Editorial: Put cork in grocers’ bid for liquor sales

It’s bound to be a frothy debate: Colorado grocers once again are lobbying for a change in state law to allow them to sell full-strength beer, wine and spirits. The issue could come to a head in November 2016, if enough signatures are secured on petitions to place it on the ballot.

Retailers, including grocery stores, are limited under Colorado law to one license to sell full-strength alcohol. That means that only one Colorado location for a chain grocer can sell full-strength beer, wine or spirits, with their other locations limited to offering 3.2 percent beer.

On one side of the latest debate is the Colorado Retail Council and the Colorado Consumer Choice Coalition, which is organizing the “Colorado Consumers for Choice” campaign. They argue that Colorado should join 45 other states that allow grocery stores to sell full-strength alcohol.

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Opposing the effort are the Colorado Licensed Beverage Association and the Craft Brewers Guild, operating through a “Keep Colorado Local” campaign. They warn that allowing grocery stores to sell full-strength alcohol will damage the craft-brewing industry, as well as the state’s almost 1,600 independent liquor stores.

Although the measure won’t appear before voters for almost a year and a half — if it secures enough signatures to make the ballot — both sides already are launching fierce campaigns through social media to draw support.

We’ll come out early on this issue, as it’s one we’ve addressed in the past, when similar measures have been proposed at the General Assembly:  Colorado’s current law has worked well and should not be changed. Colorado grocery stores succeeded in securing approval in 2008 for Sunday liquor sales, but we’re hoping the current effort falls flat.

Just as grocers are restricted under state law in terms of what strength of alcohol they can sell, liquor stores are prohibited from selling groceries. Independent liquor stores — often mom-and-pop operations — have been credited with helping Colorado become one of the premier craft-brewing states in the nation, with 287 craft breweries, 75 craft distilleries and 65 wineries. Independent liquor stores provide much-needed shelf space to local producers, helping them develop a following and a foothold in the market. They respond to their customers’ desires and have helped create a thriving industry.

Allowing retailers to sell full-strength alcohol would threaten those same independent liquor stores, many of which are located in strip centers alongside chain grocers. Such independents almost assuredly would be forced out of business if the grocer next door began selling full-strength alcohol.

And we’re not convinced by the argument that chain grocers would eagerly provide shelf space to these same craft brewers. Although it might be an easy call for them to offer Fat Tire, Dale’s Pale Ale or 90 Shilling, would an out-of-state buyer even take a look at an offering from a brewery startup?

We’re not willing to take that chance. Let’s not kill the goose that made the golden ale.