DENVER — The city on Tuesday suspended the liquor and cabaret licenses of a Denver nightclub after allegations that an unlicensed security guard sexually assaulted an 18-year-old female customer at gunpoint last month.
Denver’s Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection ordered Olympus Discotheque at 2036 North Broadway to shut down immediately and its owner to appear at a virtual hearing next week following the alleged July 18 attack on the 18-year-old victim.
The suspect, identified as Vincente David Espino-Gonzalez, was arrested last month and is facing several felony charges, including two counts of sex assault, strangulation and kidnapping.
According to Denver police and city licensing documents, a woman flagged down an officer on July 18 and said she was sexually assaulted, strangled and held at gunpoint by a security guard at Olympus Discotheque that night.
► Watch Maggie Bryan's report in the video below:
Investigators said the bar's surveillance video captured much of the incident, showing security guard Espino-Gonzalez leading the woman into the club's basement before allegedly assaulting her for nearly an hour.
Police said the footage is alleged to show Espino-Gonzalez punching, kicking, dragging and strangling the woman, as well as holding a handgun to her head and neck while sexually assaulting her.
According to investigators, the woman identified Espino-Gonzalez as her attacker, and he was later arrested. Later that day, the nightclub's owner reported finding a Beretta handgun on a balcony couch that matched the victim's description of the weapon used during the assault.
Denver typically issues about one business license suspension a year, but Olympus Discotheque is already the fourth business shut down in 2026, following Yak and Yeti, the Nati Hotel and the Vibe Smoke Shop, department spokesperson Eric Escudero said.
"The city only issues a summary suspension of a business where we shut them down and take away their license and make it so they can't operate immediately, only in the most extreme emergencies where the city feels like if we do not take action, there is an immediate danger to health, safety, and welfare that's unacceptable," said Escudero.
On Tuesday, Denver7 visited the nightclub and spoke with a man who identified himself as the bar’s owner. He said he was unaware of the alleged assault when it occurred in July because it happened after hours. He also said he turned over all surveillance footage to police after being contacted by the Denver Police Department.
When asked whether he knew the security guard arrested was not licensed to work security in Denver, the man said the security company was licensed when the bar hired it several years ago.
Escudero said there is no state licensing requirement for security guards in Colorado, meaning in most cities anyone can work as a security guard without any training or a background check. Denver is one of only a few cities in Colorado that requires all security guards and security guard companies to obtain a city license.
"When we see instances with security guards, more often than not, it's a security guard company or an individual who didn't get the license as required," he said.
As of Wednesday, the city's licensing department said there are 315 licensed security guard companies in Denver, up 16% from 271 licensed in August 2025.
Following the Aug. 18 hearing, the city hearing officer will issue a recommendation that will be reviewed by Licensing and Consumer Protection Executive Director Molly Duplechian, who will issue a final decision.
