Welcome to a better way of reporting noise from the Ford amphitheater in Colorado Springs.

OVERVIEW.

This webpage receives noise nuisance reports from area residents and posts the results as a "Noise Heat Map" showing areas in north Colorado Springs, Monument and neighboring areas affected by noise from the Ford amphitheater. Here your Noise Report is shared on an online map so your voice can be heard. Help is on the way!

We encourage you to participate and join others by sharing a noise nuisance report.
We make it easy to submit a noise report. Simply provide a location (Latitude and Longitude) available on this webpage through one click on your cellphone, and a 0-3 numerical score for the noise nuisance you are experiencing at home. Your noise report is posted within seconds on the Noise Heat Map at the Lat/Long coordinates provided. You can also submit Outdoor and Indoor noise levels in decibels dB(A) and share comments and details about the noise nuisance you are experiencing.

This webpage was launched on September 8th 2024 in Test Mode to gather feedback from actual users. New features are being added based on results and user feedback so you will notice changes. To open the latest version of this webpage we suggest deleting the Cache memory or "Browsing Data" on your web browser and reloading this page.


GETTING STARTED - VIEWING NOISE MAPS

1. The latest Noise Heat Map is shown when you open the webpage. The map is updated in real time with each new noise report. The noise nuisance is scored using two numbers shown inside each house on the map. The fist 0-3 number is the Outdoor noise nuisance score and the second 0-3 number is the Indoor noise nuisance score. It is like having a Small-Medium-Large nuisance score. Always reload the map using the RELOAD NOISE MAP button to see the latest noise reports on the map.

2. While viewing the Noise Map, you can zoom In and Out and also choose either a street view or a satellite view. On the street map view you can turn on the terrain feature to see changes in elevation represented by darker areas that could affect sound propagation. The satellite view helps identify residential areas, comercial areas and unpopulated areas such as forests.

3. Click on the Orange or Yellow house icons to see noise report details in a pop-up window. On a PC you can simply hover over the house icons to see details. Yellow houses are the latest noise reports submitted today.

4. Areas on the map without noise reports are areas where noise reports have not submitted. These can also be forest areas, commercial areas, vacant land or less densely populated areas. An area on the map without noise reports may have noise that was not reported. Residents in quiet zones can help identify these areas by submiting noise reports with scores of zero if they do not hear noise from the amphitheater.
Switch to satellite view on the map to identify residential areas and unpopulated areas.


GETTING STARTED - POSTING A NOISE REPORT

1. Determine the Latitude and Longitude coordinates of your home or a nearby location such as middle of the street for privacy. These coordinates are used to locate your noise data on the map. On a phone you can find your GPS Lat/Long coordinates using a link on this webpage as described in the FAQ, or by using one of several Lat/Long websites such as latlong.net , or by right clicking your position on Google Maps , or by using a GPS or Compass phone app. There are many GPS and Compass apps available for iPhone and Android phones.

To run a quick test finding your Lat/Long coordinates using your cellphone click  here  and look for a pop-up window showing your Lat/Long coordinates. You may be asked to allow access to your device location by this webpage.

2. Fill out the noise survey form on this page. Include your Latitude and Longitude numbers (in standard decimal format) plus a 0 to 3 score for both Outdoor and Indoor noise nuisance.
You can also include optional sound level decibel numbers and comments. To avoid errors, the form only accepts Latitude and Longitude numbers within 20 miles of the amphitheater. Further instructions are provided on the main page next to the form.
Contact us if you have trouble submitting a noise report.

3. Submit the form using the SEND REPORT button. A successfull upload is confirmed by a message on your screen showing a copy of your noise report. Keep a copy of this information or just your Latitude and Longitude numbers because they will be needed for updating or deleting your noise report at a latter date if necessary. Your unique Latitude and Longitude numbers are like a "login" or identifier for future editing and deleting your noise report.

4. Reload the latest noise map using the RELOAD NOISE MAP button. You will see a Yellow house icon at your location. Clicking on a house will open a pop-up window showing the distance to the music venue and all information submitted with each noise report.

