A major shake-up in Colorado’s alcohol distribution industry will leave over 500 workers without jobs, after a major beer and alcohol distributor announced the shutdown of all operations in the state.
For decades, Eagle Rock Distributing Company has been the engine behind Colorado’s social scene, delivering beers, wines, and spirits to the local retailers.
But following a major acquisition by industry giant Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, Eagle Rock’s Colorado business is coming to a permanent halt.
In a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) filed on April 3, the company confirmed that it will shut down all Colorado operations effective June 5, 2026.
The move, described as an asset sale, will result in the permanent layoff of 514 employees, that is, all Eagle Rock workers in Colorado.
The move marks a significant shift in Colorado’s alcohol distribution landscape and highlights the rapid consolidation taking place across the beverage supply chain.
A family-owned business with roots in Georgia and Colorado, Eagle Rock is one of the most recognizable names in beverage distribution. Over the years, they have acted as a critical bridge between craft brewers and local alcohol retailers.
If you have ordered a beer at a Colorado bar or picked up cases at a local store, Eagle Rock probably had a role to play.
This Georgia-based distributor has been responsible for delivering a wide range of major beverage brands, including well-known Anheuser-Busch premium beers such as Busch Light, Budweiser, and Bud Light, as well as imported beers like Hoegaarden and Stella Artois.
More Layoffs:
Beyond beer, the company has also helped distribute craft beers, spirits, energy drinks, and wines, operating out of six major hubs in Colorado.
And now with them closing all its Colorado distribution centers, it has the potential to change how alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are distributed in Colorado.
According to the WARN filing, the following 6 sites will be closed:
Monument
Grand Junction
Loveland
Pueblo
Denver/Commerce City
Durango
A wide range of job roles will be affected, including CDL drivers, warehouse workers, account managers, sales specialists, logistics staff, and administrative employees.
Alcohol distributors play a vital role in the U.S. beverage industry.
Under the country’s three-tier alcohol distribution system, producers such as breweries and wineries are not allowed to sell directly to retailers. Instead, they must rely on wholesale distributors to move products from manufacturers to stores, bars, restaurants, stadiums, and hotels.
