Businessman known in Denver’s Grateful Dead bar scene arrested on sexual assault
DENVER (KDVR) — A Denver businessman is under arrest on suspicion of sexual assault in three separate cases.
Jay Bianchi, 55, is being held by the Denver Police Department on several counts related to three cases, according to the department. One case originated on April 7, but the first two are alleged to have taken place in 2020.
Jail records show Bianchi was arrested on Tuesday and was being held on a $250,000 bond in one case and $5,000 bonds in the other two.
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Bianchi was a prominent figure in Denver’s bar scene and is billed as part of Denver’s tight-knit Grateful Dead scene.
He owned and operated the bar Be On Key Psychedelic Ripple, which closed in May 2020 after allegedly allowing consumers to eat or drink on the premises during COVID restrictions.
Another one of his bars, Sancho’s Broken Arrow, was closed in April 2020 for similar violations. Bianchi has also owned and operated Quixote’s True Blue, Owsley’s Golden Road and So Many Roads Museum and Brewery.
According to the department, Bianchi is facing the following felony charges in an incident that took place on Oct. 31, 2020, in the 700 block of East Colfax Avenue:
Sexual assault of a helpless victim
Sexual assault – overcome will
Sexual assault – victim incapable
The second incident is alleged to have occurred on Nov. 1, 2020, in the 900 block of West 1st Avenue. The charge he is under investigation for in that incident is:
Unlawful sexual contact
On April 7, Bianchi was allegedly involved in another incident, resulting in possible felony charges of:
Sexual assault of a helpless victim
Sexual assault – no consent
Sexual assault – victim incapable
The department said it is “unable to release the affidavit due to the statutory protections for sex assault victims.”
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