The Denver Broncos officially announced this week that they have chosen the vacant Burnham Yard as their preferred location for a new stadium, a massive project that reportedly will be privately funded. So, what does the move mean for the city and its beloved football team? Here’s everything you need to know.
Why Are the Broncos Moving?
There’s been a national trend of sports teams looking to expand their prospects with entertainment districts surrounding state-of-the-art stadiums, and it sounds like Broncos ownership is no different. Plus, the average lifespan of a sports stadium is only a few decades – Empower Field at Mile High opened in 2001 and while it is less than 30 years old, newer arenas of this size offer retractable roofs, better seating, and other amenities Denver doesn’t currently have.
What It Means for La Alma-Lincoln Park
The West side was once the epicenter of Denver's Chicano Movement and is already in a fight to preserve that history, so a development of this magnitude would have some serious implications. Broncos ownership currently owns around 100 acres in Burnham Yard — considered part of the historic West side as well as being a place of significance in Denver’s working class history — and is looking to acquire more land for what it hopes to develop into an entertainment district with retail and housing around the new stadium.
As with any growing community, some neighbors are excited at the prospect of new amenities and better walkability, but others say they feel somber and fear they’ll no longer be able to afford to live in the neighborhood. For their part, the Walton-Penner ownership group see themselves as a community partner looking to build their vision with input from folks who already live there. Much like the community-involved negotiations happening at Kroenke Sports & Entertainment’s neighboring redevelopment around Ball Arena, Broncos ownership says it is “fully committed to a strong and inclusive Community Benefits Agreement process that will begin immediately.”
What Happens to Mile High
There’s a collective sigh of relief that the team plans to stay in Denver. Lone Tree and Aurora had been rumored as potential relocation options, but the most excited Denverite was perhaps Mayor Mike Johnston, who touted his administration’s efforts to keep the team within Denver proper during his latest State of the City Address.
Mayor Johnston told Denverite that the city would get possession of the 80 acres around Mile High when the team moves, and that the stadium would be demolished to make way for future development like parks and housing.
When Will the Move Happen?
The short answer: it’s projected for 2031. The team is obviously keen on making it happen, but there are a lot of things that must be done before the new stadium becomes a reality — more on that below.
Wake me up when there's some actual action!
Dr. Geoff Propheter, Associate Professor of Public Affairs at CU Denver
What’s Next?
CU Denver professor of public affairs Dr. Geoff Propheter told us “everyone is just speculating up the wazoo,” adding that the team’s announcement is all about political momentum.
Councilwoman Jamie Torres — whose district includes the proposed stadium site — told the Denver Post that City Council would have four key decisions to make in the coming years: an approval of the small area plan for Burnham Yard, rezoning of the land, possible tax incentives for the urban renewal plan, and a development agreement. The team will also have to hash out a community benefits agreement with the current residents of the La Alma Lincoln Park neighborhood.
In the short term, expect a lot of town hall meetings and community engagement. The project has a lot of energy, but it’s nowhere near the goal line.
