Owner Carrie Walton Penner said on Apr. 2 that community support and partner collaboration are key as the Denver Broncos continue planning a new stadium at Burnham Yard. Speaking at the NFL Annual Meeting, Walton Penner emphasized that input from local residents, city officials, and state leaders is central to moving the project forward.
Walton Penner said the team has started by listening to feedback through Community Information Meetings and working closely with government partners. “It takes all of us,” Walton Penner told DenverBroncos.com at the NFL Annual Meeting. She added, “It’s been fantastic, and it’s been really exciting.” According to Walton Penner, learning about Burnham Yard’s history has been an important part of the process. She also noted strong support from city council members, the mayor’s office, and Colorado’s governor.
Looking ahead to a target opening date of 2031 for the new stadium—described by President Damani Leech as realistic but ambitious—Walton Penner discussed how momentum must translate into action. “We have a number of different processes in place and kind of running simultaneously to each other,” she said. “We really are getting to a point where all of these great partnerships and the conversations meet, and we need to just keep making the timelines.” She credited Leech and General Counsel Tim Aragon for their roles in engaging stakeholders.
In addition to plans for Burnham Yard, another major infrastructure project is nearing completion: Broncos Park Powered by CommonSpirit headquarters is set to open in late June. Walton Penner described excitement around consolidating staff into one facility: “Part of it is we’re staying in our home and we’re just moving across fields… I think that the energy that comes with that is fantastic.” The move will allow business staff currently at Empower Field at Mile High to work alongside football operations staff in one building.
For players, having all facilities under one roof will streamline their daily routines. “It really is all about the players,” she said. The design prioritizes easy access for athletes so they can focus on performance: “From ground zero, first floor, it is the players’ floor… we want our players taking as few steps as possible… conserve their energy for getting things done on the field.”
Walton Penner also reflected on her growing role within several NFL committees focused on diversity initiatives and player health: “All three of those really are in alignment with what my background is… it’s exciting to be part of that.” Recently marking one year since launching ALL IN. ALL COVERED., an initiative aimed at improving football safety across Colorado high schools by distributing nearly 4,000 helmets statewide over twelve months, she highlighted its widespread impact: “Ninety-nine percent of high schools across Colorado… have signed on to this… that’s been really exciting — and just to see that this is something that’s creating incredible momentum across Colorado is fantastic.”
