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DENVER -- The Colorado House and Senate passed a compromise bill for expanded liquor sales in grocery stores on the last day of the 2016 legislative session on Wednesday.

The bill is going to Gov. John Hickenlooper for his signature.

The bill would allow grocery stores to slowly obtain liquor licenses over the next 20 years. Liquor stores would be allowed up to four licenses instead of the current limit of one.

Starting in 2037, grocery stores will be able to apply for an unlimited number of licenses. The compromise was supported by the state's craft brewers, liquor stores, grocery stores and Wal-Mart.

Liquor store owners got on board because the grocery stores will have to buy their licenses if they are within 1,500 feet of a liquor store.

Some of the big grocery stores are still pushing to put the issue on the ballot in November. That would allow nearly 400 grocery stores to start selling full-strength beer and wine as early as July 2017 instead of the gradual rollout.

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