Your go-to Boulder bar is really closing its doors

Okay, context—it's wild to think about how many places in Denver and up the Front Range have just... disappeared over the years. But some spots feel like they're carved into the very rocks of the Flatirons. So here's what's wild—the Dark Horse, that Boulder institution, is finally closing its doors after over 50 years. I mean, it's not exactly a surprise, given how things have been changing in Boulder for a while now, but still. Fifty years is a lifetime for a bar.

### The End of an Era

For those who never made the pilgrimage up Highway 36, the Dark Horse wasn't just some dive bar. It was a Boulder landmark. Think of it as the gritty, storied cousin to some of the fancier spots you see popping up in RiNo or the Highlands these days. It was the kind of place where you could grab a beer after a hike on the Chautauqua trails, or hit it up after a Buffs game, win or lose.

* **Over 50 years of history:** Opened in the early 70s, it’s seen generations of CU students and Boulder locals pass through its doors.

* **Iconic for its burgers:** Seriously, people drove from Denver just for those burgers.

* **A true community hub:** It hosted everything from local bands to trivia nights, becoming a second home for many.

It’s another one of those places that reminds you how quickly Denver and its surrounding towns are changing. You used to be able be a normal person and afford a beer and a burger in a place with some real character. Now, it feels like every other week another long-standing spot is getting priced out or bought up. It’s a bummer, pure and simple.

Mile high on the wire — altitude and attitude.

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