Colorado Beer Law

[jkarp]

Simple internet searches can provide answers, so why speculate as to what the parties' reasons are?

What exactly makes you think we didn't read the pertinent articles BackBayBrewing? In fact, what's said there are precisely the points us actual Coloradoans are discussing here.

 

[RDWHAHB]

The CO general assembly has a duty to pass laws that promote fairness in business generally and that do not provide unfair competitive advantages to some businesses.

The CO general assembly has a no such duty. They can pass laws to encourage some business, discourage others. They are not bound to make everything "fair" or "even". Personally, I want them to design laws that continue to create a vibrant set of independnt micros. Not everybody does. BMC wants them to create laws that favor BMC.

Edited: for spelling.

 

[BackBayBrewing]

I agree. I hope that the micros flourish, clearly. But I do believe that the legislature is responsible for making laws that do not give some business unfair competitive advantages over other businesses.

 

[PhelanKA7]

Is there anyone here from Colorado that works in alcohol sales? Do you guys not have separate distributors for different beers? Like I said in my previous post, distributors around here have a separate fleet of vehicles for getting micro and craft beers out the door, and the BMC stuff is done through an entirely different entity. I find it hard to believe that the law being discussed in this thread will affect the availability of craft beers.

 

[PatientZero]

Check these out too.

http://www.nacsonline.com/NACS/News/Daily/Pages/ND0209105.aspx

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/2...s-likely-to-pass-say-traditional-store-owners

From reading these articles and the text of HB10-1186 the argument for the bill is one of fairness in business generally. You can't really look at it as just an issue of what is best for the craft brew industry in CO. The CO general assembly has a duty to pass laws that promote fairness in business generally and that do not provide unfair competitive advantages to some businesses. Here, the argument was that it used to be fair to limit c-stores to 3.2 alcohol because they were allowed to sell on Sunday where Liquor stores were not, and could therefore make up their sales on Sunday that they lose the rest of the week because they don't have full strength beer. Now that Liquor stores can be open on Sunday, there is no reason anybody would ever buy 3.2 beer at a c-store if full strength is available at all the same times. The argument is that this gives liquor stores an unfair competitive advantage to the detriment of c-stores.

Like it or not, the solution that is proposed is to just let both sell full strength beer and the market will sort out who lives and who dies. That's the essence of fairness.

On the flip-side, maybe they need to repeal the law that prevents liquor stores from operating as chains, but I doubt the independent liquor stores would want that either. Maybe they should go back to not selling on Sunday. It will be interesting to see how this all pans out.

The problem with this situation is that fairness is poorly perceived. What is fair? Is it fair to let grocery stores to carry the same product, or is it fair that they are able to be just a prosperous as one another?

Grocery stores sell groceries. Liquor stores sell alcohol.

If fairness means that they are allowed to carry the same product, why don't book stores jump on the bandwagon too and start selling booze. Hell, why not Sears and JC Penny. Or candy shops. How about craft stores and record shops? Wouldn't that be "fair"? I mean, if liquor stores and grocery stores and gas stations can do it, why shouldn't they do it too? It would be "unfair" to not allow them to as well.

I know it's a far stretch. But fairness is abstract, and that's the PROBLEM. Other people are trying to legislate "fairness", and they can't. It's just not possible.

I wish they never allowed Sunday sales. We wouldn't be in this mess if that were the case.

 

[PatientZero]

Is there anyone here from Colorado that works in alcohol sales? Do you guys not have separate distributors for different beers? Like I said in my previous post, distributors around here have a separate fleet of vehicles for getting micro and craft beers out the door, and the BMC stuff is done through an entirely different entity. I find it hard to believe that the law being discussed in this thread will affect the availability of craft beers.

From what I understand, you can distribute yourself (as long as you're legit). Which is why I started this thread...I heard from the guys at Hops and Berries in Ft. Collins (the local supply shop) that the distribution law may change as well. Perhaps they were ill informed and don't know what they're talking about. I haven't found any such proof that this is the case.

 

[RDWHAHB]

The problem with this situation is that fairness is poorly perceived. What is fair? Is it fair to let grocery stores to carry the same product, or is it fair that they are able to be just a prosperous as one another?

Grocery stores sell groceries. Liquor stores sell alcohol.

If fairness means that they are allowed to carry the same product, why don't book stores jump on the bandwagon too and start selling booze. Hell, why not Sears and JC Penny. Or candy shops. How about craft stores and record shops? Wouldn't that be "fair"? I mean, if liquor stores and grocery stores and gas stations can do it, why shouldn't they do it too? It would be "unfair" to not allow them to as well.

I know it's a far stretch. But fairness is abstract, and that's the PROBLEM. Other people are trying to legislate "fairness", and they can't. It's just not possible.

I wish they never allowed Sunday sales. We wouldn't be in this mess if that were the case.

Agreed 100%.

 

[PhelanKA7]

From what I understand, you can distribute yourself (as long as you're legit). Which is why I started this thread...I heard from the guys at Hops and Berries in Ft. Collins (the local supply shop) that the distribution law may change as well. Perhaps they were ill informed and don't know what they're talking about. I haven't found any such proof that this is the case.

In that case what the small breweries need to do is get together and form their own distribution company or buy in with the current distribution companies and fund their own supply chain. Obviously a daunting task, but I think the smaller guys after discussing it would all probably see the benefit of banding together as far as distribution is concerned.

I'm sure the suits in your statehouse would probably write up some sort of language that prohibits this though. Gotta love politicians, right?

 

[BackBayBrewing]

What exactly makes you think we didn't read the pertinent articles BackBayBrewing? In fact, what's said there are precisely the points us actual Coloradoans are discussing here.

I wasn't trying to offend anybody... it was just a little good natured ribbing. I can see why that didn't come across well in the post, so please don't take offense.

 

[Brewmoor]

Looks like it did not get passed

http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20100224/NEWS/100229679/1078&parentprofile=1062