Everything you need to know about the Colorado Historic Opera Houses Circuit

The first-ever Colorado Historic Opera Houses Circuit, which connects five mountain opera houses, launched on June 23, 2022. Our very own Wheeler Opera House is a partner of this group that invites visitors to experience Colorado’s Silver Rush past and the enduring importance of arts and culture in today’s remote mountain towns, all within elegant buildings. Read below to learn more!

About the Circuit:

The Colorado Historic Opera Houses Circuit connects five opera houses in the Colorado mountains. There, you can see a world-class performance in an elegant historic setting that still carries the mystique of Colorado’s early mining boom days.

You can book a tour to see these exquisite opera houses up close. You’ll hear stories of stars and community members who brought music and magic to the opera houses for well over a century.

You’ll also get to visit some of Colorado’s most picturesque mountain towns. Discover local arts, history and heritage. Browse unique shops and galleries. Dine on delicious food, and fully relax in comfortable places to stay. Then explore the great outdoors, surrounded by soaring Rocky Mountain peaks.

The following organizations are Circuit partners:

Aspen Chamber Resort Association
Central City Opera House Association
City of Central City
City of Ouray
Gilpin Historical Society
Lake County Tourism Panel
Sheridan Arts Foundation
Tabor Opera House Preservation Foundation
Wheeler Opera House
Wright Opera House

The project is funded by $40,000 from the Colorado Tourism Office, through its Marketing Matching Grant, and a collective partner contribution of $20,000. All participating organizations are equal partners; the Lake County Tourism Panel is the formal project lead.

Why Visit?

Reopening: After two years of pandemic closures, the Colorado Historic Opera Houses Circuit enables visitors to step away from their screens and reconnect with the energy of live shows.

New Take on History: The opera houses introduce visitors to a lesser-known side of the Wild West. Among the rowdy mining camps, saloons, and outlaws, these ornate beacons of culture were built to announce a town’s up-and-coming status.

Rarity: Between 1860 and 1920, 132 opera houses were built in Colorado, according to “Local Glories: Opera Houses on Main Street, Where Art and Culture Meet” by Ann Satterthwaite. Today, many opera houses are being used for other purposes or are no longer in existence. The five Circuit opera houses give visitors a rare opportunity to see live entertainment in the same settings that people did at the turn of the 20^th century.

Upcoming Events:

Summer events include music and film festivals, concerts, and art exhibits. Next on the calendar are a month-long opera festival (Central City Opera, July 2-31), the Telluride Plein Air Festival (Sheridan Opera House, June 28-July 4), Ghosts of the Tabor immersive performance (Tabor Opera House, July 8-9), Ouray International Film Festival (Wright Opera House, June 23-26), and at the Wheeler Opera House, Jazz Aspen Snowmass June Experience (June 24 & 25), Aspen Music Festival & School (July 7 – August 20), and Corrine Bailey Rae (July 22). The Circuit’s website will feature a full calendar of events.

Tours are available this summer at Central City Opera House, Sheridan Opera House, Tabor Opera House, Wheeler Opera House, and Wright Opera House. The Sheridan Opera House, Wheeler Opera House (based on availability), and Wright Opera House can be booked for rentals.