Change in manager

A manager is someone who designated by the licensee who is in control of the alcohol operations.

A change in manager of a liquor-licensed establishment report in writing to the Department of Excise and Licenses within 30 days of the occurrence. The failure to report is grounds for suspension of the license.

Managers of hotel and restaurant, lodging and entertainment, and tavern liquor licensed-establishments who are not principals to the license must register with the city and the state. A person cannot be a registered manager on more than one of these license types.

Online form application

Step 1.Before you apply

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.

Step 2.Gather all required documents

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 Excise and Licenses cannot accept other file types.
  • Use numbers or letters but not characters such as symbols (/ ? < > \ : * | “ ^) or spaces that could cause complications.
    • For example:
      • Good filename: drivers-license-name-2022.pdf
      • Bad filename: 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.

Step 3.Submit an application

To submit your application, please go to this online application, fill it out, attach all required documents and submit online.

Please make sure that you have all of your 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 the application 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 that you have a bank account, Mastercard, Visa, or Discover card to pay online. 

For questions, email licenses@denvergov.org or call 311.

Step 4.Pay required fees

This is not for new liquor applications. This is for updating managers on existing liquor licenses.

Changing manager who is not an owner for hotel and restaurant, tavern, and lodging and entertainment:

  • State fee: $30. Made payable to the Colorado Department of Revenue.
  • City fee: $30.

Changing manager who is an owner for hotel and restaurant, tavern, and lodging and entertainment:

  • State fee: $30. Made payable to the Colorado Department of Revenue.
  • No city fees.
  • No fingerprints required.

Changing manager for all other license types:

  • No fees for city or state.
  • No fingerprints required.

Step 5.City application review and next steps

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.

Step 6.License issuance

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.

  1. All required documents are complete and submitted (if applicable).
  2. Fees are paid in full.
  3. All required inspections are passed (if applicable).

The licensee should read "Once you have your license" below and follow the requirements.

Mail application

Step 1.Before you apply

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.

Step 2.Gather all required documents

 

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.

Step 3.Submit an application

 

Applicants can mail their application with fees to:
City and County of Denver
Department of Excise and Licenses
201 W. Colfax Ave., Dept. 206
Denver, CO 80202
  • Make checks payable to: Manager of Finance
  • Include a current email address in case the Department needs to reach out with questions.
  • If renewing, include your business file number.
For questions, email licenses@denvergov.org or call 311.

Step 4.Pay required fees

This is not for new liquor applications. This is for updating managers on existing liquor licenses.

Changing manager who is not an owner for hotel and restaurant, tavern, and lodging and entertainment:

  • State fee: $30. Made payable to the Colorado Department of Revenue.
  • City fee: $30.

Changing manager who is an owner for hotel and restaurant, tavern, and lodging and entertainment:

  • State fee: $30. Made payable to the Colorado Department of Revenue.
  • No city fees.
  • No fingerprints required.

Changing manager for all other license types:

  • No fees for city or state.
  • No fingerprints required.

Step 5.City application review and next steps

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.

Step 6.License issuance

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.

  1. All required documents are complete and submitted (if applicable).
  2. Fees are paid in full.
  3. All required inspections are passed (if applicable).

The licensee should read "Once you have your license" below and follow the requirements.

Apply in person

Step 1.Before you apply

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.

Step 2.Gather all required documents

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.

Step 3.Submit an application

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.

Step 4.Pay required fees

This is not for new liquor applications. This is for updating managers on existing liquor licenses.

Changing manager who is not an owner for hotel and restaurant, tavern, and lodging and entertainment:

  • State fee: $30. Made payable to the Colorado Department of Revenue.
  • City fee: $30.

Changing manager who is an owner for hotel and restaurant, tavern, and lodging and entertainment:

  • State fee: $30. Made payable to the Colorado Department of Revenue.
  • No city fees.
  • No fingerprints required.

Changing manager for all other license types:

  • No fees for city or state.
  • No fingerprints required.

Step 5.City application review and next steps

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.

Step 6.License issuance

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.

  1. All required documents are complete and submitted (if applicable).
  2. Fees are paid in full.
  3. All required inspections are passed (if applicable).

The licensee should read "Once you have your license" below and follow the requirements.

Permit application and report of changes(PDF, 3MB)

License must be displayed

Excise and Licenses will email a professional license to all licensees. This license (or a clear picture of it) must always be displayed.

Requirement to keep contact information up to date

Email licenses@denvergov.org to notify the Department of any contact information changes (place of business, onsite manager, etc.). These updates must be submitted within 72 hours of the change. 

Requirement to renew annually

Licenses expire annually. It is unlawful to operate with an expired license. A renewal application must be filed before the license expires.

Hours of operation

Office hours (Schedule an appointment)
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday

Liquor office hours (Schedule an appointment)

8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday

State statutes

Municipal code

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