Empire State Pizza transfer approved; judge cites long interval since past license violation

The Greeley Liquor Licensing Authority approved on June 13 the transfer of a hotel-and-restaurant liquor license for Empire State Pizza after reviewing the applicant’s record and prior regulatory history.

Why this matters: transfer approval allows the restaurant to add alcohol service (beer and wine) at the specified location; local review ensures ownership and character requirements are met.

Applicant testimony and record: Owner Marcus (and Steven) Romero said the beer-and-wine license would be a modest portion of sales (typically under 10 percent) and described operational safeguards to prevent over-service. The police and clerk reviews had flagged an enforcement action from more than 10 years earlier when a manager sold to an undercover operation; the applicant said the manager would not be rehired and described enhanced training and onboarding to prevent future violations.

Decision: Judge Gonzales found the applicant of good moral character, noting the prior sale-to-minor action was more than a decade old and that the owner had an otherwise satisfactory licensing record in another jurisdiction. The clerk was directed to attach the judge’s signature and transmit the approved license to the state; the judge noted a temporary-license deadline but expected state approval before expiration.

Ending: The applicant said the business was already operating and doing a limited roll-out; the authority granted final approval subject to ordinary state processing.