Gov. Polis announces ‘last call’ for alcohol is 10 p.m. for next 30 days statewide

DENVER, Colo. (KRDO) -- In his Tuesday briefing, Governor Jared Polis announced that restaurants and bars across the state will only be allowed to serve alcohol until 10 p.m. for the next 30 days.

Polis said the spread of coronavirus in Colorado is mostly among people within the 20 to 29 year age group. Many of the growing cases in the state are due to younger people going to bars and restaurants, or holding large private gatherings, according to the state health department.

"Smaller corrections, coupled with responsible behavior of all ages, is what is going to make a difference," the governor said.

Polis says the "last call" for alcohol will be 10 p.m., but people can still be out on the streets enjoying city nightlife. Normally Colorado bars and restaurants can serve alcohol until 2 a.m.

The new ordinance is expected to take effect before the weekend and will last 30 days. But a county could ask for a variance once those requests resume in the state, the governor said.

Polis said he does not like "last call" laws, but when people are inebriated and socializing outside of their homes, they are being less careful out in public and not socially distancing.

"Our grandparents' health really depends on you being more mature," said Polis, adding that the state has many multi-generational homes. "This is not the summer to party. We need to modify our behavior."

However, he said he will support future legislation that would allow counties and cities to establish their own "last call" laws once the pandemic is over.

"I am very irritated by last call laws," Polis said. "Nightlife will be an important part of the economic recovery."