One Of Colorado’s Last Drive-In Theatre’s Closing For Good Next Week?

In a sad 2023 surprise, we learned that a Colorado staple for over 50 years, one of Colorado's last remaining drive-in theaters, will be closing down for good. Is next week their final week before closing down for good?

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Iconic Colorado Drive-In Theater To Close After 50 Years

There's the old saying, "All good things must come to an end," and as we get older, it seems to get more real. It feels like as we grow up, we're constantly saying goodbye to people, things, and places, we grew up going to, eating at, shopping at, and making memories at. One iconic memory-making location in Colorado, one that we've all likely been to at least once in our lifetime, is closing for good, and the fans of this beloved and historic drive-in theater are pretty emotional about it

Going to the drive-in movies is something that everybody should experience at least one time. It's a vibe that's hard to explain, but it's hard to beat watching a movie outside on a beautiful summer's night in Colorado. Sadly in 2023, it's harder to find awesome drive-in theatres around Colorado, and as the season wraps, it's going to get tougher in the Denver area as the biggest drive-in theatre in the metro area calling it a day.

88 Drive-In Located In Commerce City, Colorado, To Close

Back in June, we broke the news about this note from the City Government of Commerce City's Facebook page discussing a recent planning meeting that had folks buzzing about the future of the famous 88 Drive-In's future. In the post, they informed us that:

The owners of the 88 Drive-In Theater have chosen to step away from their business and go in a different direction for the future of that property. The decision to close the theater was not made by the city, and Commerce City has not asked or encouraged the drive-in to close its operation. The property owners are requesting a zoning change to allow a multi-tenant warehouse building to take the place of the theater. The public hearing on Monday’s agenda (case number Z-977-23) is to determine whether that use aligns with the Land Development Code and meets the associated criteria. The discussion is not to decide whether or not the drive-in theater should stay, as that is the decisions of the owners/operators.

Here's the full post below...

While the 88 drive-in has yet to confirm the closure date, signs are pointing to next week. They're currently showing the Talor Swift Era's Tour, followed by back-to-back Halloween favorites. After Halloween is over, there's nothing on the schedule, and with the cooler weather starting this week, that's typically when the old 88 shuts down for the season. This time though, it will be for good, as the new owner of the land will want to begin their re-development plan for the land and area.

As someone who's watched countless movies there, and had the pleasure of getting to take my kids there to experience it for themselves, I want to thank the 88 for all of the amazing memories. Was one hell of a run.