The History of the Red Rocks Amphitheatre

The History of Red Rocks

Once called the “Garden of Angels” the Red Rock Amphitheatre is nested in the flaming Red Rocks of Morrison Colorado. This small crown jewel venue provides a music experience like no other. Music echoing and bouncing between the huge rock formations that form the Amphitheater walls. Above you? The clear crisp Colorado night sky full of shining constellations. From sea level, you are 1.22 miles closer to the stars when you see a show at Red Rocks.

The vision of this amazing outdoor venue is one of John Walker. In 1905, Walker bought Red Rocks Park and began construction on this venue starting with a wooden stage. This first stage lay inside a natural hollow between Creation and Ship rock, and would later be where a permanent stage would be constructed. In 1935, the Denver parks manager George Cranmer worked with Walker to receive federal funding and manpower through the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) to turn this vision into a reality.

The Red Rocks Amphitheatre proved to be one of the most complex structures ever built in Colorado due to its unique location and challenges. In 1936, Brunham Hoyt because chief architect for the project, tasked with turning a rocky hollow in to a venue that kept the natural acoustics and appearance, yet could hold hundreds of people. Red Rocks amphitheater officially opened on June 15th, 1941. One of the first artist to ever perform on the stage was Helen Jepson who sang, “Ave Maria.”

Today Red Rocks is a place that fosters a spirit of community and harmony in the natural world. From concerts to weddings, Walker’s vision from that small wooded stage has turned into something marvelous bringing people together from all over the world. On July 21, 2015, Red Rocks park and stage became a National Historic Landmark of Colorado, Ensuring this incredible place would stay protected and preserved for generations to come.