Lowry Celebrates 25th Anniversary of Base Closure and the Birth of a Neighborhood

The base closure paved the way for a new neighborhood in Lowry, expanding Denver’s residential area by over 2,000 acres

ColoradoBiz Staff //August 23, 2019//

Lowry Celebrates 25th Anniversary of Base Closure and the Birth of a Neighborhood

The base closure paved the way for a new neighborhood in Lowry, expanding Denver’s residential area by over 2,000 acres

ColoradoBiz Staff //August 23, 2019//

The Lowry Foundation – along with the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum and the Lowry Community Master Association – will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Lowry Air Force Base closure and celebrate the birth of the Lowry neighborhood with a weekend-long celebration in October. The silver anniversary celebration, which will take place from October 4 to 6, will give service men and women from across the country a chance to revisit their time at the base while allowing residents to celebrate all that their neighborhood has become.

After 57 years, the Lowry Air Force Base closed its doors in September 1994, as part of a 127-base closure during the Clinton administration.

“Lowry Air Force Base trained over a million military service members and was the home of the original Air Force Academy for over three years before moving to Colorado Springs,” says John Barry, Major General, USAF (Ret), president and CEO of Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum. “Those soldiers went on to serve our country in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the Cold War.”

The base closure paved the way for a new neighborhood in Lowry, expanding Denver’s residential area by over 2,000 acres.

“The redevelopment of the base turned Lowry into one of Denver’s most beloved neighborhoods,” says Jeane Larkins, executive director of the Lowry Foundation, noting that the community kept the two hangars, the Eisenhower Chapel and many original base buildings. “Of the bases that closed in the mid-nineties, Lowry has served as a shining example of how to best re-purpose land and preserve history.”

The Silver Anniversary Celebration weekend will feature the following events:

  • Lowry Beer Garden Happy Hour, Friday, Oct 4, time TBD
  • Family-friendly fun at Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum from 10 AM-2 PM
  • Historic walking and driving tours, departing from the Wing Over the Rockies on Sat. from 10:30 am-1:30 pm
  • “The 25th Silver Anniversary Celebration,” at Wings Over The Rockies Air & Space Museum from 5:30 PM-10 PM.
  • Lowry Tour of Homes, Past & Present on Sunday, time TBD

The weekend’s premier event, “The 25th Silver Anniversary Celebration” will feature live music from headliner Chris Daniels and the Kings, A Capella group The Beverly Bells, Frank Sinatra impersonator Derek Evilsizor and The Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra. Lowry’s finest restaurants, including the Officer’s Club, Lowry Beer Garden and North County will serve small bites.

A short program hosted by Rick Crandall, local radio personality and a longtime champion of veterans, will feature a full color guard ceremony and recognition of Lowry Alumni and other veterans. Tickets for the evening event, which are $35 and $25 for veterans, includes admissions and food. All proceeds from the event benefit The Lowry Foundation.

About The Lowry Foundation 

Established in 1998, the mission of The Lowry Foundation is to preserve the legacy and strengthen the community of Lowry. The organization plays a key role in preserving and maintaining public art and the historic Eisenhower Chapel, alongside the creation and support of other community events.

About Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum

Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum is Colorado’s Official Air & Space Museum. Founded in 1994 and housed at the former Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Wings is dedicated to educating and inspiring all people about aviation and space endeavors of the past, present and future.

About The Lowry Community Master Association

The Lowry Community Master Association (LCMA) is a unique association representing all residential and commercial owners within the community. In keeping with its designation as a landmark urban community, the mission of the LCMA is to enhance and preserve the value of property in Lowry by administering the Master Declaration of Covenants, protecting financial assets, maintaining common elements, and working to promote quality of life for those who live, work and play in the community.