May 06, 2016 09:13 AM UTC

Wellington Webb: Real Beer & Wine Sales Work in Denver Grocery Stores

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• by: YourChoiceColorado

(Your grandmayor chimes in – Promoted by Colorado Pols)

Colorado is one of the top places in the U.S. to start a small business. Case in point: Our state’s craft beer industry is one of the strongest in the nation; we rank 3rd in total craft breweries per capita.

As Denver mayor, I worked hard to ensure that our state’s capital was a place where small businesses, like breweries, could grow.

That’s why I oppose Colorado’s current 3.2 law. It caps our local breweries—that’s a fact.

During my time as mayor from 1991-2003, I personally witnessed how grocery stores can benefit local businesses and our economy. Here’s how:

Increased Shelf Space for Local Craft Breweries. The law permits one grocery store per chain to sell real beer and wine, the majority of which are in the Denver area. Local brewers’ ability to access customers in grocery and liquor stores has helped make the Denver region the cradle of Colorado’s craft beer market.

Economic Growth. Beyond just helping businesses grow, grocery stores create jobs. Walmart, Safeway, King Soopers and Albertsons alone employ nearly 60,000 Coloradans statewide. Contrary to what Keep Colorado Local claims, these aren’t corporate folks that funnel money out of state. These employees are our family, friends and neighbors. Their work generated $484 million in tax revenue for Colorado last year alone.

It’s good business to sell what consumers want to buy. And grocery stores are no exception. As one of their best sellers, grocery stores want to give shelf space to real, local beer in every store across the state—not just in Denver.