The Ute Theater, which was designed by U.S. Olympic Nordic Ski Champion Don Monson, was constructed in 1947.
The theater served the community of Rifle for many decades before closing in the 1990s. The City of Rifle acquired the theater in 2006 after many years of decay. By the time the City acquired the building, the iconic towers on the facade had been replaced with cedar siding, a common 1970’s renovation material. After undergoing years of renovation to restore the 1947 Art Deco style the Ute Theater and Events Center reopened in 2012 as an iconic symbol of years past in the heart of downtown Rifle.
Don’t let the historic feel of the building fool you, with an expanded stage and state-of-the-art mechanical, electrical, and digital sound systems, the Ute has become a catalyst in promoting culture and performing arts in Rifle.
