The Ford Amphitheater opened on Aug. 9, 2024.
A privately funded venue, the 8,000-seat outdoor amphitheater for live, major musical acts is located on approximately 10 acres in Polaris Pointe in northern Colorado Springs. It is owned by Colorado Springs based, Venu Holding Corporation, formerly Notes Live, and operated in partnership by AEG Presents Rocky Mountains. The Ford Amphitheater is a $90 million entertainment complex that hosts a minimum of 35 scheduled events per year. These events are projected to generate $102 million annually in economic impact, equating to nearly $1 billion over the next decade.
Throughout the first concert season, neighbors expressed concerns regarding sound levels outside of the concert venue.
This webpage has information about the Ford Amphitheater, including what is being done regarding sound mitigation. The City of Colorado Springs is committed to collaborative solutions that serve the needs of our entire community.
Next Steps
May 21, 2025 Update
City shares sound data from Ford Amphitheater’s first three shows of 2025
Sound reports from the first three shows of the 2025 season at Ford Amphitheater are now available. According to the data, Venu is not subject to any penalties that are outlined in the January 2025 agreement made between the City and Venu. Further, in accordance with the 2025 agreement, Venu has accomplished the following:
- Design and construction of additional sound walls
- Implementation of remote sound monitoring equipment
- Optimization, direction, placement, and testing of speakers depending on performance type
- Sound data provided by Venu to the City
In addition, the City contracted a third-party sound monitoring company to measure sound at remote locations. It will measure sound from six total shows this season. To date, it has measured sound during the April 30 and May 5 shows.
Past Updates
April 25, 2025 Update
April 25, 2025 Update
Mayor Yemi and District 2 Councilmember Tom Bailey today toured the Ford Amphitheater and saw firsthand the additional physical sound mitigation put in place by Venu Holding Corporation (“Venu”), owner of the amphitheater.
“After seeing the new infrastructure at the amphitheater today, I’m feeling optimistic about the 2025 season, and I especially take heart in the fact that we have the benefit of a season of learning behind us,” said Mayor Yemi. “The data from the opening season has led to several significant changes, and I’m glad to see all the proposed modifications have been made, and in time for the first concert. I also recognize that this was a significant investment by Venu, and I appreciate how quickly their crews worked – sometimes 150 workers a day – to make it happen. To residents, thank you for your patience and for the valuable feedback you provided to get us to today.”
Construction of additional physical sound walls at Ford Amphitheater began in March and as of today, Friday, April 25, final touches are being made ahead of the first concert on Wednesday, April 30. Located immediately at the amphitheater’s north and south boundaries, the new sound walls are intended to help lessen concert sound in the surrounding area. Venu also constructed sound tunnel systems at both the north and south entrances and made significant modifications to speaker configuration to optimize how sound will travel.
Also new this season are three additional sound monitoring stations that have been placed in neighborhoods located east, north, and south of the amphitheater in areas with low ambient noise. All five monitoring stations will send feedback in real-time to the front of house during all concerts. The locations for the monitoring stations, selected by the City and confirmed by Venu, were informed by resident feedback. In addition, the City has contracted with a third-party sound monitoring company that will take readings from various locations during at least six concerts this season.
April 7, 2025 Update
April 7, 2025 Update
Sound Walls
Construction of additional physical sound walls at Ford Amphitheater began in March and Venu is on track to complete this work by April 30, 2025.
Located immediately at the amphitheater’s north and south boundaries, the new sound walls are intended to help lessen concert noise in the surrounding area. Venu is also constructing a sound tunnel system at the amphitheater’s main entrance as another noise reduction strategy.
Below are a few amphitheater diagrams that illustrate the locations of the sound mitigation walls and tunnels. You can click on the images to open the full maps in a new tab. Photos of the construction progress can be viewed in the "Progress Photos" tab on this page.
Sound wall locations (new to 2025 season) at the north and south boundaries of the amphitheater:
Sound tunnel locations (new to 2025 season) highlighted in yellow on the left and right side of the amphitheater's stage:
Sound Monitoring
As part of the January 2025 agreement between the City and Venu, three additional sound monitoring stations (totaling five) are being installed next week. They will send in real-time data from nearby neighborhoods during concerts from the following locations:
- The corner of Fox Run Circle and Shrubland Drive
- The intersection of Creekhurst Drive and La Foret Trail
- Just south of Apple Park
- Established 2024:
The new monitoring stations were mutually selected by the City and Venu and are being placed in areas where concerns were registered during the 2024 concert season. None of the selections are near busy intersections or in areas with regular high volumes of ambient noise.
Signage will be placed at each monitoring station warning of the potential felony charge for tampering with or vandalizing the equipment. Each station is equipped with a video camera for security.
