The Mile High Ultimate Tailgate Crew has been bringing Broncos fans together since 1985, when Jay “Hatman Jay” Hocking and his wife, Valerie, affectionately known as “Blender Babe”, fired up a portable grill outside the original Mile High Stadium.  What started with steaks and a few friends grew into a football family that now spans four decades and multiple generations. 

Tim “Barrel Man” McKernan and his wife, Becky, became part of that family, followed by Ron “The Mayor” Woodworth and Rob “Woody” Woodworth with the iconic orange Bronco Limo.  Friendships deepened, families became intertwined, and children who once tagged along with their parents grew up to bring children of their own.  Through championship seasons, rebuilding years, and everything in between, the crew kept showing up for the Broncos, and for each other. 

Since 2003, the crew has called Lot C, RV Spot 17, on the south side of Empower Field at Mile High home.  Originally assigned to Barrel Man by the Broncos, the spot later passed to Lora Woodworth Rob's beautiful wife.  Today, a typical home gameday brings 80 to 100 friends and family members through the tailgate, where familiar faces welcome newcomers and there is always another story to share.  Ray, the Bronco Limo’s co-pilot, helps get the flags flying and lends a hand with the setup that turns this parking spot into the crew’s gameday home. 

Keeping everyone fed is Nathan Hocking, better known as “Bronco Chef Nate.” For every home game, Nate and his crew make the 225-mile round trip from Pueblo, Colorado, bringing The Bronco Chef Express, the truck and grill trailer passed down from Hatman Jay to his son.  Nate’s menu brings its own Broncos spirit, featuring Sammy Grinders, the Eddie Mac ’n’ Cheese Burger, the Karl Mecklenburger: Mile High Mushrooms, and Scotch Eggs, along with his habit of wrapping just about anything in bacon.  Classic rock plays through the barbecue trailer’s sound system as food, laughter, and football talk fill the lot. 

Kelly “Mile High Kelly” Wilson has been tailgating with the crew since 2007.  She brings her signature Mile High Jell-O Shots and keeps her camera busy capturing the people and moments that make this football family special.  You’ll hear her announcing that she’s with “Mile High Media” usually while rounding everyone up for another picture.  Her photos help preserve the crew’s history, one gameday at a time. 

There is no admission charge.  The tailgate has grown through friendship, family, and a shared love of football, with open arms for the people who become part of its story.  The traditions are as memorable as the menu.  Before kickoff, Hatman Jay gathers everyone for his pregame pep speech and a Fireball toast, bringing the parking lot conversations to a pause as the crew rallies together.  Valerie’s gas-powered blender once supplied mudslides, margaritas, and plenty of memories, earning her the beloved nickname “Blender Babe.” After her passing, the blender was retired in her honor, preserving its place in the story she helped create. 

The crew’s connections reach well beyond Broncos Country.  Barrel Man’s selection to the inaugural VISA Hall of Fans at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, followed by Jay’s recognition among its honorees, helped make the tailgate a gathering place for visiting Hall of Fans members and, later, the Pro Football Ultimate Fan Association.  Fans may arrive wearing different team colors, but friendship and hospitality give them common ground. 

At its heart, this is a family tradition.  Ninety-six-year-old Betty “Bronco Betty” Doyle still arrives in the orange Bronco Limo, joining younger generations who are carrying the celebration forward.  Beloved members have been lost, new faces have joined, and their stories remain woven into every gameday.  From the truck and trailer handed from father to son to the iconic orange Bronco Limo and the photographs that capture each season, the crew keeps its history alive while making room for its next chapter. 

As the Mile High Ultimate Tailgate Crew enters the Tailgating Hall of Fame, it celebrates more than four decades in a stadium parking lot.  It celebrates the friendships, food, laughter, and loyalty that turned a portable grill into a lasting community.  The stadium has changed.  The generations have grown.  But the heart of the tailgate remains the same: Broncos football, open arms, and a football family waiting in Lot C.