Casa Bonita has yet to announce an official reopening date beyond sometime in May, but it appears red tape is not holding owners Matt Stone and Trey Parker of “South Park” fame back.
The restaurant, which has undergone a significant, years-long renovation, has passed all its inspections and received all necessary permits from city, county and state authorities to be able to open.
Through Colorado Open Records Act requests, The Denver Post confirmed Casa Bonita passed all City of Lakewood inspections related to electrical, plumbing and HVAC — as well as updates to the diving pool — as of March 23. Contractors maintain an active permit to re-roof the building, according to city records, but “re-roofing can be done even when occupied,” said Lakewood Permit Counter Supervisor Kristi Ferree. Both the city and the state issued the restaurant liquor licenses in January.
Mindi Ramig, food program manager at Jefferson County Public Health, said the restaurant and entertainment venue obtained its retail food establishment license on April 4. And as of March 22, “all fire department-related permits have been signed off and we have no issues with them opening,” said Mike Kirkpatrick, Deputy Chief of West Metro Fire Rescue.
Additionally, Casa Bonita maintains its original certificate of occupancy first issued in 1975 and did not need a new one.
So what’s the holdup?
Fun fact: @CasaBonita is still operating under the same certificate of occupancy issued April 22, 1975. pic.twitter.com/nNsZOKeknp
— Tiney Ricciardi (@tineywristwatch) May 4, 2023
A spokesperson declined to comment on that, but given Casa Bonita recently hired more than 500 people, it’s possible that training employees could be a factor. And considering the high-profile nature of the reopening, planning how to serve those first sopapillas without causing gridlock on Colfax Avenue or welcoming a mob of 13,000-plus people at the door may also be a perplexing puzzle.
Clearly, we’re speculating, but it’s all we can do as we anxiously await word on when the pink palace will make its grand re-debut. If you’re right there with us, live vicariously through the memories of longtime fans and former employees in the stories below.
Ranked: Every fun thing to do and see at Casa Bonita, from cliff divers to mariachi and more
When Casa Bonita closed, a local family recreated it at home — sopapillas included
Was Casa Bonita’s food really that bad? Not according to these locals.
How Casa Bonita springboarded local man’s career in high diving
“South Park” characters reopen a historic Colorado restaurant in new episode … but not the one you’re thinking
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