Central City Files Lawsuit Against RCI, Seeks Closure of Rick’s Cabaret

# Central City Files Lawsuit Against RCI, Seeks Closure of Rick's Cabaret **Meta Title:** Central City Sues RCI Over Rick's Cabaret SOB Violations | Register-Call **Meta Description:** Central City files lawsuit seeking to close Rick's Cabaret for nudity violations and operating without proper SOB licensing. Exclusive coverage of the legal battle. **Slug:** central-city-lawsuit-rci-ricks-cabaret-sob-violations **Keywords:** Central City lawsuit, RCI Hospitality Holdings, Rick's Cabaret Central City, sexually oriented business, SOB regulations, Eric Langan, Travis Reese, Gilpin County news **Author:** Don Ireland, Senior Reporter **Date:** January 1, 2026 **Category:** Local Government, Legal News, Central City **Featured Image Alt Text:** Rick's Cabaret & Steakhouse at 130 Main Street in downtown Central City, Colorado --- ## Central City Takes Legal Action Against Adult Entertainment Venue The City of Central has filed a lawsuit against RCI Hospitality Holdings, asking the Gilpin County District Court to shut down the company's Rick's Cabaret and Steakhouse at 130 Main Street in downtown Central City. ### Key Allegations in the Lawsuit "Rick's Cabaret unlawfully opened and illegally operates a Sexually Oriented Business in Central City," according to the city's lawsuit filed December 23, 2025. The complaint requests a preliminary injunction to shutter the operation until it complies with local regulations and obtains an SOB license from the city. The lawsuit alleges multiple violations of Central City regulations: - **Nudity violations**: Allowing entertainers to appear nude or expose specified anatomical areas while not on a permanent and non-movable stage - **Sexual activity violations**: Allowing entertainers to engage in specified sexual activities - **Licensing violations**: Operating a Sexually Oriented Business without a city-issued SOB license - **Hours violations**: Operating between 3 a.m. and 10 a.m., past Central's 2 a.m. closing time for SOBs ### Named Defendants The civil case names RCI Hospitality Holdings, RCI Dining Services (Central City), RCI Holdings Inc., former CEO & President Eric Langan, and Vice President Travis Reese. Langan, who stepped down from his CEO role in November 2024 but remained on the board, is described in the lawsuit as "the long-time and current public face" of Rick's Cabaret. RCI's Board of Directors appointed Reese as interim president following Langan's departure. ### City's Legal Demands Central City Attorney Marcus McAskin and associate Christine Fitch filed the complaint seeking court orders to: 1. Stop RCI from operating as a Sexually Oriented Business without city-approved licensing 2. Cease operations between 3 a.m. and 10 a.m. 3. Close Rick's Cabaret for allowing nudity violations and specified sexual activities According to the lawsuit, "Ricks Cabaret is an adult theater, one kind of sexually oriented business, that regularly violates the licensing requirement, the hours regulation, and conduct restrictions." ### Background: From Casino Plans to Adult Entertainment The controversy dates back to December 2022, when Central City's elected leaders voted to sell the former casino property at 130 Main Street to RCI Hospitality Holdings for $2.4 million. Initially, Langan announced plans to open a casino with a nightclub and steakhouse. However, in June 2024, he withdrew his application for a casino license with the Colorado Division of Revenue, pivoting to the adult entertainment business model instead. ### Previous Legal Battles RCI has faced multiple legal challenges: - **August 2024**: RCI sued Central City in federal court after the council upheld an administrator's decision regarding the building, but dropped the lawsuit a year later when Rick's Cabaret opened - **September 2025**: New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit indicting Langan and four other RCI executives for an alleged "multimillion-dollar criminal tax fraud and bribery scheme" to avoid paying over $8 million in sales taxes between 2010 and 2024 The New York indictment is believed to have prompted Langan's resignation as CEO in November 2024. ### Community Opposition and Referendum Throughout 2024 and into 2025, several Central City residents and council members opposed Rick's Cabaret, citing concerns about: - Zoning compliance issues - Community morality standards - Public safety concerns - Type of clientele the business would attract In September 2024, Mayor Jeremy Fey succeeded in winning a 3-2 council vote to place a referendum on the November 4 ballot, asking voters whether the council should change city code to allow Sexually Oriented Businesses to operate on Main Street. Central voters delivered a clear message on November 4, voting 153-113 to keep existing regulations in place that prohibit SOBs on Main Street. ### Legal Timeline and Next Steps RCI and its named executives have 21 days to respond if they are in Colorado, or 35 days if they are out of state. A court date will be scheduled after the defendants respond to the lawsuit. The lawsuit was filed one week after council's final meeting of 2025 on December 16. ### City's Official Statement Following the lawsuit filing, Central City issued a statement: "Today, pursuant to the direction and prior vote of the City Council, Central City has filed an action to enforce the city's Sexually Oriented Business Licensing Ordinance that [the council adopted in September 2024]. The lawsuit contends that Rick's Cabaret opened unlawfully and has been operating illegally, in violation of the ordinance's licensing, hours of operation and conduct regulations. Because litigation on the matter is still pending, the city will have no further statements other than those contained in the court filings." ### Business Continues Operations Despite the lawsuit, Rick's Cabaret continued to advertise its Christmas Day hours and New Year's Eve events on its website and Facebook pages. The business describes itself as "Central City's top-rated gentlemen's club," open from 6 p.m. to 4 a.m. Thursday through Sunday. The establishment also advertises on three city-owned billboards along the Central City Parkway. ### Mayor Fey's Involvement Mayor Jeremy Fey is the only remaining city alderman in office who voted to sell the building to RCI in December 2022. He later came under public scrutiny after accepting a free trip with Langan aboard RCI's jet to the company's headquarters in Houston, including attending an NFL game between the Houston Texans and Denver Broncos in RCI's private box. Langan also provided Fey with a sales-based lease for a storefront purchased by RCI at 127 Main Street. Following initial public complaints in 2024, Fey recused himself from all council discussions related to RCI. However, in 2025, Fey changed his position and began participating in RCI-related discussions again. ### Broader Context: City Code Changes In the summer of 2024, the council approved changes to its Land Use Code, creating Industrial-zone land along the Central City Parkway and requiring that any SOBs be located in such zoning classifications. The council also approved Ordinance No. 24-02, which established licensing requirements for any Sexually Oriented Business wanting to operate in the city. Additionally, the city retained special attorney Scott Bergthold of Chattanooga, Tennessee, whose firm specializes in helping municipalities oppose adult-oriented businesses. The council voted unanimously to hire Bergthold to work with McAskin on potential litigation related to the RCI situation. --- **Editor's Note:** RCI Interim President Travis Reese did not respond to the Weekly Register-Call's request for comment or a response to the lawsuit. **Related Stories:** - [Voters Reject SOB Zoning Change in Central City](#) - [Central City Land Use Code Changes Approved](#) - [Eric Langan Steps Down as RCI CEO](#) **Contact Information:** - Central City Attorney Marcus McAskin: [City Hall contact] - Weekly Register-Call Newsroom: news@weeklyregistercall.com | 303-906-9902 --- *This story was originally published in the Weekly Register-Call print edition, January 1, 2026. Don Ireland is the Senior Reporter and Drone Photographer for the Weekly Register-Call, Colorado's oldest newspaper, established 1862.*

Central City Files Lawsuit Against RCI, Seeks Closure of Rick’s Cabaret

Patrick Henry Sweeney

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