Casino-backed measure makes November ballot

DENVER — A proposal to raise bet limits, extend hours and add games in the state’s three casino towns will go before Colorado voters in November.

The Colorado Secretary of State’s office said Friday that it had certified the measure, which will appear as Amendment 50 on the ballot.

Supporters needed to submit about 76,000 valid signatures for the measure to be approved for the ballot.

It would allow casinos in Cripple Creek, Black Hawk and Central City to increase the state’s maximum $5 bet to $100, stay open 24 hours instead of closing at 2 a.m., and offer roulette and craps games.

But first, the measure must survive a statewide vote in November.

Then voters in Gilpin and Teller counties, where the casino towns are located, will vote on the measure in separate elections, said Sen. Abel Tapia, D-Pueblo, who is heading up proponents’ southern Colorado campaign.

Under the measure, 78 percent of additional proceeds from state gambling taxes generated by the measure would go to the state’s community colleges, and 22 percent would go to the three casino towns.

Tapia said the measure could generate about $5 million a year.

Right now, half the revenues from the state’s gambling tax goes directly into the state’s general fund, with the rest going to statewide historic preservation and to communities that host the casinos.

The state gambling tax generated about $108 million during the fiscal year that ended June 30, down 3.4 percent from the $122 million the state brought in the prior year.

Casinos have contributed at least $5 million to campaign for Amendment 50.