The NFL’s Denver Broncos are working with architects on the preliminary design phase for their new stadium at Burnham Yard.
The Denver Broncos said that Owner & CEO Greg Penner has revealed that plans for the new stadium are “coming along” as the Broncos continue to work toward the creation of the new venue and mixed-use district.
Penner said, “We think that we will create something that is going to be special for the city of Denver and the state of Colorado.”
The Broncos late last year submitted a Large Development Review (LDR) pre-application to the City of Denver for the new stadium, outlinung preliminary plans for the development of Burnham Yard as the preferred site for the privately funded stadium and mixed-use community.
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football franchise based in Denver (US). The Broncos compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league’s American Football Conference West division. The team is headquartered in Dove Valley, Colorado.
The Broncos currently play at the 76,125-capacity Empower Field at Mile High, an American football stadium in Denver, Colorado, United States. It opened in 2001 to replace the Broncos’ original home, the old Mile High Stadium.
The targeted completion date for the new stadium is the 2031 season, which aligns with the expiration of the Broncos’ current lease at Empower Field at Mile High with the Metropolitan Football Stadium District. The Broncos have the option to extend the lease, if needed.
The Broncos said their new stadium will showcase innovative technology and modern amenities to elevate the fan experience, enhance Denver’s home-field advantage and attract premier events throughout the year.
The initial design concepts for the stadium include a natural grass field and a retractable roof featuring the latest technology.
The roof would allow Denver’s games to be played in the elements while maximizing both the year-round flexibility of the stadium and its long-term value to the community.
Since the September announcement of Burnham Yard as the preferred site for a new stadium and mixed-use district, the Broncos have been working to welcome feedback regarding the project.
Penner said, “So far, the process has been terrific. The feedback has been lots of questions and lots of interest. We’re listening. That is what this period is about, taking in that input and thinking how that is going to impact what our plans are as we come up with a Community Benefits Agreement. There are also lots of conversations with Denver City Council members.”
President Damani Leech has led the process, with Penner, Owner Carrie Walton Penner and General Counsel Tim Aragon also assisting the outreach efforts.
Penner said the organization understands there will be “a lot of different opinions” when working on a project of this magnitude, and the Broncos are gathering those varied perspectives.
He said, “We have to take those in and then come up with the right solution.”
New training base
While the Broncos’ stadium process is still in its early stages, the new Broncos Park Powered by CommonSpirit is nearly complete. The organization plans to move into the space this offseason.
Broncos Park Powered by CommonSpirit is the Broncos’ new $175 million training facility and headquarters in Englewood, Colorado, replacing the former Centura Health partnership.
The state-of-the-art complex, featuring mass timber construction, aims to consolidate football and business operations.
Penner added, “Probably the biggest thing is bringing people together in a little more concentrated environment, but also with enough space.
“Right now, because we’ve been space-constrained, we essentially have four different buildings — three here and one at the stadium — where we have people located. This will allow us to bring those people into one location.
“At the same time, we wanted to size it in a way that player travel, and how they manage their daily work was easy for them. The whole first level will be player-oriented.
“That will be tied into the field, and the weight room and locker room will be much bigger. It really is a building that is right-sized for our roster as it sits now and the size of the organization.
“We think we will get a lot of benefit from having those people together in one place.”
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