Cripple Creek Leaders Worried About Protecting Local Teens; Axe Staff Proposal
Rick Langenberg
The city of Cripple Creek sports an active 24/7 gaming environment with few restrictions regarding the consumption of alcohol for gamblers and visitors for the 21 and over crowd.
But when it comes to the town’s recreation facilities, a red flag has been raised concerning alcohol use, with a newly declared city designation, “No Booze in our Downtown City Park.”
This decision followed a lively June 17 hearing, when the council rejected a detailed proposal from Parks and Recreation Director Becky Frank to allow alcohol at city facilities under special guidelines and permits. The plan sought to accommodate requests for outdoor weddings and other events, expand use of park facilities, and generate additional city revenue.
However, scores of civic leaders pleaded with the council to keep their main signature park, adorned with a Gazebo area, a skatepark, and various veteran and historic tribute memorials, an alcohol-free zone. They also opposed plans to permit open containers and alcohol consumption at their Mountain View Adventure Park for the benefit of those playing frisbee golf.
But in a slight compromise move, the city will permit alcohol at its small Pocket Park, located next to city hall, and dubbed as a prime future area for special events. However, this area now only consists of a dirt surface and has become just a restroom stop for many visitors.
This “alcohol in the parks” issue triggered considerable public comment, with discussion occurring previously at a session in early June.
During this earlier meeting, Mayor Annie Durham made it clear she adamantly opposed permitting alcohol in the city’s parks, except for the Pocket Park. This is an area targeted by the Main Street group as an area for events and performances. “I am against allowing alcohol in our city parks,” said the mayor.
She was especially against permitting booze in the main city park facility, next to the Henry Hack facility, across from the Butte Theater. “It is right there (in the middle of town). I don’t like the idea of bringing alcohol to the one area where our kids hang out.”
Durham, who works with the RE-1 Cripple Creek/Victor School District, noted that even though Cripple Creek is a gambling town, it needs one spot that is an alcohol-free zone for kids.
Other council members at the time didn’t endorse a park-alcohol ban. In fact, they appeared to endorse most aspect sof the Parks and Recreation Department plan for allowing alcohol consumption at its facilities under strict guidelines.
But during the hearing on June 17, the political tide on this issue took an about-face move. Several influential civic leaders, including the superintendent of the RE-1 Cripple Creek/Victor School District, urged the council to say no to the idea of alcohol in its parks.
“We need to do the best we can to protect our kids,” said Donna Brazill, a long-time resident and former educator in the district. Brazill cited the protection factors stressed in its Build A Generation program, with alcohol and substance abuse ranking high as problem areas for the community. And with the added menace of vaping, Brazill stated the city really needs to strengthen its efforts to promote healthy behavior among the youth.
Critics of the plan also objected to alcohol consumption at the Adventure Park, while folks are playing disc golf or hiking a trail. They cited this as “transforming the ambiance” of the city’s parks.
Too much Hypocrisy
But some residents disagreed with this stance and supported Frank’s revised plan, which they noted contained strict guidelines. “I think it should be allowed,” said former council member and casino employee Melissa “Missy” Trenary, who endorsed the staff proposal. “I think there is some hypocrisy here,” she added.
Trenary said critics of the proposal have been seen drinking at local establishments with their children present. Another resident agreed, arguing that because children are already exposed to alcohol in the community, such a ban would be impractical.
During their final deliberation on this issue, the council appeared divided. “We are blowing it out of proportion,” said Mayor Pro Tem Bruce Brown, who questioned if the city’s more flexible approach to alcohol in its facilities would pose much of a problem.
He opposed a staunch ban on alcohol consumption at all facilities. Councilman Jared Bowman expressed similar sentiments and really supported the idea of opening the door for alcohol consumption at the Adventure Park, especially for disc golfers. Moreover, he believes that education regarding the harm of alcohol abuse “starts at home,” and questioned if the government should play the role as policing this type of activity.
At the same time, the council appeared sympathetic to the pleas presented by concerned parents and community leaders. They appeared to be influenced somewhat by a detailed letter submitted by RE-1 Superintendent Dan Cummings, which strongly objected to opening the door to alcohol in its parks. Cummings maintained this conveyed a bad community message.
In a compromise gesture, Councilman JR Gatlin proposed permitting alcohol use in the city’s Pocket Park. This area previously provided this service for certain events, such as last year’s Donkey Derby Days festival, where special permits were granted. And in the future, the Pocket Park is expected to become a growing area for events.
Durham agreed, noting she was still strongly against permitting alcohol consumption in the City Park. “City Park is one of the only spaces they can go (to get away from alcohol),” stressed the mayor.
The council approved the alcohol ban at every facility, except for the Pocket Park, by a unanimous vote. In taking this stand, the city vastly differs from other communities in the region, when it comes to closing the door for alcohol consumption at designated events in their main park facility.
