Latest news with #DepartmentofExciseandLicenses
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Colorado Restaurant Association supports tip offset bill as Denver restaurants struggle
DENVER (KDVR) — The Colorado Restaurant Association and Foundation is supporting a group promoting independent restaurants in the state, in addition to the Restaurant Relief Act, to help keep Colorado's restaurants and eateries open. 'We want our restaurants and teams to thrive, but we have to stay open for that to happen,' the association wrote in a Facebook post. 'Independent restaurants are closing every single day in Colorado. In just three years, Denver has lost 22% of its restaurants.' Poll: These shuttered restaurants are missed the most in Denver metro That's according to data provided by Denver's Department of Excise and Licenses. The department shared that at the end of 2021, there were 2,166 restaurants licensed in the city, and only 1,693 licensed restaurants in the city by the end of 2024. The group provided a photo that listed dozens of restaurants that have closed between January 2024 and February 2025 throughout the Denver metro area — from Aurora to Golden and everywhere in between. The advocacy group says eight out of 10 Colorado restaurants are struggling to hire enough staff, although industry wages in Colorado have risen on average 30%. Because of these losses, the Colorado Restaurant Association is supporting a bipartisan coalition called the Independent Restaurants for A Better Colorado, that's supporting the Restaurant Relief Act. The act, which is officially called 'Local Governments Tip Offsets for Tipped Employees.' The measure would require local governments with a minimum wage that exceeds the state minimum wage to provide a tip offset for tipped employees that is 'equal to the tip offset amount described in the state constitution, which is $3.02,' according to the bill's summary. Bill addressing semiautomatic gun purchases in Colorado clears Senate Some provisions stipulate timing on the tip offsets (requiring local governments to enact code or ordinances before Sept. 1 that would take effect by Oct. 1 imposing the tip offset for food and beverage employees), but the goal is to increase the amount paid to restaurant workers, not lower it. The bill is scheduled to be discussed at the Colorado House Business Affairs and Labor Committee on Thursday afternoon. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
05-02-2025
- Health
- Axios
Denver proposes licensing rules for psychedelic centers
Denver's licensing department on Wednesday detailed a preliminary framework for regulating psychedelic therapy. Why it matters: These rules will determine how the city licenses a burgeoning treatment option as the state expects to start issuing permits for healing centers and providers this spring. The big picture: The city's Department of Excise and Licenses will oversee healing centers, which can offer natural medicines like psilocybin for supervised treatment thanks to a 2022 measure approved by voters. The department presented its proposed regulations before a Denver City Council committee. Context: The proposed rules would require a local license for healing centers, meaning these sites would need to obtain both a state and local permit to open in Denver. Yes, but: No local licenses would be needed for cultivation, manufacturing or testing facilities under the proposal; these services would rely solely on state permitting. American Indian tribes performing religious ceremonies and certain treatment providers with additional state licensing would also be exempt from getting a local healing center license. By the numbers: Fees include $100 for an application and $100 annually for renewal. What they're saying: Council President Amanda Sandoval during Wednesday's meeting said she supports adding regulations on top of state ones because they give Denver local control and oversight. Between the lines: Licensing staff recommend adopting state location restrictions on healing centers, including a 1,000-foot buffer from childcare centers and schools. The intrigue: The proposals include repealing a Denver law passed in 2019 allowing adults to possess psychedelics, with licensing staff saying the 2022 state law makes the local law obsolete. What's next: The full Denver City Council will hold a final vote on the proposed rules on Feb. 24.
