Liquor Licenses and Permits Defined

Retail Liquor Store (RLS) license permits the sale to the public of malt, vinous, and spirituous liquors in sealed containers for consumption off the premises.  May deliver alcohol and have tastings on-premises.  No Christmas Day sales of sealed alcohol allowed. Allows for sales by persons 18-20 yrs. old, no adult supervision required. *

Liquor-Licensed Drug Store (LLDS) license permits licensed drugstores to sell malt, vinous, and spirituous liquors to the public in sealed containers for consumption off the premises.  May deliver alcohol; no tastings or alcohol-related clothing. No Christmas day sales of alcohol allowed.*  * $0 from RLS; all liquor from licensed Wholesalers

Tavern license permits the sale to the public of malt, vinous, and spirituous liquors for consumption on the premises.  Sandwiches and light snacks at all times of alcohol sales.   Removal of partially consumed bottle of wine allowed.  Employees must be 21 unless full meals are sold. The primary business is the sale of alcohol.

Lodging and Entertainment (L&E) license permits the sale to the public of malt, vinous, and spirituous liquors for consumption on the premises in open containers.  Sandwiches and light snacks at all times of alcohol sales.  Not to include rooms for alcohol service.  Removal of partially consumed bottle of wine allowed.

Hotel and Restaurant (H&R)(H&R w/OP) license permits restaurants, and hotels with restaurant facilities, to sell malt, vinous, and spirituous liquors to the public for consumption within the licensed premises. Room service allowed, must have a sanitary kitchen and 25% gross from the sale of meals.  Sandwiches and light snacks required after the kitchen closes.  Removal of partially consumed bottle of wine allowed.

Can request to be designated Resort complex or Campus complex with related facilities

If applicable with related outdoor sports and recreational facilities, can request additional Optional Premises (OPs) locations on or adjacent to the facility.  No food requirements for the Ops. Servers18-20 yr. old under direct adult supervision.

Brewpub license permits the sale of malt, vinous, and liquors to the public on the licensed premises.  Allows the manufacture of malt liquor, fermented malt beverages, and sale for off-premises consumption, during times similar to a retail liquor store.  No Christmas day off-premises sales.  Must have 15% gross from the sale of food.  Wholesale to retailer allowed without a separate license. (Distillery pubs and Vintners Restaurants have similar rules for their alcohol types.)

Beer and Wine (B&W) license permits the sale of malt and vinous liquors only to the public for consumption on the licensed premises. Sandwiches and light snacks at all times of alcohol sales.  Removal of partially consumed bottle of wine allowed.

Club license permits qualifying non-profit corporations to sell malt, vinous, or spirituous liquors to members and their guests for consumption on the premises.  Can hold Special event permit for public consumption.  No food requirements.  Removal of partially consumed bottle of wine allowed if sandwiches and light snacks are served

Arts license permits qualifying non-profit corporations and municipalities to sell malt, vinous, and spirituous liquors to patrons of artistic and cultural performances for consumption on the premises in connection with such productions or performances.  No food requirements. Special event permits can be issued for public consumption.

Fermented Malt Beverages (Beer) (FMB) licenses are issued for two types of consumption; on or off-premises  Off-premises is the most common, being held by convenience or grocery stores. Starting on January 1, 2019, it will also allow for the delivery of such beer to the consumers if they meet the 20% food requirements. No Christmas Day sales of FMB allowed. Allows for sales by persons 18-20 yrs. old, no adult supervision required.

Optional Premises (OP) licenses permits the sale of Malt, Vinous and Spirituous liquors at outdoor sports and recreation facilities.  These facilities can be discretionary and have additional standards set by the local authorities by adopting an ordinance or resolution.  No food requirements; can store alcohol off-premises; no change of Mgr. reporting; can be turned on and off with 48 hr. notification to both local and State authorities at no additional charge. 

PERMITS

Bed and Breakfast (B&B) permits allow complimentary alcohol beverages to be provided only to overnight guests during limited hours for consumption on the premises.  No needs and desires are required. No needs and desires required.

Art Gallery permits allow complimentary alcohol beverages to be provided for consumption on the premises if their primary purpose is the exhibit and sale of works of fine art, semi or precious metals or stones.  15 days a year, no food requirements, no more than 250 people allowed at one time.  No needs and desires required.

Special Event Permits (SEP’s) are issued to non-profit organizations, incorporated under Colorado State law and municipalities.  Allows the sale of beer, wine, spirits, or separately Fermented beer to the public, in open containers on the permitted area. 15 days a year, sandwiches or food snack need to be available, Liquor: 7 a.m. – 2 a.m. the next day or Fermented beer: 5 a.m. – 12 p.m. midnight.