In another big step toward a return to normalcy for live concerts, Morrison, CO’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre has announced that its permitted capacity for concerts has been raised significantly for the next month ahead of the return of full-capacity events in June.
Since announcing its reopening in early April, Red Rocks has hosted and announced a slew of concerts at a capacity of roughly 2,500 people per night with social distancing measures in place. With the new reopening push, concerts at Red Rocks, which holds more than 9,500 people when full, will be able to welcome up to 6,300 guests per night until the full-capacity reopening on June 21st.
“We want to take a phased approach to getting to 100 percent capacity especially in those large venues,” said Bob McDonald, executive director for Denver Department of Public Health and Environment, in a virtual press conference on Monday.
The significantly increased capacity for all previously announced May/June Red Rocks shows comes as a welcome development for fans, many of whom scrambled to get tickets to shows initially sold at 2,500 capacity. This includes shows by Mt. Joy (5/22 with Del Water Gap), The Floozies (5/26 with Maddy O’Neal and Bad Snacks), Andy Frasco & The U.N. (5/27, with Keller Williams), The Disco Biscuits (5/28–30), Papadosio (6/2 with Dirtwire and Bluetech), Tennis (6/3 with Molly Burch), The Motet with Eric Krasno & The Assembly (6/4), Michael Franti and Spearhead (6/5, 6/6 with Satsang), Bob Weir and Wolf Bros (6/8, 6/9), The Revivalists (6/10, 6/11 w/ Neal Francis), Big Head Todd and the Monsters (6/12, 6/13), Umphrey’s McGee (6/18, 6/19, 6/20), and more. To grab tickets to any upcoming Red Rocks show, head here.
Brian Kitts, a spokesperson for Denver Arts & Venues, the organization that operates Red Rocks and other venues for the city and county of Denver, CO, told 9News that the recently announced Widespread Panic shows at the iconic outdoor venue on June 25th, 26th, and 27th “will be the first ones” to take place at full capacity. The remainder of the summer will feature a number of Red Rocks favorites at full capacity, including Tedeschi Trucks, The Avett Brothers, The String Cheese Incident, and more. For a full calendar of shows, click here.
While the venue-wide mask requirements have been dropped, masks will still be required inside restrooms, the Trading Post, Visitor Center, and any indoor area. “I still think that there is both wariness and I think a need for people to be respectful of those who want to continue wearing masks and those who don’t want you crowding up on them while you’re at the show,” Kitts added.
The ongoing vaccine rollout and the implementation of masking and distancing rules in recent months have greatly contributed to this new chapter in Red Rocks’ reopening. The venue has even begun helping with vaccine distribution, offering incentives for fans 18 years of age and older to get their Johnson & Johnson single-shot vaccine during concerts at the amphitheater. The onsite Red Rocks vaccine distribution campaign, conducted in partnership with the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment (DDPHE), kicked off this past weekend during a performance by Diplo.
Watch a TV news report on the capacity increases at Red Rocks below.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre Increasing Capacity For Concerts – 9News Report
[Video: 9NEWS]