Colorado Proposition 124 (STATUTORY) (2022)
NO / AGAINST. Proposition 124 is related to alcohol regulation and is one of three related measures on the November ballot, and is probably the most consequential for the industry.
Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes concerning increasing the number of retail liquor store licenses in which a person may hold an interest, and, in connection therewith, phasing in the increase by allowing up to 8 licenses by December 31, 2026, up to 13 licenses by December 31, 2031, up to 20 licenses by December 31, 2036, and an unlimited number of licenses on or after January 1, 2037?
NO / AGAINST. The issue of alcohol licensing limitations is not a new one. From Colorado Politics in 2017, on recent the previous year’s action: “The passage of last year’s bill, Senate Bill 197, headed off as many as five proposed ballot measures to allow some combination of beer, wine and liquor sales in grocery and other stores, which the owners of smaller liquor stores worried would have led to the demise of mom-and-pop stores, particularly in rural Colorado.”
The Colorado Blue Book has a helpful graphic comparing current with the Prop 124 proposal:
I think voters need to weigh any potential benefits of passing Prop 124 with the costs. The current law was drafted as a compromise of sorts — allowing some protection of local and smaller businesses. While the new proposal would eventually remove such limits, and likely drive more intense competition from larger-scale liquor retailers.
I do not find the pro arguments compelling enough. Particularly since promoting competition to drive down the price of alcohol is likely not in the best interest of our communities and health more generally. I am voting no.
Additional Reporting, Commentary, and Sources
Colorado Proposition 124, Retail Liquor Store Licenses Initiative (2022) – Ballotpedia
Colorado Blue Book – Proposition 124 – State of Colorado
Why Locally Owned Liquor Stores Are Worried About 3 Upcoming Ballot Measures – 5280 Magazine
2017 – New Grocery Store Liquor Licensing Laws in Colorado – JBP Legal