CO SB195

Starting July 1, 2017, retail liquor store licensees licensed before January 1, 2017, who have been Colorado residents for at least 2 years must transfer ownership of at least 2 existing licensed retail liquor stores in the same jurisdiction, change location of one store, and merge the 2 licenses into a single license to obtain additional licenses.

Qualifying retail liquor store licensees can obtain: 4 additional licenses (5 total) by July 1, 2017; 7 additional licenses (8 total) by January 1, 2022; 12 additional licenses (13 total) by January 1, 2027; 19 additional licenses (20 total) by January 1, 2032; and unlimited additional licenses by January 1, 2037.

New retail liquor store premises must be located at least 1,500 feet from other licensed retail liquor stores in the same jurisdiction, or 3,000 feet in municipalities with populations of 10,000 or fewer.

Retail liquor stores must prohibit self-checkout for alcohol purchases, verify customer age with valid identification, and maintain responsible alcohol beverage vendor certification.

Employees under 21 years old are prohibited from delivering or handling alcohol beverages offered for sale or removed from the licensed premises.