 When the holidays draw near, do you feel the need to reach for a beer? The relatives are in town, and you are putting in your time with the family... Well, spike that eggnog, Sparky, grab your favorite moose mug, and play My Big Day's "Christmas Vacation Drinking Game!" What you will need for this game: an beer, eggnog, wine, or your drink of choice, a Santa hat & a single shot of your choice (perhaps a lime Jello shot topped with cat food). *** Disclosure: please don't drink to put up with family, then drive.
 Contact MBD Marketing & Events
Small Business. Big Impact. Phone: 970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068 Email Us We serve the entire Front Range; Denver, Southern Wyoming, the CO Mountains, and Northern Colorado: Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley, Windsor, Berthoud, Estes Park, Lyons, Longmont, Boulder, Wellington, Johnstown, Evans, Severance, Timnath, Mead, Frederick, Firestone, Milliken We've noticed that our followers really appreciate game ideas... especially drinking game ideas. With a rough couple years behind us, and a global pandemic still lingering, we understand for the need for 'at home' party ideas! Since our "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Drinking Game" is so popular, we decided to add "A Christmas Story Drinking Game" for those of you looking to add some variety to your regular holiday program viewing!  "A Christmas Story Drinking Game"Rules: Party safe, try to place with drinks that don't have super high alcohol content! (You will be drinking a lot this game!) To pad your stomach prior to playing, kudos to the host for providing some "Meatloaf, smeatloaf, double-beatloaf." Drink every time:
Finish your drink:
Group Rules:
Enjoy!!!  With the holidays quickly approaching, we know many of you are eager to celebrate with coworkers, family, and friends. During the winter holidays, 40% of highway deaths are alcohol-related. Keep yourself and those around you safe by using one (or both) of these tools to monitor your own alcohol consumption. As the marketing team for No DUI Larimer, we have some great tools we recommend for some extra safety for you and your loved ones.  DRUIDapp for iOS and Android The DRUID app applies neuroscience to assess a user’s level of cognitive and motor impairment due to any cause, including alcohol intoxication, marijuana use, fatigue, and injury. It works like a video game, and records hundreds of indicators to detect impairment in just three minutes. The app is comprehensive (tests for many causes of impairment), accurate, fast, easy to use, and free. Unlike impairment due to drugs or alcohol, impairment due to fatigue, illness, chronic condition or injury, like concussion, cannot be determined by measuring the presence of an impairing substance in bodily fluids – blood, urine or sweat. And for some drugs, particularly marijuana, testing for its bodily presence just doesn’t work. Marijuana causes impairment for an hour or two, but remains in your system for three weeks or more. During that time, it has no impairing effect. A test for its bodily presence is not useful to determine your ability to operate a vehicle or other machinery, or your well-being, because it does not measure impairment. DRUID can help keep you safe if you:
DRUID is available in the App Store and Google Play.  BACtrack BACtrack is a personal, portable breathalyzer specifically designed to help you make better decisions while drinking. BACtrack allows you to estimate your BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) in seconds and tells you when your BAC will return to 0.00%, so you can stay safe and consume alcohol responsibly. A number of factors affect how quickly an individual’s BAC rises and falls, including: age, gender, rate of consumption, drink strength, body type, fat/muscle content, metabolism, medications, food, carbonation, and certain medical conditions. Whether you drink regularly or only occasionally, your own BAC may surprise you. Knowing your true BAC at any time allows you to make safer decisions for yourself and those around you. Research suggests that education about blood alcohol content contributes to fewer incidences of impaired driving. BACtrack technologies have helped people avoid fatal accidents. Purchase a BACtrack for yourself or someone you love for as little as $39.99. Coupons are often available. Follow No DUI Larimer on Facebook and Instagram for local news and more safe drinking tips.  Northern Colorado’s weather is cooling off, and that has us in the mood for fall-inspired cocktails ideal for a wintry wedding or a fun Friendsgiving. We wrote a blog for our friends at On the Rocks and wanted to share it here as well! Try the recipes below from two of our favorite regional partners – master alcohol deliverers Wilbur’s Total Beverage and vodka connoisseurs Spring44 Distilling.  Mulled Wine from Wilbur’s Total Beverage Fun fact: This cold-weather classic drink dates back to the Roman Empire.
