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Colorado - Wed. 07/08/26 |
A Free Business Publication from Alpine Bank
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FIRST AMERICAN WOMAN ROWS SOLO FROM CALIFORNIA TO HAWAII
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It has been six weeks since Kelsey Pfendler, a Grand Canyon river-rafting guide, launched her 21-foot rowboat off the craggy shores of Central California into the Pacific Ocean. Late on Friday night — more than 2,300 miles and 43 days later — she pulled into Ala Wai harbor in Honolulu, docked her boat and stepped back onto land, breaking several records in the process. Pfendler, 32, received a hero’s welcome from hundreds of fans lined up in the harbor. Thousands more congratulated her on social media, where she has been posting daily videos documenting her progress.
Pfendler appears to be the first American woman to have successfully rowed solo from California to Hawaii — as well as the youngest person, and the fastest, to have completed that route without assistance, according to data from the Ocean Rowing Society International. Her final time was 43 days, 17 hours, 55 minutes and 59 seconds. Pfendler has been a professional river-rafting guide since she turned 18 and now leads trips along the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon.
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ASPEN SNOWMASS OFFERS CHANCE TO BID ON NELL & BELL CHAIRS
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The Bell Mountain and The Little Nell chairlifts, which have carried skiers and snowboarders up Aspen Mountain for nearly 120 combined years, are coming down to make way for the new Nell Bell lift — and heading to auction for a once-in-a-lifetime chance for the public to take one home. The auction for chairs from both historic lifts will run online from July 4-19. Bidding opens at $250 for The Little Nell chairs and $500 for Bell Mountain chairs, with nationwide shipping available. In addition to the public auction, Aspen Snowmass is also distributing chairs to the community. Two dozen chairs are being donated to community organizations that include the Aspen School District, Aspen Center for Environmental Studies, Aspen Hope Center, Ski Noir and more for display or use in their own charity auctions.
Eleven chairs will be “reimagined" into unique pieces of art in partnership with the Aspen-based nonprofit Buckhorn Public Arts — these chairs are available for auction online as well, with bids starting at $2,500 per chair. An Aspen One employee raffle for 75 chairs will also give Aspen One employees the opportunity to take home a chair, with raffle tickets available for $10 each. In total, at least 224 chairs — if not more — will find second homes between the auction, distribution and raffle. To bid for an iconic piece of Aspen Mountain, visit us.givergy.com/AspenChairlifts.
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WHY THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY FOR COLORADO GOVERNOR HASN'T BEEN CALLED
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Victor Marx has held a narrow, roughly 2,000-vote lead over state Sen. Barb Kirkmeyer for several days, but the race is still too close to call as the window for voters to fix deficient ballots remains open. Marx, a religious nonprofit leader, has led Kirkmeyer for nearly a week after overtaking the veteran lawmaker the day after polls closed in the June 30 primary. With more than 518,000 ballots counted, Marx led Kirkmeyer 39.8 percent to 39.5 percent. The AP projected that 98 percent of votes had been counted. As it stood Tuesday afternoon, the 1,950-vote margin between Marx and Kirkmeyer was still outside the threshold required to trigger an automatic recount.
Though Marx has held a steady lead over Kirkmeyer for several days, the AP has not yet called the race and likely won’t until the end of the week. That’s because voters have until Wednesday evening to cure any deficient ballots, meaning those with signature or voter verification issues. Wednesday is also the deadline for county clerks to receive and count overseas ballots, cast by military personnel or other registered voters who are abroad.
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FIRE CLOSES PART OF COLORADO'S MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK
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Lightning sparked a new fire in Mesa Verde National Park on Monday evening, shutting down part of the park, according to the National Park Service. As of Tuesday morning, the Wetherill Mesa area was closed to the public for the wildfire, which had consumed roughly half an acre, or 21,780 square feet. The closure includes the entire Wetherill Mesa Road and the Long House and Step House cliff dwellings. Main Park Road, Cliff Palace Loop, Mesa Top Loop, Morefield Campground and the Far View area, including the lodge, remain open.
Mesa Verde National Park entered stage two fire restrictions on Friday. The restrictions prohibit building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal or wood stove; outdoor smoking; using explosives, incendiary devices or internal combustion engines; and parking off-road in areas that are not cleared of flammable materials. The Long Canyon fire is one of several active Colorado wildfires that, as of Tuesday, have together consumed more than 180,000 acres, or 283 square miles -- more than five times the size of the city of Pueblo.
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PUEBLO COUNTY LIFTING EVACUATIONS ON SOUTHERN EDGE OF ASPEN ACRES FIRE
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The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office lifted evacuation orders on the southern edge of the Aspen Acres fire. The area where evacuations have been lifted includes west of I-25, north of Cummings Street, east of S. Crow Cutoff, east of Haynes Road, and south of Jerry Bass Lane. A full list of addresses can be found at pueblosheriff.com/394/Pueblo-Emergency-Status-Board. The area will be in a pre-evacuation status, and residents should be ready to leave, said Pueblo Sheriff David Lucero. The homes and businesses also may not have electricity when residents return, Lucero said. In the Beulah and North Creek Road area re-entry will take time, he said.
Officials said they expect to release drone footage soon that could give residents a better idea of losses in that area. Officials are also staffing up the Disaster Assistance Center at Pueblo Academy of Arts so that wait times can come down. Those returning to their homes need re-entry cards from the center, he said. Residents who believe they may have lost property should register through a portal available at puebloemergency.info. In Pueblo County, he said that 185 homes and four businesses have been lost.
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LA PLATA COUNTY MEETS REQUIREMENTS FOR STATE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUNDING
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La Plata County government and local nonprofits are now eligible to compete for state affordable housing funding after county commissioners approved changes with the county’s planning process to fast-track qualifying affordable housing developments. The approval also makes the county eligible for a $45,000 state grant that can be used to support a variety of local housing initiatives under Proposition 123, which was approved by voters in 2022 and created a statewide affordable housing fund to support programs and organizations working to expand affordable housing. La Plata County opted into the proposition to secure additional funding, and as such, was obligated to fulfill two requirements: the provision of 108 affordable housing units by 2026 and the adoption of blanket land use code reforms to fast-track affordable housing projects through the county planning process.
The county has already exceeded its production requirement, with 125 qualifying affordable housing units approved by the state. The county fulfilled its second requirement last month when commissioners approved land use code amendments recommended by Community Development Director Lynn Hyde to fast-track developments. Under the new rules, qualifying affordable housing projects will move through each stage of the county’s review process within 90 days, reducing the overall permitting timeline to less than nine months. Hyde estimated the changes could shorten the development review process by about a year.
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POWER OUTAGE AFFECTS TENS OF THOUSANDS ACROSS THE VAIL VALLEY
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A power outage is affecting approximately 27,000 Holy Cross Energy customers across the Vail Valley, the energy provider said on Tuesday. Holy Cross crews are working alongside Xcel Energy to address the outage, but there is no estimated restoration time, Holy Cross said. The outage is affecting customers in Vail, Avon, Eagle and Gypsum. An update from Holy Cross, at 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, said they anticipate restoration of power on Wednesday morning. Holy Cross will provide an update at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, July 8.
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR YAMPA RIVER CLEANUP EVENT THIS SATURDAY
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Friends of the Yampa is seeking volunteers for the Yampa River Cleanup event in Steamboat Springs on Saturday, July 11 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Volunteers can choose to work on one of 15 different stretches of the river, as well as help clean up surrounding areas and downtown tributaries. Check-in begins at 9 a.m. at Little Toots Park (55 12th St.), with lunch and free drinks provided after the event for all volunteers. Friends of the Yampa asks volunteers to sign up by 2 p.m. this Friday, July 10. Participants should bring thick gloves, sunscreen and wear appropriate footwear for walking along the riverbank. Long-sleeved shirts and bug spray are encouraged. To sign up to volunteer, visit tinyurl.com/yuah7xbj.
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ARC OF MESA COUNTY OPENS SENSORY STORE IN GRAND JUNCTION
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The Arc of Mesa County advocates for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, and its mission should receive a financial boost from the organization’s newest endeavor. The Sensory Store held its grand opening Wednesday, kicked off by a celebration with members of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce as well as representatives from Colorado Mesa University. The store, at 2412 Patterson Road Unit 2, offers curated products to help people with any sensory issues unwind, play and grow.
The store sells products such as sensory tools, adaptive weighted utensils, noise-canceling headphones, books about finding calm and understanding ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder), stuffed animals that can provide warmth or cooling relief, routine visual timers, chewables, fidgets, sensory brushes, compression bed sheets, sensory neck pillows and vibration balls, jellyfish and moon mood lamps, miniature aquariums, LED displays, hot and cold pads, and sensory motion tubs, pads, mats, and bottles for expressing emotions. The store provides first-responder bags to the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, Grand Junction Police Dept. and Grand Junction Fire Dept. These bags, useful for when these departments encounter people with disabilities or sensory processing issues, include noise-canceling headphones, weighted blankets, fidget toys, chewelry, and communication cards for people who are non-verbal.
