Round-Up Drive-In
20881 US Highway 285,
La Jara,
CO
81140
20881 US Highway 285,
La Jara,
CO
81140
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The Round-Up Drive-In was opened in June 1953 and it was owned by Herbert Gumper. Capacity at that time was about 250 cars. The drive-in closed by 1972..
Contributed by
Ken McIntyre
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U.S. 285 & County Road Y La Jara, CO 81140
A more accurate address for this theater is 20881 US Hwy 285, La Jara, CO 81140. This points directly to the entrance road.
Please update.
A May, 2018 street view from Google shows apparently the projection booth sitting atop the shop, which may have been the concession stand, which currently occupies the property.
In a 1966 aerial, the projection booth/concession stand were on the west side of the property. It does appear that both buildings may have been moved to where the screen once sat.
Motion Picture Herald, May 30, 1953: “Herb Gumper is about ready to open his new Roundup, 300-car drive-in, La Jara, Colo.”
Boxoffice, July 4, 1953: “Mr. and Mrs. Herb Gumper opened their new Roundup Drive-In Theatre by inviting the public to a free show. The Roundup is north of La Jara on the La Jara highway.”
A November 2022 Google Street View shows little has changed. The property is still covered with junked vehicles and various items as if the place was hit by a tornado.
It’s a stunning setting with mountains visible in the background on all sides, albeit in the distance. There is even a full moon present in the November 2022 street view as well just to make it look even more lovely. Too bad the property will remain a salvage yard in great need of a big, hot fire to clear the land.
A paragraph from my book, “Drive-Ins of Colorado”:
(Herb Gumper) died of a heart attack while on a fishing trip in July 1964. Herbert’s son Max took over the Roundup, keeping it running for about another decade. Boxoffice reported that he installed a new marquee before the 1971 season, so we know it was open then, but the (La Jara) Gazette didn’t include any ads for it in the summer of 1972.