Receipt of payment of state fees will need to be uploaded. This link will help take you to where you can pay the state fees.
If you have a cabaret license with your liquor license you must submit a new cabaret application with the transfer of ownership application.
This license requires a zoning use permit.
A zoning use permit grants the applicant/owner of a lot, building, or structure permission for the requested use of the land. "Use" can be any activity, occupation, business, or operation in a building or on a lot/tract of land.
If you currently do not have a zone use permit, you may apply instead with a Acknowledgement of Zone Use Permit(PDF, 84KB). This will allow you to begin your application while you secure a proper zone use permit. Your license will not issue until a proper zone use permit has submitted. Applications that fail to provide a zone use permit will not issue or be eligible for a refund.
- Before contacting Zoning, email CPD Records to ask if there's an existing zoning use permit for your address. Allow up to 10 business days for them to respond.
- If they respond there isn't a zoning use permit for your address, then contact Zoning to apply for a permit. They will tell you if you're zoned for the use. Allow up to 10 business days for them to respond.
Email
cpd.permitrecords@denvergov.org
zoning.review@denvergov.org
- Need to provide notice to applicants(PDF, 160KB) for all owners. The document must be signed by the owner. One document per owner.
- All officers and directors.
- Members and shareholders who own 10% or more of the business entity.
- The notice to applicants(PDF, 160KB) must be submitted at the time of application.
- Once the application has been processed and all fees have been paid, the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection will email the applicant their codes to go get fingerprints. The same code can be used for everyone on the application. This code informs CBI where to send the background check.
- It can take 10 to 15 days for fingerprints to be processed.
- If your fingerprints have not been completed, your application will not be processed.
Make sure you have everything from the "Required documents" section below.
Important notes to keep in mind about your documents:
- All materials must be digital files saved as a .pdf or .jpg. Do not include any other file types. The Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection cannot accept other file types.
- Use numbers or letters but not characters such as symbols (/ ? < > \ : * | “ ^) or spaces that could cause complications.
- For example:
- Good file name: drivers-license-name-2022.pdf
- Bad file name: last name/ id.pdf
- In some cases, you might need to combine documents and upload them in a single .pdf. You can use a free, online tool to merge documents into a single file.
- Legal documents must be signed, dated and executed. All pages of large legal documents (such as a lease) must be included in the application.
- All materials must be legible.
- Incomplete applications will be rejected.
To submit your application, please go to this online application, fill it out, attach all required documents and submit online.
Make sure you have all required documents and information ready when you start your application. If you need to gather the information during the application process, you can save and resume at a later date.
After applying, you will receive an invoice to pay fees. You cannot pay fees until you have received an invoice. Visit the online payment process page or watch the "How to pay online" video for more information.
- Make sure you have a bank account, Mastercard, Visa, or Discover card to pay online.
The applicant submits, in writing, the request for a temporary liquor permit along with the application for change in ownership.
- The application for a temporary permit must be filed no later than 30 days after the filing of the application for transfer of ownership.
- An applicant applying for a liquor-licensed drugstore for a merger and conversion is not eligible for a temporary permit. (Effective Jan. 1, 2017)
The application is reviewed by the Department and subject to investigations.
A temporary permit, if granted, by a local licensing authority will be issued within five business days after it has been received and will be valid until the application to transfer ownership of the license to the applicant is granted or denied or for 120 days, whichever happens first.
If the application to transfer the license has not been granted or denied within the 120-day period and the transferee demonstrates good cause, the Department could extend the permit for up to 60 days.
State application fee: $1,100 plus all other applicable fees.
City application fee: $750 plus all other applicable fees.
City temporary liquor permit: $100
State fees made payable to Colorado Department of Revenue.
City fees made payable to Manager of Finance.
The Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection tries to conduct an initial review of a complete application within seven business days. The review process might take longer if it is incomplete or requires police review (if applicable).
- All application-related communications will be sent through email, from DLCPNotifications@denvergov.org. Do not respond to these emails as this inbox is not monitored.
- If the application is incomplete, the applicant will receive a "notice of deficiency" email. This allows 14 days for corrections. License endorsement requests and incidents on a background check need police review.
- All applications will be closed if they are not completed within 12 months.
- A public hearing is scheduled once all other requirements are complete.
- An area is designated around the proposed location from where residents and business owners/managers can sign petitions and testify at the public hearing.
- A sign is posted at the premises of the proposed liquor license for at least 20 days before the hearing.
- 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.
- State 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.
- Contents to be included on the posting sign will be established by the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection.
- Registered neighborhood organizations, public newspapers, 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, 104KB).
- Public hearing is held.
- Final decision is issued by the director of the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection.
Read more about public hearings
An inspection notice will be emailed after the hearing. You cannot start inspections until the liquor hearing has been approved. Inspections required for this license, listed by department, are below under "Required inspections."
After all the steps below are complete, fill out this contact form to let the Department know you want your license emailed. Include the business file number (BFN), and the name and address of the business.
- All required documents are complete and submitted (if applicable).
- Fees are paid in full.
- All required inspections are passed (if applicable).
The licensee should read "Once you have your license" below and follow the requirements.