A Denver entrepreneur is suing the prestigious Colorado Golf Club, claiming his sudden ban from the private course not only violated club rules but also derailed a lucrative business sale worth tens of millions.
Cole Evans, owner of Kiss Nutraceuticals — a Denver-based dietary supplement company — filed a lawsuit on Oct. 20 in Douglas County District Court. He alleges that club manager Brian Straight wrongfully accused him of trespassing and stealing liquor during a May 2023 visit, then ordered him off the property in front of potential buyers.
“Brian Straight told Mr. Evans he was not welcome on the property and that if needed he would call law enforcement to escort him off,” the lawsuit states.
At the time, Evans was in talks to sell Kiss Nutraceuticals to Chicago-based Shore Capital Partners “for a monetary value in excess of multiple eight figures,” according to the complaint.
Evans says he had hosted the potential buyers for drinks at the club — where he was a member — after attending a Denver Nuggets playoff game. He claims two club employees, Jack Sims and Carter Motichka, joined them at the clubhouse at their invitation and later invited Evans for another round.
Evans believed the late-night gathering was permitted, noting that some members stay as late as 4 a.m. He says he left by 1 a.m. The following day, however, he was confronted by Straight during lunch and told to leave.
Club attorney Linda Knight of Spencer Fane denied any wrongdoing.
“Colorado Golf Club denies the allegations in the complaint,” Knight said. “The board acted appropriately based on Mr. Evans’ conduct and in accordance with its membership plan and bylaws.”
Evans claims the club used the incident as a pretext to remove him after prior rule violations, such as golfing with guests during a restricted period. He also alleges he was expelled without a required hearing and that the employees involved were later fired — evidence, he says, that they were at fault, not him.
The lawsuit seeks reinstatement of his membership, repayment of dues, and damages for the failed business deal.
Evans and his company have a history of legal troubles. Kiss Nutraceuticals has faced multiple lawsuits over unpaid debts, including a $1.2 million judgment this month tied to a warehouse lease breach. The firm also paid a $215,000 settlement in a 2020 hand sanitizer mislabeling case and a $62,500 fine to the State of Colorado.
Evans is represented by attorney Stephen Scheffel of Thomas Scheffel & Associates in Denver, who declined to comment on the case.
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