On any given night, a crowd bellies up to the bar at Orio’s Roadhouse.

Inside, a diverse ecosystem of customers wet their whistles, play pool or throw darts.

A smoky haze fills the bar decorated with neon beer signs, flat screen televisions and even Steve Carlton’s signed baseball bat. College students, members of Durango’s workforce and business owners all enjoy each other’s company through the heavy scent of cigarette smoke.

But as of Wednesday, Orio’s Roadhouse, more commonly referred to as “The Roadhouse,” will no longer allow what has been its claim to fame: the right to smoke indoors while enjoying libations.

“We have been blessed to have prospered as a smoking bar for the last 18 years,” said co-owner Heidi Orio, who runs the business with her husband, Rob. “There are many factors that have gone into the discussion to go nonsmoking. We just feel its time now to do so.”

The Roadhouse has become an anomaly. Not only in Colorado, but across the country because the business allows patrons to smoke inside. Smoking in bars used to be the norm before the Colorado Clean Indoor Act was passed in 2006.

Colorado was one of many states to pass anti-indoor smoking legislation during the time. The other Four Corners states quickly followed suit in 2007.

As of 2018, 29 states had banned smoking indoors.

But the act says that a “cigar-tobacco bar” can allow indoor smoking. To be classified as such, businesses must generate at least 5% of their total gross annual income or $50,000 in annual sales from on-site tobacco sales.

The Roadhouse was able to prove that 5% of its sales came from tobacco sales based how many cigarettes it sold at the bar – classifying the Roadhouse as a cigar-tobacco bar.

The Orios say they still bring in more than the needed 5% in tobacco sales.

But now the owners feel it is time to join the rest of the Durango bar community by banning smoking indoors.

The owners say they want to be more involved with the community, and it has been difficult to have events at the Roadhouse because nonsmoking customers are deterred.

Rob said it has been difficult to attract pool leagues to come play at the bar because of the constant smell of smoke. Also, despite being a popular late-night spot, the bar has struggled to host Snowdown events.

The owners understand the decision has its detractors, especially among its regular clientele.

“I think some people will be upset, but they can't smoke anywhere else,” Rob said. “It’s not like they can do it at the Ranch or the Garage.”

Heidi said the decision was emotional and took some deep consideration. Especially after the owners fought so hard to keep the Roadhouse a smoking bar.

“The choice to go nonsmoking has been ongoing for about six months,” she said. “It was a back and forth, positive and negative narrative for both Rob and I.”

Finding insurance for the bar has been difficult because many agencies won’t provide plans to a smoking bar. And when insurance options are limited, it drives up the cost of premiums.

“We just kind of feel like it's a matter of time before they'll be like, ‘Sorry, we're not going to cover you anymore.’ And we won't be able to find any insurance. Then, we'd have to go nonsmoking because you have to have insurance for your business,” Heidi said.

While the business brings in the necessary revenue to be considered a cigar bar, it doesn’t make a great deal of money selling cigarettes. The bar intends to stop selling them once the ban goes into effect.

“I think they’re crazy for giving up,” said Roadhouse regular John Kusenberger. “They’re the only game for miles around.”

The 87-year-old Kusenberger enjoys going to the Roadhouse every day for a Coca-Cola and a cigarette with his wife. The two were enjoying their routine while they still could on Tuesday afternoon.

“I actually don’t smoke outside of this bar. She’s the smoker,” he said jokingly, referring to his wife, Sharon. “But when we come here, we get to have a smoke and a drink.”

Other customers were also disappointed by the decision. Roadhouse regular Donna Kramer started a petition to keep smoking at the bar. She understands that it may not do much to convince the owners, but it will at least show how many people are passionate about the topic.

“We have a lot of friends that come down to this bar specifically (to smoke), because it's the only bar,” Kramer said before taking a shot at the eight ball during a game of pool.

She said friends from Arizona and New Mexico often travel to Durango to enjoy a cigarette at the Roadhouse.

“Times are changing. People want to be comfortable, and I think that’s the aesthetic the owners are going for,” said Tomas Thompson, another regular.

Dylan Pierce said his “Tallboy Tuesday” tradition won’t be the same without the ability to smoke inside. He, like some others, only smoke when going to the Roadhouse, simply because of the aesthetic.

Pierce said he thinks the ban could flip the bar’s demographics, but only time will tell.

“On a Friday night, it’s still the best place to socialize,” Pierce said. “Where is there a better bar in town to walk into and talk to your buddies?”

Despite their disappointment, many regular customers respect the Orios’ decision.

“We love them (Heidi and Rob),” Kramer said.

She said it was just hard to lose something that has become routine.

From an employee perspective, it will be an adjustment, said Edith Engelsman, who has bartended at the Roadhouse for 15 years.

She joked that she is going to keep one ashtray at the bar in case someone lights up and she has to tell them to put it out.

“About half of the employees smoke and the other half don't,” she said. “But to be honest, working during the day, I don't get crazy busy. I can step out there, take a couple drags and come right back in.”

She said it is a positive for the late-night bartenders who don’t smoke.

Rob said it was important they make the change during the slow tourism season. This is to prevent misunderstandings from tourists stopping in, thinking it is still a smoking bar.

In order to celebrate the Roadhouse’s history of smoking inside the bar, it will be hosting a smoking party all day on Tuesday. The bar will be offering $3 Ska Mexican Logger pints as well as other discounted drinks to honor its time as a smoking bar.

At the start of Wednesday, Roadhouse staff will begin deep cleaning the bar in an attempt to remove the lingering smell from years of cigarette use, Engelsman said.

“We love all customers. Our regulars are considered family and we truly love that,” Heidi said. “At the same time, there are so many people that have not been able to experience what we are as business owners because they won’t come in due to the smoking.”

tbrown@durangoherald.com