The Golden Rose casino in Central City Colorado closed their doors at the end of business Thursday. They had planned on staying open through today (Sunday, 1/2/2000) but when the powers that be informed them that they'd have to pay a full quarter's worth of gaming device fees ($253,000 in this case) to stay open for the first two days of 2000, an easy decision was made. The casino employees were informed of the pending plans several weeks ago at the company Christmas party. This marks the fourth casino closing in Central City in 1999, leaving eight casinos that are currently open in Central City.

Bob