Dear Colorado Gambler readers,
Central City Mayor Ron Engels
Twenty years ago Central City welcomed gaming into its community in the hopes that it would bring the city’s prosperity and preservation efforts back to life. Since that time, the casinos and their employees have allowed the city to do both of these things, in different measures, and all have become valued members of the Central City community in the process.
The presence of gaming in the city has allowed our residents and businesses to preserve something extremely important: our history.Without the dedication and successes of our casinos, historic preservation within the city would not be what it is today. The historic preservation funding that the city receives is a direct result of gaming’s presence. These funds are used to preserve and rehabilitate both city-owned and private properties that are true historical treasures.
Further, gamers coming simply to visit casinos have experienced, and more importantly, fallen in love with, the city’s rich history. It’s this unique combination of gaming and history that keeps many coming back again and again. While the presence of casinos may have initially given many residents pause, 20 years later most residents recognize the benefits that the gaming industry has brought to the community. As well as the ability to preserve our historical treasures, gaming has allowed the city to keep its residential property taxes extremely low, provided the community with adequate funding for infrastructure improvements like the Main Street Streetscape now underway, and provided employment for many residents.
It is for all of these reasons that Central City would like to take this opportunity to say “Thank you!” to everyone in the gaming community – casino owners and employees and patrons alike. You have become an integral part of Central City’s history, and its future as well.
Ron Engels
Central City Mayor
