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Colorado - Tue. 03/24/26 |
A Free Business Publication from Alpine Bank
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COLORADO EXPANDS TREE-CUTTING ALONG HIGHWAYS TO FIGHT WILDFIRE THREAT
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Colorado transportation officials are expanding tree removal and roadside vegetation management along highways after a record-dry winter, and rising temperatures heightened the risk of fast-moving wildfires shutting down major travel corridors. The Colorado Dept. of Transportation will nearly double its spending on vegetation management by redirecting $12 million in unspent snowplowing funds to hire contractors to remove thousands of trees and expand mowing and herbicide spraying along the state’s 9,000-mile highway network. Officials said crews will cut trees ranging from 2 inches to 2 feet in diameter to create wider fire breaks and reduce roadside fuels that can ignite from traffic-related sparks.
State transportation commissioners approved the effort after meteorologists warned of above-normal wildfire potential due to record-low snowpack, early snowmelt and high temperatures. Wind-driven fires this winter have already forced highway closures, including along Interstate 25 and Colorado 115. Over the past nine months, CDOT-backed crews removed 3,848 trees and treated nearly 28,000 miles of roadway, an increase over the previous year. The agency is coordinating with state fire officials and land managers to prioritize high-risk corridors while taking a targeted approach to limit environmental impacts.
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WILDFIRE SOUTH OF COLORADO SPRINGS GROWS TO 7,300 ACRES WITH NO CONTAINMENT
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The wildfire burning south of Colorado Springs has expanded to more than 7,300 acres with no containment as of Monday morning, though fire crews reported progress overnight in strengthening control lines around the blaze. The 24 fire started Wednesday near mile marker 24 on Colorado 115, which connects Colorado Springs to Penrose, and is burning on Fort Carson Army base and surrounding areas in Fremont, El Paso and Pueblo counties. Officials said crews were able to “box in” the fire by tying together control lines, but strong winds and low humidity late last week contributed to rapid growth, including planned back burns used to slow its advance.
Colorado 115 on the west side of Fort Carson is expected to remain closed through at least Friday and will be reevaluated daily. No injuries have been reported, and no structures on the Army base are threatened. Evacuations for homes west of the highway were lifted Monday afternoon, with affected areas downgraded to pre-evacuation status.
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WORLD’S LARGEST DINOSAURS EXHIBIT BRINGS ANCIENT GIANTS TO DENVER
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The Denver Museum of Nature & Science has opened a new limited time exhibition, “The World’s Largest Dinosaurs,” inviting visitors to explore how sauropods became the largest land animals ever to walk the Earth. Running through September, the exhibition examines the biology and anatomy of the long necked, plant eating dinosaurs through life sized bones, organs and interactive displays that show how heart rate, respiration, digestion and metabolism are linked to extreme size. At the center of the exhibition is a 60-foot-long model of Mamenchisaurus, known for its 30-foot-long neck.
Other highlights include the head of an Argentinosaurus, one of the largest dinosaurs ever discovered, a display of hatchlings, a 40-foot section of a sauropod tail, shoulder blade bones and a look at ongoing research by museum scientists. The exhibition is organized by the American Museum of Natural History and is open to museum members and general admission ticket holders, with an additional exhibition ticket required. For more information, visit dmns.org.
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RTD ADDS RAIL CARS & HOSTS TAILGATE FOR DENVER SUMMIT FC HOME OPENER
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The Regional Transportation District is increasing rail service and security to accommodate an expected surge of riders traveling to Denver Summit FC’s inaugural home opener Saturday at Empower Field at Mile High. RTD will add extra rail cars to the D, E and W lines, which serve the stadium directly or connect through Union Station, for the noon match against the Washington Spirit. The agency will also host a tailgate from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. outside the Chestnut Pavilion at Union Station for E Line riders, offering treats, giveaways and assistance from Impact Team members.
Fans can reach the stadium via the E and W lines or transfer at Union Station from the A, B, G or N lines, with multiple nearby bus routes also serving the area. RTD encouraged riders to use the Next Ride trip planner for real-time travel options, prepare for large postgame crowds and sign up for Service Alerts. Transit Police and security will increase their presence, and Auraria West Station will close at 10 a.m., reopening about an hour after the game. RTD also advised using Park-n-Rides, mobile ticketing and the Transit Watch app to report safety concerns.
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RETURN OF ICONIC MOUNT BLUE SKY CLIMB HIGHLIGHTS COLORADO’S UPCOMING CYCLING SEASON
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After a one year hiatus caused by road repairs near the summit, the Bob Cook Memorial Hill Climb is returning to Colorado’s cycling calendar this summer, marking the revival of one of the state’s most storied endurance events. The race, which dates back to 1962, will be held July 25 and features a 27-mile ascent from Idaho Springs to the 14,266-foot summit of Mount Blue Sky, formerly known as Mount Evans, climbing more than 6,700 feet on the highest paved road in America. The event is organized by the Evergreen Ride Club, the region’s largest cycling club with nearly 1,000 members, which received assurances from the U.S. Forest Service and Denver Mountain Parks that the road would be open.
The climb, which closes the road to motor vehicles during the race, is a centerpiece of a busy Colorado cycling season that also includes major events such as the Triple Bypass, Copper Triangle, Tour of the Moon, The Hundo and FoCo Fondo, drawing thousands of riders to high altitude routes across the state.