1. Combine ingredients. Add wine, orange slices, cloves, cinnamon, star anise, honey, and any add-ins to a large saucepan or slow cooker. Stir to combine. 2. Stovetop: Cook the mulled wine on medium-high heat until it just barely reaches a simmer (do not boil – you do not want to cook off the alcohol). Reduce heat to low, cover, and let the wine simmer for at least 15 minutes or up to 3 hours. Slow cooker: Heat on low for about an hour until hot, and then reduce heat to warm until ready to serve. 3. Using a fine mesh strainer, remove and discard the used orange slices and spices. Give the mulled wine a taste, and stir in extra sweetener if needed. 4. Serve warm in heatproof mugs, garnish with orange rounds, cinnamon sticks, and star anise.  Spring 44’s Spiced Pear Martini A rich cocktail for a formal fall get-together, with pear, almond, and cardamom. To make, combine:
 Grand Old Fashioned by Wilbur’s Total Beverage This version of the traditional, elegant drink incorporates subtle flavors like orange oil to balance bitter and sweet flavors.
Combine aromatic bitters, Grand Marnier, and whiskey in an old fashioned glass. Add large ice cube and stir until cold and well incorporated. Garnish with orange twist, expressing oils over glass rim.  Boozy Chai from Spring44 Distilling The warm spices of chai evoke the coziness of fall: cardamom, clove, ginger, and black pepper. Booze it up with some Spring44 Vodka, add a splash of cream and you've created a sipping dessert. To make, combine:
 Apple Bees Knees Cocktail A seasonal twist on a classic gin cocktail. For the honey syrup:
For the cocktail:
1. To make syrup, place water, honey, and rosemary in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and let steep for 10 minutes. Cool to room temperature before using. Remaining syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week. 2. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice add in, lemon juice, apple juice, and honey syrup. Shake to combine and strain into a glass. Garnish with rosemary and apple slices. Shop local and celebrate the season at your next event or date night in with these warm, nostalgic signature cocktails. For more cocktail recipes, check out our list of eight local-inspired signature cocktails for all seasons. Let us help you brainstorm signature cocktails for your next event when you partner with MY BIG DAY or book with On the Rocks.  MBD Marketing and Events is working hard to support the Colorado State funded campaign, "No DUI Larimer" which is in its 5th year of DUI prevention and education. This month we are focusing on safe partying. With so many universities in a concentrated area, we have thousands of college students back to school this Fall. Statistically, this time of year yields this highest number of DUIs, fatal accidents and hospitalizations for young adults. Every August, Larimer County welcomes tens of thousands of college students back to campuses in Fort Collins and Loveland (and in the other university towns that surround us). With that influx of students comes increased DUI risk, especially for freshmen in their first six weeks of school. Research shows that not only are these first six weeks the most risky, they are the time college students form drinking habits for the remainder of their time at school.  At No DUI Larimer, we don’t expect college students not to drink (or use marijuana). Instead, we encourage safe drinking and use habits. Whether you’re new to college this year or about to graduate, try these tips to stay safe at your next college party. 
