Let Coloradans Under-21 Buy Non-Alcoholic Beer

In Colorado, anyone under 21 is banned from buying non-alcoholic (N/A) beer — even though it contains less alcohol than kombucha or even a ripe banana.

This law unfairly restricts people who could benefit most from N/A beverages. Many turn to these drinks as a way to feel included in social settings without drinking, or as a tool for recovery from alcohol abuse. By cutting off access, we take away a safe alternative that can reduce pressure to drink.

The arguments for this restriction don’t hold up:

“Gateway to alcohol” — N/A beer is no more a gateway than apple cider is to hard cider its simply a baseless correlation.
“It still contains 0.5% ABV” — Bananas average 0.4%, and kombucha often reaches 0.5–0.6%, yet both are sold freely to all ages.
“It looks too adult” — Bars can still ID, just as they do now. That doesn’t mean stores should be barred from selling N/A beer to responsible young adults.

Colorado led the way in legalizing recreational marijuana. Yet today, it’s one of 34 states that still blocks people under 21 from purchasing something as harmless as non-alcoholic beer. This policy does more harm than good, and it’s time to change it.

With your signature, we can show lawmakers that this outdated restriction must end. Colorado should not deny safe, helpful alternatives to those who need them most.