Hickenlooper: Expanding Liquor Licenses Could Hurt Craft Beer Industry
DENVER (CBS4)- Gov. John Hickenlooper believes expanding the liquor licenses to include sales at grocery stores would hurt the craft beer industry in Colorado.
Hickenlooper talked about the issue on Tuesday when he addressed questions about what would likely be discussed during the 2016 Legislative session.
There is a push to allow every supermarket in the state to sell high-point alcohol, instead of only allowing one liquor license per business.
Currently, 3.2 beer is sold in supermarket locations that don't hold the liquor license.
Hickenlooper said he is concerned about the impact expanding sales would have on Colorado's craft beer industry.
"I think the worry is that if you have it in supermarkets, beer and wine will be the large chains will just cut deals with a few of the craft breweries, perhaps the ones owned by the larger breweries and the choice and the diversity will change dramatically," said Hickenlooper.
The group working to change the law is gathering signatures so the issue can be brought to voters instead of lawmakers.