Dillon Amphitheater has done it again.
Readers of USA Today have crowned the jewel of Summit County’s live music scene No. 2 on the latest 10 Best list of amphitheaters in the nation.
Last year Dillon Amp claimed No. 9 behind Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in Vail and the perpetual favorite, Red Rocks. This year Dillon beats them both with Red Rocks at No. 9 and The Amp in Vail, once lovingly known as Ford Amp, at No. 7.
The new Ford Amp in Colorado Springs – a local Ford dealership bought the naming rights – did not make the USA Today list.
Coming in at No. 1 in the nation was the birthplace of Woodstock, The Pavilion at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. It’s the fancy new(ish) venue built on the historic site of the ’69 Woodstock festival.
Dillon Amp might not have the deep history of Bethel Woods, but it has something even better – those views. It is the not-so-secret best-kept secret in Summit County, where a capacity crowd of 3,656 people enjoys jaw-dropping panoramas of the Gore Range and Tenmile Range from the shores of Dillon Reservoir at 9,017 feet above sea level.
The recent accolades come with a dark side. A group of neighbors is fighting to slash the summer concert schedule, saying noise at the amp rattles windows and refrigerators, and makes their apartments nearly unlivable. Dillon town council promises to fine bands that break the decibel limit. Earlier this year, outgoing mayor Carolyn Skowyra vowed to find a solution that works for everyone. (At least it’s not facing the same hate neighbors have for the Ford Amp in Colorado Springs.)
The town keeps investing in its biggest tourist attraction. New this summer concert season is an upgraded lighting system. The manmade lightshow will be second only to the alpine sunsets that accompany most every concert.
Speaking of… there are 30 paid and free concerts this summer, including sold-out dates with Neal Francis and Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, and the final tour for Colorado’s own Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. The season opens June 6 with a sold-out set by Lane 8. The free season opens June 15, when Fruition and Magoo share the stage.
We’ve been hearing rumors that Dillon is waiting to announce a few last-minute, big-name shows. Stay tuned. When we know, you’ll know.