Burnham Yard Community Planning

Join your neighbors and the Burnham Yard Small Area Plan team for the first public open house to weigh in on the redevelopment of Burnham Yard! Attendees will have the chance to walk through a variety of stations at their own pace to share thoughts and input on the community’s needs, concerns and vision for the future. City representatives and project partners will be on hand to share the latest updates on the planning process. 

What: Community Open House to kick off Burnham Yard Small Area Plan
When: Wednesday, November 19, drop in between 5 and 7 p.m.
Where: La Alma Recreation Center, 1325 W 11th Ave, Denver, CO 80204

RSVPs are not required but will help staff plan for the event Spanish interpreters, refreshments and children’s activities will be provided. For interpretation in another language or ASL, or other ADA accommodations, visit this page.

Can’t make the meeting? We still want to hear from you! An online survey and other opportunities to weigh in will be available soon. 

Who’s paying for the stadium?
The stadium and mixed-use district around it will be privately funded by the Broncos ownership group. The City and State will provide support for public improvements, with no new taxes.

When is this happening?
The community visioning process kicked off in Fall 2025. The new stadium is targeted to open in 2030.

Why build a new stadium?
Rather than making major fixes to the old building, a new stadium (with a roof!) will bring in more jobs, events, and boost the economy.

What about community benefits?
Community input will be integrated into the city-led plans in the area. Additionally, the Broncos will enter a Community Benefits Agreement which will be negotiated directly with community members.

What will happen to the current stadium?
The City will get back control of Empower Field & surrounding parking lots, which opens up new neighborhood development opportunities down the road.

Download an overview 1-pager: Burnham-Yards-Community-Planning_1-Pager.pdf(PDF, 438KB)

1870 - 2016: Active Railyard
For 150 years, Burnham Yard served railroad operations. The use of the yard predates Colorado becoming a state!

2021: State Buys the Land
The State of Colorado purchased the yard to explore transportation infrastructure options.

2022 - 2024: Technical Study
A transportation planning study is completed, and determines using Burnham Yard mainly for transportation infrastructure wouldn’t be the right move.

2023 - 2024: Starting to Plan
The State began a community process to begin visioning what the yard could become. The project was paused.

2025: Broncos Announcement
The Broncos announce Burnham Yard as the preferred site for a new stadium and mixed-use district.

Now: A Community Process!
The City of Denver kicks off Burnham Yard Community Planning to create a shared vision for the future of Burnham Yard and steward impacts and opportunities for current residents.

2025 - 2026: Plans & Blueprints
Community ideas will be refined and documented as the Bronco’s designs for the stadium and mixed-use district, city plan for the surrounding area, and legally binding community benefits agreement.

Future: Long Term Planning
Community ideas will be refined and documented as the Bronco’s designs for the stadium and mixed-use district, city plan for the surrounding area, and legally binding community benefits agreement.

Community members have made it clear in previous projects in this area that being able to afford to continue to live and work in this historic neighborhood is a top concern and priority. The Burnham Yard Community Planning process will address planning and policy impacts that can reduce the risk of pushing people out.

There are resources already available that can be accessed today:

Resident Resources:
Resources are available to keep you in your home, such as tax relief, rent and utility help, eviction or foreclosure help, and more.
Contact: housingstability@denvergov.org

Small Business Resources
The city is focused on supporting the La Alma-Lincoln Park neighborhood, among others, with resources for small businesses, non-profits, and community groups.
Contact: NEST@denvergov.org