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Colorado Bills Could Alter Racing Regulations

COLORADO – As reported by the Denver Post: "With just days before the end of the state's legislative session, two special-interest bills are lurking that would dramatically alter the regulation of horse and dog racing.

"For the parimutuel industry, the proposals are viewed as a last chance to save racing in Colorado, which is facing stiff competition from casinos and the lottery. But critics, including current regulators, suggest approval would open the door to lax oversight.

"…They hope the changes could lead to lowering fees recently imposed on parimutuels. They also hope to unshackle racing from regulations that dog and horse racers call burdensome.

"…One bill, SB 183, will be heard today in the House State Affairs Committee. The bill, which has already won approval in the Senate, would shift oversight of racing to the Department of Agriculture. As it stands now, racing is overseen by the Revenue Department, which also regulates casinos and the state lottery.

"…The chief complaints are over the fee imposed on racetracks last year to pay for their own regulation, a move spurred by a tough budget year for the state. In all, dog and horse tracks ponied up approximately $2 million more this year because of that fee. Some of that money, though, helped pay for other things throughout the Department of Revenue, including the executive director's office.

"…Another bill that has yet to be voted on, SB 33, would, in part, eliminate licensing for many who work at racetracks…"

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