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SB 197

Licensing & Regs   >   SB 197
November 20, 2024

In 2016, the legislature passed Senate Bill 197, which represents the largest overhaul of our alcohol regulations since prohibition. 

A committee made up of industry representatives is working with regulators to craft rules that will guide the implementation of this complicated new law. 

Below is the timeline of how major changes will be phased in under SB 197.  For more information on SB 197, such as the rulemaking process and educational trainings, please visit LED's website: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/enforcement/SB16-197

07 / 01 / 2016

DISTANCE RESTRICTIONS EFFECTIVE

1,500 and 3,000 feet distance restriction on new off-premises retail licenses effective;

  • Retail liquor stores may sell non-alcohol items, provided that they do not exceed 20% of the stores total sales;
  • Liquor-licensed drugstores and retail liquor stores are required to ID anyone who appears below the age of 50;
  • Wholesalers shall make all products available to all licensed retailers without discrimination, this does not prohibit a wholesaler from establishing reasonable allocation procedures when the anticipated demand for a product is greater than the supply.
  • No transfers shall be approved until each wholesaler servicing a retailer certifies all invoices are paid.
01 / 01 / 2018

LIQUOR INDUSTRY WORKING GROUP

Liquor industry working group must report findings and recommendations.

01 / 01 / 2019

MALT LIQUOR DEFINITIONS (BEER IS BEER)

Malt liquor and fermented malt beverages given same definition (beer is beer);

  • Unless otherwise addressed by legislature, all 3.2 beer licenses convert to full-strength beer licenses;
  • Unless otherwise addressed by legislature, all licensees that were prevented from selling 3.2 beer may sell all beer.
01 / 01 / 2032

LIQUOR-LICENSED DRUGSTORE LICENSED PRIOR TO 1/1/2016

Liquor-licensed drugstore licensed prior to January 1, 2016 may obtain up to 20 total licenses.

08 / 01 / 2016

3.2 BEER ISSUES

Liquor industry working group must convene to address repeal of 3.2 beer issues.

01 / 01 / 2017

LIQUOR-LICENSED DRUGSTORE LICENSED PRIOR TO 1/1/2017

Liquor-licensed drugstore licensed prior to January 1, 2016 may obtain up to 5 total licenses;

  • Liquor-licensed drugstores must begin paying for all orders COD;
  • Liquor-licensed drugstores must have at least one permitted manager that conducts all ordering;
  • Liquor-licensed drugstores that obtain more than one license must purchase at least two other retail licenses (issued before May 1, 2016) for each new license;
  • Liquor-licensed drugstores must begin reporting on their renewal that at least 20% of sales comes from food items as defined by state licensing authority;
  • Liquor-licensed drugstores may not sell any alcohol below cost;
  • Liquor-licensed drugstores may not permit consumers to purchase alcohol from a self-checkout counter;
  • Liquor-licensed drugstores may not sell clothing or accessories that advertise alcohol beverages;
  • Liquor-licensed drugstores must be certified as a responsible alcohol beverage vendor
  • Retail liquor stores licensed prior to January 1, 2016 may obtain up to 2 total licenses.
01 / 01 / 2022

LIQUOR-LICENSED DRUGSTORE LICENSED PRIOR TO 1/1/2016

Liquor-licensed drugstore licensed prior to January 1, 2016 may obtain up to 8 total licenses;

  • Retail liquor stores licensed prior to January 1, 2016 may obtain up to 3 total licenses.
01 / 01 / 2037

LIQUOR-LICENSED DRUGSTORE LICENSED PRIOR TO 1/1/2016

Liquor-licensed drugstore licensed prior to January 1, 2016 may obtain an unlimited amount of licenses.