January 5th 2025.
Throughout the 41 years he has been running The Original Brooklyn's, located just south of Empower Field, Dave Keefe has seen many changes in the surrounding neighborhoods of the Broncos' stadiums. As the owner of a restaurant at the corner of Old West Colfax Avenue and Morrison Road, he has a unique perspective on the area's evolution.
Like many others, Keefe is uncertain about what the future holds for the area now that the Broncos are considering building a new stadium elsewhere. However, he is certain of one thing: Sun Valley will be okay. He explains, "If they leave, this will be the biggest empty piece of land in the central part of Denver that is undeveloped. Just think about what could happen to it, especially considering the rapid development already taking place in Sun Valley and the surrounding areas."
Sun Valley, the neighborhood where Empower Field is located, has been the home of the Broncos since 1960. But as the chances of the team moving to a new stadium increase, many wonder what will happen to Sun Valley and the neighboring communities, such as West Colfax, Sloan's Lake, and Jefferson Park.
If the Broncos do end up leaving, the goal of neighborhood stakeholders is to create a more seamless connection between Sun Valley and the changes happening across the highway in the River Mile area and the 55-acre redevelopment of Ball Arena. This will be a challenging task, as the current Empower Field property consists of 95 acres of asphalt and a 76,125-seat stadium wedged between the busy I-25 and two of Denver's busiest streets, Colfax Avenue and Federal Boulevard.
Keefe envisions this potential new development, saying, "You could walk from the heart of the Ball Arena redevelopment to whatever is built on the Empower Field site in just 15 minutes. It could become a new central section of the city, even without a football stadium."
Jeanne Granville, president of the Sun Valley Community Coalition and a key member of the Westside Stadium Community Coalition, is determined that the community will adapt and make the best of whatever happens. She acknowledges that the team's lease with the Metropolitan Football Stadium District runs through 2030, but the team has the option to extend it for another five or ten years.
The Stadium District Master Plan, which aimed to transform the parking lots around Empower Field into a mixed-use neighborhood and entertainment district, has been put on hold by the Walton-Penner ownership group. Owner Greg Penner has also stated that the team is exploring the possibility of building a new stadium at a different location.
So, the Broncos may very well leave their current home, the same site where they first played at Bears Stadium, which later became Mile High Stadium and was eventually replaced by Empower Field in 2001.
As Granville explains, "Whether the stadium stays or goes, our main concern is ensuring that the values outlined in the Stadium District Master Plan are still implemented. We are still committed to creating open spaces, affordable housing, and opportunities for small businesses in the area."
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the Broncos' future, the community remains focused on their goals and values for the area's development. And whether the team stays or goes, Sun Valley and the surrounding neighborhoods will continue to evolve and thrive.
For over four decades, Dave Keefe has been the proud owner of The Original Brooklyn's, a charming restaurant located just south of Empower Field. Throughout the years, he has watched the surrounding neighborhoods of the Broncos' stadium evolve and transform. As he stands at the corner of Old West Colfax Avenue and Morrison Road, he reflects on the changes that have taken place over the years.
Like many others, Keefe is uncertain about the future of the area now that the Broncos are considering building a new stadium elsewhere. However, amidst all the uncertainty, there is one thing that he is certain of - Sun Valley will be okay. He explains, "If they leave, this will be the largest undeveloped piece of land in central Denver. It's hard to imagine what will happen to it, especially with all the development that's already happening in Sun Valley and the surrounding areas."
The neighborhood of Sun Valley has been the home of the Broncos since 1960. But with the increasing likelihood of the team moving to a new stadium, the question arises - what will be the impact on Sun Valley and the neighboring communities such as West Colfax, Sloan's Lake, and Jefferson Park?
The stakeholders of these neighborhoods have a common goal - to seamlessly connect Sun Valley with the changes happening across the highway in River Mile and the 55-acre Ball Arena redevelopment. However, this will not be an easy task. The Empower Field property currently consists of 95 acres of asphalt and a 76,125-seat stadium, sandwiched between the busy stretch of I-25 and two of Denver's busiest roads - Colfax Avenue and Federal Boulevard.
Keefe envisions a new central city section emerging, even if there is no football stadium. He says, "You could walk from the heart of the Ball Arena redevelopment to whatever is happening on the Empower Field site in just 15 minutes."
Jeanne Granville, president of the Sun Valley Community Coalition and a key figure in the Westside Stadium Community Coalition, remains optimistic about the future. She believes that Sun Valley and its surrounding neighborhoods will "adapt and make the best of whatever occurs."
The Broncos' current lease with the Metropolitan Football Stadium District runs through 2030, with the option for one or two five-year extensions. However, owner Greg Penner has put the Stadium District Master Plan on hold, which aimed to turn the parking lots around Empower Field into a mixed-use neighborhood and entertainment district. This would have provided funding for stadium improvements. In August, Penner also confirmed that the team is exploring options for a new stadium at a different location.
So, it is possible that the Broncos may move from their current home - the same site where they first played at Bears Stadium, which later became Mile High Stadium, and finally, Empower Field in 2001.
As the future of the Broncos' stadium remains uncertain, Granville remains focused on ensuring that the values and goals set forth in the Stadium District Master Plan are still implemented, regardless of whether the team stays or leaves. She explains, "We want to make sure there are opportunities for open space, housing, and hopefully affordable housing and small businesses. These were the values and goals we had in the Stadium District Master Plan, and they still hold true."
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