"History teaches us to be leery of proposals that promise riches if we only open the doors to gambling.

Residents and elected officials in northwest Colorado would do well to remember that lesson as plans for two different Native American casinos in the region move forward.

In fact, we think they would be wise to look elsewhere for economic development. And so does Gov. John Hickenlooper, whose decision carries significant weight.

The Steamboat Pilot & Today first reported in March on an effort by a group of Yampa Valley businessmen to build a casino in Hayden. They are billing their plan as a way to diversify the local economy and say it could bring Hayden an additional $5 million in revenue each year and draw nearly 60,000 new yearly visitors to Steamboat, which is about 25 miles way.

A separate plan, being crafted since last fall by the town of Dinosaur, envisions a partnership with the Northern Utes for a casino on U.S. 40 near the Colorado-Utah border."

Get the Story:
Editorial: New casinos in Colorado not worth gamble (The Denver Post 9/16)

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Ute Tribe moving forward with off-reservation gaming project (9/10)