Laws, rules, and regulations for common consumption areas

A common consumption area is a designated area where patrons 21 years old and older can drink alcohol from various liquor-licensed establishments in a common space.

Key features

Key features of Denver's common consumption area laws, rules, and regulations include:

• All common consumption areas must be licensed.
• A common consumption area license can only be issued to a certified promotional association.
• Common consumption area licenses can only be issued in designated entertainment districts.
• Licensees who do not follow the rules could be fined or lose their license.

View the presentation about common consumption areas(PDF, 572KB)

Read the laws

In 2011, the Colorado General Assembly passed a state law allowing local jurisdictions to license common consumption areas. The state Liquor Enforcement Division subsequently adopted agency rules.

Denver City Council adopted a common consumption ordinance on Nov. 12, 2019. 

On April 15, 2021, the Department of Excise and Licenses adopted final rules for common consumption areas. It also approved hearing policies and procedures. These apply to hearings for common consumption area licenses.

The ordinance and rules went into effect on June 1, 2021.