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Colorado - Wed. 09/03/25 |
A Free Business Publication from Alpine Bank
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SPACE COMMAND HQ TO MOVE FROM COLORADO SPRINGS TO HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA
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President Donald Trump announced Sept. 2 that U.S. Space Command will relocate from Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs to Huntsville, Alabama, reviving his earlier plan blocked under the Biden administration. Trump said Alabama “fought harder” for the headquarters and cited Colorado’s mail‑in voting as “a big problem.” The command has operated in Colorado since 2019 and reached full operational capacity in 2023. Colorado’s congressional delegation, Gov. Jared Polis and local leaders are warning that it will weaken national security, waste billions and risk losing key personnel. In April, Colorado’s four GOP U.S. House members urged Trump to keep the HQ in place, citing global threats. Attorney General Phil Weiser said he is prepared to challenge the decision in court, though legal options are unclear. Alabama officials praised the move; Rep. Dale Strong estimated new HQ construction will take 14 to 18 months.
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CU DENVER GUARANTEES ADMISSION, WAIVES FEES FOR ELIGIBLE DPS GRADS
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The University of Colorado Denver will guarantee admission to Denver Public Schools juniors and seniors with a 3.0 GPA or higher, waiving application fees once a formal agreement is signed. CU Denver Chancellor Kenneth T. Christensen said the initiative reflects the university’s commitment to the city and to expanding economic mobility for DPS students. Founded in 1973, CU Denver offers more than 100 degree programs across seven schools and colleges. According to the university, graduates earn over $2 million more on average over their lifetimes. DPS Superintendent Alex Marrero called the partnership a milestone in providing accessible, quality education and expanding post‑secondary opportunities. Thomas Jefferson High School graduate Quan Huynh, set to attend CU Denver as a biology major, described it as “a great opportunity for students.”
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KRAFT HEINZ TO SPLIT INTO TWO COMPANIES AFTER 2015 MERGER
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Kraft Heinz will separate into two companies a decade after the merger that created the world’s fifth‑largest food and beverage firm. Announced Sept. 2, the split will form “Global Taste Elevation Co.” — housing brands like Heinz, Philadelphia cream cheese, and Kraft Mac & Cheese — and “North American Grocery Co.” with slower‑selling lines such as Maxwell House, Oscar Mayer, Kraft Singles and Lunchables. Final names will be revealed later, with the transaction expected to close in the second half of 2026.
The move follows years of declining revenue since 2020, shifting consumer tastes toward healthier options, and brand write‑downs. Executive Chairman Miguel Patricio said the current structure hampers capital allocation and growth. Warren Buffett, whose Berkshire Hathaway owns 27 percent of Kraft Heinz, criticized the decision’s $300 million cost and lack of shareholder vote. Analysts say the split may not affect consumers but raises uncertainty for 36,000 employees. Shares fell nearly 7 percent to $26.02 after the announcement.
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COLORADO AWARDS $1 MILLION TO REDUCE HUMAN-BEAR CONFLICTS
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Colorado Parks and Wildlife has awarded just under $1 million in 2025 Human‑Bear Conflict Reduction Community Grants to 22 communities, with awards from $7,000 to $110,000. Seven northwest Colorado communities — the state’s highest conflict region — will share $466,000. The program, created in 2021 and co‑funded with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, targets the top bear attractant: trash. As of Sept. 2, CPW had logged 3,736 bear activity reports statewide this year, about 100 more than the same period in 2024. More than half of last year’s reports were linked to trash.
Funded projects include $73,000 for the Yampa Valley Housing Authority to build secure trash/recycling enclosures at two Steamboat Springs housing sites; $85,000 for Arapaho Valley Ranch in Granby for food storage lockers and trash enclosures; and $105,000 for Eagle County and its school district to install bear‑resistant cans at 21 schools. Officials say securing trash reduces habituation, improves safety, and protects wildlife.
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ASPEN FILMFEST TO SHOWCASE 16 FILMS OVER SIX DAYS
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Aspen Film’s 46th annual Filmfest will run Sept. 16–21 at the Aspen Film Isis Theatre, featuring 10 narrative features, six documentaries, and one classic. The non‑competitive lineup includes global festival selections from Cannes, Sundance, Toronto, and Venice, with themes of family, perseverance, identity, justice, and love. Highlights include the world premiere of Dreamboats, a 95‑minute documentary about two chefs rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic during the pandemic, followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers. Opening night features Paolo Sorrentino’s La Grazia, and Bill Condon’s new adaptation of Kiss of the Spider Woman is also on the program. The festival closes Sept. 21 with a free community screening of The Muppet Movie (1979) in honor of Aspen Film’s founding year.
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COLORADO TO LAUNCH SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP ACCELERATOR IN 2026
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Startup Colorado, in partnership with the Denver Foundation’s Belonging Colorado, will launch a year‑long social entrepreneurship accelerator in early 2026 aimed at supporting eight to 10 founders with innovative, scalable ideas to bridge divides across racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, political, or generational lines. An expansion of Startup Colorado’s Founder Coopetition program, the pilot will provide mentorship, resources, and ecosystem connections, and will also be open to out‑of‑state innovators implementing projects in Colorado. Rather than rapidly scaling many companies, the initiative will focus on deep investment in a small, diverse group to test whether concentrated support can drive faster growth, stronger community outcomes, and replicable models.
By year’s end, participants are expected to reach pitch and investment readiness, and organizers will publish a playbook for scaling inclusive entrepreneurial support. Executive Director Brittany Romano said the program aims to correct investment gaps that have overlooked entire groups, strengthening both businesses and communities. More details will be released this fall.
