And, like Black Hawk and Central City, Cripple Creek’s legacy is directly linked with Colorado’s mining history.

Like Central City and Black Hawk, Cripple Creek’s casinos offer a plethora of gambling opportunities from slots to blackjack to roulette. Photo by: JasperdoĬasinos in Cripple Creek have charming names like the “Brass Ass” and the “Midnight Rose.” At just over two hours south of Denver, Cripple Creek makes for a convenient weekend getaway. Cripple Creek Cripple’s Creek main drag of casinos. When people from Denver and beyond head up to this area to strike it rich, they’re following a tradition that’s been happening here for more than 160 years, though winning at blackjack is far easier than mining for gold was. After gold was discovered in 1859 near modern day Central City, the area was referred to as the “Richest Square Mile on Earth.” The two communities boomed shortly after the Pikes Peak Gold Rush of 1859, and, believe it or not, Central City was actually Colorado’s largest city for a number of years and was the area’s largest economic center until the 1870’s. The Ameristar Casino and Hotel is tallest building between Denver and Salt Lake City and offers entertainment and spa services in addition to gambling. In addition to gambling, Black Hawk and Central City are filled with hotels, bars, and restaurants. Known as Colorado’s premier gambling destination, you’ll find the same sorts of slots, card, and table games here that you’d find in Vegas. Between these two former mountain towns––they’re different places but are located very close to one another––there are more than 20 casinos to choose from.

It takes just under an hour to drive to the gorgeous and historic mountain setting of Black Hawk and Central City. Black Hawk and Central City Ameristar Casino and Hotel in Black Hawk, CO. While American gambling destinations like Las Vegas, Reno, and Atlantic City usually get most of the attention, there are places near Colorado’s capitol where casinos and other gambling establishments are legal and help to prop up local economies.įrom charming charming mountain towns with loads of casinos to choose from to horse racing near Denver, get familiar with this list if you’re interested in legal gambling opportunities close to town.

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