DENVER—Today the Senate gave initial approval to Senate Bill 82 by Senator Jennifer Veiga (D-Denver), which would allow liquor stores to open on Sundays.
“I think it’s time that Colorado makes its move,” said Veiga. “The vast majority of people agree that this is a bill whose time has come.”
Currently, 34 states permit Sunday sales of alcoholic beverages. Since 2002, 12 states have authorized Sunday liquor sales for the first time. Data compiled by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States suggest that in 2006, with 31 percent of the stores open in those new states, sales of alcoholic beverages increased an average of 4.4 percent. Projected statewide increases in the 12 states at full Sunday operation would yield an increase of 9 percent in sales.
State law has banned liquor stores from opening on Sundays since Prohibition ended in 1933.
The bill will next be considered on third and final reading in the Senate.
