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Responsible Association of Retailers pauses Boulder work and urges state action on trainer approval; BLA hears public comment on state alcohol sales proposals
Summary
The Responsible Association of Retailers told the Boulder Beverage Licensing Authority Wednesday it will stop providing RAR services in Boulder effective immediately, citing delays in state trainer approvals and changing retailer needs; the BLA also took public comment urging caution about expanding off‑premise alcohol sales in grocery stores.
The board received two connected policy matters at Wednesday’s meeting: an announcement from Responsible Association of Retailers (RAR) that it will stop providing retailer services in Boulder effective immediately, and a public comment period during which local retailers and former licensees urged the board and city to weigh in against broad expansion of off‑premise wine and spirits sales.
RAR decision and reasoning
Heather Vescard, director for Partners (the organization housing the RAR program), said recent feedback from retailers and delays in state approval of responsible‑vendor trainers led the partners board to conclude "our organization will no longer implement RAR services in Boulder effective immediately." Vescard and colleague Mandy Volz said they would continue to provide information to local retailers (including a list of state‑approved trainers and trainer John Balliet’s contact information) but that Partners does not have the capacity or the state designation to continue the RAR model in its current form in Boulder.
Vescard urged the BLA and city to consider three paths: (1) retain state‑approved trainers only; (2) press the state Liquor Enforcement Division to accept nationally recognized programs with Colorado supplements; or (3) allow local BLA/bylaw revision to approve local trainers or programs. She said local retailers continue to want training but that Partners needs time to redesign services.
Public comments on state policy and sales expansion
During public comment the board heard from multiple local retailers and a former store owner who said their on‑the‑ground experience shows repeated efforts by minors to acquire alcohol and raised concerns about expanding off‑premise alcohol availability (wine and spirits) in grocery stores. Speakers included a former liquor-store owner who described daily attempts by minors to obtain alcohol, and the owner of a local liquor shop who said grocery-store formats and self-checkout increase opportunities for diversion and underage access.
BLA response and next steps
Board members said they will continue to accept public comment on the topic at future meetings and requested staff provide ongoing updates from the City’s Legislative Policy Committee on relevant state bills. Licensing manager Alisa Darrow told the board the city’s legislative committee monitors all state liquor bills and that staff can provide short memos on pending legislation for future BLA packets.
Ending
RAR said it will notify members and worked with the city's C‑Fund to communicate next steps; the BLA asked staff to collect public comment for future meetings and to monitor state legislative activity and trainer‑approval status.
