City Council OKs liquor license for distillery on Ruxton

Manitou Springs City Council hosted a brief regular meeting on Tuesday, June 28, at the high school while focusing on a liquor license for South Park Distilling.

This week’s meeting was moved due to voting taking place at City Hall. 

Council voted 6-0 to not object to allowing a liquor license for South Park Distilling. The license would be for a permanent sales room at 16 Ruxton Ave.

In addition, the license would allow “on-premise consumption (tastings) and off-premise consumptions,” according to the memorandum sent to City Council.

Councilor Judith Chandler said she had “trouble wrapping her mind” around the tasting room for South Park Distilling. 

“I’ve been to (wine) tastings and it’s been maybe an ounce or two of wine,” Chandler said. “In the packet, this is up to 12 ounces and they’re limited to two 24-ounces of alcoholic beverages.

“To me, that’s not a tasting, that’s consuming alcohol. That very well could contribute to traffic noise and other neighborhood concerns. … What constitutes tasting?” 

City Clerk Judy Morgan explained that tasting involves how many drinks and how much alcohol is consumed. 

“It also requires seller/server training but there are limitations on how much they can provide in a setting,” Morgan said. “On a city level, we don’t get into that part of it.” 

Katie Vera, an attorney from city attorney Jeff Parker’s office, clarified what tasting entails.  

“Tasting shall not exceed a total of five hours in duration per day,” Vera said.

“Tastings only during the operating hours is permitted to sell alcoholic beverages and in no case earlier than 11 a.m. and no later than 9 p.m. Enforcement is done by the state. If there are any concerns by the liquor licensing authority of any violations, that can be brought to the state’s attention.”

To avoid overindulging, Morgan said, South Park Distilling co-owner Megan Sebastian provided a premise control plan to the state. 

“Only one cocktail per person will be sold to take to a table,” Morgan said. “A two-drink limit per guest will be enforced by the employee at the built-in bar. … Visibly intoxicated guests will be given water and a free snack.” 

Councilor Michelle Whetherhult said she’s excited about the prospect of adding South Park Distilling to Manitou.

“I have not been to (Sebastian’s) place in Fairplay, but I’ve seen it. … I thought about how often I go to downtown Colorado Springs because we don’t have anything like this in Manitou Springs,” Whetherhult said.

“We’re going to have traffic problems regardless of what comes into our town. I’m not concerned about that. We have parking and (people) are capable of walking. I’m definitely for this.” 

During the “receive or act on council correspondence portion” of the session, Chandler spoke about the Supreme Court’s 6-3 ruling on June 24 to abolish Roe v. Wade. 

“It was a very dark day for me; however, I’m grateful that I live in the state of Colorado,” Chandler said. “On April 4, 2022, Gov. Jared Polis signed into law House Bill 22-1279 codifying a person’s fundamental right to make reproductive healthcare decisions free from government interference.” 

Chandler then suggested bringing a proclamation to council in support of the bill. 

“I’m putting this out to council to see if there is a consensus to bring a proclamation supporting Jared Polis’ signing the bill,” Chandler said. “I did email the governor’s office (June 28) suggesting that perhaps next year, during the third week of June, we declare a state week (for) Women’s Health Rights. He hasn’t gotten back to me yet.” 

Mayor John Graham suggested a resolution rather than a proclamation, to which councilors all nodded in approval. Chandler said she would prepare a draft for council to review. 

Council also unanimously:

•  Amended an ordinance concerning restrictions of open fire and open burning to include city-owned properties, parks and open spaces;

•  Amended the budget for fiscal year 2022 (see tinyurl.com/Manitou2022budget);

•  Consented to install public art through the Art on the Avenue program; and

•  Approved a resolution adopting the fifth amended and restated intergovernmental agreement for the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority.  

City Council will be off next week to celebrate Fourth of July. Members will return to City Hall on July 12 with a work session.