🪩 Is Denver about to become a late-night city?

🪩 Denver Wants to Keep the Party Going

City officials are drafting a new proposal intended to make downtown Denver a better place to party late. The first overhaul of its kind in decades, the proposal would simplify licensing for nightclubs, concert venues, and bars by paring down the 14 types of entertainment licenses to just three: limited entertainment businesses, nightclubs, and adult entertainment businesses. Establishments in all categories could stay open until 4 a.m., though the last call for liquor sales would remain at 2 a.m. [Denver Post 🔒]

• New rules for a new era: Proponents say existing regulations are outdated since they were created before Coors Field and the Ballpark District even existed. Nightlife advocate Stephen Brackett says that the hoards of people leaving bars in the area simultaneously at 2 a.m. closing time creates a chaotic “pressure cooker,” posing safety concerns. Extending closing times could ensure people leave in a more staggered manner, easing crowds and congestion. [9News]
• Would Denver really be safer? Nightclubs would need to meet a variety of safety requirements according to the proposed bill, including video surveillance, security guards, weapons screening, and hiring a dedicated record-keeper. Proponents say such regulations would improve safety, but some local venues say these changes would be unappealing to customers and that changing licensing would cause undue financial burdens for businesses. [Denver Business Journal 🔒]
• Classic nightclub behavior: We discuss the history of the LoDo let-out problem on today’s podcast with Denver Post reporter Elliott Wenzler, including our memorable 2021 episode about “nightclub kingpin” and self-professed mafia member Valentes Corleons, whose club got shut down after an undercover DPD operation uncovered violations of the current rules and regulations.
• Share your feedback: Have thoughts on the proposed nightlife changes? You can submit your thoughts to city officials via a form until June 1. [Denver.gov]

🚧 A One-Year Data Center Moratorium?

Council members Paul Kashmann and Darrell Watson have proposed a one-year pause on the acceptance, processing, or approval of any new permits or development plans for data centers in Denver. The proposal, which comes after Mayor Mike Johnston announced a temporary pause on data centers back in February, is set to go before the rest of council next month. [9News]

• Isn’t the state working on regulations too? Progress has stalled on both of the dueling data center bills at the legislature — one backed by industry with incentives to lure data centers, and the other backed by environmentalists with no incentives. Gov. Jared Polis, for his part, supports a permanent sales and use tax exemption to help attract more data center construction to Colorado. [CPR]

🛴 The Veo Scooter Era Has Begun

City Council voted unanimously on Monday evening to approve a new contract making Veo Micromobility Denver’s exclusive provider of e-scooters and e-bikes. The three-year partnership starts in May and includes a free access program for certain low-income riders. One of the city’s current providers, Bird, is already reportedly removing their vehicles from the city, while Lime is expected to continue operating through the end of their contract on May 15. [Denver Post 🔒; Westword]

🍦 Little Man Ice Cream Consolidates Brand

One of Denver’s most popular ice cream chains is renaming three of its locations — Sweet Cooie’s Ice Cream in Congress Park, Constellation in Central Park, and Old Town Churn in Fort Collins — to align more of their shops under the Little Man name as the company plans a national expansion, including direct-to-consumer shipping. “The unique features that made these shops so beloved aren’t going away,” says owner Paul Tamburello. “The last thing we want is to become another cookie-cutter chain without a soul.” [Westword]

• Are you a Little Man fan? We’d love to hear which location you like best and why! Respond to this email with your Little Man memories.

🗯️ Asia Center Redevelopment Has “No Finalized Plans”

After news broke on Instagram last week that the owner of the Asia Center on Federal is planning to demolish the strip mall in order to build new housing and retail spaces, a petition to “save the Asia Center” has now attracted more than 9,000 signatures. The developers have not responded to City Cast Denver’s request for an interview, but Denverite reports they have told tenants that there are “no finalized plans and no timeline for construction” and that plans were filed to explore options to “ensure when collaboration expands, including with tenants, it is meaningful and productive.” [Denverite]