In Colorado, the Yes on 68 group said if voters pass Amendment 68, which would authorize a casino at the Arapahoe Park horse racetrack, it will commit .5 million in additional taxes in the racino’s first year of operations, including million for traffic mitigation.
Amendment 68 opponents, including Aurora City Councilman Bob Broom, noted the proposed casino, located in unincorporated Arapahoe County, would require more than $60 million in road improvements, which the city would have to help finance while receiving no direct revenues from gambling taxes. Said Broom, “First of all, nothing is in writing at this point. These are promises. You can’t take promises to the bank.”
In a statement, John E. Taylor Jr., chairman of Arapahoe Park owners Twin River Worldwide Holdings, stated, “The commitment we are showing today will not only vastly improve the local area and infrastructure, but also demonstrates our dedication to a cooperative working relationship with the community.”
According to Amendment 68 supporters, casinos at Arapahoe Park plus two future racetracks in Mesa and Pueblo counties would generate more than $100 million annually for education through a 34 percent gaming tax.
