HISTORIC ELITCH GARDENS THEATRE FOUNDATION
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Mission Statement
Celebrating a historic treasure and inviting the community to gather, create, learn, and inspire.
About This Cause
The Elitch Theatre has been a vital part of Colorado’s cultural landscape since its inception in 1891. Having the honor of being Colorado’s first cultural center, the Elitch Theatre was home to the oldest summer stock theatre in America and hosted the screening of Colorado’s first moving picture in 1896. Many pioneers and famous faces of the theatre industry such as Grace Kelly, Douglas Fairbanks and Edward G. Robinson, to name a few, passed through this iconic American playhouse at one point in their career. The theatre closed in 1991 and then the Elitch Gardens amusement park moved downtown in 1995. The theatre was saved, but it sat empty for a decade. A nonprofit organization — The Historic Elitch Gardens Theatre Foundation — was formed in 2002 to raise funds for the restoration, as well as to maintain, preserve and restore the theatre and the carousel pavilion. (The Foundation now works under the ‘dba’ of Historic Elitch Theatre — aka HET.) In 2006, the Foundation received $5 million in federal, state, and city funding, plus grants and private donations and work began on phase 1 of the restoration -- saving and restoring the historic exterior. The process began with restoring the concrete foundation under the exterior walls, then the roof, gable, main entrance/lobby, and exterior walls were replaced and painted. Exterior restoration on the historic auditorium was completed in 2007. Phase 2 of the restoration (2013-2014) included various health and safety upgrades, including restoring electricity and lighting throughout the building and the addition of a fire suppression system. This upgrade allowed the theatre to get temporary occupancy and begin tours and limited events. With the completion of Phase 3 (2020-2021) restrooms were added, a new roof was put on, and various other upgrades were made, allowing for the theatre to gain a certificate of permanent occupancy. Fundraising continues for interior renovations, including the need for theatre rigging, lighting, and sound. The vision is to serve as a community arts center for theatre, music, film, and education.