Colorado horse racing betting is legal for anyone 18 or older.
Fans can bet on horse races online through licensed ADWs, in-person at off-track betting facilities (OTBs), and live racing at the state’s single racetrack, Arapahoe Park in Aurora.
Colorado Horse Racing Betting Sites and Apps
- Colorado Horse Racing Betting Sites and Apps
- Colorado Horse Racetracks
- OTB Locations
- Colorado Online Horse Racing Betting Law
- How to Bet on the Kentucky Derby in Colorado
- Kentucky Derby Parties in Colorado
- Colorado Horse Racing FAQ
- Colorado Horse Racing Betting Sites and Apps
- Colorado Horse Race Tracks
- OTB Locations
- Greyhound Betting
- Colorado Horse Racing FAQ
The Racing Division of the Department of Revenue oversees horse racing betting and parimutuel wagering in Colorado. The Division’s primary responsibilities include protecting the integrity of pari-mutuel wagering and thoroughbred horse racing, promoting the racing industry, protecting the welfare of the industry’s participants, and enforcing state laws.
CO state residents who are 18 or older and located within state lines may bet on horse races online at racebooks licensed by the Racing Division.
All colorado horse racing betting sites, also known as advance deposit wagering providers or ADWs, must hold valid Racing Division licenses to offer their services to Colorado residents.
Multiple ADWs hold Racing Division licenses today to give handicappers a broad range of choices.
The Colorado Racing Division maintains an active list of licensed ADWs here.
Wagers placed with licensed horse racing betting sites in Colorado are pooled with bets taken at the host tracks. As a result, customers are paid at full track odds while also supporting each track and the live horse racing industry in Colorado.
The most popular Colorado horse betting sites and apps licensed by the Division include:
Colorado Horse Racetracks:
Arapahoe Park in Aurora serves as Colorado’s only authorized racetrack venue where fans can bet on horses and watch races live.
Mile High Racing at Arapahoe Park
Customers can watch live Arabian, quarter horse, and thoroughbred races at Arapahoe Park on Mondays, Saturdays, and Sundays from May through August each year.
Racing gets underway each day at 1 PM. The track also offers simulcast racing betting during each racing season.
26000 East Quincy Avenue
Aurora, CO 80016
Arapahoe Park admission prices:
- General admission: $5
- Seniors (55 or older): $1
- Under 18: Free
- Active-duty military: Free
- Clubhouse tables: $10
- Mondays: Free
- Parking: Free
Major horse racing events in 2021 run at Arapahoe Park:
- Mile High Futurity: $100,000 est. purse, open to 2yo quarter horses, held each August
- Arapahoe Park Classic: $100,000 est. purse, open to 3yo thoroughbreds, held each August
- Rocky Mountain Futurity: $90,000 est. purse, open to 2yo quarter horses, held each June
- Gold Rush Futurity: $100,000 est. purse, open to 2yo thoroughbreds, held each August
- Rocky Mountain Derby: $75,000 est. purse, open to 3yo quarter horses, held each June
- Mile High Derby: $90,000 est. purse, open to 3yo quarter horses, held each August
- Cherry Creek Futurity: $75,000 est. purse, open to 2yo quarter horses, held each June
- Lucille Rowe Derby: $60,000 est. purse, open to 3yo quarter horses, held each June
Colorado OTB Locations
Colorado is home to multiple off-track betting locations (OTBs) where customers may bet on and watch live horse racing via simulcast.
(Only during the live racing season)
26000 Quincy Avenue
Aurora, CO 80016
Off to the Races
(Formerly Southern Colorado Gaming & Events Center)
3215 Lake Avenue
Pueblo, CO 81005
(Closed in March 2020 due to Coronavirus – unclear if it will reopen)
2460 Patterson, Unit 3
Grand Junction, CO 81505
Pick Six Lounge at the Mirage Sports Bar & Grill
9249 S Broadway 200-323
Highlands Ranch, CO 80129
Big D’s OTB at El Bandido Nightclub
618 25th Street
Garden City, CO 80631
Post Time at the Playing Field Sports Bar
3958 N Academy Blvd Unit 112
Colorado Springs, CO 80917
1400 Market Street
Denver, CO 80202
Elevated Stakes OTB at Union Station
2419 N Union Blvd
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
2716 E Mulberry Street
Ft. Collins, CO 80524
10750 E Iliff Avenue
Aurora, CO 80014
9239 Park Meadows Drive
Lone Tree, CO 80124
Colorado Online Horse Racing Betting Law
The Colorado Revised Statutes and additional regulations adopted by the Racing Division govern the conduct of horse racing in Colorado:
In general, the Colorado Revised Statutes provide the framework for horse racing betting law while the Racing Commission rules fill in the details.
CRS § 44-501(2)(d) requires all advance deposit wagering providers to acquire licenses, while Chapter 10 of the Colorado Racing Commission rules details what is expected of licensed providers.
Some of the key regulations that govern Colorado horse racing betting apps and websites include:
- All providers must receive prior Commission approval to offer online horse racing betting in Colorado
- Licensees may only offer parimutuel horse wagering
- ADWs must prohibit access to customers under 18
- ADWs must collect and verify each customer’s name, address, age, phone number, and date of birth
- ADWs may not extend credit to customers; each customer’s account balance must cover all wagers
- Licensed CO horse racing betting sites may accept deposits via cash, cash equivalent, check, and other methods approved by the Commission
- Licensees must conduct an annual audit and submit a report of each audit to the Division upon request
How to Bet on the Kentucky Derby in Colorado
With a single horse racetrack, Colorado is not a hotspot for major horse racing events such as the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, and the Breeders Cup.
However, what Colorado lacks in live horse racing it makes up for in access to betting options.
Anyone 18 or older can bet on the Kentucky Derby online or through OTBs in Colorado.
For online horse betting options, see our Colorado racebook recommendations at the top of this page.
All recommended gambling operators on this page hold valid advance deposit wagering licenses and can be accessed by visiting their respective business websites or downloading their apps to bet on iOS and Android devices.
Kentucky Derby Parties in Colorado
Fans will also find no shortage of Kentucky Derby watch parties in Colorado.
A quick Google search will bring back results for dozens if not hundreds of watch parties that range from small gatherings at neighborhood bars and OTBs to full-fledged block parties in downtown Denver.
Two notable watch parties include:
- Where: 14th and Curtis, Denver
- Admission: Starting at $120
The Denver Derby is the city’s biggest Kentucky Derby-themed event, spanning four blocks at 14th and Curtis street downtown. The Denver Derby claims to be the largest party of its kind outside of Kentucky, and all indications point to that claim being true.
Attendees will find food from more than a dozen restaurants, a champagne lounge, outdoor bar, private VIP tents, hat contest, live music and DJ, an infield lounge with covered bars and TVs, and much more.
- Where: The North Green, 83030 East 49th Place, Denver
- Admission: Starting at $109
The Denver Mini Derby is another large event that features well-dressed attendees, a live band and DJ, open bar, food service, mini horse races, a Corgi race, and large viewing screens to watch the race live.
The Denver Mini Derby does a great job recreating the real Kentucky Derby’s festive atmosphere while supporting Minds Matter of Denver and Next Step Horse Rescue.
