AMENDED STADIUM BILL FOR BRONCOS CALLS FOR $266M SUBSIDY

          The CO State Senate gave preliminary approval Tuesday
     to a $266M taxpayer subsidy to help build a new stadium for
     the Broncos, according to Peggy Lowe of the DENVER POST. 
     The measure passed 20 to 15 "and included the controversial
     extra subsidy the Broncos want."  Among amendments added to
     the bill was one that would force the Broncos to stay in
     Denver for 20 years regardless of whether they are sold and
     another promising $1M to youth charities and a percentage of
     the sales price if the team is sold.  The amended measure
     also calls for a retractable dome, financed by selling
     naming rights to the stadium.  The bill will be up for final
     passage in the Senate today (DENVER POST, 2/25).  In Denver,
     John Sanko reports that another "key" amendment in the bill
     would cap the Broncos' contribution at $100M.  If that
     "still does not cover the cost, then taxpayer liability of
     $266 million can go up" (ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS, 2/25).