New Year’s Eve represents a night of celebration and resolutions, but not all Coloradoans stuck to those resolutions while ringing in the new year. So, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Colorado State Patrol (CSP) and statewide law enforcement agencies increased DUI patrols from December 29 to January 2 to keep impaired drivers off the roads. This enforcement period saw 366 impaired drivers cut their celebrations short with a DUI arrest, an increase from the 279 arrests made during the same enforcement period last year. 

I hope each and every one of you had a very Merry Christmas and are looking forward to a great 2018!!  I have been complaining about the lack of moisture and the cold weather -- then I saw what was happening along the eastern seaboard and I thanked my lucky stars that wasn't us. Keep all of those who are dealing with the bad weather in your prayers.

Dear EarthTalk: How do environmentalists feel about the amount of packaging waste consumers have to deal with now that holiday shopping has largely switched over from retail shops to online stores?                                                             &n

Are you interested in a healthier lifestyle? Are you curious about the Mediterranean Diet? Mediterranean Diet: A dietary pattern for healthy living will be offered by Colorado State University Extension - Pueblo County January 24 from 1:00-4:00 pm.

Participants will learn strategies to incorporate Mediterranean foods and habits into their lifestyle. 

Topics covered include

Are you looking to escape the cold and hit the beach this winter? On a snowy day, soaking up some sun in a tropical location sounds pretty nice!

When planning a winter getaway, it is important to remember that scam artists are out there looking to take advantage of deal-seeking travelers. Watch out for these red flags that may indicate a travel scam:

You get a call from someone claiming to be a federal Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agent and they are seeking immediate payment of taxes they claim you owe. The phony agents use intimidation tactics such as threats of arrest, liens on property, deportation, or driver’s license revocation to scare consumers into making payments or disclosing personal information. The imposters often have just enough personal information to convince a taxpayer they are legitimate.

The Bent's Fort Chapter of the Santa Fe Trail Association annual meeting will be held January 13 at the JW Rawlings Heritage Center and Museum, 560 Bent Avenue, in Las Animas.  The general meeting will begin at 11:00 a.m., followed by a catered lunch.  The meeting will include the election of officers for 2018, announcement of the Member of the Year, a review of upcoming field trips and presentations in 2018, and an update on the 2021 Santa Fe Trail Association Symposium.

Published by the Colorado Department of Agriculture, and presented by Kaiser Permanente, the Colorado Farm Fresh Directory promotes Colorado farmers’ markets, roadside stands, u-picks, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) producers, agritourism activities and farms and ranches that sell direct to the public. The 2018 edition is being organized, and producers are encouraged to submit their information for inclusion.