Follow No DUI Larimer on Facebook and Instagram for more safe drinking tips and local news. MBD Marketing & Events has been proud to be supporting the No DUI Larimer initiative. Part of our marketing campaign includes education. At No DUI Larimer, we talk a lot about the safety implications of impaired driving. But there are legal implications as well. Deciding to Make the Call instead of driving impaired can save not just your life, but also time, money, and your license.  Read on for an overview of Colorado’s DUI/DWAI laws and penalties. Colorado DUI/DWAI Laws DUI/DWAI in Colorado In Colorado, you are considered to be Driving Under the Influence (DUI) with a blood or breath alcohol content of 0.08% or higher. You can still be charged with a DUI if your test result comes back below 0.08%. You will be charged with a DUI if you refuse to submit to a chemical test while showing signs of intoxication or of being under the influence of drugs, including marijuana. Although Colorado uses Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI) language during sentencing, there is no difference in the statute (law) itself. DUI laws in Colorado cover impairment due to alcohol, drugs, or any combination of the two. First Offense DUI
Second Offense DUI
Third Offense DUI
Fourth Offense DUI
Persistent Drunk Driver/Aggravated DUI
First Offense DWAI
Second Offense DWAI
Third Offense DWAI
Fourth Offense DWAI
How many points will cost you your license? Adult Drivers (21 and older)
Minor Drivers 18-20 Years Old
Minor Drivers Under 18
Colorado’s Chargeable BAC Level In Colorado, the “legal limit” for drinking and driving is a BAC of 0.08%. It is important to note, however, that alcohol affects people differently, and a BAC of 0.05% may be enough to cause impairment. Therefore, if you show signs of driving under the influence and/or cause an accident, and your BAC is 0.05% or higher, it is a permissible inference that you drove under the influence of alcohol, and you can be charged. Providing Alcohol to a Minor In Colorado, people who “sell, serve, give away, dispose of, exchange, or deliver or permit the sale, serving, giving, or procuring of any alcohol beverage to or for any person under the age of twenty-one years” can be charged with a Class 2 misdemeanor. This conviction can include a prison sentence in a county jail of at least three months and up to one year. Fines range from $250 to $1,000. Avoid penalties and save your life – or another’s – by always Making the Call. Follow No DUI Larimer on Facebook for tips and updates from us and our partners.  My Big Day has been privileged to be working on a DUI campaign funded by a Colorado state grant, through Partners and their incredible efforts in the area of prevention education. The initiative is called No DUI Larimer. At the end of May 2020 – immediately following weeks of stay-at-home orders – Colorado State Patrol reported that impairment-related deaths in spring 2020 were double those of spring 2019. As of summer 2020, alcohol- and marijuana-related crashes were in fact up 32 percent from the same time in 2019. Impairment-related fatal crashes had doubled. Colorado State Patrol and representatives of MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) speculate that mental health struggles, a shaky economy, and relatively empty roads during the stay-at-home order contributed to increasing DUI rates.  In all, 203 people were killed by suspected drunk drivers in 2020, up from 176 in 2019. Denver-based attorneys Hebets & McCallin reported that alcohol sales not tied to the hospitality business went up 24 percent in 2020, with sales of spirits with high alcohol content increasing even more, by 27 percent. The pandemic has brought challenges for DUI enforcement. Many police departments statewide suspended the use of breathalyzer BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) tests due to safety concerns about COVID-19 spread in droplets from suspects’ lungs. As of February 2021, agencies continue to rely on blood alcohol testing, with mixed results. Some suspects have argued in court that they have a right to breathalyzer testing rather than blood testing, to varying responses from judges. However, Colorado law calls for automatic license suspension for drivers who refuse a blood alcohol test; with breathalyzers no longer an option, many suspected impaired drivers have lost their licenses by refusal. Despite ongoing restrictions on bar and restaurant capacities, the pandemic appears to have had little impact on reducing impaired driving rates – in some cases, just the opposite.  If you or someone you know is struggling with the financial, mental or emotional effects of the pandemic, and/or substance use, visit the Colorado Office of Behavioral Health online for a searchable directory of substance use experts, mental health professionals, and crisis support resources. If you see swerving or other signs of impaired driving, call 911. Impaired driving is an emergency. Make the Call.  Contact MBD Marketing & Events
