DENVER — A night out in Denver could soon go even later into the night. A licensing overhaul proposal from city officials would allow nightclubs to remain open until 4 a.m., two hours later than current rules permit, while leaving last call at 2 a.m., where it sits under state law.

The draft proposal from the city’s Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection has not yet been presented to the Denver City Council, which would need to approve it before it takes effect. The department is currently gathering public input as it prepares the measure for council consideration. If passed, it would represent the most significant overhaul of Denver’s nightlife regulations since the 1980s.

Under the proposal, nightclubs could keep their doors open until 4 a.m., but last call for alcohol would remain at 2 a.m., as required by state law. The extended hours are designed to allow patrons to linger after last call, finishing their drinks, grabbing food and clearing out gradually, rather than flooding the streets all at once when venues close simultaneously.

Under the draft ordinance, nightclubs would be required to hire licensed security guards and install video surveillance systems. Venues would also need to implement weapons screening for all patrons. That screening could include metal detectors, bag checks or pat-down searches conducted by licensed security guards. 

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