John Scarffe, Black Hawk.  During its regular meeting on Wednesday, August 12, the Black Hawk City Council heard requests for two Common Consumption Areas and for two liquor licenses.

On June 19, the City Clerk’s office received an application for a new tavern liquor license from John East in Denver for JE Tavern at 240 Main Street. The tavern will be located at the Lodge Casino.

On June 20, the Lodge Casino received approval from the Liquor Enforcement Division for a permanent modification to remove the second-floor outdoor patio from the Hotel and Restaurant Liquor License. This is where JE Tavern will be located.

On July 1, the application was deemed complete by City Clerk staff.  On July 8, the Local Liquor Authority reviewed the application and set the boundaries of the neighborhood and set the date of August 12 for the public hearing, providing the applicant enough time to prove the reasonable requirements of the neighborhood needs and desires, and for the public notice to be posted and published.

East said the tavern would have beer and wine for Casino customers. His intent is to have a common area where Lodge guests would enter the Lodge and be able to use the common area to consume beverages.

It would allow the Lodge to participate in an Entertainment District and extend the hours of service from 2 a.m. to 7 a.m., East said. A lot of revenue can be gained, and it’s an opportunity for those who start their entertainment day later. The Council approved the liquor license.

Common consumption areas

The Council then received an application to approve a Certification of a Promotional Association and Common Consumption Area from the Lodge Association, Inc.,

At its May 27, 2015, meeting, Council approved changes to the Municipal Code regarding Entertainment Districts, to allow extended hours for a Promotional Association to serve alcohol between 2 a.m. and 7 a.m., if requested through application.

The second Promotional Association/Common Consumption Area Certification application was received by the Clerk’s office on July 22.  The application has been found complete.

The Lodge Association, Inc., has met all the requirements for a Promotional Association and is requesting extended hours. Staff reviewed this application and recommended approval with a 24-hour period for alcohol service.

City Attorney Corey Hoffmann said the Council had just approved the liquor license for JE Tavern and should approved the Common Consumption Area.

City Manager Jack Lewis wrote that the proposed hours of operation by the Lodge essentially creates 24 hour alcohol service by adding the 2 a.m. to 7 a.m. time period, but making the change formally to 24 hours will be consistent with other common consumption areas in Black Hawk and make it easier for law enforcement to monitor common consumption areas. The Council approved the application with 24 hours of alcohol service.

The Council considered the Certification of a Promotional Association and Common Consumption Area for AG Black Hawk Promotional Association I.

The third Promotional Association/Common Consumption Area Certification application was received by the Clerk’s office on August 4. The application has been found complete and has met all the requirements for a Promotional Association and is requesting extended hours.

Staff has reviewed this application and recommends approval of the request for a new Beer and Wine License for Chicago Dogs Eatery, Inc., and Monarch Black Hawk, Inc. at 444 Main Street, to set the boundaries of the neighborhood, and to set the date of the public hearing to September 23.

The City Clerk’s office received a new Beer and Wine License application for Chicago Dogs Eatery, Inc., and Monarch Black Hawk, Inc., on July 22. The Chicago Dogs Eatery, Inc., will be located at the Monarch Casino. The Monarch Casino Black Hawk received approval from the Liquor Enforcement Division on July 31, for a permanent modification to remove the ground floor deli area from their Hotel/Restaurant Liquor License. This is where Chicago Dogs Eatery, Inc., will be located.  The application was deemed complete on July 23.

Staff recommended the approval of the Certification of a Promotional Association and Common Consumption Area for AG Black Hawk Promotional Association I.  The Council approved the application.