Major alcohol distributor announces 500+ layoffs as hundreds of workers face job cuts. Hundreds of workers are set to lose their jobs after one of Colorado's best-known beverage distributors announced plans to wind down operations. The closure marks another major shakeup in the alcohol distribution industry as consolidation continues nationwide. More than 500 jobs impacted. Eagle Rock Distributing Company announced it will shut down operations in Colorado, resulting in layoffs affecting more than 500 employees. Reports indicate the move follows the sale of certain company assets and a broader transition in the market. My latest videos. Video Muted The company has long been a major distributor of beer and other beverages across the state, supplying retailers, restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues. Its exit is expected to leave a noticeable gap in Colorado's beverage supply network. Timeline. Eagle Rock Distributing Company announced in late March that it would shut down Colorado operations following an asset sale agreement. In early April, the company filed a WARN notice stating that 514 employees could be affected, with layoffs expected to begin around June 5, 2026. The notice starts the formal countdown, while the acquiring company has said it hopes to retain workers and continue operations after the transition, meaning final job losses may depend on hiring and integration plans. Why the shutdown is happening. The closure comes after an agreement involving the sale of assets to another distributor. Industry observers say consolidation has accelerated in recent years as wholesalers face rising transportation costs, tighter margins, changing consumer demand, and increasing competition from larger regional operators. Beer distributors in particular have faced pressure as alcohol consumption trends shift, with some consumers moving toward spirits, ready-to-drink beverages, non-alcoholic options, or drinking less overall. What happens to workers now. Employees are expected to be impacted in phases depending on department and transition timelines. Warehouse staff, drivers, sales representatives, office personnel, and logistics teams could all be affected as operations wind down. Workers will likely be watching for severance details, benefit timelines, and possible hiring opportunities with successor companies or competing distributors. Broader industry warning sign. The shutdown of a distributor with deep Colorado roots highlights how quickly the beverage supply chain is changing. While consumers often focus on breweries and retailers, distributors play a critical role connecting products to store shelves and taps. As consolidation continues, more markets may see similar changes involving route restructuring, warehouse closures, and workforce reductions. What comes next. With the layoff process now underway, Colorado communities and industry workers will be monitoring whether new operators absorb jobs - or whether this becomes one of the state's largest beverage-sector employment losses in recent years. Links on this page may be affiliate links, for which the site earns a small commission, but the price for you is the same Coconut flour ebook. Learn the basics of baking grain free with my free ebook! Thecoconutmama won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

More than 500 Colorado workers, including 45 in Pueblo, to be laid off. Pueblo Chieftain April 9, 2026, 2:30 a.m. MT * More than 500 workers in Colorado, including 45 in Pueblo, will be laid off as Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits is buying Eagle Rock Distributing Co.'s operations in the state. * A WARN notice to the state says that Eagle Rock will shut down its Colorado operations effective June 5. * But Southern Glazer will continue operations and intends to retain employees, the company said. More than 500 Colorado workers, including 45 in Pueblo, are set to be laid off in June as a result of a planned asset acquisition between two beverage distribution companies. However, Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, which is acquiring Eagle Rock Distributing Co.'s Colorado operations, intends to retain employees and continue operations. "The reports suggesting widespread job losses or closures are not reflective of our plans," said Amy Kickham, chief human resources officer for Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits. "We are working closely with the Eagle Rock leadership team to ensure a smooth transition for employees, customers and suppliers through our expected acquisition date this summer." In an April 2 Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification sent to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, Eagle Rock Distributing Company of Colorado Vice President of Administration Max Hannum wrote that the company will shut down its Colorado operations as a result of the asset sale to Southern Glazer's, effective June 5. The WARN noted that Eagle Rock would shut down its facilities in Monument, Grand Junction, Loveland, Pueblo, Denver, Commerce City, and Durango, affecting 514 employees. What to know about the acquisition. In a March 23 news release, Southern Glazer's announced it had reached an agreement to acquire all of the assets of Eagle Rock Distributing Co.'s Colorado operations. The release stated that the acquisition "presents a powerful opportunity to distribute Anheuser-Busch's full product portfolio currently sold in Colorado," including beer brands like Michelob ULTRA, Busch Light, Budweiser, and Bud Light, "along with Tilray Brands, Sazerac Company, and a range of brands from additional suppliers." "This acquisition enables Southern Glazer's to significantly expand its total beverage distribution in Colorado by adding high profile brands to our portfolio that strategically align with our total beverage strategy," said Wayne E. Chaplin, president and CEO of Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits. "Eagle Rock has built a strong business in Colorado with a highly respected team and valued supplier partnerships. By bringing our organizations together, we can expand opportunities for suppliers and provide even greater choice and service for customers." Southern Glazer's plans to continue operations out of its existing facilities and distribute the Eagle Rock portfolio across the Colorado markets currently serviced by the operation. Chieftain Editor Zach Hillstrom can be reached at [email protected] or on X, at @ZachHillstrom. Support local news; subscribe to the Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.