Liquor Licenses

Instructions for Special Event Liquor Permit Applications

The purpose of this checklist is to provide general information on the application process for a special event liquor
permit in unincorporated Boulder County. Special event permits are available to non-profit organizations. Applications
must be submitted at least 45 days prior to the event date.

Before Submitting an Application:

Please review all required documents below. Please contact Boulder County Liquor Licensing with any questions.

• Permit Fee
  • Beer, Wine & Liquor — $25.00 (per day) to Boulder County Treasurer
  • Fermented Malt Beverages only — $10.00 (per day) to Boulder County Treasurer
  • No fees are required for the Colorado Department of Revenue
• Boulder County Special Event Permit Application
• Colorado Department of Revenue form DR8439
• Certificate of Good Standing
  • Issued by Colorado Secretary of State within last two years.
  • Certificates can be obtained from the Colorado Secretary of State website.
• Diagram of area to be licensed
  • Any area where alcohol will be served, stored, or consumed must be outlined in bold black
  • Identify entrances and exits, bars, tables, stages, and food areas
  • Note how the licensed area will be controlled (such as walls, fencing, ropes, barriers, etc.)
• Written permission to use premises
  • Copy of deed, lease, or letter of permission from property owner
  • Written permission must be in name of nonprofit applicant
• If a parking plan is necessary, submit parking diagrams and written permission to use the parking areas if they are not included on the event venue’s property.

Submitting an Application:

Contact staff for the application form. The completed application materials can be submitted by:

• Email – liquorlicensing@bouldercounty.gov
• Mail – Boulder County CP&P, PO Box 471, Boulder, CO 80306, Attn: Liquor Licensing
• In Person – 2045 13th Street, Boulder, CO 80302

After Submitting an Application:

After all application materials have been submitted, you will receive a property posting and affidavit via email. The applicant will need to print and display the property posting for ten days at the event location. When the ten days have elapsed, the applicant will sign the affidavit and email it to liquorlicensing@bouldercounty.gov.

State Applications and Forms

Colorado Department of Revenue – Liquor Forms By Number

Applying for a New License

Applications can be made for a new license. The process for this is lengthy, with the average time between application and local approval being at least two to three months. After local approval, the application is sent to the state for review and approval. Contact liquorlicensing@bouldercounty.gov to begin the process.

New Liquor License Application Checklist:

• Colorado Liquor Retail License Application form DR8404
• Individual History Record form DR8404-I
• Proof of property possession
• Copies of purchase agreement or stock transfer agreement (if applicable)
• Copies of notes or loans (if applicable)
• Site plan showing location of structures and parking facilities
• Premise diagram for proposed licensed area
• If building is not yet built, a plot plan, plans for interior, and architect’s drawing
• Defined neighborhood
• Sample petition
• List of liquor licenses in defined neighborhood
• Colorado Department of Revenue fees
• Boulder County Treasurer fees
• Fingerprints (submitted electronically)

Limited Liability Company Documents (if applicable):

• Copy of Articles of Organization or Certificate of Authority (if foreign company)
• Copy of Operating Agreement
• Certificate of Good Standing

Corporate Documents (if applicable):

• Certificate of Incorporation or Certificate of Good Standing if corporation is older than two years;
  Certificate of Authorization if a foreign company
• Articles of Incorporation
• Minutes of last organizational meeting (showing elections of current corporate officers, directors, and stockholders)

Partnership Documents (if applicable):

• Partnership Agreement
• Spouses or partners in a civil union (no written agreement)

Hotel And Restaurant Licenses Only:

• Affidavit from applicant stating that the primary purpose of the business is to serve food and not less than 25% of the gross income will be from sale of food and non-alcoholic drinks

New Liquor License Instructions

New Liquor License Applications in Boulder County:

The purpose of the following information is to provide general information on the application process for a new liquor license in Boulder County. The following documents are required:

