Highline ballroom

BLACK HAWK, Colo. (CBS4) – One of the hardest hit industries from the COVID-19 pandemic is hoping for a rebound this year with gaming in Colorado looking completely different in 2021. Sports betting has surpassed $1 billion in bets and soon table games will expand without bet limits. (credit: CBS) “The sports book being added, new table games being added, it’s a very exciting time in Colorado,” said Tim Morrissey, the General Manager of Saratoga Casino Black Hawk. “I think we have a lot of strong plans for what the future holds.” The state has seen a sharp decrease in taxes collected from the three gaming communities in the mountains. Gilpin county, home of Central City and Black Hawk brought in nearly half of the taxes compared to previous years. The introduction of sports betting in May 2020 has helped casinos only marginally. “It certainly added revenue that we’re appreciative of. It’s impactful for the state’s tax dollars. … [Read more...] about Colorado Casinos Optimistic About The Future Of Sports Betting: ‘It’s A Very Exciting Time’

(CNN)President Donald Trump is driving the country through chaos from behind the wheel of his golf cart. Over the Christmas weekend, he was the only man with the power to forestall a government shutdown on Tuesday, restore jobless benefits to millions of laid-off Americans and prevent further economic calamity in the days ahead. Trump appeared interested in doing none of that until Sunday, when days after receiving it, he reluctantly signed a Covid relief and government funding bill his own administration helped negotiate and that his own aides claimed he'd approved days ago. But his Sunday night signature was too late to prevent unemployment aid from lapsing. Here's what's in the second stimulus package The delay in signing the package, only to approve it after damage was done, is the latest example of Trump's increasingly erratic behavior in the waning days of his term. Read More The delay — prompted by Trump's late-in-the-game dissatisfaction with the size of … [Read more...] about Trump chooses chaos with delayed signature of Covid relief bill

Congressman Cory Gardner unseated Sen. Mark Udall in Tuesday’s election, becoming the first challenger to defeat an incumbent senator in Colorado in 36 years. WATCH: Mark Udall concedes to Cory Gardner in Senate race Colorado’s decision, one of the most-watched in the nation, helped tip the Republicans’ battle for control of the U.S. Senate. “It finally happened,” an ecstatic Gardner told cheering supporters. Gardner led 51 percent to 44 percent on a night that had long-suffering Colorado Republicans dreaming of a formerly blue-leaning state awash in red. LIVE BLOG: Election Day 2014 Updates, Video and More “The people of Colorado have had their voice heard,” Gardner said. “They are not red. They are not blue. But their message is crystal clear to Washington D.C., ‘Get your job done and get the heck out of the way.’ “ Party spokesman Owen Loftus called it a “great night for the Colorado GOP.” “The Democrats’ reign is over,” Loftus said. “Coloradans have cast … [Read more...] about Cory Gardner defeats Mark Udall for U.S. Senate in Colorado

When new owners purchased the Sheraton Denver Downtown hotel last year, they promised to invest in the 59-year-old giant on the southeastern end of the 16th Street Mall. Not a year later, the promised investing has begun. Tuesday marked the official kickoff of an $80 million renovation project will touch every corner of the hotel, including all 1,231 of its guest rooms. “I think the timing is phenomenal,” said Tony Dunn, the hotel’s general manager for the past six years. “This city has incredible (hotel) products. Unfortunately, mine is one of the most tired. We haven’t had the capital to invest. Now we have owners that are willing to step up.” The first act of the nine-month overhaul starts this week with the five, 18-foot-tall ballerina statues stationed outside the hotel’s front entrance exiting stage right. The elongated dancers, which have welcomed guests to the Sheraton since 1997, will be resurrected in the Denver Arts District on Santa Fe south of downtown. In … [Read more...] about Ballerina statues exit as downtown Denver Sheraton gets started on $80 million makeover

Dear Amy: What is the etiquette for Zoom-based celebrations? I have attended several bridal and baby showers on Zoom that have guest lists of over 100 people, combining family from both sides, co-workers, college friends, neighbors, etc. At the latest there were six screens of “Gallery View” faces to scroll through, guests were speaking on top of one another, and it was hard to hear what the mother-to-be was saying. I was later reminded of where the parents-to-be were registered (I had sent an e-gift card, per their request, but now wonder if it made it), and learned that an in-person shower was held following the Zoom celebration. I appreciate the Zoom option, but are these Zoom-based super-showers just a cash-grab? In pre-pandemic days, my friend might have had several smaller showers with more opportunity for conversation, and the “ooohs” and “aaahs” as tiny baby items are unwrapped. I’m becoming resentful of these chaotic digital gatherings. Especially ones that … [Read more...] about Ask Amy: Online celebrations bring on real-life challenges