In 1860, a local newspaper published these nice words about Ned Wynkoop (as he was called): "Ned is considered by his personal friends a warm and genial companion, true as steel." We like to think that the same could be said of the pub that bears his name.

Ned Wynkoop was also an actor. In 1861, the Rocky Mountain News reviewed his performance at the Apollo: "His rendition of the Drunkard was given with most thrilling effect and in the scenes of delirium... he exhibited more than an ordinary histrionic ability." Let this be a lesson to us all.

Wynkoop spent five years as an officer in the army, rising to the rank of colonel. In 1864, he was an unwilling party to an act of betrayal and treachery. In his own words: "I congregated some 500 friendly Cheyenne Indians together, assuring them the protection of the United States; the consequence of which was they were attacked by a large body of volunteer troops... and nearly 200 of their women, children and old men were brutally murdered. The infamous massacre of Sand Creek will not soon be forgotten."