Date: 04/18/2012
Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB12-1280
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
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03:21 PM -- House Bill 12-1280 - Concerning Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs)
Representative Coram and Representative Sonnenberg, prime sponsors, explained the provisions of the bill. Representative Coram began by explaining that House Bill 12-1280 authorizes the Colorado Lottery Commission to license no more than two qualified lottery retailers to install and operate video lottery terminals (VLTs) in an age-controlled area on premises that are owned or controlled by a lottery retailer. The site where video lottery terminals may be installed must be west of the continental divide and at least 100 miles from the cities of Central City, Black Hawk, and Cripple Creek, and from any facility located on Indian tribal lands at which limited gaming activities are operated.
The following persons testified.
03:56 PM -- Mr. Ed Smith, representing the Wild Card Saloon and Casino, spoke in opposition to the bill and discussed the impact VLTs will have on his casino.
04:06 PM -- Mr. Brian Watts, representing the Isle of Capri Hotel and Casino, testified in opposition to the bill and distributed a handout on VLTs (Attachment D). Mr. Watts closed by discussing the similarities of VLTs to slot machines and the impact the bill will have on gaming towns.
04:16 PM -- Mr. Grayson Robinson, Arapahoe County Sheriff, spoke in opposition to the bill and discussed the potential impact of a VLT site in Arapahoe County.
04:22 PM -- Mr. Corey Hoffman, representing the City of Black Hawk, spoke in opposition to the bill and noted that this bill expands limited gaming. He closed by saying that the bill is unconstitutional because voter approval is required to expand limited gaming.
04:26 PM -- Mr. Jon Anderson, (Holland & Hart) representing Mile High Racing, spoke in support of the bill, and discussed the constitutionality of the bill and explained the Colorado Supreme Court opinions on the issue (Attachment E).
04:47 PM -- Mr. Adam Paul, representing Protect Our Neighborhoods, testified in opposition of the bill.
04:50 PM -- Ms. Marjorie Haun, representing herself, testified in support of the bill and discussed the need to improve economic conditions in Grand Junction through the addition of a horse track and video lottery terminals. Ms. Haun responded to questions from the committee concerning the impact of poor economic conditions and gaming revenue.
04:58 PM -- Ms. Tami Smolinski, representing herself, testified in support of the bill and talked about the need to improve the economic conditions in Grand Junction. She noted that this bill will stimulate the western region's economy through the addition of a horse track and video lottery terminals.
05:05 PM -- Mr. Tyson Peterson, representing students from Front Range Community College, testified in support of the bill and responded to questions concerning funding for community college tuition from video lottery terminals as proposed by the bill.
05:08 PM -- Ms. Brandi Pollock, representing Fisher's Real Estate, testified in support of the bill and talked about the need to improve the economy on the western slope and discussed the economic potential of a horse track facility in western Colorado.
05:13 PM -- Ms. Jamie Montgomery, representing herself (small business owner of the Brickyard), testified in support of the bill and distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment F). She closed by speaking to the economic development potential should the legislation pass.
05:18 PM -- Ms. Betsy Bair, representing the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce, testified in support of the bill.
05:22 PM -- Ms. Jennifer Bailey, representing Grow Our Western Economy, testified in support of the bill and distributed a handout on the bill (Attachment G).
05:30 PM -- Mr. Shannon Rushton, representing the Colorado Horse Racing Association, spoke in support of the bill and discussed how the bill will help the horse racing industry.
05:46 PM -- Mr. Brock Miera, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.
After a brief committee discussion, Representative DelGrosso, Chair, announced that House Bill 12-1280 would be laid over and heard by the committee on Wednesday, April 25,2012.
05:55 PM
The committee adjourned.