I
t's no secret that Coloradans love to imbibe. More than 10
percent of the nation's craft breweries are found there, as are
well over 100 wineries and about 50 distilleries. And while
the state's 1,600 independent off-premise retailers are happy to
enjoy the fruits of this thriving industry, the state is also facing
the biggest changes to its liquor laws since the end of Prohibition,
leaving these small businesses wondering what's next.
Last year saw liquor stores face off with grocers that wanted
to sell full-strength beer and wine. Senate Bill 197, passed in 2016,
allows grocery stores that have one full-strength alcohol-sales
license per chain to obtain as many as 19 more over the next 20
years if they buy out all licenses within a 1,500-foot radius.
COLORADO
CHANGE COMES TO
20 Beverage Dynamics • July/August 2017
www.beveragedynamics.com
BY SARAH PROTZMAN HOWLETT
