Parker Wine Walks have been shut down indefinitely by the State of Colorado after a complaint was filed with the state Liquor Enforcement Division and the state investigated whether the event was compliant with the law. 

Chamber of Commerce President and CEO T.J. Sullivan was surprised by the decision and said it is a loss for the community. 

“We had a meeting with the town and we thought they were going to tell us just what we need to do to be able to do the event,” said Sullivan. “It ended up being that the state has completely declared our event to not be compliant with state law.”

Republican state Rep. Anthony Hartsook, whose District 44 includes Parker, was also surprised by the decision and plans to take action at the state level. 

Hartsook served on the House Finance Committee that heard the HB23-1061 Alcohol Beverage Retail Establishment Permit legislation. 

The House bill, which was signed into law in early June, concerns permitting a retail establishment to serve complimentary alcoholic beverages, such as wine, at a place of business.

According to Hartsook, small businesses such as boutique shops and salons wanted to serve complimentary beverages along with cheese and crackers to customers for free while they were waiting. 

During the legislative session, Hartsook said he brought up the Wine Walks in Parker and how they have benefited multiple small businesses, the Chamber of Commerce and community engagement. 

“This is where I’m kind of frustrated with the state,” said Hartsook. 

He said instead of reaching out to the legislature, chamber or small businesses to try to work through it, the state shut it down. 

The ruling is hammering small businesses and making their lives difficult, said Hartsook, restricting the revenue. 

“I’m going to get involved and find out what happened,” said Hartsook. “I’m gonna find out how we work through it and I don’t know what that solution is yet, but I’m gonna find out and make it happen.”

In addition to the Wine Walks being a fundraising opportunity for the chamber, Sullivan said the whole purpose of the event was to get people downtown going into the places of business and discovering businesses. 

“That was the beauty of the event,” said Sullivan. 

Having budgeted to have five Wine Walks this year and the state shutting down the event after two will have a short-term effect on the chamber. 

Sullivan estimates the chamber will lose about $40,000 to $50,000 in revenue this year. 

“It hurts us a little bit,” said Sullivan. “The chamber will be fine. We will replace the event but unfortunately, it hurts the small businesses downtown.” 

The state said the Wine Walk event did not comply with the recent licensing laws affecting alcohol in retail locations, according to various sources. 

Colorado Community Media is waiting to hear back from the Town of Parker about a question asked yesterday, Aug. 28. 

CCM has also reached out to the State Liquor Enforcement Division  regarding the reasoning of the shut down and has not heard back at this time.