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Burnham Yard Project

Views of the Burnham project site including wide cityscape, roadmap, and buildings

P3 Unit Engagement

The State of Colorado's Public-Private Partnership (P3) Office was engaged to support the Colorado Transportation Investment Office (CTIO) and to serve as project manager for the Burnham Yard site.

Brief History of Burnham Yard

The 58-acre site, located less than a mile from the current Empower Field at Mile High, was an original railyard that operated for nearly 150 years.

It was established in 1871 by the Denver & Rio Grande rail company and was a significant industrial site for building and servicing trains, employing as many as 1,000 workers in the late 1800s.

Railyard operations officially ceased in 2016.

The State of Colorado purchased the property from Union Pacific in 2021.

Future Development

The exciting future of Burnham Yard was announced by Governor Polis, the Denver Broncos and the City of Denver on September 9, 2025. 

  • Preferred Site: Burnham Yard has been announced as the preferred site for a new, privately-funded, retractable-roof stadium for the Denver Broncos.
  • Private Funding: The Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group will privately fund the entire investment, meaning there will be no new taxes for residents.
  • Mixed-Use Development: The vision for the site is to transform it into a vibrant, mixed-use district that will be a year-round destination. The development will include sports and entertainment venues, housing, businesses, and public spaces, in addition to the new stadium.
  • Community Engagement: The Broncos are committed to working with the community, city, and state to reconnect historic neighborhoods. This includes a "Community Benefits Agreement" process to ensure the project benefits the greater community.