Trevor Phipps
Now that the NFL Week 6 kicks off this Thursday evening with a prime Denver Broncos game (see related article), football fever has officially embedded itself into the Teller High Country bar scene.
The season is almost at the halfway mark, and the NFL pigskin action, as usual, is starting to get quite interesting. After all, this is the league where parity rules the day and any team can most likely dethrone a former champ and upsets are extremely common. Still, and don’t kid yourself, Denver Broncos’ fever reigns throughout the area.
Luckily, Teller County has always been known as a prime place to take a mountain cruise and catch a football match on a big screen. But now, there are even more local options available at new watering holes, which just recently opened.
In Cripple Creek, there are several options to catch a game including going to one of the casinos to watch a game on a wall of big screens while placing a bet. The Creek restaurant puts the game upstairs on a big screen inside the new Prospector’s Den. The District Kitchen and Saloon also has several screens to catch multiple games at once.
The newest bar in Cripple Creek, called The Rascally Rabbit, recently opened and sports a pool table and screens to catch a sports match. To start the season, the eatery advertised Bloody Mary’s during a Broncos game.
In Divide, many enjoy the sports bar side at McGinty’s Wood Oven Pub as it is packed on most Sundays. With their plethora of televisions, and great game time atmosphere, it’s easy to see why McGinty’s has consistently been voted as the Best Sports Bar in the Region. Russ’ Place, though, located right around the corner, is also still a viable option to catch a game.
In Woodland Park, Jess’ Place probably remains the most popular place to watch a game. However, the town has recently gained some new watering holes, which have tried to capitalize on football.
The Tava House offers a big screen and advertises itself as the Broncos’ Woodland Park home. The new Vista Lounge also offers games on big screens and offers a comfortable atmosphere for Bronco and NFL action.
And now that the establishment sports new owners, the Crystola Roadhouse has stepped up their efforts to becoming a prime sports bar. They added a giant screen and have a total of 10 TVs. They also recently renovated their outside bar.
Another option in Woodland Park is the Shining Mountain Golf Course bar, which features quite the setting and scenery for a Broncos’ hangout. They usually offer certain specials during game time. The SM bar is making a bid this year to stay open throughout the winter.
In Green Mountain Falls, the new Pine Gables (formerly the Blue Moose) remains to be the town’s most popular football viewing spot. Just get there early during Bronco games, as the Gables does fill up. However, the Columbine Pour House has recently opened and they too are offering a new place to catch a game on the weekends in their historic and spacious bar.
Overall, tis’ the season to get out of the house and join your fellow football fans to catch a game while enjoying some grub and a cold one. Luckily, the Ute Pass Region now sports a slew of viable options for prime football watching and trash talking.
