Colorado Approves Amendment 77; Amendment C Still Waiting To Be Called

Colorado electors faced a clear and uncomplicated decision.

No, not in the decision of whom to support in the national vote.

During the 2020 vote, two distinct modifications were proposed in Colorado regarding gaming. Although they differed in nature, both shared a common objective of offering crucial assistance to different sectors within the state’s gambling industry.

According to the Associated Press, Amendment 77 has been approved by Colorado voters. On the other hand, Amendment C remains undecided as of Monday morning, with 52.3% of the vote counted, representing 94% of the total votes.

Amendment C necessitates a substantial majority of 55%. The current situation appears unfavorable, despite the AP not having declared the outcome of the race.

Amendment 77 necessitated a basic majority of 50%. However, the program currently demonstrates a robustness of 60.5%.

The approval of the latter by voters is surprising considering that they had previously passed a similar measure in 2008.

In a press release, Bruce Brown, who served as the mayor of Cripple Creek and supported Amendment 77, stated:

We deeply appreciate the support of Coloradans in affirming our town’s autonomy to determine its own path and improve the economic opportunities for our residents and workforce. Although the effects may not be immediate, we believe this will empower us to rise again with greater ease.

For Coloradans, what does this mean?

Amendment 77

First, let’s address Amendment 77, which is alternatively referred to as Initiative No. 257.

Residents of Black Hawk, Central City, and Cripple Creek are now granted local control through the amendment, allowing them the power to authorize maximum bets of any value.

If citizens give their approval, the Colorado Constitution allows for the inclusion of blackjack, craps, roulette, and casinos.

Colorado’s gaming regulations remain unaffected by the action.

After its passage, the new law offers the residents of the three towns the opportunity to conduct a local election and decide whether they wish to enhance the limitations on gambling and games.

In a recent press release, David Farahi, the COO and president of the Colorado Gaming Association (CGA), expressed his thoughts.

This article provides local communities with the necessary resources to revive their economies.

CO community colleges could potentially benefit from increased tax revenue resulting from changes to wagering restrictions and games, as stated in the release. However, due to the pandemic, they may also face budget cuts amounting to millions of dollars. The funds obtained from the aforementioned changes will be utilized to support initiatives aimed at improving graduation rates and retention levels.

As previously mentioned, this identical measure received approval from voters 12 years ago through the passage of Amendment 50.

Amendment 77 offers a primary advantage of:

In the event that voters support the inclusion of baccarat, it would not only introduce an additional revenue stream for Colorado’s struggling casinos amid COVID-19, but it would also generate thousands of job opportunities.

Amendment C

The Charitable Bingo and Raffles Amendment, commonly referred to as “it,” has the potential to bring about changes in Colorado’s laws regarding charitable gambling if it receives approval.

The alterations proposed by Amendment C, as stated by Ballotpedia, are as follows:

The proposed amendment seeks to reduce the current legal requirement for charitable organizations to be active for five years to just three years in order to obtain a generous gaming license. Additionally, it suggests that charitable organizations can hire managers and operators for gambling activities, as long as they are paid no more than the minimum wage. Currently, the law states that individuals engaging in benevolent gaming activities must be volunteers for the organization.

Ballotpedia reports that 62 years ago, the Colorado constitution saw the implementation of the bingo and raffle provision. This provision, known as Colorado Measure 4, was introduced as a citizen initiative and aimed to modify the constitution in order to grant legal status to charitable gaming activities such as lotto, bingo, and raffles when conducted by charitable organizations.

Since its approval in 1958, there has only been one modification that enabled the inclusion of electrical equipment.

The prospects of Colorado voters approving the expansion of gambling and raffles to 2020 seem dim, as previously mentioned.

Prior to the consideration of Colorado voters, two gaming-related amendments were proposed, each addressing completely distinct subjects.

The approval of Amendment 77 could, at the very least, offer much-needed support to the entertainment towns that are in desperate need of assistance.