Denver braces for presidential debate

The national political spotlight is again on Denver as President Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney meet in their first debate.

Romney has been in Colorado since Monday. The president arrives Wednesday afternoon.

Drivers are being warned that Interstate 25 through much of Denver will be closed throughout the evening commute because of the debate at the University of Denver.

I-25 will be closed from Hampden Avenue to Sante Fe Drive from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

In addition, University Boulevard between Evans Avenue and Louisiana Avenue will be closed from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Buchtel Boulevard will be closed from Franklin Street to University Boulevard with local eastbound access to High Street beginning at 6 p.m. All closures are subject to change at any time.

The closure has commuters scrambling for alternate routes or mass transit, many deciding to work from home or call in sick rather than fight the crush of journalists and political types.

The university expected protesters and interested observers to gather outside the debate. The debate will be shown on screens in the “DebateFest” area for people who didn’t get tickets, and The Lumineers are scheduled to perform.