Colorado: Another beer battle brewing at state Capitol ahead of full-strength sales

Source: https://www.thedenverchannel.com

Russell Haythorn

February 13th

The fight over full-strength beer sales outside liquor stores in Colorado is foaming up yet again at the state Capitol. This time it’s all about the age of clerks who can sell beer at grocery and convenience stores.

Colorado has a long-standing love affair with craft beer and microbreweries. But only liquor stores can carry craft and full-strength beer. That will all change come January 1, 2019, when Senate Bill 197 goes into effect.

The 2016 bill will allow places like King Soopers and 7-Eleven to sell full-strength beer, as long as they pay a premium for the license to do so. Right now, Colorado retailers that want to sell beer can only carry the 3.2 brews, which is about half the alcohol content of full strength.

But many, especially liquor store owners, are crying foul. They say since their employees have to be 21 or over to sell beer, then the same rules should apply to the new crop of full-strength beer sellers that will come online next year.

And at least one state Senator thinks the same way. Republican Senate Majority Leader Chris Holbert is trying to pass a bill this session that requires anyone who sells full-strength beer or liquor to be 21.

“I think it’s unsafe, and they’re talking about every single one of them suddenly overnight being able to sell full strength,” said Lisa Von Feldt, General manager at The Wine Seller and spirits too.

But others feel it should be no different than restaurants.

Brad Manske with the Viewhouse restaurant points out that many of his servers are underage.

“They’re trained to check ID’s and they should be TIPS certified,” Manske said.

For now, it’s a beer lover’s world. But who can serve what remains a bit foggy.