(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) A bartender prepares cocktails at Lake Effect cocktail bar and restaurant in downtown Salt Lake City in 2022. The Utah Legislature's annual omnibus liquor bill was released on Feb. 14, 2024 — and includes an increase in the state's markup of alcoholic beverages, meaning Utahns could soon be paying more for booze. The bill also would change the population quota that determines how many bar and restaurant licenses the state issues.
Kolbie Peterson reports on food, drink and small business for The Salt Lake Tribune and also writes the Utah Eats newsletter. She previously covered breaking news, crime and public safety as part of The Tribune's enterprise team. She received her bachelor's degree at Westminster University, back when it was Westminster College. She has five cats.