In coming weeks, a duo of state legislators, including Sen. Jennifer Veiga, D-Denver, and Rep. Buffie McFadyen, D-Pueblo, will introduce a bill to eliminate 3.2 beer sales, meaning all local grocery and convenience stores with 3.2 beer licenses will see them converted to allow full-strength sales. Grocery and convenience stores lobbying for the bill are labeling it a free market measure, but some Republicans are claiming the free market doesn't apply in this case.
According to the Rocky Mountain News, a "battle is brewing" (lest we be the only ones unable to resist a good pun) over the legislation. Most conflicted are Republicans, questioning what the role of free market principles should be in an already heavily regulated market for alcohol.
According to Sen. Mike Kopp, R-Littleton, the debate isn't framed properly. As he told Face The State, free market principles have limited application in a government controlled market. He's got a point, at least initially. Liquor sales in Colorado are carefully regulated by the state and allowing grocery and convenience stores to carry liquor when liquor stores can't sell grocery items does create a double standard.
While the GOP Senate caucus has no official position on the bill, Kopp doesn't support it.
"If we're going to deregulate, let's do that," said Kopp. "But let's not create a new class of losers that costs people their jobs in so doing."
Sean Duffy, a Republican lobbyist with Denver’s Kenney Group who represents the Rocky Mountain Food Industry Association, supports the bill.
"Currently you have the legislature picking winners and losers," said Duffy. "Particularly for free market Republicans, you have to let consumers decide."
The bill is expected to be introduced in the upcoming weeks. Veiga sponsored last year's successful bill allowing for Sunday liquor sales throughout Colorado.