Colorado Casino Transportation Guide
Getting to the Colorado casinos can be half the fun. Many casinos are serviced by party buses on regular schedules and can generally accommodate groups by charter (call individual casinos for details). You'll meet fascinating people with common interests-gambling, and maybe learn some history about the area from prolific drivers. Many of the casinos offer fun books and cash back on fares; call the departure depot for more information. Each city has shuttles that will get you around once you arrive plus several casinos have free shuttle service available. The most comprehensive transportation guide has to be the Colorado Casino Transportation website.
Gray Line of Denver
PO Box 17646
Denver, Colorado 80217
(800) 348-6877 or (303) 289-2841
BUSES FROM METRO DENVER, COLORADO SPRINGS & PUEBLO
 BLACK HAWK EXPRESS (CTI) will get you to Black Hawk in comfort and style and you'll get cash back! Catch a ride to the marvelous Mardi Gras or luxurious Lodge at Black Hawk aboard the Black Hawk Express. Daily departures begin at 6:30 and 6:45 a.m. from Buckingham Square (303-745-3331), 1182 S. Havana in Aurora (east side of the mall) and Aurora Park Center at Sable and Alameda, and continue throughout the day until 9:30 and 9:45 p.m., with departures every 45 minutes. You can also catch the Black Hawk Express from the Martischang Plaza (303-934-6848), next to Hobby Lobby, off Alameda Ave. and Fenton Street in Lakewood (six blocks west of Sheridan Boulevard). Runs begin at 7:30 a.m. and depart until 9:30 p.m., on the hour, or from Heritage Square's lower parking lot from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., hourly. Returns are as late as 2:05, 2:10 and 2:15 a.m.
CASINO TRANSPORTATION INC. (CTI) CTI also has bus service from Heritage Square (303-278-4838), off Colfax Ave. and C-470, in Golden to Bullwhackers and Silver Hawk Casinos(via shuttle) in Black Hawk. Daily departures are on the hour from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Employee buses depart from the new CTI terminal off Rooney Rd. and Colfax; call for details.
 COACH USA/ACE EXPRESS Ace merged with Coach USA (303)421-2780) a few years ago to become one of the biggest transport services in the state. The customers have won from this marriage with reliable, safe transportation to the casinos in Black Hawk and Central City from many metro area locations. You'll arrive at Colorado Central Station, the Famous Bonanza, Fitzgeralds, the Gilpin Hotel Casino, or Silver Hawk Casino with easy shuttle over to Bullwhackers, depending upon which bus location you depart from. Departures begin as early as 5:45 a.m. from the depot at 64th and Sheridan Boulevard in Arvada. and 6 a.m. from the corporate offices at West 44th and Eldridge in Wheat Ridge, with hourly departures until midnight at both of these locations ( to Colorado Central Station). Head to Central City and the Famous Bonanza from the Doubletree Hotel at 3203 Quebec St. and from downtown Denver at 15th and Glenarm and 22nd and Welton; hourly departures begin as early as 6:45 a.m.(from the Doubletree, (7:10 from the Pavilions and 7:25 from 609 22nd St.) and continue until 9:25 p.m. Get To Fitzgeralds, the Silver Hawk and Gilpin aboard the bus departing from Chambers Plaza at Colfax and Chambers Rd., beginning at 7 a.m. through 10 p.m. and from the K-Mart Center at 50th and Federal beginning at 7:25 a.m. through 10:25 p.m. The Silver Hawk and Gilpin are also serviced by buses leaving Northglenn (11918 N. Washington) and Thornton (8800 N. Washington) at 7 and 7:20 a.m until 10 and 10:20 p.m.
