Update March 7, 2018: Competitive bidding has been postponed.
The Montana Department of Revenue opens its first competitive bidding for alcohol beverages licenses since the new law was passed during the 2017 legislative special session in November. The first licenses being offered are for a Bozeman Retail Beer license (gaming restricted) with a minimum bid of $187,500 and a Belgrade All-Beverages license with a minimum bid of $350,000. Bidding opens on January 18, 2018 and closes at midnight MST on February 23, 2018. License bidding for other quota areas will follow in the future.
The law replaces alcoholic beverages license lotteries with a competitive bidding process to determine which individual or business is eligible to apply for a license. The highest bidder will be granted the opportunity to seek a license. The law also separates the state’s six combined quota areas so that each incorporated city and incorporated town has its own allowable number of licenses or quota. Those areas were Bozeman/Belgrade, Whitefish/Columbia Falls, Helena/East Helena, Hamilton/Pinesdale, Eureka/Rexford and Red Lodge/Bear Creek.
To find bid information or submit a bid, visit myrevenue.mt.gov. All bids must be accompanied by a $100 processing fee and an irrevocable letter of credit for at least the amount of the bid.
For more information, visit revenue.mt.gov, email DORCustomerAssistance@mt.gov or call (406) 444-6900.
Mary Ann Dunwell
Public Information Officer
Montana Department of Revenue