Opened in the spring of 1942, the El Paso County Coliseum at 4100 East Paisano Street, is a local landmark that has hosted everything from rodeos and music concerts to dog shows and political rallies.
In recent years, county officials have talked about either replacing the 6,500-seat stadium, which was built at a cost of $321,00 and advertised as being the largest such facility of its kind in the West, or simply expanding it.
A Request for Proposals was earlier released by the county asking for consultants to put together a feasibility study looking into the future of the facility.
Consultants for the study will also be tasked with looking into a separate project that would see the construction of a new amphitheater.
The dimensions of the possible amphitheater have also not been detailed, although, according to the released RFP, the study “should result in recommendations for the county as to the appropriate size and scale of any event facility that maintains regional competitiveness and the needs of the community.”
While it is also not yet known when the feasibility study will begin, it is thought that it should take up to 18 months to complete, after which the county may decide to expand the existing coliseum, build a new amphitheater, or do nothing at all.
By Garry Boulard
