Serving Lakewood, Wheat Ridge and beyond
WEEK OF JUNE 1, 2023
VOLUME 39 | ISSUE 45
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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.
10 ways to prepare for flood season in Jefferson County BY JO DAVIS JDAVIS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
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(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.
WESTMINSTER SEE CASA BONITA, P2
VOICES: 14 | LIFE:16 | CALENDAR: 19 | SPORTS: 22
May to October is the annual flood season in Colorado. And, like most of the natural happenings around the state, the swollen rivers and creeks are naturally beautiful, but they are also powerful and very dangerous. In fact, 2023 marks 10 years since Jefferson County’s last major flood event. The photos capture the damage done to roads, trees and trails by the powerful flood water. Christine Billings, of Jeffco Public Health, said that the best thing anyone can do before a natural event is to plan and practice. She offered 10 things you can do now to stay ready during this year’s flood season. Some are measures that are well-known in the community. However, this is your reminder to check, practice and plan for floods, fires and other weather disasters. 1. Keep your pets’ immunizations (and yours) up to date. “Sometimes shelters won’t take (the pets) unless there’s documentation of full vaccinations,” Billings said. “So, make sure that you’re up
COURTESY OF CASA BONITA
SEE FLOODING, P4
JEFFCOTRANSCRIPT.COM • A PUBLICATION OF COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA