

CCC workers built the amphitheatre with 800 tons of quarried stone and 30,000 pounds of reinforced steel. Although steam shovels accomplished some of the heaviest work, most of the muscle came from the picks and shovels, wheelbarrows and rock sleds of the dollar-a-day CCC workers.Īfter leveling the seating space, workers finished the theater by laying over 90,000 square feet of sandstone, quarried in the Lyons, whose reddish color and textures resembled the natural stone at Red Rocks. To grade the theater so that all seats would have great views of the stage, CCC workers removed 50,000 cubic feet of dirt and rock. Although Cranmer had assured the mayor and city council that this would be a cheap and simple task, he soon realized that considerable dynamite would be necessary. Once the National Park Service approved Hoyt’s plan, the CCC began to level the seating area between Ship and Creation Rocks. Its amphitheatre is the master work of Colorado’s most highly regarded architect, Burnham Hoyt The CCC was a pet program of President Roosevelt, who had initiated a prototype program as governor of New York.Īs one of Colorado’s most spectacular settings, Red Rocks attracted the state’s most celebrated piece of architecture.

Secretary of the Interior Harold Ickes to use the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) to build the Red Rocks Amphitheatre –George Cranmer insisted that Denver officially use the English spelling.Ĭreated by the Civilian Conservation Corps Reforestation Relief Act on March 31, 1933, the CCC aimed to save both unemployed young man and endangered lands during the Great Depression by putting the men to work conserving forests and grasslands. When you purchase tickets for a Red Rocks concert, you get a front row seat to one of the best rock concerts in the world.On May 9, 1936, Denver Mayor Benjamin Franklin Stapleton and Parks and Improvements Manager George Cranmer received approval from U.S.
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You can drive up to the venue, look around for free activities and dine outdoors on one of the several dining locations. For a family-friendly weekend, Red Rocks is the perfect choice. The amphitheatre, which seats around 6,450 people, provides a scenic backdrop for all events, live music, movies and special presentations.Īlthough the Red Rocks is a renowned concert and cultural landmark, it is also an ideal place for photographers, weddings, families and anyone else who want to enjoy the Colorado weather and scenery. For this reason, it’s one of the most visited sites in the Denver area. There are also several picnic facilities at the park.Īlthough the primary intent of the park is to showcase the Colorado red rock mountains, it has been transformed into an outdoor cinema. Red Rocks Park is the main site for all weekend and extended-stay camping options. The majority of the park is located on the Colorado River near the southern edge of town. Like most of the country, Denver boasts a large number of parks Red Rocks Park is one of them. The Red Rocks Park is Denver’s largest park. Some of the most popular September concerts include “A Christmas Story”,” Brave” and “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”.

Many movies have been held at this venue as well. The natural beauty of the area is also well known for producing year-round entertainment. The temperature during the summer can be stifling, but June and July are the warmest months. Most of these films have been successful in their goal of creating a fan base in the area.Ī Red Rocks concert is a great time to be in Colorado.
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In addition to concerts, the Red Rocks also offers a series of movies that have shown at the venue. The amphitheatre has hosted many popular rock concerts, including favorites by the Rolling Stones and Aerosmith. It’s name comes from the red mineral color of the rocks that make up the structure. Red Rocks Amphitheatre is a spectacular open-air amphitheatre constructed into a huge rock formation in the northern United States, some ten miles west of Morrison, Colorado.
