U.S. Attorney’s Office Reaches Settlement with City of Denver and Concert Promoters Relating to Overcharging for Wheelchair-Accessible Seating at Red Rocks Amphitheatre

DENVER – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announced today that the United States has resolved a discrimination claim under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) against the City and County of Denver and concert promoters Live Nation, AEG, and PBS12.

The Department of Justice received a complaint that wheelchair-accessible seats for concerts held at Red Rocks Amphitheatre were more expensive than tickets for non-accessible seats.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office investigated the complaint and alleged that the City and County of Denver, which owns Red Rocks, and concert promoters, which contracted with Denver to host events, violated the ADA by charging more for wheelchair-accessible seats than was allowed under ADA regulations. 

There are 121 wheelchair-accessible seats available for each Red Rocks event.  The United States alleged that, between 2018 and 2020, concertgoers who used wheelchairs, and their guests, were charged $47,950.90 more for those seats than was permitted by ADA regulations. The United States alleged that in total, Denver and concert promoters overcharged for 1,817 tickets at 178 events held at Red Rocks. 

To resolve the complaint, Denver agreed to set aside $47,950.90 that will be refunded to individuals who were overcharged for wheelchair-accessible tickets. Denver has implemented a system to ensure that wheelchair-accessible tickets are priced in accordance with ADA regulations. In addition, concert promoters Live Nation, AEG, and PBS12 each paid a civil penalty to the United States. 

“Red Rocks is an iconic concert venue, and people with disabilities who attend events and watch their favorite bands there should not be unfairly overcharged for wheelchair-accessible seating,” Matt Kirsch, Attorney for the United States, Acting under Authority Conferred by 28 U.S.C. § 515. “This agreement reflects our commitment to enforcing the Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires equal treatment for people with disabilities.” 

This case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeyen Wu.

The agreement is not an admission of any violation or liability by the City and County of Denver.

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