1. Smoke-free Casinos: The Colorado Experience Kimberly Hills Executive Director Colorado Tobacco Education and Prevention Alliance (CTEPA)

2. Overview of Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act (CCIAA)  History of Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act –2005: Beginning of the Campaign –2006: Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act is enacted  Became effective July 1  Covers all indoor public places, except… –Cigar bars –Airport smoking concession –Tobacco retail businesses –Retail floor plan of casinos

3. Overview (cont.)  Perimeter of 15 feet  “Indoor area means any enclosed area..”  Class 2 petty offense  Enforced by local sheriff and police

4. Casino Exemption: Why?  2006 Legislative Session –Powerful casino lobby –One of the main bargaining chips for legislators  Opposition added casinos to get the bill killed  Advocates were in the position of having to support casino exemption to get the votes

5. CCIAA Lawsuits  Coalition for Equal Rights, Inc. v. Owens, 458 F. Supp.2d 1251 (D. Colo. 2006); appealed, oral arguments November 15, 2007.  Orios v. Westberg; Durango  People v. (Oasis); Adams County

6. 2007 Legislative Session  July 2007: Casino exemption repealed, effective January 1, 2008  Background: –8000 workers unprotected –Element of discrimination –Mobilization of casino patron and worker community had continued  Strong activism: SmokeFree Gaming  Strong legislative sponsors  Work of the coalition  Key Issue: Date of implementation

7. Plans for Implementation: January 1, 2008  11 casinos have been issued building permits for ‘patio rooms’  SmokeFree Gaming  Casino Committee –Researched other places (Delaware, Canada) –Meeting with Division of Gaming and general managers to educate about the law and partner to promote smoke-free –Training of law enforcement

8. Thank you! Kimberly Hills, Executive Director CTEPA khills@ctepa.org (303)756-6163