DENVER – The owner of The Grizzly Rose has temporarily closed the venue after video of a packed dance floor went viral over the weekend.
No stranger to receiving complaints about its large crowds in the middle of a pandemic, the owner of The Grizzly Rose told the Tri-County Health Department (TCHD) Monday morning he was making the decision to temporarily and voluntarily close the country nightclub – at least for this weekend – as TCHD officials and the owner work to determine how to best operate under current restrictions.
Under the state’s COVID-19 dial – Level Orange, all restaurants and indoor entertainment events, such as The Grizzly Rose – cannot operate beyond 25% capacity or have more than 50 people inside —whichever is fewer.
Video shared on social media over the weekend, however, showed those metrics weren’t being followed.
“It seems like maybe in the beginning they were being good about social distancing. They were staying six feet apart, some people were wearing masks,” said Jenny Orin, speaking to Denver7 on Sunday about the packed country nightclub. “But the video that I saw from last night was something completely different. It was a complete violation of public health.”
It’s not the first time the Denver nightclub has been in trouble for violating local health guidelines.
Last fall, the TCHD issued a warning notice for non-compliance in October, at which point the owner decided to voluntarily close the establishment and recently reopened its doors to the public. In a statement sent to Denver7 Monday, health officials said the department had a compliance call with the owner of The Grizzly Rose as recently as last week to discuss the current rules and requirements.
“We are certainly aware of the video of the capacity issues at the Grizzly Rose over the weekend,” said Brian Hlavacek, the director of environmental health for TCHD. “We’re working with the owner on strategies to comply,” he said, adding the TCHD is working on next steps, “whether it’s a cease and desist or order to close.”
The Grizzly Rose’s voicemail, which over the weekend guaranteed all public safety guidelines would be followed inside the dance hall and bar, now states they are temporarily closed due to COVID-19.
Denver7 tried to reach the owner of the night club but our request for comment was not immediately returned.
