Colorado’s mountain casinos are in the early stages of preparing for the expanded smoking ban, which goes into effect Jan. 1.
Black Hawk and Cripple Creek city officials are working on an ordinance that would reduce the distance smokers have to be from a public entrance from 15 feet to 1 inch. Central City has already adopted the change.
Though state statute says smokers have to be 15 feet away, it also allows local cities to increase or decrease the distance.
Some cities have chosen to increase the distance, but the three gambling towns are reducing the distance because of limited sidewalk space, officials say.
Casinos are looking at adding covered patios and placing more heaters around outside areas.
“We want to make it as nice as we possibly can,” said Heather Leigh, a spokeswoman for Ameristar Casinos, one of the largest properties in Black Hawk. “We’re looking at fun stuff.”
She didn’t provide specifics.
“The casinos are working on proposals, but we’ve not received any as to how they might provide some shelter for their smoking customers outside of the buildings,” said Black Hawk City Manager Richard Lessner.
Isle of Capri general manager John Bohannon chuckled when asked whether the casino would consider putting slot machines outdoors.
“If it’s within the confines of your license and the gaming district, I guess it would be legal,” he said. “They’re not made to be outside. You’ve got electronic components … that would be a little tough to put slot machines outside.”
Some smaller casinos could seek an exemption to the smoking ban. Under the cigar-bar exemption, smoking is allowed if a business can show that at least 5 percent or $50,000 of sales are from tobacco products.
The Colorado Division of Gaming, which regulates the state’s gaming industry, will not enforce the smoking ban. That will be left up to the local police.
“Our primary charge is to enforce the Gaming Act,” said division spokesman Don Burmania. “We would view that as a local enforcement issue. We would provide assistance, if necessary.”
Colorado’s casinos successfully fought for an exemption in the statewide smoking ban in 2006. But this year, the industry didn’t take a stance.
There are 44 casinos in the state. Black Hawk casinos generate the bulk of the state’s gaming revenue.
Staff writer Andy Vuong can be reached at 303-954-1209 or avuong@denverpost.com.
