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The No DUI Larimer Marketing Campaign: Bringing Awareness to A Crucial Issue

1/11/2023

 
MBD Marketing & Events has proudly supported the No DUI Larimer initiative through marketing services for 3 years. The statistics don't lie. We have an issue in Northern Colorado and we are determined to help shed light on it and to support Partners in their efforts to encourage Larimer residents to "Make the Call."
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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. 

Areas of focus for this group include:

  • A media campaign that increases the community’s understanding of its role to prevent drunk and drugged driving
  • Changing local conditions to promote responsible and safe driving
  • Integrating DWAI/DUI messaging with promotion of local dining and drinking to be responsive to climate of businesses post COVID19
  • Collaborating with law enforcement efforts and agencies, and formalizing county-wide collaboration

Every day, almost 30 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes, that’s one person every 50 minutes.  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.

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In 2020 roughly 65% of drivers arrested for a DUI tested positive for at least one drug (including alcohol) and 25.3% for two or more drugs.

25% of Larimer County adults reported binge drinking in the past month. This is higher than the state (18%) and national (16%) average.
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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.
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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.
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MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS INITIATIVE: 
Partners, who absorbed this project from the former nonprofit, Team Wellness & Prevention, is the lead agency on this five-year project which is now in its fourth year. Partners has engaged a steering committee, and named the project NO DUI LARIMER.

Want to receive information on No DUI Larimer? Please email Shayna Kefalas, Program Director   [email protected]   (970) 484-7123
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Holiday Tips: Tools for Monitoring Your Own Intoxication

11/12/2021

 
​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. 
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​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:
 
  • Have been drinking alcohol
  • Are impaired due to fatigue, illness, a chronic medical condition, or prescription medicines
  • Treat chronic pain using medical marijuana
  • Use marijuana or illegal drugs recreationally
 
DRUID is available in the App Store and Google Play.
 
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​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.
 
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The Importance of the No DUI Larimer Initiative

10/26/2021

 
MBD Marketing & Events is honored to work with a growing number of nonprofit clients. Our marketing team recently began a second year of work for the state-sponsored No DUI Larimer initiative, a branch of our local nonprofit client Partners. 
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​No DUI Larimer aims to keep impaired drivers off northern Colorado roads. Fatal alcohol and drug-caused crashes increased 22% between 2020 and 2021, making this mission more important than ever.
 
In Larimer County, alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs are of great concern when it comes to impaired driving. Colorado past month marijuana use for ages 12 and older is ranked 3rd in the nation and is 85 percent higher than the national average. Larimer County is home to Fort Collins’ Colorado State University, a university with a large student population – one of the reasons rates of alcohol abuse and DUI are higher than in neighboring counties.

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​No DUI Larimer’s call to action, “Make the Call,” is multifaceted. The program encourages the public to Make the Call for a sober ride home, to Make the Call about whether they should get behind the wheel, and to Make the Call to 911 to report suspected impaired drivers. No DUI Larimer engages the community through print, online, and television advertisements, as well as through social media with Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest accounts.
 
No DUI Larimer collaborates with government agencies, local law enforcement, emergency medical services (such as Thompson Valley EMS), and the Colorado Department of Transportation to deliver effective messaging and community education.
 
Driving Under the Infuence (DUI) charges in Colorado may come with fines, jail time, community service, education requirements, and license suspension or revocation. Of course, the greatest consequence of impaired driving is loss of life. No DUI Larimer needs your help to stop impaired driving before it happens, and when it’s happening.
 
Visit No DUI Larimer online to learn more about the program, and share what you learn with your family and friends. When everyone does their part, we can overcome impaired driving in Larimer County.
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11 Ways to Stay Safe at College Parties

9/7/2021

 
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. 
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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.
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  • Go with a buddy – If you’re going with a large group, divide into pairs so each person is responsible for one other. It’s much easier to keep track of one person after a few drinks than to try to remember who you came with and be sure everyone is accounted for. So buddy up, and look out for your partner throughout the night. Make a plan for how you’ll get home at the end of the night, and don’t leave until your partner is accounted for.
 
