Application Completion Standards

All scanned documents must be properly executed, each question answered, each document fully completed, and all entries must correspond exactly with the name of the license applicant. All scanned documents must be typed or legibly printed.

Applicants should also retain complete license application copy with all attachments for your records and as a reference at the Beverage Licensing Authority (BLA) meeting.

General Process Overview

  1. Applicants create a CSS Portal login and request a secure folder to upload application materials.
  2. The applicant uploads all application documents to the portal and pays applicable fees for processing the license.
  3. The application is assigned to a Licensing staff person – this occurs each week on Tuesday
  4. Staff does an initial review and sends an email with any missing items or questions to the applicant and updates the file with any additional information received from the applicant.
  5. Once the application is considered legally complete, it is scheduled for boundary setting before the BLA, following this meeting, petition materials are sent to the applicant.
  6. The application is scheduled for an Application Hearing at the next BLA meeting.
  7. After the Application Hearing, staff will receive the Findings of Fact and BLA Ruling Order. The application will be sent to the State with local approval.
  8. Once staff receives the license from the state, Staff will schedule an inspection of the premises and if passed, both the state and local license will be handed over at this time.

Complete the Checklist

Throughout the application process, return to this checklist to ensure that all steps have been completed correctly. Feel free to print this page and check off the items as you advance through the process.

  • Zoning/Planning Confirmation Forms and Diagram – Conclusion of the Zoning Analysis must match the answer to city questions and what is shown on the floor plan exactly for the license application to be accepted. City zoning must approve the liquor license use at the proposed location in order to retain license application. If they do not, then City Licensing will return the application.

  • City License Application – fully complete and signed, with answers to questions (operating hours and seating totals should match those on the Zoning form)
  • A copy of written Alcohol Service Policies that employee servers will be expected to abide by if the license is issued.
  • Other documents: Menus, drink lists, chef resumes, news articles, alcohol service training certificates, Change of Class letter for license surrender agreement
  • City Financial Statement – Total dollar amount required for application and buildout should match the total amount disclosed and detailed.
  • City of Boulder Statement of Training Form - This is a City of Boulder condition for alcohol server training within 60 days of opening or hiring
  • Statement of Food Service to acknowledge required food percentage for hotel-restaurants and brew pub licenses only.
  • City Occupation Tax Registration – Liquor occupation tax is an on-going, yearly city tax that is based on the license class held and will be invoiced every six months in January and July.
  • City Business License for Sales Tax – Please apply for this license online if the business is not already licensed for sales tax in the City of Boulder.

  • Deed or Leased for Proposed Licensed Premise – Properly executed by all parties with all attachments and must be on 8 ½ x 11-inch paper. Tenant name must match applicant’s name exactly. If it is an Assignment of Lease, it must be fully executed by all parties and on 8 ½ x 11-inch paper.
  • Lease Amendment – Required if there is a need to change the tenant’s name to match the applicant’s name.
  • Management Agreements – If any, be prepared to explain why the applicant is not a joint licensee.

Please be sure to review the state checklist as this section may not be fully up to date with any recent changes.

State Application DR8404 – Complete all appropriate sections and ensure that authorized representatives are the signors:

  • In the state application, does the Applicant name of the individual or business entity listed in question 2 match exactly the name of the Tenant in question 15, and also the Tenant/Lessee in the submitted lease?
  • Has the Applicant gone through the page 2 state checklist to ensure that all of those documents are attached and state questions are addressed?
  • For question 14, if Applicant holds other liquor licenses, is a detailed list attached?
  • In questions 15 and 16, these questions should be completed if the landlord or manager gets paid a percentage based on sales in the Lease Agreement or Management Agreement.
  • In question 22 and 23, has the applicant indicated that the manager to be registered for hotel-restaurant, tavern, lodging, or entertainment licenses currently acting as a manager at another licensed location (may only be a registered manager at one location)?
  • Affidavit Restriction of Public Benefits DR4679
  • Floor Plan – with approval stamp from Zoning Confirmation Review – must be on 8 ½ x 11-inch paper, use bold black to outline all area that you want included in your liquor license, include separate pages for each floor that will be licensed, and include both overall premise and room dimensions, including doors, walls, all locked and unlocked alcohol storage, points of sale, all bars, tables and chairs, booths, patios with means of control (fencing, stationed employees, landscaping, etc.), books and records marked as to where alcohol receipts will be stored on premise, and for restaurants, kitchen should be marked as “kitchen” with all equipment clearly labeled. A legend may be used to identify items on the diagram.
  • Purchase Agreement or other document indicating the final sale of business.
  • Notes and Loans – Documents executed by all parties and dollar amounts matching the total disclosed.
  • Ownership flow chart in complex business ownerships – will be requested for multi-tiered owners.
  • Applicant Business Formulation Documents for Corporations, LCC, Partnerships or Sole Proprietors.
    • Applicant Entity Documents for Corporations
      • Articles of Incorporation
      • Certificate of Good Standing
      • Certificate of Authority for foreign companies
      • Minutes of the first meeting
      • List of all officers, directors, and stockholders
    • Applicant Entity Documents for Partnerships
      • Partnership Agreement
      • Dissolution of Partnership for prior owners
    • Applicant Entity Documents for Limited Liability Companies
      • Articles of Organization
      • Certificates of Good Standing
      • Certificate of Authority – if a foreign company
      • LLC Operating Agreement
    • Applicant Entity Documents for Sole Proprietors
      • Lawful Presence Affidavit
      • Copy of a Valid Driver’s License
  • Individual History Reports DR8404-I for all 10% Interest Owners and all Officers, Partners, Managing Members – all background should be disclosed and explained so it matches results discovered.
    • Under question 14(a) – This will be the total purchase price or total initial investment and will be the same for all owners or investors.
    • Under question 14(b) – This should list the value of the individual owner’s personal contribution to the whole purchase or investment and the totals of individual owner’s answers should match the total whole dollar amount disclosed,
    • Under question 14(c) - This should list personal source of funds and where the funds for contribution are held (checking, savings, home loan, brokerage, etc.),
    • Under question 14(d) – This should list all applicant business entity financial investment,
    • Under question 14(e) – This should list all promissory notes and loans, including construction reimbursement by landlords and each entry should explain the repayment terms.
  • CABS program Identigo digital fingerprint appointment receipts for all owners, officers, managers, and other required persons that fingerprints have been submitted for CBI for FBI background checks. City of Boulder specific Identigo Information
  • Registered Manager’s Application DR8442 and DR8404-I IHR Form for Hotel-Restaurants, Taverns, Lodging or Entertainment if the manager listed on the state application is not already an owner, officer or manager (state and city fees apply)
  • State Fee Payments- You will receive your state license number once your application has been submitted to the State of Colorado by Licensing Staff. This is the number you will use to pay the State of Colorado fees. You will submit a copy of this receipt to your assigned Licensing Staff member

For Transfer Applications Only

  • City Transfer Form accepting license as is with all debts, obligations, and violation history in place – fully executed
  • If the application is a license transfer, the below questions will determine whether a BLA hearing is required and needs to be scheduled:
  1. Is the transfer a transfer by operation of law with a court order?
  2. Is the transfer a license transfer to a landlord of the licensed premises?
  3. Is there an enforcement history for the license at the transferred premises in the past 5 years?
  4. Has City licensing reviewed the seller’s premise diagram in comparison with the buyer’s premise diagram and as a result, does staff believe that a permanent modification is required?
  5. Has zoning denial or additional review opinion related to local zoning laws been received?
  6. Does any person involved with the buyer’s business have a background check or prior state liquor violations for any other licenses held?
  7. Has, after posters have been provided and location has been posted for the required 10-day period, any public inquiry or other comment been received?
  • City Temporary License for Transfer Application – For transfers only, all requirements must be met on temporary application for temporary license to be issued. Temporary licenses must be requested not later than thirty days from the transfer application filing, and city licensing has up to five business days to issue temporary licenses.
  • Alcohol Inventory if any alcohol was transferred for Transfers of Ownership.
  • Wholesaler Affidavits DR8004 for Transferor’s Suppliers to confirm payment status for Transfers of Ownership (due prior to the BLA Transfer Application Hearing.

  • Neighborhood Boundary Information and Company Name for Petitioning – Door to door petitions are required for permanent modifications, changes of location, changes of class, and new liquor license applications. City Licensing will provide the petition materials that are required to be used after the BLA Boundary Setting has occurred. These must be submitted back to Licensing Staff 9 days prior to application hearings.