At a May 9 hearing of the Liquor License Authority for the City of Greeley, the owner of Bittersweet Liquors sought the presiding judge’s recusal and leveled broad criticisms at city staff and the police department. The judge denied the recusal request and continued the show-cause matter to June 13 at 1 p.m.

During an emotional exchange, the licensee, identified in the transcript as Mr. Buchholz, said he had "admit[ted] the violation" (failure to submit a required 2024 form) and pressed the authority on perceived failures by the city and police to respond to shoplifting and other crimes affecting his business. He argued the city was "biased" and accused the city attorney’s office of not returning calls.

Judge Gonzalez asked for specific legal reasons for recusal and said he saw no appearance of impropriety; he noted prior rulings that had favored the licensee over city attorney requests and therefore denied the recusal motion. The judge offered one last continuance, setting the matter for June 13 at 1 p.m., and said that would be the last continuance he would grant. The judge also offered assistance for the licensee to contact the police chief about enforcement issues, while clarifying the authority cannot direct police operations.

Why it matters: The exchange highlighted tension between at least one licensee and city enforcement staff over shoplifting and enforcement priorities. The continuing of the show-cause hearing preserves the licensure process while giving the licensee time to pursue mitigation and arrange to appear by video if needed.

Details and supporting facts: Mr. Buchholz told the authority he has experienced repeated shoplifting and said he had placed multiple calls to the city attorney’s office without satisfactory responses. He also informed the authority he was scheduled to travel to Mesquite, Nevada, and would be under a doctor's care following a recent heart attack; he said he could appear by video at the June date. City counsel (Mr. Corliss) offered to provide additional time if the licensee needed to gather mitigation, but indicated repeated communication had moved the matter away from a stipulation. The judge set June 13 at 1 p.m. as the next appearance and said it would be the last continuance.

Next steps: The case remains on the docket for a hearing on June 13 at 1 p.m.; the authority will address any stipulation or set an evidentiary hearing at that time.