ALAMOSA — Several years ago, Colorado U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper was visiting the San Luis Valley on a listening tour, meeting with constituents, learning about projects and needs. One of his stops was at Adams State University where a member of the group of locals touring the campus with him asked how the visit was going.

Hickenlooper broke into his signature wide grin. “Great!” He was then prompted to say where he and his staff had spent the night. The grin widened. “At the Frontier Drive-Inn. It was wonderful!”

Those in the room responded with a warm, appreciative laugh.

Although the first drive-in theaters were built in the early 1930s, “drive-ins” were at their zenith during the 1950s, 1960s and, most notably, the 1970s. Families (kids often in pajamas) would load into the car on a Friday or Saturday night and, with scratchy speakers hanging from the rolled down car windows and the car smelling like popcorn or corn dogs,  they spent the next hours watching a double feature lined up of new release films.

The famous Frontier Drive-In was no exception. Originally opened on May 14, 1955 with a showing of Edmond O'Brien in “Warpath”, it was operated by Herbert Gumper and, with a capacity for 320 cars,  was a popular place for the next 30 years. It closed around 1985.

And it is now being honored by Colorado Preservation, Inc. with the highly prestigious Preservation Edge Award, created in homage to Dana Crawford. Described in her bio as “an American architectural conservation developer and preservationist working in Denver, Crawford was involved in almost every renovation project in downtown Denver, from the initial designation of the LoDo District and creation of Larimer Square to the Union Station. She was recognized by her alma mater, Radcliffe College, for the Larimer Square project, was inducted into the  Colorado Women's Hall of Fame, and, in 2013, the hotel at the restoration project of Union Station was renamed as the Crawford Hotel in honor of her contributions to preserve the history of Denver.

What follows is the statement by Colorado Preservation, Inc., directly addressing those individuals who have had an extraordinary impact on the theater by resurrecting it in the most innovative of ways.

“Originally opened in 1955 and closed in the 1980s, the Frontier Drive-Inn was once a vibrant cultural gathering place in the San Luis Valley. After many years of being vacant, your team brought new life to the site by honoring its historic roots while creating a renewed sense of purpose. Your innovative approach has not only safeguarded a beloved roadside landmark but has also redefined its role as a contemporary destination.

"Through a thoughtful balance of history, design, and vision, this project contributes meaningfully to the cultural identity and economic vitality of the San Luis Valley. Today, it is no longer just a drive-in with restored neon signage and screen, the venue now offers unexpected lodging options, a communal chef’s kitchen in what was once the snack bar, and innovative 3D-printed adobe 'Skylos' structures for stargazing. The Frontier Drive-Inn embodies the very essence of the Preservation Edge Award: honoring historic integrity while embracing creative adaptation.”

(CPI) 2026 Dana Crawford  Awards will be held Thursday, May 14, 2026 in the Denver Art Museum’s Sturm Grand Pavilion.

Tickets are on sale now at 42nd Anniversary Gala Dana Crawford Awards Dinner | Bolder Events 2026 DCA - Colorado Preservation, Inc.