CECFA Breaks Ground on the Stanley Event Center, part of a $200 Million Cultural and Hospitality Destination Tourism Project in Estes Park, Colorado

A first-of-its-kind partnership connects CECFA, The Stanley Partnership, Sage Hospitality, and Blumhouse to merge hospitality, historic preservation, film, and immersive storytelling.

Renderings available here

Estes Park, Colo. – (September 25, 2025) – The Colorado Educational and Cultural Facilities Authority (CECFA) and its subsidiary the Stanley Partnership for Art Culture and Education, LLC (the Stanley Partnership) today announced the groundbreaking of the Stanley Event Center, a $60 million arts and culture destination that is the first phase of a three year project to preserve, expand, and improve the historic Stanley Hotel campus into a year-round hub for film, art, and community. Scheduled to open in late 2028, the Stanley Event Center marks a major milestone in the evolution of one of Colorado’s most iconic landmarks.

Since first opening its doors in 1909, the Stanley Hotel has stood as a symbol of Colorado’s pioneering spirit, hosting presidents, performers, and travelers from around the world. Famously, it also inspired Stephen King’s The Shining, cementing its place in global pop culture. Its role as a cultural touchstone has endured for more than a century, and this next chapter ensures that legacy will continue.

The new 70,000-square-foot Stanley Event Center and Blumhouse Space will feature a world-class 1,000-seat theater designed to host film premieres, concerts, and community events. The event center will serve as a cultural anchor with immersive exhibits, rotating festivals, and creative programming.  At its heart will be the Blumhouse Space, an innovative horror film museum space curated by Blumhouse, showcasing artifacts, interactive storytelling, and behind-the-scenes curiosities from some of the most influential films in the genre. Together, these elements will establish the Stanley Film Center as a destination that celebrates film, art, and culture on a year-round basis.

Later this year, construction will begin to add 64 new luxury rooms and suites that expand the hotel’s capacity while offering elevated accommodations. The project will also add a dramatic new lobby and port cochere that will greatly enhance the guest arrival experience. The Stanley Hotel will remain open throughout construction, welcoming guests to enjoy its historic charm and modern amenities without interruption.

Morris Price, CECFA Chair, explained CECFA’s role in and benefits from this project: “As a public entity, CECFA’s ownership of the Stanley Hotel will guarantee preservation and public ownership of this Colorado treasure. Just as importantly, CECFA’s participation will generate many tens of millions of dollars that CECFA and the Stanley Partnership can direct towards Colorado’s cultural and educational sectors.”

Mark Heller, Executive Director of CECFA, added: “The $400 million in mostly private investment to purchase this property and fund these improvements will catalyze a new arts-centric evolution of one of Colorado’s most storied properties.”

The Stanley Film Center is also funded by a $46 million Colorado State Regional Tourism Act award and a $1 million grant from the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) based on the anticipated new economic activity that this project will bring to the region and state.

“Colorado’s artistic culture, strong workforce, rich history, and breathtaking landscapes are skyrocketing us to the best state to work in the film industry. We are proud of our booming film industry and the incredible art it creates. That’s why the state has doubled down on our investment into this important sector. This new space will continue to drive horror film buffs from across the world to the Stanley Hotel and Estes Park, supporting our growing film workforce and economy,” said Governor Jared Polis.

“The groundbreaking of the Stanley Film Center signals a bright future for the Stanley Hotel,” said Walter Isenberg, CEO of Sage Hospitality Group. “From FO Stanley’s original vision in 1904 to this new chapter, the property continues to evolve as a world-class destination rooted in hospitality, culture, and creativity. Guests will discover an experience that blends the hotel’s historic character with new opportunities to connect through film, art, and unforgettable programming.”

Jason Blum, Founder and CEO of Blumhouse, added: “I started Blumhouse 15 years ago because I love to build. And I’ve been thinking a lot about how we will build out this Blumhouse exhibit space. Horror fans are the best fans in the world, and they deserve a world-class, must-visit destination. And horror itself deserves a rightful place at the center of culture. We plan to celebrate the art and icons of horror, including key filmmakers, stars and the amazing cinematic villains who’ve terrified us over the years. And there’s no better place to do it than the iconic Stanley Hotel.”

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About Blumhouse

Founded by CEO Jason Blum, Blumhouse is the home of horror across film, television and gaming. Following its 2024 merger with James Wan’s Atomic Monster, the company is responsible for nearly $10 Billion in worldwide box office and has represented nearly 50% of the horror market in the last 10 years. The companies have produced nearly 250 movies and series, including Halloween, The Purge, The Black Phone, Annabelle, Paranormal Activity, The Exorcist, Insidious, M3GAN, Five Nights at Freddy’s and the most successful horror franchise in history with the Conjuring Universe. In TV, Blumhouse produces scripted and unscripted series, including Prime Video’s The Bondsman and Scarpetta, The Rainmaker for USA and Worst Roommate Ever and Worst Ex Ever for Netflix. Its games division includes titles Fear the Spotlight, Eyes of Hellfire and Sleep Awake. The company also recently acquired prospective rights to the Saw franchise. Blumhouse also invests in immersive real-world and virtual experiences including The Van newsletter, consumer products at Blumhouse Shop, its consistent presence at Universal Studios’ annual Halloween Horror Nights, its annual Halfway to Halloween Film Festival, BlumFest, the Blumhouse HorrorVerse in Meta Horizon on Meta Quest, and an exhibit space at the iconic Stanley Hotel from The Shining. Fast Company named Blumhouse as one of its Most Innovative Companies and one of its Brands That Matter. For more information, visit Blumhouse.com.

About CECFA and The Stanley Partnership

CECFA serves educational and cultural nonprofits in Colorado and throughout the United States. Private and public entities are eligible to borrow through CECFA. Financings range in size from under $1 million to several hundred million dollars. Transactions can be structured with fixed or variable rates of interest, and non-rated bonds are permitted with certain restrictions. The Stanley Partnership for Art Culture and Education, LLC is a wholly controlled subsidiary of CECFA and was formed to own and manage the Stanley Hotel on behalf of CECFA.  For more information about CECFA or SPACE, please visit www.cecfa.org or email mheller@cecfa.org.

About Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade

The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) works with partners to create a positive business climate that encourages dynamic economic development and sustainable job growth. Under the leadership of Governor Jared Polis, we strive to advance the State’s economy through financial and technical assistance that fosters local and regional economic development activities throughout Colorado. OEDIT offers a host of programs and services tailored to support business development at every level including business retention services, business relocation services, and business funding and incentives. Our office includes the Global Business Development division; Colorado Tourism Office; Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office; Colorado Creative Industries; Business Financing & Incentives division; the Colorado Small Business Development Network; Cannabis Business Office; Colorado Office of Film, TV & Media; the Minority Business Office; Employee Ownership Office; and Rural Opportunity Office. Learn more at oedit.colorado.gov.

About Sage Hospitality Group

Sage Hospitality Group is a purpose-led and award-winning hospitality development, investment and management company based in Denver, Colo. Sage’s four companies – Sage Hotel Management, Sage Restaurant Concepts, Sage Studio, and Sage Investments – work together to deliver on the promise of artful hospitality, setting a new standard for guest experiences by creating places that people want to go to, not through. Now in its 41st year in business, Sage Hospitality Group leverages deep experience and expertise in the development and operation of its diverse portfolio of lifestyle hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues across the United States and remains deeply committed to its purpose of enriching lives, one experience at a time. For more information on Sage Hospitality Group, visit www.sagehospitalitygroup.com.