There is probably no better example of how far Old Colorado City has risen above its reputation for saloons and brothels than the replacement of Roger’s Bar in the middle of the 2500 block of West Colorado Avenue, which closed over a decade ago.Roger’s Bar was long a watering hole fixture in “Old Town.” Never really one of the 21 wilder “south side of Colorado Avenue” saloons that gave Colorado City its unsavory reputation starting back in the 1890s, it nevertheless was for over 40 years a lively bar, restaurant, pool room and gathering place serving west-side working stiffs and as often other members of their family.Started by Danny Rogers, it became the classic Irish, Democratic, Union bar where local politics were argued over both beer and booze while regulars sampled the Friday Night special, Rocky Mountain Oysters, whose key ingredients were obtained from the slaughterhouse on 21st Street.By the time Danny needed to retire, his family had pitched in. Karen Rogers and her sister Patty took over the management of Roger’s Bar. The redneck regulars at the bar took care of any bouncer duties if anyone got out of line.As the revitalization of Colorado City cranked up in earnest by the late ’70s, people wondered whether the city would try to close Roger’s Bar down. But its down-home western look and feel matched up perfectly with the history and character of the west side.People east of I-25 started patronizing it as its “neat Old Colorado City” reputation spread. Local businessmen got in the habit of eating lunch there. It never was a brawling bar; most public disturbances took place behind the newer Meadow Muffins where drunk young lawyers fought over dressy women in their parking lot at night.I found Roger’s Bar so characteristic of disappearing small-town America, I started routinely carrying my new Radio Shack Model 100 laptop computer there so I could report on the scene and debate local politics through my online bulletin board – the first in Colorado Springs – while I sat in a front booth drinking a beer or coffee and eating their Hamburger “D” (for “Deluxe”).In fact I began pioneering the future form of personal computer, grassroots up, neighborhood, “Electronic Democracy.” By 1989 the bar had become world famous, as publications from the Wall Street Journal, Germany’s Stern Magazine, Japanese Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper, and the very first issue of Wired Magazine highlighted the symbolism of a political future inherent in the model of a Stetson-hatted “Cursor Cowboy” pecking away on a laptop and arguing local politics online.But sooner or later all sole proprietorship businesses come to an end. Danny and his wife passed on. Karen and her sister, even though doing well, tired of the hard work of running a bar. And so, after 43 years, Roger’s Bar closed.Meanwhile Old Colorado City had emerged, as a national historic district with year-round art galleries, jewelry stores, upscale gift shops and specialty bar-restaurants.For several years a shop called “Creative Impressions” occupied the space. Then in 2004 a company called Bernideen’s, which had started up on the avenue, grew to the point the owners wanted to expand.So Bernideen bought the original Roger’s Bar building and she and Keith refinished it elegantly. With the added width of the original kitchen space, the storefront looks spacious. Its elegant awning advertises gourmet foods, florals and teapots.The business is succeeding in its new Old Colorado City location. It draws people who hitherto would only shop at the Broadmoor and avoid downtown. The beautiful historical hammered metal ceiling is still there, in white.I reflected on the building’s history when I dropped in last week to find a nice gift for my 56th wedding anniversary. While I was there I remembered those lively days when pert Irish girls danced on the bar on St. Patrick’s Day, Karen shared her special recipe for Rocky Mountain Oysters over my Internet connection, and I solved the problems of the world via Electronic Democracy.-Tell your story:Submit articles of local interestat news@csfreshink.com.

The spacious front of Bernideen’s which was once the entrance to Rogers Bar. Photo by IMAGE PROVIDED BY BERNIDEEN’S

Dave Hughes Photo by