On the November 3 ballot in Colorado, Amendment 77 would change the state constitution to allow voters in the three gaming cities–Black Hawk, Central City and Cripple Creek–to increase or remove current bet limits, approve any new casino games and allow casino tax revenue “to be used for support services to improve student retention and credential completion by students enrolled in community colleges.” Presently, a statewide vote is required to change any of the state’s gambling laws.
Supporters said local residents should be allowed to control laws in their cities, and those who would be affected by changes to gambling laws should be the ones to have a say. Supporters noted the amendment most likely would raise community college funding without raising taxes on Coloradans. The pro-amendment group Local Choice Colorado, funded by casino companies for about $3.5 million according to its campaign finance reports, said Amendment 77 also would increase revenue for tourism promotion, historical projects and for the state’s general fund.
Former Colorado Senate President Bill Cadman, who helped get the measure on the ballot, said, “I would argue that every penny that goes into the general fund has some tacit benefit to every county and every program in the state. If this at all allows any kind of economic benefit or economic increase to any industry in the state, we all benefit from that. How could we not?”
There is no organized opposition to the amendment. However, the state’s Blue Book, the annual voter guide published by Legislative Council, said the amendment could increase “the prevalence and severity” of gambling, such as financial problems and higher crime rates. It does not earmark any new tax revenue that might be generated to provide problem gambling services—nor does it provide to other cities “any of the tax revenue to help offset the burden created by additional traffic, intoxicated driving or any other problem gambling issues. All Colorado voters deserve to have a say in activities that impact the entire state,” according to the Blue Book.
