Colorado Daily Fantasy Sports

Colorado is home to one of the nation’s most well-regulated daily fantasy sports markets, thanks to laws that ensure consumer safety while still giving operators the freedom to introduce new and unique contest types.

With nearly three dozen licensed DFS operators, Colorado is a competitive fantasy sports market that benefits consumers. Licensed Colorado daily fantasy sports sites accept customers 18 or older and provide an eclectic mix of contest types, ranging from season-long and DFS leagues to predictions and fantasy “stock trading” platforms.

Below, BettingUSA lists its highest-recommended Colorado fantasy sports sites and explains the legal landscape in more detail below. Readers can also scroll down for answers to frequently asked questions about DFS in Colorado.

Colorado Daily Fantasy Sports Sites

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All Colorado fantasy sports apps and operators must register with the Division of Gaming before offering real-money contests to residents. The Division imposes low licensing fees but high standards on fantasy sports sites, giving fans the dual benefits of choice and security.

However, BettingUSA does not recommend all Colorado DFS sites equally. As is the case for sports betting in Colorado, a handful of operators are significantly better than the rest in critical aspects like quality of games, traffic, and types of contests on offer.

The following table lists all Colorado fantasy sports sites available to players today, with BettingUSA’s recommended operators listed first. Readers may also confirm whether any operator holds a valid Colorado DFS license at the Division of Gaming website.

Licensed Colorado DFS Sites

Colorado Fantasy Sports Law

The Fantasy Contests Act and subsequent regulations adopted by the Division of Gaming govern daily fantasy sports in Colorado. Colorado takes a lenient approach to regulating fantasy sports compared to other states, resulting in players having more operators to choose from when looking for places to play online.

State law establishes a minimum age of 18 to participate, requires fantasy sports operators to register with the Division of Gaming, and implements some basic consumer protection rules.

Colorado Daily Fantasy Sports Licenses

All Colorado fantasy sports sites must either register with the division or apply for a license, depending on how many customers they serve:

  • Small Fantasy Contest Operators: Fantasy operators with 7,500 or fewer active Colorado customers must register with the division at no cost
  • Large Fantasy Contest Operators: DFS operators with more than 7,500 active Colorado customers must apply for a license and pay a $7,500 licensing fee

Colorado daily fantasy sports operators in both categories use the same application form to register or apply for a license, pay the licensing fee if applicable, and provide any additional information requested by the Division of Gaming.

Once approved, Colorado daily fantasy sports sites must keep daily records of their operations and all financial transactions for at least three years and make them available to the Division of Gaming upon request.

Additionally, licensed Colorado daily fantasy sports apps may not offer contests that:

  • Use reels, symbols, or other depictions of slots or other casino games
  • Are based on high school or youth sports events

Colorado DFS Consumer Protection Regulations

The Fantasy Contests Act requires Colorado DFS sites to implement “commercially reasonable procedures” to accomplish the following:

  • Prevent anyone under 18 from participating
  • Prevent employees of any fantasy sports operator from participating in any contest that offers a cash prize, except private contests in which employees are clearly distinguished as such to other players
  • Prevent athletes and officials from participating in DFS contests based on sporting events that they could impact
  • Prevent the sharing of confidential information that could affect DFS contests
  • Clearly and conspicuously display the material terms of all promotional offers and fantasy sports bonuses
  • Undergo an annual independent audit conducted by a certified CPA and submit the results to the Division of Gaming
  • Segregate customers’ funds from operational funds
  • Allow customers to self-exclude from participating in DFS contests

Colorado DFS Fair Gaming Regulations

Colorado law requires daily fantasy sports apps and websites to take the following actions to promote fair gaming:

  • Distinguish highly experienced players (anyone who has entered more than 1,000 contests with that operator or won more than three prizes worth at least $1,000) so that other players can easily identify them
  • Prohibit customers from using unauthorized scripts to gain an unfair advantage over the other players
  • Make all authorized scripts readily available to all customers
  • Clearly and conspicuously display every contest’s rules
  • Use reasonably available technology to limit each customer to a single account

Fines and Penalties for Daily Fantasy Sports Contest Violations

The Division of Gaming may issue fines to operators or suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew their licenses or registrations for the following violations:

  • Violating any Division of Gaming order, state law, or DFS regulation
  • Failing to meet any of the licensing requirements imposed by the Division of Gaming
  • Using fraud, misrepresentation, or deceit when applying for a license or registration

In addition, the Division of Gaming may issue cease-and-desist orders to any person or entity believed to be offering fantasy sports contests without the Division’s approval.

Colorado Law on Fantasy Sports Pick ‘Em Contests

The Colorado Division of Gaming updated its fantasy sports regulations in 2023 to authorize pick ’em style contests that meet the following requirements:

  • Pick ’em DFS contests must require customers to make predictions on at least four athletes or positions
  • The athletes must be from at least two different teams
  • Pick ’em contests may only ask customers to predict athletes’ fantasy point totals, not individual stats like passing yards or strikeouts

The Division of Gaming introduced the new rules after extensive discussions with Underdog Fantasy regarding the pick ’em games it sought to offer in Colorado. At the time, regulators in multiple states were investigating pick ’em fantasy sports contests due to their resemblance to sports betting. Fortunately for pick ’em fans, the Division of Gaming reached a compromise with Underdog Fantasy instead of banning the concept outright.

How Colorado Legalized Daily Fantasy Sports

Colorado legalized daily fantasy sports in 2016 with a standard issue DFS bill (HB16-1404) implementing a licensing requirement, consumer protection provisions, and minimum age of 18 to participate.

The bill initially placed the Division of Professions and Occupations in charge of regulating Colorado daily fantasy sports sites and issuing licenses. However, a mandatory sunset review conducted in 2020 recommended transferring regulatory authority to the Division of Gaming and instituting annual third-party audits of licensed operators.

HB20-1286 implemented the recommendations and exempted Colorado’s regulation of daily fantasy sports from further sunset reviews.

Ultimately, Colorado faced less resistance than other states in legalizing and regulating fantasy sports. The initial Colorado DFS bill had bipartisan support and easily passed every vote on its way to becoming law.

One of the bill’s prime sponsors, Rep. Crisanta Duran, put it this way when explaining why she expected the bill to pass:

“My bill is an effort to codify important industrywide standards to protect consumers and ensure the integrity of all fantasy sports. Enacting this important legislation will ensure that all providers are taking the necessary steps to protect fantasy sports fans, and will give consumers peace of mind about the integrity of the games they love.

“It’s the legislature’s job to ensure that Coloradans who enjoy fantasy sports are playing in a regulated, safe environment, where they can be sure that they have a fair shot.”

Colorado Daily Fantasy Sports FAQ

Yes. Colorado legalized daily fantasy sports in 2016 and requires all operators to register with the state.

State law mandates a minimum age of 18 to participate in fantasy sports contests.

The Division of Gaming has issued registrations and licenses to more than 30 DFS operators. Readers can see BettingUSA’s recommended Colorado DFS sites and a complete list of licensees near the top of this page.

Yes. Fantasy sports winnings are subject to federal and state income taxes in Colorado.