Julesburg Drive-In

The Julesburg Drive-In, unrelated to the town’s previous drive-in, was scheduled to open on September 16, 1970. It had been built by Mike Middleton and his wife, per an article in the Julesburg Advocate. It said he had “operated outdoor movies in California and Idaho,” but was “working on a low budget”.

The opening program was to be “Three Across the River” and “Sweet Charity,” but it may not have occurred that day. A local historian remembered going with her family to the new drive-in, but “I know we were disappointed because the movie didn’t work!” An article in the September 30 Advocate said most of the projector problems had been solved.

Middleton had said that his drive-in would operate year round, but the last advertisement in the Advocate was October 28, 1970, including shows through November 15. The location, on modern-day County Road 28, was “1¼ miles west of Julesburg I-80 interchange” by the Italian Caves, or “6½ miles east of Ovid.”

On April 12, 1971, Boxoffice ran a list of every theatre that opened in 1970. It included the Julesburg, owner Mike Middleton, capacity 320 cars.

Recent comments (view all 1 comments)

Kenmore on April 21, 2024 at 2:12 am

Found it.

The closest address I could get was 20065 Co Rd 28, Julesburg, CO 80737

This puts it across the street to the south. It fits the description of being just over a mile west of the I-80 interchange and next to the Italian Caves.

Today, all that remains is the ramps and foundation of the drive-in.

https://tinyurl.com/basxwbzr