Odds are good that voters will see an initiative to expand existing casinos on the November ballot as supporters of higher-stakes gambling wait this week for the secretary of state to verify their petitions.
Petitioners turned in about 130,000 signatures Friday, many more than the 76,000 valid names they need, said campaign spokeswoman Katy Atkinson.
The proposal would allow the three communities where gambling is legal to boost the maximum bet from $5 to $100, stay open longer and add craps and roulette to the casino floors. Extra tax revenues — estimated at $28.6 million — would help community colleges fend off tuition increases.
“It’s easy for people to think of this as an expansion of gaming, and it’s not. It’s much more of an update of Colorado’s gaming laws,” Atkinson said.
The local governments in Central City, Cripple Creek and Black Hawk would decide what — if any — casino expansions they will permit.
The plan has the support of the colleges. And casinos have contributed more than $3 million to get the initiative on the ballot, according to financial disclosures.
Campaigners are working to build a coalition of supporters and begin raising cash for TV and radio ads.
So far, no groups have formed to oppose the initiative, which will help casinos rebound from losses caused by high gas prices, the state smoking ban and a poor economy, Atkinson said.
“While there are always people who don’t like having gaming in Colorado, voters approved it in 1990,” Atkinson said. “Do we want to keep it the way it’s been for 17 years? Revenues are on the decline, and the industry is on the decline.”
Jessica Fender: 303-954-1244 or jfender@denverpost.com
