As an expert sommelier and brewer, I can provide you with a detailed answer to your question about the drinking rules in Colorado.
In Colorado, the legal drinking age is 21 years old. This means that individuals must be at least 21 years of age to consume or possess alcohol. This law applies to all types of alcohol, including beer, wine, and spirits. It is important to note that this age requirement also applies to the possession of ethyl alcohol, which is the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages (18-13-122(3)).
Additionally, individuals must be at least 21 years old to work in or enter a liquor store in Colorado (12-47-901(b)). This means that if you are under the age of 21, you cannot be employed at a liquor store or enter one unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. This rule is in place to prevent underage individuals from accessing alcohol and to ensure compliance with the legal drinking age.
However, there is an exception to the legal drinking age for individuals who work in on-premise locations such as bars and restaurants. In 2017, Senate Bill 17-237 was passed, which allows individuals who are at least 18 years old to serve alcohol in these establishments. This means that if you are 18 or older, you can work as a bartender or server in a restaurant or bar, but you still cannot consume alcohol until you reach the legal drinking age of 21.
It's important to understand and respect these drinking rules in Colorado to ensure compliance with the law and to promote responsible drinking. Underage drinking can have serious consequences, both legally and for personal health and safety. It is always best to wait until you are of legal drinking age before consuming alcohol.
In my personal experience as a sommelier and brewer, I have witnessed the importance of following these drinking rules. I have seen the negative effects of underage drinking and the importance of responsible consumption. It is crucial to educate individuals about the risks and consequences of underage drinking and to promote a culture of responsible alcohol consumption.
To summarize, the drinking rules in Colorado state that individuals must be at least 21 years old to consume or possess alcohol, to work in or enter a liquor store, and to serve alcohol in on-premise locations. Individuals who are at least 18 years old can work as servers or bartenders in restaurants and bars, but cannot consume alcohol until they reach the legal drinking age of 21. It is important to adhere to these rules to promote responsible drinking and ensure compliance with the law.