The soon-to-be renovated May Bonfils Stanton Theatre at Loretto Heights to open in 2028

When it opened in 1963, the Theatre at Loretto Heights was Denver’s second largest indoor theater and was well-equipped technologically for the time.

Today, it sits inconspicuously boarded up, roughly a decade after the campus closed its doors for good, with exterior paint beginning to peel from its storied walls.

But on Friday, community members painted those walls again — this time with messages of gratitude and memory to mark the groundbreaking for the theater’s $60 million planned renovation.

Officials hope the completed theater, library and gathering space will bring an arts and entertainment hub to historically underserved southwest Denver. 

“Living down here, we have to go all the way downtown to see a show to even interact with art,” Josh Mills, a local artist, said. 

Parts of the project include bringing the theater’s production technology and building code up to modern standards, improving ADA accessibility and a parking structure. 

“This project is very personal to me because, as many of you know, I grew up in community theater. I wouldn’t be here doing this,” Denver City Councilmember Kevin Flynn said to a crowd of roughly 50 gathered for the occasion. 

Flynn was instrumental in securing funds for the project, $45 million of which came from the 2021 voter-approved RISE bond and another $15 million from Denver Arts & Venues.

A separate parking structure, arrival path and outdoor landscaping project received $4 million from the 2025 Vibrant Denver bond and another $15 million from Denver Arts & Venues. There is also $1,342,000 from private donors, including the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation, to put toward the renovations.

“This groundbreaking is about more than restoring a historic theater; it’s about creating opportunity and strengthening community,” said Denver Mayor Mike Johnston. “Every neighborhood deserves access to arts and culture, and this investment helps ensure southwest Denver has a vibrant place where people can gather, young artists can discover their talents, and families can experience the creativity that brings us together.”

“This isn’t just a restoration project. It’s a reimagining of what this space can be for the people who live here,” said Denver Arts & Venues Deputy Executive Director Tariana Navas-Nieves. “Thriving communities include arts and culture, and today, we take a major step toward exactly that.”

Expected to be completed in mid-to-late 2028, the 72-acre campus will also feature a public library, gathering spaces and an outdoor area.

“I think this will just be a domino effect for our district,” Tran Nguyen-Wills, who is running to replace the term-limited Flynn as District 2’s representative, said.