Colorado’s alcohol laws blend strict regulations with recent reforms allowing home delivery and extended happy hours under specific conditions. These rules, shaped by pandemic-era changes and 2024-2025 updates, permit licensed retailers and restaurants to deliver but ban third-party services like DoorDash. Key limits include quantity caps and employee-only delivery to ensure compliance.​
Delivery Rules
Restaurants and taverns with takeout permits can deliver sealed alcohol from 7 a.m. to midnight, up to 1 liter of spirits, 144 ounces of beer or cider, or 1.5 liters of wine per order. Retail liquor stores use their own staff or vehicles, not gig workers, with direct-to-consumer shipping limited to wine only. Alcohol cannot exceed 50% of takeout revenue, and orders require ID verification.​
Happy Hour Details
Happy hours operate legally but cannot offer “two-for-one” deals or free drinks; discounts apply only to prices, not volume. No happy hours from 2-6 p.m. on weekdays in some locales, and promotions end by 10 p.m. statewide. Bars must post prices clearly to avoid deceptive practices.​
Purchase Limits
Grocery stores sell beer and wine, but full liquor requires specialty stores. Public consumption bans apply outside licensed areas, with open containers prohibited in vehicles. Sunday sales start at 10 a.m. for off-premises, later for on-site.​
Recent Changes
SB24-020 made restaurant to-go alcohol permanent past 2025, while SB24-231 updated licensing effective January 2025. Third-party delivery remains blocked after voters rejected Proposition 126. Violations risk fines or license revocation.
SOURCES
[1](https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb24-020)
[2](https://www.parkstreet.com/states/colorado/)
[3](https://foodondemand.com/11172022/colorado-blocks-third-party-alcohol-delivery/)
[4](https://corestaurant.org/blog/new-rules-for-sales-of-takeout-and-delivery-alcohol-beverages-permit-required/)
[5](https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb21-1027)
