2022 Colorado Proposition 125
{{Short description|A Colorado referendum to allow stores that sell beer to also sell wine}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox referendum
| name = Proposition 125
| title = Wine Sales in Grocery and Convenience Stores Initiative
| yes = 1,228,404
| no = 1,200,219
| total = 2,540,666
| electorate = 3,833,468
| map = {{switcher |300px |County results |300px |Precinct results |default=1}}
| mapcaption = {{col-begin}}
{{col-3}}
For
{{legend|#28497C|80–90% |border=1px #AAAAAA solid}}
{{legend|#47729E|70–80% |border=1px #AAAAAA solid}}
{{legend|#7D9CBB|60–70% |border=1px #AAAAAA solid}}
{{legend|#B6C8D9|50–60% |border=1px #AAAAAA solid}}
{{col-3}}
Against
{{legend|#8B8B54|70–80% |border=1px #AAAAAA solid}}
{{legend|#BCBC83|60–70% |border=1px #AAAAAA solid}}
{{legend|#DEDEBD|50–60% |border=1px #AAAAAA solid}}
{{col-3}}
Other
{{legend|#EBEEED|Tie |border=1px #AAAAAA solid}}
{{legend|#808080|No data |border=1px #AAAAAA solid}}
{{col-end}}
}}
{{ElectionsCO}}
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.{{Cite web |title=Colorado Proposition 125, Wine Sales in Grocery and Convenience Stores Initiative (2022) |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Colorado_Proposition_125,_Wine_Sales_in_Grocery_and_Convenience_Stores_Initiative_(2022) |access-date=2022-12-02 |website=Ballotpedia |language=en}} The measure allowed for grocery and convenience stores that sell beer to also sell wine.{{cite news |last1=Chuang |first1=Tamara |title=Proposition 125: Coloradans will decide whether grocery stores should be allowed to sell wine starting next year |url=https://coloradosun.com/2022/10/11/proposition-125-colorado-election-2022/ |access-date=13 October 2022 |publisher=The Colorado Sun |date=11 October 2022}}
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.{{cite web |title=2021-2022 Initiative Filings, Agendas & Results |url=https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Initiatives/titleBoard/index.html |publisher=Colorado Secretary of State |access-date=13 October 2022}}
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.{{cite web |title=2022 State Ballot Information Booklet |url=https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/blue_book_2022_english_for_web.pdf |publisher=Legislative Council of the Colorado General Assembly |access-date=13 October 2022}}
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.{{cite news |last1=Zelinger |first1=Marshall |title=Truth Test: Who's behind boozy ballot ad claims? |url=https://www.9news.com/article/news/politics/truth-tests/truth-test-ad-booze-ballot-initiatives/73-a8751448-40ff-42d1-941d-09a60739d1c9 |access-date=13 October 2022 |publisher=9 News |date=28 September 2022}}{{cite news |last1=The Denver Post Editorial Board |title=Endorsement: Vote yes on all three alcohol questions, but esepically on Prop 124 |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2022/10/24/proposition-124-125-126-wine-liquor-grocery-stores/ |access-date=31 October 2022 |publisher=The Denver Post |date=24 October 2022}}{{cite web |title=NAACP Rocky Mountain State Area Conference Endorses Props 125 and 126 in Colorado to Support Small Businesses and Delivery Workers |url=https://rmnaacp.org/rocky-mountain-naacp-state-conference-endorses-props-125-and-126/ |website=Rmnaacp.org |access-date=31 October 2022}}
Opposition
Proposition 125 was opposed by the Colorado Licensed Beverage Association and the Keeping Colorado Local Campaign.{{cite news |last1=Coltrain |first1=Nick |title=Millions spent to influence Colorado voters to change liquor laws. Here’s what’s at stake |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2022/10/11/colorado-proposition-124-125-126-liquor-law-ballot/ |access-date=13 October 2022 |publisher=The Denver Post |date=11 October 2022}}