Colorado House Bill 1192 defeated in committee

[Erik Boles]

DENVER -- There was standing room only as convenience store owners and liquor store owners squared off at the State Capitol Wednesday.

Convenience store owners & representatives from major grocery store chains are asking for approval to sell full-strength beer.

Liquor store owners say such a vote would help put some of them out of business.

Most Colorado craft brewers are against it for reasons of distribution, impact on seasonal beer sales, shelf space in the big box stores and to protect the very unique Colorado culture that put it on the map as The Napa of Beer.

Both sides of the debate argued until nearly 10:00 P.M. on Wednesday, but ultimately the bill was defeated by the Committee in a 7-4 vote.

Beer sales for anything over 3.2 ABV will remain in the hands of liquor store owners...for now.

We will update this story as more information becomes available.