WE NEED YOUR HELP TO DEFEAT HB23-1041!
Colorado Horsemen Need to Show Up Wednesday Morning at State Capitol
WHAT IS HB23-1041?
HB23-1041 is a bill in the Colorado House of Representatives to ban wagering from within Colorado on greyhound racing in other jurisdictions. You can read the full text of the bill here.
WHY DOES IT MATTER TO HORSEMEN?
Revenue from simulcast wagering on greyhound races in other jurisdictions accounts for about 45% of the statutorily dedicated purse money from which Colorado horsemen and horsewomen derive their livelihood. Passage of this bill would eliminate an estimated $615,000 from the purse account for live racing at Arapahoe Park. That is the equivalent to the purses paid for 10 days of live racing at a track that plans to host 39 days in 2023.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Please show your support for Colorado horse racing by attending Wednesday’s meeting of the Business Affairs and Labor Committee. Just showing up makes a powerful statement about the number of horsemen whose livelihoods could be jeopardized by this bill’s passage.
WHEN AND WHERE IS THE COMMITTEE MEETING?
Wednesday, January 25, 9:30 a.m.
Colorado State Capitol, 200 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO 80203
House Committee Room (Room 112), Business Affairs & Labor Committee
The meeting is scheduled “upon adjournment” of that morning’s legislative session. The actual start could be any time that morning. We estimate that it will come up for consideration around 10 a.m.
WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO?
Anyone who would like to make a statement to the Committee is welcome and encouraged to do so. All Coloradans and other stakeholders are entitled to three minutes to testify in front of the Committee. Please contact us if you would like assistance with this process.
NEED MORE INFO?
Jim Mulvihill, Colorado Horse Racing Association, coloradohorseracing@gmail.com, (917) 741-1198
Shannon Rushton, Bally’s Arapahoe Park, srushton@ballysarapahoepark.com, (303) 690-2400
HB23-1041 Fact Sheet
Revenue from wagering on greyhound races in other jurisdictions accounts for about 45% of the statutorily dedicated purse money (prize money) from which Colorado horsemen and horsewomen derive their livelihood.
Greyhound racing in Colorado was outlawed in 2014.
Simulcast wagering on greyhound racing is the sole source of funding for the Colorado Greyhound Welfare Fund, created by the Legislature. The Fund is disbursed to greyhound welfare and adoption agencies or other entities or organizations that promote the welfare of racing greyhounds and continues to generate about $75,000 per year for Colorado-based organizations. HB23-1041 would eliminate this funding mechanism.
HB23-1041 does not benefit any Coloradans nor does it protect or benefit any animals within Colorado.
HB23-1041 damages a historic agricultural industry; damages the livelihoods of hundreds of struggling Coloradans; and damages the handful of organizations promoting the welfare of the remaining greyhounds in Colorado.
The Colorado Horse Racing Association represents more than 550 owners and trainers of racehorses in Colorado.
The vast majority of Colorado horsemen and horsewomen do not break even racing horses. Further reductions to purse money will drive more horsemen and horsewomen out of business.
Colorado horsemen and horsewomen continue to pursue racing here, against all odds, because it is a way of life, a community, and a culture that has existed on these lands for hundreds of years, since Native Americans first obtained horses. Formal racing meets organized by the Ute Indians in Colorado are documented as far back as 1869.
The Colorado Horse Racing Association is a diverse organization, representing horsemen and horsewomen of all backgrounds, from all parts of the state.
