Every so often, it's my pleasure to turn over this space to readers who offer informed takes on the issues or insight into subjects with which we (I, certainly) might be unfamiliar. Today's letter comes from a Colorado player who disputes conventional wisdom about what ails the state's casinos ...

"I live in Colorado and have heard a lot of talk about why the casinos in Black Hawk and Central City (the ones I am most familiar with) are having so much trouble. Many people have suggested that the smoking regulations are to blame. However, I have another take on the problem -- transportation!

"For years, there were companies which would take me to the casinos on a bus. At one time, there were at least two (and sometimes three, depending on where I wanted to be dropped off when I got up to the mountains) places within a few miles of my house to catch a bus at a reasonable price with a rebate from the casino. The buses were usually quite full because casino employees also took them rather than drive and find parking. My mother and I would go at least once a week and when there were promotions, even more often. Some people went every day.

"My mother passed away and I got a new job which left me with less free time so I hadn't gone up for a couple of years. Recently, I tried to find where I could catch a bus for a day of R & R but I had an incredibly difficult time of it! First, all the links for transportation on casino/gaming/Colorado sites were incredibly outdated or non-operational. One listed a bus picking up at a shopping center that I know for a fact is now a giant hole in the ground, awaiting re-construction.

"There didn't seem to be anything on my side of town (I live in an eastern suburb). I can still take the bus but I have to drive across town, halfway to Black Hawk to catch it, which is what I wanted to avoid. One of the pick-up points is a K-Mart shopping center in a less-than-savory part of town, with no kind of security for cars left there.

"What I am wondering is if all the people who used to take the same buses that I did are making the effort to drive either to the existing stops or on up the mountain? I don't think so. I think they are just not going and, therefore, the casino towns are not thriving.

"I know this isn't a particularly important issue in the grand scheme of things, but it illustrates that there are a lot of factors involved in successful casino management and profitability, including getting your customers from their homes to your place of business.

"Thanks for letting me get this off my chest!"