Some drive-in theaters around the state are opening up this weekend.
The drive-in movie theater has been bringing socially-distant movie-watching to viewers long before it was in style (ahem, required because of a global pandemic). Colorado has several across the state that have delighted audiences for years, and some are open for business right now. With so many other places closed, drive-ins have seen a resurgence in popularity lately, even though most of them have been around for decades.
5 drive-in theaters in Colorado that are open and showing movies this weekend (May 8-10):
The Holiday Twin Drive-In
The Holiday Twin Drive-In in Fort Collins is open for business and has been showing movies in the state for over 50 years. Tickets must be purchased online, and concession orders must be placed online as well. Tickets are being sold now for this weekend for The Invisible Man /1917 and Trolls: World Tour/Sonic the Hedgehog.
The Star Drive-In Theatre
The Star Drive-In Theatre in Montrose has been showing movies for 71 years. They are following strict guidelines to stay open and showing only one movie, for right now. This weekend's show is Sonic The Hedgehog. The drive-in hopes to open more days of the week as the season progresses, depending on changing social-distancing guidelines, etc.
Star Drive-In
The Star Drive-In in Monte Vista is open and showing movies. This 65-year-old drive-in is attached to a Best Western Hotel, and guests can see the show from their rooms. The Best Western Movie Manor is open for the 2020 season. Check out the Facebook page for details on movies and showtimes, or call (719)-852-5921 for more information.
Tru Vu Drive In
The Tru Vu Drive In in Delta is open and rotating days for each film. Right now, Trolls: World Tour and The Invisible Man are showing this weekend. Clear guidelines for social distancing, as well as purchasing tickets and concessions, have been posted on the drive-in theater's website.
Comanche Drive-In Theatre
The Comanche Drive-In Theatre in Buena Vista plans to open this weekend for the 2020 season. Another drive-in that has been around since the 1960s, the Comanche is showing Call of the Wild for its opening weekend. They have yet to post specific rules for customers to follow regarding social distancing, etc.; however, they have been posting updates on social media regularly with information about this weekend's opening.
*Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-In
In Minturn, Josh Frank has been running the Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-In theater for about 10 years and was not sure he'd be opening this summer due to the coronavirus pandemic. The theater has a regular following in the small town, as well as plenty of fans in the Denver area.
Frank has been getting a lot of messages on social media asking if the theater would be opening for this season, and he decided to give it a shot; however, he needs to sell 150 car slots, three sold-out nights, to open and pay staff, as well as make sure the business maintains all social distancing guidelines. Frank started a campaign online to sell the slots by May 10, and if he meets the 150-car slot goal, he will open the Blue Starlite drive-in at the end of May! Frank plans to show classic movies and some new releases.
As of this writing, the Blue Starlite has sold about 70 percent of what they need to get open. Check out the full schedule and ticket options on the website and stay up to date with the theater’s opening on Facebook. Refunds will be given if the theater is not able to open for the season due to COVID-19 and will offer some make-up dates if they need to cancel for weather or other emergency reasons once open.
As we are all looking for things to do to break up the monotony of staying home watching a movie on the big screen is very enticing. What do you think, will you be headed out to the drive-in to catch a show? Sound off in the comments.
