Jun 21, 2018
Final Approval to Class Action Settlement to Provide Meaningful Access for Wheelchair Users at Red Rocks Amphitheater
DENVER June 18, 2018 – On Thursday June 7th, a federal judge approved a settlement between the City of Denver and a coalition of local disability-rights organizations in a class action lawsuit claiming the City of Denver had denied patrons who use wheelchairs and other mobility devices the opportunity to meaningfully access Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Nonprofit organizations Civil Rights Education and Enforcement Center (CREEC), Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition (CCDC), and Disability Law Colorado (DLC) filed the suit against the City of Denver in December 2016, claiming disability discrimination for failure to ensure that people who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices had access to the first row of seating at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. A copy of the original press release explaining the major issues inciting the original lawsuit can be found at: https://creeclaw.org/class-action-lawsuit-alleges-disability-discriminat... Since that time, the disability rights organizations and individual class representatives have negotiated with The City to come to a reasonable solution.
The court-approved settlement requires The City to implement systems that ensure tickets in the accessible section only be sold to, given to, and used by people who require accessible seating. To avoid scalping of tickets in the highly-sought after rows 1-4, the City agreed to sell tickets to rows 1-4 of the theater as non-transferrable tickets via Flashseats. According to the agreement, ticketholders will be required to show the credit card used to purchase the tickets and a government-issued ID matching the name on the purchase. Also, any patrons buying tickets as a group must enter the amphitheater together. Finally, patrons holding tickets to the first row must verbally attest to staff that at least one member of their party requires the accessible features of the seats. The agreement also requires shuttle service be provided to all concert-goers with mobility impairments who need it with at least one shuttle providing space for two people who uses wheelchairs to ride together. The Plaintiffs did not seek monetary damages. A copy of the settlement can be found at: http://www.disabilitylawco.org/sites/default/files/uploads/6538263-0--30...
“We are hopeful that the changes the City has agreed to make will allow everyone to enjoy Colorado’s unique landmark that is Red Rocks,” said Disability Law Colorado Staff Attorney Jenn Purrington. Plaintiffs and their counsel are hopeful the settlement will allow people who use wheelchairs and other mobility devices access to the front row accessible seating area again instead of scalpers who sold them way above face value to anyone whether they used a wheelchair or mobility device or not. CREEC, CCDC, and DLC look forward to continuing to work with the City to ensure the settlement terms are implemented, so that people who use wheelchairs and other mobility devices have access to the front row accessible seats at Red Rocks.
9News Story: https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/features/judge-signs-off-on-acc...
Civil Rights Education and Enforcement Center (CREEC) is a nonprofit membership organization whose goal is to ensure that everyone can fully and independently participate in our nation’s civic life without discrimination. http://creeclaw.org
Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition (CCDC) advocates for Social Justice for people with all types of disabilities. www.ccdconline.org
Disability Law Colorado (DLC) is Colorado’s federally-mandated and state-designated Protection & Advocacy System established to protect and promote the legal and human rights of persons with disabilities. www.disabilitylawco.org
Media Contacts:
Alison L. Butler, Esq.,
Director of Legal Services
Disability Law Colorado
303-722-0300
abutler@disabilitylawco.org
Amy Robertson, Esq.,
Co-Executive Director
Civil Rights Education and Enforcement Center
303-757-7901
arobertson@creeclaw.org
Kevin Williams, Esq.,
Legal Program Director
Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition
720-336-3584
kwilliams@ccdconline.org
