1stBank Center

1stBank Center
Former namesBroomfield Event Center (2006–09)
Odeum Colorado (2009–10)
Address11450 Broomfield Lane
LocationBroomfield, Colorado
OwnerBroomfield Urban Renewal Authority
OperatorPeak Entertainment
Capacity6,500[1]
Construction
Broke groundOctober 18, 2005 (2005-10-18)
OpenedNovember 9, 2006 (2006-11-09)
Renovated2009–10
ClosedSeptember 27, 2023; 13 months ago (2023-09-27)
Construction costUS$45 million
($70.2 million in 2023 dollars[2])
ArchitectSink Combs Dethlefs
Project managerInternational Coliseums Company
Structural engineerMartin & Martin Consulting Engineers
Services engineerME Engineers
General contractorSanders Construction, Inc
Tenants
Rocky Mountain Rage (CHL) (2006–09)
Colorado 14ers (NBA D-League) (2006–09)
Denver Roller Dolls (WFTDA) (2010–present)
Website
Venue Website

The 1stBank Center (originally the Broomfield Event Center and formerly the Odeum Colorado) was a multi-purpose arena located 15 miles northwest of Downtown Denver, in the city of Broomfield. It was located near the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport and the Flatiron Crossing Mall. Opening in 2006, the arena naming rights belonged to 1stBank, a local financial institution since 2010. The venue was typically used for mid-sized concerts in the Denver Metro area, seating up to 6,500 patrons. From June 2010 until May 2014, the arena housed the Colorado Music Hall of Fame before it moved to its permanent home at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre.[3] For sports, it was the home of the Denver Roller Dolls[4] and former home of the Rocky Mountain Rage and Colorado 14ers.[5]

History

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Exterior of arena during construction, May 2009

The City and County of Broomfield unveiled plans for a new sports facility in the Denver Metro area, in May 2005. Led by Tim Wiens and John Frew, the venue is an anchor for the 215-acre commercial and residential development, Arista Metropolitan District (also called Arista Broomfield). The facility would serve as competition for several mid-sized venues in Colorado, including the: Magness Arena, Bellco Theatre, Fillmore Auditorium, Budweiser Events Center, World Arena and the (now defunct) City Lights Pavilion.[6] To set it apart from its competition, the arena was designed to give an arena-sized show a theater (intimate) feeling.

Construction began in October 2005 to a rocky start. Six months after construction began, the venue's owners faced a lawsuit regarding noise control. Before opening, the facility saw staff and management changes. Despite pushbacks, the venue opened on November 9, 2006, with a concert by Bonnie Raitt. However, the facility proved it couldn't stand against its competitors. Many patrons complained of a lack of parking and street signs leading to the venue. Others complained about the acoustics, describing the arena as a concrete barn. For its first two years of operation, the venue did not see a profit. It was unable to pay bills and staff salaries.[7]

Until 2009, the arena was operated by Broomfield Sports and Entertainment (created by Wiens and Frew).[8] Management ceased when the company could no longer financially afford to maintain the failing venue.[9] The Broomfield Urban Renewal Authority (BURA) began seeking a new management company in January 2009. AEG Live, VenuWorks and SMG all placed bids.[10] Operations were passed off to Peak Entertainment—a joint venture between Kroenke Sports Enterprises and AEG Live Rocky Mountains, in June 2009, for 28 years.[11] Chuck Morris, President and CEO of AEG Live Rocky Mountains, was responsible to the revitalization of the Fillmore Auditorium.

Under the new management, the venue saw over one million dollars in renovations.[12] This included a new paint job, window treatments, terrace balconies, improvements to lighting and acoustics. Over 2,000 parking spaces were added, along with a pedestrian bridge connecting patrons to RTD's US 36 and Broomfield Park-n-Ride.[13][14] During this construction period, the facility was given a temporary name change of Odeum Colorado. In February 2010, it was announced local financial institution, FirstBank Holding Company of Colorado, Inc. (known simply as 1stBank) purchased naming rights for five years, at an undisclosed amount.[15] The agreement began on March 1, 2010. The arena reopened on March 5, 2010, with a concert by Furthur.[16] Since its reopening, the arena has hosted numerous concerts by popular artists, alongside family shows and sporting events.

On May 23, 2023, the Broomfield Urban Renewal Authority's Board of Directors announced that the arena would permanently close on November 30 and then be torn down in early to mid 2024. The board cited that the arena never made a profit as the reason for its closing.[17] The large property is expected to be redeveloped soon after demolition of the 1st Bank Center.

The 1st Bank Center held its final event on September 27, 2023, with AEW Dynamite.

Naming

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  • Broomfield Event Center (November 9, 2006—December 8, 2009)
  • Odeum Colorado (December 9, 2009—February 28, 2010) (no events were held during the time as the arena was being renovated)
  • 1stBank Center (March 1, 2010—present)

Performers

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Special events

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References

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  1. ^ "Welcome to 1STBANK Center". 1stbankcenter.com. 1stBank Center. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
  2. ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  3. ^ "Colorado Music Hall of Fame To Permanently Move To Red Rocks". KCNC-TV. November 10, 2013. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  4. ^ Moore, Paula (January 21, 2010). "Roller derby coming to Broomfield's Odeum". Denver Business Journal. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  5. ^ "Broomfield Event Center opens Thursday". Denver Business Journal. November 7, 2006. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  6. ^ Herrera, Dave (December 3, 2009). "Odeum Colorado -- the new name for the Broomfield Event Center -- to open this spring with pair of concerts by Furthur". Westword. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  7. ^ Moore, Paula. "Broomfield Event Center weathers growing pains". Denver Business Journal. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  8. ^ Moore, Paula (February 4, 2010). "FirstBank buys naming rights to Broomfield arena". Denver Business Journal. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  9. ^ Moore, Paula (February 18, 2009). "Broomfield seeks new operator for Events Center". Denver Business Journal. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  10. ^ "Report: Anschutz's AEG, SMG vying for Broomfield Event Center contract". Denver Business Journal. April 27, 2009. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  11. ^ "Anschutz-Kroenke venture picked to run Broomfield Event Center". Denver Business Journal. June 17, 2009. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  12. ^ Davidson, Michael (December 2, 2009). "Odeum new name in Broomfield entertainment". Broomfield Enterprise. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  13. ^ Herrera, Dave (March 4, 2010). "Moving Pictures: A first look at the newly renovated 1st Bank Center". Westword. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  14. ^ Collins, Mark (February 22, 2010). "Broomfield 1stBank Center off to fast start". Daily Camera. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  15. ^ Davidson, Michael (February 4, 2010). "1stBank Center: Odeum Colorado, formerly Broomfield Event Center, renamed again". Colorado Daily. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  16. ^ Baca, Ricardo (December 4, 2009). "With Furthur ado, Odeum Colorado to replace Broomfield Event Center". The Denver Post. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  17. ^ "1stBank Center in Broomfield to be torn down". KUSA.com. May 24, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2023.

39°54′16″N 105°05′07″W / 39.904527°N 105.085334°W / 39.904527; -105.085334