Wildwood Casino has opened its $14 million hotel, making history in Cripple Creek, Colorado. Wildwood Casino welcomes guests at its 101-room hotel.
Cripple Creek’s Wildwood Casino opened the doors to its brand new $14-million hotel with 101 rooms in Colorado Springs in June. With its increased number of rooms available, the hotel and casino intend to offer more than just accommodations, with 2,800 square feet of event space for conferences, weddings, catering, meetings and retreats.
The hotel is located close to the casino and is easily accessible from the restaurants and gaming floor, including Wildwood’s year-round sportsbook.
Opening Wildwood Hotel Is a Historic Moment
Opening the Wildwood Hotel is a historic moment for Cripple Creek. Its grand opening celebration was held on June 25, and included many city leaders across Colorado and the country.
Wildwood’s General Manager, Matt Andrighetti, said, “This is another historic moment for Cripple Creek. The Wildwood Hotel will be the first standalone hotel built since casinos were approved in 1991.”
Before the official June opening, Wildwood Casino hosted multiple celebration events. The venue welcomed city council members and other honored guests to attend the “sign-lighting” celebration in mid-March when the hotel sign was mounted and lit for the first time.
Gold mines brought $77 million to Cripple Creek in the past
Cripple Creek is an amazing town with a rich history. It was founded in 1891, experiencing a different period of fluctuation in prosperity and population. In the 1990s, it was one of the top five largest cities in the state. Now its population size is close to 1,500.
The town heavily relies on tourism and casinos play an important role in the industry. In the past, Cripple Creek’s mines delivered more than $77 million in gold. Now, taxes, generated from the 12 casinos in town, provide money for the renovation and restoration of numerous historical landmarks. In June, Cripple Creek’s casinos announced that they are desperate for employees, trying to fill their around 1000 job openings after the state lifted restrictions in May.
Andrighetti stated that Cripple Creek offers a lot of fun activities. He believes that the new hotel will attract more out-of-state guests.
Cripple Creek’s first standalone hotel
Wildwood owner Joseph Canfora stated that, like many mountain towns, Cripple Creek’s economy depends on tourism. Opening a new modern hotel, which is affordable, would attract more visitors, who will come and enjoy everything the area offers.
Andrighetti also called 2021 “the year of staycations.” He said that many people now look for opportunities to go out and enjoy a vacation. The summer is the best time to drive into the mountains and spend a few days of gaming, as well as exploring the local attractions Cripple Creek has to offer.
The area is rapidly growing, also, with two casino operators working on plans to build properties in the city. Full House Resorts is working on its 300-room Chamonix Casino Hotel, which will open later next year. The hotel is part of the company’s expansion efforts that include a larger gaming floor at its Bronco Billy’s Casino. In addition, Triple Crown Casinos will begin construction soon on a$400-million, 150-room hotel that will be attached to the parking garage of its Brass Ass casino. The company is also behind McGills and Midnight Rose in Cripple Creek.