Denver advances proposed CCD partnership for Loretto Heights theater; year-two funding unknown
A City Council committee advanced a proposed three-year operating agreement with Community College of Denver, identifying $2.5 million in city support for year one but no public amounts for years two and three.
A Denver City Council committee advanced a proposed three-year operating agreement that would put Community College of Denver in charge of day-to-day operations at the renovated Theatre at Loretto Heights. The city has identified $2.5 million in support for the first year but has not publicly specified funding for years two and three.
The Parks, Art and Culture Committee approved Council Bill 26-1123 for filing unanimously Aug. 4, with seven votes in favor and none opposed, the committee minutes show. Filing advances the bill; it does not mean the full City Council has enacted it.
The committee agenda describes an initial three-year term and a $2.5 million first-year payment from the Arts & Venues special revenue fund, expected to begin in the 2027 budget. Arts & Venues officials said future annual support would be subject to budget negotiations and could change as revenue and operating needs become clearer. The public record does not specify a total three-year commitment, exact term dates, a minimum city subsidy or a contingency if projected revenue falls short.
The funding question comes before the theater’s planned 2028 reopening. City officials described the $2.5 million as an initial net operating investment, supplemented by projected food-and-beverage, event and limited commercial-production revenue. The city is investing about $60 million in the renovation, including roughly $19 million for a parking structure. Denver Arts & Venues would retain ownership and responsibility for long-term capital needs.
Under the proposed model, CCD would handle staffing, bookings, programming and daily operations, according to the committee presentation. CCD officials described their contribution as primarily in kind, including human-resources and payroll support, the dean’s involvement, adjunct faculty and an education director; they did not state a cash value or minimum staffing commitment.
The plan would pair a new two-year program in technical theater, hospitality and business with paid, hands-on work at the venue. CCD said students would receive course credit and graduate with two years of professional-theater experience. The presentation did not specify wages, the number of positions, hours, benefits or job-placement guarantees.
CCD would propose seasons and annual budgets, while Arts & Venues would retain approval authority and could coach or co-program, especially in the early years. Officials described target shares of cultural, community and commercial use, but the record does not explain how those percentages would be measured across multiple spaces.