16-4-208. Airport all-beverages license. (1) The department of revenue shall issue one all-beverages license, to be known as a public airport all-beverages license, for use at each publicly owned airport served by scheduled airlines and enplaning and deplaning a minimum total of 20,000 passengers annually when:

(a) application is made;

(b) upon finding that this license is justified by public convenience and necessity, including the convenience and necessity of the public traveling by scheduled airlines; and

(c) following a hearing as provided in 16-4-207.

(2) Application shall be made by the agency owning and operating the airport. The agency owning and operating the airport may lease the airport all-beverages license to an individual or entity approved by the department.

(3) A public airport all-beverages license and all retail alcoholic beverage sales thereunder shall be subject to all statutes and rules governing all-beverages licenses.

(4) The department of revenue shall issue a public airport all-beverages license to a qualified applicant regardless of the number of all-beverages licenses already issued within the all-beverages license quota area in which the airport is situated.