Arise Music Festival cancels 2020 event, cites traffic flow, EMS strain, & failed permits with new location

The three-day Colorado camping event was originally scheduled for July 30 through August 4.

After parting ways with its longtime host venue earlier this year, Arise Music Festival has announced that their 2020 edition has been canceled. However, it wasn’t coronavirus that had a bearing on the call. Rather, the festival cited local officials’ concerns over traffic flow, compatibility requirements, and potential strain on EMS as reasons for cancellation.

After eight successful years at Sunrise Ranch in Loveland County, Arise organizers were attempting to make the move to Larimer County near Park Creek Reservoir. However, a Larimer County Commissioners meeting, held Monday, March 9, yielded a 2-1 vote against allowing the festival’s move to a 200-acre site in Wellington, Colorado.

“Arise has operated in Larimer County for eight years without any major incidents and in full cooperation with local authorities,” stated Arise producer Luke Comer in an official elease. “Arise Music Festival has continually run as one of the most successful and safest festivals in Colorado. Undergoing the special event application for the new location, I have continued to show my willingness to solve foreseeable problems and to hire the best experts in the field, while remaining cooperative.”

There is always a silver lining, though, as it’s not end of Arise altogether. By the sound of things, 2020 will merely be a furlough year. Looking towards the future of Arise, Comer says he’s committed to bringing Arise back – and bigger and better than ever.

“Our team is already considering other properties for 2021,” continues Comer, “while remaining focused on bringing a new level of festival experience with enhanced music, beautiful and cutting-edge art and a heightened sense of community Arise patrons all know and love.”

Since its inception in 2012, Arise was Colorado’s largest annual camping festival, attracting over 11,000 attendees per year. Their 2019 edition featured Tipper, Beats Antique, CloZee, SunSquabi, and more. The cancellation also come after news that two of Arise’s original founders, Tierro Lee and Paul Bassis, parted ways with the festival in pursuit of another large-scale Colorado music event.