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Colorado - Thu. 06/18/26 |
A Free Business Publication from Alpine Bank
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STARTER HOMES FOR MORE THAN $1 MILLION? THREE COLORADO TOWNS HAVE REACHED THAT LEVEL
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Starter homes are well above the $1 million mark in three Colorado municipalities, and they aren’t the places that might immediately jump to mind. Aspen, Vail and Telluride aren’t the most expensive starter home markets in Colorado. Instead, it is Cherry Hills Village, and smaller enclaves like Bow Mar and Columbine Valley, according to an analysis from Zillow. Zillow defines a starter home in a given city as one in the 5th to 35th percentile in terms of price. It takes an average of that group, which works out to around the 20th percentile, and uses that as the typical price for a starter home. In Cherry Hills Village, a “starter” home averages $2.2 million. In Bow Mar, near Littleton and spilling into Jefferson County, it is $1.64 million. And in Columbine Valley, southeast of Bow Mar and surrounded by Littleton, it is $1.2 million. In metro Denver, starter homes average $405,573.
Nationally, there are 242 cities where the typical starter home is worth more than $1 million, up from 80 in February 2020, before the pandemic set off a surge in home prices. California dominates the list with 105 cities having starter homes above $1 million, up from 52 in 2020. New York, which went from 21 to 41, and New Jersey, which went from 1 to 21, saw the biggest percentage gain. Colorado went from one to three million-dollar-plus starter home markets of the cities that Zillow tracked.
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DATA-CENTER STARTUP HYDRA HOST RAISES $100 MILLION
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Hydra Host Inc., a data-center infrastructure company that’s moving its headquarters from Miami to Boulder, has raised $100 million in a Series A funding round led by Kindred Ventures. Other funders included NVIDIA, ARK Invest, SPLY Capital, Jasper Lau’s Era Funds, Comcast Ventures, Magnetar and PEAK6. Existing investors in the round include Founders Fund, 10x Founders, Sterling Road, and Flume Ventures (with participation from Scott McNealy). Hydra Host acts as an operating system for AI data centers, connecting them to a global network to rent out computing power. The company helps infrastructure owners turn power, facilities, hardware and capital into revenue-generating AI businesses while providing AI builders with direct access to dedicated, high-performance graphics processing units, or GPUs. The company will use the funding to expand GPU-as-a-Service capacity to address surging global demand for dedicated AI infrastructure.
Steve Jang, founder and managing partner of Kindred Ventures, said, “Over the next decade, every sector in the economy and each layer in the technology stack will be driven by high-value tokens generated by AI models. As hundreds of new AI data centers come online and thousands more are planned, Hydra Host offers an enlightened two-prong strategy of an operating system to procure, provision, and orchestrate GPUs as a service for data centers, and an intelligent and responsive offtake network for the world’s leading AI inference platforms, frontier labs, and enterprises.” A Hydra Host spokesperson said the company’s physical Boulder headquarters will be operational by the end of the third quarter.
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COLORADO'S BLM JUNE OIL & GAS LEASE SALE AMASSES OVER $35 MILLION
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The Bureau of Land Management in Colorado held one of its largest oil and gas lease sales on June 16, offering sales of 170 parcels in Arapahoe, Garfield, Jackson, Mesa, Moffat, Rio Blanco, Routt and Weld counties. The sale generated over $35.26 million from 147 parcels covering 134,173 acres in these nine counties. The leases were sold to 16 different entities. While the June lease sale was one of the BLM’s quarterly leases mandated by the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, it was the fourth conducted in Colorado under the new presidential administration, which has ushered in a new era under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The federal tax bill reduced the royalty rate for new federal onshore oil and gas production to a minimum of 12.5 percent, reversing the 16.67 percent rate set by the Inflation Reduction Act.
Including the June sale, the four lease sales conducted in Colorado under Trump’s second administration have resulted in the lease of 266 parcels, spanning over 215,000 acres and amassing nearly $54.94 million. Before these latest sales, the Colorado BLM office held one oil and gas lease sale in 2024 for a single 120-acre parcel in Weld County. Prior to that, it sold three parcels in a 2022 sale that was postponed from 2020 — and 32 parcels totaling over 40,000 acres in December 2020. The proceeds from the sale are distributed between the federal and Colorado state governments. The leases are awarded for a term of 10 years or longer if the wells continue to produce oil and gas. BLM Colorado is in the process of scoping for two additional oil and gas lease sales this year: a September sale of 31 parcels and a December sale of 114 parcels.
