Boulder licensing authority finds public-safety basis to consider temporary suspension of state trainer requirement after certification backlog

The City of Boulder—s Beverage Licensing Authority voted on Jan. 15 to find reasonable grounds to consider an emergency action after local trainers and the Responsible Association of Retailers reported a statewide backlog in the Colorado "LED" responsible-vendor trainer certification process that is preventing businesses and workers from getting state-issued certificates.

The finding starts a process that could allow the authority to temporarily relax its rule requiring state-certified responsible-vendor trainers so licensees can continue to train employees. Board members said they view the backlog as a risk to public safety if new hires cannot receive recognized alcohol-server training in a timely way.

The decision followed a sustained, hour-long discussion that included testimony from Heather Besgard, director of Partners (which houses the Responsible Association of Retailers), trainer John Balliett and city counsel. Besgard told the panel she and her organization can deliver required training content but cannot provide state-issued certificates until the state approves trainer applications. "We currently can't provide those certificates, not for lack of trying," Besgard said. Trainer John Balliett, who said he has delivered training to tens of thousands of Colorado workers, told the authority the state's approved-trainers list is currently short and geographically sparse. "If you look at the state approved list as it stands today, there are 11 people," Balliett said, adding several are out of state or limited to specific cities.

Roberto, the city attorney assigned to licensing matters, briefed the authority on the legal standard for emergency action under the BLA rules of procedure and advised that the board must either make a public-safety finding and act under the emergency provision or schedule a noticed hearing that provides the public an opportunity to be heard. "When it comes to…