The Union Colony Civic Center provides Northern Colorado and the surrounding areas with a variety of the best local, regional and national entertainment.
From Broadway musicals, to comedy, concerts, dance, plays and more, there's always something exciting coming to entertain you!
Monfort Concert Hall 1665 seats
Hensel Phelps Theater 222 seats
The Tointon Gallery for the Visual Arts presents many diverse shows throughout the year and is available to view while attending a show at the UCCC. It is located on the first floor lobby.
Rental space is available for events ranging from local theatre to banquets and weddings. See our facility rental page for more information.
UCCC History
In 2008 the Union Colony Civic Center in Historic Downtown Greeley celebrates its 20th Anniversary. Its success started with fundraising that began in 1967 and became a reality with the ground breaking in 1986.
This extraordinary undertaking wouldn’t have taken place if it wasn’t for $5,000,000 in individual and business donations. A donor wall in the lobby of the Center by the south entrance stands as a tribute to some of Greeley’s cultural pioneers.
In 1988 the ribbon was cut and the task of the Union Colony Civic Center’s first staff was ahead of them as they prepared to provide a cross section of cultural experiences that continues today. The first staff members of the Center were Rhonda Welch (Volunteer Coordinator), David Zupancic (Program Coordinator), Pam Parish (Scheduling Coordinator), Robin Howland (Ticket Office Coordinator), Gene Haffner (Facility Manager), Bryan Vandriel (Technical Coordinator) and Jill Rosentrater (Director of Cultural Affairs).
This first season consisted of a variety of local and national performances including the Greeley Civic Theater, The Greeley Chorale, Louise Mandrell, Encore Theatre Company, U.S. Air Force Academy Band, the national Broadway tour of “42nd Street,” Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra, UNC Jazz Lab Band, Ballet Gran Folklorico de Mexico, Denver Symphony Orchestra, School District 6 Concert, the Vienna Choir Boys and a nationally released film called “The Fly.”
Over the years, changes have been made to the building, the advisory board, the staff and the community. There have been thousands of performances, tens of thousands of performers and hundreds of thousands of audience members. The overall mission, “to cultivate, educate and entertain audiences of all ages and backgrounds through a wide range of visual and performing arts programs, events and activities,” has never changed and will continue this season with a kick-off which includes some of the same groups that were part of the inaugural year.
In addition to the Union Colony Civic Center regular line-up of shows, UNC will continue its relationship with the UCCC as they kick off their series UNC@UCCC September 24 with the University Symphony Orchestra concert. The Greeley Chorale will showcase a concert, “Sing and Celebrate,” September 25, and the Greeley Philharmonic, in its 98th season, will continue to perform on the Monfort Stage on September 27.
The Union Colony Civic Center will continue to provide some of the best professional cultural experiences in Greeley and Northern Colorado. Anyone who would like to become a donor through either the UCCC’s Center Celebrities program or Endowment Fund should call 970-350-9455.
Experience one of Greeley’s cultural milestones and see what the Center has to offer by calling the Ticket Office at 970-356-5000 or go online to ucstars.com to buy tickets today. The Ticket office is open 10 am to 5:30 pm Monday through Friday and noon – 4 pm on Saturdays.
UCCC Timeline
1967 Greeley banker Larry Scott and Greeley architect Neil Carpenter consulted a Pittsburg firm to do a feasibility study for a place for symphonies, musicals, drama, concerts, dance, conferences, meetings and celebrations. A major donor was identified. Frank Weller of Weller Lumber agreed to initiate a fundraising drive with a gift of $250,000, but died before arrangements were complete. Thus, the project died with him.
1975 Citizens for Recreation formed to gather public support. The Cultural Center idea was part of a proposal to build a mammoth community activity center that would include a 1500 seat auditorium, gyms, swimming pool, an ice rink, senior recreation facilities, youth facilities, meeting rooms, handball courts, a rifle range, saunas, offices, an art gallery and arts and crafts rooms. It was placed before the voters, but the proposal was defeated.
1979 The proposal for a cultural center was again placed before the public. The plan called for two facilities, one, termed a community center, would house public meeting rooms with kitchen facilities, dance studios, arts and crafts rooms, an art gallery and a historical museum. The second would be a concert hall. Supporters conducted their campaign as a highly organized task force. Arguments were based on a community needs assessment study. The State of Colorado had donated University of Northern Colorado land. A speakers bureau made presentations and participated in debates all over town.
Opposition to the community center and concert hall came from members of the community that feared the city could not afford to undertake the projects from people who either did not see the economic potential or who were simply anti-growth. Some voters also had reservations about the concert hall site, which was close to the University and expressed fears about the hall’s inaccessibility to the community. The issue was further complicated by a proposed one cent sales tax increase to support the construction.
Proposals for a recreation center and a senior activity center were also included on the 1979 ballot. Both facilities were approved by Greeley voters despite the defeat of proposed increase in sales tax to fund the projects. Both the community center and the concert hall were also defeated.
1982 Work on the design for UCCC began when Bob Shreve and ARIX were chosen to design the Recreation Center. The Civic Center and the Rec Center were conceptually designed together to maximize shared facilities.
1984 Northern Colorado Foundation formed. The Community Foundation of Northern Colorado is a nonprofit, public charity that promotes local philanthropy, convenes community initiatives, and supports nonprofit organizations.
1985 The Foundation kicked off a community fund drive. On the November ballot that year, Greeley voters were asked to give final approval to build a civic auditorium. This time the issue passed. Questions were raised about the cost of the building and operation and maintenance costs. Hensel Phelps guaranteed a construction price of $9.2 million and pledged to donate all construction management fees.
1986 A special election gave final approval for the project. In August ground was broken for the Union Colony Civic Center. The Northern Colorado Foundation turned to Greeley’s school children to name the center. A contest was held and the winner, “Union Colony Civic Center” was submitted by Jenny Kreitler, a 5th grader from Shawsheen Elementary.
1988 On September 25 there was a ribbon cutting and dedication and performances began.
20 Year Volunteers
Mary Fagerberg
Lavergne Reale
Rhonda Welch (first Volunteer Coordinator)
Barbara Swetzig
Shirley Forbes
Naomi Johnson
1988 Staff
Rhonda Welch (Volunteer Coordinator)
David Zupancic (Program Coordinator)
Pam Parish (Scheduling Coordinator)
Robin Howland (Ticket Office Coordinator)
Gene Haffner (Facility Manager)
Jill Rosentrater (Director of Cultural Affairs)
Brian Vandriel (Technical Director)
UNION COLONY CIVIC CENTER FUN FACTS
The building contains:
247,000 bricks ~ 86,320 feet of electrical conduit (163 miles)
75,000 concrete blocks ~ 4,573,300 feet of electrical wire (866 miles)
7,500 sheets of drywall ~ 45,500 feet of aircraft cable in the stage fly system
3,800 square feet of glass ~ The orchestra shell weighs 18,000 pounds
925 lighting fixtures ~ 100,000 pounds of ductwork
15,000 feet of fire protection pipe ~ 1,300,000 pounds of structural steel
4,000 cubic yards of cement
Builders
Hensel Phelps Construction Company, Sentry Construction Corporation, M & E Prehung Door and Millwork Company, Inc., ARIX Corporation, Décor, Ltd., Smith Sign Studio, Commercial Design, Inc.
Harris Builders Supply, Inc., Harding Glass Industries, Collier Electric Company,
Wall Technology, Inc. Reilly Acoustics, Roche Constructors, Inc., David L. Adams Associates, Inc.,
A.E. Associates, Inc., Earl F. Douglass Roofing Company