House Bill 1186, sponsored by Rep. Larry Liston, would let convenience stores of less than 5,000 square feet sell beer with an alcohol content of more than the currently allowed 3.2% maximum, just as liquor stores can do, according to a report in the Denver Business Journal. The bill does not allow sales of wine or spirits at the stores and does not touch on whether grocery stores can sell full-strength beer [image-nocss] or wine.
Liston told the newspaper he believes convenience stores have suffered after enactment of a 2008 law that allowed liquor stores to operate on Sunday, which took away a high percentage of convenience-store beer sales. Letting them sell full-strength beerincluding craft beerswould help them recoup some of their loss and would not pose any grave threat to the profitability of liquor stores, Liston said.
"I'm not interested in allowing the grocery stores into this market. But why would [liquor stores] be afraid to have a convenience store sell their product?" Liston asked. "They've been shut out of the process inadvertently with the advent of Sunday sales."
The Colorado Retail Council won't oppose the bill, as it is working on a separate measure to deal with grocery stores, president Chris Howes told the newspaper.
A Denver attorney also has submitted a separate ballot initiative that would allow full-strength beer and wine sales at grocery and convenience stores.
Liston's proposal, which is co-sponsored by five House Democrats, is expected to run into opposition from liquor-store owners who believe it will take business from them, the report stated.
Craft beer and boutique wine makers, also likely opponents, have said they believe that any bill that hurts liquor stores and pushes a higher percentage of alcohol sales to big chain stores will inhibit shelf access for local independent producers.
Backers of HB 1186 include the Colorado-Wyoming Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association, which argued that opening its members' shops to craft beers would increase craft brewers' market, association executive director Mark Larson said.
Lobbyist Jason Hopfer, who represents the 7-11 and Circle K chains, said his clients also support the measure. He noted that the bill includes a provision to allow liquor stores to sell non-perishable food items in order to even out the competition between them and convenience stores.
HB 1186 was assigned to the House Business Affairs and Labor Committee. No date has been set for its hearing yet.
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