During the four-day period surrounding the New Year, 348 people were arrested on suspicion of impaired driving in Colorado.
That number exceeded the 334 people arrested during the same time last year, according to a news release from the Colorado Department of Transportation. Every year, CDOT and various police and sheriff’s agencies participate in the Heat Is On initiative where more officers patrol the roads around holidays, Super Bowl Weekend and the height of summer break. In 2018, authorities made 8,315 DUI arrests during these periods, with an average of 48 arrests each day, according to CDOT. The number doesn’t include those who were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence outside the special enforcement dates. “People made the wrong decision of New Years and paid the price for that,” CDOT spokesman Sam Cole said. The length of the enforcement periods vary. The Super Bowl weekend enforcement starts on Jan. 31 and ends Feb. 3. The Spring Events period, meanwhile, begins on April 3 and ends on May 11, a total of 39 days. The enforcement periods tend to correspond with holidays that see a spike in DUI arrests, Cole said. Denver led the state with 33 DUI arrests over the 2020 New Year’s Eve holiday and will deploy five more officers during the 11-day Winter Blitz, which begins on Jan. 17. There were 176 DUI deaths in 2019, a number that could change pending toxicology reports, the release said. Agencies are hoping that Heat Is On will reduce that number for 2020. “A vehicle with an impaired driver behind the wheel is a serious threat to everyone on the road,” Colorado State Patrol Chief Matthew Packard was quoted saying in the news release. “There are still far too many impaired drivers that could cause harm to people out on our state’s roadways. SEE THE FULL STORY HERE by JAMES BURKY | jburky@denverpost.com | The Denver Post PUBLISHED: January 8, 2020 at 6:02 p.m RELATED: Denver man gets 13th DUI conviction. This time he’s going to prison for it.
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6059 S. Quebec St. #100 Greenwood Village, CO 80111 720-476-4984 * info@5280DTC.com DENVER (CBS4) – The state could be stuck covering millions of dollars in DUI and drug tests after the Colorado Bureau of Investigations announced it would do the tests for free. Most law enforcement had been paying a private lab in Boulder to process their tests.
The owner of that lab, ChemaTox, says she’s now lost 75% of her business and will have to shut her doors. “I have done nothing, but try to help the State of Colorado and for all my service, they have destroyed my life,” said Sarah Urfer. She came to the rescue of the state six years ago when its lab abruptly closed amid scandal. “So overnight we went from 25% to 100% or nearly 100% of the state testing. The whole thing overnight. No warning, no preparation, no financial support from the state to deal with the increase.” She says she spent half of a million dollars to meet the new demand and now CBI’s lab, which has a history of faulty tests, has taken her business with no warning. “It’s my life. It’s everything and I stand to lose all of it.” CBI Director John Camper claims they didn’t think offering the tests for free would give them a monopoly and sink the only private lab in the state. “We had good intentions.” He says they wanted to gather better data on pot use in Colorado and rural law enforcement couldn’t afford the $300 tests so they asked the legislature’s Joint Budget Committee for an additional $600,000 to cover the cost. They now may need at least $3 million to cover testing for all law enforcement. Camper says they knew some law enforcement would switch to them for the free tests. “But by all means we didn’t think it would be enough that ChemaTox would need or want to close down.” He admits CBI doesn’t have the manpower to handle ChemaTox’s additional 8,000 tests a year and he says there will likely be delays in criminal investigations. “We need to evaluate how we can best provide that service and keep turnaround times going quickly.” State Rep. Jonathan Singer says lawmakers are blindsided. “I’m foreseeing a house of cards here.” The Boulder County Democrat says the state shouldn’t be putting small private business out of business. “We need hearings on this. We need this out in public and we need to figure out exactly how much this is going to cost the taxpayers, how we’re going to pay for it, and, at the same time, make sure people get speedy trials. This is the basics of our constitution.” The chair of the Joint Budget Committee says they thought the money they approved was to help rural departments only and weren’t aware of a potential impact on private business. The committee meets this Friday and will be revisiting the issue. READ FULL STORY HERE by CBS4 Political Specialist Shaun Boyd July 24, 2019 at 8:05 pm Think it’s hard to be sober in the Mile High City, land of legal weed and craft beer? Here, a list of events and activities to see you through Dry January and beyond.
