Eight Colorado Springs residents dwelling miles from the Ford Amphitheater are suing the venue, claiming its live shows generate extreme noise that’s negatively impacting their lives.
The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in El Paso County District Court, alleges that sound ranges throughout performances, measured between 60 and 77 decibels, exceed Colorado’s Noise Abatement Act limits of 45 to 50 decibels for residential areas.
“No person should have to suffer from harmful pollutants that invade their home, destroy their sleep, harm their health, and rob them of the peaceful enjoyment of their private property,” the criticism, reviewed by 9News, states.
The plaintiffs bought properties between 2002 and 2019 within the Gleneagle, Northgate Highlands, and Northgate Estates neighborhoods in northern Colorado Springs. The Ford Amphitheater opened in 2024. Its stage faces east, whereas seating is oriented west towards Interstate 25, the Air Force Academy, and the mountains. The neighborhoods lie north and east of the venue and sit at the next elevation than the stage, doubtlessly amplifying the sound for close by residents.
The lawsuit seeks to implement compliance with state noise limits and stop additional disturbances from live shows on the 8,000-capacity out of doors venue.
Danielle Frye, a Northgate Highlands resident who lives a few mile from the amphitheater, recorded noise ranges of 71.7 decibels throughout a September 2025 live performance utilizing a hand-held sound meter, in keeping with 9 News.
A city-commissioned report additionally discovered that three live shows in October 2024 persistently exceeded state residential noise limits, with measurements as much as 60 decibels and live shows clearly audible in close by neighborhoods.
“I have had some events where I haven’t heard anything inside or outside my house, but I’ve also had ones where I can hear it inside with the doors and windows closed,” Frye mentioned.
She added that she helps the amphitheater and desires it to stay an asset to the neighborhood, with one request.
“Turn it down, not tear it down,” Frye mentioned.
Marianna Bailey, who lives about two miles from the venue, says the noise and vibrations have a extreme affect on her 23-year-old son, who has Level 3 autism.
The sound disrupts his sleep, triggers manic episodes, and forces her to make use of medicine, noise-cancelling headphones, and a sensory room to assist him cope throughout live shows, News9 experiences.
“He won’t even sit in his swing that would calm him down. He sits in front of the swing, and he doesn’t realize what we can do,” Bailey informed the outlet.
J.W. Roth, CEO of VENU, which owns the Ford Amphitheater, noticed the lawsuit solely moments earlier than his interview with 9News on Wednesday, however mentioned he was not initially involved concerning the criticism.
“I don’t mean to say I’m dismissive of it. It’s not concerning to me, to be honest,” Roth mentioned.
He informed the outlet that the venue added sound partitions on its east aspect and additional boundaries on the north and south after complaints following its 2024 opening.
“We built a sound wall on the east side of the venue that we ultimately turned into an entertainment complex,” Roth mentioned. “We spent millions of dollars building sound walls on the north and south end.”
In 2025, Colorado Springs acquired 1,700 noise complaints, with 61 residents liable for almost half of the 905 complaints that included contact info, The Independent confirmed Thursday.
The Independent has contacted representatives for Ford Ampitherater and VENU for remark.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/ford-amphitheater-colorado-noise-lawsuit-b2905845.html