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How are those New Year’s resolutions going? Making changes for the better isn’t easy but, luckily, Denver’s never-ending community events and causes make it simple. Here are four events to change up this week’s routine.
Get Healthy: Lafayette’s 18th annual Quaker Oats Festival starts bright and early, with an oatmeal breakfast at 7:30 a.m., and a “Quicker Quaker” 5K walk/run at 9:30 a.m. Later in the morning, attend a health fair and donate at the community blood drive. Saturday 7:30 a.m.-noon; multiple locations
Toss the Tree: Dealing with your giant Christmas tree can seem daunting, but Denver’s Treecycle program makes it simple. Remove all twinkling lights, baubles, and remaining candy canes, and leave your evergreen out at the time and location designated by your trash service until the 17th. Come springtime, you can redeem free mulch produced by those very trees. January 6-17; multiple locations
Eat: Join six of Denver’s star chefs—including Old Major’s Justin Brunson and TAG’s Troy Guard—for an epic feast celebrating the local food movement. At Dine Out for Earth, six locally-sourced courses will be paired with local brews, wines, and spirits. Tickets go for $85 in advance, or $125 at the door, if available. Sunday 6-9:30 p.m.; Coohills
Drink: Head south to Monument-based Pikes Peak Brewing Co. to sample some brews—like the Elephant Rock IPA and Summit House Oatmeal Stout—and help out the Empty Stocking Fund, which supports health and human service agencies in the Pikes Peak region. A dollar from every beer sale goes to the fund. Monday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Pikes Peak Brewing Co.
—Image courtesy of Alex Gerthe