As temperatures cool and academic calendars shift into full gear, Colorado universities and colleges begin planning their most anticipated outdoor gatherings—fall graduation ceremonies, homecoming weekends, open houses, and student life events. Whether your event is welcoming alumni back to campus or celebrating student milestones, a well-planned tent setup ensures your program runs smoothly and guests remain comfortable.
At Mountain View Tent Company, we partner with institutions across the Denver metro area and beyond to provide reliable, weather-resistant tents for large-scale campus events. With decades of experience working alongside university departments and event teams, we understand the logistics, safety requirements, and scale these occasions demand.
If you’re preparing for a fall university event, here’s how to select the right tent—and the right partner—to bring your campus community together outdoors.
Start With Event Size, Structure, and Campus Layout
Every university event comes with a different footprint. You may be setting up a formal graduation on the quad, hosting a homecoming dinner outside the student union, or organizing a club fair with dozens of booths. Before choosing a tent, assess:
- Expected attendance (guests, students, faculty, volunteers)
- Event format (seated, standing, staged, or interactive)
- Event length (single day, weekend, or recurring activation)
- Site conditions (grass, concrete, variable elevation)
Our team offers on-site consultations to evaluate terrain, access points, weather exposure, and available square footage. From there, we provide a tailored event tent recommendation and layout to suit your goals.
Recommended Tent Styles for Fall Campus Events
| Ideal For | Why it works | Sizes Available | |
| Super Tent® | Fall commencements, donor receptions, or student assemblies | Open interior without center poles makes it easy to seat large groups, stage presentations, or configure for formal ceremonies | Starts at 30 feet wide and expands in 15-foot increments for full layout flexibility |
This structure is also recommended for semi-permanent campus installations or events that require secure enclosure from wind or light rain. It’s highly adaptable for seating arrangements, media production, and catering.
| Ideal For | Why it works | Note | |
| Festival Tents | Homecoming celebrations, family weekends, or campus-wide mixers | High ceilings and a classic pole-supported structure give visual impact and help manage airflow | High ceilings and a classic pole-supported structure give visual impact and help manage airflow |
Festival tents scale well and can be paired to create multiple zones—like a food and beverage area, lounge, stage, and vendor space. They also perform well in autumn weather when paired with sidewalls and optional heating.
| Ideal For | Why it works | Bonus | |
| Unique™ Frame Tents | Club fairs, department showcases, volunteer check-in, or smaller campus programming | Sizes from 10 to 30 feet wide allow for creative placement across different areas of campus, from walkways to courtyards | No center poles, ideal for tables, displays, or high-traffic movement |
Frame tents are especially effective when you need shaded zones or smaller structures to support a main event. These are popular during academic orientation events and pop-up programming.
Prepare for Changing Weather and Campus Safety
Colorado’s fall weather can be unpredictable. A sunny morning can turn into a chilly afternoon or light rain, especially at higher elevations. That’s why it’s important to plan for weather resistance and not assume your event will proceed under clear skies.
We recommend:
- Sidewalls (solid or windowed) for wind protection or cooler days
- Clear signage and egress paths for large crowds
- Tents positioned with the sun and wind direction in mind
- Lighting and tent accessories for dusk events or daylight saving transitions
All tents from Mountain View Tent Company are installed by trained professionals and anchored to meet safety and local permitting requirements. We do not offer pop-up tents or short-term DIY structures—our tents are engineered to perform in active campus environments and public gatherings.
Collaborate Across Departments for Event Success
Campus-wide events often involve multiple departments—Student Life, Facilities, Athletics, Advancement, and others. We’re experienced in working across teams and aligning with your university’s scheduling, safety, and logistical needs.
Here’s how we help:
- Site walk-throughs with event leads and facilities staff
- Flexible scheduling for early morning setups or post-event takedown
- Coordination with other vendors (AV, catering, rentals)
- Permitting and documentation support for municipalities or campus compliance teams
We also help university clients prepare in advance with diagrams, measurements, and weather contingency planning—so your team can focus on programming and guest experience.
Equipment and Vendor Referrals
While we specialize in tents, we recognize that full-scale events often require additional infrastructure. We offer select accessory rentals (like sidewalls and lighting) only when bundled with a tent rental, but also work with trusted partners for:
- Flooring
- Heating or cooling
- Tables and chairs
- Restroom trailers
- Audio/visual equipment
Our experience with vendor coordination ensures that all elements work together and meet the needs of your students, staff, and visitors.
Book Early for the Fall Calendar
Fall is a peak season for outdoor campus events in Colorado. We recommend reserving tents three to six months in advance for events scheduled between September and November. This is especially important for larger structures, custom layouts, or events requiring tent branding or multi-zone coverage.
Our goal is to help your university host memorable, well-organized events with tenting solutions that are functional, attractive, and safe.
Reach out today to contact Mountain View Tent Company and schedule a site consultation or request a quote. Let’s build a structure that supports your students, faculty, and alumni this fall.
