Timnath council adopts new liquor application, special‑event and tasting fees

On Jan. 28 the Timnath Town Council adopted an ordinance updating the municipal liquor code to match recodified state statutes and to revise local application and renewal fees, including a new liquor tasting license.

Town Clerk Melissa Steffel explained the changes respond to a recodification of Colorado’s beer, wine and liquor statutes and to staff time required to process applications. The ordinance replaces outdated statutory references, increases most new license application fees from $500 to $750, raises many renewal fees from $50 to $100, establishes a new retail establishment permit application fee of $200, and increases special‑event permit fees from $25 per day to $100 per day. Steffel said the changes remain within the limits state law allows the local licensing authority to charge.

The ordinance also adds a liquor tasting license for retail establishments with an initial application fee of $50 and renewals at $25. Steffel described that tasting authorization as an annual permit for licensed retailers to host brief tastings; the fee is per license per year rather than per event. Temporary permits pending transfer and temporary licenses when expired were reduced from $500 to $250.

Council members asked whether fees apply to nonprofits (Steffel said application fees apply regardless of entity type but special‑event fees would apply as described) and about staff time required; Steffel said a new license application can be extensive and staff must review many documents and manage state‑level coordination. Council voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance.