We are members of the Denver music and small-business community coming together to support the current owner of a beloved independent venue.

At the end of 2024, the venue was transferred to new ownership after assurances were made that outstanding obligations tied to prior ownership had been addressed. After taking control, the new owner discovered that significant unresolved issues from before the transfer were never disclosed, including unpaid municipal taxes and administrative records that remained tied to former operators.

Compounding the situation, the new owner inherited a non-exclusive premises arrangement that required months of cleanup involving third-party occupancy and landlord disputes all of which originated before the ownership change. These issues were later acknowledged and partially corrected, but the responsibility to resolve them was left with the new owner.

Despite acting in good faith filing required taxes, cooperating with city officials, maintaining staff, and continuing to support artists enforcement action was recently taken against the venue based on estimated assessments and unresolved records connected to prior ownership, resulting in a temporary lockout while the matter proceeds through formal administrative review.

It’s important to be clear:

The current owner is not accused of fraud, misconduct, or wrongdoing.

This is an administrative and procedural dispute tied to issues that existed prior to current ownership.

Why This Fundraiser Exists

The venue has been given a path to reopen by addressing the undisputed portion of the tax balance while continuing to challenge the remaining disputed amounts through the proper legal process.

This fundraiser exists to help:

• Cover immediate administrative costs required to reopen

• Protect staff, artists, and scheduled shows

• Offset legal and accounting expenses needed to reconcile inherited records

• Keep an important community space alive while review is underway

This is not about avoiding responsibility it is about surviving the financial impact of problems inherited through no fault of the current owner.

Why This Matters

This venue has long served as a space for music, creativity, and community. Over the past year, the current owner has faced intense pressure, misinformation, and public scrutiny while continuing to operate in good faith and support others.

A community that values fairness, mental health, and accountability should not allow a small business to be buried under issues it did not create.

How You Can Help

If this venue has ever been a place where you felt welcome,

If you believe small businesses deserve fair treatment,

If you want to support a community space fighting to stay open.

Please consider donating or sharing.

Every contribution helps reopen the doors and keep this space alive.