Denver Broncos Country, Get Ready To Move: A New Stadium Is On the Horizon

The Denver Broncos, the team that has defined Sunday afternoons in the “Mile High City” for over six decades, are finally making moves on a new home. And no, they’re not packing their bags for the suburbs. In a move that feels both historic and a little like a blockbuster trade, the team, alongside the city of Denver and the state of Colorado, has officially pointed a giant foam finger at Burnham Yard as the spot for their next chapter.

Forget those sterile, cookie-cutter news releases. This is big. We’re talking about a privately funded, retractable-roof stadium anchoring a whole new neighborhood. Think restaurants, shops, and places to live, all buzzing with that orange-and-blue energy 365 days a year. Owner Greg Penner basically said they want to build something so incredible that it becomes a destination, not just a place you go to watch Bo Nix dissect a defense. Will the Broncos be able to close the deal?

So, What’s the Big Deal With Burnham Yard?

For those of you who don’t spend your weekends poring over Denver real estate maps, Burnham Yard is an old, dusty railyard just a short gallop southeast of the current Empower Field. It’s a place with some serious history, predating Colorado’s statehood. For nearly 150 years, it was a bustling economic engine for the city. Now, after sitting dormant since 2016, it’s getting the ultimate glow-up.

Penner and the ownership crew seem genuinely jazzed about the site’s history. It’s not about plopping a spaceship into an empty field; it’s about weaving the team’s future into the fabric of Denver’s past. They’re even talking about keeping some of the old locomotive buildings. It’s a nod to the city’s gritty, industrial roots, which, let’s be honest, feels very Broncos.

The Nitty-Gritty: No New Taxes, Folks

Here’s the part that usually makes everyone cringe: the money. But hold on to your helmets. The Walton-Penner family, who could probably buy a small country with their couch change, is footing the bill for the stadium itself. That’s right, a multi-billion dollar project with no new taxes. Let that sink in. While other cities are getting fleeced, Denver’s getting a state-of-the-art venue without the public holding the bag. It’s the kind of financial play that would make any GM proud.

The city and state will chip in for public improvements—think better roads, transit access, and all the stuff that makes a neighborhood livable. Governor Jared Polis basically said the Penners walked in and declared they weren’t going to pull the classic “give us money or we’ll move to Omaha” stunt.

What To Expect From the New Broncos Palace

So, what will this new gridiron cathedral look like? The early concepts are tantalizing.

• A Retractable Roof: This is the game-changer. It means the Broncos can still play in that crisp Colorado air when they want to, but they can also close the roof for a frigid January playoff game or to host a Super Bowl, a Final Four, or the world’s biggest concerts. The economic impact could be massive.
• Natural Grass: The players will love this. A real grass field is the gold standard, and it shows the ownership is prioritizing the team’s performance and health.
• A Year-Round Hotspot: The vision extends far beyond the stadium walls. The plan is to create a “mixed-use district” where fans and locals can hang out, eat, and be entertained even when it’s not game day. No more seas of empty parking lots.

It’s Not a Done Deal, But It’s Close

Now, before you start camping out for season tickets for the 2031 season (the target completion date), there are still hurdles. The Broncos are calling this the “preferred site” for a reason. They need to work with neighborhood groups, navigate zoning laws, and hammer out a “Community Benefits Agreement.” It’s like being in the red zone—you’re close, but you still have to execute to get the score.

If it all comes together, the current Empower Field site will revert to the city, opening up another massive opportunity for redevelopment. It’s a “three-monumental-wins” situation, as Mayor Mike Johnston put it. For a franchise that’s been through some lean years on the field, this is a jolt of pure adrenaline. It’s a declaration that the Broncos aren’t just thinking about the next game; they’re planning for the next 50 years.

The Walton-Penner group is making a statement: they are here to build a dynasty, both on the field and in the city of Denver. The next era of Broncos football is officially under construction.