Dear Editor,

Residents should commend the Gilpin County Commissioners for the recent report on the negative impact that sexually oriented businesses would have on our community. A key concern is the increase in criminal activity, including theft, assault, and prostitution.

While RCI Hospitality is engaging in a public relations campaign by taking residents on a tour of its clubs, it is doubtful the tour included PT's Showclub in Denver. Westword reported this RCI operation was temporarily closed in 2023 after a sting operation by the Denver Police found "the club had been involved in facilitating illegal sex trafficking and prostitution, which led to criminal charges and the eventual shuttering of the business."

Unlike Denver, Central City has no police force that can launch investigations. Our city officials should reject any adult entertainment business on Main Street and, instead, require any such business to be located in the industrial zone, as the recently approved ordinance requires. To do anything else would put the wellbeing of residents at risk.

Finally, RCI has repeatedly claimed that an ordinance in San Antonio, Texas, would allow it to open a sexually oriented business in Central City. It would be helpful for our city attorney to contact them and provide some useful information on laws involving local jurisdiction and state sovereignty as they apply to Colorado Revised Statute 18-7-301 defining public indecency. 

Peter Droege

Central City