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CLEER TO HOST 'BIKETHERE!' BETWEEN ASPEN & PARACHUTE
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Clean Energy Economy for the Region is bringing “BikeThere!” — a day-long event celebrating biking — to communities from Aspen to Parachute for Colorado’s Bike to Work Day on June 24. “BikeThere!” provides an opportunity to connect with local communities, exercise and alleviate traffic. During the event, community members will have the chance to pedal to work or to one of CLEER’s many “BikeThere!” stations across the valley. Each station will be stocked with various prizes such as sweet treats, coffee and merchandise. The stations are being implemented to help reduce many community members’ lengthy commutes across the valley.
Organizations can also sign up to host a station until June 21. Interested parties are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible through the registration form. CLEER — a Carbondale-based nonprofit — is working to advance the transition to a clean energy economy and lessen the community’s contributions to climate change. To see the 2026 “BikeThere!” stations map, visit garfieldcleanenergy.org/bikethere. To learn more about CLEER’s work, visit cleanenergyeconomy.net.
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BREEZE TO DROP NONSTOP SERVICE BETWEEN GJT, ORANGE COUNTY
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Breeze Airways is preparing to considerably reduce its service between Grand Junction and Orange County later this summer, with plans to end both of its weekly nonstop flights connecting western Colorado to southern California after Aug. 17. Breeze Airways Communications Specialist Ryne Williams said the change was driven largely by capacity restrictions at the John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, where local governments maintain a limit on the maximum number of flights and passengers served per year.
Passengers leaving Grand Junction will still have a direct — but not nonstop — flight reaching John Wayne Airport, via the BreezeThru route, wherein their plane makes a stop in Vegas, boards a new group of passengers while BreezeThru riders remain aboard, then head to California. The carrier will continue providing that route on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays in Grand Junction. Flyers with nonstop tickets already booked after Aug. 17 will have the option to refund their purchase or be accommodated on BreezeThru flights to the same destination.
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FLC TO CREATE HUMANTIES LAB WITH $1.35 MILLION GRANT
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Fort Lewis College plans to build a humanities lab in the Center of Southwest Studies using a $1.35 million grant from the Mellon Foundation. The lab will be “a collaborative space where students can participate in workshops, receive mentorship, pursue research opportunities, and engage with visiting scholars and community knowledge holders,” a news release by the college said Tuesday. The college described the project as reinforcing Fort Lewis College's role as Colorado's only Native American-serving public liberal arts college and supporting the college’s goals surrounding community engagement, reconciliation and inclusive education.
The grant will also go toward the development of new Liberal Arts core learning modules; the creation of co-taught upper-division courses, student fellowships; peer mentors; teaching assistants; faculty development workshops; guest speakers; and undergraduate research projects. The project intends to expand interdisciplinary research opportunities that will connect students and faculty across disciplines like Native American and Indigenous studies, environmental studies, anthropology, art and social sciences.
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BEAVER CREEK OPEN RETURNS IN AUGUST
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The Beaver Creek Open will return on Aug. 7 and 8, bringing together tennis and pickleball enthusiasts, community supporters and spectators for two days of competition, connection and celebration. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Vail Valley Charitable Fund (VVCF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing financial assistance to local families facing medical hardships. The event is expected to welcome more than 144 players of all ability levels for a dynamic tournament experience in the heart of Beaver Creek. The Beaver Creek Open offers an inclusive atmosphere for both seasoned athletes and recreational players, featuring a tennis and pickleball competition across multiple divisions.
A highlight of the weekend will be a semi-professional tournament with $1,500 in prize money, attracting high-level competitors while creating an exciting spectator experience. In addition to tournament play, the event will feature a silent auction; festive reception with food, beverages and live music; and opportunities for attendees to connect with the local community. The event will take place at the Beaver Creek Racquet Club. For sponsorship inquiries, player registration, or additional information, contact Brooke at brooke@vvcf.org or 970-524-1480.
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STEAMBOAT LAKE STATE PARK FIREWORKS CANCELED DUE TO DROUGHT CONDITIONS
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The Fourth of July Fireworks at Steamboat Lake State Park have been canceled due to severe drought conditions. The decision was made by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, North Routt Fire Protection District and the Routt County Sheriff’s Office earlier this month. “Despite recent moisture, it has not been enough to make a difference given this year’s low snowpack,” said CPW Deputy Regional Manager Jacob Brey. “This was not an easy decision to make, but one we knew was necessary given the extreme drought conditions.” Steamboat Lake Park is in an especially severe drought zone. During these conditions, only a small spark is needed to ignite a wildfire.
“In light of the severe drought conditions we are currently facing and the limited staffing resources available, we must prioritize safety above all else,” said North Routt Fire Chief Matt Mathisen. “Canceling the Fourth of July fireworks display at Steamboat Lake State Park is a necessary step to prevent potential fire risks and to keep our community safe.” CPW is still inviting anyone who planned on being at Steamboat Lake State Park to still attend. However, they don’t want to further burden local fire and emergency medical services.
