A brewing dispute over claims of window-rattling sound levels during certain shows at Red Rocks Amphitheatre has now drawn Jefferson County into the controversy, just as the iconic venue kicks off its summer concert season.

Members of the Morrison town board will meet Friday with at least one Jefferson County commissioner to explore ways of dealing with acts that churn out the pulsating and bass-heavy tones of electronic dance music, or EDM, at Red Rocks.

EDM, which typically features a DJ playing and mixing club music at high volume, has grown in popularity over the past few years. It has also prompted complaints from those who live near Red Rocks of prolonged, bone-buzzing concerts that shake walls and curtail sleep — even at homes half a mile away.

At particular issue is the low-frequency bass noise that emanates from the stage.

“You can get the craziest Metallica concert, and that’s not even close to what we’re talking about,” Morrison Mayor Sean Forey said. “This is something new and different than anything in the past.”

In a letter that the town had prepared for the county last week, one neighbor noted that wearing earplugs and retreating to the basement was no match for the growling bass coming from Red Rocks.

Another was quoted as saying the noise made his family feel “like prisoners in our own house.”

“It’s like Guantanamo — with loud, thumping music and sleep deprivation,” the resident told town leaders.

Morrison had originally drafted a more forceful letter to send to Jefferson County, in which it requested that the county change its policy of exempting Red Rocks shows from its noise-abatement rules.

Last week, a new version of the letter simply asked the commissioners to help Morrison resolve a situation where “unacceptable sound levels and extended concert hours risk becoming a public or private nuisance.”

Jefferson County Commissioner Casey Tighe said Friday’s meeting will be the first discussion at the county level about noise abatement at Red Rocks.

Red Rocks Amphitheatre is owned by the city and county of Denver, which on Jan. 1 implemented new limits on volume and duration after receiving complaints.

One rule says that the average decibels for an entire show shall not exceed 105 decibels for one-minute averages after midnight on weekdays and 1 a.m. on weekends and holidays.

Artists will be hit with fines ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 for violations of the volume and curfew limits.

Dan Rowland, assistant director of marketing and communications for Denver Arts & Venues, said the operators of Red Rocks will be listening closely to residents to see how effective the new rules are in dampening the noise.

“We are always evaluating the venue to make it the best experience for patrons, as well as neighbors,” he said.

The first EDM show of the season is the Global Dub Festival, scheduled for May 16.

John Aguilar: 303-954-1695, jaguilar@denverpost.com or twitter.com/abuvthefold