Group representing Colorado Springs music venues lobbies Congress for aid

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Live music aficionados have been longing for concerts for months, but unless help arrives for independent local music venues, there's a good chance that bands will have fewer spots to perform live while touring.

That's why the National Independent Venue Association called out for people Wednesday to sign a petition to Congress to pass legislation that would provide relief aid to small music venues, like the Black Sheep and Sunshine Studios Live in Colorado Springs and Lulu's Downstairs in Manitou Springs.

The three venues have essentially been shuttered due to the COVID-19 pandemic, though the Black Sheep and Sunshine Studios have put on virtual concerts with a few local acts as a substitute for in-person shows. We reported earlier this month when the Black Sheep had to postpone reopening plans following the governor's orders to close nightclubs indefinitely.

While the Paycheck Protection Program provided loans with possible forgiveness to businesses who needed to keep staff, the program didn't have the same effect for music venues.

"Venues are experiencing upwards of 90% revenue loss and will be closed well into 2021 due to safety concerns posed by large gatherings," The NIVA says in its petition. "Without support from Congress, 90% of NIVA’s independent venues across America say they will be forced to close their doors forever."

In response to the problem, several bipartisan bills have been introduced that would provide relief aid to venues -- the RESTART Act, introduced by Republican Sen. Todd Young and Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet; and the Save Our Stages Act, introduced by Republican Sen. Jon Cornyn and Democrat Sen. Amy Klobuchar. The legislators have written letters to Majority Leaders Mitch McConnell in the Senate and Nancy Pelosi in the House urging them to pass the RESTART Act.

Both of the bills would provide funds for independent venues and would ensure that the money isn't gobbled up by big stadiums.

You can sign the petition here.