Changes coming to Ford Amphitheater

(COLORADO SPRINGS) — City leaders met with the owners of Ford Amphitheater on Wednesday, Aug. 28 to discuss community feedback and third-party measurements, and agreed on changes that will be made to further the amphitheater’s harmonious coexistence with surrounding neighbors.

According to a press release from the City of Colorado Springs, on Wednesday, city officials including Mayor Yemi Mobolade and City Council President Randy Helms met with the CEO of Venu, J.W. Roth, as well as Bob Mudd, President and Chief Operating Officer of Venu.

“Together, we are committed to addressing the experience of residents who have shared concerns about Ford Amphitheater. Sound reporting and all mitigation requirements following the first three weeks of operation have been confirmed to be in compliance with commitments. Nevertheless, we all recognize the need to try alternative mitigation strategies to address noise. Today we identified short and long-term strategies that aim to reduce unintentional impact on our community. We ask for the community’s patience and grace as additional research is conducted and these actions are developed and applied.”

Joint statement from the City of Colorado Springs and Venu

Several changes were agreed upon at the meeting, which include:

1. Commitment to No Fireworks
   • Venu has committed to no fireworks, except for the possibility of Independence Day (July 4).
2. Increase Depth of Existing Eastern Sound Wall
   • Venu is in the process of increasing the existing sound wall on the eastern perimeter of the Ford Amphitheater. The intention of this effort is to reduce the decibel level outside the amphitheater. This project is underway and will be in place for the full 2025 season.
   • The existing sound wall exceeds the Plan Unit Development (PUD) requirement of 28 feet tall, with a height ranging from 28 to 50 feet.
3. Enhance Sound Containment Measures
   • Venu has committed to reviewing performance data with their team of acousticians and production companies to explore how potential reconfiguration measures, such as adjusting positioning of speakers, may further reduce sound transmission outside of the amphitheater.
   • The City said a timeline for potential measures will be shared as data is gathered and strategies are developed.
4. Physical Mitigation
   • Venu will be working on the possibility and effectiveness of additional physical mitigation, pending the results of sound containment research.

The City said it is committed to continuing to meet with Venu, and both entities are willing to address additional data and feedback as it is received.

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