Dark Horse demolition could come sooner than expected
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The Dark Horse. Photo: Brian Brainerd/The Denver Post via Getty Images
The planners behind the Williams Village housing project said a city rule is forcing demolition of the iconic Dark Horse Tavern sooner than expected, but city officials are saying the timing remains in the hands of developers.
Why it matters: The developers said the condensed timeline would be a hardship for the dive bar and its employees and deprive locals the chance to say their farewells to the unique building.
Driving the news: In a Dec. 4 letter to the Boulder City Attorney's Office that was also sent to Axios Boulder, developer and property owner Petur S. Williams said the city is requiring the Dark Horse building to be demolished by the end of the year for the housing development to move forward.
- Developers and the Dark Horse operators thought the bar would stay open through spring of 2026, per the letter.
- Williams in the letter asked for "a modest extension of the Dec. 31 deadline that preserves the project timeline while avoiding unnecessary hardship for the business and its employees."
The other side: Cate Stanek, a spokesperson for the Boulder City Attorney's Office, told Axios Boulder that while the Dark Horse demolition is required for the housing project to proceed, the city has no deadline on when the developers choose to begin the process.
- Stanek said the office was reviewing Williams' letter.
Between the lines: The demolition of the 50-year-old Dark Horse building was a controversial aspect of the Williams Village development.
- The bar's quirky layout and collection of odd decorations strewn about the ceiling are considered part of its charm.
- Developers said they had worked out an agreement in which the Dark Horse would continue to operate until the spring and then either close or temporarily relocate until a new spot could be found.
Boulder Chamber president and CEO John Tayer told BizWest that the city attorney had a "strict" interpretation of city code and hoped that a compromise could be reached.
The bottom line: The Dark Horse as it exists today will become a thing of the past. But when that happens still appears to be in question.