Online Sports Betting in Colorado

Colorado sports betting has been live, legal, and available since May 2020. “The Centennial State” now features more than two dozen legal sports betting apps. Located in the Western half of the United States, Colorado has a pretty unique and interesting history. Generally, people from Colorado have been dubbed “Coloradans” or Colorodoans.” Those from the capital (Denver) have also been known as “Denverites.” Colorado is also one of the only US states (along with Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico) where you can technically be in four states at once. With each of those four states’ borders meeting at a single location, you can actually hop across state lines!

From a sports perspective, Colorado remains one of the rare places worldwide actually to turn down a chance to host the Olympic Games. Many famous celebrities were born in Colorado, ranging from actor Tim Allen to star running back Christian McCaffrey to Olympic gold medalist Mikaela Shiffrin.

Colorado sports betting started in earnest almost three years ago. Both retail and online sportsbooks opened for business at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, creating extra challenges for both in-person wagering as well as sports to bet on.

Here are some things that you need to know:

1. You must be 21 or older to bet on sports in Colorado.
2. Players, referees, and coaches (principal actors) cannot legally bet on their own sports.
3. You can bet on outlandish sports like corn hole but not awards events (like the Oscars or ESPYs).
4. Colorado doesn’t allow esports betting or any betting form where the average age of the participant is younger than 18.
5. With the exception of tribal casino sportsbooks, all retail sportsbooks in Colorado are in one of three towns (Black Hawk, Cripple Creek, or Central City).
6. In the first 18 months of being life, Colorado sportsbooks collected more than $5B in wagers.
7. The state licenses sportsbooks that partner with casinos in the state.
8. Colorado taxes in-state sportsbooks at a rate of 10%.

Popular Sports in Colorado:

Colorado is similar to many states – it has one capital city that commands much of the action and is host to professional teams. All of the pro sports teams in Colorado are based in or around Denver.

• Denver Broncos (NFL)
• Denver Nuggets (NBA)
• Colorado Rockies (MLB)
• Colorado Avalanche (NHL)
• Colorado Rapids (MLS)

In addition to the pro teams, there are also plenty of collegiate programs that have a home in Colorado.

• Colorado Buffalos (NCAA)
• Colorado State Rams (NCAA)
• Air Force Falcons (NCAA)
• Denver Pioneers (NCAA)
• Northern Colorado Bears (NCAA)

Responsible gambling in CO

If you are based in Colorado, and your gambling is out of control, you can call the National Problem Gambling Hotline at 1-800-522-4700. The call is anonymous, and the phone hotline is available 24/7/365. You can also text the number 1-800-522-4700 or enter the website chat here. Help is never too late to get from NCPG, even if you have played at an illegal site. Follow our Online Gamblers Academy to learn how to have fun responsibly!

Jake Moszkowski

Jake Moszkowski is the Senior Sportswriter for OnlineGamblers.com, covering the American sports and betting industry. He joined us after a four-year stint in marketing and business development for Simplebet, the sports-betting technology company. Prior to Simplebet and OnlineGamblers, Jake worked in the communications team at sports & talent agency, Octagon. He has extensive experience researching and writing about the four major American sports(NFL, NBA, MLB, & NHL), as well as college sports (CFB, NCAAB, College Tennis) and international sports (ATP, WTA).