Colorado's liquor laws up for debate in '08

Robert Arrington stocks wine at a new Safeway in Littleton. The grocery used a law that lets each chain have one store in the state with a full alcohol selection. Robert Arrington Liquor Manager for the new Safeway store at 181 W. Mineral ave in Littleton, stocks shelves with bottles of wine. This safeway is the first and only supermarket that has been given a liquor license in the state. (Photo: Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)

Booze and beer are up for debate at the Capitol next year, and lobbyists hope people are tired of the Sunday liquor ban and grocery stores without wine.

State legislators are considering changing both laws, as well as letting art galleries and jewelry shops hand out free glasses of Chianti.

Lawmakers have tried lifting the Sunday liquor ban a few times, most recently in 2005.

"I've always found our liquor laws, particularly a ban on Sunday sales, to be antiquated," said Sen. Jennifer Veiga, D-Denver. "It just makes no sense."

Colorado is one of 16 states with so-called blue laws prohibiting alcohol sales on Sundays.

Veiga, who lost to the powerful liquor lobby last time she ran the bill, is thinking about trying again in 2008.

Most of her constituents seemed to support the legislation in 2005; it was the outspoken liquor store owners who objected. They worried that operation costs would increase but sales numbers would remain the same over seven days instead of six.

"My hope is that people's sentiments have changed," Veiga said.

A quiet lobbying effort also is underway to change the law regarding grocery stores, which now can sell only beer that's 3.2 percent alcohol or less by weight.

A little-known law allows each grocery chain to apply for a license to sell full-strength beer, wine and hard liquor in just one of its Colorado stores. A handful of chains have gone that route, including Safeway, which recently opened a Littleton store where shoppers can pick up a bottle of vodka with their loaf of bread.

Grocery sellers hope customer popularity at the Safeway store and others will build momentum to expand the law.

"People clearly understand that grocery stores currently sell 3.2 beer safely and securely and are responsible about it," said Sean Duffy of the Kenney Group, a public relations firm hired by the Food Merchants Association.

And shoppers crave the convenience, he said.

"When they are buying their Thanksgiving turkey, they wouldn't mind talking to somebody about pairing it with their side dishes or a good bottle of wine," Duffy said.

The legislation, still being crafted, would allow grocery stores to sell full-strength beer and wine — but not on Sundays. Proponents are shopping for a lawmaker to sponsor it.

A third legislative proposal would let high-end establishments, including art galleries, fur dealers, jewelry shops and salons, give out free wine. The bill would allow businesses to buy a $75 license to serve alcohol up to 15 days each year.

Until last spring, many Denver galleries were offering wine at art openings and the "First Friday Art Walks" along Santa Fe Drive. Then the Denver Department of Excise and Licenses told galleries that the existing law didn't permit that.

"I can see where a glass of wine can tend to relax a person and put them in a better mood to appreciate the quality of the art they're looking at," said Rep. Joel Judd, the Denver Democrat who wants to sponsor the bill. "They might be more willing to get a checkbook out and actually buy the stuff."

Kevin Paul, owner of 44T Artspace in Denver, said patrons expect a glass of wine at gallery openings.

"It's, in a sense, a tradition," he said.

Jennifer Brown: 303-954-1593 or jenbrown@denverpost.com

Bookmark/Search this post with: