We’ve caught up on back posts, and are ready to roll for this season. New restrictions are in effect, but early indications are not encouraging. We’re keeping open minds and hoping for the best.

We know you’re inspired to play along as we track concerts this year. Make it easy—download the 2015 schedule pdf here.

The new restrictions that went into effect in January include the following provisions:

• Noise restrictions have only been lowered by 2 dB (from 125 to 123 dB), but now apply throughout the concert. (In 2014 noise restrictions only applied to the last 30 mins of the concert.)
• Ending times have been significantly improved, weekdays ending at 11:45 and weekends ending at 12:30. (2014 weekdays ending at 12:30 and weekends ending at 1:30 AM)
• There will be a hotline for residents to report noise issues as they happen. No need to call 911 or anybody else. [Hope to hear about this soon.]
• Violations can result in performers exclusion from Red Rocks.
• More detail studies to fine tune the noise restrictions for 2016.
• Weather station to be added to the study.

Morrison’s noise consultant reviewed Denver’s data and reported that if the 2015 restrictions had applied in 2014:

There would have been a total of 368 noise level violations, and 23 ending time violations, resulting in a total of $3,910,000 in fines.

This is a clue that tells us how bad the noise was last year, but not why. Now we know that the actual data show performers were regularly hitting Low Frequency (dB1) levels greater than 130 BEFORE the restrictions went into effect (only during the last half hour). Many concerts reached peak and ended before they were even covered by the 2014 restrictions. For example the data show Bassnectar peaked at 138 dB1 before ending at 11:45 on a weekend.

Added later: Here’s Westword’s summary of the new regulations.