DENVER — Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman has released a formal opinion on whether current state law authorizes commercial sports betting after the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling legalized sports betting, saying it is up to the state's legislature.
At the request of the state's Department of Revenue, Coffman issued her official opinion and stated commercial sports betting is not subject to the state's restrictions but is prohibited under the state's criminal code.
“After conducting a full legal analysis I have determined that commercial sports betting is not subject to state constitutional restrictions, but is prohibited gambling under Colorado’s current criminal code,” Coffman said in her formal opinion. “Whether sports gaming should be legalized in our state will ultimately be up to the legislature to determine.
"I anticipate the members of the General Assembly will receive substantial input from their constituents and other stakeholders regarding the potential societal consequences or benefits that will need to be weighed carefully to ensure the appropriate outcome for Colorado.”
The Supreme Court's ruling struck down a 1992 federal law that banned most states from allowing sports betting.