Two and a half weeks after the University of Wyoming’s marching band had its big moment at Empower Field at Mile High canceled by lightning, the Denver Broncos are extending a new invitation to the band’s seniors.
It won’t, however, involve performing.
On Tuesday, the Broncos invited the seniors from the UW Western Thunder Marching Band to attend the Oct. 19 game against the New York Giants as their special guests.
In an email shared with Cowboy State Daily and sent to Joseph Carver, director of the Western Thunder Marching Band, the team explained that all halftime performance slots for this NFL season were already booked. However, the Broncos plan to reschedule the band for a performance next season.
Because this year’s seniors will have graduated by then, the team offered them an all-expenses-paid visit to the Giants game instead.
“To the seniors that will not be able to join us next season, we’d love to host each of you in Denver to watch the Broncos take on the New York Giants on Sunday, October 19th,” the email said. “The Broncos will provide tickets and transportation for all seniors who would otherwise not be able to join us for a performance in 2026.”
Titans Thunderstorm
The Western Thunder Marching Band had traveled from Laramie to Denver’s Empower Field at Mile High on Sept. 7, intending to perform during halftime of the Broncos’ game against the Tennessee Titans.
As the band lined up along the sideline ready to take the field, a thunderstorm and lightning warning forced everyone — band members, fans, and field personnel — into the concourse and covered areas for safety. The show was subsequently canceled due to time constraints.
“On behalf of the entire Denver Broncos organization, we wanted to reach out and express our gratitude to each of you for making the trip down to Denver to perform at halftime of our home opener,” the Broncos organization wrote in their email to Carver. “We share your understandable disappointment with how the day unfolded and want to recognize all the time, energy, and passion you exhibited as you prepared for that performance.
“Due to our remaining halftime obligations this season, we likely will not be able to invite you back to perform on-field this year.”
The sudden cancellation was a disappointment not only for the band members, but also for the many family members who had bought tickets specifically to watch their loved ones perform. The Broncos hope many of those same fans can return next year.
“Looking ahead to the 2026 season, we would love to invite the Western Thunder Marching Band back to perform at halftime,” the team wrote. “We certainly hope to see each of you back in Denver this season or next.”
To help ease the sting of the cancellation, the team also sent the band a special fan “locker” of swag containing a Broncos helmet, a jersey from 2024 Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain, another jersey emblazoned with “Western Thunder” on the nameplate, and a pair of team socks.
Carver told Cowboy State Daily the Broncos have gone out of their way to make students feel special.
“They are going above and (beyond) to make the best out of a tough situation,” Carver said.
Justin George can be reached at justin@cowboystatedaily.com.
