Greyhound racing ban awaits Colorado governor

Colorado would become the latest state to ban greyhound dog racing under a bill awaiting the governor’s signature.

The state Senate voted 20-15 Friday to ban greyhound racing, which hasn’t existed since 2008 but remains permissible under state law.

The House already approved the ban.

Some $250 million was spent on greyhound racing in Colorado in 1999, but the activity dwindled to about $15 million by 2008, according to a fiscal analysis provided to lawmakers.

At least seven states still have greyhound racing operations, according to the American Greyhound Council. The Colorado bill would still allow simulcast betting at Colorado’s lone horse-racing facility.

A fiscal analysis prepared for lawmakers predicted no impact from the ban because the state has already eliminated greyhound-racing regulators.