Ford Amphitheater controversy hits new octave

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - KRDO13 Investigates has learned Colorado Springs Police and City Council are taking extra steps to accommodate a large turnout for the public meeting surrounding Ford Amphitheater noise complaints.

KRDO13 Investigates learned neighbors are planning to attend the meeting with signs supporting changes to lower the sound coming from the Ford Amphitheater.

RELATED: 2 groups call on Ford Amphitheater to lower volume, venue claims it’s never exceeded noise limits

In a rare move, the City Council has limited the amount of citizens who can speak to only 50 people. In addition, each person will only get two minutes, instead of the typical three minutes.

Colorado Springs City Councilman representing District 1 Dave Donelson said 40 of the 50 speaking on Sept. 10 are in favor of the Amphitheater.

"We should give the citizens that live there, an equal opportunity to say again, what their life is like over these last two weeks with the amphitheater there," Donelson told KRDO 13 Investigates .

Donelson equated that influx with an ad run by J.W. Roth , the owner of Venu and the Ford Amphitheater.

"City Council needs to hear these incredible stories, your stories," Roth said in the ad calling people to sign up to speak at the meeting and promising a big party after the meeting. Venu would not tell KRDO13 Investigates how much they spent on the ad.

RELATED: Hundreds of noise complaints from neighbors prompt Ford Amphitheater to make changes

Residents who live nearby and citizens of Colorado Springs continue to weigh in on the issue.

"It's hard enough as a parent to deal with everything else, and now you have to deal with this," Adam Thornberry, who lives near the amphitheater said," I can't imagine what it's like for them."

"I support it more than I ever probably supported anything because we need this here," Colorado Springs resident Lavonne Pramberg told KRDO 13 Investigates . When asked if she would support sound mitigation efforts to help nearby residents Pramberg replied, "Anything that's going to help other people who are saddened about it feel more comfortable. I'm all in for that. But I also, on the same token, don't want it taken away from the people who really are so happy that it's here."

Colorado Springs City Council will listen to public comment on September 10 at 1 p.m.

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