Colorado § 44-32-101 Legislative declaration

Colorado Statutes

§ 44-32-101 — Legislative declaration

Colorado § 44-32-101

Title 44Revenue -

Art.Racing

This text of Colorado § 44-32-101 (Legislative declaration) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Colorado primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

Colo. Rev. Stat. § 44-32-101 (2026).

Text

(1)The general assembly finds, determines, and declares that:

(a)The provisions of this article 32 are enacted through the exercise of the police powers of this state for the protection of the health, peace, safety, and general welfare of the people of this state;

(b)Horse racing is an inherently dangerous sport. Race horses weigh in excess of one thousand pounds, are almost six feet in height at the withers, and can run faster than thirty miles per hour. Horse racing brings significant physical risks to humans and horses. Jockeys and other persons working with horses have been injured before, during, and after horse races, occasionally resulting in death. As a result of these risks, it is crucial that persons working with horses in racing must at all times be free of any sub

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(1) The general assembly finds,
determines, and declares that:

(a) The provisions of this article 32 are enacted through the exercise of the
police powers of this state for the protection of the health, peace, safety, and
general welfare of the people of this state;

(b) Horse racing is an inherently dangerous sport. Race horses weigh in
excess of one thousand pounds, are almost six feet in height at the withers, and can
run faster than thirty miles per hour. Horse racing brings significant physical risks
to humans and horses. Jockeys and other persons working with horses have been
injured before, during, and after horse races, occasionally resulting in death. As a
result of these risks, it is crucial that persons working with horses in racing must at
all times be free of any substances that might impair their judgement, reflexes, or
ability to control a horse. Recent drug testing of horse racing licensees has shown
instances of illegal drug use and consumption of alcohol in excess of statutory
limitations, which could, therefore, endanger both human and equine participants.
The most effective method of preventing alcohol and drug abuse and ensuring the
safety of all persons and animals included in the sport of horse racing is to
establish a program of alcohol and drug testing.

(c) The purposes of this article 32 include:

(I) Promoting racing and the recreational, entertainment, and commercial
benefits to be derived therefrom;

(II) Raising revenue for the general fund;

(III) Establishing high standards of sport and fair play;

(IV) Protecting the health and safety of all participants, human and animal,
involved in racing events both on and off the racetrack; and

(V) Fostering honesty and fair dealing in the racing industry.

(2) This article 32 shall be liberally construed for all the stated purposes in
this section.

Legislative History

Source: L. 2018: Entire section amended, (SB 18-172), ch. 129, p. 850, � 1, effective April 12; entire article added with relocations, (HB 18-1024), ch. 26, p. 286, � 2, effective October 1.