Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed SB 20, a bill to permanently allow cocktails to-go in the state in support of local businesses and adult consumers last week. This makes Colorado the 28^th state to make cocktails to-go permanent.

A temporary measure was set to expire on July 1, 2025.

“Cocktails to-go are here to stay in Colorado,” Ainsley Giglierano, vice president of public affairs and state policy at the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, said in a news release. “Cocktails to-go have not only been a great additional source of revenue for local bars and restaurants, but adult consumers have come to expect the added convenience they offer.

“Making this measure permanent provides much-needed long-term stability. We applaud the Legislature and Governor Polis for supporting Colorado businesses and consumers.”

Since the beginning of the pandemic, 28 states, including Colorado, and the District of Columbia have enacted laws to permanently allow cocktails to-go, and five others have enacted laws that allow cocktails to-go on a temporary basis.

The distilled spirits industry is committed to responsibility and encourages moderation for adults who choose to drink alcohol. Cocktails to-go are intended for home consumption. Laws governing alcohol consumption must always be observed.

States that signed legislation to make cocktails to-go permanent into law: 

Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia have all made COVID-era cocktails to-go measures permanent.

States that signed legislation to allow cocktails to-go on a temporary basis into law: 

California (expires December 31, 2026), Illinois (expires August 1, 2028), New Jersey (TBD), New York (expires April 9, 2030) and Vermont (expires July 1, 2025) passed legislation to allow cocktails to-go on a temporary basis.

For more information, visit https://www.distilledspirits.org/.

(Image via Freepik)