Colorado Desk - Own a piece of Colorado Springs history as original 1923 City Auditorium seats go on sale

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~ The City Auditorium in Colorado Springs is embarking on a new chapter, and the community has a rare opportunity to own a piece of local history. The City, in partnership with AVA Presents, the venue's operating partner, is offering a limited number of original auditorium chairs for purchase. These chairs were installed when the venue first opened its doors in 1923 and have witnessed generations of Colorado Springs history.

Jesse Morreale, Principal for AVA Presents, expressed the significance of these chairs in preserving memories and stories from the community. "For generations, the City Auditorium has been a place where people have made lifelong memories," he said. "These chairs hold and represent those memories, and we're excited to give people the chance to preserve a small piece of that history as we prepare for the Auditorium's next chapter."

The sale of these historic chairs comes as the City Auditorium undergoes its first major renovation in decades. In 2025, AVA Presents was selected as the venue's managing operator under a public-private partnership. They have been investing in restoring and modernizing the historic building while the City retains ownership. This partnership aims to bring back regular use of the Auditorium as a venue for concerts, performances, community events, and private rentals.

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The original chairs are not only significant because they are part of the building's history but also because they have witnessed legendary performances by artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Motley Crue, Willie Nelson, Tina Turner, Def Leppard, Foo Fighters, Primus, Weezer and Ozzy Osbourne.

Each chair also features a unique wrought-iron hat rack beneath its seat – a design element commonly found in theaters during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These racks were originally used to hold cowboy hats and top hats during performances but now serve as a reminder of the Auditorium's historic design.

Starting today at 10 a.m., the chairs will be available for purchase through the City Auditorium website or directly through AXS. The sale will continue while supplies last or until August 2. Buyers can choose a specific chair or select the best available chair within their preferred price category.

The chairs are divided into four categories based on their condition: Excellent, Good, Fair, and Salvage. The prices range from $150 for chairs in excellent condition to free for those in salvage condition. Due to limited quantities, the chairs will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

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Purchased chairs must be picked up between August 3 and August 10 on weekdays between 11am and 1pm. This sale not only gives people a chance to own a piece of history but also supports the City's commitment to preserving the Auditorium's history while modernizing it for future generations. All proceeds from the sale will be donated to the City of Colorado Springs City Auditorium Gift Trust Fund, which supports the preservation and enhancement of this historic facility.

The community is encouraged to take advantage of this rare opportunity to own a piece of local history and support the preservation of one of Colorado Springs' most iconic venues.

Filed Under: Government, City

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