Steamboat Pilot & Today

Across the United States, their white screens loom over sagebrush fields like huge tombstones. The snack bars are boarded up and the only sound is the clank-slap of a few dangling sound boxes.

According to the United Drive-In Theaters Owners Association, there are fewer than 500 drive-ins left in the United States, some in Colorado -- some not so far away.

Movie lovers and those who feel nostalgia for such things can still pile too many people into a van, stop on the way for a bucket of food, and watch a drive-in movie.

Here's a short list of the Colorado drive-in theatres within mud season driving distance:

n The 88 Drive-In Theatre, Commerce City

(303) 287-7717

Located on 88th Avenue near the Mile High Fleamarket

Open Friday through Sunday

When: 7:45 p.m. and 11:10 p.m.

Tickets: $7 per person / children under 12 are free

n Tru-Vu Drive In theater, Delta

(970) 874-9556

1001 Colorado Highway 92

When: 8 p.m.

n Big Sky Drive In Theater, Delta

452 Main St.

Playing this weekend: "Open Range"

When: 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

n Cinderella Twin Drive-In, Englewood

(303) 761-8232

3400 South Platte River Drive

Open Friday through Sunday

When: 8 p.m., 10 p.m. and 12:15 a.m.

Tickets: Six and under are free, 7 -- 11 are $1, 12 and older are $9

n Holiday Twin Drive-In, Fort Collins

(970) 221-1244

2206 South Overland Trail

When: Shows start at dusk

n The Star Drive In, Montrose

600 Miami St.

Open Friday through Sunday

When: 8 and 10 p.m.

Tickets: $5 per person

n Kar-Vu, Springfield

27474 Highway 287

When: 8 p.m.

Tickets: $4.50 per person

n Comanche, Buena Vista

(719) 395-2766

Southwest of town by Cottonwood Creek, past the filtration plant

n Sunset Drive-In, Cañon City

East side of town on U.S. Highway 50

n Rocket, Durango

(970) 247-0833

26126 Highway 160

n Valley Drive-In Theatre, Fort Morgan

(303) 867-5724

19937 Highway 34

n Star Drive In and Best Western Movie Manor, Monte Vista

(719) 852-5921

2830 Highway 160

Tickets: $6 per person