Racing Commission

Upcoming Racing Commission Meetings​

2023

Unless otherwise indicated below all meetings will commence on the 2nd Wednesday of each month starting at 9:30 AM via Zoom videoconference and in-person. 

• January 11, 2023 - CANCELLED 
• February 8, 2023
• March 8, 2023
• April 12, 2023
• May 10, 2023
• June 14, 2023
• July 12, 2023
• August 9, 2023
• September 13, 2023
• October 11, 2023
• November 8, 2023
• December 13, 2023

About the Commission

The Colorado Racing Commission is a five-member body appointed by the Governor. The Commission meets quarterly in accordance with C.R.S. 44-32-301(h) and is responsible for promulgating all the rules and regulations governing greyhound and horse racing in Colorado. The Commission has final authority over all racing licenses issued in the state. By law, the Commission is composed of five members representing different professional and geographic backgrounds meeting the following requirements:

• No more than three Commissioners may be from the same political party.
• No more than two members of the Commission shall be from the same congressional district.
• One member shall be from west of the Continental Divide.

Following appointment by the Governor, the State Senate must confirm the appointments to the Commission. Commissioners serve four-year terms and no Commissioner may serve more than two consecutive terms. 
 

The Commission membership must include the following:

• Two members who have been previously engaged in the racing industry for at least five years
• One member who is a practicing veterinarian who is currently licensed in Colorado and has been so licensed for not less than five years
• One member who has been engaged in business in a management-level capacity for at least five years
• One member who is a registered elector of the state who is not employed in any profession or industry as otherwise described above.

Colorado Racing Commission Members

Senate Confirmations  

Justine "Tina" Scott Estes, Chairwoman - Racing Industry Member

Ms. Estes was appointed by Governor Hickenlooper on August 25, 2016, to serve on the Racing Commission as a representative of the racing industry. Ms. Estes is very experienced in Colorado agri-business, having been the co-owner and manager of Trademark Farm, a ranching operation involving the production of cattle, hay and horses since 1989. She resides in Gypsum, Colorado. Ms. Estes has also been an approved judge for multiple breeds and horse show associations from 1985 until 2010 and continues to be actively involved with horse, cattle and agricultural associations. She has had a lifetime involvement with showing, breeding, and training horses and is especially interested in maintaining their place in sports as well as ensuring their welfare. Ms. Estes is currently serving as the Treasurer of the Colorado Horse Development Authority, as Secretary/Treasurer of the Eagle County Cattlemen’s Association and as Chair of the Farm Service Agency. (Republican; Congressional District 3)

David Lynn Hoffman, Racing Industry Member

Dr. Hoffman was appointed by Governor Hickenlooper on August 2, 2016, to serve on the Racing Commission as a representative of the racing industry.  Dr. Hoffman served previously as a member of the Racing Commission from 2001 through 2009. Dr. Hoffman is a professor of business management at Metropolitan State University.  He was formerly a professor of management at the University of Northern Colorado (Greeley).  Dr. Hoffman has served as President of the Board for Platte River Industries, is the former President of the Westminster 7:10 Rotary and is a former member of the Westminster 7:10 Rotary’s Vocational Service Committee, Foundation Request Committee and the Foundation Board of Directors.  Currently, he heads the University’s Institute for Entrepreneurial Innovation.  Additionally, he headed the Small Business Institute Directors’ Association. (Democrat; Congressional District 7)

Lori Scott, Vice Chair - DVM Veterinarian Member

Dr. Lori Scott, who was recently appointed by Governor Hickenlooper to serve a four-year term on the Commission as a representative of veterinarians licensed in Colorado for at least five years.  Dr. Scott, who is a practicing Veterinarian, graduated from Colorado State University’s School of Veterinary Medicine, operated a veterinary clinic, North Denver Animal Clinic, for 27 years.  She had previously served as the Division of Racing Events’ regulatory veterinarian at various Colorado racetracks for approximately twenty years. Additionally, she and her husband have been actively involved in overseeing animal welfare and medication usage at the National Western Stock Show and has received foreign animal disease training. (Unaffiliated; Congressional District 7)

Sandra Bowen, Public Member

Sandra Bowen is the newest member to the Racing Commission and was appointed as the public member by Governor Hickenlooper on August 3, 2018. Her career in the public sector has bolstered her government administration experience. After earning her Master’s degree in management from the University of Denver, Ms. Bowen began her career as a program analyst for the State of Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing. In this role, she performs duties including project management, serving as a customer service liaison, and communicating with Health First Colorado members. Ms. Bowen has an immense passion for horses; growing up riding and owning them all her life. She has “the good of Colorado in mind and will keep the bottom line in sight” while serving as the public member on the Colorado Racing Commission. (Democrat; Congressional District 2)

Tameka Sampson, Business Member

Tameka Sampson was appointed to serve on the Racing Commission by Governor Polis on June 25, 2021, as a representative of the business industry. She is a Colorado native with an extensive background working for multiple Fortune 200 companies. Her experience is centered in the Telecommunications and Service industries, where her responsibilities have focused on cost reductions and operational improvements. With a Bachelor's degree from the University of Denver, certifications in Project Management and Lean Six Sigma, and her commitment to growth, she will bring a unique business perspective to the Racing Commission.