The legendary Red Rocks Amphitheater near Denver, Colorado turned a bit greener over the weekend.

Produced by nationally-syndicated radio program, eTown, the second Green Rocks at Red Rocks event on Friday, July 30 featured Lyle Lovett and His Big Band as well as legendary bluesman Taj Mahal. But the music and the message was accompanied by some forward thinking green initiatives that arguably made Red Rocks the greenest venue in the country — at least for the day.

Presented by AEG, Rocky Mountain PBS, and KBCO FM, Green Rocks at Red Rocks was powered entirely by renewable energy and concert promoters worked to reduce environmental impact by offering a free 100% biodiesel-powered bus to Red Rocks from locations in Denver and Boulder.  Working with CU Biodiesel, eTown’s biodiesel bus program was designed at limiting the number of cars working their way up to the Front Range music venue, cutting fuel use, carbon emissions and air pollution associated with traveling to the event.

eTown Square on the Rocks also featured booths, information tables, demonstrations, and eco-products, all related to alternative fuels, recycling, and other green initiatives.

“It’s going to be one of the greenest happenings of the year,” Helen Forster of eTown told the Boulder Daily Camera.

And the changes first instituted by eTown for Green Rocks at Red Rocks a few years ago have already begun to stick and venue operators have decided to implement some of the environmental practices on a permanent basis. Red Rocks now has a recycling and composting program in place for all events.

“I can’t say enough about the staff at Red Rocks,” said Forster. “They have really worked with us to make this annual concert something special.”

Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps as part of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, the legacy of Red Rocks is thoroughly steeped in conservationism and natural history. And the moves by eTown to help green the venue will only help solidify Red Rocks’ position as perhaps the place to enjoy music in harmony with the natural environment.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons