Denver's poised to get louder under new noise rules
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Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
Denver trash trucks may be your new alarm clock as part of the city's first major noise ordinance overhaul in nearly two decades.
State of play: The Denver City Council is poised on Monday to approve changes that would loosen limits on "noise" and redefine the word, despite pushback from residents.
- The city's Department of Public Health and Environment, which is leading the charge, claims the proposed changes would "protect public safety, public health and the environment" citywide.
How it works: The updated rules would allow trash and recycling trucks to begin their routes at 6am — an hour earlier than the current start time. They would also permit:
- Festivals on public property to be 5 decibels louder (to 85 dBA) but would require a hard stop at 10pm;
- Public events on private properties to up their noise levels to 80 decibels, but only eight days a year and no more than four consecutive days.
Yes, but: Although most changes loosen limits on city noise, some restrictions are also in the works, including:
- Compression engine brakes would be banned citywide.
- Construction noise that's "plainly audible" between 9pm and 7am on weekdays and 5pm and 8am on weekends would be restricted.
The other side: Though most council members support the updates, Councilmember Kevin Flynn opposes the earlier trash pickup, calling it a quality-of-life issue.
What they're saying: "We recognize a need to balance the city's growth, the desire for activation and arts and entertainment and music events, while still holding true to our job … to protect citizens," DDPHE noise program manager Brendan Doyle told a city council committee this month.