Obtaining a Liquor License
For information on obtaining a liquor license in unincorporated Eagle County, call the Eagle County Clerk and Recorder's office at 970-328-8718. For licenses located within town limits, refer to our Community Contacts list for links to specific town Web sites.
Resolution Regarding Eagle County Beer and Liquor Licensing Policies and Procedures
Liquor License Renewals
All liquor licenses must be renewed annually. Approximately 90 days prior to expiration, the Department of Revenue should send you your renewal forms. If you do not receive these, please contact Liquor Enforcement at 303-205-2300.
Please complete the renewal forms and return them to the Clerk and Recorder’s Office, P. O. Box 537, Eagle, Colorado 81631. Do not submit your application to the state. Make sure you include two checks with your renewal, one for the state and one for Eagle County. Check here for a list of the county liquor fees. Please include both the license fee and the renewal fee when writing your check.
New Licenses and Transfers of Ownership
To apply for either a new liquor license, or to transfer the ownership of an existing liquor license, you will need to complete the following forms: Retail License Application or 3.2% Beer License Application; Distance Affidavit; Applicant's Check List; Food Service Affidavit (hotel & restaurant licenses only); Individual History Record; Alcohol Management Plan; Affidavit of Transfer (Transfers of Ownership only), Temporary Request Form (Transfers of Ownership only); and a Petition (New Licenses only).
With your application you will need to submit three (3) checks to: A) Colorado Department of Revenue for state fees; B) Eagle County Clerk and Recorder for county fees; and C) Colorado Bureau of Investigation for background checks. See the fee list above for appropriate amounts.
The entire process for a new license or to transfer ownership of an existing license can take anywhere from 60-90 days. To speed this process, it is recommended that new license applicants request for concurrent review by the state. It is recommended that transfer of ownership applicants request a temporary permit be issued by the county. The cost for either of these is an additional $100 (see county liquor fees ).
It is highly recommended that you sit down with the county's liquor license coordinator when filing your application, as there are many requirements that need to be met to obtain a liquor license. Failure to meet any of these requirements could seriously delay processing of the application.
Special Events Permits Guidelines
If you are a nonprofit agency and are planning to hold a liquor-related event at an establishment in unincorporated Eagle County that does not possess a liquor license, you must apply for a Special Events Permit. All applications must be received by the Clerk and Recorder’s Office at least 30 days prior to the date of the event, to allow for proper processing. Failure to do so will result in your application being denied! You may be asked to appear before the Board of County Commissioners.
Special Event Permit fees
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County Fees: $100 per application (regardless of number of days of event). Make check payable to Eagle County Clerk and Recorder
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State Fees: $10 per day if you plan to dispense 3.2% beer only, and $25 per day if you plan to dispense malt (regular beer), vinous, and spirituous liquors. Make this check payable to Colorado Department of Revenue
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Both fees must be paid.
Eagle County requirements are more stringent than the state’s. Click here to download a Special Permit Application, an Eagle County Special Events Checklist, and an Alcohol Management Plan for Special Events.
Manager’s Registration
All licensees possessing either a Hotel and Restaurant or a Tavern License are required to register their managers with local and state authorities. Should your designated manager cease to work for you, you must notify Eagle County within five days and register the new manager within 30 days.
To register a manager complete the following forms: Report of Changes, Individual History, and a fingerprint card. Contact a local law enforcement agency for fingerprinting. Please complete and submit, along with the appropriate fees, to the Clerk and Recorder’s Office.
Background Checks
All persons applying for a new liquor license, for the transfer of ownership of a liquor license, or for a manager’s registration must submit a fingerprint card for a background check. Fingerprint cards can be obtained from any local law enforcement bureau or from the Clerk and Recorder’s Office. Any local law enforcement bureau can complete the card.
Checks are performed by the Eagle County Sheriff’s Department and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The CBI fee for conducting such background checks is $38.50 per individual. This is fee is separate from other state and county fees that may be incurred. The CBI accepts only business, cashier’s, or certified checks only. Personal checks are not accepted. Please include this with your application.
Alcohol Server Training
Eagle County requires that all employees serving, selling, or dispensing alcoholic beverages must be trained through one of the following approved programs:
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T.I.P.S. (Training for Intervention Procedures by Servers of alcohol)
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Employees must be certified within 30 days of their hiring date, and training must be repeated every three years.
For information visit the Colorado Department of Revenue Liquor Enforcement Division.
