At the request of GST Liquors, the town of Dolores is drafting an ordinance to allow liquor stores to hold public tastings.
The town board supports the measure and approved the first reading April 13. A second reading and public hearing will by held May 11 at 6:30 p.m.
The town is proposing a $100 annual fee for liquor stores who successfully apply for a tastings permit. There are only two liquor stores in Dolores.
If approved, liquor stores could host up to 104 tastings per year, but not more than four times per week.
The licenses are allowed by town ordinance or resolution under the Colorado Liquor Code.
The tastings are strictly regulated, including requiring servers to go through liquor serving training. Alcohol samples shall not exceed one ounce for beer or wine, or more than a half ounce of liquor. Tasting samples are required to be free for patrons 21 and over. The licensee shall not serve more than four individual samples to a patron during a tasting.
"If it helps them bring in business, why not try it?" said town trustee Ginger McClellan-Swope.