5. On the Noise Heat Map you can view noise reports submitted by all other users.

6. These maps only exist because neighbors have shared their noise reports. Submit a noise report today and participate in the survey. Every new noise report is important and improves the coverage and quality of the Noise Heat Map.

FAQ - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What is noise?
"Noise is unwanted and/or harmful sound, first recognized as a public health hazard in 1968. Chronic noise, even at low levels, can cause annoyance, sleep disruption and stress that contribute to cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, metabolic disturbances, exacerbation of psychological disorders and premature mortality. Noise interferes with cognition, and learning, contributes to behavior problems, and reduces achievement and productivity". (Source: American Public Health Association, apha.org)

2. What is this webpage all about?
The webpage was created in response to the loud noise from the Ford amphitheater disturbing the surrounding neighborhoods in Colorado Springs, CO. It is an independent online tool for crowdsourcing the collection and visualization of noise nuisance data. It provides an easy way for anyone to share and view the noise they are hearing at their homes using a simple online form.
The data is displayed in real time on a Noise Heat Map and provides transparency on what areas are impacted by the amphitheater noise and the level of annoyance. This webpage is a free tool that can be used by everyone with the ultimate goal being the elimination of noise nuisance coming from the Ford amphitheater.

3. Who created this webpage?
It was created by a neighbor annoyed by the amphitheater noise who decided to contribute to a solution by creating an online tool that captures and openly discloses the amphitheater noise issue in Colorado Springs. Some would call it a "grassroots initiative".

4. How can I contact the website?
Use the contact form at the bottom of the main page. We welcome questions, suggestions for improving the usability and features of this webpage and all comments.

5. Can I delete a noise report that I submitted?
Yes, you can delete a noise report by entering your Latitude and Longitude coordinates on the form provided on this page. Fill out the form using the same exact Lat/Long coordinate numbers that were entered when submitting your original noise report. When you delete a noise report, you will see a confirmation screen showing the report information that was deleted. This is for your reference only.

Note: When you submit each noise report, you will see a confirmation screen with your report details and your Lat/Long coordinates. We suggest saving a screenshot or printing this screen to remember the Lat/Long coordinates that you used for your noise report so that you can delete and edit/replace the report in the future.

6. Can I edit or change my noise report after submitting the form?
Yes. To edit a noise report, first delete the existing noise report using the DELETE form provided on this page and then submit a new noise report at the same Lat/Long coordinates that will replace your old report.

7. Can I submit more than one noise report for the same location?
To avoid crowding the map we suggest submitting only one general noise report for each location. If you want to update a report, delete the old noise report and submit a new report.
If you want to submit separate noise reports for each date or concert, check out our LIVE Noise Map feature where you can post a "LIVE" noise report between 7pm and Midnight on any day and look up noise reports for any date. Noise reports submitted for the LIVE Noise Map only show up on the LIVE Noise Map for specific dates and do not show up on the main Noise Map on this page.

8. How can I find my home Latitude and Longitude on a PC computer?
Many websites such as latlong.net or right clicking your position on Google Maps will help you find your home Lat/Long coordinates after entering an address or searching your location on a map. Your Lat/Long coordinates must be entered in decimal degrees such as "39.123456" using four to six decimal places, and not in degrees/minutes/seconds.

9. How can I find my home Latitude and Longitude on a Cellphone?
Find your Lat/Long without leaving this webpage by clicking on the Cellphone GPS link just above the Noise Survey Form. Your GPS Lat/Long coordinates will be shown above the form and will also be placed automatically in the Noise Survey Form and Delete Form. The webpage may ask you to allow access to your location before finding your GPS Lat/Long coordinates.

To run a quick test finding your Lat/Long coordinates using a cellphone, click  here  and look for a pop-up window showing your Lat/Long coordinates and distance from Ford amphitheater. You may be asked to allow access to your device location by this webpage.

On a phone that has GPS and Location turned on in settings, you can also find your Lat/Long coordinates on apps that use location such as GPS apps or certain Compass apps. Your Lat/Long coordinates must be entered on the form in decimal degrees such as "39.123456" using four to six decimal places and not in degrees/minutes/seconds. The iPhone factory compass App does not show Lat/Long in suitable units. On an iPhone you can also ask Siri "what are my current GPS coordinates".


