Trader Joes coming to Colorado Springs (Denver: 2013, appliances, loan)

[captain_hug99]

The one that they have in Denver is the single store where TJ and Costco have their liquor license. It isn't about chains having a license or not, they can only have a single store per license. Every other location of the chain can only sell 3.2.

I'm going up to Denver Wednesday for TJ and Costco for a booze run.

[KaaBoom]

Originally Posted by otterprods

Which law are you referring to? The one that prohibits anything> than 3.2 AC to be sold within a grocery store? Or one about not allowing liquor stores to be chains?

Because if it's the former, there is a workaround, which is to have a separate stores like the one they already have in downtown Denver. If it's the latter, I still haven't found any clear resource to confirm that such a law exists, but assuming it does then I agree. That would prohibit liquor sales at any COS store assuming all TJ's liquor stores would be part of the same 'chain'.

What are you asking? Separate stores = a chain. Thats illegal in Colorado.

Colorado law prohibits a retail liquor store licensee from owning an interest in more than one retail liquor store. TJ's already owns an interest in one retail liquor store in Denver. They can't own another one. There is no workaround for that, other then changing the law.

[Littlekw]

Look at this article from 5280. It explains a bit of Colorado liquor laws and even mentions TJ's original reluctance to come to Colorado.

Break It Down: Colorado Beer and Liquor Code | 5280

[Littlekw]

Another good article on the subject of package liquor laws in Colorado: 5 Myths of Having Full-Strength Beer in Colorado Grocery Stores

Is there a specific law that prohibits chain liquor stores in Colorado? No. But the way the law is written it pretty much makes it an impossibility.

[otterprods]

Originally Posted by KaaBoom

What are you asking? Separate stores = a chain. Thats illegal in Colorado.

Colorado law prohibits a retail liquor store licensee from owning an interest in more than one retail liquor store. TJ's already owns an interest in one retail liquor store in Denver. They can't own another one. There is no workaround for that, other then changing the law.

Ever notice how hard it is to find an actual LAW online, or to get whomever you're speaking with to do the same? Maybe the lawyers keep it that way so that we can't just google whatever they went to 100k of schooling for. I guess I'll just take your word for it this time since everyone here seems to agree that it exists.

Originally Posted by Littlekw

Is there a specific law that prohibits chain liquor stores in Colorado? No. But the way the law is written it pretty much makes it an impossibility.

Thanks, that's kind of how I was reading it too in the little bit of research I did yesterday.

[Littlekw]

Originally Posted by otterprods

Ever notice how hard it is to find an actual LAW online, or to get whomever you're speaking with to do the same? Maybe the lawyers keep it that way so that we can't just google whatever they went to 100k of schooling for. I guess I'll just take your word for it this time since everyone here seems to agree that it exists.

Cripes, yes. Finding an actual law is some kind of challenge, for sure. The best I could come up with is this: http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite...&ssbinary=true

Have fun wading through 58 pages of liquor code...

[KaaBoom]

Originally Posted by Littlekw

Cripes, yes. Finding an actual law is some kind of challenge, for sure. The best I could come up with is this: http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite...&ssbinary=true

Have fun wading through 58 pages of liquor code...

I'll save everybody the trouble. Here is the relevant part.

12-47-407. Retail liquor store license. (4) It is unlawful for any owner, part owner, shareholder, or person interested directly or indirectly in a retail liquor store to conduct, own either in whole or in part, or be directly or indirectly interested in any other business licensed pursuant to this article; except that such a person may have an interest in an arts license or an airline public transportation system license granted under this article, or in a financial institution referred to in section 12-47-308 (4).

TJ's as the owner of a liquor store in Denver, can't own either in whole or in part, or be directly or indirectly interested in any other liquor store in Colorado.

[Littlekw]

^ Thank you.

[smdensbcs]

Originally Posted by KaaBoom

TJ's as the owner of a liquor store in Denver, can't own either in whole or in part, or be directly or indirectly interested in any other liquor store in Colorado.

Not TJ related exactly, but Colorado has a few other tragically antiquated laws on the books, like the "common law marriage" thing, which may have made sense back in the 1860's when you'd have to ride your horse for several days to find a justice of the peace to get married. Anymore, it's just a trap for the unwary to get caught up in unintentional divorce property division proceedings. Oh well, still a great state. I'd change a few things if I were emperor, but alas I'm not.

[captain_hug99]

Went to the TJ's today on 8th and Colorado. Parking is terrible! We were there about 2:30ish today (Wednesday). But, the selection and prices are very good. We got a bunch of $2.99 chuck

What I really liked seeing and I can't wait to have in a store closer to COS is the heirloom tomatoes and even the heirloom cherry tomatoes. Their prices for cheese were very good!