January 2025 Update
The City of Colorado Springs and VENU reached an agreement in January 2025 that sets a path forward for the 2025 concert season. This mitigation and monitoring agreement includes additional sound mitigation measures, including physical sound walls, reconfiguration of the sound system, enforcement protocol, and three additional sound monitoring stations that will be located inside or adjacent to nearby neighborhoods. The monitoring stations will be placed in locations agreed upon by both the City and Venu. Construction on the sound walls is underway and is expected to be completed by April 30, 2025.
Also in January 2025, the City issued a noise hardship permit for the 2025 concert season that is limited geographically to the Polaris Pointe Development, which includes only the adjacent apartments and businesses.
These efforts were informed by neighborhood feedback.
2025 Venu Sound Reports
Guide to reading the sound reports
Monitoring Locations
First, to ensure accurate readings, sound was measured at six pre-selected locations, including the Front of House, located inside the amphitheater, and five external monitoring locations at the following:
- Corner of Fox Run Circle and Shrubland Drive (North Remote Monitoring)
- Intersection of Creekhurst Drive and La Foret Trail (East Remote Monitoring)
- South of Apple Park (South Remote Monitoring)
- Intersection of Northgate Boulevard and Bass Pro Drive (North Near Monitoring)
- Intersection of Voyager Parkway and Spectrum Loop (East Near Monitoring)
Front of House Requirements
There are two sound measurement requirements Venu must meet from the Front of House. One is dB(A), which indicates the sound level at a specific moment in time, and the other is dB(A)Leq, which is the average sound level over a period of time. The Front of House must not exceed 110 dB(A), or exceed 105 dB(A)Leq, more than once in any 5-minute period.
Remote Monitoring Location Requirements
To account for ambient sound, Venu records the pre-show ambient sound at each remote sound monitoring location approximately 15 minutes before each show. These pre-show dB(A)Leq measurements help set the ‘do not exceed’ level for show sound. This is important because if the sound registers above the ‘do not exceed’ level for show sound at two or more remote locations, Venu is required to pay the City a $500 fine per occurrence and conduct further mitigation efforts.
- If the pre-show ambient sound is below 50, concert sound can not exceed 56 for any 5-minute period at the remote location.
- If the pre-show ambient sound is above 50, concert sound can not exceed 6dB(A)Leq over the pre-show ambient measurement for any 5-minute period at the remote location. For example, if the pre-show measurement is 53, the show sound limit is 59.
- Sound measurements must occur with wind levels less than 5 mph.
Date of Show: April 30, 2025
View the Full Sound Monitoring Report
Front of House
North Remote Monitoring Location
Pre-Show Ambient measurement: 48
dB(A)Leq Threshold (cannot exceed): 56
East Remote Monitoring Location
Pre-Show Ambient measurement: 46
dB(A)Leq Threshold (cannot exceed): 56
South Remote Monitoring Location
Pre-Show Ambient measurement: 51
dB(A)Leq Threshold (cannot exceed): 57
Note: While there was an instance where sound exceeded the dB(A)Leq threshold, this event does not align with the timelines or data from other monitoring stations or front of house, suggesting the influence of extraneous factors, such as sound from a motorcycle, emergency vehicle, etc.
Near Monitoring (North and East Locations)
Wind Monitoring
Date of Show: May 5, 2025
Pre-Show Ambient measurement: 54
dB(A)Leq Threshold (cannot exceed): 60
East Remote Monitoring Location
Pre-Show Ambient measurement: 48
dB(A)Leq Threshold (cannot exceed): 56
Note: While there was an instance where sound exceeded the dB(A)Leq threshold, this event does not align with the timelines or data from other monitoring stations or front of house, suggesting the influence of extraneous factors, such as sound from a motorcycle, emergency vehicle, etc.
South Remote Monitoring Location
Pre-Show Ambient measurement: 55
dB(A)Leq Threshold (cannot exceed): 61
Near Monitoring (North and East Locations)
Wind Monitoring
Date of Show: May 9, 2025
Pre-Show Ambient measurement: 51
dB(A)Leq Threshold (cannot exceed): 57
East Remote Monitoring Location
Pre-Show Ambient measurement: 49
dB(A)Leq Threshold (cannot exceed): 56
Note: While there was an instance where sound exceeded the dB(A)Leq threshold, this event does not align with the timelines or data from other monitoring stations or front of house, suggesting the influence of extraneous factors, such as sound from a motorcycle, emergency vehicle, etc.
South Remote Monitoring Location
Pre-Show Ambient measurement: 56
dB(A)Leq Threshold (cannot exceed): 62
Near Monitoring (North and East Locations)
Wind Monitoring
Timeline
- Week of May 23, 2025: Venu releases sound monitoring reports
- Week of April 25, 2025: Venu wraps up installation of additional sound monitoring equipment and physical noise mitigation structures.
