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Authority finds public support for Murphy USA fermented malt beverage/wine license but withholds issuance until certificate of occupancy is complete
Summary
A petitioning firm reported 85% support for a Murphy USA fermented malt beverage and wine retail license at 3035 S. 20th Ave., but the Greeley hearing officer declined to let the license be issued until building inspections and exterior site work are completed and a certificate of occupancy is issued.
The Greeley Liquor License Authority on Aug. 15 found that the needs and desires of the area were met for Murphy Oil USA Inc., doing business as Murphy USA (3035 S. 20th Ave.), following a third-party petition that reported broad local support, but the authority refused to allow local issuance of the fermented malt beverage and wine retail license until the city issues a certificate of occupancy.
Why it matters: The ruling means Murphy USA cannot begin selling beer and wine at the location until the city—s building inspections and exterior-site corrections are finished and a formal occupancy certificate is posted. The authority—s decision balanced strong petition numbers against the city—s requirement that a business operate with a valid CO in place.
Key facts: Liquor Pros circulated petitions on Aug. 1–2, contacting 363 businesses and residents and collecting 109 signatures; the firm reported 85% in favor (93 signatures) and 16 opposed across business and residential respondents. Eva Garretson of Liquor Pros told the authority the results compared favorably with similar retail FM&W petitions. Norman Behrens (Murphy USA district manager) described Murphy—s model of a corner-placed "beer cave," POS prompts that require ID scanning for alcohol and tobacco, monthly third-party compliance checks (Bars), and manager training. Chief building official Matt Wagy testified that the building lacks a certificate of occupancy because exterior site work — described in city engineering notes as stormwater/drainage/detention-related items and a substantial-completion determination — remains outstanding. Wagy said interior life-safety and fire issues did not block occupancy, but the engineering team would not issue substantial completion until exterior contractor corrections were finished.
Authority ruling and next steps: The hearing officer said the petitioning evidence satisfied needs and desires, and acknowledged the operator—s training and compliance systems, but declined to allow the clerk to issue the liquor license until the certificate of occupancy is on file. The city will not issue local authorization without the CO; once the CO is posted with the clerk and the clerk forwards local approval to the state, the applicant may complete the state review and commence alcohol sales.
Speakers quoted in this article are limited to persons who appeared in the hearing record: Hearing officer (unnamed), Shelby Fletcher (City Clerk), Miss Sharma (City Attorney), Eva Garretson (Liquor Pros), Norman Behrens (Murphy USA district manager), Matt Wagy (Chief Building Official).