  • Eat and drink (water) first – Not only will this give you energy to get through the night, it will lessen the negative impacts of drinking alcohol.
 
  • Don’t leave drinks unattended – It takes less than a second for someone to slip a substance into your drink without your knowledge, and date rape drugs are designed to be odorless, tasteless, and colorless. Don’t trust that your friend or acquaintance watched your drink the whole time you were in the bathroom or getting some fresh air.
 
  • Don’t accept drinks from others – For the same reasons you should never leave your drink unattended, you also should not accept drinks from others. This includes your friends, who may have set the drink down and inadvertently given someone else the chance to add unwanted substances to it. Likewise, don’t drink from communal containers.
 
  • Maintain situational awareness – Be aware of your surroundings. This is easier said than done when you’ve been drinking, which is why it’s important to utilize the buddy system and pace your consumption.
 
  • Keep an emergency kit with you – Have a small kit with your ID, phone, keys, and cash or credit card that you can keep on you at all times. Do not set this down or keep it in a loose pocket. If you have space, a phone charger or backup battery is also a good idea.
 
  • Plan ahead, and stick to your limits – Decide before you start drinking how many drinks you plan to have. Keep a tally on your phone or have a sober buddy keep track for you. Picking a number and having someone keep you accountable are the easiest ways to keep your intoxicated self from having “just one more.”
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  • Pace yourself – Just as important as the number of drinks you consume are the intervals at which you consume them. A good rule of thumb is one (or fewer) drinks per hour. Three shots taken in three minutes will leave you far more intoxicated and at-risk than three shots taken over the course of three hours.
 
  • Don’t leave with someone you don’t trust – Don’t trust your instinct that someone seems like a good person when you’re intoxicated. The best plan is to leave with the buddy you arrived with. If you can’t, make sure your friends know when you are leaving and who you are leaving with, and that you have a way to call 911 in case of an emergency.
 
  • Don’t walk alone – Especially after dark, stay on well-lit, busy streets as much as possible and don’t stray from your buddy. This helps keep your buddy safer, too.
 
  • Make the Call for a sober ride home – If you drove, biked, or walked to a party but don’t feel you can get home safely, leave your car or bicycle secured and get a ride home. Even if something happens to your vehicle, your life is far more valuable. You can ride with your friends, or, if you become separated from them, send a text or leave a voicemail letting them know when you’re leaving and which ride service you’re using. If you live in Larimer County, get $10 off a zTrip ride by texting #NoDUI to 970-224-2222. This code can be used once a month, every month. Or, check out our list of all ride services available in northern Colorado.
 
Follow No DUI Larimer on Facebook and Instagram for more safe drinking tips and local news.

No DUI Larimer: Drinking & Driving Penalties

7/12/2021

 
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. 
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​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
  • Misdemeanor
  • 5 days - 1 year in jail
  • $600 - $1,000 fine
  • 48 - 96 hours of community service
  • Mandatory 9-month license suspension
  • Alcohol education classes
  • Even for a first offense, defendants with BAC 0.15% or higher are designated “persistent drunk driver (PDD)” and sentenced as repeat offenders (see Persistent Drunk Driver section). This designation comes with mandatory jail time of 10 days, up to one year.
 
Second Offense DUI
  • Misdemeanor
  • Mandatory jail time of 10 days, up to one year
  • $600 - $1,500 fine
  • 48 - 120 hours of community service
  • Mandatory 1 year license revocation
  • Mandatory Ignition Interlock Device (IID) for 2 years, up to 4 years
  • 12 DMV points
  • Alcohol education classes
 
Third Offense DUI
  • Misdemeanor
  • Mandatory 60 days in jail, up to 2 years
  • $600 - $1,500 fine
  • 48 - 120 hours of community service
  • Mandatory 2-year license revocation
  • Mandatory IID for 2 years, up to 4 years
  • 12 DMV points
  • Alcohol education classes
 
