Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Open-air amphitheatre near Morrison, Colorado, United States
Red Rocks Amphitheatre is an open-air venue set among massive red sandstone formations in Jefferson County, Colorado. The stage is built into the natural slope of the land, with the rock walls serving as a natural backdrop and acoustic reflector for performances.
The site has been used for performances since the early 1900s, with the current amphitheatre completed in the 1930s and officially opened in 1941. The project received support from the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps during the New Deal era.
The name Red Rocks comes from the reddish sandstone formations that define the site. Visitors experience it as a place where music and the natural landscape merge, with the rock formations naturally shaping the sound and amplifying the sense of community during performances.
The 9,525 seats are tiered wooden benches divided by low concrete retaining walls, so the view is clear from most rows. The stage sits at the bottom beneath a flat canopy roof on tall columns, with a round stone tower to its left. The City of Denver owns and operates the venue, about ten miles southwest of Denver near Morrison.
The two monoliths flanking the seats are named Ship Rock and Creation Rock, with the smaller Stage Rock completing the natural frame. In 1957 the American Institute of Architects chose the venue as Colorado's entry for its Centennial Exhibition at the National Gallery of Art.
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