2022 Colorado Proposition 125

Proposition 125

Wine Sales in Grocery and Convenience Stores Initiative
Results
Choice Votes % Yes 1,228,404 50.58% No 1,200,219 49.42% Valid votes 2,428,623 95.59% Invalid or blank votes 112,043 4.41% Total votes 2,540,666 100.00% Registered voters/turnout 3,833,468 66.28%
County results Precinct results For   80–90%   70–80%   60–70%   50–60% Against   70–80%   60–70%   50–60% Other   Tie   No data

Proposition 125 (also known as the Wine Sales in Grocery and Convenience Stores Initiative) was a citizen-initiated, statewide ballot measure that was approved in Colorado on November 8, 2022.^[1] The measure allowed for grocery and convenience stores that sell beer to also sell wine.^[2]

Overview

Proposition 125 entailed:

• the creation of a new fermented malt beverage and wine retailer license
• the automatic conversion of old fermented malt beverage (FMB) licenses to the new fermented malt beverage and wine license, effective March 1, 2023
• allowing grocery stores, convenience stores, and other businesses that are licensed to sell beer to also sell wine
• allowing the same stores to offer tastings, if approved by the local licensing authority

Additionally, a new license could not be issued to a location within 500 feet of an existing retail liquor store and a new retail liquor store license could not be issued to a location within 500 feet of an existing licensed fermented malt beverage and wine retailer.^[3]

Background

Under Colorado law at the time, the vast majority of grocery stores were only licensed to sell alcohol in the form of beer and other fermented malt beverages (hard seltzer, hard lemonade, etc.), while retail liquor stores were licensed to sell every type of alcohol.^[4]

Support

Proposition 125 was supported by the Colorado Chamber of Commerce, The Denver Post, the Rocky Mountain State Conference of the NAACP, and the Wine in Grocery Stores Initiative.^[5][6][7]

Opposition

Proposition 125 was opposed by the Colorado Licensed Beverage Association and the Keeping Colorado Local Campaign.^[8]

References

1. "Colorado Proposition 125, Wine Sales in Grocery and Convenience Stores Initiative (2022)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
2. Chuang, Tamara (October 11, 2022). "Proposition 125: Coloradans will decide whether grocery stores should be allowed to sell wine starting next year". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
3. "2021-2022 Initiative Filings, Agendas & Results". Colorado Secretary of State. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
4. "2022 State Ballot Information Booklet" (PDF). Legislative Council of the Colorado General Assembly. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
5. Zelinger, Marshall (September 28, 2022). "Truth Test: Who's behind boozy ballot ad claims?". 9 News. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
6. The Denver Post Editorial Board (October 24, 2022). "Endorsement: Vote yes on all three alcohol questions, but esepically on Prop 124". The Denver Post. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
7. "NAACP Rocky Mountain State Area Conference Endorses Props 125 and 126 in Colorado to Support Small Businesses and Delivery Workers". Rmnaacp.org. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
8. Coltrain, Nick (October 11, 2022). "Millions spent to influence Colorado voters to change liquor laws. Here's what's at stake". The Denver Post. Retrieved October 13, 2022.