What's new at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in 2024
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Construction workers renovating the stairs at Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre on Feb. 6. Photo: Helen H. Richardson/Denver Post via Getty Images
Red Rocks Amphitheatre opens its concert season on March 30 — its earliest start ever and the kickoff to what will be a record year.
Why it matters: The 9,500-seat venue outside Morrison, owned by the city of Denver, is one of the nation's most iconic places to see live music and draws more than a million people each year.
State of play: With 200-plus shows, organizers expect attendance to reach new heights and continue to exceed pre-pandemic levels.
- The increasing number of shows, organizers tell us, is because more bands are touring as traditional revenue through album sales is replaced by streaming music.
- More events are selling out, too.
The latest: This year, fans will notice several new features designed to improve the experience, part of an ongoing effort to upgrade the 83-year-old venue, said Brian Kitts with the city's arts and venues department.
- A magnetometer for faster entry for those without bags.
- A remodeled Ship Rock Grille, opening in mid-May with a new bar that looks out over the valley.
- Bathrooms inside the lower level of the visitor center.
- A fresh look for the top parking lot after construction to level the grade and make it more accessible for people with disabilities.
- An additional set of sidewalks and a curb on the south side to keep pedestrians out of the road, a project that also included reconfigured parking.
Friction point: Given its location in the Colorado foothills, extreme weather is an issue all season long. A hailstorm in June led to more than 100 injuries, prompting the city to make safety upgrades.
- This year, fans can opt-in to receive text alerts to know when a show is delayed and when it will restart.
Go deeper: 16 top Red Rocks concerts in 2024