The Woodland Park City Council approved a special-event liquor license for Tales and Tunes, a fundraiser for the Teller County Regional Animal Shelter (TCAS) to be held July 26 at the Ute Pass Cultural Center.

The license carries significance for the nonprofit’s fundraising plans because the event includes both a public outdoor portion with food trucks and family activities and a separate, ticketed spirits tasting room intended to raise additional funds for TCAS programs. Council approval allows the organization to host the tasting and sell liquor at the event under the special-event license.

City staff told council the applicant had completed required paperwork, had nonprofit status and a certificate of good standing, and paid applicable fees. Willkie Waters, identified in the meeting as director of development for TCAS, described the July 26 schedule: daytime activities in the cultural center parking lot with family-friendly vendors and pets; evening programming with a music performance by a band called The Sofa Killers and a private spirits tasting room. Waters said tickets are available and that admission is priced at $65 for one and $90 for a couple; entry to the spirits room would be by donation. “We are raising money for our programs and care of our shelter pets,” Waters said, noting TCAS plans to use proceeds for services including spay/neuter outreach and low-cost vaccines for underserved parts of the county.

Council voted unanimously to approve the special-event liquor license on the public hearing. Staff confirmed the event will include a silent auction and other fundraising elements; the license was approved subject to the standard public‑event controls discussed at the hearing.

Waters invited the public to purchase tickets through the shelter’s website and encouraged attendance. Council members asked about logistics and whether donated alcohol would be accepted for the spirits room; Waters indicated donations could be coordinated off-stage.

The Ute Pass Cultural Center will host the event on July 26, with bar service and a separate tasting area operating under the approved special-event license.