Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman recently stated legislation would be required to authorize commercial sports betting in Colorado. She said the state constitution’s restrictions on gambling do not apply to sports betting, but lawmakers would have to change the criminal code. The state Department of Revenue had asked Coffman for an official opinion.
In 1990, Colorado voters approved blackjack, poker and slot machines to be offered in just three communities—Blackhawk, Cripple Creek and Central City, with certain limited exceptions. Gambling also is offered in the state by the Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute Indian tribes.
