header

Colorado TIPS Certification

Colorado has a voluntary Responsible Vendor Program and a mandatory training law for tastings in liqour stores. eTIPS online is not yet RVP approved. TIPS training is required by thousands of Colorado alcohol serving establishments. When you register for TIPS on our registration page and key in your state as Colorado, you will see a red message that says "You can take the course, but eTIPS does not currently comply with the state Responsible Vendor Program".

If your employer instructed you to take the TIPS course, you should proceed with registration and take the course. If your employer instructed you to take the "Colorado Responsible Vendor Program course", you should take the appropriate course in a classroom setting.


Sign up here for the TIPS Alcohol Online Training Course!

Sign up here for the TIPS Alcohol Online Training Course!
On Premise is for Bars, Restaurants, Hotels & Night Clubs.
Any Establishment That Serves Liquor by the Drink.
Bartenders, Barbacks, Servers, Managers, Owners.

If you work in a Liquor Store, Grocery Store, Convenience Store or Gas Station,
please sign up for the off premise TIPS course here.

Colorado Alcohol Laws

This information has been provided to us by the regulating agency and is believed to be correct. However, laws and regulations may change at any time, and the information provided should not be relied upon in place of official documents. For more information or clarification, consult the regulatory body for this jurisdiction directly.

Last update: 02/20/2008

Age to Consume 21
Age to Pour 18
Age to Sell 21
Age to Serve 18, if supervised by someone who is 21.
DUI/DWI Limit .08; Driving while impaired, .05. Boating, .08
DUI/DWI Under Age Limit Information not available at this time.
Maximum Alcohol per Drink Not Regulated
Number of Drinks at One Time Not Regulated
Dram Shop Liability Laws Yes
Social Host Liability Laws Yes
Server Training Required by State Yes
Notes on Server/Seller Training Regulations Colorado has a voluntary Responsible Vendor Program, and a mandatory training law for tastings in liquor stores. The voluntary Responsible Vendor Program was effective on April 1, 2005. This program offers mitigating benefits to any licensee found to have served a minor during an established sting operation by the state and/or local licensing authority. Retail liquor stores and liquor licensed drug stores authorized to conduct tastings must complete a seller/server training program approved by the Liquor Enforcement Division. All RVP sessions must be at least 4 hours in length. While the state program is voluntary, some local jurisdictions in Colorado have mandatory training ordinances. Any person conducting a tasting in liquor stores in Colorado must complete a server training program that is approved by the state. TIPS is approved.
ID Confiscation Allowed Yes. Establishments in Colorado may confiscate false IDs. Contact the Colorado Liquor Enforcement Division or local government for the relevant statutes and information
Recommended Age for Carding None

 

 

 









Acceptable Forms of ID - Colorado

  • Any State, Canadian, Mexican, US Territory or foreign Driver's License
  • Military ID
  • Passport or US Passport Card
  • State-Issued ID Card
  • Alien Registration Card
  • Valid Employment Card w/ Photo and DOB issued by the Department of Homeland Security
  • It is not required for someone to have an identification card on their person in order to be served alcohol.

     

    • Policies Regarding Underage Persons - Colorado

    It is unlawful to serve or sell alcohol to anyone under the age of 21. Minors are permitted in any establishment unless the establishment has house policies regarding admittance of minors. Minors are allowed, by 18-13-122 CRS, to consume alcohol only in a private residence with their parent or legal guardian.

    Liquor Liability - Colorado

    Non-Alcoholic Beer & Wine - Not regulated.

    Liquor Liability - Selling or serving alcohol to a minor or visibly intoxicated person is considered a Class 2 Petty Offense. The penalties can include fines from $200 - $5,000 for the first offense, written warnings, suspensions and/or revocations of licenses. If a license is suspended for 2 weeks or less, and if no prior violations have been cited within two years, the licensee can apply to pay a fine in lieu of the suspension. Both criminal and administrative action can be taken for a singular violation.

    Happy Hour Laws - Colorado does not have specific Happy Hour laws. The law does allow a licensee to offer a food and drink combination for a special price. There is no difference between "happy hour," "drink specials" and "drink promotions."