STATEWIDE — On average, 77 people are arrested for DUI in Colorado every day. To bring awareness to the fact that even small amounts of alcohol can land you a DUI, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) conducted a social experiment under the guise of a brewery tour company.
Paid actors hired by CDOT escorted unsuspecting brewery tour participants to three breweries in Denver over the course of three hours. The tour’s van driver pretended to consume alcohol at each stop along the tour. As he mingled with brewery tour goers not one of the participants seemed concerned that he was drinking and driving. In the end, it was revealed that the driver was drinking non-alcoholic beer.
To view the video: http://www.afewbrewsdenver.com/
The tour guide, who was drinking alcoholic beer, recorded the following BAC levels. Because he was similar in size and weight to the driver, it is likely the driver would have been at the same level of impairment had he been drinking alcoholic beer:
Tour guide BAC after one 16oz craft beer = 0.05 (Driving While Ability Impaired)
Tour guide BAC after two 16oz craft beers = 0.08 (Driving Under the Influence)
Tour guide BAC after three 16oz craft beers = 0.10 (Driving Under the Influence)
“The experiment confirmed for us that many adults underestimate the dangers associated with driving after having a few drinks,” explains Sam Cole, CDOT Communications Manager of Traffic Safety. “The participants never expressed concern that their driver was drinking and driving.”
70 percent of males age 21-35 believe they are safe to drive after one to two drinks, according to a 2015 CDOT survey. When in reality, after two drinks a person’s Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) can hit 0.08 percent, which is over the legal limit. Moreover, in Colorado the Drinking While Ability Impaired (DWAI) law starts at 0.05 percent BAC.
One third of traffic fatalities in Colorado are alcohol related.
“This false sense of security that you can have two or three drinks and be fine needs to be challenged,” says Cole. “It’s an illusion that continues to put Coloradans in danger. You are 400% more likely to crash when impaired.”
The message was not lost on the participants of the tour, who were admittedly surprised when the true purpose of the tour was revealed:
I obviously should’ve said something […] like ‘why is our driver drinking?!’ – Participant 1
This is how I feel when I get behind the wheel, when I’m like, ‘I’m alright.’ I don’t care if something happens to me. But if I drive somewhere and I kill somebody… – Participant 2
If this saves one life, then I am so happy to be a part of it. – Participant 3
As part of a statewide awareness campaign, CDOT is rolling out the results of this experiment on social media to highlight the fact that even a few drinks can be dangerous, and urging Coloradans to consider the consequences of driving impaired. “Ultimately we hope people will take responsibility for their actions and choose to drink, and not drive,” adds Cole.
Category: Front Page
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CDOT Punks Unsuspecting Public in latest DUI Awareness Campaign
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Lt. Gov. Lynne to visit Morgan Community College for scholarship award presentation
DENVER – August 22, 2016: Lt. Gov. Donna Lynne will visit Morgan Community College (MCC) for a check presentation on behalf of the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative’s award of more than $98,000 to Morgan Community College Foundation.WHO:Lt. Gov. Donna Lynne, Colorado Department of Higher Education and MCC Leadership, Legislators, Other DignitariesWHAT:Colorado Opportunity Scholarship check presentation to MCCWHEN:Wednesday, Aug. 24 at 11 a.m.WHERE:Morgan Community College, 920 Barlow Road, Founders Room,Fort Morgan, CO 80701The university partners with local counties, in this case—Kit Carson, Morgan, Washington and Yuma counties to provide student support services on campus coupled with matching scholarship dollars. The money is matched 1:1, providing nearly $196,000 in new scholarship dollars for students in this local area. -
Today’s Events – Tuesday, Aug. 23
Toddler Tales. Kids ages 2-4 will enjoy stories, puppets, songs and finger plays. 10 a.m., Anythink Bennett library.
Bennett Board of Trustees. Work-study 5:30 p.m., regular meeting. 7 p.m., Town Hall, 355 Fourth St., Bennett.
High School Sports – Softball. Sterling @ Strasburg, 4 p.m.
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Colorado Liquor Enforcement Division to conduct compliance efforts during final weekends leading up to Labor Day
LAKEWOOD, CO, August 19, 2016 — The Colorado Department of Revenue, Liquor Enforcement Division (LED), will step up the fight against underage drinking and over service by licensed alcohol establishments during the final weekends leading up to Labor Day.
Local police and sheriff offices will conduct checkpoints and saturation patrols focused on Adams, El Paso and Jefferson counties. While local authorities are conducting these activities, the LED will be involved in the following enforcement operations.
First, investigators will conduct compliance checks on local bars, retail liquor stores, and stores that sell 3.2% beer in the area of the checkpoints and patrols. Second, in cooperation with retail liquor store owners, the LED will conduct the “Cops In Shops” program where LED investigators will be in liquor establishments looking for underage patrons who attempt to purchase alcohol. Finally, the LED will follow up on “point of last drink” information given by underage drivers who are cited for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) during the checkpoints and saturation patrols.