1. Colorado Liquor Retail License Application form DR8404
2. Individual History Record form DR8404-I
   1. IHR form is required for each individual applicant, all general partners of a partnership, all limited partners owning 10% (or more) of a partnership, all officers and directors of a corporation, all stockholders of a corporation owning 10% (or more) of the stock of such corporation, all limited liability company Managing Members, or other limited liability company members with a 10% (or more) ownership interest in such company
   2. IHR form is also required for registered manager of a Hotel and Restaurant, Tavern, or Lodging and Entertainment license
3. Financial documents
   1. Purchase agreement, stock transfer agreement, and/or authorization to transfer license
   2. List of all notes and loans
4. Diagram of the premises
5. Proof of property possession (deed, lease, or other agreement)
6. Application and licensing fees
7. Completed Sample Petition (see “Sample Petition” on Boulder County Liquor Licensing website)
8. Fingerprints
   1. Required for all individuals submitting an Individual History Record
   2. Boulder County Liquor Licensing Clerk will provide further instructions for fingerprinting when the new liquor license application is submitted.
9. Application materials must be printed on single-sided paper
10. Payment. Please enclose two checks, one to the Colorado Department of Revenue for the state fee, and one to Boulder County Treasurer for the county fee. Additional fees are required for each person submitting an Individual History Record and fingerprint card.
11. Defined neighborhood: Information describing the boundaries of the neighborhood which the liquor license will serve. This can be established with a specific radius around the proposed premises, streets or highways as boundaries, or any other method as long as the boundaries are easily identified and define a specific area.
12. Sample petition: Blank petition form which will be used to collect signatures after liquor license application is submitted.
13. Completed petition: Signed petition must be submitted at least ten days prior to the public hearing. Each page of the petition shall contain the full wording of the petition. These petitions are used as evidence of the reasonable requirement and desire of the adult inhabitants for a new liquor license in the defined neighborhood. All signers must be at least 21 years old. The Licensing Specialist will check each signature to verify the address is located within the defined neighborhood. No fixed number of signatures is required, but signatures should reflect a reasonable percentage of the population within the defined neighborhood. The CP&P Planners can assist with general population figures if needed. Call 303-441-3930 and choose the option for a Planner on Call.
14. List of liquor licenses in defined neighborhood: Submit the name, address, license number, and license class of any other liquor licenses in the defined neighborhood. The Licensing Specialist can assist with this information if needed.

Submitting an Application

The completed application materials can be submitted by:

• Email – liquorlicensing@bouldercounty.gov
• Mail – Boulder County CP&P, PO Box 471, Boulder, CO 80306, Attn: Liquor Licensing
• In Person – 2045 13th Street, Boulder, CO 80302

After the Application Has Been Submitted

After a complete liquor license application is received, it will be processed by the Licensing Specialist who may request additional information. Referrals will be made to the county’s Zoning, Building, Public Health, and Sheriff’s Departments. Fingerprints will be submitted to Colorado Bureau of Investigation and Federal Bureau of Investigation to conduct a background check. After review and referrals, the application will be forwarded to the County’s Local Liquor Licensing Authority who may request additional information or clarification. After a complete application is received, it will take a minimum of six weeks to process the application prior to scheduling a public hearing, if the Liquor Licensing Authority finds it necessary to hold a hearing. If a public hearing is scheduled, the premises to be licensed will need to be posted for at least ten days with date and location of the hearing and contact information for written comments. The public hearing notice will also be published in the newspaper at least ten days prior to the hearing. The public hearing is held before the Local Liquor Authority and will be recorded. The Local Liquor Authority may ask questions regarding the planned establishment and application. The applicant may wish to have residents, business owners, or others available to testify in support of the application. Individuals opposed to the application may also speak at this time. If the application is approved by the Local Liquor Authority, it is then sent to the state for a final determination on the application.

Applications and Forms:

• Sample Petition
• Forms provided by Colorado Department of Revenue  – Retail License Application and Individual History Record (Lawful Presence Affidavit is only necessary if application is in name of Sole Proprietor or spouses or partners in a civil union; Affidavit of Transfer and Statement of Compliance is only necessary when transferring an existing license).

Renewals of Licenses

• Approximately 90 days prior to expiration of licenses, the Colorado Department of Revenue will send licensees a renewal application form. The renewal application form and payment of both State and Local fees must be filed with the Local Authority (Boulder County) at least 45 days prior to expiration. Please DO NOT send the renewal application to the Colorado Department of Revenue.
• If you did not receive a renewal application from the Colorado Department of Revenue, you may obtain a Renewal Application Form DR 8400 (or DR 8401 for fermented malt beverages) from the Colorado Department of Revenue website
• Renewal fees payable to Colorado Department of Revenue are listed on the renewal application.

Applying for a Transfer of an Existing License

Applications can be made for the transfer of an existing license. This process is fairly lengthy with the average time between application and Local Approval being at least two months. After Local Approval, the application is sent to the state for review and approval. The Applicant may apply for a Temporary Liquor License within 30 days of submitting the Transfer Application.

