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Colorado Officials Included in Casino Lobbying

COLORADO – As reported by the Denver Post: "Gov. Bill Owens won assurances from top Indian gaming officials Wednesday that they oppose lobbying Congress to create new casino sites without involving state officials - a gambit tried more than a year ago by backers of a tribal casino near Denver International Airport.

"Mark Van Norman, executive director of the National Indian Gaming Association, said Congress should work on such matters in the open so that everyone can participate.

"The need for open dialogue with state officials on gambling issues also was endorsed by Keller George, president of the United Southern and Eastern Tribes, and Kurt Luger, executive director of the Great Plains Indian Gaming Association.

"Owens' ongoing dispute over tactics used by Indian gaming consultant Steve Hillard in his quest to bring a Cheyenne-Arapaho casino to the Denver area punctuated Wednesday morning's session on day two of the Western Governors' Association Summit on Indian Gaming.

"…Hillard, president of Council Tree Communications, said he recognizes that dealing with state government is an integral part of the process…"

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