FAST TRACK EXPRESS For deluxe motor coach service choose the Fast Track Express to Colorado Central Station Casino. Depart from Bear Valley Shopping Center (303-936-1117), 3100 S. Sheridan Blvd. from 7:30 a.m. until 11:30 p.m.; Fairfield Commons (303-934-1111), 88 Wadsworth, from 7:45 a.m. until 11:45 p.m.; Golden (303-271-1038 ext. 0) at 44th and Eldridge-Coach USA/Ace Express, from 7 a.m. until midnight; and from 64th and Sheridan (303-430-4319) from 7:45 a.m. until 10:45 p.m. All hourly departures.
RAMBLIN EXPRESS From Colorado Springs and Pueblo, the comfortable Ramblin Express (719-590-8687) will get you to many casinos in Cripple Creek. The Ramblin Express makes daily runs from four locations in Colorado Springs and Pueblo, stopping in scenic Woodland Park before arriving in Cripple Creek. Roundtrip cost is just $20, some cash back offers may apply. There are also shuttle services between Cripple Creek and Victor/ Ute Pass/ Colorado Springs.
RIDE & WIN Leave the driving to someone else and qualify for free rides by riding the Ride & Win (720-748-3846) to Colorado Central Station Casino from Aurora, 2760 S. Havana at Yale (behind the Aurora Summit and Bennigans). Departures run every hour and a half beginning at 7:30 a.m. and continuing until 9:30 p.m. Returns to Aurora from Colorado Central Station begin at 10:15 a.m. until 2 a.m., again every hour and a half.
 THE STAMPEDE (operated by PEOPLE'S CHOICE) The Stampede is the most sure-footed way to the Rockies and Harveys Wagon Wheel Hotel/Casino. With a buy in you'll make money just by riding! Catch the sizzling Stampede from Littleton (303-798-1167) on Littleton Blvd. and S. Datura St., across from the IHOP restaurant, beginning at 7 a.m., with hourly departures. From Lakewood, catch the Stampede at Green Mountain Plaza beginning at 7:30 a.m., and continuing hourly throughout the day. The Wheat Ridge Stampede treks up the hill from 44th Avenue and Ward Road at the Quality Inn (303-716-9769) beginning at 8 a.m. and continues throughout the day and evening, on the hour. The Stampede gets you there in style!
BLACK HAWK, CENTRAL CITY & CRIPPLE CREEK SHUTTLES
 BLACK HAWK SHUTTLE (303-582-5221) The Black Hawk Shuttle transports visitors from the Miner's Mesa public parking lot above the south side of Black Hawk. Weekdays the shuttle leaves the mesa every hour (when alerted by the call box at the parking area), but on weekends departures are more frequent. There are seven stops aboard the Black Hawk Shuttle on Main Street making it easy to get to any casino. Service begins as early as 7 a.m. and as late as 1:00 a.m. Riding the shuttle is free to guests and visitors who park at Miner's Mesa.
CENTRAL CITY TRAMWAY (303-582-5251) The dark green Central City Tramway meanders through both Black Hawk and Central City allowing visitors to experience both communities. There are nearly 10 stops between the two towns, including Harveys Wagon Wheel Hotel/Casino, and from Central City's public parking lots above the town. Hours of operation vary seasonally, but you can't miss these nostalgic green carriers. Riding the Tramway is free, but tips to the drivers are greatly appreciated.
 CRIPPLE CREEK TROLLEY (719-689-7711) The Cripple Creek City-operated shuttle transports guests throughout the city limits from 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 2:30 a.m., seven days a week. The shuttle is equipped with a wheel chair lift (please give 20 minutes advance notice). The shuttle will take you nearly anywhere in town, to and from casinos, to and from hotels and more. Cost to ride the City of Cripple Creek's shuttle is 50 cents per person; children under 5-years-old ride for free.
OTHER SHUTTLES: Additional free shuttles are operated by five casinos in Cripple Creek; call for details. Bronco Billy's/Holiday Inn Express at 719-689-2142; Double Eagle Hotel and Casino at 719-689-5000; Gold Rush at 719-689-2646; The Imperial Hotel & Casino at 719-689-7777; and the Midnight Rose at 719-689-0303.
|
