Boulder – Earlier training for alcohol servers, a marketing campaign and a permanent advisory group are some of the ways city officials can thwart a drinking culture.
The recommendations came from two committees created last year, a month after the alcohol poisoning death of Lynn “Gordie” Bailey.
Bailey, who was a University of Colorado freshman, died a year ago this Saturday after a fraternity initiation.
At a study session Tuesday night, the two subcommittees – one dealing with education and services and the other with policies and regulations – presented eight recommendations for consideration in the city’s 2006 budget.
“The single biggest problem I see,” CU professor and committee member Elizabeth Dunn told the council, “is that we have cycles of action and inaction.”
She said there was a need for “constant action over time.”
Committee member Lisa Spalding said the death of Bailey and the drinking death of Samantha Spady at Colorado State University have brought a willingness to act across many agencies and governments.
“This is really the time for us to move,” she said.
One recommendation would require any business that sells alcohol to get a land-use permit in addition to a liquor license. The permit would give the city another level of oversight to make sure the business sells alcohol properly.
Another recommendation would require all alcohol servers – such as bartenders and wait staff – to be trained to recognize fake identification before they can work. Current regulations give servers six months to complete the training.
Councilman Jack Stoakes said he was concerned about the practicality of the training. He said the current training “isn’t exactly user friendly.” Under the current system, “it would be impossible” to train everyone before they start working.
Spalding said the committees are looking at online programs in other areas. She said Wednesday there is room for flexibility.
“Having the training before is an ideal,” she said. “We are still working on it.”
She said the recommendations came from committee members who work in the service industry.
Other recommendations include a $15,000 to $20,000 media campaign geared at showing the “less glamourous” aspects of drinking and another campaign to encourage responsible business practices.
The committees also would like to see the establishment of an alcohol review committee to compile and analyze alcohol-related data.
Council members said they supported the recommendations, though no votes are taken at study sessions.
Staff writer George Merritt can be reached at 720-929-0893 or gmerritt@denverpost.com.
