The city council in Aurora, Colorado is considering an ordinance that would make operating a limited gaming or sports book facility illegal in the city. The proposal is aimed at an authorized entertainment district that residents will vote on in November. The district failed by about 1,000 votes two years ago because it lacked a defined location. Now officials said it would be located on a city-owned 1,700-acre plot east of Hudson Road and north of Interstate 70, and could include a racetrack, retail, restaurants and nightclubs—but not casinos.
Colorado Gaming Association Executive Director Lois Rice said, “When the Colorado Gaming Association learned of the city of Aurora’s proposed ordinance to create an entertainment district, we asked that the ordinance contain language prohibiting any form of gambling in conjunction with the district.”
CGA Legal Counsel Mark Grueskin added, “Over time there have been proposals to put a casino in the vicinity of Denver International Airport. I believe the thought was that by putting a casino close to the airport there would be the possibility of tourists who would fly in, go to the casino and they’d be captured on that site and never make it to Aurora or Denver.” Grueskin said when the CGA approached the city about a casino in the entertainment district, “Nothing was further from their minds.”
In 2014, 68 percent of Arapahoe County voters opposed expanding gambling along the Front Range. In 2003, Coloradans and Arapahoe County voters overwhelmingly decided against amending the state constitution to permit video lottery terminals in horse and greyhound racetracks in Colorado. But rumors continue to pop up. “Native American tribes have talked about locating some place in Colorado near or around Aurora on land that they may have a claim,” Grueskin said.
Regarding the November election, Grueskin said, “The point is that the city never intended for this vote to be about authorizing tax-subsidized casinos. They’ve been proactive in making sure that isn’t an issue during or after the election. I take my hat off for them for having such a vision and having an answer.”
