The Denver Department of Excise and Licenses has approved the application of Trader Joe’s for a retail liquor license at 790 Colorado Boulevard.

Dionne Morris, a regional vice president for Trader Joe’s Co., testified in seeking approval of the license that the company plans to open the store in the third quarter of 2013.

The liquor premise will be separate from the grocery store — there will be no interior entrances connecting the liquor store and the grocery store.

Monrovia, Calif.-based Trader Joe’s has announced plans to build stores in Denver and Boulder. The retailer is popular for its selection of natural- and gourmet-food items, as well as for its signature “Two-Buck Chuck” wine.

Colorado law allows grocery stores and chains only one full-strength liquor license, so the Denver location will be the only one in the state to sell the discounted wine.