The holidays are upon us, which means it is time for giving. In a 2016 survey, the AARP Foundation ElderWatch found that 80 percent of Coloradans give to charity, but only 46 percent of those who gave verified the legitimacy of the charity. Before you give, take these simple steps to ensure the money you are donating is going to the intended cause:

Colorado is sending 17 fire engines to support California wildfire operations. The request was made Tuesday through the National Interagency Resource Ordering and Status System.

The engines and crews left the state Wednesday, and will support firefighting efforts in southern California. They are traveling to Chino, California, where they will then be assigned to specific locations and tasks. The Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control expects a second group of fire engines may also deploy to California later in the week.

Flags will be lowered to half-staff Thursday in recognition of National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Flags should be at half-staff until sunset Thursday.

The day marks 76 years since more than 2,400 people died in a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, by Japan. The attack prompted the United States to enter World War II.

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day was established in 1994, however it is not a federal holiday.

2015’s “Room” never reached a wide enough audience to justify a review from me, but if it had, I would have absolutely gushed over the performance of then-7-year-old actor Jacob Tremblay. It was the kind of breakout performance that instantly guarantees an actor a lifetime of work in Hollywood. Brie Larson, who played Tremblay’s mother in the film, won the Academy Award for Best Actress, and I’d argue that he acted circles around her.

After a thorough review of the best-available scientific and commercial information, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announced that the white-tailed prairie dog is not currently in danger of extinction and is not likely to become in danger of extinction within the foreseeable future. Consequently, the Service has released a 12-month finding stating that the species is not warranted for listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) at this time.

Well here we are again in the most wonderful time of the year!  At least it is for wrestling enthusiast across the state.  Every Saturday will be spent inside a gymnasium watching their favorite wrestler go at it; win or lose, still eager for the next event to get here.  This season it comes with a little different story for the Eads wrestling program as they are combining their talents with McClave High School and Wiley High School.  The coop will provide better practices for the wrestlers by providing an appropriate sized wrestling buddy to drill with, along with the c

Dear EarthTalk: I’m looking for cool holiday gift ideas for a strident vegan who won’t tolerate items that make use of animals or animal products. Any ideas?            -- Doug Halpern, Washington, DC