The first Labor Day was more than 140 years ago, and it was officially made a holiday in 1894 by President Grover Cleveland. You remember Ol’ Grover, don’t you?
You can celebrate Labor Day this year at a Colorado casino.
It’s a win-win because most of the casinos and resorts in the state are hosting events and offering gaming promotions.
There are still no online casinos in Colorado, but that could change soon. Until then, hop in the car this Labor Day weekend and visit a casino in one (or more) of the three towns that allow casino gambling in Colorado.
Ameristar Casino
111 Richman Street, Black Hawk
If you like earning extra stuff, Ameristar Casino in Black Hawk is your place. Through Sept. 3, earn multipliers on your rewards card. And also get two chances to add entries into a drawing to win a Cadillac CT4-V in the “Not Your Daddy’s Caddy” contest.
You can also win $100,000 in a cash drawing that weekend. Owners Club and Elite PENN Play cardholders receive one free entry. To earn more entries, play starting at 6 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 2. Every 100 tier points is good for one additional entry. The $100,000 drawing will be held on the casino floor from 7 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 2.
Don’t forget to check out the new Baccarat Lounge at Ameristar Casino, which opened on Aug. 23.
Isle of Capri Casino (Horseshoe)
401 Main Street, Black Hawk
More chances to win cash await you at Horseshoe Casino in Black Hawk. Earn chances at a grand prize of $30,000, which will be drawn on Saturday, Sept. 2. Use your Caesars Rewards to enter and swipe as you play. Every half hour, $1,000 bonus bets will be given away, and four visitors will win $5,000 free slot play at 11 a.m. Saturday.
Drop your Monopoly game pieces into the entry barrel starting at 5 p.m. for a chance to win the big prize. On Sunday, $5,000 (five prizes of $1,000) will be given away in chips or bonus bets at the baccarat table.
Lodge Casino
240 Main Street, Black Hawk
Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 4, is “Girls Night Out” at Lodge Casino. Drawings take place every 15 minutes starting at 6 p.m. and running through 9. Ladies can win $100 e-Cash and a $50 gift.
At 9 p.m., there will be a grand prize drawing for $1,000 in e-Cash. All ladies who earn 100 points of playtime will receive a drawing entry plus a choice of free buffet or $10 in e-Cash.
Wildwood Casino in Cripple Creek
119 N Fifth Street, Cripple Creek
Before Wildwood transitions into the Golden Nugget, Wildwood is giving out a mammoth pile of $125,000 in prizes all summer. Drawings are on Saturdays at 11 p.m. Earn Wild Loot plus round-trip airfare and accommodations to any of the Golden Nugget Casino & Hotel destinations in the US. Your slot play earns you entries. The more you play, the more chances you can win.
During Labor Day weekend, Wildwood Casino is running its Black & Diamond VIP Drawing which could be worth as much as $20,000. Swipe your rewards card and earn entries. This is also a great time to dine at the new Saltgrass Steakhouse, which opened in July.
Century Casino Central City
102 Main Street, Central City
Century is running its everyday promos, including $100 when you sign up for its Winners Zone play card.
Grand Z Casino Hotel by Red Lion Hotels
321 Gregory Street, Central City
Enjoy their ongoing free Grand Z Casino Concert Series, which will run all Labor Day weekend. No lineup has been announced yet. The last performance is Monday, Sept. 4.
Sky Ute Casino Resort
14324 Hwy 172 North, Ignacio
You’ll get a chance at $500 to $700 in cash instantly during the Sky Ute Hot Seat drawings. The casino is also handing out $250 in Sky Ute Loot each day starting Friday of Labor Day weekend.
Vroom! Vroom! Win a 2023 Harley-Davidson Nightster at Sky Ute. Or win cash to play at the casino. Beginning Aug. 31, Ace’s Club members get one entry ticket for every 50 points earned on their account. Also, get a chance at $9,500 in cash the same way.
Labor Day Lift-Off
Colorado Springs
Along with the many happenings at Colorado casinos, Labor Day weekend features several other events to lift your spirits.
One of the more anticipated events in Colorado over Labor Day is the annual Labor Day Lift-Off in Colorado Springs. As if Colorado Springs was not beautiful enough, picture it with dozens of hot air balloons gently floating above it. Held from Saturday to Monday, Sept. 2 to 4, at Memorial Park, visitors have a chance to watch balloons or charter a ride up, up, up into the Colorado skies.
New this year is a 5k race on Sunday that affords views of Prospect Lake.
College football kicks off
On Labor Day Saturday, catch some Colorado college football action at one of the Colorado sportsbooks. You won’t want to miss the first game coached by Deion Sanders for the Buffs.
- Washington State Cougars at Colorado State University Rams, 4 p.m., Sept. 2
- University of Colorado Buffaloes at No. 17 Texas Christian University, 9 a.m. Sept. 2
Caveman Music Festival rocks in Weston
How big a weekend is it? The band Phish is performing at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park at the Prairie Gateway Open Space in Weston. Even though tickets are sold out, it’s an indication of how outstanding Labor Day weekend will be for Coloradans.
