Denver presented new regulations on noise levels at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison to address complaints from the town’s residents at a public meeting Wednesday night.
Notable changes include sound level limits to the entire durance of a concert, rather than just late hours, allowing the city to prohibit artists who violate the new rules from returning, and new restrictions on pyrotechnics.
Brian Kitts from Denver Arts & Venues, the city's cultural agency, says the city has also moved up concert end times to 11:45 p.m. on weekdays and 12:30 a.m. on weekends and some holidays.
The new noise ordinance applies to all 2015 performance contracts.
Since 2013, many Morrison residents have asked Denver to address the noise issues at the amphitheater, as well as the high bass levels that can vibrate throughout the venue and nearby areas.
Denver issued new noise regulations and earlier end times for concerts at the venue towards the beginning of 2014. The city also hired consultants to conduct noise level studies throughout the 2014 concert season.
"We recognized there were issues and certainly we want to be good neighbors," Kitts said.
But residents still felt it wasn’t enough. Electronic dance music shows, which Red Rocks has seen more and more of in recent years, stand out as a primary concern -- some residents think the style of music should be banned from the venue.
Kitts says the city will continue to work with residents regarding noise issues, but has no intention to restrict the genre of music performed at Red Rocks.
"We want the artists to be cognizant that this is not an indoor venue," Kitts said. "But we are not considering banning EDM or other shows. They are an important part of American pop culture right now."
Kitts adds that the sound consultants hired by the town signed off on the city's recommendations.
CPR has reached out to Morrison Mayor Sean Forey's office and is waiting for comment. However, at Wednesday’s meeting, Mayor Forey expressed confidence in Denver’s new plan.
