A group of about 20 met in mid-June at Rich Babich’s Game Exchange of Colorado to officially form the Colorado Amusement Machine Operators Assn., crafting their bylaws and voting in their first slate of officers. Bob Burnham is President, Nick Sunday is VP and Judy Mehle is serving as Secretary/Treasurer.
While the “Centennial State” did have a state association some years ago, operator Bob Burnham has taken on the task of spearheading the restart along with the assistance of the AMOA and others. The group held its first meeting last Wednesday, June 10, at Rich Babich’s Game Exchange of Colorado dealership with about 20 in attendance. The group wrote up their bylaws, elected officers and got a solid start with AMI and TouchTunes providing lunch. Steve Lamoreaux of Betson, Jim Roe of Moss Distributing and AMI’s Rich Atchey were also in attendance.
Serving as president is Burnham (his Paradise Pinball route has locations in Colorado and Wyoming plus the Flippers Family Arcade in Cheyenne), VP is Nick Sunday (Alpine Video & Pinball) and Judy Mehle (BMW Billiards) is Secretary/Treasurer. Board members are Gary Garlutso (Trinidad Music & Games), Steve Lesser (Games People Play), JJ Babich (8 Ball Entertainment), Adam Koch (Bear Creek Amusements), Soyna Vialpando (Phantom Darts), Andrew Shear (Mile High Arcade) and Ron Shino (Front Street Vending). The group is planning for another meeting in the fall, but expect to have regular conference calls in the interim.
As for what’s happening in the state with restarting business, as of mid-June, it isn’t good. Burnham said it may be Labor Day Weekend before bars and arcades can open. (Restaurants are open at 50% capacity, but they can’t turn the games on.) The state is allowing casinos to reopen, but not amusements and this has been a rallying point for the restart of the state association, Burnham said.
With an interesting loophole, the state allows league events of no more than 10 to restart. So, some operators have opened their dart and pool leagues because they can. Burnham explained that because there is a roster of league players, any spread of infection would be traceable.
Up in Wyoming where Bob has about 60% of his locations, he’s got great news to report. “Our numbers are strong! We’ve been open about three weeks and the jukeboxes are doing extremely well. Some are earning better than they did the same time last year.” Additionally, he reported that four pool tables brought in a bit over $1,700 in just two weeks! “I want to share this positive news to give my fellow operators some encouragement and hope that things will get better,” he said.
Operators interested in joining CAMO or getting more information are asked to call Bob Burnham at 970-308-0610.
