Compromise Allows Full-Strength Beer, Liquor To Be Sold In Grocery Stores

DENVER (CBS4) - A compromise is in the works that would allow full-strength beer and liquor to be sold in Colorado grocery stores.

Current law allows the big chain stores to sell wine and stronger beer at just one location in the state. A state Senate committee passed a compromise that would drop an initiative now planned for the November ballot.

"It's probably inevitable that we modernize and change how we market alcohol products in our state and this is going to do it more gradually," said Sen. Pat Steadman, D-Denver.

The bill would require chain stores to buy an existing liquor license and it would allow smaller mom and pop liquor stores likely to get hurt by the change in the law to sell their licenses to grocery stores.