Central City's Big Gamble

摘要

Ever since 1993, when Colorado voters approved limited stakes gambling in three historic mountain mining communities (Black Hawk, Central City and Cripple Creek), Central City has been at a distinct competitive advantage brought about by geography. Situated west of Denver - and only a mile west of Black Hawk - Central City is reached in one of two ways: via US-6/SH-119 through Clear Creek and North Clear Creek canyons to Black Hawk, then up the hill to Central City, or via the steep, narrow, winding, gravel-surfaced County Road 279 from Idaho Springs, a route aptly dubbed the "Oh My God Road" and not really a practical alternative. Gamblers, therefore, reached Black Hawk first, and have generally stopped there. The casino business has flourished in Black Hawk, while struggling mightily a mile west in Central City. Central City businessmen and residents have looked with envy as Black Hawk has attracted one new establishment after another, as Central City casinos have withered and died. Almost from the start, Central City ' interests realized they needed direct access from Interstate 70 in order to survive. The Central City Business Improvement District, comprised of local businesses and property owners, began planning a highway that would bring gamblers, tourists and anyone else straight (figuratively) into Central City from either westbound or east-bound I-70.