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Commissioners approve Drift Inn liquor renewal with map, hours and containment conditions after neighbor complaints
Summary
After a continued hearing, the board approved the optional‑premises liquor license renewal for Independent Whitewater’s Drift Inn, imposing conditions: a clarified licensed‑premises map, a written containment plan for alcohol, and stated hours (10 a.m. to midnight), following neighbor allegations of repeated late‑night noise and sanitary concerns.
The Chaffee County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 13 approved a renewed optional‑premises liquor license for Independent Whitewater’s Drift Inn, subject to conditions the board required after a continued public hearing on neighbor complaints.
County staff had asked the board to require three items before final processing: an updated map clearly showing the licensed premises, a written plan describing how alcohol will be contained on the optional premises, and set hours of operation. "Statutorily, it's 8 a.m. to 2 a.m., but the commission feels about setting those hours," a county staffer advised, recommending the board impose specific hours and other conditions.
Attorney Chris Scoggin, representing the applicant, and owners said the Drift Inn operates seasonally, generally closing by about 9–10 p.m. but acknowledged occasional events that run later; they said they would post signage and attempt to discourage off‑premises parking or wandering. Neighboring property owner River Song LLC, represented by attorney Matt Beima, told the board his client has repeatedly experienced excessive noise into the early morning hours and expressed concerns about sanitary facilities and lack of a clear premises map. "There have been multiple times when the noise has gone into the early morning hours, 04:00, 05:30," Beima said.
After deliberation the board approved the renewal with conditions including the updated premises map, a containment narrative describing how alcohol and patrons will be kept within the licensed area, and operating hours set to 10 a.m. to midnight; commissioners discussed allowing pre‑approved extended hours for specific events through the county’s special‑events process. Staff asked the applicant to submit the required materials by the board’s first February meeting.
The board noted that noise ordinance enforcement is a separate statutory matter and that repeated violations of the noise code could affect future licensing decisions.
