A bill making its way through the Colorado Capitol has sparked debate over where hard liquor should be sold. Proponents, including some lawmakers and small business owners, argue that current laws make it too easy to buy liquor and are harming small liquor stores.
House Bill 1373 proposes several changes, including restricting hard liquor sales to liquor stores. Currently, some grocery stores and convenience stores have licenses to sell spirits alongside beer and wine. The bill would phase out these existing licenses and prevent new ones from being issued. Additionally, it would limit the alcohol content of beer and wine sold in grocery stores to 14% or less.
Supporters of the bill say this is simply following the will of voters. They argue that when voters approved the sale of beer and wine in grocery stores, they didn’t intend for hard liquor to be included. This change, they say, would protect small businesses and ensure a clearer separation between different types of alcohol sales.
However, opponents argue that the bill goes against what voters already decided and restricts consumer choice. They also express concerns about the potential impact on enforcement of liquor laws. The bill has bipartisan support and is scheduled to be debated in committee next week.
