UPDATE: Grocery store beer sales bill nears governor’s desk

A bill that would allow more grocery stores to sell beer stronger than 3.2 percent alcohol is now one vote away from Governor John Hickenlooper’s desk.

The house gave initial approval to the bill Tuesday night. The proposal needs one more formal house vote before going to the governor’s desk.

Lawmakers enter their final day of work Wednesday with swirling questions about how to undo the low-alcohol beer requirement without endangering thousands of liquor stores.

The bill is aimed at preventing a ballot measure by grocers to see Colorado stop being one of only five states that don’t allow full-strength beer in most grocery stores.

The bill would allow grocers to add full-strength beer and wine over a 20-year period.