New Colorado Law Means No Wine at Art Shows Without Permit

When describing an art gallery show opening, it's natural to say it's a "wine and cheese" event. But thanks to a new Colorado law passed this summer, no wine can be served with the fromage without a state liquor license.

The Glenwood Springs Post Independent writes:

"Up until now, this practice has not been subject to regulation, even though it has been a little shady in the eyes of the law. But this year the Colorado Legislature threw a monkey wrench into that situation, and galleries statewide are now trying to get used to a new law imposed on them by the state.

"Mark Couch, a spokesman for the Colorado Liquor Enforcement Division, said it was a similar 'First Fridays gallery crawl' in downtown Denver that prompted Denver police to request a gallery liquor law from the state legislature.

"The new law, which went into effect July 1, specifies that if a gallery serves wine, beer or liquor to guests at artist receptions and show openings, it now must have a permit to do so, even though the beverages are complimentary. It also limits a gallery to only 15 days in each year when it can serve alcohol and limits the serving time to four hours per event."

You can read the rest of the article here.