Nuggets and Avalanche charging 2020-21 season-ticket payments during pandemic

Avalanche and Nuggets season-ticket holders have continued to be charged for future seats — despite widespread economic uncertainty during the coronavirus pandemic — with a lack of clear guidance provided by the Kroenke-owned sports teams.

Recently, Nuggets fans who opted into the 2020-21 season ticket program received a mixed message.

One example began: “From the Denver Nuggets family to yours, we hope this email finds you in good health. Your Denver Nuggets players and staff are all looking forward to a day very soon when the NBA can resume and we can see you all in person.”

Kelly Stratton, 47, is a Centennial resident and Nuggets season-ticket holder of three years who received a similar email. Stratton appreciated the thoughtful introduction. But the next (slightly redacted) paragraph caught him off guard.

“I’m reaching out to notify you that the second of XX installments in the amount of $XXX will be automatically processed on April 1st of your 2020-21 Denver Nuggets season membership.”

“I was like, ‘Woah, hold on a second,’” Stratton said. “It’s really bad form that you’re already talking about billing me for next year.”

When the coronavirus pandemic postponed major sports indefinitely, many teams across the NBA and NHL took proactive measures in early April to alert season-ticket holders of their options.

The Nashville Predators announced fans could “choose to keep the lowest monthly payment possible” or even delay the start “until June 1 and move into an 11-month payment plan.” The New York Knicks did not automatically begin 2020-21 season ticket plans for fans using its auto-renewal system, so that “all members can make a renewal decision at a time when they have less uncertainty.”

The Avalanche and Nuggets, though, have not provided updated public guidance to their season-ticket holders since the pandemic began. The Denver Post requested policy information this week — from the Nuggets, Avalanche and Kroenke Sports — regarding payment-plan options available for 2020-21 season ticket holders.

All three entities told The Post: “No comment at this time.”

Avalanche and Nuggets season-ticket holders have been provided relief from monthly payments — but only upon specific request. Email correspondence between several fans and the Kroenke ticket office, received and verified by The Post, shows the Avalanche and Nuggets are willing to defer payments for up to two months. However, without official team policy publicly available, it is currently unknown how many season-ticket holders qualify for a similar exemption.

Chris Fuselier, the owner of Blake Street Tavern in LoDo, is a longtime Avalanche and Nuggets season-ticket holder. Fuselier contacted his ticket representatives after receiving a payment-reminder email, and he was able to postpone his plan for another month. Fuselier said the teams were “very accommodating” with his request.

Then again, Fuselier considers himself lucky.

“In a lot of cases, I forget to read their emails,” Fuselier said. “Then, it’s like, ‘Where did this charge come from?’ But in my case, it was a good experience.”