- Week of April 7, 2025: Installation of additional sound monitoring equipment begins.
- March 3, 2025: Construction begins on the physical sound walls, which are expected to be complete by April 30, 2025.
- January 28, 2025: Colorado Springs Police Department approves Noise Hardship Permit #NHP 2025-004.
- City of Colorado Springs and Ford Amphitheater sign mitigation and monitoring agreement.
- December 23, 2024: VENU submits for the construction of additional sound walls for the Ford Amphitheater.
- PDZD-24-0035 (PDZ Development Plan Minor Modification)
- December 23, 2024: VENU submits revision for new sound walls for the Ford Amphitheater to be constructed on this development plan site.
- PDZD-24-0034 (PDZ Development Plan Minor Modification)
- December 17, 2024: City hosts Neighborhood Listening Session.
- November 1, 2024: City of Colorado Springs releases the results of an independent sound study.
- October 29, 2024: City leadership meets with VENU to discuss sound mitigation solutions.
- October 25, 2024: VENU season review and planning presentation
- October 25, 2024: Mayor Yemi releases letter to the community.
- October 5, 2024: VENU hosts Neighborhood Townhall.
- August 26, 2024: VENU releases data from neighborhood monitoring locations.
- August 20, 2024: VENU releases sound data from first six shows, including non-concert days.
- August 9, 10, 11, 2024: Grand Opening weekend at Ford Amphitheater
- April/May 2024: VENU filed and Council approved a final plat creating a 5-acre lot adjacent to the amphitheater to be used for additional on-site parking.
- SUBD-24-0052 (Subdivision)
- PUDD-24-0003 (PUD Development Plan)
- April 2024: VENU filed and Council approved a final plat creating a 1-acre lot adjacent to the amphitheater across Spectrum Loop to be used for additional on-site parking.
- SUBD-24-0051 (Subdivision)
- PUDD-24-0004 (PUD Development Plan)
- February 2024: VENU filed and Council approved a modification to the amphitheater development plan moving a portion of the parking from a remote location to the newly created lots adjacent to the amphitheater.
- PUDD-24-0002 (PUD Development Plan Major Modification)
- January 11, 2023: City of Colorado Springs reaffirms City Council approves
- March 2023: VENU filed and Council approved a modification of the original development plan requiring sound walls to be built prior to opening if the sound wall & building combination is not complete.
- PUDD-23-0010 (PUD Development Plan Modification)
- November 9, 2022: VENU received approval from the Colorado Springs Planning Commission for a Planned Unit Development Agreement.
- September 2022: VENU hosts town hall to speak directly with neighbors at Boot Barn Hall at Bourbon Brothers.
- January 2022: VENU files Development Plan with City of Colorado Springs.
UPDATED: Permits & Documents Guide
To view permits and documents related to the changes to the development site, navigate to the following link on a desktop or laptop using either Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge:
Land Development Review Search (LDRS) system
In the box labeled “File Number,” copy and paste the following file numbers, one file number at a time, to view the record; leave everything else blank. Each file should be searched separately.
Note: With the adoption of the Unified Development Code, the abbreviation “PUD” changed to “PDZ."
- PUDD-23-0010 (PUD Development Plan Modification) - A modification of the original development plan requiring sound walls to be built prior to opening if the sound wall & building combination is not complete
- PUDC-23-0004 (PUD Concept Plan Amendment) - An amendment to the Concept plan for Northgate @ Polaris Point for zero-foot building and landscape setbacks between the Ford Amphitheater lot and the Roth Restaurant and Chop House lot for sound wall.
- SUBD-24-0051 (Subdivision) – A Final plat creating a 1-acre lot adjacent to the amphitheater across Spectrum Loop
- SUBD-24-0052 (Subdivision) – A Final plat creating a 5-acre lot adjacent to the amphitheater
- PUDD-24-0002 (PUD Development Plan Major Modification) - A modification to the amphitheater development plan moving a portion of the parking from a remote location to the newly created lots adjacent to the amphitheater.
- PUDD-24-0003 (PUD Development Plan) - A development plan for a 5-acre parking lot
- PUDD-24-0004 (PUD Development Plan) - A development plan for a 1-acre parking lot
- PDZD-24-0034 (PDZ Development Plan Minor Modification) - A revision for a small section of new soundwalls for the Ford Amphitheater to be constructed on this development plan site
- Application PDZD-24-0034 was approved on January 7, 2025. There were no appeals filed during the 10-day appeal period which expired on January 17, 2025. The approval letter and approved, modified development plan has been uploaded to Accela."
