Denver Mayor Uncorks an Intoxicating Plan to Help Colfax Businesses

Denver is a notoriously big drinking city. Denver has a mayor named Mike Johnston. There was never any reason to think that these two facts would overlap, but if Johnston has his way, he'll soon be pouring booze down his thirsty constituents' throats — as he fulfills a pledge to serve as a guest bartender at East Colfax Avenue bars and restaurants suffering through Bus Rapid Transit construction.

During a wide-ranging interview, Johnston announced his bold new initiative on City Cast Denver last week. "I'm going to launch a guest-bartending program on Colfax for anyone who would have me," he revealed. "I'm going to come in once a month and have events at bars and restaurants on East Colfax and just encourage all our neighbors to come. It's easy to say, 'Oh, gosh, construction is on Colfax, let's go to 17th or go downtown or go to Wash Park.' We want to have it be the opposite. This is a time when we should all go to Colfax while it's under construction.

"What we're trying to do," he added, "is help support all these businesses and keep them alive in the process. Is it true that some businesses occasionally close, and that's a regular cycle? Well, yes. But we really don't want to see these long-term Denver businesses get lost. So we're gonna do everything we can to drive traffic, expedite construction and provide relief where we can."

The mayor offered no suggestion for where customers are supposed to park when they flock to East Colfax to watch him pop open beer bottles. A severe lack of parking along the construction-ravaged avenue is one of the main reasons people are staying away in the first place.

"Maybe he can try to find parking and maneuver over all the detours and rubble like a true civilian," says Christy Simonsen, general manager of Nob Hill Inn at 420 East Colfax — which has been disrupted by BRT construction for months — in reaction to Johnston's plan. "Also, maybe he can fill in shifts after all my bartenders quit because they are only making $30 a day, and our sales aren’t even covering their hourly wages."

"It was exciting to learn that the mayor will be mixing cocktails and pouring beers on Colfax," says Denon Moore, business support director of the Colfax Avenue Business Improvement District. "We can’t wait to welcome him. If he needs a shave or a haircut, we’d love to invite him to book an appointment with Martha at Martha’s Beauty Salon [516 East Colfax]. We truly appreciate his support for Colfax Avenue businesses during this time.”

Alex Barakos agrees that Johnston's guest-bartending gigs will be a good thing. "That would be positive, for sure," he says. In addition to being the new president of Colfax BID's board of directors, Barakos is part-owner of two iconic Colfax businesses that have been hit hard by BRT construction: Pete's Kitchen at 1962 East Colfax and Pete's Satire Lounge at 1920 East Colfax; he's the grandson of the restaurants' legendary founder Pete Contos, who died in 2019. "The mayor could start at the Satire, if he's willing and able," Barakos adds.

Fortunately, Johnston considers margaritas — a popular Satire drink — one of his strengths. "The things that I drink and the things that I can make are a different list," he told City Cast. "I'm great at beer and wine, it turns out, as a bartender. Margaritas, I'm good at margaritas, Old Fashioneds and Manhattans, because I make them for myself. So I feel like those are probably my three best drinks at this stage. But I learn fast."

On February 26, the Satire hosted a Colfax BID-organized meeting called Chats on Colfax — a monthly forum where business owners can air grievances, share strategies and receive updates on the latest moves by BRT. He sums up the overall vibe that night as "frustrated."

"We survived COVID, but [BRT] is worse than COVID," Barakos says. "If Colfax loses businesses in the process, it's not worth it. What makes Colfax special is that it's this group of independent businesses, minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses. Like, Pete's Kitchen is a community. Sit down, have your coffee, read your newspaper, talk to five people you don't know. That's the kind of spot it is. I don't want to lose that. That's everything my grandfather built and everything he stood for.

"Still," he continues, "I am very positive and hopeful for the BRT. I really am. I really think this will be good for the city. I'm optimistic about it. I just want to see us get through it, that's all."

So far, there's no specific itinerary for Johnston's mixological crusade. "We’re currently locking down specifics," says Jordan Fuja, Johnston's press secretary, "but there will be more to come soon!"

And first, Johnston has a date in Washington, D.C. He'll appear before a House Oversight Committee on March 5 to testify about his recent comments regarding federal immigration policy enforcement in the Mile High City.