Aurora, Colorado City Councilman Bob Broom recently introduced a resolution opposing Amendment 68, which will appear on the November ballot and would allow 2,500 slots and 65 table games at Arapahoe Park Race Track. Broom said the casino would cause traffic problems without providing funds for road improvement. However, the council is divided on the issue and the resolution failed because city positions on ballot questions must receive unanimous approval.
“In this case all of the money has been set aside for schools, which is a laudable thing. Nothing has been set aside for the roads,” Broom said. The racino would generate $100 million in revenue for public and charter schools. According to city documents, $62 million in road improvements would be required in the next two years to accommodate anticipated traffic. Broom said the city of Aurora would have to cover those costs since the track is in unincorporated Arapahoe County. “There’s no one to call on other than the city at large or the state,” he said.
The track currently offers racing 39 days a year. Becky Brooks, spokesperson for Mile High Racing, manager of Arapahoe Park and 11 off-track betting facilities in Colorado, said the track would like to become a year-round attraction.
Aurora Councilwoman Molly Markert said voters ought to decide if they want the casino addition or not. “I know there are huge impacts, but I’m okay with not having a resolution if it encourages people to ask the thoughtful questions we’ve all been through,” she said.
