
Submitted by Adele L. Reester
Have a liquor license or thinking about getting one for your business: knowing the ins and outs can make all the difference.Liquor licensing of restaurants, taverns, stores, and other establishments is governed by a variety of state laws and regulations, legal decisions, and local rules established by individual Local Licensing Authority (“LLA”). Each municipality or county establishes its own LLA, which may be its judge, a hearing officer, the city council, the county commissioners, or even an appointed citizen board like the one used by the City of Boulder. In Longmont, the City utilizes its municipal judge, while outside city limits Boulder County’s Board of County Commissioners has appointed a hearing officer.
Starting the liquor license process, the applicant will need to complete the state application forms and also comply with any locally established rules. While there are uniform requirements that apply across the board to all applicants throughout the state, having knowledge of the local rules is essential for a smooth application route from start to finish. Longmont is a prime example where local rules create additional burdens on an applicant; some of the City’s local rules include: completion of a City application and other financial release forms; submission of three letters of reference that address the applicant’s (and perhaps registered manager’s) moral character and financial abilities; and deadlines for submitting neighborhood survey results and other evidence prior to the public hearing. Applicants need to assure that applications are complete or they will be rejected.