El Paso County Board of County Commissioners as Local Licensing Authority (Clerk to the Board)

Liquor and Fermented Malt Beverage License (county local licensing, unincorporated areas)

Under Resolution No. 23-73, adopted March 21, 2023, the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners acts as the Local Licensing Authority for liquor and fermented malt beverage licenses in the unincorporated portions of El Paso County. The Clerk to the Board page states that the department 'oversees liquor, medical marijuana, and secure transportation service licensing for unincorporated El Paso County', and the county's application page states: 'If the establishment is within any city or town in El Paso County, please contact that entity for their liquor license process.' The resolution's policy calls for a neighborhood survey and public hearing for new licenses, and for Planning and Community Development to determine zoning compliance. The state share of the fees, per the Colorado Department of Revenue's DR 8500 dated 08/14/26 for a county location, is a $1,100 application fee ($1,200 with concurrent review), an annual state license fee of $500 for a Hotel & Restaurant or Tavern license, $436.25 for Beer & Wine, $117.50 for Fermented Malt Beverage & Wine and $312.50 for a Retail Liquor Store, and a $250 state renewal application fee. The county's Special Events Permit page sets a county fee of $75.00 per event, payable to the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder. The county's local license, renewal and transfer fees are set by the Board's fee schedule referenced in Resolution 23-73; the Clerk to the Board, (719) 520-6430, gives the current amounts.