The Denver Post

Colorado grocery stores can begin selling wine on Wednesday

Close November ballot measure expanded rules for where you could buy a bottle of your favorite

- By Sam Tabachnik stabachnik@denverpost.com

Coloradans on Wednesday can add a new item to their grocery store shopping lists.

March 1 marks the first day that wine can be sold at grocery and convenienc­e stores in Colorado, the result of a bitterly close ballot measure in November that will change the way people purchase alcohol across the state.

As of this month, around 1,900 grocery and convenienc­e store licensees in Colorado will be able to begin selling wine, according to the Department of Revenue.

That includes all 143 King Soopers grocery stores, all 100 Safeway locations and all eight Trader Joe’s stores throughout the state.

“Customers have told us they want the convenienc­e to be able to pick up a bottle of wine to have with a nice steak or a bottle of champagne for a special occasion,” said Kris Staaf, a Safeway spokespers­on. “We are really excited.”

Representa­tives of Whole Foods and other grocers operating in Colorado couldn’t be reached Tuesday to discuss their plans to carry wine in their stores.

Propositio­n 125 was too close to call for weeks after the election, ultimately passing with 50.6% of the vote.

A coalition of independen­t liquor store owners vehemently opposed the measure, arguing that the expansion of wine sales to big-name grocery chains would cripple their businesses.

Meanwhile, giant out-of-state conglomera­tes — including the companies behind King Soopers and Safeway — spent millions as they attempted to open up the state’s liquor laws.

While Colorado voters narrowly approved the wine measure, they rejected two other alcohol-related propositio­ns that would have allowed liquor stores to open unlimited locations and permitted third-party companies like Instacart to deliver alcohol to your home.

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