Political jostling erupted Wednesday over the proposed $100 million Indian casino in Pueblo.
A group representing business interests in 22 southern Colorado counties announced its opposition to the casino if the project isn’t taken to state voters.
Meanwhile, a state representative said it is “premature” to dismiss the project.
“I believe it’s a concept that Puebloans need to look at seriously,” said state Rep. Buffie Mc Fadyen, D-Pueblo West. “It’s hard for me to understand how anybody can be against it without knowing what the project is going to be or look like.”
The Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes of Oklahoma seek to settle their claim to about 42,000 square miles, or nearly half the state, for permission to build a casino and hotel complex in Pueblo. The casino proposal hasn’t been officially presented to Pueblo officials.
The tribes initially wanted to build the casino east of Denver International Airport, but they scrapped that plan because of opposition from political leaders.
Steve Hillard, the executive leading the project, has said that the tribes plan to seek approval to build the casino from the federal government rather through a state ballot initiative.
Voters approved limited-stakes gambling in three Colorado mining towns in 1991, but they have shot down subsequent efforts to expand gaming.
Action 22, which represents businesses and organizations in 22 southern Colorado counties, said the Pueblo casino proposal should be taken to Colorado voters.
“Creation of the mega-casino complex Mr. Hillard is proposing would forever change the face of southern Colorado,” said Action 22 president Cathy Garcia. “Any change of that magnitude should be taken to the people.”
McFadyen disagrees.
“Pueblo should decide its own destiny,” she said. “If Pueblo leaders decide we should go in this direction, then that decision should be respected by elected officials across the state.”
Staff writer Andy Vuong can be reached at 303-820-1209 or avuong@denverpost.com.