Fourth Offense DUI
  • Class 4 felony
  • 2 - 6 years in Colorado State Prison
  • 3 year parole
  • $2,000 - $500,000 fine
 
Persistent Drunk Driver/Aggravated DUI
  • Penalty sustained if you: drive with a BAC 0.15% or greater; refuse to take a chemical DUI test; have two or more DUI convictions; or drive on a license suspended or revoked for DUI.
  • Mandatory Level II alcohol education and treatment program
  • Mandatory Ignition Interlock Device for 2 years, up to 4 years
  • Mandatory provide proof of financial responsibility (SR-22 insurance coverage) for at least 2 years
 
First Offense DWAI
  • Misdemeanor
  • 2 - 180 days in jail
  • $200 - $500 fine
  • 24 - 48 hours community service
  • 8 DMV points
 
Second Offense DWAI
  • Misdemeanor
  • Mandatory 10 days in jail, up to one year
  • $600 - $1,500 fine
  • 48 - 120 hours community service
  • 8 DMV points
  • Mandatory 2 years probation, up to 4 years
  • Mandatory 1-year license revocation if second offense occurs within 5 years of the first
 
Third Offense DWAI
  • Misdemeanor
  • Mandatory jail time of 60 days, up to one year
  • $600 - $1,500 fine
  • 48 - 120 hours community service
  • 8 DMV points
  • Mandatory 2 years probation, up to 4 years
  • Mandatory 2-year license revocation
 
Fourth Offense DWAI
  • Class 4 felony
  • 2 - 6 years in prison
  • 3 year parole
  • $2,000 - $500,000 fine
 
 
How many points will cost you your license?
Adult Drivers (21 and older)
  • 12 points in a 12-month period, or
  • 18 points in an 18-month period
 
Minor Drivers 18-20 Years Old
  • 9 points in a 12-month period
  • 12 points in 24 consecutive months, or
  • 14 points or more between the ages of 18 and 21 years old
 
Minor Drivers Under 18
  • 6 points in 12 months, or
  • 7 points before turning 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.
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NO DUI Larimer Collaboration with Thompson Valley EMS

5/19/2021

 
MBD Marketing & Events continues to support Partners and assist with marketing outreach of the No DUI Larimer Campaign.
​In recent months we have formed a partnership with the Thompson Valley EMS.
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​No DUI Larimer is pleased to announce our latest collaboration, this time with Thompson Valley Emergency Medical Services (TVEMS). The emergency medical personnel at TVEMS see firsthand the effects of impaired driving on Northern Colorado’s roadways. 
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​Thompson Valley EMS was founded in 1983 and is Loveland’s leading provider of emergency medical services, EMS education, and EMS training. The organization’s 80 employees and 12 ambulances respond to over 15,000 TVEMS seeks to promote and facilitate the responsible provision of medical services within the Thompson Valley Health Services District.
 
As part of its vision for compassionate care, TVEMS became a registered CARES program in 2017, providing community outreach and health education to people to prevent illness and injury. In the coming weeks, you can expect to see No DUI Larimer and Thompson Valley EMS promoting each other’s messaging as part of our community health education mission. 
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​EMS Training through Thompson Valley Emergency Medical Services
Photo credit: Thompson Valley EMS Facebook
 
At No DUI Larimer, we believe the issue of impaired driving is best addressed through community collaboration, and we are proud of our partnerships with the Colorado Department of Transportation and TVEMS, two organizations tasked with improving the safety of Colorado’s roads. Together, we can combat impaired driving in Northern Colorado. Follow Thompson Valley EMS and No DUI Larimer on Facebook for updates on our collaboration. Make the Call.

No DUI Larimer Partners with Colorado Department of Transportation

4/20/2021

 
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MBD is proud to be a marketing partner for No DUI Larimer.

​No DUI Larimer is excited to announce our partnership with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). CDOT was founded over 110 years ago as a department of the state to ensure Colorado would have a safe, well-maintained highway system. Today, that safety mission includes programs related to impaired driving, distracted driving, car seat safety, motorcycle safety, pedestrian safety, teen driving, and seat belt usage.
 
