By Shannon Lukens for Steamboat Radio News/Birchwood Communications LLC.
The Chief Theater Development Plan for renovations, rehabilitation, and improvements has been approved by the Steamboat Springs Planning Commission. The vote on PL20250340 was 5-1 Thursday for conditional use and variances.
You can hear the vote and the presentation on the website for the City of Steamboat Springs. Photos are from the presentation.
LINK: Planning Commission Agenda and Video
Trace Adams presented to the commission as the owner and third generation Steamboat Springs resident. “At its core, this project is about reactivating an important historic community asset,” adding that he has been working closely with theater design consultants, city staff and preservation professionals on the project.
Adams told the commission, “Historic preservation is not about freezing buildings in time and hoping that they remain unchanged forever. It’s about preserving what matters, while thoughtfully adapting these places for current and future generations.”
Historic Preservation Planner for the City of Steamboat Springs, Caitlin Berube-Smith, says this is the first major rehabilitation to an historic resource that is on the local historic register.
The Chief Theater is at 813 Lincoln Ave. It was built in 1927 and was listed on the Steamboat Springs Register of Historic Places in 2015. In the presentation to the Planning Commission, it says the Chief was once the largest theater in Northwest Colorado with a seating capacity of as many as 650.
It will be remodeled as an indoor event venue with a bar, eatery options, and the main theater, for concerts and performances, community and private events. The newly remodeled Chief Theater could accommodate 800 people at full capacity.
The historic façade will also be rehabilitated with a new marquee.
The height of the building will be increased from 23 feet high to 38 feet high.
Courtesy photos.
The Chief has been sitting empty, since at least 2021, with repeated break-ins. It was vandalized in December of 2023. Adams told the commission he had to file another police report a month ago because someone broke into the building and left trash and a meth pipe in there.
From the Staff Report/Department of Planning & Community Development
Staff Findings: “Staff finds that the Development Plan, Major Variances, and Conditional Use, PL20250340, for an alteration to a Historic Resource requiring a multi-level rooftop addition and change of use to an indoor event venue for the Chief Theater at 813 Lincoln Ave, is CONSISTENT with the Criteria for Approval for a Development Plan, Major Variance, and Conditional Use.”
Here’s what Planning Commission member Lou Tortora said before Thursday’s vote.
“Like I said, I really like this project. I like the potential of this project. Trace, I wish you all the luck. I know this is a significant investment and there’s significant risk associated with this, but I’d really love to see this thing succeed beyond everyone’s dreams.”
The recommendation for approval will be heard by Steamboat Springs City Council on June 16.