(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The City of Colorado Springs and Ford Amphitheater, owned by Venu Holding Corporation, have reached an agreement on additional sound mitigation measures.
Following the 2024 season, the City and VENU collected and responded to community feedback, gathered third-party sound data, and met regularly to discuss ongoing and potential sound mitigation efforts. While VENU said it remains in full compliance with its approved Planned Unit Development, additional mitigation measures will be enacted.
“Data, along with feedback from neighbors, has been critical to forging this new path forward, and I want to thank our community and the entire team at VENU for its diligence, investment, and commitment to making the Ford Amphitheater a shared success for our community,” said Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade. “I am optimistic about the outcome of the planned mitigation and monitoring efforts, and we will be watching the results closely throughout this season.”
The new agreement introduces several new multi-million-dollar measures that the City said demonstrate a commitment to being proactive and responsive to community needs.
Enhanced sound mitigation
According to the City, VENU will build additional sound walls at its north and south boundaries and construct a sound tunnel system at the entry to Ford Amphitheater designed to redirect sound away from neighborhoods. VENU will also make substantial changes to the sound system, including configuration and equipment that will significantly reduce the sound leaving the amphitheater.
Courtesy: City of Colorado Springs
Enhanced sound monitoring
VENU will install three more sound monitoring stations inside or adjacent to nearby neighborhoods, bringing the total to five monitoring stations. The City said the monitoring stations will track ambient noise before and during the show, and the reports will isolate and disregard sudden extraneous sources such as emergency sirens and wind. All sound monitoring stations will report in real time to the amphitheater’s audio-visual operations team so they can adjust. The system will allow for a clear determination of whether excess sounds are connected to shows.
Clear oversight and reporting
According to the City, the new agreement, driven by a shared vision for sound levels not to exceed City Code outside of the Polaris Pointe Development, commits that the venue must maintain a sound level that is at or below City statute levels or average ambient readings at that location, whichever is higher.
If sound levels during any concert at the Ford Amphitheater exceed the established limit by six decibels or more at two or more monitoring locations, it will be deemed a violation. In the cases of violation, VENU will be subjected to financial penalties per violation to the City and be required to develop a plan for additional mitigation at affected locations.
Limited noise hardship permit
The City issued a noise hardship permit for Ford Amphitheater through Oct. 31, 2025, however, the permit is limited geographically to the Polaris Pointe Development, which includes adjacent apartments and businesses.
Courtesy: City of Colorado Springs
The permit requires VENU to comply with the new 2025 agreement, plus the requirements of the existing development plan.
VENU Founder, Chairman, and CEO J.W. Roth said, “I fully support the decision to limit the geography of the hardship permit. I made Colorado Springs a vow that I intend to keep: my goal is to ensure you’ll need to buy a ticket to enjoy the concert. While this process has taken time, it’s allowed us to get things right. I’m grateful that we have a clear understanding of how sound will be monitored, what constitutes a violation, and how enforcement will work. Here’s to the 2025 season—let’s rock and roll.”