- PDZD-24-0035 (PDZ Development Plan Minor Modification) - For the construction of additional sound walls for the Ford Amphitheater
- Application PDZD-24-0035 was approved on January 7, 2025. There were no appeals filed during the 10-day appeal period which expired on January 17, 2025. The approval letter and approved, modified development plan has been uploaded to Accela.
Progress Photos
April 25, 2025
Mayor Yemi and District 2 Councilmember Tom Bailey today toured the Ford Amphitheater and saw firsthand the additional physical sound mitigation put in place by Venu Holding Corporation (“Venu”), owner of the amphitheater.
Construction of additional physical sound walls at Ford Amphitheater began in March and as of today, Friday, April 25, final touches are being made ahead of the first concert on Wednesday, April 30.
Also new this season are three additional sound monitoring stations that have been placed in neighborhoods located east, north, and south of the amphitheater in areas with low ambient noise.
April 7, 2025
Construction of additional physical sound walls at Ford Amphitheater began in March and Venu is on track to complete this work by April 30, 2025.
Located immediately at the amphitheater’s north and south boundaries, the new sound walls are intended to help lessen concert noise in the surrounding area. Venu is also constructing a sound tunnel system at the amphitheater’s main entrance as another noise reduction strategy.
Engagement
Jan. 28, 2025: Update from Mayor Yemi
Dec. 17, 2024: Listening Session
Click below to view the recording of Mayor Yemi's Ford Amphitheater neighborhood listening session held on Dec. 17, 2024.
Oct. 25, 2024: Venu Season Review and Planning Presentation
Oct. 25, 2024: Mayor Yemi's letter to the community
Comment Card
We value your feedback. If you have comments for Mayor Yemi regarding the Ford Amphitheater, please use the online comment card by clicking the link below. The mayor is reviewing all comments to inform the future of this conversation.
For all other inquiries or comments, including making a noise complaint, use GoCOS.
FAQs
When can concerts take place at the amphitheater in 2025?
The approved timeframe for the 2025 concert season is April 15-Oct. 31, 2025. Concerts can take place between the hours of 3-10:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 3-11p.m. Friday; noon-11 p.m. Saturday; and noon-10:30 p.m. Sunday.
Note: The times on the January 2025 Noise Hardship Permit application were incorrect. This has since been fixed and a new permit was submitted and approved in February 2025 with the correct times.
Why use 5-minute averages for sound data from the remote sound monitoring sites?
Averages provide a greater representation of sound levels and is a preferred industry standard for sound measurement.
How are the remote sound monitoring site locations going to be selected? And how can residents trust Venu’s sensors are calibrated accurately, working correctly and that they are placed in areas truly representative of residential areas?
They will be placed in locations agreed to mutually between the City and Venu with input from sound consultants and informed by feedback that both entities have received from neighbors. Additionally, the City is planning to again engage an independent third party to also monitor sound levels.
Why is ambient noise part of the measurement?
Ambient noise is part of Colorado State Statute. Colorado Revised Statutes § 25-12-103 Article 9: “In all sound level measurements, consideration shall be given to the effect of the ambient noise level created by the encompassing noise of the environment from all sources at the time and place of such sound level measurement.”
When will these additional mitigation efforts be completed?
All mitigation efforts have been and continue to be a priority. Venu submitted its mitigation plans to the City on Dec. 17, 2024, and the City approved them on Jan. 7, 2025. The City expedited the approval process to help ensure that the additional sound walls can be constructed before the 2025 concert season begins. Venu is currently on schedule to have the additional sound walls in place by the first concert of the 2025 season. Venu has also ordered its additional sound monitoring stations and is working on the configuration of its new sound system.
Note: The Oct. 31, 2025 date in the agreement was intended as the end date for the 2025 Noise Hardship Permit.
How will the sound limit be enforced?
If during any concert, the agreed-upon sound levels are exceeded at two or more of the five measurement stations by at least 6 dB(A), excluding the Polaris Pointe Development, then Venu will be fined $500 per occurrence and required to provide a plan for further mitigation of sound at the location. The purpose of this provision is to account for unexpected “spikes” in concert noise.
Who is conducting the sound monitoring around the Amphitheater?
A third-party environmental consultant has been contracted by the City to monitor the sound levels at and in the neighborhoods around Ford Amphitheater. The third-party consultants independently check the sound levels so that the City can verify the information provided by Venu.
Why are there off-duty police officers at the Amphitheater during events?
Off-duty police officers may have been hired by Venu to assist with monitoring traffic to and from the amphitheater and ensuring that everyone is able to get into and out of the area safety. Any off-duty police officers are not involved in any sound monitoring efforts.