Frequently Asked Questions

On-Premises Liquor Licensees: Licensees who sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises, i.e., taverns, restaurants, brewpubs, may sell alcoholic beverages to be consumed on the premises from 7:00 AM until 2:00 AM, 365 days a year.

Off-Premises Liquor Licensees: Licensees who sell alcoholic beverages in sealed containers for consumption off the licensed premises, i.e., liquor stores, drug stores, and brewpubs, may sell alcohol beverages in sealed containers from 8:00 AM until midnight every day except on Christmas Day.

3.2% Beer Licensees: 3.2% beer may be sold from 5:00 AM until midnight, 365 days a year.

There are no state prohibitions concerning the sale or service of alcoholic beverages on election days.

Colorado law prohibits public consumption of malt liquor (beer other than 3.2% beer), vinous liquor (wine), and spirituous liquors (bourbon, gin, vodka, etc.) in public, except in a business which is licensed with a Colorado liquor license. Public consumption of 3.2% beer is not prohibited by state law. However, many cities and counties have local laws prohibiting public consumption of 3.2% beer.

It is unlawful to bring alcoholic beverages into any licensed place to sell or serve alcoholic beverages, i.e., restaurants, sports stadiums. Similarly, it is unlawful to bring alcoholic beverages into an unlicensed public business, i.e., restaurants, for consumption due to public consumption prohibition. This can result in sanctions against your license.

Liquor and Beer licenses must be renewed every year. Liquor licenses, unlike many other licenses, are not issued on a calendar year basis. Instead, they expire one year from the date of initial license issuance. Your license applications will be mailed to the business address listed on your application (or mailing address, if designated) at least 90 days before your license expires. If you change the mailing address for your state tax information after your liquor license was issued, your liquor or beer license renewals will be mailed to that new address (we share a standard computer system). Your responsibility is to ensure your license renewal is filed with your local licensing authority at least 45 days before the expiration date. Failure to file your renewal at least 45 days before its expiration may result in the license not being renewed.

Suppose your license expires and you notice its expiration within 90 days from the date of actual expiration. In that case, you can pay an additional late fee to your local authority and an additional late fee to the state licensing authority so that the license can be renewed. These fees are in addition to your license fees. If you do not notice that your license has expired within 90 days from its expiration date, you must apply for a new license. It is unlawful to continue to sell, serve, or distribute alcoholic beverages without valid local and state liquor or beer licenses.

All Retail liquor and beer licensees may purchase their alcohol beverage inventory from a licensed Colorado Brewpub, Winery, or Wholesale license. On-premises licenses licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the licensed premises may purchase up to $2,000 per calendar year of alcohol beverage inventory from a retail liquor store. All purchases must be evidenced by a receipt or invoice, which is to be maintained by the Licensee. (12-47-901(1)(e), 12-47-409, 12-47-411, 12-47-412, 12-47-414, 12-47-415, 12-47-416, 12-47-417, and 12.

It is not unlawful to provide a bartending service off licensed premises for private events. It is unlawful to sell alcoholic beverages (as a caterer, bartender, or another person) without first being licensed. Since liquor and beer licenses are issued to a specific person at a specific place, there exists no license for the “mobile” catering of alcoholic beverages. Those liquor and beer licensees with a Retail Liquor Store License, Drug store license, or a 3.2% Beer license-combination on/off-premises license may deliver alcoholic beverages upon acquiring a delivery permit from the Liquor Enforcement Division. (See 12-47-901(1)(g) and Reg 47-426-47-418, C.R.S.)

LICENSE TYPE &FOOD REQUIREMENTS
HOTEL AND RESTAURANT LICENSE
Must be a bonafide restaurant 12-47-411, Reg. 47-418 with a menu. At least 25% of the sales (between food and drink) must be from the sale of full meals.
TAVERN LIQUOR LICENSE
Must have light snacks (chips, 12-47-412 pretzels, nuts, etc.) and sandwiches (prepackaged pizzas, burritos, subs, etc.) available for consumption during all business hours.
BEER AND WINE LICENSE
Must have light snacks (chips, 12-47-409 pretzels, nuts, etc.) and sandwiches (prepackaged pizzas, burritos, subs, etc.) available for consumption during all business hours.
RETAIL LIQUOR STORE LICENSE
May not sell food items. UPDATE: Will change due to the passage of SB 16-197. Check back for updated information.
BED AND BREAKFAST PERMIT
No food requirements.
LIQUOR LICENSED DRUGSTORE
No food requirements.
OPTIONAL PREMISES LICENSE
No food requirements.
RETAIL GAMING TAVERN LICENSE
Must have light snacks (chips, 12-47-414 pretzels, nuts, etc.) and sandwiches (prepackaged pizzas, burritos, subs,etc.) available for consumption during all business hours. May contract for these items to be provided from other businesses.
CLUB LICENSE (NON-PROFIT ONLY)
No food requirements.
ARTS LICENSE (NON-PROFIT ONLY)
No food requirements.
RACETRACK LICENSE
No food requirements.
BREWPUB LICENSE
Must be a bonafide restaurant 12-47-415 with a menu. At least 15% of the sales (between food and drink) must be from the sale of full meals.
SPECIAL EVENT PERMITS
Sandwiches or other foods must (non-profit be organizations only) must be available during the (5) event.

It is unlawful for a licensee to sell, serve, give, or allow the consumption or possession of alcoholic beverages to or for a person under 21 years. On-premises and 3.2% Beer Licensee, except Tavern Licensees, who do not regularly provide full meals, may employ persons who are at least 18 years of age to participate in the sale of alcoholic beverages. These persons may participate in the selling, serving, or giving of alcoholic beverages as long as they are actively supervised by a person who is at least 21 years old (18 for 3.2% Beer). Because of these violations' many public safety issues, the Division will always initiate an investigation into violations of this nature.