Burnham Yard Community Planning

The next public event for the Burnham Yard Small Area Plan is coming in August. An RSVP is not required to attend the event, but it will help with planning. 

Event Details

• Date: Wednesday, August 12, 2026 
• Time: 5:30-7:30 p.m. *Please note new time   
• Location: La Alma Recreation Center, 1325 W. 11th Ave.

There will be a brief presentation at the start of the event. Visit the small area plan webpage for complete details. 

RSVP to the open house

Since the fall of 2025, the Burnham Yard Small Area Plan project team has engaged thousands of community members to collect input on a future vision for the Burnham Yard area. This feedback has informed draft plan policies that will guide growth and development in the area over the next 20 years.

The purpose of this survey is to collect input on the community’s priorities for implementation, gather feedback on draft policies, and identify additional ideas that should be included in the plan. The input collected in this survey will be used to inform the Small Area Plan’s public review draft and corresponding implementation plan, which will be available for public review and comment in the fall of 2026.

Take the community survey

Who’s paying for the stadium?
The stadium and mixed-use district around it will be privately funded by the Broncos ownership group. The City and State will provide support for public improvements, with no new taxes.

When is this happening?
The community visioning process kicked off in Fall 2025. The new stadium is targeted to open in 2031.

Why build a new stadium?
Rather than making major fixes to the old building, a new stadium (with a roof!) will bring in more jobs, events, and boost the economy.

What about community benefits?
Community input will be integrated into the city-led plans in the area. Additionally, the Broncos will enter a Community Benefits Agreement which will be negotiated directly with community members.

What will happen to the current stadium?
The City will get back control of Empower Field & surrounding parking lots, which opens up new neighborhood development opportunities down the road.

Download an overview 1-pager: 
Burnham-Yards-Community-Planning_Overview.pdf(PDF, 437KB)
Burnham-Yard-Planificacion-Comunitaria_Resumen-General.pdf(PDF, 442KB)

1870 - 2016: Active Railyard
For 150 years, Burnham Yard served railroad operations. The use of the yard predates Colorado becoming a state!

2021: State Buys the Land
The State of Colorado purchased the yard to explore transportation infrastructure options.

2022 - 2024: Technical Study
A transportation planning study is completed, and determines using Burnham Yard mainly for transportation infrastructure wouldn’t be the right move.

2023 - 2024: Starting to Plan
The State began a community process to begin visioning what the yard could become. The project was paused.

2025: Broncos Announcement
The Broncos announce Burnham Yard as the preferred site for a new stadium and mixed-use district.

Now: A Community Process!
The City of Denver kicks off Burnham Yard Community Planning to create a shared vision for the future of Burnham Yard and steward impacts and opportunities for current residents.

2025 - 2026: Plans & Blueprints
Community ideas will be refined and documented as the Bronco’s designs for the stadium and mixed-use district, city plan for the surrounding area, and legally binding community benefits agreement.

Future: Long Term Planning
Community ideas will be refined and documented as the Bronco’s designs for the stadium and mixed-use district, city plan for the surrounding area, and legally binding community benefits agreement.

Community members have made it clear in previous projects in this area that being able to afford to continue to live and work in this historic neighborhood is a top concern and priority. The Burnham Yard Community Planning process will address planning and policy impacts that can reduce the risk of pushing people out.

There are resources already available that can be accessed today:

Resident Resources:
Resources are available to keep you in your home, such as tax relief, rent and utility help, eviction or foreclosure help, and more.
Contact: housingstability@denvergov.org

Small Business Resources
The city is focused on supporting the La Alma-Lincoln Park neighborhood, among others, with resources for small businesses, non-profits, and community groups.
Contact: NEST@denvergov.org