Colorado liquor license attorney Brian Proffitt attended this year’s Alliance of Alcohol Industry Attorneys and Consultants annual conference in Savannah, GA. The conference is the cumulation of the years’ work of our member liquor professionals across the United States and Canada. This invitation-only group of outstanding professionals meets each year to discuss the alcohol beverage laws facing our industry and to mingle with those instrumental in drafting and interpreting these laws in an effort to help our clients obtain and maintain
The Colorado Brewers Guild held its 2nd Annual Colorado Craft Brewers Summit on Sunday and Monday in Fort Collins, Colorado. Alcohol licensing attorney Robert Runco, spoke during the Sunday portion of the event, providing a primer for Colorado brewers on the licensing basics facing each brewery and the common compliance issues they face. He also was on a panel with other representatives from the Colorado Brewers Guild discussing upcoming statutory and regulatory changes in the Colorado liquor industry.
2017 was a relatively quiet year on the legislative front for the Colorado liquor industry. While 2018 does not bring the same sweeping changes to the Colorado liquor industry that came in 2017, there are several modifications that businesses should understand.
While the Colorado liquor industry continues to adjust to the current and prepare for the upcoming changes resulting from SB16-197, most legislative changes in 2017 came in the form of ensuring continuity between similar licenses. Legislation was passed that returned
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently sent letters to breweries and other beverage manufacturers in the southern half of Colorado informing them of an increase in inspections. OSHA has stated that the inspections are the result of a perceived increase in work-related injuries at beverage manufacturers over the last several years, most likely due to the dramatically increased number of manufacturers over the last several years. The observed injury rates are double, and in some cases five times the national
While starting any new business requires careful planning and meticulous preparation, the myriad of regulation surrounding obtaining a Colorado liquor license requires special attention. There are several additional regulatory agencies with jurisdiction over alcohol licensees, and they all have different timelines and requirements for licensing. Having a well-developed plan and all of your documents prepared ahead of time can significantly speed up the process of opening your doors.
The type of license you intend to operate will have a significant impact
Earlier today, liquor licensing attorney, Robert Runco, spoke at the Craft Brewing Event Conference which is hosted by Left Hand Brewing Company. Mr. Runco was on a panel with representatives from the Colorado Liquor Enforcement Division where they discussed liquor license compliance matters for brewers. The main areas discussed with the nearly 300 brewers in attendance were special events permits and how breweries can best work with nonprofits. For details about next year’s conference, keep an eye on Left Hand’s Upcoming
The production distribution and sale of alcohol in the United States is one of the most highly regulated industries in the county. Not only are there federal regulations, but state, and often local regulations can affect the operations of your brewery, winery, or distillery.
On the federal level, alcohol is regulated by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). All commercial producers of beer, wine, or spirits in the United States must first receive permission to do so from
The liquor licensing process can be very complex and confusing. It is imperative that applicants begin their journey on the right path. There are over 30 types of liquor licenses and permits in Colorado, many having overlapping privileges and they all have distinct differences. Many of these licenses also have different levels of regulatory approval. Without the proper information and guidance, this can often lead to an application for a type of license that doesn’t meet your intended operations. Choosing the
As 2017 begins, several important changes are taking effect in the Colorado Liquor industry. SB-197 was passed by the Colorado legislature in May of 2016 and signed by Governor Hickenlooper on June 10, 2016, allowing the expansion of alcohol sales in retail liquor stores and liquor-licensed drugstores. Many of the provisions of the bill have now gone into effect as of January 1, 2017.
Colorado has two types of licenses that permit the sale of beer, wine, and spirits for off-premises