Liquor Licenses

Instructions for Special Event Liquor Permit Applications in Unincorporated Boulder County

Nonprofit organizations may apply for a special event liquor permit for up to 15 days each year. Please submit the application at least 45 days prior to the event.

Special event permits are available to non-profit organizations. Applications must be submitted in a pre-scheduled appointment at least 45 days prior to the event date. Please see below for a checklist of documents that must be submitted with the application. Applications will only be accepted if they are complete and include the required documents.

To schedule an appointment, please call the Licensing Clerk at 303-441-3829 or email liquorlicensing@bouldercounty.org. Appointments are held in downtown Boulder at 1325 Pearl Street, Boulder, CO 80302. At that time, the applicant will receive a public notice poster that must be posted at the proposed licensed premises for 10 days. At the end of that period, the applicant must return a signed affidavit stating the public notice has been properly posted.

Special Event Permit Fees

• 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

Application Forms

The Boulder County Special Event Permit Application consists of a series of questions regarding the event and how the alcohol will be controlled. In addition to the county application, the applicant must also submit a state application, Certificate of Good Standing, detailed diagram of the proposed licensed premises, and written permission to use the premises such as a letter of permission, lease, rental agreement, or deed.

Timeline

After a complete application is accepted by the Licensing Clerk, referrals are sent to various county departments including Land Use, Sheriff, Transportation, and Public Health. If the Licensing Clerk does not receive any negative referrals or comments, the application is submitted to the Local Licensing Authority for review. If negative referrals or comments are received, the Local Licensing Authority will decide whether a public hearing should be held. If a hearing should be held, the Licensing Clerk is required to post another public notice for 10 days prior to the hearing. It is recommended to submit the application early in order to allow sufficient time to schedule a hearing if necessary.

Fairgrounds Contract

For events held at the Boulder County Fairgrounds, the written permission may be a letter from the Fairgrounds staff to use the premises. The applicant must still complete the lease process with Fairgrounds staff, but the special event liquor permit may be processed by the Licensing Clerk while the lease agreement is in process.

Checklist of required documents:

1. Fee (made payable to Boulder County Treasurer)
2. Boulder County Special Event Permit Application
3. Colorado Department of Revenue form DR8439
4. 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 at http://www.sos.state.co.us/
5. Diagram of area to be licensed
   • Diagram must be on 8 ½ x 11” paper
   • 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.)
6. 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
7. 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.

Contact Information:

Liquor Licensing Clerk
303-441-3829
1325 Pearl Street, Boulder, CO 80302
P.O. Box 471, Boulder, CO 80306
Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. M-F

Applications and Forms:

• Special Event Application
• Colorado Department of Revenue Form DR8439 (required attachments noted on form)

All forms and attachments must be emailed to Community Planning and Permitting’s Licensing Specialist at liquorlicensing@bouldercounty.gov.

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 (see “Fee Schedule” on Boulder County Liquor Licensing website)
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

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 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 (see “Fee Schedule” on Boulder County Liquor Licensing website).

The Liquor Authority has the duty and authority to consider the reasonable requirements of the neighborhood and the desires of the inhabitants. Please enclose the following information:

1. 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.
2. Sample petition: Blank petition form which will be used to collect signatures after liquor license application is submitted.
3. 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 Clerk 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 County Land Use Department (303- 441-3930, ask for Planner on Call) can assist with general population figures if needed.
4. 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 Clerk can assist with this information if needed.

After a complete liquor license application is received, it will be processed by the Licensing Clerk 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 Attorney 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.

Once the 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.

The public hearing is held before the Liquor Authority and will be recorded. The 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 Liquor Authority, it is then sent to the state for a final determination on the application.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Liquor Licensing Clerk
Liquorlicensing@bouldercounty.org
303-441-3829
1325 Pearl Street, Boulder, CO 80302
P.O. Box 471, Boulder, CO 80306
Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. M-F

Sample Petition:

Forms:

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. View fees payable to Boulder County (Local Authority).