Step back in time… under the stars.
The Star Drive-In Theatre in Montrose, Colorado, hasn’t changed much since it opened in 1950 — and that’s exactly why locals and visitors can’t get enough. Cars line up, headlights dim, and a giant screen flickers to life, spilling light across the night sky.
Popcorn pops, soda fizzes, and kids press their faces against car windows, mesmerized by the magic of cinema as it used to be. Double features, classic speakers, and the scent of summer fill the air.
This isn’t just a movie night. It’s laughter echoing across the lot, old friends reconnecting, families making memories, and strangers sharing smiles over a shared love for film. At the Star, nostalgia feels alive — and unforgettable.
The sun sets. The projector hums. And suddenly, the past feels present.
Historic Beginnings: Opened in 1950
On April 19, 1950, a field on the edge of Montrose, Colorado transformed into something truly special. George and Elizabeth DeVries opened the Star Drive-In Theatre that evening, showing their very first film — The Younger Brothers — to a crowd of excited locals hungry for an affordable and fun night out.
Admission was cheap, the atmosphere was electric, and families packed their cars to catch the show.
Back then, drive-ins were a booming part of American entertainment. Hundreds were popping up across the country, offering a new and exciting way to enjoy movies without the formality of a traditional indoor theatre.
The Star quickly became a beloved fixture in the Montrose community, drawing crowds season after season.
More than 70 years later, that founding spirit still lives on. The original vision of bringing people together for a shared outdoor cinema experience has never wavered.
Few businesses anywhere can claim such a long, unbroken run — and the Star wears that history with quiet, well-earned pride. Starting on a simple patch of Colorado earth, it grew into a true local landmark.
Family Ownership and a Living Legacy
Not many businesses survive under the same family’s care for over seven decades, but the Star Drive-In is one of them. Since opening day in 1950, the theatre has never left the hands of the DeVries family — a fact that makes it genuinely rare in the entertainment world.
Most drive-ins that did survive changed ownership multiple times, losing their original character along the way.
Today, Pamela DeVries Friend runs the theatre. She didn’t just inherit the business — she literally grew up inside it.
As a child, she spent time in the projection room, watching her parents manage the operation with care and dedication. That upbringing gave her a deep personal connection to every part of the Star’s story.
Running a seasonal small business in a rural Colorado town isn’t easy, but Pamela has kept the spirit alive with real commitment. Her hands-on approach means every detail, from the programming to the concessions, reflects genuine love for the place.
Visitors often say there is a warmth to the Star that you can feel the moment you pull through the gates — and that warmth comes directly from the family behind it.
Old Meets New: The Classic Drive-In Experience
Picture this: the sun dips behind the San Juan Mountains, the sky turns shades of orange and purple, and dozens of cars pull into their spots facing a massive white screen. That is how every evening begins at the Star Drive-In, and it has felt this way for generations.
There is a ritual to it — a slow, easy buildup that modern streaming simply cannot replicate.
The theatre has embraced some modern upgrades without losing its soul. Digital projection now delivers crisp, clear images, but the old-school charm remains fully intact.
Guests can tune into the film’s audio through their car’s FM radio, or hook up a classic window-mounted speaker for that truly retro feel. Either way, you are watching a movie in a way that feels both timeless and personal.
Double features are still the standard programming format here, meaning you get two full films for one ticket price. That alone feels like a throwback to a more generous era of entertainment.
Whether you recline your seat, sprawl on a blanket in the truck bed, or let the kids roll around in the back seat, the Star invites you to watch movies entirely on your own terms.
A Community Hub That Spans Generations
Ask almost any longtime Montrose resident about the Star Drive-In and watch their face light up. For many people in this part of Colorado, the theatre isn’t just a place to see movies — it is a living piece of their personal history.
Parents who came here as kids now arrive with their own children in tow, creating a chain of shared memories that stretches across decades.
There is something uniquely powerful about a place that connects generations like that. A grandmother might remember her first date here in the 1960s.
Her son might remember sneaking extra snacks in as a teenager. Her granddaughter might be experiencing her very first movie under the stars tonight.
All three generations, sharing the same magical space.
The Star functions as a community gathering point in a way that modern multiplexes rarely manage. People chat between cars, kids run around during intermission, and neighbors catch up while waiting for the second feature to start.
That relaxed, neighborly energy is part of what keeps people coming back year after year. In a world that often feels rushed and disconnected, the Star offers something genuinely refreshing — a place to simply be together.
Weathering the Storms: Surviving Decades of Challenges
Staying open for more than 70 years means facing a lot of storms — some literal, some figurative. In the 1970s, a tornado tore through the Montrose area and caused significant damage to the property.
Many businesses would have folded after a hit like that, but the DeVries family repaired and rebuilt, determined to keep the Star running.
