Serving the community since 1866
WEEK OF JUNE 1, 2023
VOLUME 157 | ISSUE 24
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Here’s what’s new, and what to expect when Casa Bonita Denver reopens BY JO DAVIS AND LINDA SHAPLEY JDAVIS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM AND LSHAPLEY@ COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
While the exact date for Casa Bonita’s much-anticipated grand reopening is still under wraps, a sneak peek of the facility in Lakewood reveals that, much like its high divers, you’re in for a deep plunge into nostalgia. Restaurant officials announced May 26 that while Casa Bonita is in a beta-test mode, it will open with limited dinner hours, and first guests will be pulled exclusively from the email list, with no walk-ins. (Sign up at this link.) On Friday, officials offered a sneak peek of the pink palace to media, so we can now confirm: it’s still the same kitschy place you may recall fondly. In fact, the owners worked very hard to preserve and restore the original 1975 look. The exception is the much cleaner look of the restaurant, especially the kitchen. The most notable part of the press tour was security. This visit and every piece of information on it was under an embargo until today. At the site, several Allied Universal Security personnel maintained lines. The only people allowed through the security rope were those lucky enough to find themselves on a strict list of names. Security may be a theme moving forward as well. Two metal detectors stood idle by the front doors. The press was allowed to bypass them. The public may not have that option. Despite all the secrecy, there are a few things we can share now from our peek inside Casa Bonita.
Golden Police Department trying out fourday workweek City could expand program to other departments BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
(Left to right) Casa Bonita’s Matt Stone, Executive Chef Dana Rodrigues and Trey Parker share the excitement as Denver’s iconic Casa Bonita prepares to re-open in May.
SEE CASA BONITA, P2
VOICES: 14 | LIFE:16 | CALENDAR: 19 | SPORTS: 22
COURTESY OF CASA BONITA
For proponents of a four-hour workweek, all eyes are on the Golden Police Department. The City of Golden is launching a four-day workweek trial program for GPD employees, without a change in pay or number of employees. The six-month trial will start July 10, impacting all 75 fulltime GPD employees. The goal, as city officials described, is to enhance employees’ quality of life and improve recruitment and retention. If successful, Golden could implement a four-day workweek in other departments. The GPD is likely the first law enforcement agency of its size to implement a four-day workweek, staff members said recently. Golden first announced the trial May 16 and hosted a public listening session May 22, where residents expressed mixed feelings about the program. City Manager Scott Vargo said May 22 how, since announcing it, Goldenites have worried this will lead to less service and/or increased costs. He and Police Chief Joe Harvey SEE WORKWEEK, P3
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