The Denver Broncos, alongside the city of Denver and the state of Colorado, have named Burnham Yard as the preferred site for a new retractable-roof stadium and surrounding mixed-use district. The 100-acre project would transform the former railyard into a year-round sports and entertainment hub featuring restaurants, retail, housing, offices, hotels and public spaces.
Located less than a mile southeast of Empower Field at Mile High along the I-25 corridor, Burnham Yard is situated between 6th and 13th avenues to the south and north and bordered by Seminole Road and Osage Street to the west and east, respectively.
Funded privately by the Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group, the development will include city and state-supported infrastructure improvements but no new taxes. The stadium is expected to open by the 2031 season, when the Broncos’ lease at Empower Field at Mile High expires.
Owners Greg Penner and Carrie Walton Penner said the site was chosen for its proximity to downtown and its historic significance. They stressed the importance of community engagement, promising a transparent planning process and a Community Benefits Agreement with the Denver City Council.
Initial designs call for a natural grass field and retractable roof, offering flexibility for both football and large-scale events. If the new venue is built, Empower Field land would revert to the city for future redevelopment.
“The stadium is going to have all the modern amenities and bells and whistles, and then around it, we have a real opportunity in that area to create an incredible mixed-use district,” Penner said. “That’ll be a real appeal, we think, for the community and our fans.”
The Broncos remain in the preliminary stages of the stadium design process and plan to share initial renderings in the near future.
The mixed-use district, meanwhile, is slated to have millions of square feet available for development and will feature restaurants, retail outlets, hotel and housing options, office spaces, entertainment venues, dynamic public spaces and more. The stadium and mixed-use district will feature multi-modal transportation options, including RTD light rail.