Transfer of an Existing Liquor License in Boulder County

The purpose of this information is to provide general information on the application process for transferring a liquor license in Boulder County. The following documents are required:

1. Colorado Liquor Retail License Application form DR8404
2. Individual History Record form DR8404-I
   • IHR form is required for each individual applicant, all general partners of a partnership, all limited partners owning 10% (or more) of a partnership, all officers and directors of a corporation, all stockholders of a corporation owning 10% (or more) of the stock of such corporation, all limited liability company Managing Members, or other limited liability company members with a 10% (or more) ownership interest in such company.
   • IHR form is also required for registered manager of a Hotel and Restaurant, Tavern, Lodging, or Entertainment license.
3. Financial documents
   • Purchase agreement, stock transfer agreement, and/or authorization to transfer license (if applicable)
   • List of all notes and loans
4. Diagram of the premises
5. Proof of property possession
   • Deed, lease, or other agreement
6. Wholesaler Affidavit of Compliance form DR8004
7. Temporary Liquor License Application (if applicable)
8. Application and licensing fees
9. Fingerprints
   • Required for all individuals submitting an Individual History Record
   • Boulder County Liquor Licensing Specialist will provide further instructions for fingerprinting when the Transfer application is submitted
10. Application materials must be printed on single-sided paper

On the premise diagram, please outline the area to be licensed in bold black. Note entrances and exits, bar areas, seating areas, kitchens, restrooms, liquor storage areas and onsite location of book and records. If there are any outdoor patios or decks, also note how that area is controlled, such as fencing, stone wall, etc.

Please note that the transfer application only applies to the existing licensed premises. If the applicant plans to modify the premises, the transfer application must also include an application for a permanent modification. Please contact the Licensing Specialist for more information.

Please enclose two checks, one to the Colorado Department of Revenue for the state fees, and one to Boulder County Treasurer for the county fees. Additional fees are required for each person submitting an Individual History Record and fingerprint card (see “Fee Schedule” on Boulder County Liquor Licensing website).

If the applicant would like to continue operating the liquor license while the transfer application is pending, the transfer application must include an Application for a Temporary Liquor License.

After a complete transfer application is received, it will be processed by the Licensing Specialist who may request additional information. Referrals will be made to the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office. Fingerprints will be submitted to Colorado Bureau of Investigation and Federal Bureau of Investigation to conduct a background check. After review and referrals, the application will be forwarded to the Local Liquor License Authority who may request additional information or clarification. It will take a minimum of six weeks to process the transfer application. The existing liquor license must be valid at the time the transfer application is filed with the Licensing Specialist.

After a complete application is received, the Liquor Authority will determine whether a public hearing is needed. If a public hearing is scheduled, the premises to be licensed will be posted for at least ten days with date and location of the hearing and contact information for written comments. The public hearing notice will also be published in the newspaper at least ten days prior to the hearing.

Public hearings are held before the Liquor Authority and are recorded. During the hearing, the Liquor Authority may ask questions regarding the transfer application. The applicant may wish to have residents, business owners, or others available to testify in support of the application. Individuals opposed to the application may also speak at this time. If the application is approved by the Liquor Authority, it is then sent to the state for a final determination on the application.

Liquor License Transfer Application Checklist:

• Colorado Liquor Retail License Application form DR8404
• Individual History Record form DR8404-I
• Wholesaler Affidavit of Compliance form DR8004
• Temporary Liquor License Application (if applicable)
• Proof of property possession
• Copies of purchase agreement or stock transfer agreement (if applicable)
• Copies of notes or loans (if applicable)
• Site plan showing location of structures and parking facilities
• Premise diagram of licensed area
• Colorado Department of Revenue fees
• Boulder County Treasurer fees
• Fingerprints (submitted electronically)

Limited Liability Company Documents (if applicable):

• Copy of Articles of Organization or Certificate of Authority (if foreign company)
• Copy of Operating Agreement
• Certificate of Good Standing

Corporate Documents (if applicable):

• Certificate of Incorporation or Certificate of Good Standing if corporation is older than two years;
• Certificate of Authorization if a foreign company
• Articles of Incorporation
• Minutes of last organizational meeting (showing elections of current corporate officers, directors, and stockholders)

Partnership Documents (if applicable):

• Partnership Agreement
• Spouses or partners in civil union (no written agreement)

Applications and Forms:

• Temporary Permit Application
• Forms provided by the Colorado Department of Revenue – Retail License Application, Individual History Record and Affidavit of Transfer and Statement of Compliance (Lawful Presence Affidavit is only necessary if application is in name of Sole Proprietor or spouses or partners in a civil union).

Other Frequently Used Forms

Additional forms are available on the Colorado Department of Revenue website, including:

• DR 8442 – Permit Application and Report of Changes (register new manager, modification of premises or change of location, change or trade name or corporation name, etc.)
• DR 8177 – Report of Changes Corporation, Limited Liability, Company and Partnership (change of ownership, officers, etc.)
• DR 8401-I – Individual History Record