10. How can I find the distance from my home to the amphitheater?
We created a distance tool so you can click  here  and see a pop-up window showing your distance from Ford amphitheater. You may be asked to allow this webpage access to your device location.

11. Why are we reporting noise nuisance instead of noise sound levels in decibels?
Noise nuisance levels correlates well with how humans hear and perceive unwanted, disturbing or unpleasant sounds.

"Noise nuisance takes into account other factors beyond a simple noise decibel measurement. Other factors such as peak levels, maximum levels, and variability can have a significant influence on nuisance perception, and citizens are known to complain more about single high levels rather than average exposure." (Source: National Library of Medicine, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov )

Noise nuisance is also easily assessed by the general population at home without requiring special sound measuring instruments and is a more direct and intuitive measure of the effects of noise on residents and/or their families and pets. Your ears are the most efficient noise nuisance sensors.
If you have a sound meter you can include sound levels in decibels in your report as collaborating information.

12. How do I know if my noise report was uploaded correctly?
After successfully submitting a noise report, you will see either a confirmation message with the information submitted or an error message. If your report was successfully uploaded you will see a new Yellow house icon on the Latest Map at your position when you reload the map. If you do not find a house icon at your position, check your Lat/Long coordinates that may have been in error and placed your house at a different position on the map.

13. How is my noise report shown on the map?
Your noise report is shown on the map as a house with two numbers inside representing your 0-3 nuisance scores. To see all the report information such as decibels, comments and distance to music venue, click on a house and a pop-up window will open showing these details.

14. Can I submit a noise report if I do not hear any noise or suffer nuisance from concerts at the Ford amphitheater?
Yes, you can submit a nuisance report with a 0-0 score if you are not affected by concert noise. This will help identify areas where the amphitheater noise is not reaching. You can also submit a low score nuisance report such as 1-0 if you only hear a low distant noise outdoors that causes little nuisance and no noise inside your home. You can also explain what you are hearing or not hearing in the report comments.

15. Why are some houses Orange and others Yellow on the Noise Map?
Yellow houses are noise reports submitted or updated on the day you opened the map. Orange houses are older noise reports that are one day or more old. The yellow houses quickly identify the most recent noise reports submitted today, for example when a band is playing and nuisance noise is being heard.

16. Can I report noise levels from within the amphitheater?
Yes, you can report noise levels in and around the amphitheater if you have a sound level meter or phone app to measure sound levels, plus a device such as a smart phone with GPS that can provide your Lat/Long coordinates. Enter zero (0) for both your Outdoor and Indoor nuisance levels since you are not at home, and enter the sound decibels (dBA) measured. Add comments as necessary describing what you measured such as name of show, location in venue, distance from loudspeakers or stage, type of sound meter or phone app etc... You can also mention if the venue sound level was too low, just right, too loud or even painful for the audience.

17. Any concerns about these noise maps reducing property values in the affected areas?
Negative news about the amphitheater noise issue is already widely reported in the news and on social media and may negatively affect property values. Until now, no tools existed for collecting and showing on a map the data from the population to better identify the areas affected by the amphitheater noise.
The goal of this webpage is to prevent the loss of property values by publishing useful noise data coming from those affected by the noise. This information will help inform the press, improve public policy, improve noise ordinances, hold the music venue accountable and ultimatly resolve the amphitheater noise problem once and for all to preserve North Colorado Springs tranquility and home values. Making noise about this horrible noise issue now and disclosing information is better than staying silent.

