Liquor License Applications

The following documents are required for a new liquor license application. However, additional documents may be requested.

State Application Form Option 1: Non-Fermented Malt Beverage Applicants

Please complete:

• Colorado Liquor Retail License Application DR 8404

State Application Form Option 2: Fermented Malt Beverage and Wine Retailer (FMB-WR) and Fermented Malt Beverage (FMB) Applicants

Please complete:

• FMB-WR License Application DR 8403

For applicants who own the premises, provide a recorded deed from the Larimer County Clerk's Office.

If the premises is leased, provide a lease agreement and, if applicable, a lease assignment.

The lease must exactly match the applicant's name and not terminate before the end of the licensed term of at least one year (based on the date of license issuance).

• Must outline the area to be licensed in bold, black ink
• Label the length and width of the exterior walls
• Label the height and type of intended control for any exterior areas (e.g., fencing, walls, barriers)
• Include all bars, walls, partitions, and entrances/exits
• Clearly label all areas where alcohol will be stored, served, and consumed
• Create separate diagram for each floor (if multiple levels)
• Does not need to be to scale
• All labels must be legible
• Include a North arrow

Applicants must disclose all sources of funds used to purchase or operate the business to be licensed.

Financial investment document examples:

• purchase agreement
• stock transfer agreement
• loan documentation
• promissory notes
• bank statements
• gift letters

When you have a complete application packet, request a secure link from liquorlicensing@fortcollins.gov. You will receive a link to upload your files. To expedite review, please clearly name each file with the relevant document title (e.g., State-Application-Form.pdf or Lease_Agreement.pdf). 

After You File an Application

• The City Clerk's Office will review the application packet for completion. Applicants will be scheduled for a hearing date after the application packet has been deemed complete. The applicant or a representative must attend the hearing.
• The Police Department completes background checks and reports findings to the Liquor Licensing Authority.

The City requires disclosure of the natural persons serving as the applicant's

• officers,
• directors,
• general partners,
• managing members,
• stockholders,
• partners, or
• members with ownership in the applicant.

Where ownership or control is held through another entity, the applicant must provide the names and titles of the individuals who hold those roles for the controlling entity and who exercise decision-making authority or signatory authority for the applicant.

Any individual meeting the criteria above or owns 10% or more of the applicant must complete the following:

• Individual History Record DR8404-I
• Submit fingerprints(PDF, 672KB) to the City as part of the background investigation process
• Criminal History Disclosure(PDF, 262KB)
• Authorization and Consent Form(PDF, 167KB)
• Entity Structure and Ownership Disclosure(PDF, 419KB)
• Copies of Driver's License or Colorado Identification Card

Required

All applicants must submit an Entity and Ownership Disclosure.

Entity and Ownership Disclosure(PDF, 864KB)

Other Requirements by Business Type

Corporation:

• Current Certificate of Fact of Good Standing
• Certificate of Incorporation date stamped by Secretary of State
• Certificate of Authorization (only for foreign companies)
• List of officers/stockholders/directors of applying corporation (if wholly owned, designate at least 1 person as principal officer of parent)

Limited Liability Company (LLC):

• Current Certificate of of Fact of Good Standing 
• Articles of Organization date stamped by the Colorado Secretary of State's Office
• Fully executed copy of the Operating Agreement
• Certificate of Authority (only for foreign companies)

Partnership:

• Current Certificate of Fact of Good Standing
• Partnership agreement (general or limited)
• Restrictions On Public Benefits Affidavit (DR 4679)
• Copy of Driver's License or Colorado Identification Card for each applicant

Find a time on the Regulatory Licensing booking page. Appointments must be scheduled 72 hours in advance.

You may also contact liquorlicensing@fortcollins.gov or 970-221-6515.

Neighborhood Petition

You must present enough evidence to the Liquor Licensing Authority that shows the need for the license in your neighborhood, which is usually done by petitioning the neighborhood. The petitions show support (or lack of support) for issuing a license.

You can start petitioning after the City Clerk's Office gives you the neighborhood boundaries.

You can do the petition survey yourself or hire a professional survey firm.

Must be submitted to the City Clerk's Office at least 10 days before the hearing date.

