Thanks to the work of Legislative Alert Network, we learned about Colorado House Bill 1095, which would encourage the return of live greyhound racing to Colorado.

Colorado Representative Randy Baumgrdner has introduced HB-1095, which would provide a tax incentive for live greyhound racing to return to Colorado. It would also make dog tracks more profitable by allowing them to simulcast more races from other states.

Greyhound racing has seen a rapid decline in popularity in recent years, and tracks in Colorado stopped holding live races in June of 2008. This bill is an attempt to prop up a dying industry; one that is out of step with a society that sees dogs as family members, not disposable sources of entertainment. Dog racing is currently illegal in 35 states and Massachusetts voters recently approved a ballot initiative to phase out dog racing by 2010.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:
The House Finance Committee will hold a hearing on HB-1095 this Wednesday, January 21. Please contact your Colorado STATE representative and ask him or her to OPPOSE House Bill 1095!