Bill to extend bar hours in Colo. fails

Lawmakers rejected a proposal to allow Colorado cities and towns to extend bar hours after the legislator sponsoring the bill asked them to vote no.

The bill from Denver Democratic Rep. Crisanta Duran failed in the House on Monday. She told lawmakers she wanted to “go back to the drawing board” with her bill. It was unclear whether she had enough support to pass it.

The proposal would have 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 argued the legislation could contribute to more drunken driving.

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