There’s nothing quite like soaking up live music outdoors in the summer.
As if catching a concert in the fresh air, with a fluttering breeze and stars overhead, weren’t alluring enough, Colorado is home to a handful of jaw-droppingly, distractingly scenic venues.
Here are the most beautiful places in Colorado (possibly even the world), where the surroundings amp up the concert.
Red Rocks
Morrison
Even the world’s most popular artists have admitted to “dreaming” about their day to play Red Rocks.
The venue first hosted musicians in the early 1900s when it only had a makeshift stage.
Magazine publisher (and earlyCosmopolitanowner) JohnBrisbenWalker recognized the epic acoustics between the rugged landscape’s tallest two formations (Ship Rock and Creation Rock). He began inviting musicians to perform on a simple platform.
He even built a funicular railway to reach the natural amphitheater from the area that is now the lower parking lot.
He sold the venue to the City of Denver in 1928, and after constructing an actual amphitheater, Red Rocks opened in 1941.
Among music history’s Hall of Famers, Nat King Cole, The Beatles (whose 1964 Red Rocks show didn’t even sell out), Jimi Hendrix, The Eurythmics, U2 and Bruce Springsteen have all performed here.
Sitting at 6,450 feet (more than 1,000 feet above Denver), surrounded by hiking trails, and accessed by hundreds of stairs, getting to a show here is an experience.
Once the music starts, especially if it’s a band you adore, the wall of sound amid the rock formations and panorama of the city lights below is dreamy, indeed.
Red Rocks seats 9,525 people using benches running the width of the amphitheater. Some shows offer reserved seats, some general admission, and some a combination.
The2024 lineuplaunched in March and lasts until November. It spans every genre, including rock, jam band, singer-songwriter, metal, and EDM.
Because it’s such a tourist attraction, tickets to all shows get snapped up quickly, so if there’s an artist you love on the calendar, get your tickets as soon as possible.
Bring a rain jacket and an extra layer. It can get cold up there, especially in spring and fall.
Mishawaka Amphitheatre
Fort Collins
Known as “The Mish” among locals and CSU students, Mishawaka is still somewhat of a locals’ secret. But it’s worth the pilgrimage to northern Colorado.
Located inBellvue, northwest of Fort Collins, the Mishawaka sits on the banks of the Poudre River in Poudre Canyon, which enhances the stage’s acoustics.
Hand-built by motorcyclist and musician Walter Thompson beginning in 1916, the venue originally opened as a Dance Hall.
The Mish began regularly hosting traveling artists on its outdoor stage in the 1970s.
Since 2010, local music enthusiasts Dani Grant and MattHoevenhave owned and operated it.
With a capacity of about 1,000 people, The Mish earned a reputation as a hub for jam bands but now hosts, as its2024 summer lineupindicates, a variety of genres, ranging from local favorites to national and international acts like Old Crow Medicine Show, The Church and The Disco Biscuits.
In addition to being one of Colorado’s most picturesque outdoor live music haunts, The Mishawaka is also home to anaward-winning restaurantwith yummy breakfast burritos and a gamut of pub fare for lunch and dinner.
Gerald Ford Amphitheater
Vail
With the majestic Rocky Mountains rising in every direction, including the snowcapped Gore Range, the Gerald Ford Amphitheater is unquestionably one of Colorado’s most scenic music haunts.
Former President and Vail Valley resident Gerald Ford dedicated the venue when it opened in the summer of 1987, after which Willie Nelson christened its stage.
Since then, “The Amp” has become a fixture for big nights out among locals and a refreshing off-the-beaten-path stop for touring artists.
The Amp hosts annual summer events like theBravo! MusicandVail Dance festivals and its weekday free Hot Summer Nights concerts attract more than 2,500 patrons.
The place is divided into a covered seating area surrounding the stage (many shows have seat reservations), which is welcome cover during a mountain thunderstorm.
