Liquor Licensing
General Information
Liquor License Applications require approval of both the City of Centennial and the State of Colorado, Department of Revenue, Liquor Enforcement Division. Liquor Licenses are issued under the provisions of Chapter 6, Article 4 of the Centennial Municipal Code and Articles 3 through 6, Title 44, of the Colorado Revised Statutes. More information regarding State requirements can be found at the Colorado Department of Revenue Liquor Enforcement's Website.
For most licensing matters, local approval must be obtained prior to final approval by the State Liquor Enforcement Division. The City Clerk's Office manages Liquor License Applications for Centennial.
Matters requiring a public hearing are decided by the Centennial Liquor Licensing Authority, while other matters of an administrative nature are handled by the City Clerk and staff.
Liquor Licensing Processes and Forms
New Application
This liquor license application process is lengthier than that of other licenses. Applicants should allow a minimum of 60-90 days to complete the process.
New applications are required to have a hearing before the Centennial Liquor Licensing Authority. Virtual hearings will be scheduled no sooner than 30 days from the date the application is deemed complete. For new liquor licenses, there is a requirement to assess the needs and desires of the neighborhood through a petitioning process.
Required Forms
Other Information and Forms
Tips and Helpful Information
- Pages 5 and 6 of the DR 8404 includes a checklist of documents to be attached to the application.
- Pages 3 and 4 of the DR 8403 includes a checklist of documents to be attached to the application.
- After the application is submitted, fingerprinting information for the background check(s) will be provided to the applicant.
- The DR 8442 is required only if the owner is not the manager.
- You can request Concurrent Review to enable the State to begin reviewing the application at the same time Centennial is reviewing it.
- The Centennial Liquor Licensing Authority generally meet on Wednesday mornings at 10 a.m. for virtual hearings.
- There are attorneys that specialize in liquor licensing who can assist with the application process.
Renewal Application
The State will send a Renewal Application approximately 60 to 90 days before the expiration of the current license. The Renewal Application and fees are due to Centennial on or before 45 days before the expiration of the current license. A reminder email may be sent by the Clerk’s office if the renewal application is late.
Required Forms
Tips and Helpful Information
- The fees to the State can be paid on the Colorado PayPort Online Service Portal. Please include a copy of the receipt with your Renewal Application.
- If your lease expiration date has passed, you will need to provide a lease extension or other documentation which shows control of premises.
- Your fees to Centennial are $100 for the Annual Renewal Application Fee and an amount for the Retail License Fee which depends on the type of license. The Retail License Fees can be found on the DR 8500, Fee Schedule under the type of license and “Local Fee City.”
- Sales tax must be current with Centennial and the State before the Renewal Application will be processed.
Report of Changes
Several changes to a business are reported using the same form. These include but are not limited to change in manager, modification of premises (permanent or temporary) and change in corporate or trade name.
Required Forms
Other Forms
Tips and Helpful Information
- Manager Registration for certain licenses (Hotel & Restaurant, Tavern and Lodging & Entertainment) require a fee of $30 to the State and $30 to Centennial.
- There are no Manager Registration fees for Fermented Malt Beverage and Wine licensees.
- All other Manager changes have no fee to the State, but a $75 fee to Centennial.
- The fees to the State can be paid on the Colorado PayPort Online Service Portal. Please include a copy of the receipt with the form.
Transfer Of Ownership Application
A business that wants to obtain an existing license must complete a transfer of ownership. This requires both State and local approval but may not require a public hearing before the Liquor Licensing Authority. An applicant for a transfer application may also request a temporary permit for the period during which the transfer is being reviewed.
Required Forms
Other Information and Forms
Tips and Helpful Information
- The DR 8404/DR 8403 includes a checklist of documents to be attached to the application.
- After the transfer application is submitted, fingerprinting information for the background check(s) will be provided to the applicant.
- The DR 8442 is required only if the owner is not the manager.
- There are attorneys that specialize in liquor licensing who can assist with the application process.
Special Events
A Special Events Permit is required when serving or selling alcoholic beverages or 3.2% beer at a special event. In addition the City requires a License for Special Sales Events taking place in the City during which three or more vendors gather in one location and sell items for a limited period of time, not to exceed seven consecutive days (i.e. art or craft fair).
Required Forms
Other Information and Forms
Miscellaneous Forms
Other Liquor Licensing Documents
Alcohol Beverage Tasting
Surrender a License
Local Approval for Sales Room (Brewery, Distillery and Wineries only)
Liquor Licensing Authority
The Centennial Liquor Licensing Authority conducts hearings for new liquor license applications, change of location applications, special events permits and show cause hearings. The Centennial Liquor Licensing Authority is designated as a sole hearing officer via Ordinance No. 2015-O-30.
Louis Gresh, was appointed by City Council as the Hearing Officer for the City. Public Hearings are open to members of the public and are generally scheduled virtually on Wednesday mornings. For a list of upcoming meetings please email us at cityclerksoffice@centennialco.gov.
Questions
Please email the Assistant City Clerk or call 303-754-3381 to have your questions answered or for applications and changes not found on this page. We are here to assist and guide you through the process.