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Colorado Springs Restaurants Warn of 'Dine and Dash' Scam
Two men allegedly used fake gift cards to dine and dash at multiple restaurants in Old Colorado City
Jan. 28, 2026 at 7:55pm
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Two men are accused of using fake gift cards to dine and dash at multiple restaurants in Colorado Springs' Old Colorado City neighborhood, prompting warnings from business owners and advice from consumer protection experts. The incidents have affected restaurant staff beyond just the financial loss, with one bartender fearing they may lose their job over the situation.
Why it matters
Dine and dash incidents can have a significant impact on small businesses, causing financial losses and affecting staff morale. This case highlights the need for restaurants to be vigilant and take precautions to prevent such scams.
The details
According to reports, the two men would sit down at a restaurant, hand over a gift card to the bartender, and then disappear before the card was found to have no funds. This tactic was used at multiple restaurants in the area, with business owners sharing information and photos of the suspects on social media. The Colorado Springs Police Department is investigating the incidents, and restaurants are being advised to take steps like asking for identification and avoiding prepaid cards to prevent similar scams.
- The incidents occurred around mid-January 2026.
The players
Alchemy
A restaurant in Old Colorado City that was targeted by the alleged dine and dash scam.
Nancy Kleinfeld
The owner of Alchemy restaurant.
Dominic Hamsa
The chef at Alchemy restaurant who witnessed one of the incidents firsthand.
O'Leary's
Another restaurant in Old Colorado City that was targeted by the alleged scam.
John O'Leary
The owner of O'Leary's restaurant.
What they’re saying
“$150 is a pretty sizable bar tab for us, so that was a nice hit.”
— Nancy Kleinfeld, Owner of Alchemy
“That's when we were like let's try and get a card, at least so they don't walk. Then they didn't come back and our bartender tried to pre-authorize the card and it, of course, came back bunk.”
— Dominic Hamsa, Chef at Alchemy
“I think like anybody in this economy, the bartender was afraid of losing his job because of something he felt he should have been able to control that he couldn't.”
— Nancy Kleinfeld, Owner of Alchemy
What’s next
The Colorado Springs Police Department is investigating the incidents, and they are asking any restaurant or bar that was victimized by a dine-and-dash incident around mid-January to report it online or through their non-emergency line.
The takeaway
This case highlights the need for restaurants to be vigilant and take precautions to prevent dine and dash scams, which can have a significant financial and emotional impact on small businesses and their staff. Restaurants should consider implementing measures like asking for identification, avoiding prepaid cards, and educating staff on how to identify and respond to such incidents.
