Black Hawk/Central City Gives To Colorado $1.1 BILLION DOLLARS
State Capitol, Daniels & Fisher Tower and Molly Brown House Museum Among Recipients

The cities of Black Hawk/Central City announced today that a check for $1.1 billion, generated since 1991 by gaming tax revenues, is being presented to the State of Colorado by David Spellman, Black Hawk Mayor and Buddy Schmalz, Central City Mayor.

"Since gaming was approved in 1991, gaming tax revenues generated from Black Hawk and Central City have benefited each of Colorado's 64 counties, preserving more than 600 buildings throughout our State," Black Hawk Mayor David Spellman said. "In short, the cities and the gaming industry have delivered on their original promise to help preserve our State's history."

"We are certainly pleased to be able to announce today that when people visit Black Hawk and Central City, everyone in Colorado wins. This check for $1.1 billion is proof of that," Central City Mayor Buddy Schmalz added.

Colorado voters approved legalized gaming in 1990 with the stipulation that a percentage of gaming tax revenue be provided for State projects and historic preservation throughout Colorado.

"When people play at Colorado's Mountain Casinos, they help the whole state win because a large percentage of gaming tax revenues goes to preservation projects throughout our state," Joanne Lah, Executive Director of the Black Hawk/Central City Visitors & Convention Bureau said. "Many people in our state are totally unaware of this significant contribution. We are launching a public awareness campaign to help Coloradans understand the importance of historic preservation and our great contribution in this effort."

In 1991, the State Historical Fund, a program of the Colorado Historical Society, was created to preserve Colorado's architectural and archaeological treasures for public benefit. Each year, the State Historical Fund (SHF) receives 28 percent of the tax revenues generated by Colorado's Mountain Casinos to award grants to public and non-profit organizations for historic preservation projects around the state.

BH/CC Gives to Colorado $1.1 Billion Dollars

Over the past 16+ years, Colorado mountain casinos have given more than $300 million to the preservation of historic sites in each of Colorado's 64 counties saving schools, libraries and other historical landmarks.

The State Historical Fund has awarded more than 3,000 grants to historic sites including some of Colorado's most famous places such as the Colorado State Capitol, Cliff Palace in Mesa Verde, Kit Carson County Carousel in Burlington, the Colorado Railroad Museum's Locomotive 346 and the Central City Opera House.

The communities of Black Hawk & Central City are launching a major public awareness campaign in March 2008 to inform the public of the positive contributions the casinos have made to our state. Everyone in Colorado wins by being able to visit and enjoy our landmarks. The new campaign includes television advertising, a direct mail campaign, launch website, burst e-mails, and a contest for the public to enter at www.wherecoloradowins.com

For more information about this public awareness campaign please visit the website or call 303-282-8800

About Black Hawk/Central City

The Black Hawk/Central City Visitors & Convention Bureau is a business venture between the cities of Black Hawk and Central City. Currently, the Bureau is solely funded by collective gaming proceeds from all area casinos.

Colorado support for the State General Fund, the State Historical Fund and impact dollars for Gilpin and surrounding counties have generously come from the percentage of Colorado's Mountain Casinos, equaling more than $1.1 billion dollars since 1991.