[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6119955,"mediaKeyId","2709789-953bf0c7b11d7c0a6a3ffdc5da61f430","parentId",2709789,"title","Committee adopts amendments and advances distillery sales-room bill after contentious hearing","audioSeconds",447,"startMs",263920,"endMs",711443,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2709789-953bf0c7b11d7c0a6a3ffdc5da61f430&start=263&end=711","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2709789-953bf0c7b11d7c0a6a3ffdc5da61f430/thumbnail_263920.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6119955/Colorado/Committee-adopts-amendments-and-advances-distillery-sales-room-bill-after-contentious-hearing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6119955-e1294bdc344e59bd27736db4f8eae772/orig.mp4?Expires=1770897408&Signature=GvWbjLA3Y6fS133XOiY1zzxsRlShiVpel5KE5Vne4p6bObu-k6zY9FsAPomyusjZTtXDMaQxCT4ocSjewpRzTEvaLtV6wmZp30aYIYq1PZhkh7h0JZBTEueJ2TfCdLZ-vBaRvIRvUgamMGTbN-oh12uzEqtmB9Zn2nw95D1zFO~z4~KVv7DQXqFFThWiEB6KzZyFKctudCMw1FAfnHYad0scniqkwWG0Fw4mdWpmuJUuvebPEAznYDMFpWt5iHb05Y-Dch6bdHDHKcib~dvXUA~Q~R92qR8X1nFLtnsscZCOmBLfgm67H8qdEt-z2eCszbOkgYqGRrxZyH-AanmlSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Colorado State Legislature","date","2025-03-18T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Business, Labor and Technology Committee advanced Senate Bill 132 (SB 132) after a lengthy hearing that drew opposing testimony from restaurants, taverns, municipal officials and wine and brewery representatives and supportive testimony from craft distillers and industry groups.

Sponsors said the bill aims to help Colorado craft distillers by expanding the number of off-site sales rooms and by allowing limited sales of other manufacturers’ products at a distillery’s tasting room. As introduced the bill would have permitted up to five sales rooms. After opponents raised concerns about parity and local review, the sponsors presented two amendments adopted by the committee: L005 reduces the additional sales rooms to one (for a total of three sales rooms rather than five), and L008 converts the broader privilege to a permit the Liquor Enforcement Division (LED) may grant with conditions; the permit limits outside products so they may not exceed 50 percent of sales in an amended proposal.

Opponents testified that the bill would let manufacturing distilleries operate bar-like venues without the local licensing, neighborhood hearings and distance restrictions that apply to retail liquor licenses. Witnesses included Rebecca Hernandez of the Colorado Restaurant Association, Stephanie Hicks of the Tavern League of Colorado and Elizabeth Haskell of the Colorado Municipal League. They argued SB 132 would undercut neighborhood input, bypass local needs-and-desires processes and create unfair competition because manufacturers are not currently subject to the same local licensing review as taverns, restaurants and retail liquor stores. Several opponents cited the existing Distillery Pub retail license as a vehicle for retail privileges and urged parity with the three-tier licensing system.

Proponents, including Stranahan’s representatives, the Colorado Distillers Guild and national industry groups, said distillers face shrinking retail access after recent ballot-driven market shifts and that expanded tasting-room options and limited ability to offer other products would help craft distillers survive and reach customers. Supporters also emphasized tasting rooms as primarily educational venues tied to manufacturing rather than bars.

LED Director Michelle Stone Prince Pato answered committee questions on enforcement and said the department would first educate licensees and issue warnings if a permit holder exceeded the 50 percent cap; further penalties would be developed in rulemaking if violations persisted. Committee members expressed concern for local input but sponsors stressed the amended approach required LED review and preserved department discretion. The committee voted to send the bill to the Committee on Appropriations on a 6–1 vote.

