Construction on the Citadel Mall began in 1970, and it opened on March 1, 1972, anchored by a JCPenney and Denver Dry Goods store, and included a two screen movie theater.

The mall's last expansion occurred in 1995 with the opening of a three level Dillard's at the end of the western extension.

Although many stores surround the actual mall, the entire campus is located at the intersection of Platte and Academy.

[3][4] In February 2006, Mervyn's closed 10 out of its 11 stores in Colorado, including the one at the Citadel, which was 99,751 sq ft (9,267.2 m2).

In September, 2006, the Foley's store at the mall was rebranded Macy's, in accordance with a national renaming.