types of liquor licenses


There are a wide variety of liquor licenses and permits available for Colorado establishments and events. Below is a short list of the common liquor license types in Colorado:

Colorado Hotel & Restaurant License: Permits restaurants, and hotels with restaurant facilities, to sell malt, vinous, and spirituous liquors to the public for consumption within the licensed premises

Colorado Tavern License: Permits the sale to the public of malt, vinous, and spirituous liquors to the public for consumption within the licensed premises. 

Colorado Beer & Wine License: Permits the sale of malt and vinous liquors only to the public for consumption on the licensed premises.

Colorado Brew Pub License: Allows sale and consumption on premises of malt, vinous, and spirituous liquors, and permits the manufacture of malt liquor on the licensed premises. Malt liquor which is manufactured on licensed premises may be sold for consumption on the premises, sold to an independent wholesale for distribution to other licensed retailers, or sold to the public in properly labeled sealed containers “to go.”

Colorado Retail Liquor Store License: Permits the sale to the public of malt, vinous, and spirituous liquors in sealed containers for consumption off the premises. 

* information from Laszlo Law – “Liquor Licensing”*


 Colorado classes of liquor licenses:

Arts Gallery Permit

Arts License

Bed & Breakfast Permit

Beer & Wine License

Brew Pub License

Club License

Distillery Pub License

Hotel & Restaurant License

Importer’s License

Limited Winery License

Liquor-Licensed Drugstore License

Liquor-Licensed Drugstore Manager’s Permit

Lodging & Entertainment License

Manufacturer’s License

Nonresident Manufacturers & Importers of Malt Liquor

Optional Premises License

Public Transportation System License

Racetrack License

Removal of Vinous Liquor from Licensed Premises 

Retail Gaming Tavern License

Retail Liquor Store License

Tavern License

Vintner’s Restaurant License

Wholesaler’s License

Wine Festival Permit

Wine Packaging Permit

3.2% Beer License

* information from Laszlo Law – “Liquor Licensing”*


Please note that LiquorPros cannot provide legal advice to clients, and we highly recommend that you engage an attorney or reach out directly to the State of Colorado for any questions regarding what type of license your business needs to obtain. Need an attorney referral? We work with attorneys across the state of Colorado and can provide you with contact information. Contact us today!

Want to learn more about the Colorado Liquor Licensing Process? Below are some helpful links to the State of Colorado licensing division website. You can learn more about license types, laws, forms and fees in the links below:

State of Colorado Liquor Division 

Colorado Liquor Licensing Forms

Colorado Liquor Licensing Fees

Colorado Liquor Code