[13][14][15] In 1985, it hosted the companies who defined the High Sierra Format, the basis for how computers access CD-ROMs today.

In 2005, Park Cattle Co. moved to evict Columbia Sussex from the premises, alleging that they had allowed the Horizon to fall into disrepair.

[16][17] The ensuing lawsuit lasted until 2008, when Tropicana Entertainment (successor of Columbia Sussex's casino business) agreed to pay $165 million to Park Cattle and end the lease for the Horizon as early as 2011.

[23][24] Warner Gaming, which operated several casinos, including the Hard Rock Las Vegas, was retained to manage the property.

[25] The name was used under license from Brookfield Financial, which owned the rights to the Hard Rock brand in the Western United States.