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SWISS VOTERS REJECT 10 MILLION POPULATION CAP
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Voters in Switzerland have rejected a proposal to limit the country's population to 10 million. Results showed nearly 55 percent of participants voted against and 45 percent voted for, with a turnout of 60 percent of the population. The proposal came from the right-wing Swiss People's Party, which has long campaigned on an anti-immigration platform. The divisive vote risked putting the country's free movement agreement with the European Union in jeopardy and was opposed by the government, Swiss businesses, and all the other major parties. Welcoming the no vote, Switzerland's justice minister Beat Jans said it was "a sign of stability, openness and reliability". Switzerland's population has grown rapidly since 2002, when it stood at 7.3 million. Now it is 9.1 million. The Swiss People's Party has a long history of campaigning on an anti-immigrant platform, frequently blaming asylum seekers and minorities for societal problems.
Some voters were seemingly worried about the prospect of losing much-needed workers in tourism, hospitals, and care homes. Others, in particular Swiss business leaders, feared losing Switzerland's crucial access to Europe's single market. Over half of all Swiss products are sold into the EU, but their access to Europe's markets depends on Swiss commitment to Europe's free movement of people. Had the population cap been approved, Switzerland would have had to terminate that agreement. Switzerland's system of direct democracy means all major decisions are taken via the ballot box. Campaigners simply have to gather 100,000 signatures to ensure a nationwide vote. Only Swiss citizens were allowed to vote, but in the cities, which have larger immigrant communities than in the countryside, the proposal got a particularly resounding no. In the capital city Bern, for example, almost 84 percent of those voting rejected a population cap.
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HIGHEST-PAID PLAYERS AT THE 2026 WORLD CUP
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There are many firsts at this year’s FIFA World Cup. For the first time in the tournament’s 96-year history, there will be 48 teams. It’s also the first World Cup to be held across three countries (the United States, Canada and Mexico), in a record 16 cities. And it will be the first to feature a billionaire player—actually two—with 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo captaining Portugal and 38-year-old Lionel Messi leading Argentina in its title defense. Then again, billionaires may be the only ones who can afford to attend. FIFA recently listed a ticket for the July 19 final at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium for $32,970, triple the price from a ticket drop in April—and more than 20 times what the equivalent ticket cost for the 2022 final in Qatar. In April, FIFA’s resale site listed four seats to the final for a little less than $2.3 million each. (Section 124, Row 45, Seats 33-36, if you’re scalping at home.)
Here are the 11 highest-paid players competing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup:
- Cristiano Ronaldo - Nationality: Portugal | Age: 41 | On-Field: $235 million • Off-Field: $65 million
- Lionel Messi - Nationality: Argentina | Age: 38 | On-Field: $70 million • Off-Field: $70 million
- Kylian Mbappé - Nationality: France | Age: 27 | On-Field: $70 million • Off-Field: $25 million
- Erling Haaland - Nationality: Norway | Age: 25 | On-Field: $60 million • Off-Field: $20 million
- Vinicius Jr. - Nationality: Brazil | Age: 25 | On-Field: $40 million • Off-Field: $20 million
- Mohamed Salah - Nationality: Egypt | Age: 33 | On-Field: $35 million • Off-Field: $20 million
- Sadio Mané - Nationality: Senegal | Age: 34 | On-Field: $50 million • Off-Field: $4 million
- Jude Bellingham - Nationality: England | Age: 22 | On-Field: $29 million • Off-Field: $15 million
- Lamine Yamal - Nationality: Spain | Age: 18 | On-Field: $33 million • Off-Field: $10 million
- Harry Kane - Nationality: England | Age: 32 | On-Field: $29 million • Off-Field: $12 million
- Neymar - Nationality: Brazil | Age: 34 | On-Field: $10 million • Off-Field: $28 million
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MARKET UPDATE - 06/17/2026 Close
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(Courtesy of Alpine Bank Wealth Management*)
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Canadian dollar (per U.S. dollar)
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Mexican peso (per U.S. dollar)
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30-year fixed mortgage rate (Freddie Mac 06/11/2026)
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*Not FDIC insured. May lose value. Not guaranteed by the bank.
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Alpine Bank is an independent, employee-owned organization with headquarters in Glenwood Springs and banking offices across Colorado's Western Slope, mountains and Front Range. Alpine Bank serves customers with retail, business, wealth management*, mortgage and electronic banking services. Learn more at alpinebank.com.
*Alpine Bank Wealth Management services are not FDIC insured, may lose value and are not guaranteed by the bank.
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