Federal authorities are issuing stern warnings after numerous unauthorized drones were detected flying near Coors Field during the Colorado Rockies’ opening home series against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Between April 3 and April 5, law enforcement tracked more than six separate drone incidents around the baseball stadium, though no arrests were made during the games. However, the drone operators may still face significant penalties down the road. On Thursday, both the Federal Aviation Administration and FBI released public warnings aimed at preventing similar violations during upcoming home games, citing concerns about security risks.
“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.
Federal aviation officials regularly establish no-fly zones around major sporting venues to safeguard spectators and prevent game disruptions.
Security experts worry most about potential terrorist attacks using unmanned aircraft, similar to deadly drone strikes seen in conflicts in Ukraine and Iran. This concern has led federal agencies and World Cup organizing committees to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in anti-drone technology for upcoming matches.
Beyond terrorism concerns, Migoya explained that unauthorized drone flights create unnecessary burdens for security teams.
“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.
Aviation regulations prohibit all aircraft within a three-mile radius of Coors Field beginning one hour before kickoff and lasting until one hour after baseball or football games conclude. Drone pilots must verify these restrictions before takeoff.
According to the FAA, violators could receive penalties reaching $75,000 for each infraction and may have their pilot certifications revoked.
While drones must transmit location data, law enforcement agencies possess additional tracking capabilities to identify operators.
