Envision this: a lapis-lazuli-colored bear nudging its nose against a glass facade. That’s your first encounter with the Colorado Convention Center. It is located in downtown Denver. This is no ordinary building. The Colorado Convention Center is a hub of activity. It hosts hundreds of events each year.
The Colorado Convention Center first opened in June 1990. The original construction cost was 7 million dollars. It quickly became a vital part of Denver. It is strategically located near the Denver Performing Arts Complex, the Colorado State Capitol and the 16th Street Mall.
In 2004, a massive 340 million dollar expansion transformed the center. This expansion doubled its size. It added meeting rooms, ballrooms and the 5,000-seat Bellco Theatre. The expansion also included a 1,000-space parking structure. There is even a dedicated RTD Light Rail stop.
Designed by event professionals, the Colorado Convention Center prioritizes functionality. It is designed for easy traffic flow. The Colorado Convention Center is known as a user-friendly meeting facility. The Colorado Convention Center stands out with its impressive 2.2 million square feet of total space.
ASM Global has managed the Colorado Convention Center since 1994. The City and County of Denver owns it. Inside, the Exhibit Hall is the main attraction. It consists of six individual halls. Each hall spans 90,000 to 100,000 square feet. Trade shows and conventions frequent this space.
The Mile High Ballroom is the largest in Denver. It can accommodate 5,000 people. Its state-of-the-art lighting system creates the illusion of a night sky. The Four Seasons Ballroom is another impressive venue. It can hold up to 3,500 guests.
The Bellco Theatre adds another dimension to the Colorado Convention Center. Originally named The Lecture Hall, then Wells Fargo Theatre, it became the Bellco Theatre in 2012. It is an indoor amphitheater. It hosts concerts and comedy shows.
The Colorado Convention Center holds a Guinness World Record. It is for the largest beer tasting. This happened at the annual Great American Beer Festival. It also holds a record for its expansion groundbreaking.
Presidents, sports heroes, movie stars and rock stars have all graced this building. The Colorado Convention Center continues to evolve. A new expansion project began in mid-2021. This added more meeting space. It includes a rooftop terrace with mountain views. The Colorado Convention Center remains a landmark. It is a testament to Denver’s growth.