across Colorado

We're at a unique time in our country, with more support for universal health care than ever before. 

Because of this, those who want to keep the status quo--for their profit, not yours--will rail against universal care using tired arguments like socialized medicine.

They'll try to pit us against one another. They'd like to convince you that helping fellow Americans takes money out of your pocket, when in fact, they are the ones doing the taking.

How many times have you heard this gem?

Labor Day DUI enforcement cracking down on impaired drivers

With the unofficial end of summer upon us this weekend, the Colorado Department of Transportation and Colorado State Patrol encourages everyone to plan a ride if your Labor Day celebrations include consuming alcohol or marijuana.

The Labor Day weekend will be hot and dry across most of Colorado, though the eastern plains will see the first hint of fall Tuesday.

Eastern Colorado

An upper ridge building from the east Saturday will result in highs in the upper 80s to low 90s across eastern Colorado through the holiday Monday. Drier air will limit the potential for rain to mainly mountain areas where isolated afternoon and evening light rain is possible.

Northeast Colorado may see smoke in the air Saturday from fires in Montana.

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) reminds drivers to anticipate heavy traffic in many areas of the state due to the number of events and activities taking place over the Labor Day weekend.  

All CDOT construction projects will be suspended statewide by late Friday afternoon to reduce potential delays.  The only exception is for emergency operations.  Projects resume their regular schedule on Tuesday, September 5.

Safety first:

Defendant faked doctor notes and planned to lie about sickness until her retirement

Caroline Zarate Boyle, 60, of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, was sentenced this week by U.S. District Court Judge Raymond P. Moore to serve five years' probation with the first six months in home confinement including wearing an electronic monitor.

As summer draws to a close, the state health department is reminding Coloradans to continue protecting themselves from mosquito bites to avoid the West Nile virus. There have been six human cases of the virus reported in Colorado far this year, and mosquito pools in multiple counties have tested positive for the virus.

Employers in Colorado added 3,600 nonfarm payroll jobs from June to July for a total of 2,648,400 jobs, according to the survey of business establishments. Private sector payroll jobs increased 100 and government increased 3,500.

The 2017 Colorado Hay Directory, published by the Colorado Department of Agriculture, is now available.

"This annual publication connects Colorado hay producers with buyers across the state and nation," said Wendy White, marketing specialist for the Colorado Department of Agriculture. "It is a valuable resource for horse and livestock owners."

For the fifth year, the Colorado Corn Administrative Committee is accepting applications from Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapters around the state as part of its Colorado Corn FFA Grant Program. 

The deadline to apply is November 15. 

The Colorado Corn FFA Grant Program assists FFA chapters in Colorado on projects that lack funding in their school's budget. 

Traffic going to Wyoming and Nebraska for Monday viewing is expected to be very heavy through the weekend

The Colorado Department of Transportation is doing everything it can to ensure folks who are driving to Wyoming or Nebraska to view the totality of the solar eclipse on Monday are safe and will all be able to get where they are going.