Read the ordinance for this license under "Municipal Code" on the right side of the page to make sure this license is right for you.
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.
Plan before leasing or buying property and before applying for a business license.
- 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 a response to your inquiry.
- If they respond that there isn't a zoning use permit for your address, then email Zoning to apply for a permit. They will tell you if you're zoned for the use. Allow up to 10 business days for a response to your inquiry.
Email
cpd.permitrecords@denvergov.org
zoning.review@denvergov.org
- Need to provide Notice to Applicants(PDF, 99KB) 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, 99KB) must be submitted at time of application.
- Once the application has been processed and all fees have been paid, Excise and Licenses will email the applicant with their codes to go get their fingerprints. Same code may be used for everyone on the application. This code informs CBI where to send the background check.
- It can take 10-15 days for fingerprints to be processed.
- If your fingerprints have not been completed, your application will not be processed.
Any questions, email EXLApplications@denvergov.org.
Make sure you have everything from the "Required documents" section below.
Remember:
- All materials must be printed and legible.
- Do not use staples in the documents.
- Legal documents must be signed, dated and executed. All pages of large legal documents (like a lease) must be included in the application.
- Incomplete applications will be rejected.
Applicants can come to the office to submit their documents in person. Customers seeking in-person customer service should make an appointment. To make an appointment, visit the appointments website. The Excise and Licenses office is at 201 W Colfax Ave., on the second floor of the Wellington Webb Municipal Building.
Customers can pay their fees after they receive an invoice. Visit the online payments process page for more information.
- Make sure that you have a bank account, Mastercard, Visa, or Discover card to pay online.
Applicants are encouraged to pay their fees online, but in-person payments are available. After receiving an invoice, customers can go to the Community Planning and Development cashier counter on the second floor of the Wellington Webb Municipal Building. Cashiers are available Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Cash, checks (payable to “Manager of Finance”), Visa, Mastercard, and Discover card are all accepted.
For questions, email licenses@denvergov.org or call 311.
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.
Excise and Licenses 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 EXLNotifications@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.
- 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.
- Contents to be included on the posting sign will be established by the Department of Excise and Licenses.
- 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, 54KB).
- Public hearing is held.
- Final decision is issued by the director of Excise and Licenses.
Read more about public hearings
An inspection notice will be emailed after the hearing is complete. You may not 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, email licenses@denvergov.org 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.