Colorado Music Hall of Fame Moves Into Colorado Convention Center

The Colorado Convention Center is about more than commerce, more than tourism. It's also about culture, as evidenced by Understudy, the cutting-edge gallery tucked into the facility, as well as the beloved Big Blue Bear, the late Lawrence Argent's giant "I See What You Mean" sculpture that peers into the building.

Now that bear has something new to see inside: a celebration of arguably the state's most treasured art form, music. After nearly a decade at the Red Rocks Trading Post, Colorado Music Hall of Fame has relocated to another City of Denver cultural facility, this one in the heart of downtown where it can share the state's rich musical history with residents and visitors alike.

Founded in 2011, Colorado Music Hall of Fame has inducted over sixty musicians, music industry professionals, venues and organizations into the Hall over the past fifteen years, from John Denver and Red Rocks in the first class to the latest inductees: Jazz Aspen Snowmass and Jim Horowitz.

“We are thrilled to bring the stories and legacies of Colorado's music legends to the heart of downtown Denver,” says Karen Radman, executive director of Colorado Music Hall of Fame. “This new home at the Colorado Convention Center places The Hall in the core of our capital city’s artistic and civic life, allowing us to reach a broader audience and expand our programming.”
The Colorado Convention Center is owned by the City and County of Denver and managed by ASM Global; close to 800,000 people visit the CCC each year. Over the past months, all of The Hall exhibits have been upgraded and installed adjacent to the Bellco Theatre Lobby and CCC box office; a larger, interactive exhibit space is in the works for a different area of the center, as well.

“We are extremely grateful to the City of Denver and ASM Global for this exciting and ground-breaking partnership. The Hall is honored to collaborate with a city that so clearly values culture, creativity and community,” says Scott Tobias, co-chair of the Colorado Music Hall of Fame board of directors, president and CEO of Voice Media Group, and, yes, publisher of Westword. "By establishing The Hall in the Colorado Convention Center, we're emphasizing not just the critical role the music industry plays in Colorado, but the importance of Colorado music around the world."

The relocation aligns with the city's efforts to promote a vibrant downtown experience, as recently outlined in the new Denver Arts & Venues Denver CREATES strategic plan.
“It’s an exciting milestone to see the Colorado Music Hall of Fame take root inside the Colorado Convention Center. This partnership with Denver Arts & Venues brings art and storytelling directly into the daily rhythm of downtown, creating space for dialogue, reflection and connection,” says Lance Zanett, general manager of Colorado Convention Center/ASM Global. “We’re proud to be part of Phase One and look forward to growing this vision together."

Its new home isn't the only way The Hall is growing. From its initial goal of celebrating the state's musical legacy, the nonprofit has expanded its mission to promoting the music industry while also providing support programs for the musicians and other stakeholders who make it happen. To further that mission, it recently added new members to the board (full disclosure: I'm a member) whose credentials show just how intrinsic music is to every aspect of this state. Those new members are Tim Aragon, general counsel of the Denver Broncos; Brian Edelman, president, Live Nation Rockies Region; Lisa Kaufmann, senior strategic advisor to Governor Jared Polis; Brian Kitts, chief marketing & business development officer at Denver Arts & Venues; and Simone Ross; CEO of the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, longtime boardmember R.D. Sewald of Sewald Hanfling Public Affairs has been appointed vice chair of the board.

So take note: Colorado Music Hall of Fame’s exhibits are open during CCC events and Bellco Theatre performances; expanded hours will be announced soon. For more information, go to cmhof.org.