New law makes to-go, delivery alcohol permanent in Colorado

Colorado restaurants can continue delivering and selling to-go alcohol under a new law passed by the legislature this year, enshrining a pandemic-era lifeline into the state’s dining culture.

Gov. Jared Polis originally — and temporarily — approved delivery and to-go alcohol via an executive order after the pandemic began four years ago, offering a boost to restaurants struggling amid shutdowns and COVID-era restrictions.

The next year, lawmakers extended the change but set it to expire in July 2025.

That expiration is no more. Under Senate Bill 20, the option is now permanent. Polis signed the bill late last week. It was sponsored by Democratic Sens. Dylan Roberts and Nick Hinrichsen, along with Democratic Rep. William Lindstedt and House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese.

Roberts told fellow lawmakers in February that nearly 1,900 restaurants have obtained to-go alcohol permits, a number that he said accounts for 90% of the state’s eateries.