MORRISON, Colo. -- A Broomfield family said their Mother’s Day celebration was ruined Sunday by what they saw and heard at “The Fort” Restaurant in Morrison.

“It was shocking,” Lonza Dennis told 7NEWS Wednesday.

Dennis, 37, and her husband Patrick, 38, said they were snapping photos at the table when they noticed a decorative noose hanging on the wall behind them.

Patrick Dennis said he was equally unsettled by the waiter’s response when they asked about it.

“My wife said, ‘We noticed a noose hanging behind the table,’ and his immediate reply was, ‘This is where we sit people who don’t tip very well,’” Dennis said.

“We were speechless,” Dennis added it appeared other staff members were snickering and giggling. Dennis wondered if they were sat there purposely, although he admits, he has no way knowing for sure.

“We’re in the process of terminating the waiter,” said Holly Arnold Kinney, owner of The Fort.

Kinney said she was deeply disappointed by the waiter’s actions.

“It really hurts because it undermines our value of cultural diversity,” Kinney said.

The Dennis’ three daughters were also at the table.

“We were pretty humiliated, just thinking about what the other restaurant patrons thought about us,” Lonza Dennis told 7NEWS.

Kinney said the decorative noose, “was not meant to be offensive,” and has since been taken down.

The rope with the noose tied at the end has covered a chandelier cord for 45 years, according to Kinney. The restaurant has long viewed it as an “artifact of the old west,” Kinney said her late father put it up to be humorous, “It’s part of our western décor, and had nothing to do with race.”

Kinney reiterated The Fort has a long history of multicultural awareness and involvement in various celebrations including Black History Month.

Patrick Dennis said the comment, combined with the rope, left them stunned.

“If we would’ve been moved to another table, or if the waiter said, ‘I’m sorry about that,’ then we wouldn’t have complained,” Dennis said.

“I deeply apologize to the family,” Kinney told 7NEWS. “I hope they’ll come back.”

The restaurant offered the family a $300 gift certificate. As of Wednesday, the Dennis' weren’t sure if they’d return.

Lonza Dennis said she spoke out to prevent similar situations in the future.

“I don’t think a black family should have to sit at an American restaurant with a noose hanging over their head,” Dennis said.