• About Us
• Crime & Prevention
• Community Partnerships

• FAQ
• Join Our Team
• Online Services
• Safety & Health

• Liquor Sting: Checking IDs (Video Clip)

The Arvada Police Department utilizes the efforts of one civilian to oversee the liquor licensing function in the Investigations Bureau. This investigator works closely with the city's Liquor Licensing Authority and other staff including representatives from the City Clerk's Office and the City Attorney's Office. The Liquor Authority is a five member board appointed by city council which meets monthly to consider business ranging from granting/ denying applications, manager registrations and renewals to conducting violation hearings.

Last year, the licensing investigator conducted 46 license investigations including those for new and transfer applications, manager registrations, change of corporate structure, etc. The investigator also investigated 28 alleged liquor violations.  The investigations resulted in two criminal prosecutions, 23 warning letters (due to insufficient evidence for prosecution) and three which merited no action. There were more than 120 inspections for renewals, new licenses, and possible violations.

About The Liquor Licensing Authority
The Authority examines the needs and desires of the neighborhood and the character, record and reputation of the applicant when determining whether or not to issue new liquor licenses .

The maximum license suspension under the Liquor Code is six months. Should the Authority choose to impose a longer suspension it must permanently revoke the liquor license.

For suspensions, the Authority typically includes active day(s) of suspension for discipline, day(s) held in abeyance for a year on the condition of no further violations to ensure future compliance and other day(s) dismissed if conditions like attending liquor training classes are completed to promote education.

The Authority's Sentencing Guidelines take into consideration a number of aggravating/ mitigating factors including the nature of any prior convictions and how close in proximity that conviction is to the current conviction, commendation/ warning letters received, liquor training classes attended, written policies and procedures for employees, length of time held the license, the type of the license, etc. Each case is considered individually depending upon the circumstances of each case.

Alcohol related offenses especially sales to minors and to visibly intoxicated persons directly impact the health, safety and welfare of the community. Consequently, the Authority's sentencing guidelines for those offenses do not allow for a fine to be paid in lieu of suspension.

Education
The Liquor Authority routinely encourages new licensees to attend liquor education training classes, and the Authority will attach a liquor education condition to any suspensions given in violation cases. The Authority members attended three liquor-training classes in 2001 reviewing liquor law changes and procedures and informing members about compliance check/ liquor education programs.

Police officers periodically receive updated liquor enforcement guides prepared by the licensing investigator, training as needed and answers to liquor related questions.

The licensing investigator is a member (and co-founded along with Thornton PD in 1997) of N.A.L.I. (North Area Liquor Investigators), which holds quarterly meeting to obtain training and exchange information.

The licensing investigator participates in committees headed by State Liquor Enforcement, which in 2001 involved a penalties guideline work group, a committee, which provided suggestions for changes in the Liquor Code's Regulations, and another committee, which studied uniform applications and background investigations.

In 2001, phone calls from licensees asking questions, other jurisdictions asking questions/ asking for help and questions from officers and city staff regarding liquor related issues totaled 162.

Little Known Facts
The first liquor license issued in the City of Arvada was in 1905 to Fred's Tavern known today as the Arvada Tavern located at 5707 Wadsworth Boulevard in Old Town.

During prohibition, the bootlegging center in the north area was up Coal Creek Canyon.

In Colorado, a person can only hold an interest in one liquor store license at a time. That's why you don't see chain liquor stores and why grocery stores sell 3.2% beer because a person can hold multiple interests in 3.2% beer licenses.

  

 

Related Topics