What is TIPS Certification and Who should be Certified Training for Intervention Procedures in Colorado?

Training for Intervention Procedures (TIPS) is a certification that focuses on the safe serving of alcohol and provides training for responsible servers, managers, or bartenders. For example, recognizing intoxicated customers, knowing how to deal with customers who are disruptive, and ensuring that minors cannot access alcohol, are all important aspects of this program. Since hospitality and tourism are focal points in Colorado, TIPS Certification is particularly useful for licensed establishments where alcohol is served, as it promotes a safe environment and mitigates legal risks where alcohol service is concerned.

To Employers, Here is Why It Should Matter

Employers can safeguard themselves from lawsuits, enhance consumer experience, and enhance their image as responsible businesses by ensuring their personnel engage in responsible service practices. TIPS Certification is a reasonable measure to take in order to prevent liability and demonstrate compliance with state governing requirements.

How Does TIPS Certification Help Insulate Against Liability?

Colorado law requires courts to hold alcohol-serving establishments responsible for the service that creates the likelihood of an accident, injury, or occurrence due to a patron who is dangerously intoxicated. This area of law, commonly referred to as “dram shop liability,” implies that if bars, restaurants, and other businesses are accused of knowingly serving too much alcohol or providing it to underage customers, they may expect to be slapped with lawsuits and penalties. But with the TIPS Certification in place, employees are guided to make better choices when it comes to serving alcohol thereby diminishing the over-serving instances and liability in the end.

Impacts of Getting TIPS Certified

In providing staff with the means of identifying drunkenness and the need to cut off customers, TIPS Certification aids in reducing the chances of an establishment being associated with alcohol-related accidents. For the managers of these establishments, this means less exposure to legal liability, lower insurance costs and being perceived as a place that protects its patrons.

What are the Employee and Customer Benefits of TIPS Certification?

TIPS Certification has benefits to employers, but there are also multiple skills and confidence-enhancing benefits for employees. Once employees learn signs of intoxication, handling difficult patrons, and legal ramifications of alcohol service, they feel even more confident in their ability to serve responsibly while dealing with difficult situations professionally.

• Benefits for Employees and Customers:
  Staff Confidence: TIPS graduates will feel more confident in handling intoxicated customers or someone who wants to order alcoholic beverages when underage or otherwise not allowed to buy. Confident staff equals better customer service and service safety.
• Improved Customer Experience: Trained staff contribute to a safe, enjoyable atmosphere, giving customers confidence that they are in a responsible establishment. This leads to positive experiences with encouragement to come back again and again.
• Legal Protection for Staff: If staff members are TIPS certified, legal protection improves because they make judgments to deny service in some instances; more likely legally protected if the situation escalates due to proper training in responsible service.

How Can Colorado Employers Implement TIPS Certification in Their Business?

Implementing TIPS Certification is easy. Employers can sign up their staff for TIPS training with both live and online options. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to get started:

1. Select a TIPS Training Program: TIPS Certification comes in several iterations, so there is a format that will best fit your establishment’s needs. On-premise, off-premise, and eTIPS are all available; the last option being an online version.
2. Enroll in the Training: Owners or managers can schedule the training at a time that is most convenient for their employees. Internet classes are especially useful when a variable schedule is required.
3. Attend the Training: Employees receive educational programs regarding responsible service, laws, and intervention techniques. They are tested according to their knowledge to get their certification.
4. Show Your Certification: Once your employees are TIPS Certified, it is a good idea to show their certification as a banner of responsible service.

TIPS Certification can also be part of the onboarding procedure every employer requires for all new hires so that each employee is ready from day one.

Is TIPS Certification in Colorado Good Only for Three Years?

TIPS Certification will have to be renewed every three years. This will continue updating employees on new responsible service practices. Renewal will also be necessary as continued compliance by employees to such practice while refreshing knowledge of new skills and updated strategies; it will keep them in line with any new emerging changes related to alcohol service laws in Colorado.

What is the financial benefit of TIPS Certification to employers?

TIPS Certification is an investment that holds significant financial benefits for employers. By reducing the risk of lawsuits, fines, and claims about alcohol-related incidents, business will save money in the long run. Moreover, certified employees may also qualify for lowered insurance premiums as many insurers view TIPS Certification as a positive risk-reduction measure.

• Long-term financial benefits for businesses:
  Lower Insurance Premiums: Issuers may offer incentives to businesses whose workers are TIPS Certified because the certification reduces insurance risk.
• Avoid Costly Lawsuit Cases: TIPS Certification prevents over-serving which could increase cases of liability charges and hefty legal fees otherwise.
  Greater Revenues From Good Reputation Responsible service practices improve the reputation of a business. Its customers are the ones who value safety and professional standards in their dining and bar experiences.

Is TIPS Certification Mandatory by Law in Colorado?

Although not mandatory in Colorado, TIPS Certification remains highly recommended for any licensed establishment. In most places, such as in Colorado, the establishment will very willingly decide to adopt it because they will be showing commitment, liability protection, and the like for responsible service. Some employers require it as part of the condition of employment in Colorado, however, so that everybody will be well-trained.

With dram shop laws in many states assuming liability on a business for the consequences of its alcoholic beverage sales, many act proactively in attaining TIPS Certification as a proactive way to avoid potential penalties and legal complications.

How Colorado TIPS Certification Can Help Your Business

Absolutely. In a market place where customers care most about safety above all, TIPS Certification is a public validation that cares about responsible service. By that, once those patrons appreciate the money invested in TIPS Certification to an establishment, they will feel safe in the venue and have confidence in the professionalism of its employees. Trust can be an important component to getting loyal customers and attracting customers that value responsible places.

Public Image and Customer Loyalty:
Improved Trust: TIPS certification assures a consumer that the employees are able to handle alcohol service responsibly.
Competitive Advantage: Establishments with TIPS Certified staff can stand out as safer, more reliable options in a competitive industry such as hospitality.
Customer Loyalty and Repeat Business: A reputation for safety and professionalism encourages customers to return, boosting long-term business success.