A man detonated a homemade bomb outside of an Ariana Grande concert at the 21,000-seat Manchester Arena in England, Monday night.
The bombing served as a ringing reminder that concert venues can be a vulnerable terrorist target.
In the wake of the 2015 shooting at Bataclan music club in Paris, Colorado promoters have bolstered their venues with front-and-center security measures. But there are a significant number of security checks in place that patrons will never see. Some big local venues covertly employ bomb-sniffing dogs and coordinate with local law enforcement to ensure patron safety without causing a need for alarm — or tipping their hand.
“The real security work goes on behind the scenes,” said Chris Zacher, executive director of Denver’s outdoor amphitheater Levitt Pavilion Denver, which opens in Ruby Hill this July.
AEG Presents, the dominant concert promoter in Denver, issued a statement in the wake of the Manchester attack, reassuring fans that they are “in regular contact with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners and work closely with them in all matters of security and public safety for our venue and our guests.”
Last year, AEG Presents installed at their middle-to-large-scale music venues in the Denver area, including the Bluebird Theater, the Ogden Theatre, Fiddler’s Green Amphitheater and the FirstBank Center. Live Nation’s Fillmore Auditorium, on the other hand, employs pat downs and hand-held metal-detecting wands. Bag checks are standard at both promoters’ local venues.
Beyond regimented security, venues also rely on the fans themselves to make them safer. Red Rocks marketing director Brian Kitts encouraged fans at a concert to report “anything that feels out of place” to security.
Here is a run-down of security measures at Denver area’ venues that seat 7,000 or more people.
Metal detectors: Yes, wands at all concerts
Bag policy: Only six-pack-sized, soft-sided cooler (10 x 7 x 7 inches or smaller), cloth or soft-pack bags (12 x 17 x 12 or smaller) and gallon-sized clear plastic bags for food are allowed. All bags are checked at all shows.
Notable prohibited items: Liquids in non-factory sealed containers, glass, weapons of any kind, aerosols, totems (“self-crafted, decorated sticks or poles”), animals (with the exception of service animals), remote controlled flying devices or UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles).
See the venue’s complete list of banned and permitted items .
Metal detectors: Yes, wands and walk-through metal detectors.
Bag policy: Bag checks at certain shows.
Notable prohibited items: Chains or weapons or any kind, umbrellas, pets (unless service animals), beverages beyond one sealed water bottle, hula hoops.
See the venue’s complete list of banned and permitted items .
Metal detectors: Yes, walk-through magnetometers at all events.
Bag policy: Large backpacks, suitcases, beach and equipment bags are prohibited; all bags subject to search.
Notable prohibited items: Large backpacks, suitcases, beach bags, equipment bags, chemicals, weapons (includes “pucks, balls, or other missile-like objects”).
See the venue’s complete list of banned and permitted items .
Metal detectors: Yes, wanding at all events.
Bag policy: NFL-approved bags — no larger than 12 x 6 x 12 inches — a 1-gallon clear freezer bag (Ziploc or similar) or a small clutch bag or purse no larger than 6.5 x 4.5 are permitted. Other bags must be checked in an on-site locker rented at the bag owner’s expense. All bags are subject to search. We have found 10 clear bags that you
Notable prohibited items: Bags that don’t meet , dangerous objects of any kind, golf-sized umbrellas, balls of any kind (including full-sized footballs).
See the venue’s complete list of banned and permitted items .
Metal detectors: Yes, walk-through magnetometers at all events.
Bag policy: Soft-sided, personal-size bags are allowed and subject to search.
Notable prohibited items: Sealed water bottles, large or offensive signs, police/radio scanners, weapons, regulation-size sports equipment.
See the venue’s complete list of banned and permitted items (go to page 30).
Metal detectors: Yes, walk-through magnetometers at all events.
Bag policy: Large backpacks, suitcases, beach and equipment bags are prohibited. All bags are subject to search.
Notable prohibited items: Weapons, hard case containers, fireworks, skateboards, ice skates.
See the venue’s complete list of banned and permitted items .