Above this is a slanted grassy lawn, where you stake your claim with a blanket or floor chair and, if lucky, a picnic and bottle of wine.
A full bar and elevated concession fare are available at every show.
The Amp’s2024 calendaris arguably its most star-studded yet, featuring comedians Steve Martin and Martin Short (June 15), Portugal the Man (July 13), The Beach Boys (Aug. 15) and Robert Plant with Alison Krauss (Sept. 1).
Bring rainwear and possibly a puffy jacket. Nights get cold above 8,000 feet.
Dillon Amphitheater
Dillon
Sitting on the shores of Lake Dillon with Peak One and the rest of the Ten Mile Range creating a jagged skyline on the opposite side of the water, the Dillon Amphitheater might win as Colorado’s No. 1 most scenic music venue.
It took a couple of decades for the venue, mainly used for private and local events in its earlier days, to etch its place on the musical touring map.
It has, as its regularly sold-out performances can attest, arrived.
In the last six years, Dillon has hosted the likes of The-B2s and Bob Dylan and can pack in a capacity of 3,656.
Concrete bench seats surround the stage, but the elevated lawn section occupies most of the venue’s space.
With few exceptions, most performances are general admission.
Catching a show here is distractingly scenic and a great way to sample local fare, as vendors represent nearby restaurants and breweries.
With a season lasting from mid-June to mid-September, Dillon’s2024 summer lineupis truly eclectic, ranging from Trampled by Turtles (July 14) to Jason Mraz (July 26) to Indigo Girls & Amos Lee (Sept. 14).
The venue also hosts free performances, including theNational Repertory Orchestra’sannual Concert on the Lake (July 1),Movies on the Waterandyoga classes.
New this summer, Dillon Amp is implementing a clear bag policy and prohibiting chairs with seats higher than 5 inches.
Again, bring your waterproof layers.
FredShellmanMemorial Stage
Telluride
The Telluride Bluegrass Festivalhas become a signature Centennial State event.
Its main stage achieved legendary status partly due to its beautiful backdrop.
Dedicated to “the father of Telluride Bluegrass,” the FredShellmanMemorial Stage has hosted stars ranging from Johnny Cash to Mavis Staples.
In Telluride Town Park, surrounded by aspens and pines, the rugged San Juan Mountains create a natural, resounding surround sound.
The venue is not only the long-time heartbeat ofTelluride Bluegrass, which hits June 20-23 and features headliners like Lyle Lovett and Sam Bush Band but also Telluride Jazz(Aug. 9-11) andTelluride Blues & Brews(Sept. 12-15).
Levitt Pavilion
Denver
This somewhat hidden gem is nestled squarely in southern Denver, smack in the middle of the sprawling, green Ruby Hill Park.
A sort of urban oasis, the stage sits on 80 acres of vibrant grass and bushy trees.
Launched by theLevitt Foundation in 2017 to be “an inclusive gathering place,” Levitt Pavilion concerts are non-profit, and many are free.
The place also attracts its fair share of big acts, like this summer’s Beach Boys (Aug. 14) and Gypsy Kings (Aug. 23).
The venue also hosts a regular Yoga on the Lawn series, serves a full bar during concerts, and rotates a lineup of local food trucks.
Sunset Amphitheater
Colorado Springs
This new, 8,000-capacity amphitheater, set to open this summer, has all the markings of becoming one of Colorado’s iconic outdoor concert venues.
On the north side of Colorado Springs near the U.S. Air Force Academy, Sunset joins indoor music haunt Boot Barn Halland indoor skydiving facilityiFly to name the area one of America’s most unique entertainment hubs.
Local stars OneRepublic christen the place with back-to-back performancesAug. 9-11, and then an ensuing parade of A-listers follows, including The Beach Boys, Lauren Daigle, Steve Miller Band, Barenaked Ladies, ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Originally Published: July 9, 2024 at 6:00 a.m.
