Colorado law lets people request exclusion from statewide sports betting

The Colorado Division of Gaming must provide a way for people to request exclusion from sports betting. The exclusion covers sports betting in Colorado. People must voluntarily request exclusion. The division must accept written, electronic, and telephone requests. The person's identifying information is confidential and exempt from public records disclosure. The law takes effect the day after 90 days following legislative adjournment, stated as August 12, 2026, if adjournment was May 13. A timely referendum petition delays challenged provisions until November 2026 voter approval and the governor's declaration of the result.

The Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission may assign licensing duties under Colorado's gambling law to the Division of Gaming. Prior approval covers table games such as poker, blackjack, and roulette, other similar games, and their variations. The commission decides whether to assign licensing duties to the division. Licensed operators must obtain the division's approval before offering covered games or their variations. These provisions take effect the day after 90 days following legislative adjournment. A timely referendum petition delays challenged provisions until voter approval in November 2026 and the governor's declaration of the result.

Division of Gaming investigators and supervisors have police powers to inspect, investigate, hold, or impound covered premises in Colorado. These powers cover locations in Colorado tied to casino gambling or sports betting. The police-status provision also refers to horse racing enforcement powers. Premises qualify if casino gambling or sports betting occurs there, investigators suspect unlicensed operations there, or gambling equipment or related books or records are present. The gaming director, the director's designee, and gaming investigators have police authority while performing their duties. These provisions take effect the day after 90 days following legislative adjournment. A timely referendum petition delays challenged provisions until voter approval in November 2026 and the governor's declaration of the result.

Colorado's horse racing law requires business and worker licenses and defines when tracks fall under full state oversight. The rules cover commercial horse racing businesses and listed racing jobs. The law's term 'licensee' also includes employees, agents, and representatives of covered license holders. Business owners with more than a 5% stake, executives, directors, and managers count as business license applicants. Workers with significant decision-making, management, or financial influence need a key worker license. Other listed jobs require support or temporary worker licenses. Temporary licenses for listed short-term jobs last no longer than 90 days. Oversight begins when track premises are first made available or used for receiving horses, official training, or official inspections, whichever occurs first. It covers live racing and seven calendar days following and including the final licensed racing day of the year.

The Colorado Racing Commission must require fingerprint-based criminal history checks for covered license applicants. Checks cover key and support worker licenses, major and minor business licenses, and out-of-state licenses for horse race betting through advance deposits. Local police, the Division of Racing Events, or a third party approved by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation must take the fingerprints. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation sends the fingerprints to the FBI for a national check. The commission receives and reviews the results. Applicants must pay for the check. The commission may make further background inquiries. The requirement applies when a covered license application is submitted after the law takes effect. A timely referendum petition delays challenged provisions until November 2026 voter approval and the governor's declaration of the result.