A Colorado casino in the gas biz? That would be Bullwackers

Bullwhackers Casino in Black Hawk may be in the gaming, food and entertainment business, but gasoline? How does that work?

I’ve noticed the Bullwhacker’s gas station during each of my treks up the hill, and thought I’d ask Steve Cubbage, director of marketing for Bullwhackers, what’s up with that?

“There was a company that owned the gas station – Clear Creek Convenience LLC,” Cubbage said. “Apparently we had a long-standing relationship with the previous owner who was running the gas station. We would put gas coupons in some of our different mailers, and he would accept the gas coupons for us. When the station went up for sale, we thought we would take hold of an amenity none of our competitors had in the market.”

Bullwhackers got into the gas business in 2006. “We’ve been happy with it,” Cubbage said. “It’s one of those things that getting into the gas station business is a little different.”

Starting today, members of the new Lucky Bull Club will get to trade in earned Bullwhackers gas station comps for either gas or merchandise inside the station.

Other Lucky Bull Club benefits are free valet, instant cash back and food comps. The program benefits escalate – depending on your point accumulation – to gold and platinum card amenities.

New year, new you. Are you ready to make your New Year’s resolutions? Lose weight? Check. Eat right? Check. Take more stress out of your life?

Not as easy as it sounds.

Let the Ara spa in the Ameristar take you away from post-holiday-traumatic-stress syndrome and get you in a stress-free frame of mind with a boatload of pampering treatments on the spa menu.

Since it’s the only spa facility in Black Hawk and Central City, you don’t even have to fret about where to go for a little “me” time.

The menu of massages, skin-care treatments, body scrubs, nail therapy, hair removal and hair care is nearly as long as Boulder’s Flagstaff House wine list.

Check out the menu of services (many include your choice of aromas) on the Ameristar web site, Ameristar.com.

And if you are ready to start on the path to your New Year’s resolution, there’s a fully equipped gym and rooftop pool to help you on the road to health and fitness.

And that building would be …? So far, I’ve stumped the town trying to identify the old corrugated metal roof building stuck inside Fitzgeralds Casino in Black Hawk.

Gilpin Historical Society executive director David Forsyth can’t figure it out. Gilpin County manager Roger Baker just knows that it’s not the jail, despite local lore.

Lew Cady, publisher/owner of Central City’s Little Kingdom Come publication is hot on the trail, but has only narrowed it down to possibly being what was once Ben Olson’s old confectionary store.

Not even the Fitzgeralds folks know what it is and how it got there. “I have no idea,” said marketing vice president Kelly Ireland after she quizzed other employees about the mystery shack now used as an employee lounge.

If you know its identity, let me know.
Call my digits, or send me an e-mail.

~ Penny Parker is a columnist for The Denver Post. She’s always on the prowl for tidbits and tips from Colorado’s gaming communities. Call her at 303-619-5209 or e-mail
pparker@denverpost.com