Key clarifications from the hearing: supporters said there are roughly 101 manufacturing distilleries in Colorado; the amended permit would limit outside-product sales to no more than 50 percent of a distillery’s sales if LED issues the permit; the Distillery Pub retail license already exists for distillers that seek full retail privileges and is used by some businesses. Opponents pressed that manufacturers with expanded privileges would remain state-licensed only and not subject to the same local distance and needs-and-desires processes required of retail licenses.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Business, Labor, & Technology [Mar 18, 2025]","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 132, to expand distillers’ tasting-room privileges, cleared the Business, Labor and Technology Committee after sponsors accepted two amendments that limit additional sales rooms and require a permit for outside products capped at 50 percent of sales; the committee referred the bill to appropriations on a 6–1 vote.","taxTitle","Business, Labor, & Technology, Standing Committees, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Colorado","taxId",78273,"location","Colorado","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6119960,"Committee advances bill to remove financial-needs test for vocational rehabilitation services",129,102415,231760,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2709789-953bf0c7b11d7c0a6a3ffdc5da61f430&start=102&end=231","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2709789-953bf0c7b11d7c0a6a3ffdc5da61f430/thumbnail_102415.jpg","/articles/6119960/Colorado/Committee-advances-bill-to-remove-financial-needs-test-for-vocational-rehabilitation-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6119960-46357ff239949b94787b76a0db699402/orig.mp4?Expires=1770897408&Signature=JWzMKoOqvkQb7~IUJ5sGVcgQOArZTWRPLReDWsOrs4135xSlTenlJgyBVc-dIjAy5r~ATUch~v6W4g57P2Oq6o4wMoYj5BPlV5ghaYy3GLvCnw~JDKAxw4g22caevGRMdIAAF8LVQ9LxmQJXmiwGTDNz0tg3aGbewFBYvJRl4NHA29Ym4RN0f0brLEEkHZjHiybwkYkKDRRlzd946w8xM6x~9az7W2X2Y8jAyC3hFTzS08oCMwzUSr1eEuzBIxmDO8oOugzOhyNt-kSzxYuu4PlKGqnZqyK3vyH0ep9XWE6g6VLmiN97WtLwJFIfdcmggr2npnS4vUKoxjUp9QWqXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Business, Labor and Technology Committee advanced House Bill 1018 (HB 1018) to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation after a public hearing that featured disability advocates, program staff and people who use Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) services.

Sponsor Senator Sarah Danielson told the committee HB 1018 would remove the routine requirement that applicants for vocational rehabilitation services complete a financial-needs analysis and contribute to service costs. The bill would allow DVR to consider financial need only during periods of cost containment to manage wait lists. Danielson said the change aligns Colorado practice with federal guidance from the U.S. Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Services Administration and would reduce administrative burden without requiring additional state appropriation.

Witnesses including attorney Jack Johnson, Family Voices Colorado policy advocate Carson Covey, Arc of Colorado senior policy associate Meredith Henry, peer advocate Ty Smith and DVR communications manager Valen Sarnoff testified in support. Johnson told the committee that most applicants, after a lengthy household-income review, are found eligible for 100 percent coverage of federal DVR funds and that the cost of those income audits often exceeds any family contribution. He estimated federal DVR funds total about $45 million and state administration funds about $5 million.

Supporters said removing the routine means test will reduce delays, especially for students and people seeking paid work experience placements, and allow DVR counselors to focus on service delivery. Committee members asked whether eliminating the means test would substantially increase the number of applicants; witnesses replied other eligibility criteria would remain and that the change was intended to remove a paperwork barrier rather than expand basic eligibility.

Senator Danielson moved the bill to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation. The committee approved the referral 6–1. The fiscal note, as presented during the hearing, indicated no additional appropriation was required.","House Bill 1018 would eliminate routine financial-needs testing for Colorado vocational rehabilitation services; supporters said the change would reduce delays, increase access, and likely not raise state spending. The committee sent the bill to the Committee of the Whole on a 6–1 vote.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6119965,"Committee confirms two present appointees to workers' compensation cost containment board; third nominee rescheduled",891,69404,960919,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2709789-953bf0c7b11d7c0a6a3ffdc5da61f430&start=69&end=960","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2709789-953bf0c7b11d7c0a6a3ffdc5da61f430/thumbnail_69404.jpg","/articles/6119965/Colorado/Committee-confirms-two-present-appointees-to-workers-compensation-cost-containment-board-third-nominee-rescheduled","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6119965-97dc9a7bf614f93bdfc0da68ab287107/orig.mp4?Expires=1770897408&Signature=gWkxxKzsTajrty9ycGmBv6uw80UsgVaO96wXG1yYAsAi3BNkAtJoJ2dMS8DwnepuCjUDMXHsdPKLJphPSmJeb7VEUYFA89PW8NLaW-5ygH-FThD2dFS2IWwPQ1ChnoNxIYfx3bHrW15EzH1dFmtqXQj2gIaUMknspa0viNyaawbVPt2FdAfebUu5Tefgm5sAqVhtQ81QMEhMZ6-QYlhd-HcqMBVpLEH8DvK2DYAyVQDG3KuGP9KGEWoaGlpMewbnhMA9BnebhsBnSYHs6LPo5peg2hUk6h-j0nPCC7V34BCvWhzbpeceYcFyoa1OgfS8WRKIH~xQEy0pJD8eMPzygg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Business, Labor and Technology Committee confirmed two present nominees to the workers' compensation premium cost containment board and voted to move the appointments to the consent calendar. A third nominee, Robert Switzer, was reported as ill and will be rescheduled for a later appearance.

