DATE: December 8, 2020
On Monday, December 7th, Governor Polis signed Senate Bill 20B-001 into law, bringing much needed aid to our struggling industry and providing opportunity for economic relief for some of our hardest-hit on-premises licensees. The bill provides for a number of assistance points for eligible licensees, which are detailed below:
(1) SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF PROGRAM
The bill establishes a small business relief program whereby eligible small businesses that have demonstrably suffered declines in revenue may apply to receive relief payments through participating local governments. Please review the bill for details on additional eligibility requirements; and we encourage you to contact your local licensing authorities, directly, regarding application and administration of the grant. The following liquor licensees are eligible for relief funds if they meet all outlined criteria.
- Restaurants – including any liquor licensed establishment holding a hotel and restaurant license pursuant to section 44-3-413, C.R.S.;
- Bars – including a liquor licensed establishment holding one or more of the following licenses:
- Limited Winery License (44-3-403, C.R.S.); o Beer and Wine License (44-3-411, C.R.S.);
- Hotel and Restaurant License (44-3-413, C.R.S.);
- Tavern License (44-3-414, C.R.S.); o Optional Premise License (44-3-415, C.R.S.);
- Retail Gaming Tavern License (44-3-416, C.R.S.); o Brew Pub License (44-3-417, C.R.S.);
- Club License (44-3-418, C.R.S.);
- Arts License (44-3-419, C.R.S.);
- Racetrack License (44-3-420, C.R.S.); o Vintner’s Restaurant License (44-3-422, C.R.S.);
- Distillery Pub License (44-3-426, C.R.S.);
- Lodging and Entertainment License (44-3-428, C.R.S.);
- Fermented Malt Beverage (FMB) On-Premises License (44-4-107(1)(b), C.R.S.);
- FMB On-and-Off Premises License (44-4-107(1)(c), C.R.S.); o Breweries operating an approved attached sales room (44-3-407, C.R.S.);
- Wineries that operate an approved attached sales room (44-3-402 and 44-3-403, C.R.S.); and
- Distilleries that operate an approved attached sales room (44-3-402, C.R.S.).
*We strongly encourage you to reach out to your local governments regarding the grant program, as LED is not responsible for application to, or administration of, grant funds*
(2) FEE WAIVERS FOR ELIGIBLE LICENSEES
Additionally, SB 20B-001 provides that License Fees, Application Fees, Renewal Fees*, and COVID-19 Modification Fees for the STATE Licensing authority will be waived for eligible licensees from December 7, 2020 through December 7, 2021.
Licensees who are eligible for this fee waiver are holders of a:
-
- Limited Winery License (44-3-403, C.R.S.);
- Beer and Wine License (44-3-411, C.R.S.);
- Hotel and Restaurant License (44-3-413, C.R.S.) and related optional premises;
- Resort Complex to include related facilities;
- Campus Liquor Complex to include related facilities;
- Tavern License (44-3-414, C.R.S.);
- Optional Premise License (44-3-415, C.R.S.);
- Retail Gaming Tavern License (44-3-416, C.R.S.);
- Brew Pub License (44-3-417, C.R.S.);
- Club License (44-3-418, C.R.S.);
- Arts License (44-3-419, C.R.S.);
- Racetrack License (44-3-420, C.R.S.);
- Vintner’s Restaurant License (44-3-422, C.R.S.);
- Distillery Pub License (44-3-426, C.R.S.);
- Lodging and Entertainment License (44-3-428, C.R.S.);
- Fermented Malt Beverage (FMB) On-Premises License (44-4-107(1)(b), C.R.S.);
- FMB On-and-Off Premises License (44-4-107(1)(c), C.R.S.).
Late renewal applications will have the $500.00 late renewal fee/reissuance fee and the $25.00 a day late fee waived by the State Licensing Authority only per this bill.
While LED knows that these measures may not be the ultimate solution to the economic duress faced by the alcohol beverage industry during this pandemic, we hope that these programs can provide some desperately needed assistance in these times where every dollar counts. It is more important than ever that we all work together to put the health and safety of our customers, employees, and communities at the forefront as we look forward to a full recovery as a stronger, more resilient industry in the near future.
The Division reserves the right to amend or withdraw industry bulletins at any time but will try to give as much forewarning as possible before any such amendment or withdrawal.
Please reach out to: dor_led@state.co.us with any questions you may have regarding this bulletin.
Colorado Liquor Enforcement Division