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SOUTHWEST COLORADO eSCHOOL EARNS JOHN IRWIN AWARD FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
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The fully online Southwest Colorado eSchool, serving about 65 middle and high school students across eight districts in five counties, has received the Colorado Department of Education’s 2024 John Irwin Award for “exceptional academic achievement over time.” The honor reflects an “Exceeds Expectations” rating in math, English language arts, and science. Operating under the San Juan Board of Cooperative Educational Services for 15 years, the small, rigorous program offers asynchronous classes for students seeking alternatives to traditional schooling, including those working jobs or pursuing specialized interests. Many combine eSchool courses with in‑person classes or concurrent enrollment at Fort Lewis College.
Principal Meagan Johnson credits the award to the school’s four full‑time teachers and their individualized attention, frequent check‑ins, and strong family engagement. Students like 11th‑grader Shylene Drumm cite consistent teacher support — even outside school hours — as key to success. Johnson says the recognition is motivation to further strengthen curriculum, expand in‑person opportunities, and continue challenging students while serving the community.
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RIO BLANCO COUNTY FIRE RECOVERY EXPECTED TO TAKE 1–5 YEARS
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Restoring land damaged by the Lee and Elk fires in Rio Blanco County could take one to five years, according to U.S. Bureau of Land Management resource advisor Wendy Parker. Post‑fire priorities include water quality, soil erosion control, and overall land health, with impacts possible to ranching, oil and gas infrastructure, wildlife habitat, and downstream properties. A Burned Area Emergency Response team is assessing damage and will issue a report in three weeks to guide restoration. Immediate work includes repairing firebreaks, culverts and fences; installing erosion controls; and reseeding with native grasses. Recovery efforts extend to adjacent properties to reduce cumulative effects.
The county has formed “Rio Blanco Recovery” to coordinate agencies, landowners and industry on natural resource, agriculture and economic recovery. Federal and local partners are mapping debris flow hazards, assisting with livestock and fencing losses, and collecting damage data to support federal funding requests. A community fund has raised about $70,000 for affected residents.
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EV TAX CREDIT DEADLINE NEARS
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The cutoff date to take advantage of the $7,500 tax credit for purchasing or leasing a new electric vehicle (EV) or $4,000 credit for buying a used one is fast approaching: Sept. 30, 2025. Just in time, the IRS has issued guidance on the new, used and commercial clean vehicle credits (Sections 30D, 25E and 45W). To be eligible for these credits, the EV must be “acquired” on or before the cutoff date. IRS guidance states that “a vehicle is ‘acquired’ as of the date a written binding contract is entered into, and a payment has been made. A payment includes a nominal down payment or a vehicle trade-in.” For rules and qualifying EVs, visit: http://bit.ly/3I0wYzd.
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SUMMER BOX OFFICE HITS THREE‑YEAR LOW AS AUGUST SLUMP SINKS GAINS
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North American movie theaters saw their lowest‑grossing summer since 2022, with total ticket sales from May through Labor Day reaching $3.67 billion — just under last year’s $3.68 billion — despite a record‑setting Memorial Day weekend. Analysts had expected a stronger rebound, but August’s weak slate and underperforming superhero titles left the season ending quietly.
- Comscore’s Paul Dergarabedian had projected a $4 billion summer after strong May results, but momentum faded.
- Memorial Day weekend, led by Lilo & Stitch and Mission Impossible — The Final Reckoning, was the highest‑grossing in history.
- Every August weekend grossed less than the same weekend in 2024; older releases like Weapons ($235 million worldwide) and Freakier Friday dominated without major new competition.
- Labor Day weekend brought just $55 million domestically — sixth‑worst of the year — with Jaws re‑release outgrossing two new titles.
- Netflix’s two‑day theatrical run of KPop Demon Hunters added $18 million late in the month.
- 2023’s “Barbenheimer” summer remains the post‑pandemic high at $4.1 billion.
- Industry voices express concern over theatrical demand; some expect a quiet fall until November–December releases like Wicked: For Good, Zootopia 2, and Avatar: Fire and Ash.
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DOG BREED & PET NAME THAT ARE MOST COMMON IN COLORADO
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Colorado loves its retrievers. That’s one of the findings of recent reports on dog ownership by U.S. News & World Report, which looked at data from Fletch, a third-party pet insurance industry partner, from January 2022 to July 2025. The records included dog breeds, dog names, dog owner ZIP codes and states of residence, which were filtered to make lists for the 50 states, the 25 largest cities and Washington, D.C. The report found that Colorado’s favorite dogs are golden retrievers and Labrador retrievers, both breeds that fall in line with the state’s reputation for running around the outdoors. The top choices for dog names are in line with national trends as well.
What are the most popular dog breeds in Colorado?
- Golden retriever
- Labrador retriever
- Chihuahua
What are the most popular dog names in Colorado?
- Luna
- Bella
- Bailey/Daisy/Lucy (tie)
What are the most popular dog breeds in Denver?
Denver’s top dog, the golden retriever, is the most common breed in seven of the 25 largest cities in the U.S.
- Golden retriever
- Chihuahua
- Labrador retriever
What are the most popular dog names in Denver?
Denver dog owners’ favorite names weren’t found at all on the national list of top dog names.
What are the most popular dog breeds in the U.S.?
- Labrador retriever
- Chihuahua
- Golden retriever
- American pit bull terrier
- German shepherd
- French bulldog
- Goldendoodle
- Shih tzu
- Yorkshire terrier
- Dachshund
What are the most popular dog names in the U.S.?
- Bella
- Luna
- Max
- Daisy
- Charlie
- Coco
- Buddy
- Lucy
- Milo
- Bailey
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MARKET UPDATE - 09/02/2025 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 08/28/2025)
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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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