Judge awards $74 million in casino construction lawsuit

MINDY LEARY

DENVER – After a legal battle spanning more than five years, a Denver District Court judge has awarded more than $74 million to PCL Construction and four of its subcontractors in a breach-of-contract lawsuit against the owners of the Monarch Casino Resort Spa in Black Hawk.

Judge Andrew Luxen issued the ruling Friday, finding that PCL was entitled to $74,772,551 for claims including breach of contract, breach of implied warranty, and breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing, according to court records (9News).

The court also awarded Monarch $144,894 for its counterclaims of negligence and gross negligence against PCL, resulting in a net judgment of $74,627,657 in favor of the construction company (Public Now).

The lawsuit, originally filed in 2019, centered on allegations that Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc. and its subsidiaries failed to pay for work completed as part of the casino’s extensive expansion and renovation.

The project included the construction of a 23-story hotel tower, which now dominates the view for motorists entering Black Hawk along Colorado Highway 119.

Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc., said in a statement that it intends to appeal the decision to the Colorado Court of Appeals.

“The company is currently evaluating the court’s judgment to determine the appropriate accounting treatment and anticipates reflecting the judgment as a subsequent event in its annual report for the year ended Dec. 31, 2024,” Monarch officials said (Public Now).

The case has drawn significant attention from the local gambling community. Several individuals on social media have expressed their dissatisfaction with Monarch’s handling of the dispute, with some stating they will no longer patronize the casino.

One Facebook user commented, “I used to visit Monarch regularly, but after hearing they refused to pay their contractors for the massive expansion, I won’t be gambling there anymore. It’s disappointing to see a company that profits so much from customers treat workers this way.”

As the case heads to the appellate court, both sides remain entrenched in their legal positions. Monarch’s appeal could lead to further delays in resolving the dispute, which has already lasted more than half a decade.

Sources:

9News, “Denver judge awards $74 million in casino construction lawsuit,” February 19, 2025.

Public Now, “Judge awards $74 million in Monarch Casino construction lawsuit,” February 19, 2025.

Facebook user comments on Black Hawk casino lawsuit, February 19, 2025.