Business owner reacts to being on the Off Limit Areas list for the Army

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO)- A business owner is upset about being on the "Off Limit Areas" list again, after he was taken off. 

The "Off Limit Areas" list is a list put out by the Army that lists places where "all uniformed Armed Services personnel" are not allowed.

The owner of "Latin Quarters" even took drastic measures to change locations. 

Selvin Padilla is the owner of Latin Quarters and says he was shocked when he found out he was back on the list put out by the army. According to Padilla, they haven't had any issues at their new locations which is why they want answers. 

In 2023 Latin Quarters was on the list, Padilla says he saw a decline in the business and that's when he decided to move to a new location near Austin Bluffs Parkway and North Academy Boulevard. 

At his new location, he says he's upgraded his security system and has done his best to make sure his establishment is safe for his customers. That's why he's inviting the military to visit his nightclub but he simply doesn't understand why he's back on the list. 

"We want them to check, for them to give us a reason, a real reason, not just them saying "You're on the list," said Padilla.

When a business is part of the "Off Limit Areas" list it means military personnel are prohibited from conducting business with and entering the premises of the off-limits establishments

Colorado Springs Police have responded to multiple calls for service at Latin Quarters but, we are waiting for more exact numbers.

Fort Carson provided the following statement in regard to how locations are picked.

“There is no greater priority for local military leaders than the health, welfare and safety of the service members who live in the greater Colorado Springs area. The purpose for the Armed Forces Disciplinary Control Board (AFDCB) is to prevent service members from being exposed to locations where crimes regularly occur or environments that could potentially jeopardize their health or welfare. The AFDCB responsibility is to make recommendations to commanders to help minimize or eliminate conditions that adversely affect the safety and readiness of service members. The AFDCB is comprised of a multi-disciplinary team to include representatives from Fort Carson, Evans Army Community Hospital, Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base, and the United States Air Force Academy. The AFDCB meets quarterly, as outlined in Army Regulation 190-24, and the off-limits memorandum is updated following the board’s findings and recommendations.

The goal of the AFDCB is to implement AR 190-24 while only using the off-limits initiation once all alternative remediation options are exhausted. The AFDCB strives to ensure military installations within Colorado Springs maintain positive community relationships. Multiple sources of information, such as local police department intelligence reports, are analyzed prior to recommending an establishment for review. If an establishment is recommended for review the business owner is notified and granted the opportunity to respond and appear before the board to have an open discussion on mitigation efforts. If the owner chooses not to address the areas of consideration, and further investigation reveals no improvements to the environment were enforced, the AFDCB can move to vote the establishment off-limits. Concerns that the AFDCB considers include, but are not limited to, alcohol and drug abuse, unfair commercial or consumer practices, liquor violations, disorder and lack of discipline, and racial and/or discriminatory practices. If, by vote, an establishment is placed on the off-limits list, the business owner is notified. Once they can show that adequate corrective measures have been implemented, they may request a review by the president of the board at any time.

Businesses and establishments can express their concerns through the Directorate of Emergency Services at 719-526-1453.”

Fort Carson

The Citadel Mall, which is also on the list, provided the following statement.

"Protecting our merchants, employees, and patrons has remained our top priority, and our team has invested substantially in enhancing safety and security at Citadel Mall. The Armed Forces Disciplinary Committee's announcement came as a surprise to our team, and we are deeply disappointed by their decision to limit uniformed military personnel access to the mall.

We have maintained a heightened security presence on property and regularly evaluate the mall’s security needs to adapt to changing conditions. We do not take this decision lightly and will continue to take any necessary steps to ensure Citadel Mall is regarded as a safe place for all."

-Citadel Mall Management