Colorado Dog Friendly Drive-In Theaters

O U T D O O RA D V E N T U R E S

DOG FRIENDLY DRIVE- IN MOVIE THEATERS

DRIVE IN THEATERS IN COLORADO | EIGHT LOCATIONS TO VISIT THIS SUMMER

Drive-in theaters gained popularity in the 1950s and have become a part of our collective nostalgic memories. Many of the Drive-In theaters have gone by the wayside over the years, often becoming housing and shopping locations.

Throughout the USA there are about 330 remaining drive-in movie theaters. This slice of Americana remains about the same as it has since drive-ins first appeared except for trading old film projectors for digital ones. As of the 2019 season, Colorado has eight drive-in movie theaters.

As the weather warms up, this is a great time to take family, friends, and well-behaved dogs out to see a movie! Remember to support the theater by purchasing some classic movie snacks and then relax, watch the sunset and enjoy the show.

Tips for Visiting a Drive-In

It is important to keep in mind that every drivein theater is different and each has its own unique set of rules. Some for instance allow pets and others do not. Most have websites and it's important to review the rules and policies of the specific drive-in theater you intend to visit. Make sure the Drive-In is open Arrive at least 30-minutes early Have dinner there to support the drive-in Bring CASH it makes things go faster Verify they're pet friendly Be considerate of others when parking Know how your lights work and turn them off Bring small flashlights Dress comfortably Remember people can see inside your vehicle Drive-ins should be a relaxing, fun experience for the entire family. So get there early, bring plenty of friends and enjoy a night under the stars. Find a Drive-In near you! www.driveinmovie.com/

THE DRIVE-INS

88 Drive-In Where: 8780 Rosemary St., Commerce City Hours: Sunday – Thursday 7 p.m. – until end of showing and Friday and Saturday 6 p.m. – the start of final feature. Cost: $9 per person (3 movies) and children under 12 get in for free. (CASH ONLY) Website: www.88drivein.net

ARE DOGS ALLOWED? Yes! Dogs must be on leash at all times when they are out of your vehicle, and you must pick up after your dog. Extra poop bags are available at the snack bar.

88 Drive-In via Facebook

The Scoop: The 88 Drive-in is a single screen drive-in located in the Denver Metro area. The 88 was founded in 1972 and has been owned by the same family that is currently running it since 1976. A solo screen with a capacity of about 500 cars, the drive-in has operated continuously since 1972 on a seasonal basis, April thru September. They show 2-3 movies a night.

Holiday Twin Drive-In Where: 2206 S Overland Trail, Fort Collins Hours: Friday and Saturday 6 p.m. – end of showing. Open seven days a week after Memorial Day weekend. Cost: Ages six to nine are $5, 10+ are $8, and 65+ are $5 (CASH ONLY at Box Office) Website: www.holidaytwindrivein.com

ARE DOGS ALLOWED? Yes! Dogs must be on a leash and kept close to you when outside your vehicle. (No extended length leashes or retractables.) Pick up after your dog! Clean up bags are provided at each screen. Barking is disruptive, and we ask that your pets be well mannered and that you are courteous of others.

88 Drive-In via FacebookHoliday Twin Drive-In via Facebook

The Scoop: The Holiday Twin opened in 1968 as a solo screen theater called the Starlight Drive-In. They added a second screen in 1976. Your vehicle determines where you will be parked based on vehicle height. Cash only at the box office, the snack bar accepts cash, credit, and debit cards. This theater sits near the Horsetooth Reservoir, so you'll enjoy the beautiful scenery before your movies begin. Bring cash, your well-behaved dog and spend an evening under the stars watching movies.

Holiday TwinDrive-In via Facebook

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THE DRIVE-INS

Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-in Theater Where: 801 Ed6, Minturn. (Little Beach Park) Hours: Only open through July and early August, see website for show dates Cost: Prices range from $8 – $75 depending on the package. Website: www.bluestarlitedrivein.com/home-colorado

ARE DOGS ALLOWED? - Yes! Does it bark at cars, people, the moon, you, or at movies? Then no. If it doesn't and is on a leash and is the friendliest dog in the world then yes!

The Scoop: The Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-in of Minturn, CO is the second of its kind. The original Blue Starlite Urban Mini Drive-in is in Austin, Texas. This seasonal pop-up drive-in located high in the Rockies in Vail Valley and Blue Starlight says this is the highest drive-in in the world at an elevation of about 8,000 feet. Blue Starlite is not a traditional drive-in as most people know them. The Blue Starlite uses a smaller, pop-up screen and smaller lot (it holds about 50 cars) for a more intimate experience. They are not digital and do not show first-run movies, but show drive-in classics and 80's favorites. You can walk-in, ride your bike in or bring a car. For walk-in, it is $8 per person. If you bring your vehicle, it is $15 for a car spot and then $8 per person (with one person included in the $15 car spot charge.) Reserve a spot online before you arrive and save the hassle of busy weekends. Sit inside or outside your car, or in chairs in the seating areas they have set up. Blue Starlite is a unique experience in the world of drive-ins, experience it if you are able.

Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-In via Facebook

Star Drive-In Theatre Where: 600 E Miami Rd., Montrose Hours: Open every weekend, the box office opens 45 minutes before dusk. Cost: 11 and under are free, 12 and over are $8.50, seniors 60+ are $6.50. Website: www.stardrivein.com

ARE DOGS ALLOWED? Yes! The Star Drive-in allows pets as long as they are well behaved and leashed at all times, and owners pick up after their pets.

Star Drive-In via Facebook

The Scoop: The Star Drive-in is a single screen drive-in theater located in Montrose, Colorado. The Star Drive-in has been family-owned by the DeVrie family since it opened in 1950! Service is fantastic, and you'll want to spend money at the snack bar with some of the best homemade burgers and fries in the area. Are you looking for nostalgic feelings? The Star Drive-In is for you!

THE DRIVE-INS

Tru Vu Drive-In Where: 1001 CO-92, Delta Hours: Open April through September. Shows begin at dusk. Cost: (Cash only) Ages 12+ are $8.50, and ages 11 and under are free. Website: mydeltamovies.com/home/tru-vu-drive-in

ARE DOGS ALLOWED? Yes! Leashed pets are always welcome at Tru Vu Drive-In!

The Scoop: The Tru Vu Drive-in has been operating continuously since opening in 1955. Tru Vu Drive-In is between State Highway 92 and the Gunnison River. This small town location allows moviegoers to watch a movie under the stars and away from the city lights.

Mesa Drive-In Where: 2625 Santa Fe Dr., Pueblo. Hours: Open seven nights a week, showtime is at dusk. Cost: (Cash only) $10 per person, children under 10 are free. Seniors 62+ are $7. Website: www.mesadrive-in.com

ARE DOGS ALLOWED? Yes! Mesa Drive-in does allow pets as long as they are on a leash, well behaved, and you clean up after them.

Tru Vu Drive-In via Facebook

The Scoop: Mesa Drive-In is Pueblo's longest-standing drive-in since it first opened in 1951. For their 50th anniversary in 2000, the Mesa Drive-In added two more screens. The Mesa Drive-In is Colorado's largest drive-in, and they are open seasonally March thru October. There is a call ahead snack bar option, call in to place your order and pick up when you arrive - no waiting in lines.

Mesa Drive-In via Facebook

THE DRIVE-INS

Best Western Movie Manor / Star Drive-In Where: 2830 US Highway 160 W., Monte Vista Hours: Open mid-May through mid-September Website: www.bestwesternmoviemanor.com/movie-manor

ARE DOGS ALLOWED? Yes! Well-behaved dogs on a leash are welcomed. The hotel is also pet friendly.

The Scoop: The Movie Manor is attached to the historic Star Drive-In, which was built in 1955 by George Kelloff. It's located three miles west from the town of Monte Vista and overlooks the mountains. The best part is that guests who stay at the Best Western Movie Manor motel can catch a screening from the comfort of their room. To watch the movies, you'll want to request one of the Manor's fourteen original rooms which angle toward the screen. If you're traveling through the area during movie season, stop at this hidden gem of the Rockies.

Best Western Movie Manor Drive-In via hotel

Comanche Drive-In Where: 27784 CO Rd 339, Buena Vista. (Three miles west on Highway 306) Hours: Open May – September from Friday – Sunday. Show dates will vary with film availability. Showtime is at dusk. Cost: (Cash only) Adults are $10, children under 12 are $5, below five-years-old are free. Website: www.comanchedrivein.com

ARE DOGS ALLOWED? Yes. On-leash and wellbehaved.

The Scoop: Comanche Drive-In has been a familyowned business since it was first bought and built by John and Pearl Groy in 1966. Nestled at the head of the Arkansas Valley and near Cottonwood Creek, the Comanche is not only noted for its beautiful view sitting at an elevation just below 8,000 feet which may make it the highest elevation of any stationary drivein in the USA. Moviegoers will enjoy the mountains and the new 4K digital projector. It's open during sunshine, rain or snow — having their first-ever snowy showing in its history last November. In 2015, the Comanche became part of the National Register of Historic Places.

Comanche Drive-In via Wikipedia