For several decades the Paramount enjoyed success as one of the premier movie houses in the Rocky Mountain region. Then, like other large movie theatres, its patronage declined as population and commerce dispersed into new suburban areas. By 1978, it was the last movie palace left in Denver, and started hosting opera with a production of "Madama Butterfly" in October 1978 by the Denver Opera Company. The venue has survived and evolved, and now plays host to numerous concert and performance acts. The theatre was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, and the city of Denver recognized it as a historic landmark in 1988. Eight years later, Sinbad performed his HBO comedy special "Son of a Preacher Man" here.