Council approves Desierto Rojo premises expansion, defers contested liquor-license renewal after enforcement questions

The Fruita City Council approved a permanent modification of licensed premises for Desierto Rojo, allowing the restaurant at 233 East Aspen Avenue to add Unit B to its existing hotel and restaurant liquor license. Staff said the application came with a diagram and that local police raised no objection; council approved the modification by a 6-0 vote after the owner confirmed Unit B’s back-alley access and interior remodeling plans.

Separately, council reviewed concerns that a different establishment (referred to in council discussion as a liquor-license renewal on the consent agenda) may have had compliance issues. Resident Tessa Bynum had earlier raised questions about missing or inconsistent documentation on a liquor-license renewal, tax-delinquency enforcement and an expired permit date. City Clerk Deb Woods told council the business had two violations on record last year, had paid late penalties and had filed required forms, but that tax records with the Colorado Department of Revenue are confidential and not directly viewable by the clerk. Councilors said they were troubled to learn the business appeared to have operated without an active liquor license for four months. City Attorney Mary Elizabeth Geiger advised the council that staff can contact state Liquor Enforcement and that the council can continue the item and require the applicant to appear in person. Council directed staff to follow up with the state on enforcement, asked that the applicant appear at the next meeting, and continued the renewal item to the April meeting by unanimous vote.

What the council did: approve Desierto Rojo’s premises modification 6-0 and continue the contested renewal for further review and documentation.