For each of its programs, CDOT collects and reports on data related to a specific safety concern. This data is available to the public at https://www.codot.gov/safety. The data that CDOT collects is invaluable to our No DUI Larimer program; with CDOT’s data, we can ask our viewers and visitors to Make the Call to report impaired driving based on real statistics and evidence. Between CDOT’s data reporting and No DUI Larimer’s public requests to “Make the Call,” we are confident this will be a valuable partnership. 

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​Every day, No DUI Larimer appeals to the public to “Make the Call” through print advertisements; television advertisements; social media engagement; and local sponsorships and partnerships. We believe the issue of impaired driving is best solved when a community comes together to address the problem. We ask the public to Make the Call for a safe ride home from a night out, and to Make the Call to 911 to report drivers showing signs of intoxication. It is up to all of us to keep Larimer County’s roadways safe.
 
With this new partnership, you will see No DUI Larimer and CDOT sharing information and social media messaging online. No DUI Larimer is proud to partner with CDOT – a longstanding, comprehensive traffic safety organization – to combat the issue of impaired driving in Larimer County. Make the Call.

Level Up Bars & Restaurants in Northern Colorado

3/4/2021

 
“Level Up” is the buzz phrase for Larimer County’s bars and restaurants. The Level Up program allows county businesses to operate one level below the county’s current COVID safety level. 
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So what does that mean, exactly? If Larimer County as a whole is at level Yellow (Concern), as it is currently, approved Level Up businesses can operate one level below – in this example, level Blue (Caution). Higher levels come with stricter requirements, but businesses that have been approved can operate with fewer restrictions.
 
Achieving Level Up status requires a lot from businesses. Bars and restaurants participating in the program must:
 
  • Record customer names and contact information for contact tracing purposes, to be submitted in a weekly spreadsheet
  • Submit to the county a proposal to enforce mandatory mask-wearing and describe how signage will be used and how staff will communicate with customers who arrive without masks
  • Document use of signage throughout the business labeling 6’ distances to ensure those from different households remain 6’ apart
  • Include a plan for regular sanitation and cleaning of high touch surfaces
  • Include a plan for daily employee temperature, symptom, and exposure checks
  • Include a plan for customer symptom screening, including protocols for those who do not pass symptom screening
  • Have a business-specific plan for outbreak detection, reporting, and response
  • Provide sufficient quality ventilation including an HVAC system that meets county safety guidelines and maximizing outdoor airflow
  • Promote the Exposure Notification Service, through with employees and customers who sign up will be notified if they are potentially exposed to COVID-19
  • Display information for customers who wish to lodge a safety violations complaint
  • Maintain special hours or accommodations for populations most at-risk
  • Have zero prior citations of noncompliance
  • Complete a lengthy application, interview, and onsite visit process
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Bars and restaurants currently operating at level Blue must adhere to the following guidelines:
  • Indoors 50% capacity (max 175 people)
  • Outdoors 6’ between parties
  • Alcohol sales, including take-out, must conclude by 12 a.m.
  • Party size is limited to 10 people or fewer
  • Reservations are encouraged to alleviate crowds
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Many of No DUI Larimer’s Responsible Association of Retailers (RAR) bar and restaurant partners have achieved Level Up status, including:

  • Avuncular Bob’s Beerhouse https://www.avuncularbobs.com, Fort Collins
 
  • Blind Pig http://blindpigfortcollins.com, Fort Collins
 
  • Boot Grill https://thebootgrill.com, Loveland
 
  • Charco Broiler https://charcobroiler.com, Fort Collins
 
  • CooperSmith’s https://coopersmithspub.com, Fort Collins
 
  • DC Oakes https://www.dcoakesbrewhouse.com, Fort Collins
 
  • Feisty Distillery http://www.feistyspirits.com, Fort Collins
 
  • Gilded Goat Brewing Co. https://www.gildedgoatbrewing.com, Fort Collins
 
  • Ginger & Baker https://gingerandbaker.com, Fort Collins
 
  • High Point Bar http://www.highpointbar.com, Fort Collins
 
  • Jax Fish House https://www.jaxfishhouse.com, Fort Collins
 
  • Lucky Joe’s Sidewalk Saloon http://www.luckyjoes.com, Fort Collins
 
  • The Mayor of Old Town https://themayorofoldtown.com Fort Collins
 
  • McClellan’s Brewing Company http://www.mcclellansbrewingcompany.com, Fort Collins
 
