As vaccine distribution continues around the country and new COVID-19 cases trend downward, the state of Colorado is hopeful that concerts could return at near-full capacity by July.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment this week shared with Colorado live music industry leaders a framework for reopening in 2021. As CDPHE told Westword in a statement, “We shared projections with stakeholders recently, including the possibility of expanding event and restaurant capacity to 75-80 percent in July.”
The Westword report goes into further detail about the CDPHE’s plan as presented to stakeholders: ” By April 1, as most counties move to Level Blue on what would then be CDPHE’s COVID Dial 3.0, live events could return at 50 percent capacity with six-foot social distancing; by May 1, they could return at 60 percent capacity with six-foot social distancing, and in July and beyond, at Level Green, they could return at 75 to 80 percent capacity with three-foot social distancing or even no social distancing, depending on how many people have been vaccinated by then.”
The CDPHE also sought to temper expectations with regard to the relative optimism of the reopening plan for live events: “Please note that the projections we shared are not concrete and were presented to help the industry plan for the future. We regularly share best guesses for what we expect in the coming months, with a mutual understanding that specific parameters and timelines will change as the pandemic changes. But we have a strong commitment to help our businesses plan for the upcoming months, and so regularly share information.”
Related: Red Rocks Amphitheatre Anticipates Limited Capacity Concerts For Summer 2021
The news from Colorado comes as COVID-imposed live music lockdowns begin to ease nationwide. While short-term cancellations are still coming by the day, there appears to be hope that the live events industry could make a comeback in the second half of this year. Summer Camp Music Festival Chillicothe, Illinois just announced its new dates in August of this year. In New Jersey and New York, fans are beginning to return to large venues at highly limited capacities. Madison Square Garden this past week even announced a new October concert date.
Meanwhile, the Colorado music scene’s revival is already underway, with an increasing number of socially-distanced, limited-capacity shows being announced. Live For Live Music’s The Funk Sessions series will return for its second 2021 installment at Denver’s Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom on March 11th and March 12th. For more information, head here.
[H/T Westword]