Entry No. 84 — the Colorado Springs file — filed under: after-dark
Mesa Drive-In Theatre
The Mesa is a two-screen drive-in with digital projection, celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2026, making it one of the oldest continuously operating drive-ins in the region. It is the closest traditional drive-in to Colorado Springs, about 40 miles south in Pueblo, and shows films after dark across both screens.
The story
If you live in Colorado Springs and want to watch a film outside without sitting on a lawn blanket in a public park, you drive south. Forty miles down Interstate 25 into Pueblo sits the Mesa Drive-In, a two-screen local anchor that has operated continuously since 1951. While the vast majority of mid-century drive-ins across North America were demolished for strip malls, the Mesa quietly survived, reaching its 75th anniversary in 2026 as a family-owned classic.
There are no gimmicks or faux-retro embellishments here. The projection upgraded to digital so you can actually see the picture clarity, but the fundamental format remains untouched: two towering screens sitting on the southwest edge of Pueblo, running first-run double features after the sun drops behind the Front Range.
What it's like
Drive down I-25 at dusk to grab a lane in front of your chosen screen. You will park, turn off your headlights, and dial your car radio to the designated FM channel to carry the movie audio directly through your vehicle's speakers. Make sure to check their online schedule before making the 40-mile trek down from the Springs—the theater operates on a seasonal summer schedule, and each screen runs its own distinct lineup.
The move: Drive down at dusk, tune the car radio to the movie audio, and split snacks under the stars at a 75-year-old drive-in.
📍 Before you go About 40 miles south in Pueblo. Seasonal hours; check the site for which screen plays what and showtimes before driving down.
- 📍 Pueblo
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: Pueblo, CO
Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- May Natural History Museum & Herkimer the Giant Beetle — Stop by Rock Creek Canyon on your way south to see a 16-foot giant beetle before continuing down to Pueblo for a night at the drive-in.
- Bishop Castle — Pair a daytime trip exploring a massive hand-built stone castle in Rye with an evening double feature under the stars in Pueblo.
- Art in Isolation — Fremont Center for the Arts — Combine an afternoon viewing art made inside Supermax in Cañon City with a late-night outdoor screening further east in Pueblo.
Good to know
How far is the Mesa Drive-In from Colorado Springs?
It is located about 40 miles south in Pueblo, making it roughly a 45-minute drive down I-25.
How do you hear the movie audio?
Audio is broadcast over local FM radio frequencies, so you tune in using your vehicle's stereo or a portable FM radio.
Is the Mesa open year-round?
No, it operates seasonally during the warmer months of the year. Always verify current showtimes and operating dates on their website before driving down.
How many screens does the theater have?
The Mesa features two distinct screens showing first-run movies.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · uncovercolorado.com · pueblostarjournal.org · kktv.com
last checked: 2026-06-23