Who needs a hotel and restaurant license, or tavern license in Colorado?
Issued by Your city or county local licensing authority, then the Liquor Enforcement Division (Department of Revenue), at step 5 of 6 in the opening sequence: alcohol permits.
Colorado licenses twice: the local authority posts notice at the premises, holds a public hearing on the needs and desires of the neighborhood and approves first, then the state issues. A hotel and restaurant license needs meals served and at least 25% of gross sales from food; a bar without that ratio holds a tavern license. Premises within 500 feet of a school are refused unless the locality has waived the distance. Allow 90 days or more.
Checked Oct 21, 2026 against the agency’s page.
Step 5 of 6: Alcohol permits
1Set up the business
2Register for tax
3Approve the space
4Get the permits for your kind of business
5Alcohol permits
6Before the first hire
Issued by Your city or county local licensing authority, then the Liquor Enforcement Division (Department of Revenue).
Sources and dates
Liquor Enforcement Division fee schedule (form DR 8500); C.R.S. 44-3-413 and 44-3-414 (hotel and restaurant and tavern licenses); 2024 Legislative Council liquor licensing handbook. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.
Questions about opening here.
No. In Colorado it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Colorado it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
Yes. Colorado licenses twice: the local authority posts notice at the premises, holds a public hearing on the needs and desires of the neighborhood and approves first, then the state issues.
Yes. Colorado licenses twice: the local authority posts notice at the premises, holds a public hearing on the needs and desires of the neighborhood and approves first, then the state issues.
Yes. Colorado licenses twice: the local authority posts notice at the premises, holds a public hearing on the needs and desires of the neighborhood and approves first, then the state issues.
Yes. Colorado licenses twice: the local authority posts notice at the premises, holds a public hearing on the needs and desires of the neighborhood and approves first, then the state issues.
Yes. Colorado licenses twice: the local authority posts notice at the premises, holds a public hearing on the needs and desires of the neighborhood and approves first, then the state issues.
Yes. Colorado licenses twice: the local authority posts notice at the premises, holds a public hearing on the needs and desires of the neighborhood and approves first, then the state issues.
No. In Colorado it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Colorado it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Colorado it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Colorado it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Colorado it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Colorado it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Colorado it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Colorado it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Colorado it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Colorado it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Colorado it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Colorado it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
Your city or county local licensing authority, then the Liquor Enforcement Division (Department of Revenue).
Step 5 of 6, alcohol permits. The steps before it: set up the business, register for tax, approve the space and get the permits for your kind of business.
Who needs a hotel and restaurant license in Colorado? | DoorWorthy
