Colorado Supreme Court Rules Salida Unlawfully Issued Sound Permits

The Colorado Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that the City of Salida unlawfully issued amplified sound permits for High Side Bar and Grill, reversing a previous court of appeals decision.

The case, originally filed in 2022 by Matt Hobbs, argued that the city violated Colorado’s 1971 Noise Abatement Act when approving permits for amplified music at High Side. The law sets limits of 55 decibels at night and 60 decibels during the day in commercial zones. The city-issued permits allowed up to 85 decibels, well above the statutory threshold.

This is the third time the case has been in court since first appearing in Chaffee County District Court.

Following the ruling, High Side announced on Facebook that it has canceled live music for this weekend but said it remains committed to bringing live performances back “as soon as possible.”