The effects of Covid-19 continue to devastate many industries including arts, cultural facilities, sports and entertainment.  As the operator of the City’s premier entertainment venues, Denver Arts & Venues has been deeply affected by the loss of shows, performances and conventions at our facilities.

Arts & Venues is an agency known as a Special Revenue Fund and, as such, does not receive a transfer from the City’s General Fund.  Instead, the agency is responsible for raising its own revenue and paying its own expenses including labor costs, capital improvements and venue maintenance. This year, without revenue from our venues (Colorado Convention Center, Denver Coliseum, Denver Performing Arts Complex, McNichols Civic Center Building, Red Rocks Amphitheatre), the agency faces difficult choices regarding how to maintain solvency.  Like many other businesses, including those of our promoter and presenting partners, these options include reducing costs in operations and personnel.

Unfortunately, a decision has been reached to reduce operations at the agency’s venues, unless they are being used for Covid-related relief programs, until health experts determine it’s safe to return.  More personally, additional cost-saving measures include the furlough of all Arts & Venues employees on either a full-time or part-time basis until at least January 2021.  It is our hope that by taking these measures now, Arts & Venues will be in a position to resume business quickly as pandemic-related conditions improve and our industry regains its health.  We understand the impact these decisions have on our community, especially on those with whom we work.

All of us at Arts & Venues remain committed to providing support to those who enjoy our City’s arts, cultural and entertainment facilities and programs and look forward to a happier time when we can once again gather in celebration of music, performance and art – the show will go on.

Sincerely,

Ginger White

Executive Director

Denver Arts & Venues