Colorado Legislative Council Staff

NO FISCAL IMPACT

TITLE:            CONCERNING MEASURES TO PRESERVE THE HISTORIC CHARACTER OF THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH LIMITED GAMING IS PERMITTED, AND, IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, REQUIRING APPROVAL IN ADVANCE FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF HISTORIC STRUCTURES OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF DISPROPORTIONATELY LARGE NEW STRUCTURES IN GAMING COMMUNITIES.

Summary of Assessment

            This bill requires all premises where limited gaming is conducted to conform to the architectural styles and designs that were common prior to World War I in the areas in which they are located and conform to the requirements of applicable city ordinances with certain exceptions. The bill prohibits limited gaming licenses from being issued until the applicant obtains approval of the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission, under the Department of Revenue, if new construction or the renovation of an existing structure causes, or threatens to cause the following:

            •   an existing structure built before 1915 to be demolished or relocated;

            •   the intended structure exceeds 36 feet in height; or

            •   the intended structure exceeds 60,000 gross square feet of floor area.

            The bill requires the State Historical Society to review the proposed new construction or renovation and allows the society to make recommendations to the commission. The bill requires the society to consider certain factors when making recommendations. The bill allows the commission to adopt rules and procedures to implement the provisions of the bill.

            The bill will become effective on the signature of the Governor and shall apply to projects in which a local building permit is or was issued, on or after January 1, 1998.

            The bill will not affect state, or local government, revenue or expenditures. Therefore, the bill is assessed as having no fiscal impact.

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