Find out how online horse betting works in Colorado, which racebooks take Colorado customers, and what the Centennial State offers for wagering on the races.
Both offline and online horse betting in Colorado are legal.
As well as internet betting on the horses through racebooks and mobile apps, you can visit Bally’s Arapahoe Park in Aurora and watch live racing during its summer meet. The state also has off-track betting (OTB) facilities. All of these offer pari-mutuel wagers on horse racing. Remember to pay your taxes on any profits you make.
| Colorado horse racing betting: key facts | |
|---|---|
| Online horse betting (ADW) | Yes |
| Live racetrack | Bally’s Arapahoe Park, Aurora |
| 2026 live meet | June 12 to August 16, 30 days, Friday to Sunday |
| Regulator | Colorado Division of Racing Events |
| Racebooks taking CO customers | AmWager, TwinSpires, FanDuel Racing, TVG, DRF Bets, DraftKings Horse |
| Online sports betting | Legal (separate product) |
In this article 10 sections
- Is online horse betting legal in Colorado?
- Horse betting sites in Colorado
- Best CO horse betting apps
- Racebook bonuses in Colorado
- Bally’s Arapahoe Park: Colorado’s racetrack
- Types of horse racing bets in Colorado
- Taxes on Colorado horse betting winnings
- Responsible gambling for Colorado horseplayers
- Colorado horse racing betting in 2027
- Elsewhere
Is online horse betting legal in Colorado?
Yes. Colorado regulates pari-mutuel racing through the Division of Racing Events, which sits alongside the Division of Gaming in the Department of Revenue. Advance deposit wagering (ADW) sites accept Colorado customers, and the state’s own racing calendar centres on one track.
Horse racing is a separate product from Colorado sports betting. Sportsbook apps don’t take pari-mutuel bets; for that you need a racebook.
Horse betting sites in Colorado
If a spot of wagering appeals to you, these racebooks accept Colorado customers, per current state-by-state listings:
- AmWager: a streamlined platform with simulcast coverage of major North American tracks. AmWager accepts Colorado residents and requires customers to be 21.
- TwinSpires: Churchill Downs’ racebook, with pari-mutuel jackpots and races from across the country. See our TwinSpires review.
- TVG and FanDuel Racing: TVG puts free handicapping content and race video in your hands; Race Alerts give you a warning before post time.
- DRF Bets: lets you handicap, watch and wager in one place, toggling between standard and exotic bets on mobile.
- DraftKings Horse: DraftKings’ racing product, available in Colorado.
Read our AmWager review Visit AmWager →
Best CO horse betting apps
All of the racebooks above run iOS and Android apps. The useful differences are video (which tracks you can stream), handicapping tools (past performances, speed figures, expert picks), and how quickly deposits and withdrawals clear. Most horseplayers keep two accounts so they can compare features and promotions.
Racebook bonuses in Colorado
Through Colorado online horse betting, the usual promotions include:
- Sign-up deals where part of your first deposit or early wagering is matched.
- Money-back offers that return your stake on a loser as a bonus under set conditions.
- Rebates and VIP programs that reward your loyalty with a percentage of your handle.
Always read the terms, including eligible tracks, wagering requirements and expiry. AmWager has no confirmed public welcome offer to list here.
Bally’s Arapahoe Park: Colorado’s racetrack
Colorado has one racetrack: Bally’s Arapahoe Park on East Quincy Avenue, just outside Aurora in Arapahoe County. It offers live thoroughbred and American quarter horse racing, and its simulcast area carries races from across the US and beyond.
The 2026 meet ran for 30 days from June 12 to August 16, with live racing Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and a 1 p.m. first post. The 2025 meet, which opened in early September after a delayed start, also ran 30 live race days and more than 180 races, according to the Division of Racing Events.
Local and major horse racing events in Colorado
The quarter horse stakes are the backbone of the Arapahoe calendar. In 2026 the Cherry Creek Futurity (estimated $75,000) and Lucile Rowe Derby (estimated $50,000) were run on July 5, and closing day on August 16 brought the finals of the Mile High Futurity (estimated $70,000) and Mile High Derby (estimated $50,000), plus the Rocky Mountain Championship.
Simulcast betting on the major races from across America is available year-round, so the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, the Belmont Stakes and the Breeders’ Cup are all a few taps away for Colorado ADW customers.
Types of horse racing bets in Colorado
Colorado online horse wagering is pari-mutuel, which means the following bet types are available:
- The standard win bet, for a horse to finish first.
- Place wagers, where a horse must come first or second.
- Show bets, for a horse to be first, second or third.
- Exotic wagers including quinellas, exactas, trifectas and superfectas, where you back more than one horse in the same race.
- Multi-race bets like daily doubles and the Pick 4.
A worked example: win, place and show
Put $2 to win, $2 to place and $2 to show on the same horse (a $6 “across the board” ticket). If it wins, all three bets pay. If it runs second, the place and show bets pay. If it runs third, only show pays. Pari-mutuel prices depend on the pool, so the payout is set when the race is official.
Taxes on Colorado horse betting winnings
Pari-mutuel winnings are taxable income for federal and Colorado state income tax. Large payouts can trigger a W-2G and federal withholding at the window or from your ADW account, so keep a record of wagers and losses.
Responsible gambling for Colorado horseplayers
Set a budget before the first race and stick to it; every racebook offers deposit limits and account closure. Colorado’s Division of Gaming points residents to BetSmart Colorado and to 1-800-GAMBLER, which you can call or text. General advice is at GambleAware.org and in our responsible gambling guide.
Colorado horse racing betting in 2027
Arapahoe Park’s 2027 dates
The 2026 meet moved back to a June-to-August window after 2025’s delayed September start. The Division of Racing Events’ approval of 2027 race dates will show whether that summer calendar holds.
Quarter horse stakes values
The Mile High Futurity and Cherry Creek Futurity carried estimated purses of $70,000 and $75,000 in 2026. Purse levels for 2027 are the clearest signal of the meet’s health.
ADW access
Six major racebooks take Colorado customers, including DraftKings Horse. Watch for any change in Colorado’s ADW licensing as more sportsbook brands add racing products.
What is the best horse racing betting site in Colorado?
It depends what you bet. AmWager, our partner, covers tracks across the US and abroad with live video and a clean bet slip. TwinSpires, owned by Churchill Downs, has deep handicapping content, TVG and FanDuel Racing add television and streaming coverage and DRF Bets builds Daily Racing Form past performances into the bet slip. A second racebook account lets Colorado players compare rebates and track lists race by race.
Can you legally bet on horses online in Colorado?
Yes. Online horse betting through ADW racebooks is legal, and AmWager, TwinSpires, FanDuel Racing, TVG, DRF Bets and DraftKings Horse all accept Colorado customers.
Does Colorado have a horse racing track?
Yes, one: Bally’s Arapahoe Park in Aurora, which runs a summer meet of about 30 days.
When is live racing at Arapahoe Park?
The 2026 meet ran June 12 to August 16, Fridays to Sundays, with first post at 1 p.m.
What is the biggest race in Colorado?
The quarter horse Mile High Futurity and Mile High Derby, whose finals close the Arapahoe Park meet, are the state’s signature stakes.
Do I have to pay tax on horse betting winnings in Colorado?
Yes. Winnings are taxable income for federal and Colorado state tax, and large payouts can trigger a W-2G.
