The movie experience just got a lot more comfortable at the Fiesta theater in Cortez.

Plush, reclining seating with snack trays were installed at the twin cinema, along with improved lighting, new flooring and an upgraded Dolby Digital sound system.

Allen Theatres operates the Fiesta, and $350,000 was invested in the remodel project, which was completed during two weeks in April.

“People love it and are telling their friends to come check it out,” said Fiesta General Manager Anna Mykytyuk.

In addition to the comfy seats, the floors were redone with inlaid lighting, and new carpet was put in. Certain sections of the floors were raised to accommodate seating for disabled guests, she said.

To make room for the Luxury Loungers and their footrests, each theater lost about 50 percent of its previous seating capacity. But both movie halls, with 75 seats in one and 68 seats in the other, have been adequate for the Cortez market.

A reserve seating system was also added for customer convenience. Reserve tickets can be bought online or at the box office.

“Now you can reserve in advance and not have to get to the theater early to get a seat; it will be waiting for you,” Mykytyuk said.

The new electrically controlled recliners are cleaned daily, she said. The snack trays benefit moviegoers and help keep the facility clean by providing a stable place for customers to set a bag of popcorn.

Allen Theatres has been upgrading their movie houses, including in Durango. In recent years, the Fiesta Theatre in Cortez also remodeled its lobby and installed modern Silver Screens for improved viewing. The front row was moved back a bit from the screen, allowing for a more captivating movie experience.