Comanche Drive-In

The Comanche Drive-In is a family-owned drive-in movie theater located about three miles west of Buena Vista, Colorado, along Highway 306, at the head of the Arkansas Valley. Sitting at an elevation of roughly 8,000 feet and surrounded by mountain peaks, it is described by its operators as the highest-elevation drive-in theater in the United States. It was originally built in 1966 by John and Pearl Groy and welcomed its first full season of moviegoers in 1967. It has remained family-owned and operated since then. The Comanche is one of a small and shrinking group of surviving American drive-ins. Its own materials state that it stands as one of roughly 335 remaining drive-ins in the country and one of only eight still operating in Colorado. That scarcity, combined with its mountain setting, gives it a distinct identity among outdoor cinemas: it markets itself not only as a place to watch a movie but as an "unforgettable setting" known for its views. The theater shows a mix of top box office hits and classic films, with all screenings beginning at dusk. It operates seasonally, generally open all summer and sometimes longer; for the 2026 season it planned to open at the end of April and then run weekends only, with nightly showings Friday through Sunday. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Concessions are available, and the theater promotes its popcorn. Private event rentals are also offered. Technically, the Comanche has kept pace with the industry's transition away from film. In August 2018 it upgraded to a new digital projection system delivering 4K clarity. Sound is broadcast over FM radio, so patrons tune in through their car stereos or bring portable radios; the theater rents small radios for $5 (recommended for in-car use) and larger radios for $10. This combination of a nostalgic drive-in format with modern digital projection and radio audio is central to its offering. As a business, the Comanche is a small, privately held, family-run operation rather than a chain or franchise. Its ownership continuity across decades and its status as a rare surviving drive-in make it a local landmark in Chaffee County and a draw for visitors to the Arkansas Valley.

The Comanche Drive-In was originally built in 1966 by John and Pearl Groy, and it welcomed its first full season of moviegoers in 1967. From its opening it has remained proudly family-owned and operated, a continuity that distinguishes it from many drive-ins that changed hands or closed as the drive-in era waned. The theater is located just three miles west of Buena Vista, Colorado, along Highway 306, at the head of the Arkansas Valley and at an elevation of about 8,000 feet. Its mountain surroundings and high altitude became central to its identity; the theater holds the distinction, by its own account, of being the highest-elevation drive-in theater in the United States. Like the drive-in industry as a whole, the Comanche survived a long national decline in outdoor cinemas. By the 2010s it was part of a small remnant: its own materials describe it as one of roughly 335 remaining drive-ins in the country and one of only eight still operating in Colorado. That rarity has helped it attract both local audiences and visitors to the region. In August 2018 the theater upgraded to a new digital projection system delivering 4K clarity, replacing older projection technology and aligning the Comanche with the industry-wide shift from film to digital. Audio continued to be delivered via FM radio broadcast, allowing patrons to listen through car stereos or portable radios, which the theater rents. The Comanche operates seasonally, generally open all summer and sometimes longer. For the 2026 season it planned to open early, at the end of April, and to operate weekends only, with nightly showings Friday through Sunday; all movies begin at dusk. It shows a lineup of top box office hits and timeless classics, offers concessions (promoting its popcorn), and makes the venue available for private event rentals. As of its current operations it remains a family-run, privately held business and a local landmark in Chaffee County.

• 2026

  Planned early opening at the end of April, operating weekends only with nightly showings Friday through Sunday.

• 2018

  The theater upgrades to a new digital projection system delivering 4K clarity in August.

• 1967

  The theater welcomes its first full season of moviegoers.

• 1966

  The Comanche Drive-In is built by John and Pearl Groy.

A nostalgic, family-owned drive-in cinema offering a unique mountain setting and modern digital projection, positioned as the highest-elevation drive-in in the United States.

• Drive-in movie screenings (top box office hits and timeless classics)

• Concessions, including popcorn

• Portable radio rentals ($5 small, $10 large)

• Private event rentals

1. 1COMANCHE DRIVE IN THEATREcomanchedrivein.com
2. 2Comanche Drive-Inwikidata.org