Retiring Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colorado) is threatening to derail the massive omnibus appropriations bill if it contains a rider allowing a tribal casino in Colorado.

Campbell and others from Colorado say they have heard of a possible rider benefiting the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma. The group backing the tribes says it hasn't asked for any help.

The tribes filed a claim for 27 million acres in eastern Colorado but say they will settle for 500 acres and gaming rights. The Interior Department has rejected the claim.

Campbell, a member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe of Montana, opposes the idea and renewed his objections when rumors of the rider resurfaced as members of Congress work on the $388 billion spending bill behind closed doors.

Get the Story:
Casino provision irks Campbell (The Denver Rocky Mountain News 11/19)
Spending bill still in flux (The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner 11/19)
Congressional Leaders Work on Compatible Spending Bill (The New York Times 11/19)
pwnyt

Relevant Links:
Cheyenne-Arapaho Homecoming Project - http://www.homecomingproject.org

Related Stories:
Editorial: Tribes had no concept of 'private property' (09/13)
Editorial: Tribes' claim to Colorado was 'erased' (9/10)
Colorado governor won't negotiate for casino (9/9)
Editorial: Governor right to oppose out-of-state tribes (09/02)
Colorado governor to attend land claim briefing (8/30)
Senate panel to hold briefing on Cheyenne-Arapaho bid (08/13)
Colorado governor rejects Cheyenne-Arapaho bid (06/21)
Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes offer $1B for stolen land (05/14)
Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes file notice of land claim (05/13)
Stevens files Alaska Native gaming rider (01/24)