Colorado Springs Residents File Lawsuits Against Ford Amphitheater Claiming Violations & "Noise Pollution"

Colorado Springs Residents File Lawsuits Against Ford Amphitheater Over Noise Concerns

719 Magazine News Team

published 1/21/2026

Colorado Springs, Colo. — A small group of Colorado Springs residents has filed a lawsuit against Ford Amphitheater, alleging the outdoor venue exceeds state noise limits during live events. The legal action comes as the amphitheater continues to establish itself as one of the region’s most significant new entertainment assets.

Eight residents filed the complaint Wednesday in El Paso County District Court, citing Colorado’s Noise Abatement Act and claiming sound levels during concerts exceed allowable residential limits. The lawsuit seeks to require the 8,000-capacity venue to remain within state standards of 45 to 50 decibels during evening hours.

Residents involved in the lawsuit say they have recorded sound levels between 60 and 77 decibels during select concerts using hand-held sound meters. The complaint characterizes the sound as disruptive to sleep, health, and quality of life in nearby neighborhoods.

The plaintiffs live in the Gleneagle, Northgate Highlands, and Northgate Estates neighborhoods in northern Colorado Springs. Their homes were purchased between 2002 and 2019, prior to the amphitheater’s opening in 2024. Due to geography and elevation, neighborhoods located north and east of the venue sit higher than the stage sound has reportedly traveled farther than some residents anticipated.

Personal impacts cited by residents

Among those suing is Marianna Bailey, who lives approximately two miles from Ford Amphitheater. Bailey says concert noise and vibrations have negatively affected her 23-year-old son, who has level 3 autism.

“He’s autism level 3, the highest level,” Bailey said. “He can’t communicate when something hurts, so we have to try to manage it for him. On concert nights, he barely sleeps.”

Bailey said she initially believed the sound was coming from inside her home during the first concert she heard. She now uses noise-canceling headphones, medication adjustments, and a sensory room to help her son cope during events.

Another plaintiff, Danielle Frye, who lives about a mile from the venue, documented sound readings reaching 71.7 decibels during a September 2025 concert. Frye acknowledged the amphitheater’s potential value to the community but emphasized her desire for volume reductions rather than closure.

“I don’t want them to tear it down,” Frye said. “I recognize it could be an asset to our community and that it brings economic benefits. Turn it down, not tear it down.”

City data and context

A city-commissioned noise study conducted by Hankard Environmental, Inc. measured sound levels during three concerts in October 2024. The report confirmed that noise levels occasionally exceeded residential standards and were audible in neighborhoods northeast and east of the venue, depending on weather and atmospheric conditions.

City officials reported receiving approximately 1,700 noise complaints related to Ford Amphitheater in 2025. Of the complaints that included contact information, city data showed that 61 individuals accounted for nearly half of the total complaints received.

Venue owner responds

JW Roth, CEO of VENU and owner of Ford Amphitheater, said he was aware of the lawsuit but expressed confidence in the venue’s compliance efforts and long-term viability.

“I don’t mean to sound dismissive,” Roth said. “But this isn’t concerning to me.”

Roth emphasized that extensive sound mitigation measures were implemented following early concerns after the venue opened in 2024. According to Roth, millions of dollars have been invested in sound walls and barriers on the east, north, and south sides of the amphitheater.

“We built a sound wall on the east side of the venue, which ultimately became an entertainment complex,” Roth said. “We also spent millions on sound mitigation on the north and south ends to address concerns.”

Legal backdrop

The lawsuit relies on Colorado’s Noise Abatement Act, adopted in 1971, which establishes statewide residential noise limits. It also references a 2025 Colorado Supreme Court ruling, Hobbs v. City of Salida, which clarified that local governments cannot allow for-profit venues to exceed state noise limits on private property.

The plaintiffs are seeking enforcement of those limits rather than damages.

A growing cultural landmark

Ford Amphitheater has quickly become a major live-music destination in Southern Colorado, hosting national touring acts and contributing to local tourism, employment, and the region’s cultural footprint. Supporters argue that the venue represents progress, economic growth, and long-overdue investment in Colorado Springs’ live entertainment infrastructure.

As the legal process unfolds, the case highlights the broader challenge facing growing cities nationwide: balancing neighborhood concerns with cultural development, economic impact, and the realities of modern live entertainment.

Stay locked in with 719mag.com for more updates as this story develops.

We at 719 Mag and countless people in the music community throughout southern Colorado hope to see an amicable solution with such an extraordinary venue and entertainment complex.