The Dillon Town Council has decided to hold off on passing a new policy to rent the town’s amphitheater to private businesses, nonprofits and other outside groups until it gathers more feedback from residents.

After months of discussion, including a flashpoint that precipitated the resignation of the town’s now-former attorney and set off a First Amendment firestorm, a draft of the amphitheater-use policy was in front of the council for approval at its Tuesday, Sept. 24, meeting.

But council member John Woods suggested that since the amphitheater season has wrapped up for the year, that the council reflect on its goals for the venue before moving forward with the policy.

“I think that with the season having just ended, that maybe we should first review … this year and what changes we would suggest in 2025 so that we have broad goals that we agree upon,” Woods said.

Work on the amphitheater-use policy began back in April, when town staff asked the council to formalize a policy for what outside groups can rent the amphitheater due to legal concerns about a longstanding informal policy that let a local church, but not other outside groups, rent the venue.

In June, the council voted down a draft of the amphitheater-use policy that would have allowed only for town-sponsored and town-produced events but would not allow for private rental or usage of the amphitheater. Some council members at that meeting advocated for letting the Dillon Community Church continue to use the venue, even if it also meant opening the amphitheater up to other groups.

During a work session in July, the council members began hashing out the details of a policy that would allow groups including private businesses, private individuals and nonprofits to rent the amphitheater. 

The draft amphitheater-use policy before the council Tuesday, Sept. 24, outlined guidelines and reservation timelines for private rentals of the venue. 

Council member Dana Christiansen raised concern that the draft amphitheater policy didn’t include language allowing for half-day rentals of the amphitheater, something the council had discussed in a work session earlier this month.

While the council briefly discussed including language allowing for half-day rentals where “feasible,” the council ultimately decided to hold off on passing the amphitheater policy. Mayor Carolyn Skowyra said holding off gives more time to hear from residents.

“I like the opportunity it gives us to invite the public to give more feedback and come in and workshop it and say, ‘What kind of of music are you liking? What are you not liking?'” Skowyra said. “You know, ‘How much do we want to see this thing rented? How much do you not want to see it rented? Do you want to see it rented twice a day or just once? Do you want to see it rented seven days a week or three days a week?'”

Dillon events director Jessie Klehfoth said that the town is working to survey local members of the community as well as anyone who bought a ticket at the amphitheater about their preferences and experiences at the amphitheater.

Christiansen took issue with the events department surveying those who bought tickets in the past two years.

“I have a little bit of concern over that,” Christiansen said. “Because I think the stakeholders in Dillon are the taxpayers and the homeowners and the town residents, and that demographic is skewed more toward baby boomers than the amphitheater attendees.”

Christiansen added he has received complaints from some of his constituents about recent changes at the amphitheater, where “we’ve kind of veered off from our traditional tract where it was a weekend show.”

“It was family friendly. It was more geared toward baby boomers. Legacy acts. Tribute bands. The whole community would gather there. There was very much a community feel to it,” Christiansen said. “And we’re going away from that. At some of the free shows, I haven’t seen any community there and it’s not family friendly because they’re pot-smoking jam bands and there’s a huge cloud of pot smoke over the place.”

Other members of the council also agreed to hold off on passing an amphitheater-use policy until the town can solicit more feedback.