Colorado Horse Racing Betting

Horse Racing in Colorado

What horse racing tracks currently exist in Colorado?

Today there is only one active horse racing track in Colorado. Arapahoe Park, opened in 1984, features several different racing types, including Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse, and Arabian horse racing. The track is located on the outskirts of the Denver metropolitan region and hosts live racing between May and August.

Prior to Arapahoe Park, Colorado was home to at least two other major horse racing tracks. After the approval of pari-mutuel racing in the state in 1948, the Centennial Race Track in Littleton, CO debuted in 1950. Hyped as the “Santa Anita of the Rockies”, the facility never gained the expected following it’s founders envisioned and closed for good in 1983.

A second track, Pikes Peak Meadows, opened in 1965 in Colorado Springs. Like Centennial, it never was able to live up to its potential, and eventually was converted into an auto-racing facility in 1993.

Colorado Sports Betting FAQ

The Colorado Division of Gaming oversees sports wagering and determines the rules governing sports betting in the State of Colorado.

If playing through an online sports betting operator, residents and visitors to the State of Colorado may place wagers from anywhere via a computer or smartphone, so long as they are within the geographic boundaries of the state.

Those wishing to place bets may visit any of a small, but growing, number of retail sportsbook locations such as the BetAmerica/TwinSpires book at Bronco Billy's in Cripple Creek, CO.

TwinSpires players in Colorado should have access to online wagering by April of 2021.

TwinSpires players have numerous options for funding their accounts. These options include:

  • ACH deposit
  • Online banking
  • Credit Card (VISA or MasterCard only)
  • Twinspires Prepaid Play+ Card
  • Skrill
  • Check or money order
  • PayPal

Find complete information on all of these options at: https://support.twinspires.com/hc/en-us/articles/360056572252-Funding-Options-FAQ

Withdrawals from online wagering accounts with TwinSpires can be done online or by phone. Funds can be withdrawn in the following ways:

  • via check
  • via bank transfer through PayPal or EZ Money

Find complete information on withdrawal options at: https://support.twinspires.com/hc/en-us/articles/360055490731-How-can-I-make-a-withdrawal-from-my-online-wagering-account-

Classic Sports Betting Moments in Colorado History

With an active population and professional franchises in all major sports (Rockies in MLB, Broncos in NFL, Nuggets in NBA, and Avalanche in NHL), Colorado is an ideal location for sports betting. According to Denver’s ABC7 affiliate, the state generated over $1 billion in revenue in the 1st year of legalized gambling on sports:

More than $1.1 billion in wagers were placed in Colorado during the state’s first year of legalized sports betting, producing enough tax revenue to cover operating costs and begin contributing to the state water fund. The state collected $3,418,818 in tax revenue from sports betting wagers from May through December, easily surpassing the $2 million threshold needed to cover startup and administration costs and begin benefiting the water fund, which needs to raise about $3 billion.

Colorado sports betting tops billion in producing enough taxes to help water – TheDenverChannel.com

Jamal Murray Drops 50

In 2020, the Utah Jazz and the Denver Nuggets met in the 1st-round of the NBA playoffs, hosted in the “bubble” at Disney World due to COVID-19. The Jazz, already up 2-1 in the series, were 3.5 point favorites and looked to have the win and a cover in hand late in the game.

With just 6.3 seconds on the clock, the Nuggets inbounded the ball from the own baseline facing a 124-129 deficit. Given the amount of time needed to dribble the length of the court, or even to heave a ball the full distance, the outcome was already decided. However, Jamal Murray already had an impressive 47 points that night, and probably wanted to get 50 for the first time in his career. He dribbled over the half-court line, stumbled slightly before recovering to shoot a 3-pointer as time expired… Swish! Final score: Utah Jazz 129, Denver Nuggets 127.

For anyone betting on the Jazz to cover that night, Murray’s meaningless 3-pointer was devastating and turned what looked like a sure win into a classic bad beat. However at least one high roller with big money on the Nuggets to cover the night was elated with the outcome.