Colorado Repealed Prohibition after Supporting It. Learn Why.

Long History

Colorado repealed Prohibition.
Colorado repealed Prohibition after supporting it.

The temperance movement has a long history in Colorado. The state began its own prohibition in 1916. That was four years before National Prohibition went into effect. Residents could not imagine that what was ahead. After experiencing the effects of the Noble Experiment, Colorado repealed Prohibition.

Prohibition reflected a belief that outlawing alcohol would lead to lower crime, better health, higher morality and a better environment for young people. But the temperance movement also had a dark, if not sinister, side.

Prohibitionists often linked alcohol with anyone who looked, spoke, or acted “foreign.” Their fear of foreigners and “foreign ways” led many to vote for both statewide and National Prohibition.Colorado repealed prohibition

But many also joined the Ku Klux Klan (KKK). It was a new Klan formed largely to promote prohibition. It not only opposed foreign immigration but defended Prohibition. And sometimes by illegal force. It often worked with the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU).

Infringement of Rights

Many residents viewed Prohibition as an unwarranted infringement of their personal right to enjoy a drink. It quickly became obvious that plenty of illegal producers and sellers were happy to satisfy the demand. Moonshine often contained toxic lead compounds from careless methods. As a result, consumers sometimes suffered paralysis, blindness or even death.

Corruption

In order to operate, moonshiners and bootleggers typically had to bribe law enforcement officials. Corruption was widespread. It was just a cost of business. To the public it was a serious decline in morality. It lowered respect for Prohibition. And for law in general. It became fashionable for the first time in history for women to drink.

Not all law enforcement officers were on the take. But many were known for their use of violence. For example, a 20-year-old Colorodian was beaten to death by a Prohibition officer in a dispute over a bottle of wine.

Prohibition also promoted the undesirable pattern of drinking. It less often but very heavily. People didn’t go to a speakeasy to savor a drink. They guzzled alcohol while they had the chance.

Repeal

Soon, a large majority of in the state came to believe that Prohibition made criminals of ordinary citizens. That it threatened health, lowered morality, and endangered young people. So voters suspended the state’s prohibition laws. Then, by a vote of two-to-one, they ratified the 21st Amendment to repeal National Prohibition.

But vestiges of temperance have long remained. Only a few years ago did the state abolish the old Blue law prohibiting the sale of alcoholic beverages on Sunday. Many other Prohibition-era laws continue to burden consumers.

Prohibition in Colorado

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