A new law that will allow the creation of Entertainment Districts and Common Consumption Areas by owners of currently licensed bars and restaurants is set to be introduced into Denver City Council sometime in May, 2019. Currently these Liquor Common Consumption Areas are allowed in some Colorado jurisdictions (per state statute) but not in Denver. This is a significant ordinance that deserves the attention of neighbors throughout Denver.  SEE CITY PRESENTATION SLIDES HERE

What are Common Consumption Areas?

Common Consumption Areas (CCA) are areas that are “substantially” open to the public and where persons over 21 can consume liquor “outside of a liquor licensed premises.” Under the proposed law, these areas would not be confined to private property owned by the Applicant, and would not be limited to indoor facilities such as the Source or Stanley Marketplace, but would allow licensed liquor owners to extend the Common Consumption Areas to public right-of-ways, with proper permits. In other words, Common Consumption Areas could extend to alleys, sidewalks, and even streets.

Who Has Weighed in on this Ordinance?

Excise & Licensing has been working on this new Ordinance at the request of Mayor Hancock, and conducted meetings throughout 2018 with stakeholders (Denver Downtown Partnership, liquor license holders) to gather input. In November, two meetings invited community input, but no one disputes that the new ordinance primarily benefits those holding liquor licenses. There have been no public meetings since November 2018.

Many neighborhood organizations and neighbors remain unaware of the proposed ordinance.

What are some of the issues?

Excise & Licenses states that the Common Consumption Areas ordinance enables “businesses, neighborhoods, and stakeholders” to “utilize private and public spaces in creative ways.” Some neighbors feel that it is acceptable for private businesses to combine private premises under these Common Consumption Areas, but do not believe that allowing Common Consumption Areas to extend into public spaces is appropriate.

Some proponents note that the draft ordinance includes some protections for neighborhoods in the application process, but as community experts in liquor licensing point out, the draft ordinance sets a low bar for what qualifies as “evidence of community support” and is drafted to include broad discretion to the Director of Excise & Licensing.

How can we learn more?

Excise & Licenses Policy Analyst Erica Rogers,  erica.rogers@denvergov.org
Denver INC meeting May 11, 2019 – See Calendar for location.