Denver (AP) _ a smoking ban takes effect in Colorado’s casinos
starting Tuesday.

Casinos in the mountain towns of Black Hawk, Central City and
Cripple Creek were originally exempted from a statewide smoking ban
That took effect in 2006. But, after getting to smoke one last time
On New Year’s Eve, gamblers will have to step outside for a smoke
starting at eight this morning.

Already, Central City and neighboring Black Hawk have loosened a
State restriction on how far smokers must be from building
Entrances before they light up.

State law requires smokers to stand at least 15 feet away from
entrances, although home-rule municipalities can change the
distance.

Central City and Black Hawk reduced the required distance to an
inch. In the casino town of Cripple Creek, the restriction is still
15 feet.