Racing machines doom measure on horse-racing

By Lynn Bartels, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published February 19, 2009 at 12:05 a.m.

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More Colorado Government

A House committee killed a horse-racing bill Wednesday amid concerns it would turn racetracks into casinos.

But supporters said the measure is necessary to save the horse-racing industry, as trainers, vets and bettors are fleeing to New Mexico and other states.

The Finance Committee killed House Bill 1152 on a 9-2 vote.

"I'm not convinced this bill is the savior of the horse industry," said Rep. John Kefalas, D-Fort Collins.

Another racing measure is scheduled to be heard in committee today.

HB 1152 would have allowed Colorado's horse tracks to have "instant racing machines," which opponents maintained were nothing more than slot machines and not allowed without a statewide vote.

The opposition was particularly fierce in Arapahoe County, home to Arapahoe Park. Some track neighbors, the sheriff and the county commission opposed the measure.

"We're pleased to have the horse track as a neighbor," said Richard Elsinger, 58, of Aurora. "By no means do we want them to go out of business."

But he was relieved when the bill died.

The sponsor, Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg, said the bill would have brought new visitors to the track and was another way to "entice people to spend their entertainment money."

The Senate Agriculture Committee today is scheduled to take up Senate Bill 174 by Sen. Ken Kester, D-Las Animas.

Among other things, the bill gives the Racing Commission the responsibility to approve greyhound and horse simulcasting.

In other business

* The Senate on Wednesday gave initial backing to a package of cuts and transfers to cover a $625 million shortfall in this year's state budget.

Initially, senators turned down a bid to let big retailers keep more sales tax revenues, only to reverse themselves 20 minutes later.

Currently, Colorado businesses get to keep 3.3 percent of the sales taxes they collect . The budget-balancing plan proposed capping the amount at $417 per month, costing the state's bigger retailers more than $1 million per year.

Senators initially rejected Sen. Paula Sandoval's amendment to drop the amount to 1.4 percent of taxes collected, so businesses of all sizes would share in the pain.

But when Sandoval, D-Denver, used a technical maneuver to bring the amendment up for a second vote, it passed by a 21-12 margin. Those who switched votes did not explain why.

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