Colorado Special Event Liquor Permit: Cost, Rules & How to Apply
Quick answer
In Colorado, alcohol at a one-off public or fundraising event is covered by the Special Event Permit, open to nonprofit social, fraternal, patriotic, political, educational or athletic organizations incorporated in Colorado; chartered branches or lodges of national nonprofit organizations; religious or philanthropic institutions; state institutions of higher education; registered political candidates; municipalities, counties and special districts; chambers of commerce. It costs State fee: $10 per day for a malt beverage permit, $25 per day for a malt, vinous and spirituous liquor permit; plus a local investigation/issuance fee of up to $100. The limit is 15 event days a year.
General information from the state's published rules, not legal advice. Confirm with the agency before your event.
Permit at a glance
- Permit name
- Special Event Permit
- Official source
- sbg.colorado.gov State statute — C.R.S. §§ 44-5-102, 44-5-104, 44-5-105, 44-5-107
- Fee
- State fee: $10 per day for a malt beverage permit, $25 per day for a malt, vinous and spirituous liquor permit; plus a local investigation/issuance fee of up to $100
- Annual limit
- 15 event days a year
- Nonprofits only
- No
- Last verified
- Oct 8, 2026
Who it covers
Who can apply in Colorado.
Who can apply: Nonprofit social, fraternal, patriotic, political, educational or athletic organizations incorporated in Colorado; chartered branches or lodges of national nonprofit organizations; religious or philanthropic institutions; state institutions of higher education; registered political candidates; municipalities, counties and special districts; chambers of commerce
Limited to 15 days per organization per calendar year. Sales hours: malt beverage permit 5 a.m. to midnight; malt, vinous and spirituous permit 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. the next day. The permit is valid for one specific location, and sandwiches or other food snacks must be available whenever alcohol is served.
- Who issues the permit?
- Colorado is a dual licensing authority: special event permits go through the local licensing authority as well as the state Liquor Enforcement Division.
- Can neighbors protest a special event permit?
- Yes. Protests must be filed within ten days after the public notice; if there are grounds for denial, the local authority holds a hearing at least ten days after the notice is first posted.
- Does a private members' function need a permit?
- A qualifying organization serving members and guests at a private function on unlicensed premises is exempt, provided any admission charge is the same for everyone whether or not they drink.
- Can a permit be denied?
- Yes, if the event would be injurious to the public welfare because of its nature or location, or because the applicant failed to follow the law at a past special event.
How to apply
4 steps, in order.
- Apply to the local licensing authority on the state form, verified by oath or affirmation of an officer of the organization.
- Pay the state fee plus the local investigation/issuance fee.
- A public notice of the proposed permit is posted at the event location for at least ten days before the local authority approves it.
- The local licensing authority approves the application and notifies the state licensing authority (or reports the issued permit to the Liquor Enforcement Division).
Neighbors
How Colorado compares.
| State | Fee | Lead time | Nonprofit only |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | State fee: $10 per day for a malt beverage permit, $25 per day for a malt, vinous and spirituous liquor permit; plus a local investigation/issuance fee of up to $100 | — | No |
| Kansas | $25 per day, plus an electronic-payment service charge | 14 days | No |
| Nebraska | $40 per date (statute: $40 first day, $10 each additional day at the same location for nonprofits) | — | No |
Also needed in Colorado
Training and liability.
Server training
Mandatory in Colorado. Applies to: licensees, managers, servers/sellers (Off-Premises establishments; Unspecified licensees). APIS data as of 1/1/2025. Voluntary program with incentives: mitigation of penalties. APIS minimum ages (on-premises): serve beer/wine/spirits 18/18/18, bartend 18/18/18, manager or supervisor must be present for underage servers.
Liability
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 44-3-801 A licensee is liable only if it willfully and knowingly served someone under 21 or visibly intoxicated; total liability is capped at $150,000. Classification: limited (only willful and knowing service to a minor or visibly intoxicated person; $150,000 cap).
Next steps
Related.
Sources
- Colorado — Special Event Permit · State statute — C.R.S. §§ 44-5-102, 44-5-104, 44-5-105, 44-5-107, checked Oct 8, 2026
- Colorado — Who issues the permit? · State agency (sbg.colorado.gov), checked Oct 8, 2026
- Colorado — server training · Federal summary (NIAAA APIS), checked Jul 29, 2026
- Colorado — Colo. Rev. Stat. § 44-3-801 · State statute (via Public.Law) — C.R.S. § 44-3-801, checked Oct 8, 2026
General information, not legal advice.