Own a piece of Colorado Springs history as original 1923 City Auditorium seats go on sale

As the City Auditorium enters an exciting new chapter, the City of Colorado Springs and AVA Presents, the City's operating partner for the historic venue, are giving the community a rare opportunity to own a piece of local history. A limited number of the building's original auditorium chairs, installed when the venue opened in 1923, will be available for purchase, with proceeds benefiting the City Auditorium Gift Trust Fund.

The historic City Auditorium is undergoing renovations that will preserve its historic character while transforming the nearly century-old venue into a modern destination for touring concerts, theatrical performances, community events, and private rentals.

"For generations, the City Auditorium has been the one enduring place in Colorado Springs where people made lifelong memories," said Jesse Morreale, Principal for AVA Presents. "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."

The chair sale comes as the City Auditorium undergoes its first major renovation in decades, following the City's selection of AVA Presents as the venue's managing operator in 2025. Under a public-private partnership, AVA Presents has been investing in restoring and modernizing the historic building while the City retains ownership, returning the Auditorium to regular use as a venue for concerts, performances, community events and other public and private gatherings.

Original to the building and installed when the Auditorium opened in 1923, these historic chairs have witnessed generations of Colorado Springs history. Over the decades, the venue has welcomed legendary performers 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 distinctive wrought-iron hat rack beneath the seat, a design element commonly found in theaters during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Originally intended to hold cowboy hats and top hats during performances, the racks remain a unique reminder of the Auditorium's historic design.

Beginning today at 10 a.m., chairs will be available for purchase through the City Auditorium website at CityAud.com or directly through AXS. The sale will continue while supplies last or until August 2. Buyers will be directed to an AXS event page, where they can select a specific chair or choose the best available chair within their preferred price category.

Chairs will be offered in four categories based on their condition:

• P1: Excellent (100-year-old condition) - These chairs are in exceptional condition for their age, with some still retaining their original upholstery. $150
• P2: Good - These chairs show expected wear for their age but remain in good overall condition. Condition varies slightly from chair to chair. $100
• P3: Fair - These chairs have more significant wear, including torn or taped upholstery. Some may have minor damage or missing pieces but remain structurally intact and can be repaired or restored. $50
• P4: Salvage - These chairs are best suited for parts or restoration. They may be missing the seat, have broken components, or require substantial repair. Free

Because the chairs are original and quantities are limited, they will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Purchased chairs must be picked up any weekday between 11am and 1pm beginning August 3 and ending August 10.

The chair sale supports the City's commitment to preserving the auditorium's history while modernizing the venue for future generations. All proceeds will be donated to the City of Colorado Springs City Auditorium Gift Trust Fund to support the preservation and continued enhancement of the historic facility.