New Ute Events Center
132 E. 4th Street,
Rifle,
CO
81650
132 E. 4th Street,
Rifle,
CO
81650
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The original Ute Theatre on E. 3rd Street was opened in 1935 as a 300-seat theatre located in a former retail store. It was destroyed by a fire in 1944. (it has its own page on Cinema Treasures.
In 1948 a new Ute Theatre was opened on E. 4th Street, designed by architect Donald J. Monson, with 600 seats all on a single floor. Later it was known as the Rifle Creek Theatre.
In 2009, renovations began, and in early-2012, it has become the New Ute Events Center, hosting special events, as well as movies.
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Lost Memory
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Recent comments (view all 7 comments)
This theatre is listed in the 1948/49 Theatre Catalog as a new cinema.The architect was Donald J. Monson.
Very plain looking Theatre.
Looks more like a saloon.
A very nice, art deco gem in a small yet thriving Colorado mountain community. The facade indeed does the theater no justice. I have attended a couple movies here and it is a charming place to take in a movie. The auditorium walls are covered with blue fabric, most likely from a 1970s renovation but all of the other original, art deco accents are still present. The ceiling is a stunning plaster design, original to the theater’s opening. It could use some restoration as there is a little bit of water damage due to a past owner neglecting the roof. The seats appear to be original. They are red in color and have a very nice 1940s look to them. A few were removed at the ends in the center of the auditorium to accommodate wheelchairs It was owned at one time by Stan Pratt who owned many theaters across Colorado. The present owners are Kelly and Jacinto Iniguez but they have sold it to the city who will take over ownership in August. The city’s intentions are presently unclear. The booth contains a Simplex XL projector and SPECO platters. There is also a small apartment above the theater which is presently rented out.
Don’t let the front deceive you…this is a very beautiful theater inside. While outside, however, be sure to check out the beautiful, golden bricks that make up the exterior walls.
Since this CT entry has the 4th Street address, it must be the rebuilt Ute, which means that this is the place to post this April 26, 1947 Motion Picture Herald note: “Fred Lind trying for CPA approval for new theatre at Rifle, Colo., where he already operates.”
Motion Picture Herald, May 10, 1947: “Mr. and Mrs. Fred Lind, owners Ute, Rifle, Colo., to California on vacation after CPA turned down request to build another theatre at Rifle.”
Motion Picture Herald, Dec. 27, 1947: “Fred Lind to open new 600-seat $100,000 Ute, Rifle, Colo., January 15.”
Motion Picture Herald, Jan. 17, 1948: “Fred Lind has set January 20 as definite date for opening his new $100,000 600-seat Ute, Rifle, Colo.”
Industry publications in the late 1940s mentioned the heart problems of Fred Lind, setting up this May 10, 1952 note in Motion Picture Herald: “Mary Lind, owner of the Ute, Rifle, Colorado, and Mark McFarland, were married at Rifle. They will live in California.”
Boxoffice, Jan. 28, 1974: “Don Monson, who has operated the Ute Theatre in Rifle for approximately 25 years, has sold out to the First Colorado Corp.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 27, 1979: “Stanley Pratt has taken over the Ute Theatre in Rifle, Colo. Pratt will close the theatre for a brief period to remodel and redecorate his new acquisition. Pratt also operates the Village Theatre in Estes Park, Colo.”