The following types of liquor licenses are issued by the city of Aurora. This is a short description of each license and what can be sold. If you have specific questions about a type of license, please call 303.739.7057 and ask to speak with a Licensing Officer.
Fermented Malt Beverage – Permits the sale of fermented malt beverage by the drink to the public for consumption on the premises, or in sealed containers for off-premises consumption, or for both on- and off-premises consumption,depending upon the type of license issued. Fermented malt beverage licensees are not obligated to serve food at any time.
Arts License – Arts licenses are issued to non-profit corporations and municipalities to permit the sale of malt, vinous and spirituous liquors to patrons of artistic and cultural performances for consumption on the premises in connection with those performances. Art licensees are not obligated to serve food at any time.
Bed and Breakfast Permit – Permits complimentary alcoholic beverages to be provided to overnight guests during limited hours for consumption on the premises.
Beer and Wine License – Permits the sale of only malt and vinous liquors and fermented malt beverages for consumption on the premises. Beer and Wine licensees must have sandwiches and light snacks available for consumption on the premises during business hours.
Brew Pub License – Permits the sale and consumption on premises of malt, vinous and spirituous liquors and permits the manufacture of malt liquor on the licensed premises. Malt liquor which is manufactured on the licensed premises may be sold for consumption on the premises, sold to an independent wholesaler for distribution to other licensed retailers, or sold to the public in properly labeled sealed containers “to go.” Brew Pub licensees must serve meals and must derive 15 percent of the on-premises gross sales from the sale of food.
Club License – Permits qualifying non-profit corporations to sell malt, vinous or spirituous liquors to members and their guests for consumption on the premises. Club licensees are not obligated to sell food at any time.
Hotel-Restaurant License and Hotel-Restaurant License with Optional Premises – Permits restaurants and hotels with restaurant facilities to sell malt, vinous and spirituous liquors for consumption on the premises. It is issued to facilities only if meals are actually and regularly served. Twenty-five percent or more of the total amount of the gross income of the business must be from the sale of meals. Hotel-Restaurant licensees must serve meals between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. and meals or light snacks after 8 p.m. The Optional Premises license is attached to the Hotel-Restaurant license and permits the sale of malt, vinous and spirituous liquors by the drink to customers on a licensed outdoor sports and recreational facility for consumption on the premises.
Liquor-Licensed Drug Store License – Permits licensed drugstores to sell malt, vinous, and spirituous liquors to the public in sealed containers for consumption off the premises. Liquor-Licensed Drug Stores are not subject to prohibitions or requirements regarding the sale of food items.
Lodging & Entertainment License– Permits lodging and entertainment facilities to sell malt, vinous, and spirituous liquors for consumption on premise. Facilities are required to have sandwiches and light snacks available or consumption on premise during business hours. To qualify as a lodging facility, the primary business must offer sleeping rooms or meeting facilities. To qualify as an entertainment facility, the primary business must provide qualifying sports or entertainment activities. Examples of sports activities include arcade games, billiards, bowling, golf or laser tag. Examples of entertainment activities include art or film exhibits or performances, art or cooking classes, amusement rides, or spa experiences (spa experience must include three of the five following items: facials, massage therapy, skin treatment, body wraps or body waxes. Nails services do not qualify). Lodging and entertainment facilities must generate 50% or more of gross annual revenues from the sales of activities.
Racetrack License – Permits racetracks with pari-mutuel wagering licenses to sell malt, vinous and spirituous liquors to customers for consumption on the premises. Racetrack licensees are required to have food available during business hours.
Retail Liquor Store License – Permits the sale of malt, vinous and spirituous liquors in sealed containers for consumption off premises. Retail Liquor Store licensees are prohibited from the sale of food items except those approved by the State Licensing Authority that are prepackaged, labeled, directly related to the consumption of liquor, and are sold in containers up to sixteen ounces for the purpose of cocktail garnish.
Special Event Permit – Special Event Permits are issued to non-profit corporations and organizations listed on state form DR 8439 to permit the sale of malt, vinous and spirituous liquors or fermented malt beverages. Non-profits are allowed to have 15 events per calendar year. Sandwiches and light snacks are required during all hours of liquor service.
Tastings License – “Tastings” means the sampling of malt, vinous or spirituous liquors that may occur on the premises of a retail liquor store licensee or liquor licensed drug store licensee by adult patrons of the licensee.
Tavern License – Permits the sale of malt, vinous and spirituous liquors for consumption on the premises. The licensee must have sandwiches and light snacks available for consumption on the premises during business hours.
Cabaret License – A Cabaret License allows a liquor licensed business (tavern, hotel-restaurant, or fermented malt beverage on premises licenses only) to offer a dance floor and musical entertainment for customers.
Reviewed 1-10-20