s_blt_2016a_2016-01-27t13:59:00z0 Hearing Summary

Date: 01/27/2016

01:59 PM -- SB 16-053



Senator Hill introduced Senate Bill 16-053, concerning limited self-distribution by spirits manufacturers. Under current law, spirits manufacturers must have a separate wholesaler's license in order to sell their product to a retailer. The bill allows a spirits manufacturer to annually sell up to 9,000 liters of each spirit of its own manufacture to retailers without a separate wholesaler's license. Colorado's liquor laws are based on a three-tier system, separating manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers. From 2012-2014, the Liquor Enforcement Division within the Colorado Department of Revenue (DOR) determined that the Colorado law provided that wine or spirits manufacturers did not need to obtain a separate wholesaler's license to sell their product directly to retailers. Beginning in 2014, DOR required spirits manufacturers to obtain a wholesale license to self-distribute spirits. Senator Hill responded to questions from the committee. He indicated his intent to postpone indefinitely this bill and return to the committee with a new bill.



02:07 PM -- Kara Miller, Colorado Distillers Guild, spoke about the bill.



02:10 PM -- Steve Findley, Colorado Beer Distributors Association, spoke in opposition to the bill as currently drafted and indicated his support of the proposed alternative bill. He responded to questions from the committee.



02:15 PM -- Micki Hackenberger, Wine and Spirit Wholesalers of Colorado, spoke in opposition to the bill as currently drafted.



02:17 PM -- Laura Long, Colorado Brewers Guild, spoke in opposition to the bill as currently drafted.



02:19 PM -- Patrick Maroney, Liquor Enforcement Division, responded to questions from the committee.



02:24 PM



Senator Hill made closing comments on the bill.