Our Story

GRAY’S COORS TAVERN

In the late 19th century, Adolf Coors opened the first Coors Brewery in Golden, Colorado.  In 1920, Congress passed the 18th Amendment (Prohibition Bill) making it illegal to make, sell, or consume alcoholic beverages.  This Bill was repealed in 1933, after lasting approximately 13 years.  In 1934, Coors sent one of his employees, Adolf Otterstien, to Pueblo, CO to open a Coors beer distributorship. Being a German, he found it necessary to open a Pub to sell his own manufactured beer.  Coors and Otterstien found a very busy bar on 4th and Elizabeth, Schaffer’s, that served many railroaders. This bar was also a well-known House of Ill Repute.  While in Pueblo, Coors and Otterstien partnered up with a young Italian from Vineland named Johnnie Greco.  This partnership formed the beginning of Johnnie’s Coors Tavern.  Johnnie successfully owned the Tavern for 49 years, serving Coors beer, burgers, and chili.

Johnnie’s Coors Tavern evolved into a Pueblo tradition, where families came to get a great burger and a bowl of red chili.  In the 1950’s, a regular named Herb Casebeer, owner of Herbs Sport Shop, asked Johnnie to fix him a burger smothered in Red Chili.  “We call that a ‘Slopper’ in my house” said Herb.  This began the legacy of the “Slopper”.

In 1983 at the age of 73 years old, Johnnie Greco sold his beloved Coors Tavern to Gary Gray and his nephew Don. Gary and Don along with the support and hard work of their wives strived to keep the atmosphere and food just as Johnnie Greco had.

After 35 years of partnership, Don Gray decided to sell his half of the business to the children of Gary and Carolyn Gray.  Gary Zerfas, Dean Gray, Carrie Gray/Fetty along with their spouses they took over the tradition in February of 2018. We plan to continue this tradition for years and years to come!

Fun Fact: There were two other Coors Taverns in Colorado, one in Alamosa, the other in Denver.  However, both are no longer in business, yet, Pueblo’s Coors Tavern has been thriving for over 100 years.

 Gary Gray and his family are very thankful for their customers. Your loyalty has allowed our family to continue serving a century long tradition. Due to these many traditions that Pueblo offers, it is a wonderful place for all to visit, as well as raise a family. We are all honored to be a part of such an amazing community. Thank you for your support! God Bless!!