Colorado’s liquor license laws are out of step with the rest of the country. New, common sense legislation will allow some grocery stores to sell liquor by purchasing a retail liquor license from an existing liquor store. House Bill 1279 is:

A win for shoppers. Your neighborhood grocery store will offer more convenience. A fair and equitable retail liquor market means competitive prices in stores. Customers will continue to enjoy a broad selection of beer, wine and spirits from whichever store they choose.

A win for liquor store owners and small businesses. Store owners will have the freedom to negotiate to sell their liquor license and their business. Or they can keep the license and continue operating in a fair, regulated market.

A win for neighborhood grocery stores. Grocery stores will have the freedom to do what is best for their customers: the option to sell liquor if they choose or continue operating solely as a grocery store.

A win for local communities and taxpayers. With this fair, free-market approach, communities maintain the approval and enforcement authority they have today so that liquor licenses reflect the needs and desires of the communities where they operate. Safety will continue to be the highest priority.

Colorado is proud of its craft brewers and wineries. Read our case study to discover how these local industries benefit from similar laws already enacted in other states.