Southern Ute Tribe Updates Liquor Code for Reservation Safety
Published Date: 3/5/2026
Notice
Summary
The Southern Ute Indian Tribe updated their Liquor Code to better control the sale, possession, and use of alcohol on their reservation. These changes, effective March 5, 2026, affect anyone buying or selling liquor there and ensure safety and order under tribal law. Licensed sellers must follow the new rules, helping protect the community’s health and well-being.
Analyzed Economic Effects
9 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 7 costs, 1 mixed.
Tribal control of liquor sales
The Southern Ute Tribe's amended Liquor Code governs all liquor acts and transactions within the exterior boundaries of the Southern Ute Reservation and became effective March 5, 2026. You may only buy or sell alcoholic beverages on the Reservation under tribal law and subject to the Tribe's jurisdiction and rules.
Only licensed sellers may sell
Only people issued a license under this Code may sell alcoholic beverages within the exterior boundaries of the Southern Ute Reservation. The Tribal Licensing Authority issues many license classes (for example, Retail Liquor Store, Tavern, Hotel and Restaurant, Special Events), and licensees must meet Code requirements to operate.
Fees, records, and audits required
Applicants and licensees must pay fees according to a Fee Schedule approved by Tribal Council (including application, annual license, manager registration, and background check fees). Licensees must keep complete accounting and transaction records, make them available for inspection, and may be required to obtain audits at the licensee's expense.
Suspension, revocation, and fee nonrefund
The Tribal Licensing Authority may suspend or revoke licenses for violations after investigation and hearing. Licenses may be temporarily suspended without notice pending prosecution or investigation for up to 15 days, suspensions may not exceed 6 months, and the Authority will not return or refund any part of a licensing fee when a license is suspended or revoked. The Authority may also revoke for a licensed location inactive without good cause for at least one year.
Manager registration and background checks
Certain licenses (hotel and restaurant, tavern, lodging and entertainment, racetrack and fairgrounds) must have a registered manager and the manager may be required to undergo character review, credit/employment checks, and fingerprint-based criminal history record checks. When a manager leaves, the licensee must notify the Tribal Licensing Authority within 5 days and name a replacement within 30 days.
Retail liquor store revenue limit
A retail liquor store may sell non-alcohol products only if annual gross revenues from non-alcohol products do not exceed 20% of the store's total annual gross sales. Certain products are excluded from that calculation (for example, lottery products; cigarettes; ice; soft drinks; mixers).
Special events license limits and rules
Special event licenses may be issued for sale by the drink only, must be applied for no later than 60 days before the event, are limited to a maximum of 15 days per organization per calendar year, and authorize service only between 7 a.m. of the event day and 2 a.m. of the following day. All persons selling or serving alcohol at a special event must have current TIPS certification or equivalent.
Location and eligibility restrictions
The Tribal Licensing Authority will not issue a new license for a business location within 1,000 feet of an academic institution. No license may be issued to persons under 21 years of age, nor to certain officials (for example, peace officers, tribal attorneys, Tribal Council members, or Tribal Licensing Authority employees).
License term and renewal timing
All licenses under this Code are valid for one year from issuance. The Tribal Licensing Authority will notify licensees 90 days before expiration and licensees must apply for renewal no less than 45 days prior to expiration.
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