Note: The CRA Compliance Center Concierge is a tool to help you understand compliance requirements for restaurants.
The information provided through the Concierge is generalized in nature and may not address or account for information specific to your situation. It is not legal advice. For legal questions, you should consult a lawyer.
You can also reach out to info@corestaurant.org for further information, including for connections to attorneys, CPAs, and other professionals who serve our industry.
Legal Advice
The CRA provides free, limited legal advice through our Legal Resource Center. This compilation of resources includes a network of member attorneys, labor law and compliance posters, educational programs, and other tools and information to help keep your business in compliance. If you need advice outside of what is offered in the Legal Resource Center online, please call (303) 830-2972 or email FirstCall@corestaurant.org to request further help.
Apply for a License
Apply for a Liquor License
Checking IDs
There are several types of IDs that are valid/accepted. Please reference the ID Handbook for other forms of identification you can train your staff about.
CO Digital IDs
CO Digital IDs fact sheet
Common Consumption Areas
In 2011, the Colorado General Assembly passed a state law allowing local jurisdictions to license common consumption areas. These designated areas allow those 21 years old and older to drink alcohol from various liquor-licensed establishments in a common space. Below are links to regions where common consumption areas currently exist and how the licensing process functions in each.
Colorado
City and County of Denver
Aurora
Erie
Fort Collins
Town of Mountain Village
Special Events
Colorado Special Events Permits
Colorado Special Events Public Notice
Dual Consumption (Liquor and Cannabis)
Colorado Rules
Who Can Serve Alcohol Beverages?
RESPONSIBLE ALCOHOL TRAINING
ServSafe Alcohol training through Maureen McNamara, our official partner, is recognized by the state of Colorado as responsible alcohol beverage vendor training. This is acceptable as a mitigating factor in the event of a minor compliance check violation (i.e. a sting). It is also acceptable for compliance with the City of Boulder’s responsible alcohol vendor training requirement.
ServSafe Responsible Vendor Training
Required Signage
Contains Alcohol Sign
Minor Warning Sign
Under 50 ID Check Sign
Alcohol to Go Takeout Delivery Stickers
Special Event Public Notice
Liquor Compliance Guides & Fact Sheets
2025 Colorado Liquor Rules
2025 Colorado Liquor Code
2025 Colorado Beer and Wine Code
2025 Colorado Special Event Liquor Permits Code
ID Checking Guide Book
Current Colorado Liquor Licensing Handbook
Most Common Liquor License Violations
Alcohol To Go
SB24-020, which passed into law during the 2024 Colorado Legislative Session, repealed the July 2025 sunset provision included in the 2021 alcohol-to-go law, allowing Colorado restaurants to sell alcohol for takeout and delivery on a permanent basis.
Details on how to comply are located below, in the document titled: Alcohol To Go Compliance Fact Sheet.
Alcohol To Go Compliance Fact Sheet
Alcohol to Go Permit Application
Alcohol to Go Warning Stickers
Government Agency Quick Links
Learn More
Government Agencies Quick Links
Quick links to federal, state, county, and city government departments
