**Boulder Saves Iconic Dark Horse Tavern in Last-Minute Deal**
Like a seasoned bartender finding the perfect mix of spirits for a cocktail, developers and Boulder city staff have crafted just the right solution to save the iconic Dark Horse Tavern from demolition—allowing it to celebrate its 51st anniversary this March.
City officials and the developers behind the Williams Village II redevelopment project are toasting their success in reaching the agreement.
“On behalf of the Williams family and tens of thousands of Dark Horse fans everywhere, I want to express my sincere thanks for the thoughtful and collaborative work that made it possible for the Dark Horse to remain open into the spring,” wrote Petur Williams, general partner in Williams Family Cos., the project’s owner and developer, in an email sent Sunday to City Attorney Teresa Tate and City Manager Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde.
“I am grateful beyond words that your staff has found a way to keep dozens of people employed through the holiday season and created an opportunity for the community to properly celebrate and say goodbye.”
**A Beloved Boulder Institution**
The Dark Horse Tavern, located at 2922 Baseline Road, is a beloved watering hole for University of Colorado students and alumni, with roots stretching back more than 50 years. It is known for its eclectic collection of antique artifacts hanging from the ceiling—a unique atmosphere cherished by patrons.
City Council member Matt Benjamin told BizWest the agreement exemplifies how Boulder’s city government is evolving.
“It’s a good example of how the city’s continuing to evolve away from a city that used to say ‘No, and here’s why,’ and we’re moving to a place where we get to say, ‘Yes, and here’s how,’” Benjamin said.
The best part, according to Rivera-Vandermyde, is that no new rules had to be changed.
“It’s still within code,” she said. “We haven’t changed it. We didn’t have to change an ordinance or do something the City Council had to weigh in on. This is administrative. We have the authority to move it forward.”
Benjamin added, “Certainly there could have been a legislative solution, but that would require ordinances. That takes time, because we can only do that every other Thursday. So the preferred outcome was to just administratively get to a solution. And we prefer those always over the more long and deliberate legislative process.”
**Negotiating a Solution**
Bill Rigler, spokesperson for the Williams Village II project, told BizWest late Sunday that no firm closing date has been set for the Dark Horse, but it should remain open “at least through March 14.”
The Williams Village II redevelopment project, approved by Boulder City Council on November 20, involves rebuilding the shopping center on the southwest corner of Baseline Road and 30th Street.
Developers plan to build a new 6,000-square-foot space for the Dark Horse as part of the second phase. However, the original bar building would be demolished in the first phase. This raised a problem: The tavern would either need to close for several months or find a temporary location during construction.
Initially, the project timeline expected a March transition. But developers learned the Dark Horse would have to vacate and have its building demolished by December 31—months earlier than planned—before a plat for the new development could be issued.
In a December 4 letter to City Attorney Teresa Tate, the Williams family requested more time. “The Williams family sent us a letter and said, ‘Hey, wait!’” Rivera-Vandermyde recalled.
In response, city staff quickly regrouped with developers and the tavern’s team to find a workable solution.
“We looked at a pre-review and talked through the building permits, working with them before the technical documents were finalized and figuring out the right sequence of timing so all approvals could occur appropriately,” Rivera-Vandermyde said. “The development-review process still has to happen. We haven’t changed it.”
A key to the success was holding in-person meetings rather than relying on back-and-forth emails.
“We sent a letter to the applicant (Coburn Development Inc.) that they received on Friday,” Rivera-Vandermyde said. “We’re excited to move forward in partnership.”
**Praise for Collaborative Efforts**
Williams expressed deep appreciation for the city’s staff.
“It’s hard to underscore how much admiration and appreciation I have for the city’s professional staff,” he said. “Once we communicated the human impact of the Dark Horse’s year-end closure, particularly on dozens of employees, Boulder’s staff worked diligently within existing code to identify a lawful pathway that will keep the Dark Horse open into the spring while keeping the redevelopment on track.
“Their solution was an elegant one, and didn’t require a special ordinance or council action. It’s the best example I’ve ever seen of good government and problem-solving in service of a clear and compelling community need.”
Rivera-Vandermyde emphasized that the agreement’s significance extends beyond one tavern.
“How do we support businesses in all places around the city? Businesses are made of people,” she said. “I hope we’re doing this not just for the Dark Horse but for businesses all around the city.”
Benjamin echoed this sentiment, calling the solution “a testament to how staff’s evolved to really finding ways to say, ‘Yeah, we’re going to find a way. We’re going to get to a yes, and we’re going to work through that.’”
He added, “That traditionally was maybe not the case even just a few years ago. It was a much more restrictive and less supportive culture for our business communities. And I think we’ve worked really hard to change that culture and really focus on how to support our businesses and make sure they and their employees are taken care of.”
**Project Scope and Impact**
The Williams Village II project covers 7.96 acres of a 9.86-acre site just east of U.S. Highway 36. It includes redevelopment of buildings housing not only the Dark Horse but also Sprouts Farmers Market, Moe’s Original BBQ, Cosmo’s Pizza, Dairy Queen, Carelli’s of Boulder, and other businesses.
The Broker Inn will not be affected by the redevelopment.
Rivera-Vandermyde said she was not aware if or how the Dark Horse might relocate and noted that the tavern’s management declined to comment.
“I do certainly hope they find a different location,” she said. “I’m certainly hopeful for it.”
Regarding other affected businesses, she said negotiations and conversations are ongoing.
**A Personal Outcome**
Williams’ letter conveyed the personal nature of this outcome.
“As someone who has shared a continuous relationship for more than five decades with the Dark Horse owners and seen generations of staff come and go, this outcome is deeply personal to me,” he wrote.
“It means employees will remain employed through the holidays. It gives long-time (and first-time) customers and CU alumni across the country more to come in to eat, drink, buy merch, and tip generously.
“I hope you’ll both have a chance to visit the Dark Horse in the New Year and see what you helped make possible.”
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*The collaboration between city staff, developers, and the community serves as a model for supporting local businesses while managing necessary redevelopment—ensuring cherished landmarks like the Dark Horse tavern remain part of Boulder’s fabric for years to come.*
https://bizwest.com/2025/12/14/dark-horse-gets-demolition-reprieve-through-mid-march/
