(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The Ford Amphitheater remains a point of controversy. Unhappy with the noise, neighbors took their complaints to the Colorado Springs City Council.
Several residents attended the council meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 28, to voice their concerns. Some city council members say they are listening and are beginning to explore what steps, if any, the city can take to address the issue.
The city reports receiving about 650 complaints regarding excessive noise from the amphitheater, though some individuals have filed multiple complaints. Shows are required to end by 11 p.m., but residents say noise often continues past that time, violating the city’s noise permit.
One community member said, “This quiet residential area was never the appropriate place for this venue. you’re probably saying, ‘Oh, well, water over the bridge, get over it,’ right? I’m not ready to do that”
“Sunday, August 18, was a doozy. The music was very loud as if a boom car had been parked nearby. You could feel the constant bass notes thumping, throughout the evening, making out the lyrics on the songs,” said another.
J.W. Roth, owner of the Ford Amphitheater, said he and his family have recently faced personal threats, prompting the need for extra security. City officials met with Roth to discuss noise mitigation.
Venu, the company that owns the amphitheater, hired third-party specialists who took sound recordings in several nearby communities on Friday, Aug. 23, when there was no concert, and Saturday, Aug. 24, when a live concert was playing, to determine if the venue complies with city noise regulations. The locations of the recordings were chosen based on nearby community feedback.
To remain compliant, noise levels should not exceed 110 decibels more than once in five minutes. According to new data from the surrounding communities, the Ford Amphitheater stays within the noise limit.
The above graphs, provided by Venu, show that the red line represents the allowed decibel limit from the locations marked on the map, and the venue does not exceed it at any point during the shows:
- The top graph shows maximum noise levels in the venue in one-second increments. To comply, noise should not exceed the 110 dB(A) limit more than once in five minutes.
- The middle graph displays average noise levels in the venue over five-minute periods, which should not exceed 105 dB(A).
- The bottom graph reports average noise levels at the venue and remote monitoring locations, showing no significant increase at remote sites or correlation between high noise levels at the venue and spikes at those locations.
Venu said that according to the measurements, sound levels were consistently comparable to ambient noise levels, such as traffic. A statement from Venu said, “
Ford Amphitheater is dedicated to delivering premier entertainment experiences while ensuring
minimal disruption to the surrounding community. The venue remains committed to transparency and staying true to our commitments to being a great neighbor.”