18. What is the noise level allowed between 7pm and 7am in the state of Colorado?
Refer to Colorado Noise Statute 25-12-103 that establishes noise levels that constitute public nuisance when radiating from a property line at a distance of twenty-five feet or more.
 50 dB(A) for Residential zones.
 55 dB(A) for Commercial zones.
Periodic, impulsive or shrill noises shall be considered a public nuisance when such noises are at a sound level of five dB(A) less than the above. (Source)

19. What is the permissible noise level between 7pm and 7am in Colorado Springs?
Refer to Colorado Springs 9.8.104: PERMISSIBLE NOISE LEVELS for noise levels declared to be excessive and unusually loud and unlawful.
 50 dB(A) for Residential zones.
 55 dB(A) for Commercial zones.
Periodic, impulsive, or shrill noises are declared unlawful when the noises are at a sound level of five (5) dB(A) less than those listed in section 9.8.104 of this part. (Ord. 96-41; Ord. 01-42) (Source)

20. What noise levels are recommended for sleeping?
The WHO guidelines for community noise recommend less than 30 A-weighted decibels (dB(A)) in bedrooms during the night for a sleep of good quality and less than 35 dB(A) in classrooms to allow good teaching and learning conditions. The WHO guidelines for night noise recommend less than 40 dB(A) of annual average (Lnight) outside of bedrooms to prevent adverse health effects from night noise. (Source: https://www.who.int/europe)

21. What is a crowdsourced noise survey?
"A crowdsourced survey involves a large and dispersed group of participants contributing data to a survey. It often involves a digital platform to divide work between participants to achieve a cumulative result. Advantages of using crowdsourcing include lowered costs, improved speed, improved quality and increased scalability of work. Crowdsourcing usually involves less specific and more public groups of participants". (Source: Wikipedia).

22. Does this webpage have any affiliation or financial interest in the Ford amphitheater?
Absolutely not! We are local residents severely impacted by the noise from the open air Ford amphitheater that was built close to residential neighborhoods. Our interest is for this pesky noise issue to be resolved and return the peace and silence we enjoy in our north Colorado Springs neighborhoods and surrounding areas.

23. What is the New LIVE Map feature?
This is a new webpage lauched on 09/27/2024 that allows you to publish LIVE noise reports between 7pm and Midnight while you are hearing noise nuisance. These noise reports are stored with a date so you can look up the LIVE noise map for each date and show. This LIVE Noise Map webpage has a new form with a calender where you can select to view a LIVE noise map for any date. You can update a LIVE noise report by simply resubmitting the form using the exact same Latitude and Longitude between 7pm and Midnight on the same day. You can also delete a noise report between 7pm and midnight on the same day it was submitted. The LIVE maps show noise reports for a single day and anyone can view them by selectinga a date in the calender form provided.

24. Can I use this Noise Map for noise annoyance at other amphitheaters or other noisy events?
Use the Contact Form to reach us if you would like to set up a Noise Map for other music venues and other sources of noise. So the answer is Yes, but we must first discuss your needs and do some setup and configurations for your specific geographic location.

25. What are the latest updates to this webpage?
 2024-09-27 - Added a new webpage and map for posting and following LIVE noise reports from 7pm to midnight on show nights. Can also look up LIVE noise maps for a specific date.
 2024-09-28 - Improved support for iPad and cellphones. Now you can click on a house on the map and see the noise report in a pop-up window.
 2024-09-30 - Noise reports on the Latest map now show the report date or the date of the last update to the report.
 2024-10-04 - Added new Yellow houses to identify noise reports submitted or updated on the same day you opened the map. Good to see new and updated noise reports while the band is making noise in the amphitheater and disturbing homes.
 2024-10-07 - Added new "Cellphone GPS" link just above the main Survey Form for finding your Lat/Long coordinates on phones that have GPS and location turned on in settings. Lat/Long coordinates are displayed just below the link and also automatically populate the Noise Survey Form and Delete Form for convenience. The FAQ section (Q9) has a new link to test GPS geolocation on cellphones without leaving this page.
 2024-10-08 - Added a new tool that calculates the distance from your (home) position to the amphitheater. Works best on a cellphone with GPS. The link is in the FAQ above (Q10).
 2024-10-09 - Removed the first test map that showed noise reports submitted using social media messaging. Noise reports from this map were transfered to the latest map now shown. Now there is a single noise map on the main webpage.

26. Questions?
Use our contact form. We welcome user questions, comments and suggestions!


If you have questions, ideas or suggestions for this webpage we would like to hear them. We can add new features, maps and tools if there is interest and can help resolve the noise problem.