Small Business. Big Impact. Phone: 970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068 Email Us We serve the entire Front Range; Denver, Southern Wyoming, the CO Mountains, and Northern Colorado: Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley, Windsor, Berthoud, Estes Park, Lyons, Longmont, Boulder, Wellington, Johnstown, Evans, Severance, Timnath, Mead, Frederick, Firestone, Milliken As the Marketing company for Partner's No DUI Larimer Initiative, we are working hard to provide our Colorado Community with education and helpful, healthy tips. You may have heard the term “Dry January” before. Healthier drinking habits are a common New Year’s resolution – but cutting back is easier said than done when alcohol has become part of your daily or weekly lifestyle or is something you use to cope with life’s challenges.  Maybe you’ve experienced negative health effects because of your drinking, or it’s interfering with your interpersonal relationships and ability to function in everyday life. Maybe you just want to start the New Year off with a more focused, healthier you. Either way, here are some tips for cutting back gradually. 1. Set a goal Start by writing down some current stats: How many days per week you drink, how many drinks you have, and – if some of those drinks are extra large – how many servings of alcohol you have in that time frame. Set an easy goal to start with. One less drink per week or day is a great place to start. You can even offer yourself a non-alcoholic reward for each day or week you meet your goal. 2. Measure drinks You may think to yourself, “I only have one drink at the end of each day,” but consider the size of your drink. One serving of alcohol is: one can of beer; 9 fluid ounces of malt liquor (a stronger lager or ale), 5 ounces of wine, or a 1.5-fluid-ounce shot of hard liquor like gin, vodka, or tequila. If cutting down your number of drinks sounds too difficult at the start, first make sure that each drink is truly just one drink by measuring your alcohol.
 7. Count your drinks Sometimes, simply realizing the number of drinks you’re having regularly can be a wake-up call. Start keeping a tally as you drink. When you’re impaired, you may not realize how quickly you’re getting to three, or five, or more drinks. If you’re shocked by your number, try reducing it by one at a time. Before you start drinking, measure out your goal number of drinks, and then hide the rest of the alcohol. When you’ve finished what you set out, you’re done drinking. 8. Drink-free day(s) Another solution if frequency is your issue is to start with a drink-free day each week. Maintain that for a month (longer if you’re really struggling), then reduce your weekly drinking days by one more the following month.  9. Avoid triggers Often, the situations in which you typically drink become triggers to drink. Start eliminating these situations from your life. If you often drink with a certain group of people, start seeing them individually, in a different setting, or not at all. If it’s a place that’s your trigger, it’s best to avoid it altogether. If it’s a certain time of day, try eating a meal and/or planning a fun activity for that time of day as a distraction. 10. Be able to say “no” You probably won’t be able to altogether avoid situations where others are drinking. Whether it’s friends, coworkers, or a server at a restaurant or party, be able to say “no, thank you.” If you’re worried about the social pressure to drink, practice what you’ll say before heading into a situation where others are likely to be drinking. Be confident in your decision; your health is most important. Benefits of cutting back on alcohol consumption You can start to feel the benefits of cutting back immediately. Here are some short term effects you can look forward to:
If you find that you can’t cut down, you may need help to quit drinking. If you have developed an alcohol use disorder, drinking may no longer feel like a choice. Never try to stop drinking cold turkey if you drink large quantities regularly; the effects of alcohol withdrawal can be fatal. If you find yourself at this point, it’s best to seek professional help. If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol use, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 to get support and local resources. Make the Call.  If you’re out drinking or using drugs and need to Make the Call for a safe ride home, we’ve got you covered. No DUI Larimer has compiled a list of ride services throughout our county. Just scroll down to your city for name, description, and contact information for each service.  Fort Collins zTrip: Ride services for northern Colorado with flat rate pricing. Runs 24 hours. Download the app on the Apple App Store or Google Play. To get $10 off a zTrip EVERY month, text #NoDUI to 970-224-2222. Contact: Use the app or call 855-MY-zTrip Lyft: Pricing based on demand. Runs 24 hours as long as drivers are available. Download the Lyft app on the Apple App Store or Google Play. You can also sign up or get an estimate here [https://www.lyft.com/rider/cities/fort-collins-co]. Contact: Get help through the app or online. NOCO Party Bus: Perfect if you’re planning an outing with a big group. Must book ahead of time. Offers late-night rides. Pricing is hourly and based on number of passengers; view options and pricing here [https://www.nocopartybus.com/pricing/]. Contact: 970-235-0690 Genesis Executive Transportation: Luxury limousine and car service. Rates are charged per mile, hourly, or customized. View pricing online [https://www.genesis-executive.com/rates]. Must book ahead of time. Offers late-night pickup. Contact: 970-599-9519 Ram Ride x Lyft: A taxi service for Colorado State University students that runs on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Ram Ride now pairs with Lyft to provide discounted rates (up to 50% off, up to $10 off per ride) to current CSU students. Download the app on the Apple App Store or Google Play. Contact: 970-491-2248 until 5 p.m. or through the app Transfort (currently FREE due to COVID-19): Fort Collins’ bus service. Does not run late at night. Check the schedule at www.ridetransfort.com. Contact: 970-221-6620 Uber: Similar to Lyft, pricing based on demand. Runs 25 hours. Available on the Apple App Store or Google Play. Contact: Get help online or through the app FLEX: City bus system with routes between Fort Collins, Loveland, Longmont, and Boulder. Fare is $1.25 per ride per adult – exact change required. Does not operate on certain holidays or very late at night. See the current schedule here [http://www.ridetransfort.com/routes/flex]. Contact: 970.221.6620 Loveland zTrip: Ride services for northern Colorado with flat rate pricing. Runs 24 hours. Download the app on the Apple App Store or Google Play. To get $10 off a zTrip EVERY month, text #NoDUI to 970-224-2222. Contact: Use the app or call 855-MY-zTrip Lyft: Pricing based on demand. Runs 24 hours as long as drivers are available. Download the Lyft app on the Apple App Store or Google Play. You can also sign up or get an estimate here [https://www.lyft.com/rider/cities/fort-collins-co]. Contact: Get help through the app or online. Uber: Similar to Lyft, pricing based on demand. Runs 25 hours. Available on the Apple App Store or Google Play. Contact: Get help online or through the app COLT (City of Loveland Transit): Loveland’s city bus service. Adults 18-59 ride for $1.25. Check the schedule and routes at https://www.cityofloveland.org/services/public-works/bus-service. Does not run late at night. Contact: (970) 962-2700 FLEX: City bus system with routes between Fort Collins, Loveland, Longmont, and Boulder. Fare is $1.25 per ride per adult – exact change required. Does not operate on certain holidays or very late at night. See the current schedule here [http://www.ridetransfort.com/routes/flex]. Contact: 970.221.6620 NOCO Party Bus: Perfect if you’re planning an outing with a big group. Must book ahead of time. Offers late-night rides. Pricing is hourly and based on number of passengers; view options and pricing here [https://www.nocopartybus.com/pricing/]. Contact: 970-235-0690 Genesis Executive Transportation: Luxury limousine and car service. Rates are charged per mile, hourly, or customized. View pricing online [https://www.genesis-executive.com/rates]. Must book ahead of time. Offers late-night pickup. Contact: 970-599-9519 Estes Park NOCO Party Bus: Perfect if you’re planning an outing with a big group. Pricing is hourly and based on number of passengers; view options and pricing here [https://www.nocopartybus.com/pricing/]. Contact: 970-235-0690 Genesis Executive Transportation: Luxury limousine and car service. Rates are charged per mile, hourly, or customized. View pricing online [https://www.genesis-executive.com/rates]. Must book ahead of time. Offers late-night pickup. Contact: 970-599-9519 Estes Park Shuttle Service (FREE): Offers limited hours during the winter. Park at the town’s free parking structure (near the Estes Park Visitor Center) to pick your car up later. Currently operates on Wednesdays from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. Runs continuously, no reservations required. View the current schedule here [https://www.visitestespark.com/plan/getting-around/free-shuttle-buses/]. Contact: 970-577-3957 if you have questions Eddie Limo: Offers luxury transportation for special events. Must book ahead of time. Services mountain cities, even in winter. Contact: 303-803-7363 Colorado Canyon Connection: Offers one-way trips in town for $10 and round-trip for $15. Operates 24 hours; pickups requested between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. cost an extra $5. Out-of-town trips are available for a different fee. Contact: 970-614-8669 or book in advance online [https://www.coloradoshuttleservice.com] Windsor NOCO Party Bus: Perfect if you’re planning an outing with a big group. Pricing is hourly and based on number of passengers; view options and pricing here [https://www.nocopartybus.com/pricing/]. Contact: 970-235-0690 Genesis Executive Transportation: Luxury limousine and car service. Rates are charged per mile, hourly, or customized. View pricing online [https://www.genesis-executive.com/rates]. Must book ahead of time. Offers late-night pickup. Contact: 970-599-9519 Uber: Similar to Lyft, pricing based on demand. Runs 25 hours. Available on the Apple App Store or Google Play. Contact: Get help online or through the app Sapphire Car Service: Luxury taxi service, happy to accommodate short rides for individuals. Does not require advance booking. Contact Sapphire Car Service for more information. Contact: 979-545-0919 Next time you’re out in Larimer County, Make the Call for a safe ride home!  The No DUI Larimer coalition and campaign was born out of the need to address the problem of impaired driving in our community. The goal is to prevent driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances by increasing community responsibility for safe and responsible driving.