Denver may be known for its outdoorsy and fitness-focused culture, but the city’s identity is also inextricably linked with two legal, mind-altering substances: weed and alcohol (namely craft beer). So, despite the plethora of exciting urban events and outdoor excursions on the Front Range, it can be difficult to find truly sober activities to partake in. (Read more about how alcohol permeates Colorado’s outdoor culture.) But that doesn’t mean going dry in Denver has to be a drag—I would know; my last drink was on New Year’s Eve of 2017. Whether you’re looking to cut back, are doing a “Dry January,” or have adopted a clean lifestyle, here are 10 things to do in the Mile High City for the non-imbibing individual. Cheers to healthy living! Do a Little Late-Night Rollerskating If you’re a fan of old-school hip-hop and dancing—and your rollerblading skills are on lock—then EXDO’s Roll event is an absolute must. At this monthly event, the fun revolves around the throwback tunes, not throwing back drinks (although there is alcohol served at the event). Black lights and jams from DJ Soup set the scene, so that you can focus on showing off your dance moves while smoothly maneuvering on skates. 21 and over; $5 presale or $10 at the door (skates included). Friday, January 18, doors open at 9 p.m. and stay open until 1:30 a.m.; EXDO Event Center, 1399 35th St. This is a monthly series; check website for details Enjoy a Belly Laugh at a Comedy Show Denver’s standup and improv scenes have never been better. While there are plenty of open mic nights and ticketed performances around town, Oskar Blues’ subterranean club in LoDo, the Black Buzzard, is a lovely little venue for local comics, thanks to its regular weekly shows. Head there on Tuesdays for an open mic night hosted by comedian Janae Burris, or on Wednesdays for a comedy show hosted by comic Christie Buchele (both shows start at 9:30 p.m.; doors open at 9 p.m.) Though the Black Buzzard is also a bar, unlike Comedy Works, there is no drink minimum to see a show. Free; the Black Buzzard at Oskar Blues Grill & Brew, 1624 Market St. Test Your Spy Skills at the Denver Escape Room Are you and your friends smart enough to survive a Birdbox-type situation? Find out at the Denver Escape Room, where each hour-long scenario tests you and your teammates’ logic and clue-finding abilities. Like a board game come to life, each themed chamber has a different storyline and asks the players to uncover and solve a series of riddles and clues within a set time limit. The immersive adventure does not allow alcohol on the premises, citing that “you will need most of your brain power to escape the room.” We’re more than up for the challenge. $26 per person; Denver Escape Room, 11674 Huron St., #300, Northglenn Learn How to Appreciate Modern Art If you feel like a novice every time you step into an art museum, you’re not alone. The antidote to art naiveté is MCA Denver’s Art Fitness Training, a workshop that helps people of all ages learn the basic principles of contemporary art. Though January’s session is sold out, MCA just released their 2019 schedule, including monthly dates scheduled for Thursday nights from February through June. Participants will walk away with a better grasp of how to appreciate, interpret, and understand art. $15 for non-members, $10 for members; Thursday, February 21, 6:30 p.m.. This is a monthly series; check website for details Find a New Community with Sober Meetups Meetups are a great resource for anyone who is looking to meet like-minded individuals. Though finding other non-drinkers can be hard in your day-to-day—asking strangers about their drinking habits isn’t exactly welcomed small-talk fodder—organized dry events and even a sober category on meetup.com makes it just a little easier. Sober groups include those tailored to the LGBTQ community, outdoorsy folk, motorcycle enthusiasts, those interested in mindfulness and yoga, and more. Imbibe a Delicious Non-Alcoholic Beverage Though Denver’s mocktail scene still has plenty of room to grow, there are a handful of restaurants that make exceptional N/A drinks. In addition to our list of six places to get a great mocktail in the Denver area from 2017, Morin—a new French eatery opened in LoDo just a few months back—also makes delicious liquor-free concoctions. Colorado’s kombucha scene is also in full-swing; here are four suggestions for where to find locally made versions of the effervescent, probiotic drink around town. Get Weird (in a Good Way) at the Denver Art Museum Each of these monthly events at the DAM—from a series called Untitled: Final Fridays—has a unique theme. Fittingly, January’s is New World/New Self, and includes an array of outside-the-box, interactive, and inclusive activities. Get to know yourself and others with a game of “people bingo,” understand pronoun/gender preference through the lens of tattoos (and get a temporary tattoo yourself), have your makeup done bv a drag-queen makeup artist, make good use of a costume-filled photo booth, take an art tour led by a fashion model, and much more. Included with the price of general admission ($10 for adults); Friday, January 25, 6 to 10 p.m.; DAM’s Hamilton Building, 100 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy. This monthly series takes places on the last Friday of every month Blow Off Some Steam on the Dance Floor Early risers, this one is for you. If you’ve been itching to get loose on the dance floor, but aren’t exactly stoked on the idea of going out to a booze-soaked bar past sundown—then head to one of Daybreaker’s sunrise parties. Join other bushy-tailed and bright-eyed Denverites at their next local event at Cervantes on Wednesday, January 30. You can pregame the rave-like celebration with a 6 a.m. acroyoga session (that’s aerial yoga, folks), or just head straight to the booty-shaking headliner, DJ Alyson Calagna, at 7 a.m. Tickets to this sober shindig include Kombucha and breakfast snacks, too. Ticket prices vary; Wednesday, January 30, 6 a.m. for yoga or 7 a.m. for the dance party; 2637 Welton St. Learn How to Have a Good Time With Sober AF Entertainment Local group Sober AF Entertainment (S.AF.E for short) was founded by Denverite Duke Rumely, who has been sober since 1989. Rumely realized early on in his journey to recovery that, although he wanted to attend the same events and outings he did in his non-sober past, there were plentiful challenges in attending events where liquor and drugs were prevalent. Namely, feeling tempted to drink, like he didn’t fit in, or just plain awkward—sentiments anyone who has had any length of sobriety can relate to. Now, his nonprofit creates “safe zones” for non-drinkers (especially young people) at concerts and sporting events, and even sells discounted tickets to those who want to enjoy a night out while staying committed to their recovery. This month’s featured event is the University of Denver Pioneers vs. Colorado College Tigers hockey game. Prices vary; Saturday, January 19, 7 to 9 p.m.; University of Denver’s Ritchie Center, 2240 Buchtel Blvd. S; check calendar for future events Explore Denver’s Creative Side at Mercury Cafe Don’t let the name fool you—this downtown joint isn’t just another coffeeshop. In addition to emphasizing local, organic, and healthy food options, Mercury Cafe is a true haven for creative souls and outside-the-box thinkers. As a live performance venue, Mercury focuses on giving a voice to local artists’ poetry, dance, and music. Though alcohol is served there, the Mercury’s appeal is far from boozy. In fact, its eclectic calendar includes regular open mic nights, poetry slams, storytelling, belly dancing classes, tango lessons, live jazz performances, and so much more. Check Mercury Cafe’s online calendar for the full list of events READ FULL STORY HERE by JERILYN FORSYTHE • JANUARY 10, 2019 Centennial Staters love their après-ski almost as much as they love skiing itself. But has the thrill of the party surpassed the joy of the adventure? Inside the culture of drinking that permeates our great outdoors.
