The Gazette – If a fledgling Colorado group led by a Rhode Island company has its way, gambling in Colorado will expand to Arapahoe, Pueblo and Mesa counties.
– Other moves are afoot to expand gaming on the Western Slope, and in Trinidad it’s getting consideration. – Already rising as a mecca for marijuana, the growth of limited stakes gambling could be the next big issue for Colorado voters to consider
– possibly in November if a pair of initiatives make it onto the ballot. – One group that has been opposed to expanding gaming in Colorado is reconsidering.
– “If communities in southern Colorado vote to go into gambling casinos, we would look at supporting it,” said Cathy Garcia, president of Action 22, a regional lobbying group for southern Colorado. – “Times have changed,” she said. “The whole state may say ‘since we have marijuana, let’s go all the way.’?”
There are opponents, chief among them the Colorado Gaming Association.
For them, it’s a turf war.
The association represents the casinos in Cripple Creek, Black Hawk and Central City.
“This is just another attempt for the racetracks to become casinos,” said Lois Rice, executive director of the Colorado Gaming Association. “We’re opposed because the way the initiative is written it gives the owner of Arapahoe Park a five-year monopoly on Front Range gaming in Colorado.”
Another objection is that the casinos “would be giant, Las Vegas-style casinos,” Rice said.
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