Liquor License Applications

The following documents are required for a new liquor license application. However, additional documents may be requested.

Option 1: Non-Fermented Malt Beverage Applicants

For the following licenses:

• Hotel-Restaurant
• Tavern
• Retail Liquor Store
• Beer and Wine
• Lodging Facility,
• Entertainment Facility
• Brew Pub

Please complete:

• Colorado Liquor Retail License Application DR 8404

Option 2: Fermented Malt Beverage and Wine Retailer (FMB-WR) Applicants

For the following licenses:

• Fermented Malt Beverage
• Wine licenses

Please complete:

• FMB-WR License Application DR 8403

Provide a deed or lease agreement. The lease must exactly match the applicant's name.

• Must outline the area to be licensed in bold, black ink
• Label the length and width of the exterior walls
• Label the height and type of intended control for any exterior areas (e.g., fencing, walls, barriers)
• Include all bars, walls, partitions, and entrances/exits
• Clearly label all areas where alcohol will be stored
• Create separate diagram for each floor (if multiple levels)
• Does not need to be to scale
• All labels must be legible

Applicants must disclose all sources of funds used to purchase or operate the business to be licensed.

Financial investment document examples:

• purchase agreement
• stock transfer agreement
• loan documentation
• promissory notes

The City requires disclosure of the natural persons serving as the applicant's

• officers,
• directors,
• general partners,
• managing members,
• stockholders,
• partners, or
• members with 10% or more ownership in the applicant.

Where ownership or control is held through another entity, the applicant must provide the names and titles of the individuals who hold those roles for the controlling entity and who exercise decision-making authority or signatory authority for the applicant.

Any individual meeting the criteria above must complete the following:

• Individual History Record DR8404-I
• Submit fingerprints(PDF, 672KB) to the City as part of the background investigation process
• Criminal History Disclosure(PDF, 262KB)
• Authorization and Consent Form(PDF, 167KB)
• Entity Structure and Ownership Disclosure(PDF, 419KB)

Required

All applicants must submit an Entity and Ownership Disclosure.

Entity and Ownership Disclosure(PDF, 419KB)

Other Requirements by Business Type

Corporation:

• Certificate of Incorporation date stamped by Secretary of State
• Certificate of Good Standing issued within past two years
• Certificate of Authorization (only for foreign companies)
• Diagram of the Corporate Tree
• List of officers/stockholders/directors of applying corporation (if wholly owned, designate at least 1 person as principal officer of parent)

Limited Liability Company (LLC):

• Certificate of Good Standing issued within past two years
• Articles of Organization date stamped by the Colorado Secretary of State's Office
• Fully executed copy of the Operating Agreement
• Certificate of Authority (only for foreign companies)

Partnership:

• Partnership agreement (general or limited)
• Certificate of Good Standing issued (if formed after 2009)
• Restrictions On Public Benefits Affidavit (DR 4679)
• Copy of Driver's License or Colorado Identification Card for each applicant

Contact liquorlicensing@fortcollins.gov or 970-221-6515.

You must present enough evidence to the Liquor Licensing Authority that shows the need for the license in your neighborhood, which is usually done by petitioning the neighborhood. The petitions show support (or lack of support) for issuing a license.

You can start petitioning after the City Clerk's Office gives you the neighborhood boundaries.

You can do the petition survey yourself or hire a professional survey firm.

Must be submitted to the City Clerk's Office at least 10 days before the hearing date.

Petition Guidelines(PDF, 407KB)

Applicants are required to pay application fees as well as a Liquor Occupation Tax. 

Application Payment Options

• Pay online at the City's Pay Portal
• Pay by check or money order
  • Address to "City of Fort Collins" at the City Clerk's Office, located in City Hall at 300 Laporte Ave.
  • Mail to the City Clerk's Office at the following address:
    
    City Clerk's Office
    PO Box 580
    Fort Collins, CO 80522

  Include the proof of payment with your application.

