Coors Distributing Challenges Departure of Key Brands in Franchise Dispute

Industry Pulse News Desk · 2026-09-28

Coors Distributing Company is considering legal remedies after major beverage suppliers moved to terminate distribution agreements in Colorado.

DENVER — Coors Distributing Company is evaluating legal and commercial options following decisions by Constellation Brands and Mark Anthony Brands, the maker of White Claw, to terminate their distribution agreements in Colorado. The distributor asserts that the planned departures violate state beer franchise laws governing wholesaler relationships.

According to Coors Distributing, the termination notices provided by the beverage manufacturers fail to comply with statutory requirements established under Colorado law. State franchise regulations typically require suppliers to demonstrate good cause, provide formal written notice, and allow specific cure periods before ending long-standing distribution contracts.

Constellation Brands, which produces major import labels such as Corona and Modelo, alongside Mark Anthony Brands, has sought to reassign its regional distribution rights to alternative distributor networks. The portfolio shift involves high-volume product lines that represent a significant share of sales across the Colorado market.

Coors Distributing confirmed it is reviewing all available remedies to safeguard its commercial interests and ensure full adherence to state statutes. Company executives indicated that formal legal proceedings remain a possibility if a resolution is not achieved between the involved parties.

The disagreement underscores ongoing friction between major national beverage suppliers and regional distributor networks over portfolio control and market access. Similar contractual disputes regarding state franchise law interpretation have previously impacted distribution arrangements beyond single-state territories.