Our campaign is encouraging the public to “Make the Call” to end impaired driving in our community. Make the Call to get a safe ride home. Make the Call about whether you should get behind the wheel, and Make the Call to report suspected impaired drivers. Driving under the influence IS an emergency–please call 911 if you see someone you suspect is driving impaired. Ending impaired driving is a joint effort between law enforcement, government agencies, alcohol and cannabis retailers, local nonprofits, and the community. We need your help to stop impaired driving before it happens, and when it’s happening. Thanks for doing your part. -Partners, RAR, MBD Marketing & Events  **** For Immediate Release****
Press Release Contact: Christine Forster April 29, 2020 970-613-1455 Larimer County Launches NO DUI LARIMER Project NORTHERN COLORADO – April 29, 2020 Larimer County is one of only three communities in Colorado who has been awarded funds from The Colorado Office of Behavioral Health Persistent Drunk Driving and Law Enforcement Assistance Fund grants. The goal is to prevent driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances by increasing community responsibility for safe and responsible driving. Partners Mentoring Youth, who absorbed this, among other work, from the former non-profit, Team Wellness & Prevention, is the lead agency on this five year project which is now in its third year. Partners has engaged a steering committee, and named the project NO DUI LARIMER. According to Heather Vesgaard, Executive Director of Partners, “This project aligns with our organizations commitment to promoting positive decisions and a safe and well community. Effective work in this arena will benefit youth and adults alike. We are excited to be working with such a broad group of community members to guide and direct this county-wide project. No DUI Larimer’s steering committee has representatives serving from a broad base of interested parties including; The Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, City of Loveland PD, UCHealth, City of Fort Collins PD, Colorado State Patrol, My Big Day Marketing & Events, Bullfrog Liquors, Mulberry Max Liquors, Health District of Northern Larimer County, Omni Institute, Peer Assistance Services, Partners Mentoring Youth, CSU Police Department, CSU College of Health & Human Sciences, Data Action Change, Responsible Association of Retailers, Smokey’s 420, and Larimer County Dept. of Health & Environment. Areas of focus for this group include:
In 2019 more than 8,500 people were arrested for driving under the influence in Colorado. A needs assessment completed in October 2018 found that DUI/DWAI offenses are a significant issue in Larimer County due to a number of factors on which the dedicated members of the steering committee will focus through education, outreach, and policy change. Project contact: Heather Vesgaard heatherv@partnersmentoringyouth.org Media contact: Vanessa Lewis vanessal@partnersmentoringyouth.org -XXX- |
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970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068 EMAIL US
We serve the entire Front Range; Denver, Southern Wyoming, the CO Mountains, and Northern Colorado: Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley, Windsor, Berthoud, Estes Park, Lyons, Longmont, Boulder, Wellington, Johnstown, Evans, Severance, Timnath, Mead, Frederick, Firestone, Milliken
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