Op-ed these are opinions of the writer
The Nightlife industry in Denver, Colorado has a long history of white washing the way they treat not only people of color in their establishments, but particular bias to the establishments owned by POC as well. Places like Cold Crush, most recently and affectionately, Epernay Lounge, Chances, Beta, The Palladium, Gallery 22, The Purple Martini, Club Dream and a countless list of clubs who cater to the urban market in Colorado are long gone, or had to re-open themselves several times.
While many of these clubs have different reasons for closing, the process of the city in conjunction with the media goes through the same process. When a club becomes popular, all actions near it become attributed to that club. Just a few weeks ago the process started on Oasis Night Club, an article in the Denver Gazette labeling violence that happened several blocks away to the club. Meanwhile places like The Gin Mill historically have huge brawls inside and outside, even resulting in stabbings and shooting but are never covered by the local media with the same fervor.
Although many of the places that have welcomed people of color closed for different reasons, one thing is for sure, once the city labels you a nuisance, it’s harder to generate revenue and ultimately it could cost them the business entirely.
In one bizarre case at Mile High Spirits, an undercover FBI agent, who was white, tried to do a back flip and dropped his weapon, discharging it hitting a man. None of that was ever attributed to the bar being a public nuisance. That label seems to be only reserved for the places POC own or frequent.
In Another instance where over 100 bullets were shot and one man died, on the corner of 18th and Blake, which is surrounded by notable clubs, it was not attributed to the rowdiness of the club, but labeled “gang shooting” which most certainly alludes to POCs.
While historically clubs like View House, Chloe, 24k, Jackson’s Hole, The Gin Mill and many more have been known to have Dress-code policies that people have said are really covert ways to racially discriminate. This was the main topic of discussion between some very prominent people in the Colorado music scene on twitter Friday night, when a bar Downtown “Whiskey Row” was rumored to not let people in wearing sneakers, specifically Jordan’s .
DJ Squizzy Taylor was one of the first to pose these questions about the dress-code policy, while many others chimed in.
DJ Cyn, one of Denver’s prominent DJs also chimed in …
Westword’s former Culture Editor Kyle Harris took notice…
DJ Simone Says…
What Do you Think? Is there a racial line being stepped over to undermine POC by places like “Whiskey Row”? or no? Tell us why, comment here or have this conversation with us on Twitter @SWalliancemusic
Southwest DJ Alliance 
Your last question you asked in this article is disrespectful. It’s not a rhetorical question or something that can be debated. Downtown Denver is violently racist toward black people and all we want is OUR places we can have fun with zero interference from non black people.
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