The broader entertainment industry brought its own set of challenges. The rise of home video in the 1980s, the explosion of cable television, and eventually streaming services all chipped away at drive-in audiences nationwide.
Hundreds of theatres across the country shut their screens permanently during those turbulent decades. The Star somehow held on through every wave of change.
Perhaps the most recent major hurdle was the costly switch from traditional film projection to digital. Modern film distributors began requiring digital formats, which meant expensive new equipment that small independent theatres struggled to afford.
For the Star, community support played a huge role in making that transition possible. Local residents rallied around the theatre they loved, helping ensure the screen would keep glowing for years to come.
That kind of loyalty says everything about what the Star means to Montrose.
Programming and Movie Format: Double the Fun
One ticket, two movies — that has always been the Star Drive-In’s winning formula. Double features are a hallmark of the classic drive-in experience, and the Star has never abandoned that tradition.
You show up, get settled, and enjoy an entire evening of entertainment without ever leaving your car or paying for a second ticket. For families on a budget, that kind of value is hard to beat.
The theatre typically runs its season from around April through September, operating on weekends and some weeknights depending on the schedule. Shows begin at dusk, which means start times shift with the seasons — earlier in fall, later during the long summer evenings.
Gates usually open about 45 minutes before showtime, giving guests plenty of time to grab snacks and find a good spot.
Programming leans toward family-friendly fare, mixing new Hollywood releases with crowd-pleasing favorites. The selection is thoughtfully curated to appeal to a wide audience — from young children seeing their first big-screen film to adults looking for a fun, relaxed night out.
Checking the Star’s official website or social media before visiting is always a smart move, since showtimes and film selections update regularly throughout the season.
Visitor Info: Tickets, Hours, and What to Expect
Planning your visit to the Star Drive-In is part of the fun. The theatre is located at 600 Miami Road in Montrose, Colorado 81401 — easy to find and well-marked.
Gates typically open around 45 minutes before dusk, giving you time to grab a good parking spot and load up on snacks before the first feature begins at sunset.
Ticket prices are refreshingly affordable. Adults pay approximately $9, seniors around $7, and children 11 and under get in free.
Tuesday nights often feature discounted admission, making it an especially wallet-friendly outing for families. For audio, you can tune your car radio to the designated FM frequency or use one of the classic window speakers for that authentic retro experience.
The concession stand serves up all the classics — popcorn, hot dogs, burgers, nachos, and cold drinks. Portions are generous and prices are reasonable.
One very important detail to remember: the Star operates primarily on a cash-only basis, so stop at an ATM before you arrive. Nothing is worse than getting to the window and realizing you only have a credit card.
Bring small bills, settle in, and enjoy one of Colorado’s most unique entertainment experiences.
Nostalgia and Americana: Why Drive-Ins Still Matter
At their peak in the late 1950s and early 1960s, there were more than 4,000 drive-in theatres operating across the United States. Today, fewer than 300 remain.
That dramatic decline makes every surviving drive-in something worth celebrating — a living artifact from a golden age of American leisure culture.
Drive-ins represented a uniquely democratic form of entertainment. They were affordable, accessible, and welcoming to everyone.
Families who couldn’t afford babysitters brought their kids along. Teenagers found a rare space for independence and social connection.
Working-class communities had a place to unwind without spending a lot of money. The drive-in was, in many ways, the great equalizer of mid-century American fun.
The Star Drive-In carries all of that cultural weight while staying firmly rooted in the present. Visiting it isn’t just about watching a movie — it is about touching something real from the past and understanding why it mattered.
In an era of on-demand everything, choosing to drive out to a field in Montrose, park your car, and watch a film under the Colorado sky feels almost like a quiet act of rebellion. And honestly, it feels wonderful.
Planning Your Trip: Tips for the Perfect Star Drive-In Visit
Getting the most out of your Star Drive-In experience takes just a little bit of preparation. First, check the schedule online before heading out — films and showtimes are updated regularly, and knowing what is playing helps you plan your evening.
Arrive early, especially on weekends or during special events, since the best parking spots fill up fast and the lot can get surprisingly busy.
Bring cash, full stop. The Star operates primarily as a cash-only venue, so hitting an ATM beforehand saves you a stressful scramble at the gate.
Pack a few extra layers too — Colorado evenings cool down quickly after sunset, even in summer, and staying comfortable means you can enjoy both features without rushing home early.
A few small extras can elevate the whole experience significantly. Bring a blanket or two, some extra pillows, and maybe a portable battery-powered fan for the warmer nights.
If you have a truck, the bed with a mattress or sleeping bag is arguably the best seat in the house. Bug spray is a quiet hero on calm summer nights.
Mostly though, leave your phone in your pocket, let the screen fill your windshield, and just enjoy the ride. The Star does the rest.