LOCATION & DIRECTIONS
The Historic Rialto Theater is located in the heart of Old Town in Loveland, Colorado. See Rialto Website.
Coming from the North or South on Interstate 25, take the Exit 257 off-ramp to proceed West on U.S. 34 (Eisenhower Blvd) for approximately 5 miles to Cleveland Avenue (U.S. 287 South Bound). Turn South on Cleveland Avenue and proceed to Fourth Street. Turn left on Fourth Street and find a parking space --- the Historic Rialto Theater is on the South side of Fourth Street at number 228, between Cleveland and Lincoln Avenues.
Coming from the North or South on U.S. 287, just proceed to Fourth Street, park, and take an enjoyable and scenic walk to the theater at 228 E. Fourth St.
Coming to Loveland from the East or West on U.S. 34, turn South on Cleveland Avenue and proceed to Fourth Street. >> see map.
ABOUT THE RIALTO THEATER
The Rialto Theater’s history begins in 1919, when Loveland contractor, A. Danielson, began construction on the new $100,000 theater to be located on downtown Loveland’s main street. Noted Colorado architect, Robert K. Fuller, had been hired by local bank president, William C. Vorreiter to design the theater.
When it opened in May 1920, the Loveland Daily Herald newspaper hailed the Rialto as, “the finest theater north of Denver.” The art nouveau style theater had 1,040 wooden seats, a balcony, dressing rooms and an orchestra pit. Built primarily to show silent films, the Rialto also hosted traveling vaudeville shows, local talent contests and graduations. In 1928, a Wurlitzer theater organ was installed in the Rialto to provide music and sound effects for movies.
In 1935 the Rialto was purchased by the Gibraltar Theater Group who remodeled the theater and put one of their most energetic and talented managers, Ted Thompson and his wife Mabel, in charge. The Rialto thrived under their management and enjoyed full houses during Hollywood’s golden era. The Thompson’s left the theater in 1947, but remained in Loveland and were instrumental in founding the city’s valentine re-mailing program.
The Rialto changed ownership several times between 1947 and 1977, when it was converted into a “mini-mall” of retail shops and offices. All traces of the theater’s earlier glory disappeared under cardboard and paneling. After years of being marginally successful, the mini-mall closed and the Rialto was left essentially vacant.
In 1987, the Loveland Downtown Development Authority, under the direction of Felicia Harmon, identified the old Rialto Theater as a cornerstone project to help revitalize the historic downtown area. Plans were drawn up to restore the theater to its 1920 grandeur. A non-profit organization, the Friends of the Rialto was formed to oversee the restoration project. In 1988, the Rialto was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
After many years of fundraising and thousands of hours of volunteer labor, the beautifully restored Rialto Theater reopened as a community performing arts center in February, 1996. The DDA turned over operation of the theater to the City of Loveland in May, 1998. Today the historic Rialto Theater is a thriving, 446 seat performing arts center in downtown Loveland. Equipped with modern sound, lighting and ticketing equipment, the Rialto hosts everything from nationally touring performers to up-and-coming local bands, and children’s theater to classic, independent and silent films. Loveland’s theater and choral groups present their seasons here and businesses hold seminars and training meetings in the theater.