Like many other restaurants across the country, Colorado's beloved Casa Bonita was forced to close its doors in March of 2020 due to challenges that came along with the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, the local landmark filed for bankruptcy, and the building remained shuttered.

News of the legendary restaurant's closing shocked and saddened many Colorado residents, but luckily, two Centennial State natives stepped in to save the day. "South Park" creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone purchased the long-standing Lakewood establishment and announced plans to eventually reopen the restaurant. The pair also hired a brand new executive chef, Dana Rodriguez, who is a three-time James Beard award nominee. Because so many past patrons have complained about the food, the hope is that bringing in the new chef will help to spice up the cuisine by giving a refreshing take on favorite Mexican classics.

Although the new owners have yet to set an official reopening date, a recent post on I'm From Denver's Facebook page hinted that Casa Bonita might allow guests back in for fun times beginning this fall. Another article by Axios Denver noted that the reopening date will be sometime in the second half of 2022. The Denver Post agreed with this statement, citing a possible December date.

In the meantime, the new owners will continue to make repairs and work on bringing the popular Colorado attraction back to life. Parker and Stone plan on keeping the famous cliff divers and other entertainment that have helped to make the destination such a fun place for the past 47 years.

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