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AREA BOAT RAMPS REOPEN AFTER FIRE CLOSURES
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With the Snyder Fire now at 98 percent contained and decreased fire activity, Colorado Parks and Wildlife has re-opened the closure for public access and downstream recreation on the Colorado River, starting at the James M. Robb-Colorado River State Park in Fruita and extending to the Utah state line. Areas now open include the boat ramp at the Fruita section of James M. Robb-Colorado River State Park as well as Horsethief State Wildlife Area and Loma Boat Launch State Wildlife Area. Dry hot weather is expected for the week or longer, so CPW issued a reminder that fire danger is still at an extreme level.
Stage 2 fire restrictions remain with restrictions that include, building, maintaining, attending or using an open fire, campfire or open flame outdoors, including in developed campgrounds and picnic areas. This includes charcoal grills, BBQs, coal and wood-burning stoves. Visitors may use only gas-powered stoves or grills with a shut-off valve in cleared areas. CPW also reminds visitors that the use of citronella candles and tiki torches is also prohibited during Stage 2 fire restrictions.
CPW encourages those heading outdoors to follow these safety tips:
- Know Before You Go: Check for real-time county and federal restrictions using the Colorado Emergency Management map and to download the free COTREX app for wildfire closure alerts.
- Use established rings: Where permitted, only build campfires inside permanent metal fire rings in designated campgrounds.
- Clear nearby debris: Remove all dry grass, leaves and pine needles within a 10-foot radius of any flame.
- Drown and stir: Extinguish fires completely with water, stir the ashes, and ensure the debris is cold to the touch.
- Watch campfires constantly: Never leave a fire or portable stove unattended. If you see an unattended fire, call 911.
- Keep vehicles off brush: Avoid parking or idling cars on tall, dry grass where hot exhaust systems can ignite a fire.
- Secure towing equipment: Ensure trailer safety chains do not drag and spark against asphalt. Check them at every stop.
Violating Stage 2 fire restrictions is a class 2 misdemeanor. Violators face an immediate citation, a mandatory court appearance, steep fines and potential jail time. Additionally, you can be held financially liable for all fire suppression costs and property damage if the campfire sparks a wildfire.
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YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHALLENGE AN IRS DECISION
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It may seem like a daunting task, but you have the right to raise an objection with the IRS and receive a timely response if you disagree with its position regarding your taxes. One of the 10 fundamental rights under the Taxpayer Bill of Rights is the “right to challenge the IRS’s position and be heard.” If the IRS notifies you of a math or clerical error on your tax return, you have 60 days to inform the IRS of your objection and provide documentation that can help correct the error. If the IRS agrees with your argument, it’ll make the necessary tax adjustment to your account and mail you a correction notice. For more information from the IRS, go to bit.ly/4xKmRUb.
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METRO DENVER HOME PRICES CONTINUE TO HOLD AT MID-2022 LEVELS
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The median price of a metro Denver residence sold in the first half of the year is running at $599,950, according to the Denver Metro Association of Realtors’ Market Trends Report for June 2026. That matches the $600,000 median sales price in the first half of 2025, the $595,000 median in the first half of 2024 and the $600,000 median price in early 2022. Outside 2023, when prices dipped a little more, the median sales price band has stayed in a very tight range over the past four years.
Mortgage rates averaged 5.7 percent for a 30-year loan in the middle of 2022 but were at around 6.92 percent in June 2024 and 6.4 percent last month. That doesn’t imply that affordability doesn’t remain an issue. Insurance, property taxes, and HOA fees are higher than they were in 2022. And prices did get ahead of wages. Yet, consumer inflation has risen nearly 14 percent in the past four years, so stable home prices represent a “real” discount for households that have seen their wages rise.
- What has moved around more are condo prices, which are down about 5 percent or $20,000 compared to the first half of 2022.
- Closings fell 6.6 percent between May and June to 3,924 and are down 5.6 percent from June of last year. But over the past four years, they have stayed eerily stable at between 21,000 to 22,000 sales in the first six months of the year.
- In June, the median sold price for a single-family home was $675,000, while the median price for a condo or townhome that sold was $391,750.
- New listings dipped 4 percent on the month and 3 percent year-over-year, a sign that homeowners aren’t feeling pressure to dump inventory on the market. Sellers, however, are under mounting pressure to make sure their homes show well and don’t come with deferred maintenance.
- The mid-year inventory of listings was at 12,744 on June 30, down slightly from 14,007 at that point in 2025, but more than double the inventory levels seen in 2022 and 2023.
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MARKET UPDATE - 07/07/2026 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 07/02/2026)
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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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