Transfer Location of a Liquor License

Classes

• Arts liquor license 
• Bed and breakfast permit  
• Beer and wine license
• Brew pub  
• Club license
• Fermented malt beverage license
• Hotel and restaurant 
• Hotel and restaurant with optional premises
• Liquor licensed drug store
• Retail liquor store  
• Tavern  
• Vintner's restaurant license  

Special permits

• Art gallery liquor permit  
• Bed and breakfast permit 

A zone use permit is required before obtaining a transfer of location of the liquor license. 

Application forms and business entity documents are required for the applications process.  All documents must be submitted in duplicate – one for the City and County of Denver and the original for the state of Colorado.  Documents must be printed in black ink or typewritten.  Photocopies are accepted. 

All documents should be submitted to the Department of Excise and Licenses. 

Application documents

• Make sure no staples are in the documents.
• Permit application and report of changes(PDF, 196KB) 
• Right of possession documents (lease or deed). The lease must be valid for at least 90 days from the date the application is submitted.
• Occupancy permit, which can be obtained from the Denver Fire Department
• The floor plan drawing is to be on paper that is 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches with dimensions included.  The diagram does not have to be to scale, but must reflect the area to be licensed, including depictions of the following:
• Exterior areas showing control of the licensed premises (fences, walls, doors, gates, etc.)
• A diagram for each floor plan, outlined in red to indicate the boundary (including external and internal walls, doors, fences, gates, and the like). The diagram must identify the kitchen area if the applicant is applying for a hotel and restaurant class liquor license.  The diagram of the kitchen must include the range, refrigerator, sinks, dishwashers, and other industrial equipment.
• Location of the proposed licensed premises designating where alcohol will be sold, served, stored, distributed or consumed
• One diagram must have the licensed liquor area outlined in red.
• One diagram must have the licensed liquor area outline in black.
• If the building does not exist at the time the license is applied for, the applicant must submit an architect's drawing
• A list of equipment if the applicant is applying for a tavern class liquor license and the proposed premises does not have a kitchen area

Application fee:

State - $150 for transfer of location made payable to the Colorado Department of Revenue

City -   $750 plus other fees assigned at time of application

License fees will be calculated at the time the application is submitted to the City.

• A public hearing is scheduled once all other requirements are complete
• An area is designated around the proposed location where residents and business owners/managers can sign petitions and testify
• The licensee must post a sign on the premises with notice of the hearing for at least 20 days before the hearing.  Upon written request of a relevant registered neighborhood organization, the posting will be extended and the hearing rescheduled for an additional 25 days.
  • The posting sign must follow these guidelines:
    • Be white, sturdy, and measure 22 inches wide by 26 inches high with letters not less than 1 inch high
    • Indicate the type of license, the date and time of the hearing, the name, and address of the licensee and any partners or officers of the licensee
    • Be posted in a conspicuous place on the premises so it is visible and legible
    • Contain a map of the designated area
    • Content for the sign will be determined by the Department of Excise and Licenses
• Registered neighborhood organizations, public newspapers, the City Council and the police district are notified of the application and public hearing
• Petitions are circulated in support and against the proposed liquor license. Read more about petitions(PDF, 54KB). 
• Public hearing is held
• Final decision is issued by the director of Excise and Licenses

Read more about public hearings.  

• Development Services (720) 913-1311
• Denver Fire Department (720) 913-3409
• Department of Public Health and Environment (720) 913-1311
• Department of Excise and Licenses (720) 913-1311 (Last inspection - Schedule when all other inspections have been passed.)

Email the Department of Excise and Licenses, at licenses@denvergov.org, that you want your license emailed when all of the steps below have been completed.  

1. All documents required for the license are complete and submitted to the office.
2. The background check, if applicable, is accepted and approved.
3. Fees are paid in full.
4. All required inspections, if applicable, are passed.
5. All approvals are given by the state and local offices.

You should stay in touch with the Department of Excise and Licenses during the application process as each step can vary from the general steps described herein depending on your particular circumstances.