A bill that would permit some nightlife venues to stay open until 4 a.m. will advance to a second reading before the Denver City Council, with a 10-1 vote on Monday.

Alcohol service would still end at 2 a.m. under state law, but establishments could keep music, dancing and other entertainment going for two additional hours.

City officials argue the current code inadequately regulates nightlife entertainment venues and lacks specific safety and security requirements to prevent violence and disorderly conduct.

If adopted, the measure would streamline the licensing process by rescinding licenses for amusement, dance hall, social room, and cabaret establishments and establish three new licenses: limited entertainment business, nightlife entertainment business and adult entertainment business, effective April 1, 2027.

Current licensees would be able to operate under existing licenses through their expiration dates.

The bill would eliminate mandatory public hearings on cabaret, dance hall and social room license applications received prior to April 1, 2027, and allow for a hearing at the city’s discretion.

The plan, put forth by the city’s Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, requires two of the new licensee categories to maintain enhanced security measures, including video surveillance in designated areas, weapons pat-downs and registration of a designated manager with the city.

Councilmember Amanda Sawyer, the sole dissenting vote, said that while the proposed changes “make a lot of sense” for downtown, they do not for neighborhoods.

“I represent Cherry Creek, I represent Lowry, I represent a swath of Colfax,” Sawyer told the council body. “These are all locations where we have businesses with coverage licenses that are literally next door to, across the street from, across an alley from single-family residences, duplexes, row homes, which our zoning code determines to be a quote-unquote protected district.”

Proponents of the bill say the additional two hours would reduce congestion caused by bar crowds hitting the streets at 2 a.m.

Speaking on behalf of the Lower Downtown Neighborhood Association, Donald Ku said he hasn’t spoken with any businesses that are “super enthusiastic” about the measure and there’s been “growing concern” among residents.

“I would urge City Council to, perhaps, amend the ordinance to just include a trial period to see how this actually might work, to see if businesses will actually change their business model to adapt to it,” Ku said.