Gambling on the Lure of Historic Preservation: Community Transformation in Rocky Mountain Mining Towns

Abstract

Recently four small isolated mountain communities, similar in history and common in their efforts to stem a half century of population and economic decline, chose to undertake a unique community development effort to revitalize their economies: local option, limited stakes gambling. In all four, historic preservation was the rationale for the legalization of gaming and, in all four, gaming has been highly successful in creating jobs, private and public investments, and increased tourism; yet, different state approaches to regulating gaming resulted in contrasting community development efforts. In South Dakota, most gaming taxes and fees are ear-marked for preservation while in Colorado these revenues are destined primarily for the state general fund. These legislated mandates, along with different restrictions on the magnitude of gaming establishments, have resulted in different development paths. The similarities and differences among these four communities are examined.