Keeping the Broncos in Denver, Colorado

September 10, 2025

Keeping the Broncos in Denver, Colorado

True Civic Partnership:

The Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group will privately fund this investment and work with the community, city and state to reconnect historic neighborhoods—with no new taxes. These shared public improvements will ensure benefits extend far beyond gamedays with better accessibility, connectivity and multimodal transit options.

It’s been an honor to partner with the Broncos throughout this process to seize an amazing opportunity to unlock new, unprecedented private investment in our beloved football team and our capital city. The Broncos are as core to the fabric of our state as their future site at Burnham Yard is to how our state was founded and thrived over 150 years ago. That’s why when Greg and Carrie Penner met with me in 2022 to discuss their desire to explore a beautiful new stadium home, I jumped at the opportunity to show them Burnham Yard, an amazing place that few knew much about. We are so lucky to have an ownership group that is as committed to the success of the Broncos as they are to the success of our state, and a willingness to preserve our rich history while also investing in Denver’s future. The Broncos organization immediately saw the vision and dreams I saw in the future of a redeveloped Burnham Yard, and that the storied leaders of our past saw in this special place as well.

A Gem of Colorado History:

When the Union Pacific Railroad shut down operations at Burnham Yard and sought a buyer, we pushed to purchase it for the state and got it done. This purchase gave the state the opportunity to showcase a ground-up transit-oriented development at one of our most special historic places in Colorado- one of the last undeveloped parcels in the city. Burnham Yard gives an opportunity to demonstrate a vision for a smarter way to grow for the next 150 years. To grow, evolve with transportation choices of transit and passenger rail as guiding design principles and to bring back to life the incredible diesel locomotive shop that stands over 3 stories tall made from brick and windows, a towering historic building over twice the size of Denver Union Station at 148,000 square feet.

I never imagined the incredible opportunity that lay in store, to be able to partner with the Denver Broncos and the Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group to realize this vision as the future home of the Denver Broncos.

The Opportunity of Burnham Yard:

Since its inception, Burnham Yard has been a demonstration of audacious visions and bold innovation that put our beloved capital city on the map over 150 years ago. That’s why development of Burnham Yard represents more than just a new NFL stadium, more than just an urban renewal opportunity; it’s a chance to demonstrate Colorado’s commitment to excellence, leading the nation in visionary, responsible growth that celebrates our heritage while embracing tomorrow’s possibilities.

Burnham Yard’s story begins with territorial Governor Alexander Hunt, appointed to be Governor by President Andrew Jackson and General William Jackson Palmer, the storied Civil War veteran who incorporated the Denver & Rio Grande Railway in 1870. Palmer envisioned something unprecedented: a narrow-gauge railway system connecting Denver with Mexico City. Palmer, who had begun working with railroads as a teenager, understood that railroads were more than transportation—they were community builders.

But the true heroes of Burnham Yard were the thousands of workers who made it come to life for nearly 150 years. In its heyday, the operation could build train cars from the ground up, employing foundry workers, blacksmiths, machinists, and upholsterers. The surrounding neighborhoods became home to waves of immigrants—Europeans, Russians, and Mexicans fleeing the revolution of 1910—all drawn by steady railroad work.

Standing on the shoulders of these Coloradans is why Burnham Yard isn’t just property—it’s hallowed ground that tells the story of who we are as Coloradans, built by visionaries, dreamers, and countless working families who made Colorado their home. I can’t think of a better home for our Denver Broncos than a modern stadium at this site that will improve the fan experience, and help move Coloradans across the city and state – by rail no less!

A New Chapter for Colorado:

I thank the leadership at our Colorado Transportation Department, the Colorado Transportation Innovation and Investment Office, the Public Private Partnership Office, the city of Denver, Union Pacific Railroad, and History Colorado for all their work to date.

Burnham Yard tells multiple stories: from our founding civic leaders, workers who built our city, innovations, connectivity and grit. And now it will tell the story of a new era of the Denver Broncos, and I am confident of many, many thrilling wins and year-round entertainment including future Super Bowls.

I cannot think of a better home to our beloved Denver Broncos, a future Super Bowl, or a better use for a truly historic Denver property.