NATIONAL WESTERN CENTER

Denver Revised Municipal Code ch. 6, art. I

in effect

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 6-1 Defined terms.

Sec. 6-1. - Defined terms. As used in this article, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings: (1) Alcohol beverage means any fermented malt beverage or malt, vinous or spirituous liquors, as defined in the Colorado Liquor Code. (2) Alcohol consumption area means an area within the national western center that is approved by the director for the purpose of allowing adult patrons to consume alcohol beverages purchased from a vendor. An alcohol consumption area may include a vendor's licensed premises. (3) Colorado Liquor Code means Article 3, Article 4, and Article 5 of Title 44 of the Colorado Revised Statutes, as amended and any rules promulgated pursuant thereto. (4) Liquor license means a license issued pursuant to the Colorado Liquor Code for the sale of fermented malt beverages or malt, vinous, or spirituous liquors. (5) Manager means the manager of licensing and consumer protection. (6) National western center means the areas defined in Ordinance 0900, series of 2015 and Ordinance 0898, series of 2016, as those areas may be amended by land acquisition ordinance(s). (7) Vendor means a business that is licensed to sell alcohol beverages within the national western center pursuant to the Colorado Liquor Code. (Ord. No. 1048-19, § 1, 10-28-19; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 3, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 6-2 Consumption of alcohol beverages—Approval required.

Sec. 6-2. - Consumption of alcohol beverages—Approval required. (a) It shall be unlawful to consume or to permit the consumption of alcohol beverages within the national western center unless the consumption occurs: (1) Within a vendor's licensed premises in compliance with the Colorado Liquor Code and any other applicable laws, rules, and regulations; or (2) Within an alcohol consumption area approved by the manager and operating in compliance with this article I, the Colorado Liquor Code, and any other applicable laws, rules, and regulations. (b) If the manager approves the alcohol consumption area, the manager shall issue an order approving an alcohol consumption area. The order shall contain the following information, at minimum: (1) The hours and dates of operation of the alcohol consumption area; (2) The boundaries of the alcohol consumption area; (3) The names of the vendors that may allow patrons to exit or enter the vendor's licensed premises with an alcohol beverage purchased within the national western center; and (4) Any other conditions, requirements, or other information required by the manager. (Ord. No. 1048-19, § 1, 10-28-19; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 3, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 6-3 Application.

Sec. 6-3. - Application. An application for an alcohol consumption area shall be made on forms provided by the manager and shall include, in addition to any information required by chapter 32 of this Code, all supplemental materials required by this article and any rules adopted pursuant thereto. The manager may, at the manager's discretion, require additional documentation associated with the application, as may be necessary, to enforce the requirements of the Colorado Liquor Code and this article I. An application for an alcohol consumption area shall include the following minimum requirements: (1) A site plan for the proposed alcohol consumption area indicating the boundaries of the area and all vendors whose premises are included within the area, with the boundaries of the proposed alcohol consumption area outlined in red; (2) Proof of ownership or possession of all areas within the proposed alcohol consumption area; (3) A description of the proposed dates and hours of operation of the proposed alcohol consumption area; (4) Any permits or authorizations required for lawful operation of the proposed alcohol consumption area including, but not limited to, right-of-way permits; and (5) A security plan for the control and enforcement of state and local laws related to consumption of alcohol beverages and the ejection or removal of intoxicated persons from the proposed alcohol consumption area. (Ord. No. 1048-19, § 1, 10-28-19; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 3, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 6-4 Causes for denial.

Sec. 6-4. - Causes for denial. In addition to the grounds for denial of a license set forth in chapter 32 of this Code, an application for an alcohol consumption area may be denied if: (1) The information and evidence available to and considered by the manager fails to reasonably establish that the proposed procedures for security and admission control will prevent the consumption of alcohol beverages by underage persons in the alcohol consumption area; (2) The proposed alcohol consumption area does not have adequate physical barriers to close the area to motor vehicle traffic, limit pedestrian access, or clearly inform patrons of the boundaries of the consumption area; (3) The applicant fails to provide a complete application and documentation required pursuant to section 6-3; (4) The approval of an alcohol consumption area would adversely impact health, welfare, or public safety; (5) The applicant has previously been denied an alcohol consumption area; or (6) The application fails to comply with all applicable state and local laws, and any rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto. (Ord. No. 1048-19, § 1, 10-28-19; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 3, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 6-5 Disciplinary actions.

Sec. 6-5. - Disciplinary actions. (a) In addition to the grounds provided in chapter 32 of this Code, approval for an alcohol consumption area may be suspended or revoked for any of the grounds for denial set forth in section 6-4 of this article I. (b) Procedures for investigation of violations, and for suspension, revocation, or other sanctions as a result of any such violation, shall be as provided in chapter 32 of the Code and any rules and regulations promulgated by the manager. (Ord. No. 1048-19, § 1, 10-28-19; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 3, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 6-6 Unlawful acts.

Sec. 6-6. - Unlawful acts. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to bring into an alcohol consumption area any alcohol beverage purchased outside the alcohol consumption area. (b) It shall be unlawful for any person approved to operate an alcohol consumption area to permit a person to enter into an alcohol consumption area with an alcohol beverage purchased outside the alcohol consumption area. (c) It shall be unlawful for any person to remove an alcohol beverage from an alcohol consumption area or for a person approved to operate an alcohol consumption area to permit the removal of an alcohol beverage from the alcohol consumption area. (d) It shall be unlawful for any person to consume alcohol beverages within the national western center during the hours in which the sale of alcohol is prohibited pursuant to the Colorado Liquor Code. (e) It shall be unlawful for any vendor to sell or distribute alcohol outside of its liquor licensed premises. (f) It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any rule or regulation adopted by the manager pursuant to section 6-5. (Ord. No. 1048-19, § 1, 10-28-19; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 3, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 6-7 Rules and regulations.

Sec. 6-7. - Rules and regulations. The manager may make such reasonable rules and regulations as may be necessary for the purpose of administering and enforcing the provisions of this article I and any other laws relating to and affecting the approval of alcohol consumption areas within the national western center, including, but not limited to, the area(s) in which alcohol consumption is permitted, additional requirements to control the security, requirements for vendors, and deadlines to submit applications. (Ord. No. 1048-19, § 1, 10-28-19; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 3, 7-28-25)

Source: City and County of Denver, Revised Municipal Code and Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/co/denver/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITIIREMUCO_CH6ALCANAME_ARTINAWECEFetched: 10/27/2026