Colorado Springs residents now have a chance to take home a piece of local history as the City Auditorium begins selling its original chairs to help fund a sweeping renovation of the landmark venue. An operating partner with Colorado Springs put the original chairs from the City Auditorium, which opened in 1923, on sale.
The auditorium is currently undergoing renovations to preserve its historic character while transforming the location into a modern destination for concerts, community events, and plays, according to the city. Proceeds will go towards the City Auditorium Gift Trust Fund.
With only 1,500 chairs available, the window to claim one is limited. Officials say the historic chairs have been a part of decades of legendary performances, including Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Motley Crue, Willie Nelson, Tina Turner, Def Leppard, Foo Fighters, Primus, Weezer, and Ozzy Osbourne. Each chair also features a wrought-iron hat rack beneath the seat, designed to hold cowboy and top hats during performances, the city confirmed.
The seats are offered across four condition tiers at varying price points. Chairs rated "Excellent" — described as being in exceptional condition for their age, with some still retaining original upholstery — are priced at $150. "Good" chairs, which show expected wear but remain in overall sound condition, are available for $100, while "Fair" chairs with more significant wear, including torn or taped upholstery, are priced at $50. "Salvage" chairs — those best suited for parts or restoration, which may be missing a seat or have broken components — are being offered for free.
Jesse Morreale, Principal for AVA Presents, said in a statement: "For generations, the City Auditorium has been the one enduring place in Colorado Springs where people made lifelong memories. Families attended graduations, friends gathered for unforgettable concerts, neighbors celebrated milestones, and audiences experienced performances they'll never forget. These chairs hold and represent the memories of those stories, and we're excited to give people the opportunity to preserve a small piece of that history as we prepare the Auditorium for its next chapter."
Those interested in purchasing a chair can visit cityaud.com.
The full scope and timeline of the City Auditorium renovation project remain to be detailed by city officials.