Explore Denver fully launched its new ticketing website at the beginning of this quarter, after a limited launch last quarter.
According to Ticket Office Student Coordinator Stephanie Cichocki, over 160 people have now registered for the website and over 35 tickets have been bought, although Explore Denver has not yet advertised the new site this quarter.
“Something cool about the website is we can post what’s coming up without releasing the tickets, so it gives people a chance to look at it and think about it,” said Cichocki.
In the past, tickets were only available at the Driscoll Information Desk, and there was no advance notice of their release. The only way to find out if tickets were available was to check at the desk or check the Driscoll Student Center Facebook page. The distribution of tickets operated on a first-come, first-serve basis.
With the new website in place, students will no longer purchase tickets at the desk. Instead, they can log in to the website with their DU ID and password, create an account and pay for their tickets online. Then they can pick up their tickets at the Driscoll Information Desk, similar to will call.
Cichocki praised the new system for being more streamlined. She said one of the benefits was eliminating cash from the process, but desk employees will still have to be careful with the physical tickets.
“We’re struggling with security of the tickets and trying to be really intentional about the access to them,” said Cichocki. “We have to be cautious, because now it’s online and people are paying ahead of time. If someone buys tickets, they have to be there. The process has been very intentional, because it’s a lot of money we have in these tickets.”
The first tickets on the website were available to view on Monday, March 24, and went on sale on Tuesday, March 25. These tickets include the Downtown Denver Aquarium, the Nature and Science Museum and the Clyfford Still Museum.
According to Cichocki, there are between 100 and 200 tickets available for each venue, and each person may purchase two tickets. Prices range from $0 to $5 for undergraduate students and $3.50 to $13 for the general public.
“We actually have had general public tickets sold, so that means graduate students or faculty have bought tickets too,” said Cichocki. “We didn’t have that option before we went online. So that was kind of cool to see that actually happen.”
Explore Denver posted tickets to a Colorado Rapids game on Thursday, April 3, which will go on sale on Tuesday, April 8. The game will take place at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 19, at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park against the San Jose Earthquakes. Tickets will cost $10 for undergraduates and $25 for the general public, which will include admission to the game, a seat on a private patio reserved by Explore Denver and free pizza. Regular seating for the game normally costs $29 to $55, and patio seating normally starts at $80 per person.
Cichocki said the cost of the tickets brings in a little revenue to help Explore Denver buy more tickets in the future.
“It’s hard managing a budget,” said Cichocki. “But we’re trying to get more tickets, like some more sporting events. And hopefully the zoo, when the weather gets better, and some of those other outdoor museums.”
She also said that charging a small amount for the tickets prevents students from claiming tickets and then not using them.
“In the past we were having events and people were getting the tickets and not showing up,” said Cichocki. “Investing a little bit of money gives you the incentive to actually go, so the people who really want to go are getting the tickets.”
Cichocki added that the point of charging for the tickets is not to make money, but to provide more opportunities to students. She noted that Explore Denver does not charge convenience fees, like many organizations, but rather absorbs those charges as an organization.
According to Cichocki, there have not been any problems with the new system so far.
“It’s just a process, especially with training all of our staff members and giving them the right amount of access,” she said. “Everything is a little slow because it’s a new program and we’ve never done this before.”
She added that a nice thing about the website is that it allows them to have all the tickets and coupons in one place, but they are easily divided into different sections, such as museums and sporting events.
“One thing we’re doing with this online system is feeling out what people want,” said Cichocki. “We can actually track how many people bought certain kinds of tickets, so we can tailor what we buy in the future. We’re trying to be really in tune with what the students want.”
Cichocki encourages students to check the Driscoll Student Center Facebook page for updates. Questions and comments may be sent to exploredenver@du.edu.
