There are many different fees that students pay. The athletic fee is mandatory, and it is essentially an entertainment subsidy. The AD is fond of comparing their fee to the RTD fee. They could not be more different. The RTD is traditionally negotiated by the UCSU Environmental Center ever year, and students voted by an overwhelming margin to approve last spring's increase.
Every student can use it.
Free transportation is an important service, especially if a student is stranded or in no condition to drive. Other advantages include reduced traffic, reduced air pollution, reduced energy use, and less demand for parking on campus. Students did not vote for the athletic fee. On the contrary, they have voted against it repeatedly. The AD constantly says they need the money, and from their perspective perhaps they do.