Colorado Horse Racing Betting
Legal Colorado horse racing betting sites, OTBs, and race tracks allow fans 18 or older to place pari-mutuel wagers on races held worldwide.
In addition, Bet365 Sportsbook has received the state’s permission to offer fixed-odds horse racing betting in Colorado to customers 21 or older.
Below, BettingUSA’s complete guide to horse racing betting in Colorado explains everything bettors need to know to get started quickly, safely, and legally.
Colorado Horse Racing Betting Sites
$200 Welcome BonusTwinSpires Offer Code: BET200
$150 Deposit BonusAmWager Promo Code: BUSA150
50% up to $300Iron Bets Racing Promo Code: BUSAColorado fans have the unique privilege of choosing from two different types of horse racing betting sites:
- Pari-Mutuel: Pari-mutuel betting sites in Colorado accept customers 18 or older and combine all same-type wagers into shared pools to pay winning tickets. Customers’ payout odds fluctuate until post-time, even after they have placed their bets.
- Fixed-Odds: Fixed-odds betting sites in Colorado accept customers 21 or older. The operator sets the odds just like in sports wagering, so bettors lock in their prices when submitting their bets.
Pari-Mutuel Betting Sites in Colorado
Colorado residents 18 or older and located within state lines may bet on horse races online at racebooks licensed by the Department of Revenue’s Division of Racing Events. All Colorado horse racing betting sites (also known as ADWs) must receive licenses from the Division before accepting wagers online.
Multiple ADWs hold Colorado horse racing licenses today, giving handicappers a broad range of choices. 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The Division maintains an active list of licensed ADWs, but it’s partially out of date as it lists some defunct horse racing betting sites. The current list of licensed Colorado horse racing betting apps follows:
Online Racebooks in Colorado
- AmWager
- Twinspires
- DRF Bets
- Caesars Racebook
- DK Horse
- TVG
- WatchandWager
- Xpressbet
- NYRA Bets
- Iron Bets Racing
Fixed-Odds Betting Sites in Colorado
Bet365 Sportsbook is the only operator licensed to offer fixed-odds betting in Colorado for customers 21 and older, but additional brands could enter the market if there’s demand.
Unlike traditional ADWs in Colorado, Bet365 locks in customers’ odds after they place their wagers. As a result, bettors always know what they stand to win, and there are no surprises later.
The Bet365 Colorado horse racing platform launched with an initial lineup of 140 race tracks where it offers fixed-odds betting. However, company officials have stated it will expand significantly from there.
Currently, most Bet365 fixed-odds betting markets in Colorado derive from international race tracks located around the world. Over time, bettors can expect to find more fixed-odds betting markets from races held in the United States.
Colorado Fixed-Odds Horse Racing Betting
In March 2022, the Limited Gaming Control Commission approved rules allowing sportsbooks to offer fixed-odds wagers on horse races in March 2022.
Historically, Colorado horse racing betting was the sole domain of race tracks and online racebooks that offered pari-mutuel wagering exclusively. The latter are often referred to as advance deposit wagering operators (ADWs).
The legalization of fixed-odds horse racing betting in Colorado marked a significant departure from tradition because pari-mutuel wagering was the standard for decades.
However, total pari-mutuel wagering handle declined precipitously over that time. There are multiple reasons for the decline, but one includes bettors becoming increasingly accustomed to locking in their prices when betting on sporting events.
In addition, the change allows licensed sportsbooks in Colorado to offer horse racing betting. Previously, only licensed ADWs could offer horse racing betting in Colorado, and most offered little by way of excitement or innovation.
In contrast, online sportsbook brands have momentum, significant financial resources, and a demonstrated ability to innovate.
Regulators are hopeful that fixed-odds horse racing betting will benefit the industry by introducing sports fans to a familiar format with prices that lock into place.
Additionally, they hope that agreements between sportsbooks and racing stakeholders will result in funneling new money to the horse racing industry.
Colorado Horse Race Tracks
Arapahoe Park in Aurora serves as Colorado’s only authorized racetrack venue where fans can bet on horses and watch races live. The Yuma County Fair hosts races every year as well, although these are generally much smaller affairs. Additional information can be found directly on the fair website.
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.
Arapahoe Park
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 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 Off-Track Betting Locations
Colorado is home to multiple off-track betting locations (OTBs) where customers may bet on and watch live horse racing via simulcast.
Arapahoe Park OTB
(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
Bank 8 Billiards Hall
(Closed in March 2020 due to Coronavirus – unclear if it will reopen)
2460 Patterson, Unit 3
Grand Junction, CO 81505
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 (Closed)
3958 N Academy Blvd Unit 112
Colorado Springs, CO 80917
Celtic on Market
1400 Market Street
Denver, CO 80202
Elevated Stakes OTB at Union Station
2419 N Union Blvd
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
Sundance Steakhouse & Saloon
2716 E Mulberry Street
Ft. Collins, CO 80524
Havana Park
10750 E Iliff Avenue
Aurora, CO 80014
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 online racebook recommendations at the top of this page.
All recommended horse racing betting sites on this page hold valid advance deposit wagering licenses and can be accessed by visiting their consumer 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:
Denver Derby
- 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.
Denver Mini Derby
- 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.
Colorado Online Horse Racing Betting Law
The Division of Racing Events 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.
Separately, the Colorado Racing Commission is responsible for adopting all rules and regulations governing horse racing. The key laws and regulations concerning horse racing betting in Colorado include:
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
Colorado Horse Racing Betting FAQ
Wes Burns has more than a decade’s worth of experience as a writer, researcher and analyst in the legal gambling industry and is co-founder of BettingUSA.com. As a former professional online poker player, Wes approaches his work from the viewpoint of players.