What’s Happening with Greeley’s Union Colony Civic Center’s Name Change Initiative?

*UPDATE, December 15, 2025:

After nearly 700 responses to the UCCC Board's survey, a majority of people want to keep the "Union Colony Civic Center" name. Those that want to keep the name were either residents or patrons (or both.) The UCCC Board appears to want to keep the name-change process continuing, however.

From the Board:

The UCCC Board accepts and respects the sentiments expressed in the survey. They also have determined further discussion is necessary as they continue to explore how to be inclusive of all segments of the City, attract additional demographics and improve greater visibility of the UCCC.

We will update this story, again, as the Board makes their own updates.

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Colorado has dozens, if not hundreds, of concert venues across the state. One, in Greeley, might have a new name in the future.

Union Colony Civic Center in Greeley Considering Name Change

The Union Colony Civic Center opened in Downtown Greeley in 1988. It has the Monfort Concert Hall, the Hensel Phelps Theatre and the Tointon Gallery. The venue hosts hundreds of shows/events every year, covering all sorts of genres.

The venue gets its name from when present-day Greeley was first being settled by Horace Greeley and Nathan Meeker. They envisioned a community united together; their friend John Leary came up with the Union Colony moniker.

Why is Greeley Thinking About a Name Change for Union Colony Civic Center?

The Advisory Board of the Union Colony Civic Center believes that with all the changes and growth that the facility has seen since 1988, that a name that better reflects on what it's all about might be in order:

From the UCCC Advisory Board:

This is not just a renaming project. The board will assess if the current name still fits and if it aligns with how the community uses and experiences the UCCC.

READ MORE: Greeley's Cables Pub & Grill Gets New Owners & Name

I can see where "Civic Center" is pretty vague; it makes me think of government stuff  (courtrooms for example) being inside. I do believe that "Union Colony" should still be a part of any updated name, however; it's about Greeley's history, after all.

The survey that they put out asks questions such as:

• How Do You Feel About the Current Name?
• What Feelings or Ideas Should the Name Reflect?
• What Naming Style Should They Use?