CO SB054

Allows alcohol beverage licensees to petition the state or local licensing authority to pay a fine instead of serving a license suspension of 14 days or less before the suspension takes effect.

Licensing authority may grant the petition only if satisfied that: (1) public welfare and morals would not be impaired by continued operation and the fine achieves disciplinary purposes; (2) licensee's books and records accurately reflect potential lost sales from the suspension; and (3) licensee has not had a suspension, revocation, or fine-paid suspension in the prior two years.

Licensing authority retains sole discretion to approve or deny the petition and may stay the proposed suspension while investigating the request.

Applies to final suspension decisions issued by state or local licensing authorities on or after the act's effective date.