The whole mess strikes us as the city’s left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing.
On the city’s right hand, the city has a call out to all interested parties for Neighborhood Activation Program, even recently encouraging Wax Trax to apply for funds to bring events like our Sundays on 13th shows over to East Colfax or Logan and 13th, just two blocks from the store. Sundays on 13th evolved from the pandemic, a neighborhood business reaction to what the pandemic was doing to our block. Ironically these are exactly the motivations the city’s Neighborhood Activation Program states as its goals.
On the city’s left hand, the DDPHE is trying to fine the store for holding our events because of one neighbors’ complaint (which contained a specifically worded bias against punk rock music, as well as an unsubstantiated claim about music giving them migraines).
The city’s position is that just one person saying it gave them a migraine (not as much as a doctor’s note needed) is enough justification to start fining the store for having music on its sidewalk. Each fine doubles, and the DDPHE’s noise officers solicit additional complaints from the original complainant, so even one fine could lead to the events becoming financially impossible.
The store’s position is that our events are designed to and do provide a public good for the Capitol Hill community, and more than hearsay should be needed to stop all that goodness from happening.
Wax Trax won the first hearing with this logic, but the city appealed to the kangaroo court of the DDPHE board itself, which of course decided that it wins, and this Tuesday Wax Trax is appealing that decision in the District Court–the first truly legal setting for the matter.
Wax Trax needs you, our community and neighbors, at the hearing to show that you support Sundays on 13th and free live local music. Email
To be clear, Wax Trax doesn’t want to challenge the laws on the books, we only want to ensure that its enforcement is reasonable, and considers the greater public good.
So now you know the story… join us at the hearing in support. Your presence in the Courtroom will show the judge and City that this matters to Denverites. Email erica@waxtraxrecords.com to let us know you’ll be there.
Tues. Jan. 2, 11am
Courtroom 368
1437 Bannock Street
Denver CO 80202
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