Here's How the Regulations for Shows at Red Rocks Changed This Year

New restrictions on the noise and end times for concerts at Red Rocks Amphitheater have been at the heart of a controversy involving EDM fans, residents of the nearby town of Morrison and the City of Denver, which operates the venue. As we reported last month, over 16,000 EDM fans...

By Mary Willson

February 6, 2015

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New restrictions on the noise and end times for concerts at Red Rocks Amphitheater have been at the heart of a controversy involving EDM fans, residents of the nearby town of Morrison and the City of Denver, which operates the venue.

As we reported last month, over 16,000 EDM fans have signed a petition in response to recently created regulations announced for the 2015 concert season, which include limiting the decibel volume levels, new concert ending times, and pyrotechnic use. But according to the City of Denver, the effect of these will be impossible for most fans to notice.

"There is a misconception that EDM is under attack, and the sound levels are going to be fifty percent of what they were last year, and that's just not the case," says Brian Kitts, who works for Denver's Arts and Venues division. "What you're doing is shaving off certain high points of the show, to the point that fans aren't going to notice,

Regulation Changes for Red Rocks: 2015

- Shows will be required to end no later than 11:45 on weeknights, 12:30 on weekends, and 12:30 on the night before holidays (Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day). Violation charge is $10,000 for each half-hour increment, effective at the start of the third minute past the stated.

-The use of pyrotechnics during shows at Red Rocks Amphitheatre is only allowed by permit from the Denver Fire Department, Fire Prevention division.

-Sound pressure level shall not exceed 108.0 dBA for 1-minute averages. The Leq (equivalent continuous noise level) sound pressure levels shall not exceed 123.0 dB bands for 1-minute averages. A Sound Pressure Level (SPL) monitoring system, provided by the City and County of Denver, will be located at the front of house mix position to provide sound engineers with real time data to help them manage the their sound levels. If the limit is exceeded three times, the City of Denver reserves the right to charge $10,000 (and another $10,000 if it's exceeded another three times).

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