The State of Poker in Colorado
The Poker Players Alliance, on behalf of the Paralyzed Veteran’s Association is trying to host a poker tournament during the Democratic National Convention in Denver. It is anticipated that this event could raise up to $150,000.00 for that organization if we could hold it as advertised and as such tournaments should be held. Notables and celebrities such as Ben Affleck and Barry Greenstein were/are to play and it could/should/might be one of the best events surrounding the Convention.
Enter the State of Colorado and the City of Denver. Poker, with a few provisions, is illegal in Colorado with the exception of the games played in Central City, Blackhawk and Cripple Creek. Playing in such a game is illegal and can land you either in jail or holding a summons for illegal gambling. Bet a lot of you didn’t know that did you? Games abound, players play and to a greater or lesser degree cash games and tournaments are played all over the state and no one is the wiser.
I can’t count the number of times that as I’ve tried to recruit members into the PPA, people have responded to me that “poker is legal in Colorado isn’t it?” No it’s not. If you have a “bona fide” association outside of poker and if those present in the game are all included in that association (a group of friends having a Friday night game for example) then your game is legal. What constitutes bona fide? No one can tell you but various attorneys and judges have their own opinions. Apparently being a member of the PPA or a participant at the DNC isn’t such an association. I became aware of this last week when in conversation with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation I found out that they were actively reviewing our proposed tournament with an eye towards “intervening”, CBI code for raiding the game.
Now to allow the tournament to go forward, we have to make the poker part of the evening totally without reward and give out the prizes (that were to go to the four top finishers) by lot to anyone who shows up. A drawing in other words. Really makes you want to play doesn’t it?
That, dear friends, is the sorry state of poker in Colorado. A game of skill, not unlike chess, bridge or darts, all played for money in this state by the way and games that are never raided by the CBI or local authorities; a game that has it’s roots in the West and is really America’s Game. It is the goal of the Colorado Chapter of the PPA to change this. To make poker what it should be and what it is in so many other states. Regulated – of necessity; legal – by right; and part of what we believe is only fair. I played last night in my normal Friday night game, with friends (this for the CBI) and had a hard time concentrating on the cards and players. My thoughts kept returning to the injustice of how our game is treated by the State and City authorities. This to our members is a call to action. We have to lobby our legislators to change our antiquated and discriminatory laws. With crack dealers and pushers working openly in our parks and nearby schools, our law enforcement officers need to focus their efforts somewhere else. POKER IS NOT A CRIME.
Gary Reed
Colorado State Director