Denver Riot Fest Denied Permit, Will Search For New Location

July 11th, 2014

Kevin Blumeyer

Arapahoe County, Colorado has denied Riot Fest‘s request for a temporary-use permit to stage their 3-day music festival on September 19-21 in the small town of Byers. Riot Fest was set to return to the same May Farms location where the festival took place in 2013, but locals began expressing concerns about the return of the festival, as an estimated 17,000 punk rock fans per day were about to invade their community of 1,000 residents.

Arapahoe County Zoning Administrator Tammy King cited “a general sense of being overrun with traffic and people” in her letter of denial, as locals felt the congestion created by the 2013 festival made it difficult for them to conduct their daily activities (getting to and from work, grocery shopping, farming, etc.). More than 200 Byers residents (yes, that’s a fifth of the town’s entire population) turned out for a public hearing on July 1, complaining of drug use, noise and traffic issues brought on by the 2013 festival.

The Denver Post notes Riot Fest has 10 days to appeal the decision, but it sounds like the festival’s organizers have already moved on and vow to announce a nearby alternate location early next week. Here’s their full statement:

“Due to circumstances beyond our control and despite lots of support for Riot Fest & Sideshow in Byers, May Farms is no longer available to host Riot Fest. A nearby alternate location will be announced early next week. We know this sucks, we’re as disappointed as you are, but if you could be a little patient with us, we’ll have more information ASAP. All tickets will be honored at the new location. Riot Fest in Denver is NOT cancelled, the show will go on, and rock n roll never dies.”