Bill To Expand Spirits And Wine To Groceries In Colorado Passes Legislature, But Governor Is Undecided

Colorado’s legislature has approved the biggest change to the state’s liquor regulations since Prohibition, allowing spirits, wine and full-strength beer in grocery stores. But Governor John Hickenlooper says he isn’t yet ready to sign the bill into law, and grocers including King Soopers and Safeway say they still intend to pursue separate ballot initiatives to make more aggressive changes this fall.

Currently only 3.2%-abv beer is sold in Colorado groceries. The bill would phase in spirits, wine and full-strength beer beginning next year, and also gradually raise the number of retail drinks licenses permitted per owner from the current one to five next year, and eventually an unlimited number by 2037. The measure would mandate that grocers purchase drinks licenses from two liquor stores in their area—or all licenses within a 1,500-square-foot radius.

Tagged : King Soopers, Safeway

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