COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — The 88th Drive-In Theater in Commerce City attracts large crowds every so often, which can cause backups on Rosemary and 88th Avenue.
Commerce City Police believe this is a public safety issue and they want the theater owner, Susan Kochevar, to change the layout of her parking lot.
“The police chief was essentially demanding that I rip up part of my driveway and run cars in a different way. For us, that’s like ripping up seats and that damages me financially,” said Susan Kochevar, the owner of the 88th Drive-In Theater.
Kochevar said police had been bullying her about this issue and going after her customers. She captured cell phone video of police ticketing customers on her property because she said police wanted them to enter another way.
“We are being harassed every weekend,” said Kochevar.
When we asked Commerce City police about this, they said the city installed new traffic signs to improve traffic flow near the drive-in and that is what officers were enforcing.
City leaders are aware of the issue and want to figure out a way to settle both issues.
“The key here is to balance the businesses success and maximize their theater capacity with public safety of traffic as well as patrons,” said Michelle Halstead, Director of Communications for Commerce City.
Kochevar said she can’t afford to remodel and will be forced to shut down.
For customers like Joyce Dutteon and her family who enjoy coming to the drive-in, this is upsetting.
“It’s a fun coming here and the kids love it and we want our new generation to also experience the drive-in,” said Joyce Dutteon, customer at the drive-in.
Because of loyal customers, Kochevar started an online petition and has gathered over five thousand signatures to keep her drive-in open without having to make changes. It is support she hopes the city will consider before making any type of ruling.
“These petitions are to save my business and to tell them to stop threatening my business license and to leave us alone,” said Kochevar.
Kochevar plans to give her petitions to city council at their Monday meeting.
You can check out the 88th Drive-In online petition here.