Lemonade lovers in Colorado can rejoice after Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill into law Monday allowing kids to legally operate lemonade stands.
Polis signed the bipartisan bill, which stops local governments from requiring minors to have a license or permit to operate any kind of limited or occasional business. According to the law, the business is required to run fewer than 84 days per year to not require local permitting and must be a “sufficient distance” from other comparable commercial entities.
The bill comes after an effort from Denver resident Jennifer Knowles and her three sons to change the law. Knowles told the Washington Examiner Tuesday that last summer, two police officers approached her kids and told them that they needed permits to operate a lemonade stand, which was raising money for a charity.
Knowles and her boys attended the bill signing. She said she was excited that more kids would have an opportunity to learn about business and entrepreneurship.
“I am thrilled that our family was able to turn a sour situation into something that impacts kids, not only across our community but across the state of Colorado,” Knowles said. “This bill eliminates bureaucratic barriers that would otherwise inhibit kids from reaching their entrepreneurship potential.”
“No matter young or old, we can all take a stand and make a difference,” she added.
Last month, the Texas state House passed a bill that legalizes temporary lemonade stands run by minors in a bid to allow kids to sell the curbside beverage without the need for permits. Current Texas law prohibits the production of homemade drinks due to health concerns.
Across the country, there has been pushback from kids and parents after young entrepreneurs who ran into trouble for operating the popular summertime businesses. The Country Time Lemonade Company even set up an initiative called “Legal-Ade” last year that sought to reimburse kids who have been fined and helps pays for permit fees associated with opening up a lemonade stand.
