Why Are Less People Drinking Alcohol in CO?

Certain people think you need alcohol to have fun, some enjoy trying different types of beverages, some like pairing the right drink with the right meal, and some need an alcoholic drink to help them relax after a long day at work or in school. Social drinking, drinking to feel good, or enjoying a drink because of the taste are all a big part of Colorado, as there are many breweries in the state, there are wineries, and distilleries as well. There is nothing wrong with having a drink or two, but over the last few years, the amount of alcoholic sales in Colorado has been decreasing. Fewer people are drinking alcohol in Colorado yearly, but why has there been a drop, and what are people drinking instead?

Drop in People Drinking Alcohol in Colorado

It used to be on weekends bars and restaurants were filled with people wanting a drink, and parties were filled with people consuming alcohol. While these all still happen, the number of people going out and the number of alcohol sales have dropped over recent years. Traceone.com recently released a study showing that alcohol consumption has dropped drastically over the last few years. According to the study, alcohol sales peaked in 2014, with 56.7 percent of adults drinking alcohol, but that number has dipped, and in 2024, the amount of adults drinking alcohol is down to 51.1 percent. From 2003 to 2014, the amount of adults drinking increased each year, but over the last decade, it has gone in the opposite direction, with slow decreases each year until the 2020's when numbers dropped much quicker. 

Health Over Alcohol in Colorado

What is the cause for fewer adults drinking alcohol over the last few years? According to Google searches, more people are searching for nonalcoholic drinks in 2026 than ever before. Each year has seen an increase in these types of searches since 2015, with a major jump over the last five years. Some of the most common searches include 'mocktail recipes', 'NA beer', and 'zero proof drinks'. Despite the drop, Colorado does still rank higher than many states when it comes to adults who consume alcohol. With many Americans being more health-conscious than ever before, this is likely playing a big factor in the lack of alcohol consumption. 

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To read the full study, make sure to click on the link in the second paragraph above. It will be interesting to see how much lower the percentage goes over the coming years and if the trend continues, or begins to go back up like the prior decade. Have you stopped drinking alcohol over the last few years? If so, you apparently are not the only one.