[Gonzopozo]

From The Denver Post:

Plans for a $100 million American Indian casino in Pueblo fell apart over the weekend when the Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma overwhelmingly voted not to give up 27 million acres of historical land claims in Colorado for a 5-acre casino site in Pueblo.

The tribal council voted 122-5 against a proposal that would have directed the tribe's business council to proceed with negotiations to establish the Pueblo casino.

Casino development partner Council Tree Communications pulled out of the project Monday, nearly a year after its plans for a casino near Denver International Airport fizzled.

"We will be standing down from further efforts," said Steve Hillard, the president of Council Tree, representing a consortium of Indian investors called the Native American Land Group.

"A substantial portion of tribal members are not supportive of a settlement of the tribes' land- and water-rights claims in Colorado as envisioned in the project," he said.

The primary sticking point was a section of the provision giving up all land and water claims in Colorado.

The developers also said they would share revenue and abide by city and state laws in the casino, which, if approved, would have been on Indian trust land.

"It (the proposal) would give up our sovereignty to the state of Colorado," said Floyd Black Bear, a tribal advocate.

He said the tribes also were concerned about giving up 12 years of revenue to Golden- based Council Tree and its investors.

The casino proposal was announced Aug. 20 but had been quietly in the works at least since April. The Pueblo City Council and Pueblo County commissioners signed letters of intent to back the plan.

Exchanging the tribes' land claims for the 5-acre casino site on Pueblo's tourist-oriented Historic Arkansas Riverwalk would have required approval from Congress or support from both the Department of Interior and Gov. Bill Owens.

Supporters saw the casino, which promised 1,000 jobs and $10 million in annual revenue, as an economic engine for the tribes and for a city that has been struggling since CF&I steel had massive layoffs in the 1980s

[michaelnc]

I knew that was going to happen. I personally was hoping they would go ahead with the project but you win some you loose some right? Obviously the tribe council was really against it with those voting numbers.

[Gonzopozo]

I also was in favor of the Pueblo plan. There were some powerful opponents - the Cripple Creek casinos and the Governor being amongst them.

So - now I'm hoping the tribes "get real" and start looking at Central City again. There's land available, a growing gaming demographic, and the "Gov" will support it.

G

[whimsy]

As is with any such business venture there are many powerful people on either side of the coin. I thought the plan would have been beneficial in the long run, but I see that others felt differently. Let's all hope that this comes to aquick and beneficial ending soon.

[PassionMAN]

Thx for information...
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