Drive-in theaters are a perfect way to savor the magic of warm-weather months. Create your own private viewing area for a romantic couple’s night, friend hangout or family outing. In Colorado, your experience will be heightened by the Rocky Mountain scenery as you watch the sun dip below the horizon. And our clear, star-filled skies offer an enchanting movie atmosphere once your film begins rolling.
1. Holiday Twin Drive-In Theatre
Fort Collins
Located on the edge of Fort Collins, Holiday Twin offers a few modern conveniences to enhance your drive-in experience. Stop by for a double-feature movie night any day of the week (mid-spring through October) and choose between one screen for family-friendly programs or another with more grown-up pictures.
Treat yourself to an evening out and take advantage of Holiday Twin’s fully loaded snack bar. Of course, there’s the traditional buttered popcorn, fizzy sodas and classic candies, but what makes this setup so special is the array of burger meals, nachos, churros, brats and fries (chili, plain or funnel cake!). Plus, they offer a tasty selection of adult beverages. Choose from locally crafted beers, hard seltzers, wines and freshly made cocktails, like the Peachy Patio Pounder or a classic margarita. And for the youngsters, they make root-beer floats.
2. Tru Vu Drive-In
Delta
Want a date night that’s classic and unforgettable? Start with back-to-back box-office releases at the Tru Vu Drive-In on the outskirts of Delta. Showings seven days a week during the summer mean you don’t have to wait for the weekend to have a special night out. Grab some goodies from the concession stand and hunker down in your car. Or spread out with lawn chairs and blankets for a late-night picnic under the silver screen. The season typically begins in May and runs through September.
Afterward, go for a drive to nearby Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, an International Dark-Sky Park. Spend a few hours stargazing under one of the most light-pollution-free skies in the country.
3. The Star Drive-In Theatre
Montrose
For a blast from the past, check out The Star Drive-In in Montrose. Designated as a historical county landmark in 2021, this theater is Colorado’s longest-operating drive-in and has been owned and managed by the same local family for more than 70 years. It also looks much the same as when it first opened, with its original 1950s marquee, ticket booth and concession stand.
Watch double features on their single screen throughout the season, which usually begins mid-April. You can also attend special events, like the annual ’60s Night and Classic Car Show. See what will be happening during your visit.
4. Comanche Drive-In Theatre
Buena Vista
Come visit America’s highest-elevation drive-in, fittingly set against the jagged Collegiate Peaks in Buena Vista. Comanche Drive-In has wide-open spaces to fit any vehicle — even your RV. The audio system plays on FM radio channels, which you can access from your car radio, or portable radios are another excellent option. Bring yours from home or rent from the theater, but plan to come early, as there’s a limited number of radios available.
Movies start playing in late spring and usually stop in October, after a month of Halloween-themed films. Regular showings at Comanche typically include a mix of new releases, family favorites and classics, like “The Princess Bride,” “The Shining” and “Who Framed Roger Rabbit.” They also occasionally host special events like charity movie nights or Library Night with family-friendly games and activities. Check their events page to see what’s happening next.
5. Mesa Drive-In
Pueblo
Mesa Drive-In is an extended-weekend theater in Pueblo with double features playing Thursday–Sunday. On Sunday nights, flicks include open captions so all patrons can enjoy the magic of the drive-in experience. Need something to warm you up on a cool summer night? Stop by the concession stand for warm chocolate-chip cookies and other hot-food options.
6. Star Drive-In
Monte Vista
Pack up the kids and head to Monte Vista for the Star Drive-In (no relation to the one in Montrose). Rated the No. 2 drive-in movie theater in America by Nationwide, this national treasure offers the perfect movie night for everybody. With two screens, you can watch a more mature flick on a date or keep it light with family-friendly entertainment.
If your little ones get antsy, they can burn off some energy on the playground equipment under the screen. By the time you drive away, they’ll be snoozing in the back seat. Or stay a night at the Best Western Movie Manor across the street and enjoy a view of the screen from the comfort of your room. The theater plays single features every night April–September and occasionally hosts special events like concerts.
7. Frontier Drive-Inn
Near Del Norte
Surrounded by sky-tickling peaks in southern Colorado’s Del Norte, Frontier Drive-Inn is a tranquil spot for movies under the stars and glamping fun. Operating as a drive-in theater from 1955–1986, Frontier offered Spanish-language films and was a popular spot with locals. Now, overnight guests can stay in a cozy yurt or a minimalist-chic Quonset hut to explore local sights, like Penitente Canyon, during the day and indulge in a retro movie experience at night. You’ll even get to see the drive-in’s original Conestoga-wagon marquee glowing neon red and yellow for a touch of nostalgia.
Movies are shown Thursday–Saturday from May to October and are only available for guests of the inn (hence the name — drive-inn!). Each week has a themed movie schedule, like The Sequel is Better, Golden Tickets and Pirate Flag, with kid-friendly movie themes on select weeks, like Pixar Please.
