The Glen Huntington Bandshell in downtown Boulder could undergo renovations in the next few years as part of a broader plan to bolster the city’s cultural life. City staff hope to improve accessibility, performance space and seating.
The Bandshell was built in 1938 by the Lions Club, with additional seating installed in 1950. Since then, it has been designated a local historic landmark (in 1995) and has become a hub for community gatherings, including Arts in the Park performances and an annual July 4 concert.
Discussions to update the bandshell are part of the city’s Civic Area Phase 2 project, a plan that’s expected to break ground in 2027 to upgrade an area that stretches from 9th to 14th streets along Canyon and Arapahoe and extends toward the CU campus. Currently, $18 million is available for area renovations, but how that money will be allocated is still under discussion. Changes to the Bandshell will depend on available funding.
But the Bandshell’s landmark status has made even modest updates complicated. Adding modern technology such as new stage equipment or amenities can conflict with the restrictions intended to preserve the historic character of the site. Improvements are especially challenging because everything is exposed and visible.
“You can either have a vibrant theater or historic landmark, and I fully believe that the Glen Huntington Bandshell can be both,” historic preservation planner Marcy Gerwing told the Landmarks Board in September.
Leonard Segel, executive director for Historic Boulder, urged the Landmarks Board not to consider removing the Bandshell’s seating until there is confirmation that new designs will not violate any landmark protections.
A concept plan for the Civic Area will be presented to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on Oct. 27, and to city council on Nov. 13. A cost evaluation is expected to be complete by the end of the year. Permitting is slated to be completed in 2026, with construction to begin the following year.
