Alcohol regulations in Colorado

Licences needed

Federal TTB Distilled Spirits Plant (DSP) Permit & Basic Permit; Colorado Manufacturer's License (Distillery or Rectifier) or Distillery Pub License; Colorado State Sales Tax License; and local municipal or county approvals / zoning certificates.

Authority

Colorado Department of Revenue – Liquor and Tobacco Enforcement Division (LED), in coordination with Local Licensing Authorities.

Documents

State application (DR 8404 series), Individual History Records (DR 8404-I) for principals owning 10%+ interest, fingerprint cards/CBI background checks, premises lease/deed, detailed premises floor diagrams, TTB DSP approval, and Tax Check Authorization (DR 8495).

Fees

Manufacturer's License (Distillery/Rectifier): $1,100 state application fee ($1,200 with concurrent local review) + $300 annual state license fee. Distillery Pub License: $1,100 state application fee + $750 state license fee + local application/license fees (up to $1,000 local application + $75 local license fee).

Time to obtain

3 to 6 months on average (dependent on concurrent local zoning/authority approvals and federal TTB processing).

Who can import

Only licensed Colorado Importers or Nonresident Manufacturers who deliver solely to licensed Colorado wholesalers.

Licences or registrations

Colorado Importer's License (Vinous & Spirituous) or Nonresident Manufacturer's License.

Authority

Colorado Department of Revenue – Liquor and Tobacco Enforcement Division (LED).

Documents

State license application, TTB Federal Importer Basic Permit, appointment/designation letter from the primary source of supply establishing sole source status, DR 8404-I background disclosures, and FBI/CBI fingerprints.

Fees

$1,100 state application fee + $300 annual Importer License fee.

Time to obtain

60 to 90 days.

Required

yes

Process

Prior to shipping any spirituous liquors into Colorado, the licensed manufacturer or importer must file for Brand Registration / Sole Source of Supply approval with the LED pursuant to Regulation 47-924, verifying federal label compliance.

Authority

Colorado Liquor and Tobacco Enforcement Division (LED).

Documents and samples

Sole Source of Supply / Brand Registration form (DR 8440), copy of the approved Federal TTB Certificate of Label Approval (COLA), and primary source authorization letter; product samples are not routinely required.

Fees

$100 per product brand registration fee (and $100 per sole source registration).

Renewal

Annual filing or maintained through active wholesaler listing; re-filing required if the primary source or importer of record changes.

Time to obtain

1 to 3 weeks.

Strict adherence to the three-tier system: out-of-state spirits must be consigned to a Colorado-licensed wholesaler and come to rest at the wholesaler's warehouse before being distributed to retailers. Colorado is an open/private wholesale market, not an alcoholic beverage control (monopoly) state. Importers must hold a primary source appointment. Direct-to-consumer (DTC) shipping of distilled spirits across state lines or intrastate directly to consumers is strictly prohibited under C.R.S. 44-3-901 and LED Bulletin 25-01. No state revenue strip stamps are required.

Spirits imported from abroad are subject to US federal customs duties under Chapter 2208 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), ranging from duty-free to rates such as $0.05 to $0.25+ per proof liter depending on classification and country of origin. Colorado imposes no separate state customs tariff, but assesses state excise taxes upon initial entry/receipt in the state.

Colorado state spirits excise tax is $0.6026 per liter (approx. $2.281 per gallon) pursuant to C.R.S. 44-3-503, paid by the manufacturer or the first licensed wholesaler to receive the spirits. Retail purchases are subject to the standard Colorado state sales tax of 2.9% plus applicable local and county sales taxes.

Private retail model (open state). Distilled spirits for off-premises consumption may only be sold by licensed Retail Liquor Stores and Liquor-Licensed Drugstores; grocery stores and convenience stores are prohibited from selling spirits (they may only sell beer and wine). On-premises sales are permitted in licensed taverns, restaurants, hotel bars, and distillery pubs/salesrooms. Hours of sale: off-premises retail spirits sales permitted 8:00 AM to 12:00 midnight (7 days a week); on-premises sales permitted 7:00 AM to 2:00 AM.

Restricted. Direct-to-consumer (DTC) postal or carrier shipment of distilled spirits from out-of-state or in-state producers to Colorado consumers is strictly illegal. Off-premises delivery of spirits is legal only when fulfilled directly by licensed in-state retail liquor stores (or permitted delivery partners) within local delivery rules. On-premises licensees (restaurants/bars) with a Takeout and Delivery Permit may provide sealed alcoholic cocktails with food orders.

Must satisfy all federal TTB regulations (27 CFR Part 5), including brand name, class/type, alcohol by volume (ABV), net contents, country of origin, name and address of producer/importer, and the mandatory federal Government Health Warning. Prior TTB COLA approval is required for state brand registration. No separate Colorado state excise stamp is used.

Regulated under Colorado Regulation 47-900 series and federal FAA Act standards. Advertising cannot target minors under 21, make false or misleading claims, encourage excessive consumption, or be displayed near schools. Tied-house laws strictly restrict manufacturers and wholesalers from providing signs, equipment, fixtures, or financial subsidies to retailers outside of permitted promotional exceptions.

Colorado adheres to federal standards of identity set forth in 27 CFR Part 5 for distilled spirits (including definitions and minimum 40% ABV / 80 proof for standard spirits like whiskey, vodka, gin, rum, and brandy). C.R.S. 44-3-103 defines 'spirituous liquors' as any alcohol beverage obtained by distillation, mixed with water or other solutions.

Colorado law (C.R.S. 44-3-104 and 44-3-301) permits local option referendums whereby incorporated municipalities or counties can vote to ban retail sales. While all 64 counties allow alcohol sales, individual municipalities or precincts historically exercise local restrictions or decline specific retail licenses based on local needs-and-desires criteria.

• In April 2025, the Colorado Liquor Enforcement Division issued Bulletin 25-01 re-affirming that direct-to-consumer (DTC) shipping of distilled spirits into or within Colorado is illegal under C.R.S. 44-3-901 and will face active enforcement.
• Legislative adjustment of retail purchase allowances under C.R.S. 44-3-411, updating the statutory annual purchase cap that on-premise licensees can procure from off-premise retailers ($7,154 as of 2026).
• Implementation of expanded alcohol beverage privileges enabling distillery and manufacturer sales rooms to offer guest beverages sourced from licensed wholesalers subject to percentage thresholds.
• Ongoing codification and statutory framework updates governing restaurant and tavern takeout/delivery permits for sealed alcoholic drinks.

Colorado possesses a mature craft spirits market with high per-capita distilled spirits consumption, though foreign brands must navigate a strict three-tier distribution system and partner with a licensed Colorado wholesaler, as direct-to-consumer imports remain prohibited.

• Colorado Department of Revenue - Liquor and Tobacco Enforcement Division (LED)
• U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)

1. Colorado Liquor and Tobacco Enforcement Division (LED)
2. Colorado Revised Statutes Title 44 Article 3 (Colorado Liquor Code)
3. Code of Colorado Regulations 1 CCR 203-2 (Liquor Enforcement Division Rules)
4. Colorado Liquor Licensing Handbook & Tax Guidelines
5. Colorado Liquor Enforcement Division Bulletin 25-01: Direct-to-Consumer Shipments