The Cripple Creek, Colorado city council voted 4-0 last week to approve of a “special merit designation” that will allow Bronco Billy’s casino to build a new six-story hotel and parking garage and bring in fine dining. The proposal is controversial with other casino owners, who say it won’t fit in with the historic mining town’s architecture or attract tourism.
Critics also argued that the town can’t support a large casino. Other business owners disagree and say the town needs to attract a younger crowd.
The renovation would include 199 hotel rooms in six stories, more than 100,000 square feet of parking and renovations to the gaming floor. Special permission was required for anything over five stories. That permission was forthcoming from the city’s Historic Preservation Board, which unanimously endorsed the plans.
