AURORA – It’s never too early to dream about the great food and beverage gatherings planned for the new year in Colorado. In some cases – the Taste of Vail and the Aspen Food & Wine Classic come to mind – now is to time to get tickets if you’re serious about seeing Mario Batali cook.
Big Beers, Belgians & Barleywines Festival, Jan. 10 to 13, Vail. Information: bigbeersfestival.com
Taste of Vail, April 4-6, 2013. Information: tasteofvail.com
Colorado Urban Winefest, June 8, 2013, Denver. Information: winecolorado.org
31st Annual Aspen Food & Wine Classic, June 14-16, 2013 Information: foodandwine.com/classic.
20th Annual Colorado BBQ Challenge, June 13-15, 2013, Frisco. Information: townoffrisco.com
Telluride Wine Festival, June 27-30, 2013. Information: telluridewinefestival.com.
Crested Butte Wine and Food Festival, July 11-14, 2013. Information: crestedbuttewine.com
Steamboat Wine Festival, Aug 7-11, 2013, Steamboat Springs. Information: steamboatwinefestival.com
Taste of Colorado, Aug. 30-Sept. 3, 2013, Denver. Information: atasteofcolorado.com
22nd Annual Colorado Mountain Winefest, Sept. 19-22, 2013, Palisade. Information: winecolorado.org
COOKING CLASSES
Truffles, Feb. 2, Expo Recreation Center, Aurora. Information: auroragov.org/cooking. Details: Make and take home filled chocolate candies for Valentine’s Day
Empanadas, Jan. 19, Colorado Free University Lowry, near 1st & Quebec. Information: freeu.com. Details: Learn how to make the savory and sweet versions of this Central American pastry treat
METRO FOOD RADIO
Radio Nibbles, 8:25 a.m. Thursdays, KGNU (88.5 FM, 1390 AM, and KGNU.org. Details: Weekly chat about all things culinary in Colorado (and the world) with Colorado Table Editor John Lehndorff
The Restaurant Show, 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays, 950 AM and 103.1 FM. Details: Warren Byrne takes calls on the longest-running local dining show
Gabby Gourmet, 1 to 3 p.m. Saturdays, KHOW, 630 AM. Details: Restaurant guide book author Pat Miller talks eateries
Send information about Colorado food events, classes, festivals, wine dinners and tours in the metro area to: jlehndorff@aurorasentinel.com

While these beers and wines certainly sound enticing, I personally prefer marijuana over alcohol. Marijuana is a significantly milder, safer and less addictive alternative to alcohol, and with the CDC reporting that alcohol’s responsible for killing 80,000 people/year, while marijuana kills none, we could greatly reduce the amount of harm and addiction in society by letting people choose marijuana instead of alcohol. Tell your legislators.
We have, it’s legal. Get a life.
No it’s not truly legal because federal law trumps state law, so until marijuana’s legalized like wine at the federal level it effectively remains illegal everywhere and the feds can bust anyone for growing or possessing it even if they’re completely legal under state law.
And what do you mean by “get a life” Mike? That’s kind of confusing.
I like both marijuana and beer – usually together