Jeff Roffel of the Colorado Division of Workers’ Compensation introduced Megan Strong and Allison Miles and described the board as a voluntary program that helps more than 5,000 Colorado employers with safety programs and certification in cost containment. Roffel said Switzer, a longtime safety consultant, could not attend because he was ill but that he brings extensive experience helping employers become certified in the program.

Megan Strong, health and risk manager at Brand Sand and Gravel, and Allison Miles, senior loss control consultant at CRS Insurance Brokerage, each described the program’s goal of improving workplace safety and said they looked forward to three-year terms. A committee motion confirmed all three appointees; the committee recorded the confirmation vote and later voted to put the appointments on the Senate consent calendar. The committee noted Switzer will be rescheduled to appear before the committee in a later hearing.","The committee confirmed two appointees to the workers' compensation cost containment board, approved moving the package to the consent calendar and noted one nominee was ill and will be rescheduled.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6119970,"Senate committee confirms seven appointees to Underground Damage Prevention Safety Commission",0,1561000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2709789-953bf0c7b11d7c0a6a3ffdc5da61f430&start=1561&end=1561","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2709789-953bf0c7b11d7c0a6a3ffdc5da61f430/thumbnail_1561000.jpg","/articles/6119970/Colorado/Senate-committee-confirms-seven-appointees-to-Underground-Damage-Prevention-Safety-Commission","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6119970-8d77710814c9b1cfede73939957dfd55/orig.mp4?Expires=1770897408&Signature=OXuVUtpP9b-XJS903G0PkUlUESrGQjwqwR-2iqxzP5d8iiqcao1-gCcbg9FxQO6VnXeI4PKjQfTYb6Dol1Cbpn4mCJxoqfMQovvHf1VnahVVVtYduL0tYGV9WCzZPMqOVeJcqsqd1qxXEvBUmasN3LtYe4kDyAYw9WzG13waRLFWSLW19Kl4Vnd0p69aild3ymsXicnTe0-6T1OsKPeZBcLKtqDOoqt6iOsGU5t0CpIb-xPhdNbwQ3PDkuAeVBxCd~CmGEpaMYIVdwGlp8u4Xw7p8-sCQeSWR~7FycP8Fnbo-vwHewm-KD6MjG0rILdzUegQrIXyPt51PiI3tQsFhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Business, Labor and Technology Committee unanimously confirmed seven nominees to the Underground Damage Prevention Safety Commission on a voice roll call and voted to place the appointments on the consent calendar.

The confirmations, presented by Jackie Wilson, administrator for the Underground Damage Prevention Safety Commission within the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment’s Division of Oil and Public Safety, included two reappointments and five new members. The appointees represent a range of excavation and damage-prevention stakeholders: Rob Martindale (transportation), Julie McCaleb (farmers and ranchers), Kristen Miller (engineers), Richard Russell (telecom and broadband), Scott Wendland (excavators), Kathleen Anderson (contractors), and Kelsey Davis (pipeline companies).

Wilson told the committee the commission’s 15 members develop industry best practices and review complaints under the state excavation requirements statute. She said nominees were selected by the industries or appointing entities that they will represent and introduced the individuals to the committee. Each nominee gave brief remarks about their background and why they sought the post; speakers included Kristen Miller (senior project manager, T2 Utility Engineers), Julie McCaleb (environmental systems manager, Smithfield Hog Production), Scott Wendland (president, Network Infrastructure Construction Company), Richard Russell (project/area manager, MasTec North America), Rob Martindale (utilities program manager, Colorado Department of Transportation), Kathleen Anderson (compliance director, T. Lowell Construction) and Kelsey Davis (public safety coordinator, Xcel Energy).

Senators moved the confirmation on a favorable recommendation; the committee recorded the confirmations as approved unanimously among members present, and a subsequent motion placed the appointments on the Senate consent calendar for floor consideration.

The commission will now include the newly confirmed members whose stated duties range from promoting safe digging practices to coordinating industry compliance and representing contractor and pipeline perspectives. No committee debate or amendments were recorded on the confirmations.","The Senate Business, Labor and Technology Committee unanimously confirmed seven nominees to the Underground Damage Prevention Safety Commission and moved the appointments to the consent calendar.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee adopts amendments and advances distillery sales-room bill after contentious hearing

Committee advances bill to remove financial-needs test for vocational rehabilitation services

Committee confirms two present appointees to workers' compensation cost containment board; third nominee rescheduled

Senate committee confirms seven appointees to Underground Damage Prevention Safety Commission