As the Denver Broncos advance early planning efforts for a new stadium and adjacent mixed-use district, Owner and CEO Greg Penner said the organization views the project as both a significant opportunity and a civic responsibility.
“We think that we will create something that is going to be special for the city of Denver and the state of Colorado,” Penner said Jan. 28.
The Broncos identified Burnham Yard as the preferred site for the stadium and mixed-use development last September, kicking off an extensive public engagement and feedback process. Since that announcement, the team has been actively soliciting input from residents, stakeholders, and city leadership as plans continue to take shape.
“So far, the process has been terrific,” Penner said. “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 about how it impacts our plans as we work toward a Community Benefits Agreement. There are also ongoing conversations with Denver City Council members.”
Broncos President Damani Leech has led the outreach effort, with Penner, Owner Carrie Walton Penner and General Counsel Tim Aragon also participating. Penner acknowledged that a project of this scale will naturally generate a wide range of perspectives.
“There are going to be a lot of different opinions,” he said. “We have to take those in and then come up with the right solution.”
From a development standpoint, Penner said planning for the stadium itself is progressing, with the team currently in the preliminary design phase alongside architectural partners. The Broncos are also evaluating retractable roof options, a feature that could have implications for year-round use, major events and fan experience.
“The NFL does have guidelines around how and when a roof can be opened or closed, and we would obviously comply with that,” Penner said, noting that fan comfort would be a key consideration in operational decisions.
While the stadium and mixed-use district remain in the early planning stages, the Broncos’ new headquarters and training facility—Broncos Park Powered by CommonSpirit—is nearing completion. The team expects to move into the facility later this offseason.
Penner highlighted the real estate and operational benefits of consolidating staff and players into a single, purpose-built campus.
“The biggest benefit is bringing people together in a more concentrated environment, while still providing adequate space,” Penner said. “Right now, we’re spread across multiple buildings, including space at the stadium. This allows us to bring everyone into one location.”
The facility is designed with a player-first layout, featuring an expanded weight room, locker room and direct connectivity to the practice fields. Penner described the project as “right-sized” for the current roster and organizational footprint.
“We think we’ll get a lot of benefit from having those people together in one place,” he said.
