DENVER – Fitness junkies are used to having relatively open access to Red Rocks Amphitheatre’s many steps and benches for morning workouts, but the city just announced a private fitness program that will close the amphitheater to the non-paying public for more than an hour once each week, starting May 5.

The HealthOne Red Rocks Fitness Challenge will close the popular mountain park once a week, mostly on Saturdays between 7 and 8 a.m. The event costs participants $150 for the season and provides them with trainers (assigned to groups), medical experts and workout regimens, according to Red Rocks’ website.

But as the website also points out, Red Rocks sees more than 500,000 visitors each year who specifically head to Morrison for the fitness scene – hiking, biking, running and training in and around the storied space.

Denver-based personal trainer Christopher Flower is one of those people, and he’s not pleased that the city-owned, open-to-the-public venue will be closed during such busy hours.

“Saturday mornings are prime time for anyone, not just trainers, who wants to go up there for a workout,” Flower said. “Red Rocks is so great because it doesn’t have to be extreme fitness. A hike, a walk, a run – all of that’s great, and cutting into our time up there on a Saturday or Sunday morning, when people don’t have to work, that’s just too bad. I hate to hear that.”

Read more about the controversy – and when Red Rocks will be closed – in The Denver Post.

Mariano Rivera grimaces in pain after twisting his knee while shagging balls during batting practice on Thursday. An MRI later showed a tear in his anterior cruciate ligament. Photo by The Associated Press

Red Rocks is a popular spot for exercising, but the City of Denver will be closing it for one hour and 45 minutes on popular weekend mornings throughout summer for a private health event. Photo by Cyrus McCrimmon, Denver Post file

Jose Luis Magana