“The female breast is not a sexual organ,” meaning women should not be held to a different legal standard than men who are allowed to go shirtless in public.”

Eric Langan

CENTRAL CITY – The sexually oriented business debate once again filled City Hall on Wednesday afternoon, September 3.

There was little standing room as residents, business owners, and visitors voiced opinions during a special meeting of the Central City Council.

The council gathered at 3 p.m. for one primary purpose: the second reading of Ordinance 25-08. The ordinance sends the controversial question of whether to allow a sexually oriented business to operate on Main Street—specifically, Rick’s Cabaret and Steakhouse, run by RCI—directly to the voters in a special municipal election on November 4, 2025.

Background on Rick’s

Rick’s Cabaret and Steakhouse, operated by national chain RCI, opened its doors on Main Street earlier this year. The business has been operating under a restaurant and club license, not a sexually oriented business license, by framing its operations around food service and live entertainment. 

When RCI first purchased the property at 130 Main Street, the company applied for a sexually oriented business license. Then the City amended its zoning code to only allow such businesses in industrial areas, effectively blocking Rick’s from operating as an SOB downtown. 

RCI president Eric Langan said the zoning change would not ultimately stop the business or the nudity within, since if nudity is what defines a sexually oriented business, performers could simply wear latex coverings on their breasts to comply with the law.

Critics argue the club is essentially operating as a strip club in violation of the City zoning code. 

Ballot language

The measure amends Section 16-3-303 of the City’s Land Development Code, clarifying that a sexually oriented business could operate only in a limited portion of the Historic Downtown Gaming Zone. The ballot title now specifically includes the words “Main Street.”

A new condition was also laid out: no additional adult businesses would be permitted within 500 feet of an existing one. That distance could be reduced to 300 feet in rare cases where the establishments were of different types (like a strip club and an adult bookstore) and operated under different hours.

Public comment

Several residents and community members lined up at the podium during the public hearing. Some praised the council for letting citizens decide, while many expressed frustrations that Rick’s is operating.

A visiting tourist said she turned away from the club after seeing a young woman outside who “appeared to be really young,” describing the scene as “exploitative.”

Some argued that adult businesses hurt property values in cultural destinations like Central, even if they provide short-term revenue.

On the other side, Langan defended his business, saying the entertainers are allowed to wear what they want, there are no private rooms, and the operation is not your typical strip club. 

He said that RCI had dropped its lawsuit against the City, saving legal costs, and suggested that not allowing the business could trigger an expensive court battle.

To many in the room, his comments seemed to appear as a threat: vote to alter the ordinance and allow the SOB or risk a costly lawsuit.

After the meeting, Langan explained further that he sees the matter as a constitutional issue. 

He argued that Central City’s ordinance requiring female entertainers to cover their breasts conflicts with the 14th Amendment and past rulings by the Tenth Circuit. 

He said, “The female breast is not a sexual organ,” meaning women should not be held to a different legal standard than men who are allowed to go shirtless in public. He cited the “Free the Nipple” campaign in Fort Collins, which enables women to be topless. 

Council divided

The vote on Ordinance 25-08 split 3 to 2. Mayor Jeremy Fey, Chuck Spencer, and Todd Williams voted in favor of sending the issue to the ballot. Councilmembers Marcia Enloe and Zane Plsek opposed, both saying that they believe it’s the council’s responsibility to make the decision rather than voters.

Spencer spoke about the need to put the question to a vote: “Do I want a strip club on Main Street? No, I don’t. But I don’t believe it’s my choice.… I just want to put it back in the residents’ hands.”

What’s next

The ballot question will be presented to Central City voters on November 4, 2025. If approved, sexually oriented businesses would be allowed to operate within the defined stretch of Main Street under the new conditions.

The meeting concluded with the council entering executive session to discuss potential property acquisitions near Gold Mountain Village Apartments, and the City’s possible involvement in a lobbying effort against online gaming.

The next regular Central City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 6 p.m. in City Hall. Visit centralcity.colorado.gov to attend online.