Cripple Creek casinos begin round-the-clock alcohol sales
There won’t be many more last calls for alcohol at several Cripple Creek casinos.
The city is about to be home to the most all-day liquor sale businesses in the state.
Cripple Creek City Council approved around-the-clock alcohol sales for seven casinos last week in order to boost business. Two of those casinos have already made the switch to all-day sales.
“I think it might draw more people up here to drink,” Cripple Creek resident Karla Seay said. “My main concern is that they rent a room and not drive down the mountain.”
Cripple Creek has made a name for itself in the Colorado tourism industry, but many locals don’t believe alcohol sales will have a major impact on tourism.
“They aren’t coming just to buy drinks,” Seay said. “There are a lot of things for visitors to do here and in Victor.”
After the first weekend of round-the-clock liquor sales for two casinos, Cripple Creek police said there hasn’t been an increase in alcohol-related arrests.
“We have not had any DUIs here in Cripple Creek, no alcohol related offenses at all,” said Sgt. James Borgioli. “Everything has just been status quo, people are just enjoying their alcohol a little bit longer.”
The new policy won’t change the way police enforce the law, but officers hope people will drink responsibly.
“If you decide you’re going to enjoy it too much and get in a car, we’ll be waiting for you,” Borgioli said. “If you’re going to come up here and drink for 24-hours straight maybe you should get a hotel room.”
Cripple Creek residents said they hope tourists will be safe while vacationing in the city.
“If you’ve been drinking, rent a room,” Seay said. “If you can afford to come up here and gamble your money, then you can afford to rent a room because it’s never worth your life or anybody else’s.”
