Welcome to the Department of Excise and Licenses Liquor Licensing. The Liquor Licensing Division is responsible for accepting, processing, and issuing or denying all liquor licenses in the City of Denver. This includes new applications, applications for changes in ownership, applications for modifications, and all other changes and documents required to be filed with the local liquor licensing authority.
It is also responsible for enforcing the city's municipal codes and the state's liquor laws regarding liquor licensing and conduct of licensed establishments. This division also processes and issues or denies cabaret licenses for the city. The Division schedules and conducts public hearings on all new applications, on applications for changes in ownership as appropriate, and on modifications as appropriate.
The Liquor Licensing Division issues show cause orders for violations of City or State laws. The Division schedules and holds hearings on alleged violations and takes appropriate disciplinary action. The Division employs attorneys as Hearings Officers to conduct these hearings; however, the Director issues the final decisions.
The legal requirements governing liquor licenses are established by the State of Colorado and the City and County of Denver. The State laws regarding liquor licenses are: Fermented Malt Beverages (12-46-101 C.R.S. (2008)); Alcohol Beverages (12-47-101 C.R.S. (2008)); Liquors - Special Event Permits (12-48-101 C.R.S. (2008)); and State regulations promulgated pursuant to those statutory requirements (1 C.C.R. 203-2, Regulation 470). The City and County ordinances regarding liquor licenses (and other business licenses) are in the Municipal Code at Licenses, Chapter 32, D.R.M.C.
The Policies and Procedures pertaining to liquor and 3.2 beer licenses of the City and County of Denver’s Department of Excise and Licenses (“the Department”) have been written to implement and interpret the laws referred to above. The Department’s Policies and Procedures set forth the standard practices of the Department for informational and guidance purposes only. They may be modified or adapted in the discretion of the Director of the Department, as required to address particular matters and to the extent permitted by law.