Pueblo’s historic Bell Game undergoes changes due to pandemic

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- Friday night will see another rendition of the historic Bell Game between Pueblo Central High School and Pueblo Centennial High School's football teams, but due to COVID-19, this year's rivalry football game is going through some serious changes.

The game normally draws around 15,000 people into Earl Dutch Clark Stadium. This year, Pueblo City School District 60 can only allow 175 fans from each team into the stadium.

Rick Macias with District 60 says parents of the varsity football players, parents of the cheerleaders and dance teams, and seniors from each high school will be the only people in attendance.

All fans had to be pre-approved by the district before entering the stadium.

When fans enter the stadium they will have their temperatures taken and will sit in assigned seating so that they remain socially distanced. Macias tells KRDO Earl Dutch Clark Stadium is large enough where they can accommodate for the COVID-19 guidelines.

Halftime performances are still allowed for both cheer and dance teams as well as the bands. However, the performances will only be two minutes long. Macias says each team hasn't had proper time to prepare due to COVID-19.

This year, the fans cannot watch the game live on cable. Dalton Sprouse with D60 tells KRDO due to budget constraints, Pueblo Community College cannot broadcast live this year. D60 will be streaming the game live for the first time this year, and they are not prepared to push the game to Comcast live just yet.

The easiest way to follow the live action is on Pueblo City School District 60's Facebook page, or on the district's new website PuebloD60.org.

The full game will be uploaded to the D60 Comcast channel (18) sometime this weekend.