Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostAn employee organizes and sanitizes shopping carts before giving them to customers waiting in line to shop at Argonaut Liquors on March 23, 2020 in Denver.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostJack Wesley leaves with his purchase at Argonaut Liquors on March 23, 2020 in Denver.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostManager Berkley Adams helps a customer put her liquor in her car after shopping at Argonaut Liquors on March 23, 2020 in Denver.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostAssistant GM David Bentley organizes and sanitizes shopping carts before giving them to customers waiting in line to shop at Argonaut Liquors on March 23, 2020 in Denver.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostRobin Vaeth and her dog Lola wait to park at Argonaut Liquors on March 23, 2020 in Denver. She joked that she wasn't panic buying but survival buying for being stuck at home with her husband.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostManager Trevor Williams organizes and sanitizes shopping carts before giving them to customers waiting in line to shop at Argonaut Liquors on March 23, 2020 in Denver.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostCustomers wait in long lines to be let inside at Argonaut Liquors on March 23, 2020 in Denver.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostCustomers wait in long lines to be let inside at Argonaut Liquors on March 23, 2020 in Denver.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostCustomers wait in long lines to be let inside at Argonaut Liquors on March 23, 2020 in Denver.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostCustomers wait in long lines to be let inside at Argonaut Liquors on March 23, 2020 in Denver.
Justin Edmonds, Special to The Denver PostCustomers exit Wines Off Wynkoop liquor store with their purchases as a line forms down the alley on March 23, 2020 in Denver, Colorado.
Justin Edmonds, Special to The Denver PostIan Longfellow, an employee with Wines Off Wynkoop, wears gloves to carry out and order for a customer on March 23, 2020 in Denver.
Justin Edmonds, Special to The Denver PostCustomers wait in line in the alley before being allowed inside Wines Off Wynkoop liquor store on March 23, 2020 in Denver.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostPaco Cerna puts his beer into his truck after shopping at Argonaut Liquors on March 23, 2020 in Denver.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostCustomers wait in long lines to be let inside at Argonaut Liquors on March 23, 2020 in Denver.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostCustomers wait in long lines to be let inside at Argonaut Liquors on March 23, 2020 in Denver.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostMen walk down an empty Colfax avenue on March 23, 2020 in Denver.
Anthony Acosta and manager Berkley Adams, right, man the door at Argonaut Liquors on March 23, 2020 in Denver.
Justin Edmonds, Special to The Denver PostA customer heads inside to Rocky Mountain High Dispensary as others wait in line outside on March 23, 2020 in Denver, Colorado.
Justin Edmonds, Special to The Denver PostAn employee from LoDo Wellness Center dispensary takes payment from a customer before returning with their order on March 23, 2020 in Denver.
Justin Edmonds, Special to The Denver PostDavid Lara (R) and John Tow wait outside Rocky Mountain High Dispensary in Denver on March 23, 2020. Lara and Tow were stocking up since they heard that Denver Mayor Michael Hancock is issuing a 'Stay At Home' order that will go into effect on Tuesday at 5pm.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
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An employee organizes and sanitizes shopping carts before giving them to customers waiting in line to shop at Argonaut Liquors on March 23, 2020 in Denver.
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By Helen H. Richardson | hrichardson@denverpost.com | The Denver Post and Justin Edmonds | justin@jcedmonds.com | Special to The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your player ready...
In an attempt to slow the spread of coronavirus, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock announced a public health order with an explicit stay at home directive for the City and County of Denver that goes into effect at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24.
People rushed to pot shops and liquor stores fearing they wouldn’t be able to buy either item after Tuesday. Denver Mayor Michael Hancock changed course drastically Monday evening saying that liquor and marijuana stores “with extreme physical distancing in place” will be exempt from the mandated citywide closure of non-essential businesses.
