Though a self-described melting pot for the city’s social butterflies, there are about 40 people who are never welcome at 13 Pure.

“Ninety-nine percent of the people are here to have fun,” co-owner Scott Collman said Friday night. “Once we identify who the fringe people are, they’re out of here.”

The club keeps the “fringe” out with their mandatory ID scan, which can identify fake IDs and also those who have caused fights and been banned. It is one measure of several 13 Pure has implemented in an attempt to keep its patrons and employees safe in light of the real and perceived threats the club’s clientele have caused in the downtown area.

What the “fringe” does beyond the club’s front doors, the owners say, is out of their control.

“We can’t police the streets,” said co-owner Michael Laughlin. “We do provide a safe environment inside.”

Though Laughlin and Collman say that the bulk of the calls for service linked to 13 Pure are for disturbances in the alley behind the club or down the block, Colorado Springs Police Commader Kurt Pillard said it is one of the four bars downtown that together average three calls for service per day.

“Some of the bars’ reasons that calls don’t come to their specific address, that it was on the street, is valid. Some of it is not,” Pillard said. “People get aggressive, have too much to drink, and the bar staff kicks them out. When the problem is pushed out into the street, it becomes a law enforcement problem.”

Inside 13 Pure, everyone is wanded with a metal detector; purses are checked and pockets are patted down. Even on a relatively slow night like Friday, when between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. there were roughly a dozen patrons sitting quietly throughout the bar, those front door policies are in place.

There are 16 security guards posted in the club on Saturday nights — the club’s biggest night — when more than 800 people usually cycle through before closing. The guards troubleshoot before altercations escalate, Laughlin said.

The club encourages its clientele to “dress-to-impress,” Laughlin said, and will not allow bandanas, do rags or large parties wearing the same color inside.

Widely known as one of the hottest hip-hop clubs in town, Laughlin said they aim to play Top 40 music, which today is largely dominated by hip-hop and R&B. The owners have banned their dj’s from playing overtly violent rap, Collman said, citing some Lil’ Jon and T I songs.

“Statistically, biker bars, hip hop bars, almost invite bad behavior,” Pillard said.

Hip-hop clubs, though, aren’t the first or only bars in the town to be known for trouble. La Jazz Affaire on Fountain Boulevard and Cloud 9 on Pueblo Avenue are two of several bars linked to shootings and stabbings before going out of business. The Pueblo Avenue location is now home to the Rocket Room.

But with no signs of 13 Pure or other popular downtown night spots shutting their doors ­— though 13 Pure will change its name to Syn within the next week, Laughlin said — it is up to the club owners and police to find solutions to any brewing violence and crime.

Laughlin is considering a proposal for all clubs to share a banned list as his club currently uses to keep trouble makers out of all bars. He also is considering Springs police’s suggestion to hire off-duty cops to patrol the club’s block of Pikes Peak Avenue on high-traffic nights.

“We want to be proactive. We want to work with the police and work to help make the community better,” Laughlin said.

Security checks were run on patrons entering 13 Pure on Friday. Photo by KEVIN KRECK, THE GAZETTE