,” Will said of the environment around the stadium for day games. “There aren’t any problems with fans messing up property, and everyone seems jovial and respectful when I’m out in the yard.”

Will has some hesitation about lights if it means additional events, such as high school games, concerts and community gatherings.

Chelsea said university representatives met with neighbors a couple of years ago to ask how they could help residents with traffic drawn to the area by UNC’s events.

“At certain times, there are lights and I love people out there playing soccer and softball,” Chelsea said.

UNC was quick to manage a complaint from a neighbor a couple of years ago when loud music came from the stadium during what might have been an early morning football practice. The music stopped.

“They were really responsive to the neighborhood and respectful of those who lived there,” Will said.

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