Liquor Licenses

How to apply for a liquor license, process timeline, and related resources.

Liquor licenses are issued by "dual" licensing authorities. Applications are submitted to the local authority and must be approved before being forwarded to the State of Colorado Liquor Enforcement Division.

Who Can Get a License?

• Colorado liquor licenses may be issued in the name of natural persons, corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies. Applicants and other persons involved with partnerships, corporations, or limited liability companies must be at least 21 years of age. Persons under 21 may be involved with an established trust as long as the trustee is at least 21 and the person under 21 cannot benefit from the trust until that person reaches the age of 21.
• All corporations and limited liability companies must be registered with the Colorado Secretary of State's Office. Foreign corporations and foreign limited liability companies must also be registered with the Secretary of State and be authorized to do business in Colorado.
• Applicants do not have to be a United States citizen or a Colorado resident to acquire a liquor license and the existence of a criminal record does not preclude a person from licensure. However, applicants with criminal records must be able to provide evidence of rehabilitation or they may be denied a license.
• Applicants unfamiliar with the application process may want to consult an attorney.
• For information about the liquor licensing process or upcoming meetings of the Beverage Licensing Authority, contact the licensing office at LicensingOnline@bouldercolorado.gov or 303-441-4192.

Decision Guidelines

• New licenses are granted based upon demonstration that the surrounding neighborhood "needs and desires" the issuance of a new license and that the moral character of the applicant is acceptable to the local and state licensing authorities.
• Transfer of Ownership licenses are granted based upon the moral character of the applicant.
• Permanent Modifications are granted based upon the neighborhood “needs and desires” for the proposed change to the licensed premise.

Liquor License Process Timeline

The liquor license process generally takes three to four months or longer to complete.

For new licenses, the first step is to obtain Zoning Location Analysis Approval through the Planning and Zoning Department. The instructions are included in the license application packet.