Proposition 126 (also known as the Alcohol Delivery Service Initiative) is a citizen-initiated, statewide ballot measure that was rejected in
Colorado on November 8, 2022.[1] The measure would have allowed alcohol retailers and liquor licensed businesses to offer alcohol delivery through third-party delivery services.[2]
Contents
The amendment appeared on the ballot as follows:[3]
Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes concerning authorization for the third-party delivery of alcohol beverages, and, in connection therewith, allowing retail establishments licensed to sell alcohol beverages for on-site or off-site consumption to deliver all types of alcohol beverages to a person twenty-one years of age or older through a third-party delivery service that obtains a delivery service permit; prohibiting the delivery of alcohol beverages to a person who is under 21 years of age, is intoxicated, or fails to provide proof of identification; removing the limit on the percentage of gross sales revenues a licensee may receive from alcohol beverage deliveries; and allowing a technology services company, without obtaining a third-party delivery service permit, to provide software or a digital network application that connects consumers and licensed retailers for the delivery of alcohol beverages?
Overview
Proposition 126 would:
authorize grocery stores, convenience stores, liquor stores, bars, and restaurants to sell and deliver alcohol through third-party services, such as grocery and meal delivery companies, effective March 1, 2023
remove restrictions limiting the amount of revenue a store can make through alcohol delivery
permanently allow bars and restaurants to offer alcohol takeout and delivery (temporarily authorized in 2020, set to automatically repeal on July 1, 2025)[4]
Background
Alcohol delivery has been allowed by liquor stores since 1994, by wineries since 1997, and by grocery and convenience stores since 2019. Currently, retailers are allowed to deliver alcohol using a store-owned vehicle by a store employee who is at least 21 years old.[5]
Support
Proposition 126 is supported by the Colorado
Chamber of Commerce, the Colorado Restaurant Association, the Hispanic Restaurant Association,
The Denver Post, the
NAACP Rocky Mountain State Area Conference, the Aurora Chamber of Commerce, the Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce, the Wine in Grocery Stores Initiative, and Fair Delivery for All Small Businesses.[3][6][7][8]
Opposition
Proposition 126 is opposed by the Colorado Licensed Beverage Association and Keeping Colorado Local.[3][9]