Bill signed to let Colorado grocery stores, retailers sell alcohol, but...Liquor, Wine & Beer Store Near Me - We Deliver.

Gov.Legislation was signed into law Friday by John Hickenlooper.

With hours left to act before a midnight deadline, the former brewpub tycoon took up a legislative compromise meant to stave off a ballot measure to put full-strength beer and wine on grocery shelves.He could veto the bill, sign it or allow it to become law without his support.

The biggest change to Colorado liquor laws since 1933 came in the final days of the legislative session.

The bipartisan bill was offered as a way to head off a proposed ballot item in November that would allow major retailers to sell wine and full-strength beer immediately.The stores can only sell the less popular beer.

In the end, Hickenlooper said, it was important to send a strong message that this is a good compromise.

Grocers and major retailers such as Walmart and Target can compete directly with liquor stores under a new law.The law limits each chain to one location in the state.

No governor wants to be an adversary to part of their businesses, so I hope they don't go forward with the initiatives.

The ballot initiative has not been changed by Your Choice Colorado.The campaign manager said Friday that it is considering legal action against the legislation.

If Your Choice Colorado gets on the ballot, it will cost tens of millions of dollars to campaign for its passage.

It is very disappointing.This flawed and unconstitutional legislation only protects a few big liquor stores and liquor lobbyists and was signed by Hickenlooper.

The legislature and the governor have denied Coloradan consumers what they want and deserve: real beer and wine in grocery stores.Your Choice Colorado will continue to weigh our options to keep standing by the voters, giving them the ability to make their voices heard amidst this broken system, whether through a legal challenge to this sloppy bill or, as planned, taking it to the ballot in 2016

The compromise allows the phase-in of alcohol sales in grocery stores while protecting local small businesses.We would like to thank the governor for his commitment to small businesses and urge King and Safeway to drop their initiatives so that we can all focus on growing Colorado businesses.

Walmart was expected to support and help finance the ballot initiative campaign, but on Friday the company voiced support for the new law.

Josh Phair, Walmart's director of government relations, said, "This historic compromise allows Coloradans to enjoy the convenience and selection they desire."

Many liquor stores are located in the same shopping plaza as grocery stores, so the governor and legislators worried that the competition could drive them out of business.

For grocery stores and other major retailers to get those 20 licenses, they would have to buy up all the liquor store licenses within 1,500 feet of each store.

The law takes effect on July 1, but it could be months before grocers have the licenses they need to sell more alcohol.

There could be up to five grocery stores in 2017: eight in 2022, 13 in 2027 and 20 in 2032.The limits go away after 2037.

David Anderson, co-owner and manager of Uptown Wines, Beer and Spirits, said the legislation provided small mom-and-pop businesses with some level of security for the future.

He said that he has been in the business for 30 years.My career is my chosen profession.

The ballot initiative would have put big corporations in the driver's seat, according to the co-owner of Uptown Wines, Beer and Spirits.

I think it is a decent compromise.He said that knowing what will happen next and not worrying about a big chain coming in is good.

The chief executive of the Colorado licensed beverage association urged Your Choice Colorado to abandon the ballot initiative and join others interested in expanded sales.