Petition Guidelines(PDF, 407KB)

Public Notice Sign Posting

The applicant must post a public notice sign at the proposed licensed premises in a location visible to the public. The sign will be provided by the City Clerk's Office no earlier than thirty (30) days before the hearing.

The sign must be posted at least fifteen (15) days before the applicant's hearing date and remain posted for at least ten (10) days.

Applicants are required to pay application fees as well as a Liquor Occupation Tax. 

Application Payment Options

• Pay online at the City's Pay Portal and include the proof of payment with your application.

   

• Pay by check or money order made out to "The City of Fort Collins"
  • Pay in person at the City Clerk's Office, located in City Hall at 300 Laporte Ave.
  • Mail to the City Clerk's Office at the following address:
    
    City Clerk's Office
    PO Box 580
    Fort Collins, CO 80522 

Application Fees

New License Application Fee: $500.00

License Fees (by type):

• Hotel-Restaurant: $75.00
• Tavern: $75.00
• Brew Pub: $75.00
• Retail Liquor Store: $22.50
• Beer and Wine: $48.75
• Club: $41.25
• Lodging and Entertainment: $75.00
• Fermented Malt Beverage: $3.75

Liquor Occupation Tax

An annual Liquor Occupation Tax must be paid by all businesses that manufacture, sell or offer any alcoholic beverages for sale. This tax is in addition to annual licensing fees and other Sales and Use taxes.

New applicants will pay a prorated tax based on the number of months remaining in the year before liquor licenses are issued, calculated based on the date of approval by the Liquor Licensing Authority. 

Please note that the liquor occupation tax is not submitted as part of the application packet.

Pay Liquor Occupation Tax

Contact Sales Tax if you have questions about the Liquor Occupation Tax. 

Annual Liquor Occupation Tax (by license type): 

• Arts License: $150
• Beer and Wine License: $800
• Brew Pub License: $1,600
• Club License: $800
• Distillery Pub License: $1,600
• Drugstore License: $750
• Fermented Malt Beverage License: $750
• Hotel and Restaurant License: $1,600
• Lodging and Entertainment License: $1,600
• Optional Premises License: $1,600
• Retail Liquor Store License: $750
• Tavern License: $1,600
• Vintner’s Restaurant License: $1,600

More information on the liquor occupation tax is available in Fort Collins Municipal Code.

New applicants must attend a hearing before the Liquor Licensing Authority. Applicants will be scheduled for a hearing date after the application packet has been deemed complete. The applicant or a representative must attend the hearing.

The Fort Collins Liquor Licensing Authority usually meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m. via Zoom.

Visit the The agenda posted in the Documents and Resources section to see most recent agenda, meeting links and deadlines to be added to a meeting agenda (Liquor Authority Schedule).

Meeting Information

After the Hearing

• If the Liquor Licensing Authority approves the application, the City Clerk's Office forwards it to the Colorado Department of Revenue's Liquor Licensing Division for final review and approval. We cannot guarantee the timeframe for State review.
• City and State licenses will be sent to the new licensee after confirmation that all required conditions are met. This includes, but is not limited to, the payment of occupation tax and issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
• The Liquor Licensing Authority may postpone a hearing or deny the issuance of a license at their discretion.

State Renewal Application and Tax Check Authorization DR 8400

To renew your Liquor License, you must pay applicable City and State license fees. 

NOTE: Save a copy of your payment receipts and include them in your renewal application packet. 

State Fees

Pay State Fees

As of July 1, 2024, a $250 annual renewal application fee applies to all renewals in addition to the license fee below. 

*Plus $100.00 for each optional premises

City Fees

Pay City Fees

State Renewal for Delivery Permit DR 8497 for Off-Premises Retailers.

State Renewal for Takeout and Delivery Permit DR 8496 for On-Premises Retailers. 

You can complete an online Google Form and send it directly to the State or submit the application form. If you complete the Google Form, provide proof of completion in your application packet. 

Convert all documents to PDF; we cannot accept any other file types.

Email the complete renewal application packet to liquorlicensing@fortcollins.gov with your trade name in the subject line. Double-check you have the following documents:

• State Renewal Application DR 8400
• Takeout and Delivery Permit or Delivery Permit Applications (if applicable)
• State Fee Receipt
• City Fee Receipt

Please add supplemental pages if you need to provide additional information required by DR 8400.