Denver committee advances CCD plan to operate Loretto Heights theater

A Denver City Council committee voted 7-0 Tuesday to advance a proposed agreement allowing Community College of Denver to operate the renovated Theatre at Loretto Heights, which officials expect to reopen in 2028.

The Parks, Art and Culture Committee approved Council Bill 26-1123 for filing, according to the committee’s official minutes. The bill now goes to the full City Council. The public Legistar record reviewed for this story did not list a date for the next hearing or vote, so Tuesday’s action did not finalize the partnership.

Denver has invested about $60 million in the renovation, including a $19 million parking structure, official meeting materials show. Under the proposed initial three-year agreement, the city would provide $2.5 million in operating support in the first year. The amount is included in the proposed 2027 budget and represents the city’s projected net contribution after theater revenue and expenses.

Support for years two and three would be negotiated through the annual budget process and could rise or fall with operating conditions, Arts & Venues officials told the committee. The money would come from the Arts & Venues special revenue fund, not the general fund.

Arts & Venues would retain ownership, long-term capital responsibilities and approval authority over CCD’s proposed seasons and annual operating budgets. CCD would manage day-to-day operations, staffing, bookings and theater management. Its contribution was described as primarily in-kind — including human-resources and payroll support, faculty and education work, and college-employed venue staff — but officials provided no dollar value.

The proposed programming rules would reserve 60% to 88% of theater use for cultural-sector programming, 19% to 30% for community use and 5% to 17% for commercial use. CCD has also proposed a two-year program combining technical theater, hospitality and business with credit-bearing work-based learning and paid part-time theater jobs. The college and city described about 11 to 12 planned venue positions, including a venue director and technical director.

Several elements remain unresolved. The record does not show finalized agreements with a stagehand union, apprenticeship program or Denver Public Schools. Arts & Venues said it had briefed IATSE and planned to connect the union with CCD; CCD said apprenticeship-credit questions remained for later discussions. CCD had not held formal talks with DPS but was open to future conversations. Officials said CCD would have about 18 months to prepare after the partnership becomes formal, with reopening still planned for 2028.