Going to the Bellco Theater in Denver-Here's What to Expect

Going to the Bellco Theater in Denver-Here’s What to Expect

November 4, 2023March 7, 2024Concerts, Denver, things to do in Denver, Uncategorized Michelle@SquareState

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There are a number of performance venues throughout the City of Denver. I’ve even had the pleasure of side-hustling at several as well as attending events at venues across town. Each one has its different quirks and things to consider, especially if you plan on enjoying a concert, speaker series or comedy show at any of these venues. The Bellco Theater is a located a block away from the Denver Center of the Performing Arts and has become a frequent stop for events across genres. If you’re going to the Bellco Theater in Denver-here’s what to expect.

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Where is the Bellco Theater

It is located at the back (inside) of the Colorado Convention Center. Yes, the Colorado Convention Center. Here are the answers to a couple of questions that you may have:

Can you walk through the building to get the Bellco Theater-NO. Nope. That’s a no. You have to enter via its dedicated entrance for a couple of reasons. You have to go through security and the Bellco Box Office is located by the venue entrance.

Be prepared to walk-I recommend having a pair of cute foldable ballet flats on hand that you can slip on for the walk to the venue. Then you can change your shoes once you arrive at the venue.

How many people can sit in the theater? 5,000 people can be seated in the theater. In my experience the venue is incredibly accessible in terms of viewing the stage.

What type of events are hosted there? It’s a range of events. Anything from music, comedy, speaker series, graduations and more. Here are some events that I’ve attended:
- Peso Pluma
- Derek Hough
- Hasan Minhaj
- Kirk Franklin
- Bad Friends
- Letterkinny

Ticket Pricing-There’s a range of prices, but I think that if you’re able to catch a show at Bellco you’ll get a lot of bang for your buck because of your proximity to the stage.

Right now there is a major construction project being done on the building but that won’t impact how you experience the venue at this time and the construction won’t disrupt the performance.

Important Tips to Read Before Your Visit

Make sure to read through the next couple of sections. They may save you some confusion and stress.

You will go through a security check-If you have a purse you will absolutely have a secondary check. It is what it is.

Are You Hungry? Plan on eating an actual meal or enjoy an happy hour before arriving at Bellco Theater-There are typically lighter foods offered at the venue. Think snacking items such as churros, popcorn, hot dogs, candy, etc. What is available depends on the event and what the entertainer/entertainment wants made available to the attendees.
- There aren’t a lot of restaurants close to the Colorado Convention Center. There are several reasons for this and one of the primary reasons is the impact of COVID on downtown Denver’s restaurant and retail, the 16th Street Mall Construction project and there haven’t really been a huge number of restaurants in close proximity to the Convention Center. Here are some suggestions that are somewhat close by.
  - Corinne
  - Dragonfly Noodle
  - Bubba Gump Shrimp CO.
  - Sam’s No.3

Parking Can Be a Challenge

How to Find a Parking Spot-Use Spot Hero to reserve a parking spot instead of driving around downtown Denver for an hour. A lot of Denverites who make their way to Downtown Denver by car love using this app to find a parking spot.

You’re not allowed to exit and reenter the venue. You’ve been warned. Make sure to triple check that you have everything on you before you exit your car, etc. In the event that you do need to leave the venue, speak with a team member so that they can help troubleshoot the process with you.

Bellco is NOT the Buell Theater which is located within the Denver Center for Performing Arts complex. The Bellco Theater is located at the back end of the Colorado Convention Center.

Use Public Transit-Take the light rail to the venue from the I-25 and Broadway Station

What if You Need ADA Assistance?

There are wonderful team members who staff each Bellco Theater event with the focus of assisting guests needing ADA support. It is recommended that you check the Bellco Theater website or call if you have additional questions or concerns.

How Do the Tickets Work?

Bellco Theater typically has AXS issued tickets. If you purchased your tickets via AXS and you received an email confirming that you purchased your tickets. READ THAT EMAIL AND FOLLOW THE NEXT STEPS!!!!

Download the AXS APP-you have to download the AXS app in order for you to access the square QR code that team members will need to scan in order to admit you into the venue.

Unofficial Best practice: Do not transfer tickets any later than 6 hours before a show. I worked one event where someone transferred the tickets while in line and it took almost 40 minutes for the recipient to bring up the tickets. The recipient of the transferred tickets was literally 5 minutes behind the other person. The delay with the tickets had nothing to do with the Bellco and everything to do with Murphy’s Law, technology and people not being familiar with the app .

If you’re using a third party ticket platform such as Vivid Seats-Read all instructions that are sent to you.

The Box office team is very helpful.

Bellco Theater venue team is very helpful and nice

Again, just like every venue, the goal is to have guests enjoy an uneventful and calm event attendance experience. Help them, help you by being prepared and ready to go.

What if You Have a Groupon?

Sometimes events will sell additional tickets via Groupon. This is not as common as you think. So the ticket takers may be caught off guard if you’re one of the first guests to come through the door with one. The team members do troubleshoot it quickly so that they can get all guests through the line as quickly and painlessly as possible.

How to Prepare for Security

Walking through the security check point is pretty quick. Help things go faster by being prepared for the following.

You’re scanned on the way in

Purses will always be checked

Some people will have a wand waved over them (for whatever reason)

We’re all used to going through security check points so people are typically pretty good natured during the process.

Miscellaneous Bellco Theater Details

Here are some additional things that you might be wondering about before you make your way to Bellco.

Phone Charge Box (Downside, you need to use your dying phone to unlock the charger)

ATM-You can withdraw cash on the premises

Photo of the phone charging kiosk.
Downside…you have to use your phone in order to access it.

After the Show

Here are things to know for when you exit the show.

You have to EXIT the venue-You cannot walk through the Colorado Convention Center. Instead, attendees exit the door with proximity to Curtis and Speer

Avoid walking along the light rail tracks-I don’t know why people always do this. Especially at night when it’s hard for the conductor to see people walking on the tracks. Don’t do this.

Bring cash/VENMO and PayPal for food vendors-Best times after any Spanish language concert $10-$20 cash. If you love Mexican Hot Dogs as much as I do, then be prepared for these moments.

Rickshaws

Lyft and Ubers