Colorado. 

Beautiful, Colorful, Colorado. The state I’ve been lucky to call home for 31 years. Producing tons of craft beers, wines, and spirits, there is arguably no better place in the U.S. to go for great beverages, particularly with the amazing views you can find, even right in Downtown Denver. 

There are three propositions coming up on this ballot that I feel should be talked about through this page. Proposition 124, 125, and 126 look to drastically change the Colorado craft landscape. 

Prop 124

Prop 124 is looking to expand the number of retail liquor licenses to 8, then 13, then 20, the unlimited over the next decade or so. Proponents of this bill claim it is good for small stores, as they can more easily expand. However, the ability to expand is greatly prohibited by cost, where a lot of the smaller (and even big stores like Hazel’s, Wyatt’s, and Argonaut which are still small compared to some large out of state corps.) would not be able to expand like those large out of state corporations do. The problem with this is these out state corporations putting some people, even possibly a lot of people, out of work without opening up new jobs, as well as crushing a lot of small craft beer/wine/spirits ability to get on shelves and reach new customers. Smaller retailers aim to bring the best selection, and will often times promote those craft pop-ups, giving them shelf space and getting their product in front of new eyes. It keeps competition up, which means better selection and pricing for everyone. 

Think about the last time you saw your local grocer’s “craft selection.” It was nothing compared to almost any dedicated liquor store, and that will become the normal. As dedicated liquor stores become large out of state chains, selection will dwindle. I write this as I sip on a Breck Brewery Oktoberfest. Now Breck Brew has gotten quite large, but they may not have had the chance to grow as they did without small shops giving them that shot. Same thing happened with greats like Odell’s, New Belgium, and other breweries, wineries, and distilleries alike. 

Prop 125

Prop 125 aims to change the licenses of all the grocery and convenient stores that can carry beer to full wine and spirits licenses as well. Again, proponents will tell you this benefits the customer because of convenience. However, this accomplishes the same drawbacks as 124. The selection will drop significantly, and it will hurt the craft producers. As it becomes more convenient to not make a second stop, more and more small stores will go out of business, and there will be less opportunity for the these small producers to get onto shelves and in front of new customers. Big companies like King Soopers (who I love for grocery shopping, don’t get me wrong) claim to be all Colorado, but in reality they are not. It is a nationwide chain that will follow it’s Corporate, national buying trends and policies. Places truly owned and operated in Colorado will help support more of Colorado. 

Prop 126

This proposition aims to allow third party delivery services to deliver alcohol. In a California study, minors were successful ordering liquor 80% of the time when it was delivered through a third party. This means in the investigation by the California ABC (Alcohol Beverage Commission), for every 5 orders their minors placed, 4 had them successfully delivered. The next part is there is nothing in the bill that puts the blame on the 3rd party company or driver, which means it could still all fall onto the store that the liquor was picked up from, even though that store has no control over a third party company’s driver. This again would benefit large out of state chains and grocery stores as they would be able to pay the fines and only lose income from 1 store, or continue to make the income from the rest of the product in the store. This directly hurts the small stores who are trying to keep up with the demands of the new way people are shopping. 

I understand not everyone will agree with me on this. 

I am a guy who runs a website, is starting back up a podcast, and really loves the way the craft scene has evolved in Colorado. I hope everyone enjoys my opinions on the whiskey I try, and I hope people will listen to what I had to say here. This directly impacts one of my favorite aspects of my favorite state, and the one I have called home for so long. 

So Please, vote NO on Props 124, 125, and 126. 

And continue to drink some amazing Colorado beers, wines, and spirits.