Pitkin County board approves permit for Buttermilk music festival

After more than an hour of debate Tuesday, Pitkin County commissioners approved a permit for a music festival at the base of Buttermilk next month.

The Apres music festival will take place April 5-7 and feature headlining bands Umphrey’s McGee and the String Cheese Incident. This is the first year for the festival.

Commissioner George Newman suggested ending the festival at 9 p.m. on two of the nights and 10 p.m. on the third. However, the three other board member said they were OK with allowing the concerts to go until 10, though organizers said it will end at 9:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Commissioner Kelly McNicholas Kury noted that the permit application for the concert “is coming to us very late” and urged organizers to begin working with the county as early as possible.

The concert will feature bag checks at the venue and also at the Intercept Lot.