to struggle, although the introduction of various casino programs helped improve revenue. A U.S. bankruptcy court judge approved a request for the Landmark to be sold seven weeks later in a public auction scheduled for August 6, 1990. The request was made by Davis, who cited numerous failed attempts to sell the resort. More than 200 prospective buyers had inquired about the Landmark, but only five to ten of them were considered as having serious interest in the resort. In July 1990, two Denver businessmen, David M. Droubay and Martin Heckmaster, offered $35.5 million to purchase the bankrupt resort. Morris was dissatisfied with the offer, stating that the property had been appraised as high as $70 million. Closure (1990–95) On August 6, 1990, the bankruptcy hearing failed to attract a buyer for the Landmark. Ralph Engelstad and Charles Frias, who both held substantial interest in the resort, had made $100,000 deposits which allowed them to bid at the hearing, but they did not do so and left the hearing without commenting. Droubay and Heckmaster were ineligible to bid as they did not make a deposit. At the request of Davis' attorney, a U.S. bankruptcy judge granted permission to close the Landmark. Gaming operations began shutting down that afternoon, within an hour of the failed hearing. Slot machine and hotel operations were scheduled to shut down later in the week. With 498 rooms at the time, the Landmark was unable to compete with new megaresorts, and was fully closed on August 8, 1990. Morris, upset about the failed auction, said, "Sometimes it comes down to good luck and bad luck. I had nothing but bad luck. Someone is going to come in and run the Landmark and look like a genius." Forrest Woodward, who managed the casino for Davis, said, "This is just an obsolete gaming property that no one's interested in, considering the debt," which included $48 million; a portion of that was $10 million in unsecured claims. Davis' attorney predicted the Landmark would be closed for 100 days or more while creditors pursued a foreclosure sale. A week after the closure, Davis received permission from the U.S. bankruptcy court to abandon the property as trustee, due to the cost of maintaining security at the closed resort. Davis' attorney said it would cost between $60,000 and $200,000 each month to maintain the property. Creditors would be left to pay bills