New Colorado Amphitheater Already Receiving Major Noise Complaint Backlash

Not even a full week has passed after the massive debut of Colorado's newest state-of-the-art amphitheater, and the noise complaints are running wild. The neighbors of this beautiful venue are not happy.

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Residents Say New Colorado Amphitheater Is Too Loud

I've often wondered while attending concerts at Fiddlers Green, Red Rocks, and other outdoor venues how the surrounding neighbors feel about the noise so late at night. I know that FIddlers has a hard stop time, of about 11 pm on most nights, and they'll fine artists who break the curfew.

While in most cases with the homes around Fiddlers and Red Rocks etc., the homes that are around it likely came after the venue was already established and the buyers knew the noise risk of moving next door.

For Colorado's brand new state-of-the-art amphitheater though, the neighbors were there first, and they're not happy about the noise from this new music venue.

Ford Amphitheater Receives Major Backlash Over Noise

The highly anticipated Ford Amphitheater, located south near Colorado Springs, made its live music debut over the weekend with back to back to back performances from Colorado's own, One Republic. The venue, as well as the shows themselves looked fantastic!

One major issue though, is the noise levels from the amphitheater while the folks in the surrounding neighborhoods are trying to enjoy their evening without the loud music from the new venue.

Nearly 150 Noise Complaints Filed During Ford Amphitheaters First Weekend

Colorado Springs city officials have confirmed that they received nearly 150 noise complaints during the opening weekend. At one point the police started telling people that the complaints were overwhelming and sending them to report their complaints online at GoCOS online.

While the city granted Ford Amphitheater a "noise hardship permit" to exceed the noise limits in the city, they still have limits that their neighbors are certain they violated.

According to KOAA News in Colorado Springs, there is sound detection equipment located off of Ball Pro Drive and another off of Spectrum Loop that can confirm the venue's levels over the weekend.

The owners of Ford Amphitheater, Venu, issued this statement regarding the overwhelming noise complaints.

After monitoring sound all weekend, we were 100% in line with our commitments made in the PUD [Planned Unit Development] with the City of Colorado Springs. All our mitigation tactics are operating and working properly. We will report this information to the City as they have requested, and we committed to in our PUD.

Even if they stayed in their limits, it still might be too much for the surrounding neighbors who may look to relocate. KOAA News spoke to Chris Francis, who's a disabled vet who lives less than a mile away, who said:

It was quite intense, it was like having a front-row seat, we could hear the lyrics quite clear, [and] the drums. Initially, I thought there was gunfire outside the house and I went on alert.

Mr. Francis also told KOAA News that he may have to look into relocating like many of his friends around the area already have since the amphitheater was approved last year. Saying he can no longer "see a future in the neighborhood anymore."

In a lot of situations when it comes to living near potentially loud venues, you know that going into the purchase. This isn't the same scenario, so it'll be interesting to see how the city and venue handle this. They're obviously not going to knock down or move this beautiful new facility. Stay tuned...

Here are the renderings from the original Ford Amphitheater design. It looks even better in person. Truly a spectacular venue...