Reminder: Liquor Stores in Colorado Are Closed on Christmas Day, but There's a Loophole

There was a time when liquor stores in Colorado weren't open at all on Sundays, making a weekly Saturday booze run mandatory for many residents (especially during football season). Those days of prudish blue laws are long gone, as is 3.2 percent ABV beer, which used to be the only thing available on Sundays, when it could be sold in gas stations and grocery stores.

But one major buzzkill remains: On Christmas Day, stores carrying booze (of any kind) can't sell it to you. That includes liquor stores, which close altogether for the holiday, as well as gas stations and grocery stores, which can make things difficult for workers who not only have to be on the clock on a holiday, but must also be the bearers of bad news for anyone who forgot to stock up before December 25.

However, the pandemic-era addition of booze to go at bars and restaurants, which remains in place, has created a loophole in the system. An industry bulletin from December 2020 provided by Department of Revenue communications supervisor Shannon Gray explains, "Retailers who are licensed for on-premises consumption may continue to operate and conduct alcohol sales (including takeout and delivery sales) as their license type(s) have always had this ability on Christmas Day under the current statutory framework."

But don't go chugging your last beer while emptying your Christmas stocking just yet. While bars and restaurants could sell you booze to go on December 25, many opt to close for the holiday to give their staff a day off to celebrate. And while we've rounded up a list of restaurants that will be serving holiday meals on Christmas Day, most of those don't currently offer alcohol to go, as the appeal of that panedemic-era privilege has waned over the last two years.

The bottom line: Stock up early or plan to hit up your neighborhood bar for some in-person drinking. Many will be open Christmas evening for those looking for a nightcap away from home.