Alcohol laws in Colorado combine statewide rules with some room for local variation and understanding the cutoff times can help you avoid surprises on a night out or when buying drinks to take home. Here’s a breakdown of when licensed sellers must stop selling alcohol in the state.
Statewide Alcohol Sale Hours: The Basics
Under Colorado law, there are clear limits for both on-premise (bars, restaurants) and off-premise (liquor stores, grocery stores) sales:
- For on-premise consumption, licensed establishments like bars and restaurants may sell alcohol from 7:00 a.m. until 2:00 a.m. daily.
- For sealed-container (off-premise) sales—that means take-home beer, wine, and spirits—stores are generally allowed to operate between 8:00 a.m. and midnight (12:00 a.m.).
These are the maximums set by the Colorado Liquor Code.
Special “Soft Closing” Proposal
There was a recent legislative effort—House Bill 25-1237—that sought to extend on-premise sales:
- The bill proposed allowing sales until 2:30 a.m. (compared to the current 2:00 a.m. cutoff), with customers required to clear out by 3:00 a.m.
- However, this bill was killed in committee in 2025, meaning the 2:00 a.m. hard stop remains the law for now.
Local Control & Variations
While state law sets a clear framework, local governments—counties or cities—have the power to impose stricter hours for alcohol sales, especially for on-premise establishments.
So in some cities, bars may need to close or stop serving earlier than the state maximum.
Why These Hours Matter
- Public Safety & Regulation: Limiting late-night sales helps manage public safety concerns.
- Business Planning: Bars and restaurants must align their “last call” depending on these limits.
- Consumer Awareness: If you’re buying for a party or planning night-time purchases, knowing these cutoffs ensures you won’t face last-minute issues.
Quick Recap
- Bars & Restaurants: Alcohol sales end by 2:00 a.m.
- Retail Stores (Beer, Wine, Spirits): Sealed container sales must stop by midnight.
- Proposed Soft-Close: Legislation to extend sales to 2:30 a.m. was introduced, but failed in 2025.
- Local Rules: Counties or cities may enforce stricter closing times.
