The Denver Broncos hope Bo Nix is ready for the moment.

The rookie quarterback and the Broncos will face the Seattle Seahawks in their regular season opener at Lumen Field, one of the most intimidating stadiums in the NFL. The fans can be loud, making it difficult for the opposing team to communicate, resulting in penalties, particularly false starts by the offensive line.

Nix could be rattled by the noise and the pressure of playing in his first regular season game. However, Denver wide receiver Josh Reynolds isn’t worried. He said Nix has played in tough environments in college and possesses the poise to handle the crowd noise.

“Seattle is definitely a tough environment. But I think Bo, he’s played in big games. He’s played with crowds that kind of compare to this Seattle fan base,” Reynolds told reporters Monday. “I think he’ll adjust perfectly.”

Reynolds not only praised Nix for his mental toughness, he has been impressed by the rookie on the field.

Reynolds, 29, is playing in his ninth season. He previously played for the Detroit Lions, Tennessee Titans and the Los Angeles Rams. He has caught 220 passes for 2,933 yards and 19 touchdowns in his career, with most of passes coming from Jared Goff and a few from Ryan Tannehill.

Reynolds said Nix’s throws compares favorably to Goff and Tannehill.

“Bo Nix compared to anybody else I played with, he’s got a beautiful ball, man,’’ Reynolds told reporters. “He can place it wherever he wants to. He can put it on a line, he can have some touch with it. He’s got an amazing arm.”

The Broncos used their first-round pick (No. 12) to select Nix in the 2024 NFL draft. Denver coach Sean Payton named Nix as the Week 1 starter over veterans Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson. Nix will be the first rookie to start at quarterback for Denver in Week 1 since John Elway in 1983.

Payton’s decision to name the rookie as the starter didn’t come as a much of a surprise. Payton had been connected to Nix since he saw the quarterback during a pre-draft workout in March. Nix is being compared to Drew Brees, a future Hall of Fame inductee after spending 14 seasons with Payton in New Orleans.

“I’m excited to see how he progresses and continues to take charge of this offense,” Reynolds said.

If you have an event taking place in the Denver area, email information to carlotta.olson@gazette.com at least two weeks in advance. All events are listed in the calendar on space availability.

Wednesday

Music in the Gardens — With Casey Sidwell, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., 17th Street Gardens, 1945 17th St., Denver; cpvmd.org/17thstgarden-events.

Jazz and American Improvised Music Concert Series — 6 p.m., MSU Denver Music, 800 Kalamath St., Studio 101, Denver, $12. Tickets: ahec.universitytickets.com/w.

Sipping N’ Painting Hampden — “Summer Flatirons,” 6:30-8:30 p.m., Sipping N’ Painting Hampden, 6461 E. Hampden Ave., Denver, $35. Registration required: sippingnpaintinghampden.com.

Passenger — With SYML, 7 p.m., Ogden Theatre, 935 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, $35. Tickets: axs.com.

Colorado Symphony Brass and Percussion — 7 p.m., McGregor Square, 1901 Wazee St., Denver, $22-$93.50. Tickets: coloradosymphony.org.

Ann Hampton Callaway — 7 p.m., Dazzle at Baur’s, 1080 14th St., Denver, go online for prices. Tickets: dazzledenver.com/#/events.

Paint and Wine Party — “Bronco Sky,” 7-9 p.m., Sipping N’ Painting Highland, 1331 W. 38th St., Denver, $32.65. Registration required: sippingnpaintinghighland.com.

Hippie Death Cult & Kadabra — With Eagle Wing & Lord Velvet, 8 p.m., HQ, 60 S. Broadway, Denver, $15 and up. Tickets: hqdenver.com.

Violet Chachki — With Andrea Staxxx and Alyssa Love, 8 p.m., The Oriental Theater, 4435 W. 44th Ave., Denver, $39 and up. Tickets: theorientaltheater.com.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor — With Holiday Sidewinder, 8 p.m., Gothic Theatre, 3263 S. Broadway, Englewood, $35-$40. Tickets: axs.com.

Open Mic Musicians — 9-11:30 p.m., sign up at 8:30 p.m., Mercury Café, Jungle Room, 2199 California St., Denver, $5; mercurycafe.com.

Wednesday-Saturday

Denver Food & Wine Festival — Seminars, grand tasting and more, Denver, Auraria Campus, Tivoli Quad, 1000 Larimer St., go online for prices. Tickets: denverfoodandwine.com.

CARLOTTA OLSON, The Denver Gazette

DENVER — Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II and his foundation are empowering two Denver high schools through new S.T.E.A.M (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) rooms.

The process began in Oct. 2023 at The Patrick Surtain II Foundation’s Game Plan Pitch Day, when Title I high schools shared why they should have an “Inspiration Room” installed at their school. George Washington High School and Manuel High School were selected to receive $50,000 grants for the rooms.

“They gave their pitches and their speeches, and everything was pretty innovative. I was very excited to be able to help build a S.T.E.A.M room,” said Surtain.

The rooms offer a creative environment for students to explore and excel. Surtain said his goal is to empower the next generation and provide access and resources to disadvantaged communities.

Richard Butler

The Inspiration Room at George Washington High School is a rejuvenated space complete with new paint, carpet and technology to get kids excited about learning. The school was able to invest in equipment to further its student broadcast.

“Our students needed an opportunity and a space to do the work. We have an incredible robotics team that’s also state qualifiers and have gone on to nationals, as well. It gives them the true space to do their work,” said George Washington HS Principal Dackri Davis.

Richard Butler

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Manuel High School is using its Inspiration Room to expand its robotics program.

“I was able to see what you all were working with with the robotics, with the cars. Y’all got some nice toys, some nice tools y’all could use at y’all’s disposal,” said Surtain.

Richard Butler

“A lot of times, students in the middle of the city might not have the same access to what everyone else does, if it’s in Denver or outside. At Manual, we’re so excited that our students have the same as everyone else,” said Manual HS Principal Chris DeRemer.

The Patrick Surtain II Foundation helps to level the playing field for students in financially disadvantaged communities by ensuring they have similar opportunities to their suburban peers. The foundation will host its annual Inspire the Dream Gala on Oct. 11 at The Ritz-Carlton Denver.