The Denver City Council has rejected a proposal that would have allowed certain bars and nightclubs to stay open until 4 a.m. The proposal, which was part of a larger overhaul of the city’s nightlife licensing system, was voted down due to concerns about safety and a lack of data to support the extended hours.

Background

The proposal was initially delayed after a deadly shooting at a Denver nightclub. The city’s Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection had argued that extending the hours could help reduce the chaos that occurs when multiple bars close at the same time. However, Councilmember Jamie Torres expressed concerns about the lack of data to support the extended hours and suggested a pilot program instead.

The city’s licensing department plans to pursue a smaller pilot program to test the effectiveness of extended hours. The program will include partnerships with local police and the tracking of safety data. The department will also work with residents and businesses to determine which venues would be interested in participating in the pilot program.

Other Changes

Despite the rejection of the extended hours proposal, the city council did pass other changes to the nightlife licensing system. The new regulations will require affected businesses to adopt a security plan, including video surveillance and weapons prohibitions. Businesses will also be required to take reasonable measures to prevent weapons and to ensure orderly dispersal of people from the bar or club.

The changes will also simplify the licensing system, reducing the number of licenses from 14 to three. The new licenses will include an adult entertainment license, a limited entertainment license, and a nightlife entertainment license. The changes will go into effect in April 2027.

Original reporting: Denverite — read the source article.