Health officials alert public of potential measles exposure at Denver International Airport

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment, and Denver International Airport are notifying the public of a possible measles exposure at Denver International Airport on Dec. 12.

An out-of-state traveler with a confirmed case of measles traveled through the airport while infectious. For those traveling in the coming days and weeks, measles cases are occurring in parts of the U.S., with a higher likelihood of exposure in places where large numbers of people gather.

At DIA, the individual arrived at gate B45 in the B Concourse at 7:24 p.m. on Dec. 12, and departed from Gate B84 in the B Concourse at 9:41 p.m. Passengers who were exposed to the case on either of the flights will be notified directly by their state or local public health agency. Because the passenger is fully vaccinated and had mild symptoms, the risk of transmission is lower but still possible.

Measles is highly contagious and can sometimes lead to serious health problems. Measles symptoms begin with fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes, followed by a rash that usually starts several days later on the face, then spreads.

Getting vaccinated with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best way to protect against the disease, health officials said.

Based on available information, anyone who was in the locations at DIA listed above on Dec. 12, at the times listed, may have been exposed. If you were there, watch for symptoms for 21 days after exposure (through Jan. 2). If symptoms develop, call your health care provider, urgent care or emergency department before going in, and tell them you may have been exposed to measles to help prevent further spread. Monitoring for symptoms is especially critical for people who have not been vaccinated with the MMR vaccine, health officials said.

Colorado expected to surpass 16,000 DUI arrests by the end of the year

As Coloradans prepare to ring in the new year, the Colorado Department of Transportation and Colorado law enforcement urge motorists to plan a safe and sober ride home before heading out to a bar or party.

With an average of more than 1,300 DUI arrests each month in 2025, Colorado is on track to surpass 16,000 total DUI arrests by the end of the year. In an effort to prevent impaired driving, Colorado State Patrol and 61 local law enforcement agencies have implemented The Heat Is On New Year’s Eve DUI enforcement period, from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1, New Year’s Day. Drivers should expect to see additional law enforcement officers on duty dedicated to arresting impaired drivers and encouraging motorists to start 2026 safely.

State Patrol data shows impaired driving citations spike between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. — the timeframe of most New Year’s celebrations. One or two drinks can be enough to impair a person’s ability to drive, the agency said in a recent news release. Even if a person’s blood alcohol content (BAC) is less than 0.05%, they can still be arrested for driving under the influence if an officer observes signs of impairment.

“So far in 2025, 223 people have died on Colorado roads in crashes involving impaired drivers. That’s 223 lives cut short, families affected and friends lost,” CDOT’s Office of Transportation Safety Director Darrell Lingk said in a Dec. 23 news release. “If you plan to drink, use a ride-share service, public transportation or designated driver to get home safely.”

During last year’s New Year’s Eve enforcement period, Colorado law enforcement made 207 DUI arrests. Throughout all enforcement periods in 2025, there have been 4,916 DUI arrests. Following New Year’s Eve, the next DUI enforcement period will be Winter Blitz from Jan. 8 to 21.

Sites to open soon for Christmas tree recycling

El Paso County’s TreeCycle program will soon begin, offering residents a chance to recycle their old Christmas trees to reduce waste, create mulch and support the community.

Assisted by the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs Utilities and Colorado Springs Youth Sports, the El Paso County TreeCycle program will be held the first two weekends in January, according to a news release from Colorado Springs Youth Sports.

For a suggested minimum of $5 per tree, residents can drop off their trees at six convenient locations throughout the county.

Trees and donations will be accepted at the following locations from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 3-4 and Jan. 10-11:

-Baptist Road Trailhead (at Baptist Road and Old Denver Highway in Monument)

-Falcon Trailhead (south of Woodmen and McLaughlin roads in Falcon)

-Cottonwood Creek Park (at Dublin Boulevard and Montarbor Drive in Colorado Springs)

-Martin “Ed” Ragain Field (at Barnes Road near Tutt Boulevard in Colorado Springs)

-Rock Ledge Ranch (at Gateway Road and 30th Street in Colorado Springs)

-Memorial Park (at Pikes Peak Avenue and Union Boulevard in Colorado Springs)

Tree drop-offs and donations can also be made at Rocky Top Resources, 1755 E. Las Vegas St. in Colorado Springs, from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays through Jan. 31. Rocky Top Resources is closed on Sundays and on holidays.

Please remove all decorations, stands and spikes from the trees before dropping them off. Tree debris, other than from Christmas trees, can’t be accepted.

Colorado Springs Youth Sports is a nonprofit that operates the El Pomar Youth Sports Park. All 100% of donations received benefit area youth development programs. Donations are also being accepted online at GiveButter.com/tree.

For more information on TreeCycle, visit COSTreeCycle.org or call 719-323-8043.

State of the Tri-Lakes region scheduled for late January

Tri-Lakes area business and community leaders will host the State of the Tri-Lakes Region luncheon on Jan. 29.

Keynote speaker William Craighead, program director of the UCCS Economic Forum, will discuss what’s happening at the Federal Reserve and in the broader U.S. economy, and what it means for local employers, the workforce and community.

Monument Mayor Mitch LaKind, Palmer Lake Mayor Dennis Stern, El Paso County Commissioner Bill Wysong and Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Terri Hayes will also give updates and share perspectives. They will highlight current area projects, challenges and opportunities shaping the Tri-Lakes area in 2026.

The event is scheduled for Jan. 29 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Colorado Springs Marriott Hotel, 5580 Tech Center Drive, Colorado Springs.

Tickets are $75 for chamber members and $90 for non-members.

Purchase tickets online at tri.lakes.chamberofcommerce.me/members/evr/reg_main.php?orgcode=TLCC&evid=96896947.