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House passes bill to modernize entertainment-district rules, preserving local control
Summary
The House passed HB13-30 to relax state restrictions on entertainment districts, lower the premises-size threshold, remove an acreage limit, and require local coordination with law enforcement; sponsors stressed local control and amendments limiting more restrictive hours passed.
The Colorado House voted to pass House Bill 13-30, which updates state law governing entertainment districts to give localities more flexibility over size and operating rules.
Sponsors Representative Woodrow and Representative Soper said the bill removes an antiquated 100‑acre requirement and lowers the combined premises square footage threshold from an older statutory level to 5,000 square feet for two or more licensees, while shifting technical design details to rulemaking. Woodrow said the bill "removes the acreage restriction and changes the square footage to a combined premises of at least 5,000 square feet for two or more licensees," describing the change as restoring local place-making authority.
Floor amendments clarified that local authorities must consult law enforcement when adopting public-safety rules and that any locally-set hours may not be more restrictive than current statutory minimums. Soper emphasized the bill is about local control: "There's nothing in this bill that says a local governing authority or licensing board must go beyond their current established rules," he said.
Members raised public-safety concerns and the record shows sponsors worked with stakeholders and the Restaurant Association on amendment language requiring sheriff and municipal police consultation. After discussion and adoption of committee-report amendments, the House passed HB13-30.
Supporters called the changes technical updates that reduce statutory barriers to locally driven entertainment districts; opponents warned about downstream public-safety and land-use consequences in some communities.
