Broncos Owner Penner Calls Stadium Timeline 'Ambitious', Seeks Community Support

Penner says Broncos need help from partners to meet 2031 target for new stadium at Burnham Yard site

Mar. 30, 2026 at 11:11pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the construction site for a new football stadium, with sharp geometric shapes in navy, orange, and grey representing the various moving parts and stakeholders involved in the project.The Broncos' ambitious plans for a new stadium at Burnham Yard face complex community and logistical challenges that will require careful coordination between the team, local government, and other key stakeholders.Denver Today

Broncos owner Greg Penner said the team's planned timeline for a new stadium at the Burnham Yard site, targeting a 2031 opening, is 'ambitious' and will require significant support from the community and other partners. Penner acknowledged several key hurdles remain, including finalizing a community benefits agreement with the La Alma Lincoln Park neighborhood and negotiations with Denver Water over the utility's facilities that would be displaced by the stadium project.

Why it matters

The Broncos' stadium plans have major implications for the city of Denver, as a new facility would reshape the Burnham Yard area and require extensive community engagement and public-private coordination. Penner's comments signal the team is turning up the pressure on stakeholders to help meet an aggressive timeline, even as some key details remain unresolved.

The details

Penner said the Broncos' 2031 target date for the new stadium is 'ambitious' and will require support from various partners, not just the team driving the project alone. He cited the need for a community benefits agreement with the La Alma Lincoln Park neighborhood, as well as ongoing negotiations with Denver Water over the utility's facilities that would be displaced. The Broncos also still need to finalize a deal to acquire an SRM Concrete plant located on the proposed stadium site.

  • The Broncos and Colorado Department of Transportation are set to finalize the $45.8 million sale of the Burnham Yard site on May 15, 2026.
  • In October 2024, Kroenke Sports and Entertainment signed an 18-month community benefits agreement for the Ball Arena redevelopment.
  • The Broncos presented a timeline at a February 2026 community meeting to begin construction on the new stadium in 2027.

The players

Greg Penner

Owner of the Denver Broncos and part of the Walton-Penner ownership group that purchased the team in 2022.

Damani Leech

President of the Denver Broncos.

Alan Salazar

CEO of Denver Water, the public utility that owns facilities that would be displaced by the Broncos' stadium project.

Jeff Hollingshead

CEO of SRM Concrete, which operates a plant located on the proposed Broncos stadium site.

Matt Sugar

Representative of the Metropolitan Football Stadium District, which oversees the Broncos' current stadium lease.

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What they’re saying

“It's an ambitious timeline that we have. And we won't be able to accomplish our goals in terms of timing and getting in there just by ourselves. So it's not just something the Broncos are driving. We've got to have a lot of support from partners and others that are involved with the site.”

— Greg Penner, Owner, Denver Broncos

“We've had conversations with city council representatives and neighborhood representatives, as well. And so, while we don't have a specific timeline, we certainly expect it to be shorter than that.”

— Damani Leech, President, Denver Broncos

“Denver Water is going to be an important part of the process, obviously. It's a utility that provides a tremendous asset to the community, and we need to make sure that, as we move forward, their service isn't interrupted in any way. And we're cognizant of that.”

— Greg Penner, Owner, Denver Broncos

“We're not going to be the reason why the stadium's not getting built.”

— Jeff Hollingshead, CEO, SRM Concrete

What’s next

The Broncos and Colorado Department of Transportation are set to finalize the $45.8 million sale of the Burnham Yard site on May 15, 2026. After that, the team will need to complete negotiations on a community benefits agreement with the La Alma Lincoln Park neighborhood and reach a deal with Denver Water over the utility's displaced facilities.

The takeaway

The Broncos' ambitious timeline for a new stadium at the Burnham Yard site faces several key hurdles, including securing community support and finalizing deals with key stakeholders like Denver Water. Penner's comments signal the team is turning up the pressure, but achieving their 2031 target will require significant coordination and compromise with various public and private partners.