The Colorado strip club, with its iconic Vegas-style sign, reopens under new ownership with a more upscale Aspen lodge theme.
HOUSTON — If you’ve driven along the Southwest Freeway, you’ve likely seen the unmistakable neon lights of The Colorado, one of Houston’s oldest adult clubs.
Now, under new ownership, the club is taking on a new look — and a new direction.
The Colorado Club recently reopened after being purchased by the CLE Group, a local hospitality company known for launching several nightclubs in Houston. This is their first venture into adult entertainment, and they say they want to do things differently.
“We’re going for an Aspen lodge-type look,” said Zack Truesdell, one of the partners in the CLE Group. “Leather couches, mounted animal heads — we want it to feel more upscale and comfortable.”
Truesdell and fellow partner Salim Dehkordi say the opportunity came when one of the city’s limited strip club licenses became available. Houston has just 16 grandfathered-in strip club licenses, which cannot be newly issued.
“There are only 16 of these licenses. You can’t buy another one,” Dehkordi said. “The guy who owned this place was from Dallas. He passed away, and the family wanted to split the money, so we saw a great opportunity.”
While the CLE Group lacks direct experience in adult entertainment, they say they’re focused on offering a unique and inclusive experience.
“We’re interested in having burlesque shows where couples can come in and enjoy something different,” Truesdell said.
Their plans come with responsibility. The 16 licensed clubs in Houston collectively pay around $1 million annually to fund a specialized Houston Police Department unit focused on human trafficking. That funding was established through a 2013 legal settlement between the city and club owners.
The settlement ended a legal battle that began in 1997 after Houston passed a sexually oriented business ordinance. The ordinance required exotic dancers to follow a “three-foot rule,” wear pasties, and adhere to other restrictions. Club owners sued, arguing the rules were unconstitutional and unfairly targeted their businesses. More than a decade later, the lawsuit was resolved, lap dances returned, pasties were no longer required, and the HPD task force was created.
The Colorado Club’s neighbors are watching the reopening with cautious optimism.
Ajay Patel, who owns nearby Masala Munchies and an adjacent restaurant, said he’s hopeful the new owners will bring in a more refined clientele.
“Every business is a gamble,” Patel said. “But hopefully what they’re doing will be able to elevate the clientele.”
The Colorado Club is located just off the Southwest Freeway near Hillcroft.