Joint Tobacco and Alcohol Enforcement Training for Broomfield City and County Police Department

Broomfield’s City Council passed an ordinance requiring all tobacco retailers to be licensed to sell tobacco products effective October 1, 2020. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the Public Health Department was successful in issuing licenses to all known retailers prior to the October 2020 deadline. However, inspections and compliance checks were delayed for a year because the City stopped all inspections of businesses and key staff was focused on the COVID-19 response. The Broomfield Department of Public Health and Environment is responsible for managing the tobacco licensing application process; the Police Department is responsible for inspections and compliance checks; the City Attorney and Local Licensing Authority handle violations; and the Clerk’s office plays a coordinating role. In July 2021, the Broomfield Tobacco Education and Prevention Partnership (BTEPP) hosted an in-person, half-day training for the Broomfield Police Department on tobacco retail license enforcement. The training was a unique joint effort among Public Health, the City Attorney’s office, Clerk’s office, and the Department of Revenue. The training covered both tobacco and alcohol laws and enforcement. The first part of the meeting was presented by a Colorado Department of Revenue inspector who addressed the state liquor and tobacco laws and rules including licensing in general, age requirements, inspections, violations, and enforcement. BTEPP staff conducted the second half of the meeting covering the rationale for tobacco licensing in Broomfield, details of Broomfield’s licensing ordinance, and expectations for inspections and underage compliance checks. We also discussed the roles and responsibilities of each agency. The meeting helped set the foundation for a strong, collaborative relationship with the Police Department and for a successful inspection and compliance program going forward. Read about retail tobacco licensing on Broomfield’s website. Contact Adrienn Hollands, ahollonds@broomfield.org, with questions.

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