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Colorado Tribe Opposes Slot Amendment

DURANGO, Colorado – As reported by the Denver Post: "Southern Ute tribal officials don't think video lottery terminals at Front Range racetracks will take away one nickel from their slot machines, but they still oppose them and Amendment 33.

"The two Indian casinos in southwestern Colorado, the Southern Ute Tribe's in Ignacio and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe's in Towaoc, have been up and running since 1993. These casinos, officials say, are too remote to fear competition from the casinos in the historic mining towns up north - or from any new gambling opportunities around horse and dog tracks.

"If approved by voters on Nov. 4, Amendment 33 would allow the installation of 500 VLTs by November 2004 at each of the state's five racetracks - all of which are in the state's eastern half.

"`They are no threat to us, none,' said Durango attorney Patricia Hall of the VLTs. She represents the Southern Ute Tribe on gaming issues.

"Nevertheless, she said, the tribe is on the record as opposing what it sees as a deceptive expansion of gaming in the state.

"…After approving limited-stakes gaming a decade ago to help save three historic mining towns and generate revenues for state and local parks and recreation facilities, Coloradans have consistently demonstrated in local votes that they do not want more gaming across the state, Hall said.

"But because the vote on Amendment 33 is statewide, she said, the voters where the VLTs would be installed, in Larimer and Arapahoe counties, Commerce City, Pueblo and Colorado Springs, will not have a chance to reject their installation on behalf of their individual communities…"

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