Black Hawk, Central City mayors answer five questions

Black Hawk Mayor David Spellman and Central City Mayor Ron Slinger recently took time from their busy schedules to talk about raised gaming limits, favorite hangouts, and tricks and treats. Here are the five questions we asked them, followed by their answers.

1. What changes have you seen in the gaming towns since the raising of limits/hours this summer?

2. What are you most excited about for the future of your towns?

3. Can you name the most and least favorite parts of your job?

4. Excluding Gilpin County, what’s your favorite place in Colorado?

5. What do you think Halloween will be like in the gaming towns this year?

Black Hawk Mayor David Spellman’s answers:

1. The increased visitation around the clock. But what I have found most interesting is the extreme popularity of craps and the high increase of younger folks who come to play the table games: craps and roulette.

2. Being a destination resort market with gaming as the main feature but other amenities as well, such as more entertainment at the casinos; retail shopping; outdoor activities from horseback riding, four-wheel drive tours to gold panning in North Clear Creek, including tours of our heritage mining sites and historic buildings. It will take (effort by) Black Hawk and Central City, as well as the rest of Gilpin County, to accomplish the goal of becoming a destination resort area.

3. Being involved in the strategy to accomplish all of the above, from the infrastructure needed to the finishing touches like Black Hawk’s sculpture program. You caught me at a good time because I cannot think of any part of my job that I dislike.

4. Ouray and Telluride.

5. If you come to Black Hawk, plan on a frightfully good time, always with more treats than tricks.

Central City Mayor Ron Slinger’s answers:

1. The biggest change as been the new energy created with the excitement that craps and roulette, 24 hours and the $100 bet limits bring with them. It is a lot of fun being on the casino floor.

2. The new amenities that will come with being a destination location. Before the changes, we were mostly visited for four- or five-hour blocks. Now we have people wanting to stay overnight and for multiple days. With that type of customer base growing in numbers, we will be developing non-gaming activities for them to enjoy such as trails, retail shopping, theatre and my personal favorite – a golf course. The citizens in Central City, Black Hawk and Gilpin County will also benefit greatly from these additions.

3. My favorite part is feeling like I am trying to help the community in which I live. Problem solving can be a good thing when approached in a positive manner. The least favorite part is trying to combat the so-called “negative image” that the gaming industry has. I have found the casino executives to be incredible community partners at every turn. They are always more than willing to partake in support of community events and non-profits. I am very thankful they are here.

4. Applewood Golf Course (near Golden) – love the people there! The course is in great shape and very fun to play.

5. It is going to be a lot of fun. I would expect more costumes than ever because the gamblers who like craps and roulette tend to be a bit more extroverted than we have seen in the past. Another really fun thing happening is the Ghost Tours of our historic properties in Central City.

by Sam DeLeo