Arise Music Festival will not head back to Larimer County, CO for the eighth consecutive year in 2020, as local officials denied organizers the necessary special event permit on Tuesday night. This news comes just weeks after the Larimer County Sherrif’s department denied the very same permit, causing Tuesday’s public hearings.
Citing traffic flow concerns, compatibility requirements, and a potential strain on emergency services, Larimer County voted 2-1 against allowing Arise’s move to a 200-acre site in Wellington, CO after leaving Loveland’s Sunrise Ranch following last year’s event. Originally scheduled for July 30th-August 4th, the five-day festival planned for multiple stages of live music and expected upwards of 11,000 people.
In a press release, Arise producer Luke Comer stated,
Arise has operated in Larimer County for eight years without any major incidents and in full cooperation with local authorities. Arise Music Festival has continually run as one of the most successful and safest festivals in Colorado. Undergoing the special event application for the new location, I have continued to show my willingness to solve foreseeable problems and to hire the best experts in the field, while remaining cooperative. We are committed to bringing Arise back – bigger and better than ever. Our team is already considering other properties for 2021, while remaining focused on bringing a new level of festival experience with enhanced for music, beautiful and cutting-edge art and a heightened sense of community Arise patrons all know and love.
Since its inception in 2012, Arise has grown into Colorado’s largest camping festival. The event’s seventh iteration in 2019 featured a full schedule of live music, including performances from Tipper, Railroad Earth, Leftover Salmon, SunSquabi, Aqueous, and more, along with a weekend full of workshops, art installations, yoga, panel discussions, and playshops. Arise’s success landed it on Live For Live Music’s “Honorable Mention” list of Favorite Music Festivals in 2019.
Be sure to follow Arise on Facebook and visit their website for the latest information regarding 2021’s event.