Denver Coliseum, indoor arena

The Denver Coliseum is an indoor arena in Denver, Colorado, built from 1949 to 1951 on the site where the Denver Pacific Railway broke ground on its Cheyenne line in 1868. Its broad facade curves up to a low arched roofline, faced with pale vertical panels; large blue capital letters reading "DENVER COLISEUM" cross the upper centre above a row of projecting lamps and a band of glass and metal entry doors. Lower wings with glass walls and dark framing extend to either side, and small trees stand in front.

The Denver Coliseum was built from 1949 to 1951 on the site where the Denver Pacific Railway broke ground on its Cheyenne line in 1868. It opened on November 8, 1951, with a six-day run of Shipstads & Johnson Ice Follies, and was formally dedicated on January 10, 1952, by June Haver and Walter O'Keefe on the eve of the first National Western Stock Show. After McNichols Sports Arena opened in 1975, it served as an alternate venue for smaller events, a role it kept after Ball Arena opened in 1999.

The arena's name appears in blue capital letters across its pale facade, and the building has long served as a stop for touring shows: Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey brought their circus here annually, and Santana played the Coliseum six times, earning the title "House Band." The Denver March Pow Wow is among the recurring events held in the hall.

The main entrance sits under the projecting lamps and glass doors beneath the "DENVER COLISEUM" lettering, with lower glass-walled wings to either side. The arena is an alternate venue to Ball Arena, used for events needing less seating or space, so check which building hosts your event. It is served by the Regional Transportation District's 48 bus on Brighton Boulevard.

The arena stands where the Denver Pacific Railway broke ground on its Cheyenne line in 1868. In 1976 a Marvin Gaye concert was cancelled when the promoter learned the singer was asleep at home in Los Angeles; the no-show led to rioting at the Coliseum and lawsuits for fraud.