Weld County commissioners on Monday voted to refuse to renew the liquor license for El Centenario Nightclub, located at 10763 Turner Boulevard in unincorporated Weld County, after county staff presented evidence of unpermitted renovations, a stop-work order and fire-safety concerns.

Matt Conroy, assistant county attorney, told the board this is a phase-2 refusal-to-renew hearing. He said staff found evidence of interior remodeling performed without permits, an expired permit application (CMA 24-27), a stop-work order, and a red tag issued by the fire district after an inspection on July 17 that observed multiple fire hazards and hampered egress. Staff also reported no occupancy in the last month and said it had not received evidence the licensee had taken steps to bring the building into compliance. Conroy recommended refusal to renew.

The licensee, identified in the hearing as Lucia Felix Jimenez, addressed the board with a translator and said her business partner left and she has been trying to sort the situation alone. She said she believed the business was up to code and asked for time to obtain permits and complete renovations; she estimated approximately two months to finish the work.

Commissioners discussed three primary options available at the phase-2 hearing: issue a fine, suspend the license pending corrections, or refuse to renew. Several commissioners expressed concern that the building had been operating without final permits since as early as 2018 and emphasized the public-safety implications of incomplete fire-suppression and permit work. Planning staff confirmed that utility services (electric and gas) had not been disconnected.

Commissioner Kevin Ross moved to refuse to renew the liquor license under Weld County Code section 12-2-50 and Colorado Revised Statutes 44-3-302, citing the long-standing unpermitted work and current violations. Commissioner Jason Maxey seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote and the board declined to continue the hearing or suspend the license pending correction.

The county attorney noted refusing renewal does not prevent the applicant from later applying for a new license once the facility is brought into compliance; such an application would require review of neighborhood impact and applicant qualifications, and a new licensing process.