In Colorado, a Registered Manager Change (RMC) is required when a new person becomes responsible for the day-to-day operations of a liquor-licensed establishment, but only for specific types of licenses.

About Registered Manager Changes

Click on the topics below to learn more about the Registered Manager Change process.

Under Colorado liquor law, a registered manager is required only for retail licenses, specifically:

  • Hotel & Restaurant (H&R) license
  • Tavern license
  • Club license
  • Lodging License
  • Entertainment license
  • Fermented Malt Beverage - Wine Retailer (FMB-WR) On-Premises license
  • Retail Liquor Stores (if managed by someone other than the licensee)

If a licensee does not directly manage day-to-day operations (e.g., an absentee owner or corporate licensee), then a registered manager must be designated and approved.

You must file a Registered Manager Change application with both the local licensing authority and the State Liquor Enforcement Division when:

  • A new individual is taking over day-to-day operations of the licensed premises.
  • The previous registered manager is leaving, terminated, or no longer in control of operations.
  • The business is changing management structure but keeping the same ownership.

It is not used for changes in ownership—those require a transfer of ownership application, not a manager change.

Per Regulation 47-310, a licensee must:

  • Notify the local and state licensing authorities within 30 days of the change.
  • Pay applicable fees (local and state).

If a manager departs and no replacement is filed within 30 days, the licensee is out of compliance, which could lead to violations.

Required Steps

Regulatory Licensing Forms Required

Click on the link associated with each required document to access the form. After completion, please save these documents to be uploaded in the Customer Self-Service Portal during the final step of the application process.

State of Colorado DR8442 - Permit Application and Report of Changes Form

Apply & Pay Online

Log into your Customer Self-Service Portal Account and create a maintenance type permit and pay the applicable fee. All forms are submitted to the City of Boulder, once local approval is given, the city will send the paperwork to the State of Colorado to continue processing.

State of Colorado fees are paid through the PayPort Online Service and a copy of the receipt will need to be uploaded with your forms to the City of Boulder.

Licensing Process

  • If the necessary application form, supporting documents and proper fees are submitted, then the Registered Manager changes can usually be given local approval and sent to the State Liquor Enforcement Division without delay
  • Once sent to the State Liquor Enforcement Division, the Licensing record will be updated
  • Any confirmation received back will be sent to the main email contact on record with the City of Boulder