This story was produced as part of the Colorado Capitol 暗黑爆料 Alliance. It first appeared at .
Gov. Jared Polis has signed a bill that halts the expansion of hard liquor sales in grocery and big-box stores in an effort to protect small businesses that sell alcohol from further economic decline.
was brought in response to the recent expansion of beer and wine sales in grocery stores, which has dramatically reduced the sales of Colorado鈥檚 independent alcohol retailers.
Colorado law limits the number of grocery stores that can sell hard liquor, like vodka, tequila and whiskey. But that was set to end starting in 2037.
There are 36 Colorado grocery and big-box stores that sell liquor right now.
鈥淭his bill was a David vs. Goliath fight 鈥� small Colorado businesses vs. deep-pocketed corporations 鈥� but it received overwhelming support because it will help Colorado鈥檚 family-owned, independent liquor stores compete fairly,鈥� Chris Carran of the Colorado Independent Liquor Store Association said in a written statement.
Carran said independent alcohol retailers still face headwinds, but Senate Bill 33 gives them a chance to make it through.
鈥淚t is a lifeline,鈥� Carran said.
Supporters of the measure worried that Polis might veto the bill given his reluctance to place constraints on free market business. His deadline to sign the bill, veto it or let it become law without his signature was last weekend.
In a signing statement, Polis said he has 鈥渟erious concerns that this legislation takes Colorado鈥檚 liquor laws backward, not forward.鈥�
鈥淲hile the pro-free-market and pro-consumer evolution over recent years might have been a burden on small, independently run liquor stores, a permanent freeze on (letting grocery stores sell hard liquor) puts the state government in the position of picking winners and losers,鈥� Polis wrote in the statement. 鈥淭o that end, I hope both sides are willing to work together to find a more lasting compromise putting the consumer first.鈥�
Nevertheless, Polis said the overwhelming legislative support for Senate Bill 33 led him to sign the measure into law. Senate Bill 33 passed the House by a 55-8 vote and the Senate by a 28-5 vote.
鈥淚鈥檓 grateful that Gov. Polis has given his support to this bill that passed with wide, bipartisan support,鈥� state Sen. Dylan Roberts, a Frisco Democrat and lead sponsor of the measure, said in a written statement. 鈥淚ndependent liquor stores are important small businesses in communities across the state. Without this law, we鈥檇 see more local job layoffs and more closures of these stores.鈥�
The measure was opposed by Amazon, Albertsons Safeway, King Soopers, Target and Walmart. Colorado grocery, convenience and big-box stores started being able to sell full-strength beer . Voters then passed an letting grocery stores start selling wine in 2023.
Small businesses that sell alcohol have complained that both changes have destroyed their bottom line.