Pool, Colorado-style, means that the dancers play right along with the men during the tournaments, adding an easy distraction for the other teams. An older, white-haired gentleman named Joel beams as he stands next to a scantily-clad woman dressed as Rosie the Riveter.

She is his tournament partner for the evening, and when the game is over, will take the stage to provide the nightly entertainment. The majority of the men surrounding the tables are older businessmen like Joel, but a younger, more virile crowd is still present. They're just leaning against the bar, taking in the chaos from arm's length.

Mathew, the man sitting next to us, is downing his whiskey with gusto. Of course, those watching are just as easily distracted as the would-be pool sharks. Perhaps it's the rear ends of the women, which wiggle at the crowd.

The ruckus over the pool tournament is nearly drowning out a basketball game our bartender is trying to watch, but he just laughs. He's more concerned with keeping up with the sportscasters than the nightly entertainment, pool or otherwise. He's been here for five years now, and he takes his job quite seriously. Most of the Colorado's other employees do, too.

Frank, news-bearer of those zebras' fate, has been here for 23 of the club's 25 years. Much of the staff has been with Frank for at least a decade. It seems that employee longevity, a rarity in this business, is one more thing making the Colorado an exception in the world of strip clubs.

Here, topless women are only part of the deal.

Send your after-dark tips to [email protected].

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