Colorado Legislature Considers Making Alcohol To-Go Sales Permanent for Restaurants
A bill is making its way through the Colorado legislative session, aiming to make alcohol to-go sales at restaurants a permanent fixture. Originally introduced four years ago as a response to pandemic-related dining restrictions, this legislation seeks to support the struggling restaurant industry by allowing them to continue offering alcohol takeout.
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In 2020, when the pandemic first hit, Governor Jared Polis issued an emergency executive order that permitted restaurants to sell alcoholic beverages and cocktails for takeout. In 2021, a bill was signed into law to extend this allowance, but it is set to expire next year, prompting the need for further action.
The Colorado Restaurant Association recently conducted a survey to assess the impact of offering alcohol to-go. An impressive 90% of business owners responded, with 80% stating that alcohol to-go sales accounted for one to ten percent of their liquor sales.
Colin Larson, the director of government affairs with the Restaurant Association, emphasized that the current law has been instrumental in supporting restaurants financially. Many establishments rely on alcohol to-go sales as a crucial component of their revenue stream, with its continuation often being the difference between profitability and operating at a loss.
"Restaurants that have been using it have cited that it's a great way for them to bring that little extra bit of profit margin," Larson explained. "For a lot of restaurants, it's a small, but important part of their revenues."
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It is important to note that SB24-020 does not alter the existing limits imposed on alcohol to-go sales. These limits include no more than one liter of hard liquor, no more than two standard six-packs, and no more than 1.5 liters of wine.