The Broncos’ long-standing connection with Denver is entering a new chapter. The club, city, and state of Colorado have announced Burnham Yard as the preferred site for a privately funded stadium with a retractable roof, set to become the centerpiece of a mixed-use district.

A new stadium in a historic Colorado location

Our goal is to provide the team and fans with world-class facilities – while honoring the traditions of Mile High – in a location fans will love, close to both the stadium and downtown Denver, said Broncos owner and CEO Greg Penner. Penner called the announcement a major milestone, while emphasizing that the club is entering a more transparent phase of community dialogue.

The new district – spanning over 100 acres – will serve as a year-round hub for sports and entertainment for fans and tourists alike. Burnham Yard, less than a mile southeast of Empower Field at Mile High along the I-25 corridor, is bordered by 6th and 13th Avenues to the south and north, and by Seminole Road and Osage Street to the west and east.

Once a railroad yard operating long before Colorado achieved statehood, the site played a vital economic role for nearly 150 years. Operations ceased in 2016, and five years later the land was sold to the state. The Broncos have preliminary agreements with the state for 58 acres and with Denver Water for another 25 acres, with the remainder to be acquired privately. I couldn’t be happier that the city and state of Colorado are partnering with the Broncos to ensure the team stays here in grand style for generations to come, said Governor Jared Polis.

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Broncos face significant bureaucracy

Before the Denver Broncos can break ground on their new stadium in Burnham Yard, the team’s owners must overcome a series of significant hurdles. One of the first steps is drafting a community benefit agreement, negotiated with residents of the La Alma and Lincoln Park neighborhoods as well as developers, according to the Denver Post. Residents of the neighborhood are watching the developments with mixed feelings – on one hand, there is hope for the revitalization of a neglected area and the creation of new jobs, while on the other hand, they want to ensure that the local community is not overlooked in the development process.

Such an agreement may include requirements like building an early learning center, funding youth programs, or creating bike lanes – all of which developers had to consider when constructing Ball Arena. Once this stage is completed, the Denver City Council will get involved, voting on a land-use plan and zoning changes for the Burnham Yard area. Council members will also decide whether to grant the Broncos’ owners tax breaks to redevelop properties considered blighted.

The former railyard site also raises environmental concerns – it is near a Superfund site, and a recent report found contaminants in the soil, including petroleum hydrocarbons, lead, arsenic, and chromium. The team will likely need environmental permits to clean the site before construction can begin.

Details of the project

Both the stadium and the mixed-use district will be privately financed by the Walton-Penner Family Ownership, with the city and state contributing only public infrastructure investments – with no new taxes. The new stadium is expected to be ready for the 2031 season, coinciding with the expiration of the current Empower Field lease, though the Broncos have the option to extend it if needed.

The venue will feature state-of-the-art technology and amenities to enhance fan experience, boost home-field advantage, and host premium events year-round. Early concepts include a natural grass pitch and a retractable roof, allowing play in varying conditions and maximizing usage throughout the year. The Broncos are in the early design phase and plan to release first renderings soon.

© Darren | Empower Field at Mile High (New Mile High Stadium)

A district reborn

The surrounding area will include millions of square feet of development for restaurants, shops, hotels, residences, offices, entertainment, public spaces, and more, fully integrated with public transit, including RTD light rail. We want this area to be alive 365 days a year, said Walton Penner. It won’t just be a giant parking lot – we want a real, special place people will say, ‘You have to see this when you’re in Denver, Burnham Yard.’

As the vision takes shape, the Broncos are committed to highlighting the site’s rich history and connection to Denver, working with key stakeholders to preserve historic elements. The first time we stepped on this site, we felt its deep railroad history, a key part of Colorado’s story, Penner said. It’s an opportunity to breathe new life into historic buildings and features as part of what we’re building.

What’s next for Mile High?

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston confirmed that the current Empower Field at Mile High will be demolished once the Denver Broncos move to their new stadium at Burnham Yard. The 80-acre site will return to city ownership and undergo planning with input from the local community, with plans for housing, parks, commercial spaces, and public areas. The mayor emphasized that this is a unique opportunity to revitalize the current stadium site and transform the area into a vibrant, full-fledged urban neighborhood.

Empower Field has long generated foot traffic and revenue for nearby small businesses. With the Broncos’ planned move, local business owners are preparing for the changes the development may bring. Experts note that Denver ranks highly for entrepreneurship among NFL cities, reflecting a strong concentration of micro-businesses in the Mile High area.