Other Liquor Permits

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Overview

The City of Fort Collins City Clerk's Office manages liquor licensing within the City. The team assists businesses through the license application process, issuing licenses approved administratively, by the State of Colorado and by the Local Licensing Authority.

The documents on this page are provided for printing purposes. For assistance viewing or reading these documents, please contact the City's ADA Coordinator via email adacoordinator@fortcollins.gov or phone: 970-416-4254.

Special Event Permits

Apply for Liquor Special Event Permits 60 days before your event. Special event permits allow you to sell alcohol by the drink. Local and state authorities issue these permits to qualifying groups.

To qualify, you must be a Colorado corporation for social, fraternal, patriotic, political or athletic purposes (not for profit); a regularly chartered branch, lodge or chapter of a national nonprofit organization; a regularly established religious or philanthropic institution; or a political candidate who filed required reports with the Secretary of State under Article 45, Title 1, C.R.S.

The City issues permits for one specific location. You cannot transfer permits to other locations or groups. No group can get a special events permit for more than 15 days per year. You must serve sandwiches or other food snacks during all hours you serve alcohol.

Step 1: Apply

Special Events Permit Application

Step 2: Questionnaire

Complete the Special Event Permit Questionnaire(PDF, 406KB).

Step 3: Proof of Possession of Property

Floor diagram of premises (8 ½" x 11" only):

  • Must show the exact licensed premises
  • Include length and width of perimeter
  • Include bars, walls, partitions, entrances/exits, storage
  • Show north orientation
  • Create separate diagram for each floor (if multiple levels)
  • Does not need to be to scale
  • Show exterior fencing, walls, barriers, etc.

Written permission to use the premises:

  • Permission must go to the same organization applying for the permit
  • Owner/Landlord must acknowledge that alcohol will be served

Step 4: Certificate of Good Standing

Certificate of Good Standing

Step 5: Contract Copies

Provide fully executed copies of any contracts with promoters, sponsors or advertisers for this event.

Step 6: Liquor Liability Insurance

Liquor Liability Insurance Certificate (required if the event is on City property).

Step 7: Posting Notice

Prepare and post a Posting Notice(PDF, 772KB)  of Special Events Permit application.

  • POSTER SIZE: At least 22" wide and 26" high with letters at least 1 inch tall [§ 44-3-311(2), C.R.S.]

Complete affidavit of posting with a photo of the posted sign. Return to City Clerk's Office right after posting.

  • Photo of sign at location must be included with completed affidavit

Step 8: Complete Affidavit

Download, complete and save the Special Events Permit Affidavit(PDF, 179KB).

Step 9: Fee Schedule

Pay by check or money order to "City of Fort Collins" or City Pay Portal: Malt, Vinous and Spirituous Liquor permit ($50 per day)

Step 10: Submit Materials

Email the completed application to LiquorLicensing@fortcollins.gov for staff review.

Takeout and Delivery

On-Premise

If you have an on-premise liquor license and allow takeout and delivery, complete the Takeout and Delivery Permit Application and Renewal form. Email it to the State's liquor enforcement division at dor_liqlicensing@state.co.us.

The State requires an initial application and renewal fee:

Off-Premise

If you have a Retail Liquor Store or Liquor-licensed Drugstore license and deliver alcohol to customers, complete the Delivery Permit Application and Renewal. Email it to the State's liquor enforcement division at dor_liqlicensing@state.co.us.

No City fees apply to this application.

  

Bed and Breakfast

Step 1: Apply

Complete the Bed and Breakfast Permit Application(PDF, 264KB).

Step 2: Proof of Possession of Property

Deed or Lease

Floor diagram (8½" x 11" only):

  • Must show the exact licensed premises
  • Include length and width of exterior walls only
  • Include bars, walls, partitions, entrances/exits, storage
  • Show north orientation
  • Create separate diagram for each floor (if multiple levels)
  • Does not need to be to scale
  • Show exterior fencing, walls, etc.

Step 3: Business Documentation

Corporate (if applicable):

  • Certificate of Good Standing dated within last two years
  • Articles of Organization

Partnership (if applicable):

  • Partnership agreement (except for husband-wife partnerships)
  • Certificate of co-partnership (if applicable)

Limited Liability Company (if applicable):

  • Certificate of Good Standing dated within last two years
  • Articles of Organization
  • Copy of operating agreement (required if OTHER than sole member LLC or husband and wife LLC)

Step 4: Fee Schedule

  • Check or money order for $50 to "City of Fort Collins" or City Pay Portal
  • Check or money order for $71.25 to "Colorado Department of Revenue" or State Pay Portal

Step 5: Submit Materials

Email the completed application to LiquorLicensing@fortcollins.gov for staff review.

  

Tasting Permit

Step 1: Apply

Complete the Tasting Permit Application(PDF, 256KB).

Step 2: Proof of Training

List employees who completed required training, including training completion dates.

Only people who completed a server training program can conduct tastings. The program must meet Liquor Enforcement Division standards. The person must be a retail liquor store licensee, liquor-licensed drugstore licensee or employee of a licensee. Tastings must happen on licensed premises only.

Attach a written Control Plan showing how tastings will follow all requirements. Include diagrams if needed.

Step 3: List of Scheduled Tasting

Tasting Schedule Template(PDF, 150KB)

Tasting Log Template(PDF, 144KB) Schedule must include dates, times and assigned server. You may change the approved schedule if you give the City Clerk and City liquor enforcement officer 7 days written notice and the change does not violate City Code, Colorado Liquor Code, regulations or other laws.

Step 4: Pay Fees

Initial Application Fee $150 or Renewal Application Fee $50

Pay Fees

Step 5: Submit Materials

Email the completed application to LiquorLicensing@fortcollins.gov for staff review.

Retail Warehouse

Step 1: Apply

Permit Application Instructions(PDF, 1MB)

Step 2: Pay Fees

No City fee. Only State fee via State Online Pay Portal. Include the State receipt with your application.

Step 3: Submit Materials

Email the completed application to LiquorLicensing@fortcollins.gov for staff review.

Retail Establishment Permit (Application and Renewal)

Step 1: Apply

Retail Establishment Permit Application(PDF, 501KB)

This permit is for an Art Gallery or Retail Establishment as defined below.

Art Gallery: A retail establishment that mainly exhibits and sells fine art or precious/semiprecious metals or stones.

  • Fill out Section B on the application
  • Include items listed under Section D

Retail Establishment: An establishment that mainly sells goods or services to the public and operates at a physical building in Colorado and gets less than 50% of gross sales from food.

  • Fill out Section C on the application
  • Include items listed under Section D

Step 2: Pay Fees

Both Art Gallery and Retail Establishment:

Step 3: Submit Materials

Email completed materials to LiquorLicensing@fortcollins.gov for staff review.

Art Gallery Materials

Retail Establishment Materials

Contact Us

Email

LiquorLicensing@fortcollins.gov

Phone

970-221-6515

Hours

Monday-Friday | 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Physical Address

300 Laporte Ave.
Fort Collins, CO 80521

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