HomeMy WebLinkAbout20252091.tiffHearing Certification
Docket No. 2025-57.B
Board of County Commissioners
Weld County, Colorado
Refusal to Renew Public Hearing Phase II Regarding Tavern (County) Liquor
License — El Centenario Entertainment, LLC, dba El Centenario Nightclub
A public hearing was conducted on August 11, 2025, at 9:00 a.m., with the following
present:
Commissioner Perry L. Buck, Chair
Commissioner Scott K. James, Pro -Tern
Commissioner Jason S. Maxey
Commissioner Lynette Peppler
Commissioner Kevin D. Ross
Also present:
Acting Clerk to the Board, Houstan Aragon
County Attorney, Bruce Barker
Assistant County Attorney, Matthew Conroy
The following business was transacted:
(Clerk's Note: The audio/video for this public hearing begins at time stamp 47:23.)
I hereby certify that pursuant to a Notice posted July 31, 2025, a Refusal to Renew Public
Hearing Phase II was conducted to consider the Tavern (County) Liquor License of
El Centenario Entertainment, LLC, dba El Centenario Nightclub.
Matthew Conroy, Assistant County Attorney, summarized the concerns presented by the
Department of Planning Services at the Refusal to Renew Public Hearing Phase I, held
on July 21, 2025, including outstanding building permits, further construction without a
building permit, incomplete sprinkler fire lines, multiple fire hazards, electrical hazards,
and hampered egress. He stated Stop Work Orders have been placed on the structure
by both the Weld County Department of Planning Services and the Mountain View Fire
Rescue Distrct, and the electric service and gas service are recommended for
disconnection. Mr. Conroy reviewed the Board considered the following factors in the
Phase I Public Hearing to determine good cause exists to seta Refusal to Renew Public
Hearing Phase II: 1) evidence that the licensee has violated the Weld County Code, and
2) evidence that the licensed premises have been operated in a manner that adversely
affects the public health, welfare, or safety of the neighborhood, pursuant to
Section 12-2-40 of the Weld County Code. He likewise shared the procedures for the
Phase II Public Hearing, pursuant to Section 12-2-50 of the Weld County Code, and
stated there are three (3) different options to consider: 1) fine the licensee, 2) require
annual renewal of the license, or 3) suspend or revoke, in whole or in part, the license,
cc.CAcmc1KMI$g) 90CP15/8£151[), 2025-2091
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Hearing Certification for Refusal to Renew Public Hearing Phase II — El Centenario
Entertainment, LLC, dba El Centenario Nightclub
Page 2
pursuant to §44-3-601, C.R.S. Mr. Conroy stated the licensee has not taken steps to
remedy the concerns of the Weld County Department of Planning Services or the
Mountain View Fire Rescue District, and recommended the Board deny the renewal
application and revoke the liquor license.
In response to Commissioner James, Mr. Conroy confirmed Weld County approves an
individual to operate at a particular facility, thus the premises must be in compliance and
shown it will not adversely affect the public health, safety and welfare.
Lucia Felix, applicant and licensee, introduced herself for the record and, through the
translative services of Patty Garcia, explained it has been difficult to resolve the situation
without the assistance of her business partner, who has since left, which resulted in her
not being able to attend the previous hearings or fix the issues not in compliance.
Ms. Garda translated that Ms. Felix was under the impression the building was in
compliance with the Weld County Code, and only upon being told the business could no
longer operate, realized the work was not properly completed. In response to Chair Buck,
Ms. Garcia indicated that Ms. Felix requested two (2) months to bring the property into
compliance.
No public testimony was offered concerning this matter.
In response to Commissioner Ross, Mr. Conroy confirmed Lucia Felix is the licensed
individual and sole member of El Centenario Entertainment, LLC, and he proceeded to
further discuss the Board's options at the Phase II Public Hearing, including the possibility
of a continuance, but reconfirmed staffs recommendation for revocation. Commissioner
Ross expressed his concerns regarding the public health, welfare, and safety of the
neighborhood, expressing his relief that the situation was addressed before an incident
occurred and potentially caused harm to occupants inside the structure. Commissioner
Ross stated he is in favor of revoking the liquor license.
In response to Commissioner James, Mr. Conroy confirmed the applicant is a commercial
tenant, the licensee currently occupies the building through a lease agreement, and if the
lease expires, the licensee is immediately in violation of the Liquor Code.
Bruce Barker, County Attorney, explained the difference between a revocation and
refusing to renew the liquor license, and reviewed the Board's option to suspend the liquor
license.
In response to Commissioner James, Mr. Conroy explained, if revoked, the licensee could
reapply for a liquor license once the building is in compliance, which would afford staff
further opportunity to review the needs of the neighborhood and conduct inspections.
2025-2091
LC0042
Hearing Certification for Refusal to Renew Public Hearing Phase II — El Centenario
Entertainment, LLC, dba El Centenario Nightclub
Page 3
Commissioner Ross restated his grave concerns for the public's health, safety, and
welfare, and discussed his worries about the likelihood of the issues being addressed
when, to date, no steps towards resolution have been taken.
Commissioner Maxey echoed the concerns and sentiments of Commissioner Ross, and
further stated there are outstanding building permits, which date as far back as 2018. In
response to Commissioner Maxey, Maxwell Nader, Department of Planning Services,
stated electrical and gas service has not yet been turned off. Commissioner Maxey
discussed suspension or revocation, but clarified if the Board chooses to suspend the
license, the licensee must ensure swift communication with the Department of Planning
Services, as well as the Fire District to get the situation promptly resolved.
Commissioner James stated because the business has been operating since 2018,
without a finalized building permit, he believes revocation of the license is the best way
to proceed.
In response to Commissioner Peppier, Commissioner Ross responded construction could
resume with the usage of generators and cordless tools, upon granting of proper building
permits. Also, in response to Commissioner Peppier, Mr. Nader stated two (2) months
might not be sufficient to apply for and finalize building permits, given the amount of work
that needs to be completed. He noted he is unfamiliar with the timeframe required to gain
compliance with the Fire District, but stated a minimum of three (3) months would be more
reasonable.
Commissioner Ross moved to refuse to renew the Tavern (County) Liquor License of
El Centenario Entertainment, LLC, dba El Centenario Nightclub, based on the evidence
presented by staff and pursuant to Sections 12-2-40 and 12-2-50 of the Weld County
Code, and §44-3-601, C.R.S. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Maxey and it
carried unanimously. There being no further discussion, the hearing was completed at
10:14 a.m.
2025-2091
LC0042
Hearing Certification for Refusal to Renew Public Hearing Phase II — El Centenario
Entertainment, LLC, dba El Centenario Nightclub
Page 4
The Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, approved the above
and foregoing Hearing Certification, on motion duly made and seconded, by the following
vote on the 25th day of August, A.D., 2025:
Perry L. Buck, Chair: Aye
Scott K. James, Pro-Tem: Aye
Jason S. Maxey: Aye
Lynette Peppier: Aye
Kevin D. Ross: Aye
Attest:
Esther E. Gesick, Clerk to the Board
2025-2091
LC0042
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