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HISTORY
A Boulder experience is not complete without enjoying a performance at the Chautauqua Auditorium. For over a century, the Auditorium has held a special place in the hearts of artists, speakers, and all who visit, and has brought the latest in arts, culture and education to the Boulder community.
Heated and cooled by Mother Nature, the Chautauqua Auditorium is open from May through September and is a preferred performance venue by artists because of its incredible acoustics and unique architecture. Distinguished speakers such as William Jennings Bryant, Al Gore and the Reverend Jesse Jackson and a diverse array of performers ranging from the Reverend Billy Sunday and music legends such as Wynton Marsalis, Lyle Lovett, Joan Baez, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Joan Armatrading, Chris Isaak, The Indigo Girls, John Hiatt, Los Lobos, and many more, have graced its stage over the last 114 years.
Sometimes fondly referred to as "the barn," the Chautauqua Auditorium was erected in 45 days for $6,700 and opened on July 4, 1898, as the tabernacle for the new Colorado Chautauqua. Before the 1899 season, panels that slide upward on ropes and pulleys were installed on the middle sections of the building and hinged double doors were fitted on the east and west ends of the wings to control the dust and wind.
The interior of the structure has witnessed only minimal modifications and remains lofty and open, with only unfinished timber supports interrupting the space and single piece beams of Oregon fir spanning the 80 feet expanse above. Originally, the Auditorium was built to accommodate 6,000 patrons with banks of risers built on the stage. In 1905, the bleachers were removed and replaced with dressing rooms at stage left and right and seats have replaced the original bleachers (with the exception of some benches in the general admission section). Today, the Auditorium hosts just over 1,300 guests per show.
The Chautauqua Auditorium was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
QUIRKS & TIPS
We love our Auditorium and all its wonderful quirks and are certain you will too. Here are a few insider tips to help you enjoy your Chautauqua Auditorium experience.- Is the Auditorium an indoor or outdoor venue?
The Chautauqua Auditorium is an indoor venue but with its century-old, barn-like construction, it shares the same ambient temperature, and sometimes the breeze, as the outdoors. See Heating and Cooling below for more information. - Heating & Cooling
The Chautauqua Auditorium is open from May through September and is heated and cooled by Mother Nature. This means that there is no air conditioning or heating in the venue. We are able to regulate the temperature slightly by raising or lowering the sliders on the sides of the building, but for maximum enjoyment, we suggest keeping an eye on the weather forecast [link to noaa.gov] and dressing appropriately. It has snowed every month in Colorado so if the temperature is looking frosty, we suggest bringing a blanket, warm hat, jacket and gloves. On warmer nights, bringing a water bottle to stay hydrated is recommended. - General Admission Seating
The Chautauqua Auditorium features three types of general admission (GA) seating- padded chairs, theater seats, and wooden benches (please see seating chart for more information). All GA seating is available on a first come, first served basis. The wooden benches are the original benches from 1898! To make yourself more comfortable on these benches, you may want to consider bringing a padded seat insert like those used at football or outdoor venues. - Restrooms
Restrooms are located approximately 100 yards north of the Auditorium at the Dining Hall. There is no plumbing in the Auditorium. - No Smoking
Smoking is strictly prohibited within the seating area of the Chautauqua Auditorium and within 100 feet of the exterior of the Auditorium. - Cameras & Recording Devices
Use of audio or video recording devices, professional cameras or cameras with removable lenses are not permitted in the Chautauqua Auditorium - Misc
For your safety and the safety of others, guests and their possessions are subject to inspection as condition of admittance. Please have your bags open and available for inspection. Chautauqua Management reserves final decision on items brought into the venue.
FOOD & BEVERAGE
On concert evenings, food and drink are available at the Chautauqua Picnic Shelter, located on the south side of the Auditorium. Sit down meal and beverage service is available nightly during the summer at the Chautauqua Dining Hall. For reservations, please call 303.440.3776. Another wonderful way to experience Chautauqua is to bring your own picnic and enjoy our beautiful grounds prior to the performance. Food and drink (with the exception of water) are not permitted inside the Auditorium.
PARKING & TRANSPORTATION
- Parking
Established in 1898, the Colorado Chautauqua was not developed with automobile use in mind and has very limited parking space available within the National Historic Landmark boundary. The most ample supply of parking for concert goers is available on a first-come, first-served basis along Baseline Road. Riding the free HOP 2 Chautauqua, carpooling and bicycling to Chautauqua is encouraged. - Directions
View a map and directions here. - Free HOP 2 Chautauqua Shuttle Service
The HOP 2 Chautauqua is a free transit service to the Colorado Music Festival and Chautauqua Summer Music Series concerts from approximately two hours prior to the start of the show to 45 minutes after the end of each show starting with the first concert in Spring through the final performance in September. To find out which events have a free shuttle, look for the Bus icon on the calendar. For maps and more information, visit www.GOBoulder.net or call 303-447-8282.
LODGING/ACCOMMODATIONS
The Colorado Chautauqua National Historic Landmark has 58 beautiful cottages and two lodges available for nightly rental. Cottage sizes range from efficiency to one, two and three bedroom, each with a fully equipped kitchen and screened-in front porch. For more information or reservations, click here or call the Lodging Office at 303.952.1611.
ADA ACCESSIBILITY
ADA venue access is available at the South entrance of the Auditorium, via the 12th Street/Columbine Avenue entrance.
Designated accessible parking for persons with disabilities is available throughout the park. Please refer to a Colorado Chautauqua map for designated parking spots. All parking is "first come, first served."
Service animals are permitted and admitted into the Auditorium. Each service animal must remain with its owner and be restrained. If any service animal interferes with other guests, corrective action may include rearranging seating or removal of the service animal from the Auditorium.
For accessibility questions or accommodations during a performance, please contact Public Events Manager, Julie Pomerantz at 303.952.1632 or by email at .
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