Bartender / Alcohol Server / Colorado
2026 data Colorado board official source

Colorado Bartender / Alcohol Server License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

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Prepares and serves alcoholic beverages in licensed establishments.

What the Colorado data shows for Bartender / Alcohol Servers

Colorado sets the entry bar for bartender / alcohol servers at 14 training hours and a passing score on State Alcohol Server Certification Exam, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under Colorado's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Responsible Alcohol Service Training".

The initial price tag is $64, and renewal costs $43 every 3 years. Colorado doesn't require continuing education for this license, so upkeep costs stay confined to the renewal fee itself.

For bartender / alcohol servers, the reciprocity picture is: TIPS and similar programs recognized in some states.

Licensing Ease Score

A
Licensing Ease Score
85/100
Bartender / Alcohol Server · Colorado

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training B
14 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee A-
$64
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden A+
$14/yr
$43 every 3 years
Continuing Education A+
None required
No continuing-education mandate
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Colorado

Education / Training Hours
Responsible Alcohol Service Training
14 hours
Exam Requirement
State Alcohol Server Certification Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$64
Renewal Fee
$43
Renewal Cycle
Every 3 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Not Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Bartender / Alcohol Server All Colorado licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Colorado licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Bartender / Alcohol Server in Colorado? ▼
In Colorado, the license path calls for 14 education/training hours, a passing score on State Alcohol Server Certification Exam, and a $64 initial fee.
How do I get certified as a Bartender / Alcohol Server in Colorado? ▼
Colorado licenses bartender / alcohol servers who complete its requirements (14 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Colorado licensing board.
Can I transfer my Bartender / Alcohol Server license to Colorado from another state? ▼
For bartender / alcohol servers, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: TIPS and similar programs recognized in some states. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the Colorado licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Colorado require a background check for Bartender / Alcohol Server licensing? ▼
There's no state-level background-check requirement for bartender / alcohol server licensing in Colorado; some employers choose to screen candidates anyway.

Related Guides

What to do with this bartender / alcohol server license

Bartender / Alcohol Server in Colorado, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a bartender / alcohol server-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Colorado's bartender / alcohol server requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Bartender / Alcohol Server in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state bartender / alcohol server license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Colorado's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Colorado overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Colorado licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.