Article Contributed on: 6/25/2008 8:21:31 PM
Golden Lions Club members serving brew at the July 4th celebration at Lions Park will be up to date on how to spot a fraudulent ID.
Several volunteers in the group were participants at a liquor awareness class offered by the Golden Police Department June 25 at Golden City Hall, on 911 10th St.
Sgt.
Ryan Custer provided an informational handout to the class, which included area bartenders and explained several topics on liquor laws and violations. The group was quizzed and given a score at the end of the class.
"If you miss seven, you have to take the class over," Custer told the class.
Golden offers the class to tavern owners, restaurateurs and liquor stores or to anyone who serves or sells beer in the city of Golden. There is no charge.
According to Custer it is done as part of the police department's community policing philosophy so that by training employees or owners, or in the Lions Club case, volunteers, potential problems can be recognized before they become a police or liquor board matter.
This was the fourth class offered this year. Custer said they are offered on an as-needed basis and attendance tends to correspond to compliance issues.
A class held May 28 had 45 attendees. "Most of the students were employees of businesses that were charged during compliance checks," said Custer.
The class covers topics such as the legal drinking age, the age of employees, and what the laws are on confiscating fraudulent IDs.
According to deputy city clerk
Andrea Banks, special event permits like the one used by the Lions Club cost $25 per day. A dual-processing fee is charged by the city and the state and the city must post a notice at the site (in this case it's Lions Park) for 10 days stating alcoholic beverages will be sold. Banks said once the state approves the permit and forwards it to her, she prints out a city permit.
Lions member
Ed Dorsey said the Lions Club tries to go to the class once every two years. The club is active during Buffalo Bill Days and sells beer at Parfet Park at 10th and Washington in Golden.
"We'll have 20 different guys serving beer from noon til dark. During Buffalo Bill Days we work in shifts," said Dorsey.
He said the club contracts with Coors, which provides a refrigerated truck equipped with spigots on the side.
Ace High Tavern barkeep
Dawn Diment, of Golden, said this was the first time she had attended. "I didn't realize employees have to be 18 even to dispose of alcoholic beverages."
Troy Cardinal, of Arvada, attended and is the general manager of Yak and Yeti's in Arvada.
Custer said people hear about the class through word of mouth. Notices of its availability are sent to new liquor establishments by postcard. Custer said, "We determine if there is a need before scheduling a class."