Jun 17, 2008 9:36 am US/Mountain
Cripple Creek Won't Force Casinos To Snuff Smoking
CRIPPLE CREEK, Colo. (AP) ―
Cripple Creek officials say they won't enforce the statewide smoking ban at casinos that claim they are exempt.
The City Council said Monday the Legislature intended to ban smoking in casinos, but said the law was poorly written and left the door open for casinos to claim they are cigar bars, which aren't covered.
Three of the town's 17 casinos have claimed the exemption.
Democratic state Sen. Ken Gordon of Denver, who co-sponsored the smoking ban, says the law is clear and says Cripple Creek should have the courage to enforce it.
City officials say they don't have time to patrol the casinos or audit their books to see if they sell enough tobacco to qualify as cigar bars.
At least one Black Hawk casino is also claiming an exemption as a cigar bar.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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