Citizens Initiative Submitted; Competes with SCR08-008 to Raise Limited Gaming Restrictions in Colorado
The gaming debate in Colorado is heating up! Last week I had the pleasure to inform you of SCR08-008 by Senator Ron Tupa increasing the maximum bet in limited gaming in Colorado. By Friday, April 25th a citizens’ initiative with the same goal was submitted to Colorado Legislative Council for approval for the November 2008 ballot. The primary difference between the two bills is that the citizen initiative, after statewide approval, would allow the Cities of Central City, Blackhawk and Cripple Creek, through local elections to extend:
• Hours of gaming operation
• Approved games to include roulette or craps, or both; and
• Single bets up to one hundred dollars
The citizen initiative outlines that additional tax revenues generated above the 2007 tax collections would be split 22% to the local communities and 78% to Colorado Community Colleges. A worth cause I must say! Just another reason to support lifting the limited gaming limits in Colorado.
With two Constitutional measures in the hopper, chances are good we will have the opportunity to vote on one of these proposals on the November ballot. Both proposals have a long road ahead to obtain the necessary clearance for the ballot. Please check www.nolimitcolorado.com for updates.