A ballot question in November asks voters whether they want to make a change to allow to-go alcohol and delivery in Colorado permanent and extend it to other businesses. via Meghan_Lopez, who will have reports on the ballot issues all week long.
DENVER — For a moment during the COVID pandemic, everything stopped. Businesses were closed, employees were sent home and classes were held remotely for students. Even some of the most bustling streets in Denver looked like a ghost town as the pandemic brought things to a halt.
The restaurant didn’t have a liquor license during the pandemic but is now in the process of applying for one to help with its economic recovery. Bringas believes permanent takeout would expand her customer base. Las Hijas De Chilanga isn’t alone with its staffing struggles. John Jarmillo, the president of the Hispanic Restaurant Association, says the temporary law that the legislature passed allowing for to-go alcohol benefitted bigger businesses while leaving small restaurants behind.
Jarmillo says he has talked to numerous restaurants in the months leading up to the November election about this ballot proposal and he hasn’t found anyone who opposes it. Josh Beard is the co-owner and general manager of Mulberry Max in Fort Collins. He contends that people already have an alcohol delivery service with liquor stores, so convenience isn’t a factor.
Chris Fine, the executive director for the Colorado Licensed Beverage Association, also worries about the accountability aspects of the ballot measure.