The historic Chautauqua Auditorium in Boulder, Colorado, is undergoing a significant renovation to winterize the 127-year-old venue for the first time in its history. As part of preparations for the upcoming Sundance Film Festival, which is set to debut in Boulder in 2027, the auditorium will transition from a seasonal gathering space to a year-round cultural hub.
According to Shelly Benford, CEO of the Colorado Chautauqua Association, the decision to winterize the auditorium has been on the agenda for years. “It always seemed like a shame that this beautiful venue was only available to the community for five months a year,” she noted. “But I knew winterizing it was an astronomical undertaking, so I put it on the back burner while we focused on other improvements.”
The renovation, which commenced earlier this month, will allow the auditorium to host events throughout the winter, expanding its capacity for concerts, lectures, and community gatherings. This upgrade marks a pivotal transformation for a venue traditionally associated with summer nights filled with music and outdoor performances.
During a recent visit to Boulder, the Sundance Film Festival team expressed enthusiasm for the auditorium as a potential venue. “They took one look at the place and said, ‘We would love to have this be one of our venues,’” Benford said. This endorsement catalyzed the decision to ensure the auditorium could operate year-round.
Winterization involves more than just adding insulation. Crews are reinforcing the original trusses and columns, installing radiant heat tubing beneath the floor, and integrating a geothermal heating system to maintain a comfortable environment. An insulated interior tent will also be erected, allowing for warmth retention without altering the building’s historic appearance.
The renovation project is being overseen by Jason Hill, Chief Operating Officer of the Chautauqua Association, with construction managed by Boulder-based Smiley Inc.. The design team includes Pel-Ona Architects and Apeiro Design, both known for their experience in restoring historic sites.
As the auditorium is a National Historic Landmark, each modification undergoes scrutiny to comply with preservation standards. “There are a lot of very professional preservationists interested in how the auditorium is treated and what changes it undergoes,” Benford explained. This careful oversight ensures that while the venue gains modern amenities, its historical integrity remains intact.
Hill emphasized the dual goals of the renovation: to prepare the auditorium for year-round performances and to enhance its structural longevity. “Our goal is twofold,” he stated. “Prepare this iconic space for year-round performances, including Sundance, and protect it through structural interventions to keep it standing strong for generations.”
The external structure of the auditorium will remain unchanged, while internal reinforcements will be discreetly integrated. The innovative tenting system will allow the venue to revert to its original open-air configuration each summer. “This isn’t just a renovation,” said Brad Weber, Chief Brand and Development Officer. “The magic isn’t in what you’ll see, it’s what you won’t.”
Once completed, the renovations will extend the auditorium’s performance season from five months to twelve, adding approximately 200 additional days of events annually. “This really expands Boulder’s venue capacity,” Benford remarked. “It gives local and regional arts organizations a place to perform, create, and connect.”
The project has garnered positive feedback from the community, with many residents recognizing the auditorium as an underutilized asset. “I expected a lot more concern,” Benford said. “But people want to make sure we preserve what makes it special, and that’s our No. 1 priority.”
The Chautauqua Auditorium has served as a beloved summer destination since its opening in 1898. Originally designed as an open-air hall with dirt floors and wooden benches, it has evolved significantly over the decades. While modern upgrades have been made, the original Douglas fir trusses remain a defining feature.
With the winterization project underway, the Chautauqua Auditorium is poised to embrace a new era as a year-round center for arts and culture, ensuring that it continues to be a cherished gathering place for future generations.
