Last call at Colo. bars could go later

Bars could bars stay open past 2 a.m. under a bill moving forward in the Colorado House.

Lawmakers advanced the bill Friday with an unrecorded voice vote, setting up a final vote next week to send the proposal to the Senate.

The proposal would let municipalities decide whether to let bars stay open until 4:30 a.m. Current law prohibits the sale of alcohol from 2 a.m. to 7 a.m.

Opponents raised safety concerns, saying it could contribute to drunk driving. Some lawmakers also want uniformity on the closing hours that are set within municipalities to prevent bar hopping.

Supporters of the bill say the goal is to give local governments more control, and potentially reduce large, unruly crowds that let out at the traditional closing time.