3 movie theaters reopening in Colorado Springs

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- For the first time in 5 months, some local movie theaters in Colorado Springs will open their doors, pop the popcorn, dim the lights and have guests silence their cellphones, welcoming back moviegoers to the theatres.

But the question remains, will anyone want to go?

It's the query that three local theaters, Picture Show at Citadel Crossing Shopping Center, the Cinemark theater on Carefree Circle, and Regal Interquest on Interquest Parkway, will have answered this Friday as they open their doors.

The excitement of reopening comes with some drawbacks, as theaters must enforce safety precautions and welcome guests back at 50 percent capacity. Visitors will likely be required to wear masks in certain areas and social distancing will be enforced.

Picture Show at Citadel Crossing will operate under state and local guidelines at 50 percent capacity, along with plexiglass barriers, a six-foot physical distance in all areas of the theater, including lobby and auditoriums, and safely spaced luxury recliner seating.

As movie theaters set up to welcome guests back, it comes at the tail-end of summer, which is when movie theaters generally make about 40 percent of their ticket sales from their summer box office season. The sustained closure hurting the movie industry as a whole.

But local places, like Picture Show, are hopeful people will return to the theater and enjoy a night of family fun at the movies.