Jim Lorentz crossed paths with the American Motel in Wheat Ridge many times — whether as a cop hauling out a domestic violence suspect, as a diner downing comfort food in the restaurant or as a guest in the Elvis suite on his wedding night.

The retired 43-year Wheat Ridge police officer was no stranger to the legendary outpost, which has long had a giant American flag and an eye-catching red welcome awning just off Interstate 70 at Kipling Street.

“When I started (as a police officer), it was a nice place,” Lorentz said, referring to a period in the early 1980s when the American Motel operated as a Ramada Inn. “It had a ballroom that was always rented. It was very popular.”

That was a long time ago. More recently, the American Motel was known for its rock-bottom room rate and a reputati

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