In 2019, Colorado voters approved a tax on sports betting for the benefit of water conservation and protection projects, with the ballot language as Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights requires estimating first year proceeds of $29 million. That amount proved to be less than what was collected, requiring voters to say yes to the excess amount or see it returned to the casinos.
What has been collected since 2020? $65 million.
This ballot question is an easy yes. Colorado’s water plan is a framework for statewide collaboration around water planning and to address climate change, population growth and changing water usage. The plan has very limited funding and can certainly benefit from the full amount collected annually from sports gambling (and casinos appear to be doing just fine).
House Bill 24-1436 on the November ballot does just that. We recommend a “yes” vote.
