Goodland commission to ask staff to draft ordinance allowing state-authorized extended liquor hours for World Cup period

The commission discussed whether to adopt extended alcohol-sales hours for the World Cup period after the state authorized special-event or temporary licensing that allows longer hours between June 11 and July 19.

Local business owner Fuller urged broad local application, telling the commission that the state measure (identified in staff materials as House Bill 2481) covers “all liquor licenses” and asked that the city allow businesses that want to remain open to do so. “If we could at least get it open up a little bit earlier on Sundays and extend a little bit later in case the match goes over time,” Fuller said, adding that many matches fall in normal hours but some exceptions could stretch into late nights.

Commissioners and staff discussed operational concerns including staffing and police implications; several commissioners said they had no objection to following the state guidance and suggested that the ordinance be drafted to apply equally to all categories covered by the state bill so the decision is left to individual businesses. The city manager said staff will provide sample ordinances and recommended following the state’s parameters.

Action and next steps: the commission asked staff to prepare an ordinance consistent with state guidance for consideration at the next meeting so the commission can take a formal vote; no ordinance or final local determination was adopted at this meeting.

Why it matters: the change would be temporary for the World Cup period and would allow eligible local businesses to choose whether to extend operating hours, a decision that affects public safety, staffing and local revenues for a limited interval.