Underage alcohol consumption is a concern both nationally, and in Colorado. Over consumption and DUI are also major concerns. Conducting compliance checks, the “Cops in Shops” program, and following up on “point of last drink” information during “The Heat Is On” campaign, are all efforts to address these concerns.
Funding for these special operations comes from a Colorado Department of Transportation one-year grant focused on reducing alcohol related fatalities among underage drinkers, specifically in Adams, El Paso and Jefferson counties.
*The Colorado Department of Revenue is dedicated to providing quality service to our customers in fulfillment of our fiduciary and statutory responsibilities, while instilling public confidence through professional and responsive employees.
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Aaron Harber’s Democratic National Convention Wrap-Up – Episode 6
Hillary Clinton’s substantial post-Convention bump in the polls was not a surprise to those who attended the Democratic Convention in Philadelphia. Having created a well-scripted Hollywood production, the Democrats seized the Ronald Reagan theme of “Morning In America” and, in a Jiu Jitsu move, took advantage of the Republicans’ “Nighttime In America” theme, trumpeted best by their presidential nominee, which posited the country was in decline. The contrast in themes was stark yet both have the potential to appeal to millions of people.
On the plus side, the Economy has been in positive territory for several years, approximately 15 million new jobs have been created, the Unemployment Rate continues to sink towards technical Full Employment levels, inflation remains extraordinarily low, the Stock Market has skyrocketed since 2008 (making many people wealthy and improving the status of pension funds for millions of Americans), Obamacare has extended coverage to millions of Americans and improved the coverage most citizens already had, the U.S. presence in Iraq and Afghanistan has been minimized, a nuclear deal with Iran has delayed that nation’s progress towards joining the nuclear club, and technology continues to give us extraordinary access to news, data, and each other.
On the minus side, the nation’s positive economic growth remains anemic, most jobs are in the low-paying service sector, 47 million Americans are in poverty, over 20 million still do not have medical care, wages remain stagnant, to date our nation-building efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan have failed at a cost estimated to be in excess of $2? trillion, our annual federal deficits continue to be in the hundreds of billions of dollars as are our annual trade deficits, our National Debt exceeds $20 trillion, Social Security and Medicare trust funds cannot sustain their obligations, and the country’s infrastructure is in gross disrepair — to the tune of $4 trillion.
My personal experience at the Convention was exhausting. My Convention week actually started by going in the wrong direction — a trip to Los Angeles on Sunday for a memorial service. That night I flew back to Denver arriving at 10:30 pm, met my team, checked in my luggage, and caught an 11:30 pm flight to the East Coast. We got to our hotel by 8:00 amand went straight to the Philadelphia Convention Center for a full day of activities there and later at the Wells Fargo Arena.
The weather was oppressive — with temperatures and humidity both approach triple digits every day — but we were indoors so it wasn’t a big deal. The DNC kept most attendees and even the Media in the dark by not publishing a specific schedule. Rather we would receive the order of speakers but sometimes when they were on stage could range one or two hours. These were minor inconveniences in what otherwise was a well-run operation (led, in part, by Colorado’s own political operative extraordinaire Mike Stratton, who could be seen every day managing the Convention floor with aplomb).
Not only was the Convention day long but, because everyone stayed to the end of each night’s program (often nearmidnight), it took up to half an hour to get out of the Wells Fargo Arena and get onto an uncrowded roadway. That meant arriving at parties sometime between 11:00 pm and 1:00 am so I was getting to sleep between 3:30 am and 5:00 am every day. That’s usually the time when I wake up! The parties were loud, raucous, and fun but, given their time, most of us didn’t last more than an hour or two.
Despite the lack of sleep, our team — Jana Martin (Producer), Madisen Phipps (Assistant Producer), Mark Olson (Technical Director & Camera Operator), and Chuck Fiorella (Assistant Technical Director, Audio Technician, and Camera Operator) — got a lot done.
My on-air guests were interviewed for segments ranging from 2 minutes to 20 minutes, with most guests joining me for 6 or 7 minutes. We are producing 8 half-hour programs for broadcast and all will be online 24/7 atwww.HarberTV.com/DNC.
I was on the floor just 30 yards away from the podium for several hours every day so I had a great position for the major speeches by Michelle Obama, Bill Clinton, Tim Kaine, Joe Biden, and Barack Obama, among others, but the live performance by Lenny Kravitz was phenomenal. Katy Perry also blew out the arena on the day I gave “my” spot to my Producer, Jana Martin. Earlier that day, I was able to get Jana and Madisen in behind the podium to see Katy do her sound check while singing two songs. They are huge fans and loved it. A good time was had by all but, as always, it was wonderful to get back home to Colorado! Now on to our special election series!
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Today’s Events – Monday, Aug. 22
High Plains Music Ensemble rehearsal: New players welcome. 6:30 p.m., Strasburg High School band room.
Deer Trail School Board Meeting: 7 p.m., Deer Trail School District, 350 2nd Ave, Deer Trail.