  • The Reserve by Old Elk Distillery https://www.oldelk.com/the-reserve-home, Fort Collins
 
  • Nick’s Italian http://www.nicksfc.com, Fort Collins
 
  • Odell Brewing Co. https://www.odellbrewing.com, Fort Collins
 
  • The Yeti https://downtownfortcollins.com/business/the-yeti-bar-and-grill/, Fort Collins
 
  • Restaurant 415 https://www.thefourfifteen.com Fort Collins
 
  • The Regional https://www.theregionalfood.com, Fort Collins
 
  • Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant https://riograndemexican.com, Fort Collins
 
  • Sonny Lubick Steakhouse https://www.sonnylubicksteakhouse.com, Fort Collins
 
  • Stuft Burger Bar https://www.stuftburgerbar.com, Fort Collins
 
  • Tony’s Bar and Restaurant https://tonysbarfortcollins.com, Fort Collins
 
  • Trailhead Tavern http://www.trailheadtavern.com, Fort Collins

  • The Barrel https://www.thebarrel.beer, Estes Park
 
  • The Whisk(e)y http://www.thewhiskeyfc.com, Fort Collins
 
  • William Oliver’s https://www.williamolivers.com, Fort Collins
 
  • Wing Shack https://wingshackwings.com, Loveland
 
​Thank you to our RAR members for continuing to keep our NoCo community safe!
 
For a full list of Level Up bars and restaurants in Larimer County, visit https://nocorecovers.com/level-up-certified-businesses/.
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How COVID is affecting DUIs in Colorado

2/15/2021

 
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.
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​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. 
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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. 
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Phone: 970-613-1455  or  303-886-3068
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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

Tips for Creating Healthier Drinking Habits

1/18/2021

 
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. ​
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​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.
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3. Make your drinks smaller
If daily drinks are your go-to and less frequency seems daunting, try cutting down even more. Try a half serving of alcohol or even just a few sips at a time. Make a mixed drink with half a shot of hard liquor instead of a full-sized shot. Savor a few sips of wine like you’re a sommelier. 

​4. Drink lots of water
Drink a glass of water before an alcoholic drink, and alternate each alcoholic drink with a non-alcoholic one. Staying hydrated will help your body process the alcohol, and your stomach will fill up more quickly, naturally limiting the amount of alcohol you can drink in one sitting.
 
5. Eat while drinking
Similarly, eating before drinking can reduce alcohol cravings, fill your stomach with something other than alcohol, and slow the speed at which you become impaired. If you find yourself always craving alcohol at a certain time of day, time your meal then. Savor your food, enjoy your favorite TV show, and see if the cravings pass.
 
6. Set a budget
Set a monthly or weekly budget for alcohol based on your servings goal or a financial goal, and stick to it. One technique for sticking to this budget is to buy a gift card at the beginning of the week or month to your go-to liquor store; when the gift card is gone, you’ve reached your limit until you buy your next gift card.
 
Each time you meet your budget goal, treat yourself to a reward with some of the money you’ve saved. 


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​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.
 
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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:
  • Feeling better in the morning
  • Being less tired during the day
  • Better looking skin
  • Easier weight management
Long term benefits include:
  • Better sleep
  • Stronger immune system
  • Healthy heart
  • Better judgment
  • Better interpersonal relationships, if drinking was affecting your behavior toward others
  • Stable mood (alcohol is associated with mood swings, depression, and anxiety)
 
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.
  
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