The Department of Excise and Licenses in Denver is proposing a rebranding effort to redefine its public image and clarify its role within city government. According to the City and County of Denver, the agency intends to adopt a more descriptive name, Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (LCP), which officials believe will more accurately reflect the services they provide to the community.
Elected officials will discuss the suggested name change in a meeting with the Denver City Council Business, Arts, Workforce, Climate, & Aviation Services (BIZ) Committee tomorrow, signaling the city's broader initiative to revitalize and make better transparent government operations. The Department of Excise and Licenses, which has long outgrown its original mandate from 1971, has been burdened with a name that no longer covers the collection of excise taxes, a job handled by the Department of Finance.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston has been vocal about his support for the proposed name alteration. "Every day, we are looking for ways to move Denver forward, which includes making city government better serve our community," Johnston stated, "Changing the name to the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection is a simple, yet impactful modification that will help the public understand and access the critical work coming from this agency," he added, as per City and County of Denver, emphasizing the intended benefits for residents in accessing vital agency services.
The initiative has also garnered support from local representatives, named by District 11 Councilmember Stacie Gilmore as a co-sponsor of the proposal. The name change is seen as a proactive step to align the Department's identity with actual duties that extend beyond issuing licenses, a portfolio encompassing more than 100 business and occupational permits, and includes residential rental landlords, security guards, and a variety of vendors, among others. Recently, improvements were made to the consumer protection portal, allowing residents to submit complaints against licensed businesses, solidifying the Department's role in safeguarding consumer interests.
