CASA BONITA

for safety reasons, divers will still be taking the 15-foot plunge into the depths at the middle of the restaurant. e 30-foot-high waterfall was designed to emulate the cli s of Acapulco. And yes, there are still sopapilla ags.

Here’s what we still don’t know: • e Prices. e $5.99 all-youcan-eat is probably gone, but what’s in its place?

• Black Bart’s Hideout. Our tour guide did not know the fate of the cave that wound through darkened passageways to a game room/carnival area, but chances are it still exists in some form. • e fate of murals. e tour was restrictive, so we did not get to see inside the arcade, Black Bart’s cave and other areas. However, the focus on restoration may mean a hint of hope that some of the murals in those rooms and other areas are still there.

Host city Lakewood will face its own challenges when Casa Bonita nally opens. While part of a big parking lot, capacity to handle the crowds is an open question.

Host city Lakewood will face its own challenges when Casa Bonita nally opens. While part of a big parking lot, capacity to handle the crowds is an open question.

According to Mayor Adam Paul, the city is ready for the challenge.

“We’re probably as prepared as we can be,” he said before going on to acknowledge the crowds, “but there’s going to be a lot of interest, a lot of people moving in and out of there.”

He went on to mention other concerns in addition to parking and security, including the Colfax city project and inclement weather.

“I think that we’ll nd unique ways to make sure that we can accommodate not only some but all the businesses in that area,” he said. “ en it’s just going to have to be a partnership (with

Casa Bonita) moving forward, knowing that the future of West Colfax is super bright. And that all these projects together are going to make a big di erence.” e restaurant originally opened on west Colfax Avenue in March of 1974 as part of a franchise by Bill Waugh, according to an obituary from his death in 2015. With the ability to seat more than 1,000 patrons, the 52,000-square-foot, multilevel facility served as a cultural landmark, event center and curiosity long before the animated show “South Park” prominently featured it in an episode in 2003. (With the additions that the current owners have made, the size of Casa Bonita is now 56,000 square feet.) e pink palace shut its doors during the COVID-19 lockdowns in March 2020. At that time, expectations of its demise were rampant, with employees reporting that their March 2020 paychecks had bounced. enowners Star Bu et Inc. declared bankruptcy in April 2021. e facility, though still not operational as a restaurant, offered free tours to the curious. In August 2021, Gov. Jared Polis appeared with “South Park” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone to announce they had reached an agreement to purchase the facility.

For those who have never been inside, Casa Bonita is designed to mimic a Mexican resort village. But after years of being touched by thousands of young hands and lax upkeep, the landmark developed a feel that could only be described as “gritty,” much like how Lakewood ofcials like to tout West Colfax in general.

Previous tours of Casa Bonita also highlighted a 150-seat theater in a lower level, where the Denver Broncos held their 2011 draft. ( e venue was good luck — they selected linebacker Von Miller, a defensive powerhouse who was the Super Bowl 50 MVP.)

“We’re excited to work with everybody to make it the place we all want to make it,” Parker said at the time.