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DENVER \u2013 Microbreweries across Colorado have some friends at the Capitol who showed them some love on Valentine\u2019s Day.<\/p>\n
Senate Bill 134 would separate the retail and wholesale portions of microbreweries, wineries and distillers for the purpose of liquor license infractions. Also, it would require fines leveled to be based on a percentage of revenue generated in the retail side only. The measure passed unanimously Tuesday in the Senate Business, Labor and Technology Committee.<\/p>\n
Examples of the infractions would be serving minors or overserving customers to the possible detriment of their health.<\/p>\n
\u201cCurrently, the way that our licensing division works is that brewers that also have a tasting room, or wineries that also have a tasting room, are unduly penalized for code violations,\u201d said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver<\/a>.<\/p>\n Bill sponsor, Sen. Jack Tate, R-Centennial<\/a>, said growth and diversification of the alcohol-production industry necessitates adaptation of laws to ensure they are in line with industry realities.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we should continue to encourage the investment in the entrepreneurial spirit that happens in this sector of the economy,\u201d Tate said.<\/p>\n Ron Kammerzell, senior director of Enforcement for the Colorado Department of Revenue<\/a>, saw the bill differently.<\/p>\n \u201cWe believe this bill sends the message that overselling and service to minors, which are two of the most serious public safety violations in the liquor code, are less important when they happen in the sales room,\u201d Kammerzell said.<\/p>\n Herod said she understands the concern, but she doesn\u2019t believe the bill would allow the industry to go unregulated.<\/p>\n If a brewery did violate liquor laws, it would still face sanctions and fines from the state under SB 134, she said.<\/p>\n