After repeated charges, a Campustown bar may lose its liquor license for two years.

Blue Jeans Forever, the company charged by the city of Ames, includes Cy’s Roost, Don’s Deli and the Lost and Found Lounge, all of 121 Welch Ave.

Judy Parks, Ames’ assistant attorney, said in February the “particular establishment had a 60-day suspension” for bootlegging.

Parks filed the complaint for selling to a minor to the Iowa Alcoholic Beverage Division.

“They’re looking at this type of penalty because they have so many complaints,” Parks said.

She said the company has been charged with serving minors five times and bootlegging three times.

Parks said it is unusual to have so many violations by one establishment.

“I haven’t ever had a situation where we’ve been potentially looking at revocation as the penalty,” Parks said.

Lynn Walding, administrator for the Iowa Alcoholic Beverage Division, said they can impose a civil fine of up to $500 each serving to minors violation and certain offenses require an automatic revocation.

The state legislature has set penalties for establishments that sell to a minor. The first violation is a $500 fine.

The second violation in a two-year period results in a 14-day suspension and the third results in a 30-day suspension.

After the third violation the legislation requires a two-year revocation of the license for the establishment in addition to a one-year revocation for the location.

Patrick Greene, owner of Blue Jeans Forever, declined comment.

Mike Adams, manager of Welch Ave. Station, 207 Welch Ave., said it’s pretty easy for his bar to keep minors from purchasing alcohol.

“We have a doorman that’s been trained by us and the police to spot fake IDs,” he said.

Adams said the Ames Police Department does hold a seminar every month to help train people to be able to spot fake IDs.

He said the training, along with bonuses for every fake ID confiscated, helps his establishment tremendously.

“You can’t get in unless you come through the door,” Adams said.

Adams said a solid reputation also helps.

“If the word is out on the street that it’s hard to get past a certain doorman, it makes it that much easier because people don’t even try,” he said.

In the case of Blue Jeans Forever, however, a fake ID was not used, Parks said.

She said an underage individual accompanied by a police officer made the purchase at Cy’s Roost in February. The person at the door asked to see identification, but when the individual displayed his or her correct underage identification, the minor was allowed in the establishment.

“Our department does these checks frequently to make sure those establishments are complying with the liquor laws,” she said.

Parks said criminal charges are filed right after a person is charged with serving a minor. She said after the criminal charges are resolved, the city files an administrative complaint.

“We have customarily waited until that is concluded until we file our administrative complaint,” Parks said.

“[Then] I would file the administrative proceedings against whoever holds the license.”

Walding said typically the hearing happens 60 days after filing and is held by an administrative law judge.

He said if the city can show a violation, the burden of proof shifts to the licensee, who then must show compliance.

Walding said after the judge makes a decision Walding can affirm, modify or reverse the decision and the parties have 30 days to appeal.

The hearing complaint was filed June 18. The previous charge against Blue Jeans Forever, which resulted in a 60-day suspension, was settled out of court.

Parks said it was still too early to tell the outcome of the filing.