Several years ago, in the C lot of the Mary Jane side of Winter Park Resort, I lost my son Scout. It was Spring Splash, the last-day party during which a large portion of those present drink substantial amounts of alcohol. I’d downed a couple of beers while half listening to a live band, and I was chatting with a girlfriend when I looked down to where Scout, who was three at the time, had been sitting in a camp chair. He was gone. The reverie of the afternoon was immediately replaced by primal parental instinct. I tore through the crowd of skiers and snowboarders amid the smell of weed and booze. Some of the faces I passed may have showed concern, but I can’t be certain, because the beers I’d had—two Dale’s Pale Ales—each contained 6.5 percent alcohol (compared to the five percent generally used to measure a serving and the ABV you’ll find in a Coors). In many ways, it was more like I’d had close to two and a half beers instead of two, and at 135 pounds, I was definitely buzzed, if not a little drunk. As I continued my panicked search, somehow Scout appeared at the stage. A band member hoisted him up and asked the crowd, “Hey, this little guy belong to any of you?” Still in my ski boots, I raced to the stage, grabbed Scout, and smothered him in kisses. Then, safely back at our home base for the festivities, I tucked Scout into his chair, keeping my hand on his head. When someone offered me another beer, I gratefully accepted. That was in 2005, a year after my family had moved from Winter Park to Boulder County so I could take an editing job at Skiing magazine. Over the years, I’d learned how powerfully partying and skiing were intertwined. I’d always enjoyed drinking, but working inside the ski industry put me in contact with more opportunities to consume alcohol on the clock than any job I’d ever had. As a friend once noted, “In skiing, every story unfolds either on the hill or at the bar.” This was true at our yearly planning meetings, during which we skied, brainstormed, and drank every night; on press trips, during which we skied, schmoozed, and drank multiple days in a row; at skiing events, during which we skied and attended parties where people got drunker than anyone I’d ever seen; or, sometimes, at 4 p.m. on a Wednesday, when, from the fourth-story windows of our offices on Pearl Street, we ordered margaritas from Bacaro Venetian Taverna to quench the thirst that came with editing yet another story about the season’s best skis. Nowadays, when a few of us editors get together and reminisce about the “glory days” at Skiing, which ceased publication in the winter of 2017 and merged with Ski, one of us will inevitably say something like, “My liver still hurts from that period.” Grinning with a kind of reverence, we all nod in agreement. After I left Skiing in 2007, however, my liver continued to sustain impact. By then, it was clear that drinking was not only present, but also often celebrated, in most outdoor sports, not just skiing. There were the beers we packed for the end of a big mountain bike ride and the ones we kept on ice for après-hiking. There were the giant coolers we put in our rafts—one for food, a whole other one reserved for hoppy libations. There was the booze in the daypacks we brought on backcountry ski tours, in the drag bags we attached to our duckies. And there were the craft breweries and distilleries and cocktail bars popping up in mountain towns—and so many other towns across the state. Alcohol was, it seemed, everywhere the outdoors was in Colorado. For the roughly 20-plus years I’ve been drinking a couple of beers or glasses of wine every day of the week, I have spent a fair amount of time questioning my relationship to liquor. Then, this past summer, a new study on drinking, which spanned 26 years and was co-written by 512 researchers from 243 institutions, generated a lot of media attention. And it was no wonder: The report called into question what so many of us had been led to believe, and what I personally wanted to believe, about consuming alcohol..... READ THE REST OF THE STORY HERE BY TRACY ROSS • 5280 DECEMBER 2018 |
AuthorTricia Engelbert, CEO, RN, Director 5280 Human Care Center & 5280 Drug Testing Archives
September 2020
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