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. It really comes down to choice. Students want that choice.
Football does bring lots of money to Boulder merchants.
The merchants in Boulder are raising hell about that. The AD has approval to build a practice bubble for the football team, which will cost a lot of money, and it is not certain the team really needs it. Right now, some intramural teams use the practice field. When the bubble is there, they will no longer be able to practice there. Then again, the bubble will only be there during football season.