Best Of: Accessible Red Rocks


Picture this — you’ve somehow convinced your favorite band of all time to play a concert in your living room. They’ve brought a booming PA system, lights and all the fixings for an incredible show. Someone offers you a drink while the band sets up, and you happily accept. As the music begins, you think, “How is this even possible? I have my favorite band playing right in front of me!” Then you turn around and see nearly 10,000 other people watching the same show.

This is what it feels like to watch a concert from the front row wheelchair-accessible section of Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, Colorado.

A One-of-a-Kind Venue

For those of you who don’t know about the esteemed Red Rocks Amphitheater, it’s strategically placed in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, overlooking Denver to the east. You can see the skyline shimmering in the distance from about halfway up the cathedral seating. If you turn around and look toward the back of the theater, you will notice the tiered seating built into the red stone on top of the remains of crushed boulders. The two towering spires on either end create a wraparound feel and a superb audio experience as they reflect the soundwaves toward you and the other concertgoers. It’s a fantastic experience for anyone who has the privilege to go.

Red Rocks amphitheater is truly a one-of-a-kind concert venue.

I often attended Red Rocks before using a wheelchair and never had a bad time. But nothing compares to the experience I’ve had since becoming a wheelchair user.

Your wheelchair-accessible Red Rocks concert experience begins when you pull into the fully paved, accessible parking lot. Most of the lots at Red Rocks are gravel, where tailgaters often show up hours in advance to kick back and enjoy some quality time with friends and strangers before the concert begins. It’s a scene of its own.

Unlike many outdoor concert venues, Red Rocks’ accessibility extends to the parking lot.

The ADA parking lot for front-row ticket holders has attendants to make sure nobody misuses the accessible spots — they may check your ID and placard to ensure they’re authentic. There’s even a wheelchair-accessible porta-potty available. Once you’re ready, a wheelchair-accessible service shuttles you up the long, steep incline to a gate near the back of the stage. You then roll slightly uphill past the hustling crowd to the front row seating. There is a different parking lot for the top row accessible seats that you’ll be directed to if you have those tickets.

Upon arriving at the front row, an employee will check your tickets to make sure you are the one who purchased them and that you require accessible seating. They’ll give you a wristband and show you to your assigned seats. Seat 45 is dead center, so anything near that number is golden. However, it doesn’t matter what seat you have — you’ll still have an incredible view. There are a few seats set aside for hearing/visually impaired people that overlook a place on the stage dedicated to an interpreter if one has been requested.

Red Rocks has revised the accessible seating quite a bit in the last couple of years. There are now folding chairs available if you wish your friends or family to sit beside you rather than on the bench behind. They’re also nice if you need more back support or just want to get out of your wheelchair. You can bring up to six guests, but you must purchase all their tickets yourself. They are non-transferable and non-refundable, so make sure they are definitely attending.

The Lawsuit That Made It Possible

The accessible experience at Red Rocks hasn’t always been so ideal. Before a 2016 lawsuit, ticket resellers would snap up the prime-location accessible seats and turn them around for a profit to the general public. A coalition of disabled concertgoers and disability-rights organizations sued the City of Denver, which owns Red Rocks, for lack of “meaningful access.”

Kirk Williams, who wrote this article, was one of the plaintiffs in the suit. It took almost two years, but in 2018, a settlement agreement changed ticketing practices to make the front-row accessible seats non-transferable. Whoever purchases the tickets must show ID and the credit card they used to buy them when they arrive at the concert. This has helped make it possible for people with disabilities to enjoy a concert experience like few others in the world.

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There will be an employee walking around to take drink orders. Instead of navigating the lines and hordes of people, you can have your drink brought directly to your seat. An employee will also likely inform you that there is a wheelchair-accessible restroom on a level-surface stage behind one of the concession stands. This is an employee/accessible restroom with a large enough area to turn around and shut the door behind you, complete with a baby changing station should you need it. It’s nice to have a private restroom since the public bathrooms are usually busy and gross during the shows.

When you find your seat and get over feeling like a VIP, you’ll be dumbfounded by just how close to the stage you are. You’ll likely ask yourself, “Is this really happening?” The only thing separating you and the stage is a handful of bouncers and a see-through railing. Your view of the band is practically unobstructed.

The view — of Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats — from the front row wheelchair accessible seats at Red Rocks.

Let the Music Begin

After the band comes on the stage and you have picked your jaw off the floor, you’ll notice that the audio is superb, and the view is unmatched. Be aware — you are sitting very close to the speakers — the front row at Red Rocks is loud. Even if you enjoy loud music, you may want to pack a set of earplugs.

I often find myself rolling away from the front row and looking up toward everyone else enjoying the performance. There’s a special energy at Red Rocks that brings tears to my eyes.

Topher Downham, Williams and Matt Feeney (left to right) have about 10,000 people envying their seats.

Once the show begins, there’s not much else to do but sit back, smile and dance your wheels off. Whether it’s Paul Simon, Snoop Dogg, Nora Jones or anyone else, it’s clear that the performers are having just as memorable an experience as everyone else. There have been numerous interviews with musicians who gladly admit that Red Rocks is one of their favorite venues. This feeling is evident the second they step on stage with a huge grin.

As the sky darkens, you can look up past the show lights to the gorgeous Colorado stars. The moon will often peer over the top of the stage as if to remind you this is exactly where you’re meant to be.

When the show finishes, you are welcome to work your way back down toward the shuttle whenever you are ready to go. There may be a slight wait to board depending on when you depart, but it will take you right back down to your car, where you can exit the venue. It’s easy and seamless.

All in all, Red Rocks Amphitheater is one of the most incredible venues I’ve been fortunate enough to visit since being a wheelchair user. I have told my friends many times that there are a few perks to being disabled — sitting in the front row at Red Rocks is certainly at the top of the list.

If you enjoy live music, a surreal out-of-body experience, and want a lifetime memory, book a trip to Red Rocks Amphitheater. I can’t recommend it highly enough!

Getting Tickets

You can purchase either front row or top row wheelchair-accessible seats for Red Rocks on AXS.com. Shows usually sell out quickly, so buy as close to the on-sale date as possible.

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This is the first of a new series — Best Of — highlighting the places that offer truly memorable wheelchair accessible experiences. We’ll be covering everything from concert venues to restaurants, hotels, travel destinations and more. If you have a favorite spot that does access right, we’d love to hear about it. Please email smcbride@unitedspinal.org.


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Illana
Illana
1 year ago

I, too, believe Red Rocks Amphitheater is the BEST perk from being Handicapped/wheeler. Seen many legendary shows as an able body in the ’70s and ’80s. After SCI, going there became cathartic!

Jess
Jess
1 year ago

I’m taking a solo trip to fulfill a bucket list item: seeing anyone I love perform at Red Rocks! In 2 weeks I fly out to Denver upon completing my state Bar exam (I finished law school last year) to see the Chicks there! I didn’t think could be more excited, but you have resolved my fears about traveling solo in a chair and now I AM more excited! Thank you! 🙏

Jess
Jess
1 year ago
Reply to  Jess

I came by to say that last night was the BEST show and experience of entire life! Part of my goal was to prove to myself that I can be self sufficient… and I was! At the same time, I experienced so much kindness and support, I didn’t feel alone at all ❤️

Kelly
Kelly
1 year ago

Going to my first RR show next week … can’t wait!!!!