Bingo: 7 p.m., Byers American Legion Hall.
AA Strasburg Sobriety: 7:30 p.m., Saron Lutheran Church, 1656 Main St., Strasburg.
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Today’s Events – Sunday, Aug. 21
Alcoholics Anonymous: 9-10 a.m., Byers Church Museum, 194 S. McDonnell St.
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Today’s Events – Saturday, Aug. 20
Fall for Burros Fundraiser: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Longhopes Donkey Shelter, 66 Dutch Valley Road, Bennett.
Deer Trail Rodeo: Parade, 4 p.m., down Highway 40. Rodeo Performance, 7 p.m., Jockey Club Grounds.
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Labor Day DUI Enforcement Begins Today
STATEWIDE — The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Colorado State Patrol (CSP) and local law agencies are joining forces under The Heat Is On campaign to crack down on impaired drivers for the annual Labor Day DUI crackdown. 82 law enforcement agencies from across the state are participating in the effort. The enforcement period begins today, Friday, Aug. 19, and runs through Tuesday, Sept. 6.
Last year’s Labor Day enforcement cited 1,030 impaired drivers, an average of 54 arrests per day. This number was the third highest arrest total of CDOT’s 12 enforcement periods in 2015. The Denver Police Department (154 arrests), Aurora Police Department (113 arrests) and Colorado Springs Police Department (93 arrests) recorded the highest arrest totals.
Also, in 2015 there were 47 alcohol-related traffic fatalities in August (23) and September (24), the two highest monthly totals for the year. The fatalities in those two months alone accounted for 25 percent of the yearly total.
“CDOT is concerned about impaired driving fatalities year-round, but data indicates people tend to drive impaired more in August and September than any other time of year,” said Darrell Lingk, Director of the Office of Transportation Safety at CDOT. “We ask that people plan accordingly to avoid drinking and driving. And a warning to impaired drivers on the road, law enforcement is on high alert and prepared to make DUI arrests.”
“Over the years, the Labor Day enforcement has taken thousands of impaired drivers off the road,” said Col. Scott Hernandez, Chief of CSP. “Troopers from across the state will be working overtime to protect the roads from impaired drivers, ensuring Coloradans can enjoy the end of the summer safely.”
In addition to the Labor Day enforcement, CDOT continues its summer breathalyzer program to gather information about drinking behavior and determine if mobile breathalyzers are a useful resource in preventing alcohol impaired driving. CDOT partnered with BACtrack, a leading breathalyzer company, and selected 225 volunteers from more than 1,500 submissions. Participants have the opportunity to track their BACs and help CDOT gauge the effectiveness of breathalyzers, completing three surveys about drinking patterns, driving and breathalyzers.
The CDOT Highway Safety Office provides funding to Colorado law enforcement for impaired driving enforcement, education and awareness campaigns. The Heat Is On campaign runs throughout the year with 12 specific high visibility impaired driving enforcement periods centered on national holidays and large public events. Enforcement periods can include sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols and additional law enforcement on duty dedicated to impaired driving enforcement. More details about the campaign, including impaired driving enforcement plans, arrest totals and safety tips can be found at HeatIsOnColorado.com.
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Colorado Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association to Co-Host Legislative Roundtable Aug. 24, Sakata Farms, Brighton, Colo.
The Colorado Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (CFVGA) will co-host with U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman a roundtable discussion and tour for the Colorado congressional delegation Aug. 24, from 8:30am to 10:30 am in Brighton, Colo. The event will commence at Sakata Farms, Brighton, Colo., with a sweet corn breakfast and an agriculture policy roundtable discussion. Following this, at approximately 9:30 am, the group will tour Sakata Farms and then move on to tour Petrocco Farms, also in Brighton.“We are hosting this roundtable and tour to provide Colorado’s congressional delegation the opportunity to better understand how federal policies impact Colorado fruit and vegetable farmers. In discussion with CFVGA members we hope to outline some possible solutions to the challenges we face,” said Robert Sakata, host of the event and president of CFVGA.To date, participants include U.S. Reps. Mike Coffman and Ken Buck as well as representatives from the offices of Sens. Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner as well as U.S. Rep. Jared Polis. Also attending will be Colorado Department of Agriculture Commissioner Don Brown. According to Sakata, invitations had been sent to all of the Colorado delegation but Reps. Lamborn and Tipton had scheduling conflicts.“Congressman. Tipton has agreed to meet with me in September when I will be in Washington D.C. representing CFVGA,” Sakata said.In addition to CFVGA growers, the agriculture sector will be represented at the roundtable and tour by Colorado Farm Bureau, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union as well as other CFVGA allied members.The CFVGA is comprised of more than 200 members, including growers of all sizes and types of production throughout the state, as well as representatives of allied industries. The Colorado fruit and vegetable growing sector contributes nearly $300 million to Colorado at the farm gate and is multiplied as it goes through the distribution chain. Over 60,000 Colorado acres are in fruit and vegetable production. For more on the CFVGA, visit http://coloradoproduce.org