$300 million? To transform Bronco Billy’s Cripple Creek casino into a high-end resort? To small-time gamblers who enjoy low-stress gaming on the backside of Pikes Peak, the just-opened Chamonix, 233 E. Bennett Ave., may seem to be an impossible dream.
It offers the amenities of destination resort/casinos in Black Hawk, Reno and even Las Vegas, but will visitors throng to the Creek and pay a few bucks to enjoy the attractions of the once-desolate mining camp, and try their luck at high-dollar slots and table games?
Will local and regional companies book the Chamonix for gatherings of all kinds? Time will tell, but the venture has been carefully planned since Full House Resorts bought Bronco Billy’s in 2015 for $30 million.
In a 2015 press release announcing the purchase, Full House noted that “Bronco Billy’s is located on the north side of Bennett Avenue, along the key city block that accounts for the bulk of the town’s gaming activity. The casino comprises a majority of that block and has certain ownership rights to portions of the rest of the block. Bronco Billy’s also controls significant land and structures that adjoin this key city block.”
Unlike its peers in Vegas and Reno, the Chamonix is a building that respects and complements its host city’s colorful history. Among gambling destinations, Cripple Creek is unique, because so much remains of its storied past.
When Colorado voters legalized casino gambling in three down-at-heels mountain towns 33 years ago, they probably envisioned a modest economic boost. Maybe a few of the old hotels would have a few dozen slots, some table games, but not full-bore casinos. Dream on!
Blackhawk went full-tilt boogie in casino construction, bulldozing much of the historic little city to satisfy gamblers in Denver as well as the then-gambling deserts of Kansas and Nebraska. Central City, a few miles further from Denver and already a cultural destination, was less affected by gambling fever.
Cripple Creek was revitalized after 90 years of decline, as long-empty historic storefronts along Bennett Avenue were reimagined as casinos. All respected the city’s history while reviving its stagnant economy.
During the next three decades, medium-sized casinos such as the Double Eagle and Bronco Billy’s and Wildwood ruled the roost. Catering to a regional and somewhat elderly clientele, the industry had its ups and downs but seemed stable and unchanging.
Among gambling destinations Cripple Creek is unique
The city flourished. and became ever more interesting. Ice Castles! The Cripple Creek and Victor gold mine! Donkey Derby Days! The railroad! The Butte Theater!
It wasn’t just a forlorn little town on the backside of Pikes Peak, but a place of mountain trails, biking, fascinating historic buildings, one of the biggest gold mines in the United States and live entertainment. Many of the casinos had guest hotel rooms.
And unlike Blackhawk, Cripple Creek has diligently preserved its historic buildings, including hundreds of 19th and early-20th century homes. It’s a real city, not just a dozen casinos on a wide spot on the road.
When Bronco Billy’s founder Marc Murphy retired and sold the business to Full House Resorts, the new owners eventually decided to make the biggest bet in the city’s long history. Full House CEO Dan Lee went all out with a 300-room Vegas-style resort. It features an attached parking garage, no-limit gaming, a 5,000-square-foot ballroom, multiple restaurants, spacious light-filled rooms and a rooftop bar.
The hotel contains table games and a few banks of slots. It’s connected to the existing casino via an internal walkway. There’s still some work to do, but by spring all the in-house restaurants should be open, as well as the spa, pool and all 300 guest rooms.
It may seem too much, too soon, but Full House has a lot of experience in the gaming business.
According to the company’s website, “Full House operates six casino facilities in Illinois, Mississippi, Indiana, Nevada and Colorado. Each of our gaming properties reflects a unique atmosphere custom-designed for each regional market.”
Will it benefit OCC and Manitou? There are already scores of us who commute to the Creek, and that number will increase.
It’ll also put an affordable resort experience within an hour’s drive, perfect for those who want a weekend getaway complete with luxury accommodations. It’s also large enough for conventions, company retreats or any small- to medium-sized event.
Will it succeed? Here’s a sure bet: Thousands of us will drive up the pass this spring to check out this sudden splash of grandeur. Beyond that, who knows …