{"id":2437,"date":"2026-07-09T12:04:47","date_gmt":"2026-07-09T12:04:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coloradospringsmoverss.com\/?p=2437"},"modified":"2026-07-09T12:04:47","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T12:04:47","slug":"casa-bonita-actors-still-seeking-first-union-contract-months-after-strike","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coloradospringsmoverss.com\/?p=2437","title":{"rendered":"Casa Bonita actors still seeking first union contract months after strike"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Eight months after Casa Bonita\u2019s actors went on a short strike in a push for better wages, the union still has not reached a deal on its first contract.<\/p>\n

Read more Cheesman Park: The Game lets players fight zombies with Frisbees \u2014 all while learning Denver history<\/a><\/p>\n

The restaurant\u2019s cliff divers, magicians, puppeteers and roving performers have been bargaining with management for more than a year, after officially voting to unionize in November 2024. A mediator has been involved in negotiations since the strike, which occurred last year on Halloween weekend, said lead negotiator Andrea Hoeschen, assistant executive director and general counsel for Actors\u2019 Equity Association.<\/p>\n

Hoeschen said the primary outstanding issue is wages, though the actors are also seeking workplace protections. Casa Bonita serves thousands of diners each week, and actors previously detailed several incidents involving guests that had staff concerned for their safety. Some of their concerns included insufficient training, scheduling and safety from \u201cabusive patrons emboldened by alcohol,\u201d The Denver Post has reported.<\/p>\n

The restaurant, located at 6715 W. Colfax Ave. in Lakewood, is unique in that dining there is only one part of the experience. The Mexico-themed eatery\u2019s facade is giant pink tower, and inside, there is a 30-foot waterfall from which divers jump into a pool every 20 minutes. There are also puppet shows, magic shows and roving performers who interact with guests while they wander through the 52,000-square-foot space.<\/p>\n

Another thing that sets Casa Bonita apart is its owners. Colorado-raised celebrities Trey Parker and Matt Stone, creators of the TV show \u201cSouth Park,\u201d purchased the restaurant out of bankruptcy in 2021 and sunk a reported $40 million into renovating it. It reopened to the public in 2023.<\/p>\n

Parker and Stone also made headlines in 2025 for inking a $1.5 billion streaming deal with Paramount Global for \u201cSouth Park,\u201d according to the Los Angeles Times.<\/p>\n

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Trey Parker and Matt Stone on why buying Casa Bonita was \u2018dumb thing to do\u2019<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n