Application Fees

New License Application Fee: $500.00

License Fees (by type):

• Hotel-Restaurant: $75.00
• Tavern: $75.00
• Brew Pub: $75.00
• Retail Liquor Store: $22.50
• Beer and Wine: $48.75
• Club: $41.25
• Lodging and Entertainment: $75.00
• Fermented Malt Beverage: $3.75

Liquor Occupation Tax

An annual Liquor Occupation Tax must be paid by all businesses that manufacture, sell or offer any alcoholic beverages for sale. This tax is in addition to annual licensing fees and other Sales and Use taxes.

New applicants will pay a prorated tax based on the number of months remaining in the year before liquor licenses are issued.

Pay Liquor Occupation Tax

Contact Sales Tax if you have questions about the Liquor Occupation Tax. 

Annual Liquor Occupation Tax (by type): 

• Arts License: $150
• Beer and Wine License: $800
• Brew Pub License: $1,600
• Club License: $800
• Distillery Pub License: $1,600
• Drugstore License: $750
• Fermented Malt Beverage License: $750
• Hotel and Restaurant License: $1,600
• Lodging and Entertainment License: $1,600
• Optional Premises License: $1,600
• Retail Liquor Store License: $750
• Tavern License: $1,600
• Vintner’s Restaurant License: $1,600

New applicants must attend a hearing before the Liquor Licensing Authority. Applicants will be scheduled for a hearing date after the application packet has been deemed complete. The applicant or a representative must attend the hearing.

The Fort Collins Liquor Licensing Authority usually meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m. via Zoom.

Visit the The agenda posted in the Documents and Resources section to see most recent agenda, meeting links and deadlines to be added to a meeting agenda (Liquor Authority Schedule).

Meeting Information

After the Hearing

• If the Liquor Licensing Authority approves the application, the City Clerk's Office forwards it to the Colorado Department of Revenue's Liquor Licensing Division for final review and approval.
• The State processes the application and mails the State's liquor license to the City Clerk's Office. We cannot guarantee the timeframe for State review and approval, but applicants can expedite this process by selecting concurrent review for time-sensitive applications.
• The City Clerk's Office prepares a City of Fort Collins license after receiving the State license. Both licenses will be sent to the new licensee after confirmation that the occupation tax has been paid and the licensed premises has been issued a certificate of occupancy.

The entire process can take 120 days or more from submittal to license issuance. To apply, you must request a secure link from liquorlicensing@fortcollins.gov. Paper applications and incomplete application packets will not be accepted. Applications must be typed or legibly printed in black ink.

After You File an Application

• The City Clerk's Office will review the application packet for completion. Applicants will be scheduled for a hearing date after the application packet has been deemed complete. The applicant or a representative must attend the hearing.
• The Fort Collins Liquor Licensing Authority usually meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m. via Zoom. The agenda posted in the Documents and Resources section has links to the meeting.
• The applicant must post a sign provided by the City Clerk's Office for at least ten (10) days at the proposed licensed premises in a location visible to the public before the hearing date.
• The Police Department completes background checks and reports findings to the Liquor Licensing Authority.

State Renewal Application and Tax Check Authorization DR 8400

To renew your Liquor License, you must pay applicable City and state license fees, as well as your annual Liquor Occupation Tax. 

NOTE: Save a copy of your payment receipts

State Fees

Pay State Fees

As of July 1, 2024, a $250 annual renewal application fee applies to all renewals.

*Plus $100.00 for each optional premise

City Fees

Pay City Fees

Liquor Occupation Tax

Pay Liquor Occupation Fee

Contact Sales Tax if you have questions about the Liquor Occupation Tax.

State Renewal for Takeout and Delivery Permit DR 8496

You can complete this online and send it directly to the State.

State Online Pay Portal (the fee is $11)

Convert all documents to PDF; we cannot accept any other file types.

Email completed documents to liquorlicensing@fortcollins.gov with your business name in the subject line:

• State Renewal Application
• Tax Check Waiver Authorization Form
• State Fee Receipt
• City Fee Receipt unchanged