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EARTH DAY ALONG RIFLE CREEK BRINGS COMMUNITY TOGETHER FOR CLEANUP & CELEBRATION
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Community members are invited to take part in Earth Day along Rifle Creek, a free volunteer and family friendly event focused on stewardship, education and celebration on Saturday, April 18, from 8 a.m. to noon at Centennial Park in Rifle. Hosted by City of Rifle Parks and Recreation, the Rifle Downtown Development Authority, Generation Wild and the Middle Colorado Watershed Council, the annual event encourages participants to help care for Rifle Creek through trash cleanup and light stewardship projects such as mulching and planting shrubs. Gloves, trash bags and grabbers will be provided, and businesses and organizations are encouraged to participate as group service teams.
The Rifle Farmer’s Market will offer free seedlings and plants, while partner organizations will host kid friendly games and activities. Snacks and beverages will be available courtesy of Grand River Health and Swire Coca Cola, with EcoPoint hosting the refreshment station. Participants can also enter a prize drawing featuring local gift certificates, donated goods and services, and four premium location tickets to the July 17 Colorado Rockies vs. Cincinnati Reds home game. For more information, to volunteer or to participate as a vendor, contact Helen Rogers at HRInteriorDesign@msn.com.
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ADOPTION EVENT OFFERS CHANCE TO TAKE HOME FOSTER-TRAINED, ONCE-WILD COLORADO HORSES
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Horse lovers will have the opportunity to adopt a foster trained, once wild Colorado horse during a Bureau of Land Management adoption event Saturday, March 28, at the Mesa County Fairgrounds. About 20 to 23 horses from BLM Colorado wild horse management areas, including the Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Range, will be offered through a live auction from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with public viewing from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and educational booths open all day. All horses have been gentled by foster trainers and trained in haltering, leading, hoof handling and trailer loading, helping make adoption more accessible.
The event follows the closure of the BLM’s Cañon City holding facility and represents the first Colorado adoption where all horses were foster trained. Adopters must meet BLM eligibility and facility requirements, with a minimum adoption fee of $125. Proxy bid applications and care agreements are due Monday. For information or to apply, email BLM_CO_WHB@blm.gov or call 970-244-3016 or 719-269-8549.
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MOUNTAIN TOWNS SEE RECORD-BREAKING TEMPERATURES AS SNOWPACK & SKI SEASON TAKE A HIT
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Colorado mountain towns experienced record breaking heat during a mid March warm spell that accelerated snowmelt and contributed to early ski area closures, with limited relief expected in the near term. Several Western Slope communities recorded their hottest March temperatures in decades, with readings averaging 20 to 30 degrees above normal, according to the National Weather Service. Aspen reached 75 degrees on March 21, breaking a record set in 1959, while Glenwood Springs hit 83 degrees, surpassing its previous high by 10 degrees. Higher elevation towns such as Vail, Breckenridge and Dillon also set or approached records.
The heat has taken a toll on Colorado’s snowpack, which stood at 44 percent of median as of March 23 with 16 days remaining until the typical peak. Meteorologists said the snowpack likely peaked around March 10 and could melt out by late April or early May if current trends continue. Several ski areas, including Ski Cooper, Powderhorn and Sunlight Mountain, have already closed for the season, while others have reduced terrain. Cooler temperatures and possible snow showers are forecast for early April, though officials say they are unlikely to reverse the overall decline.
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FIRE WEATHER WATCH ISSUED FOR ROUTT COUNTY ON WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY
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The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch for areas below 9,000 feet in Routt County for Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, warning that conditions could support rapid wildfire growth. Forecasters said strong southwest winds of 10 to 20 mph, with gusts up to 35 mph, combined with low relative humidity ranging from 17 to 22 percent and dry fuels, could allow fires to start easily and spread quickly. A Fire Weather Watch serves as an early alert that critical fire weather conditions are possible and may be upgraded to a Red Flag Warning if conditions worsen. Officials urged residents to avoid outdoor burning, use caution with equipment and trailers, properly dispose of smoking materials and stay alert for updates over the next several days, noting that a single spark could quickly lead to a fast-moving fire.
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8 UNEXPECTED COLORADO MUSIC VENUES YOU SHOULD TRY THIS YEAR
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Colorado is filled with lesser-known places to see live music beyond the state’s best-known arenas and amphitheaters. In this column, Denver Gazette music writer John Moore highlights a mix of new, historic and unconventional venues across the state, each offering a distinct concert experience, from intimate listening rooms to outdoor spaces and repurposed industrial sites. The list spans urban basements, mountain towns and rural destinations, with suggested upcoming shows and notes on capacity, atmosphere and programming.
- Junkyard: A 12,000-capacity outdoor venue developed by Meow Wolf near Zuni Street in Denver, featuring rock, metal and EDM shows, shipping container bars and food trucks.
- Mishawaka Amphitheatre: A historic 1,000 capacity riverside venue in Bellvue near Fort Collins, hosting concerts for more than a century.
- The Ivy Ballroom: A 300-seat boutique concert venue inside the Surf Hotel in Buena Vista, offering high end sound and riverfront mountain views.
- Ubisububi Room: A 35-seat basement venue beneath the Thin Man Tavern in Denver, known for intimate concerts and comedy shows.
- The Roxy: A 45-capacity basement space on South Broadway in Denver hosting the “Songwriters at the Speakeasy” series.
- TACAW: The Arts Campus at Willits in Basalt, a 245-capacity net zero performing arts center with indoor and outdoor stages.
- The Listening Room: A monthly songwriter series at the Bas Bleu Theatre in Fort Collins featuring rotating local artists.
- The Tank: A former steel water tank in Rangely repurposed into a nonprofit recording studio and concert venue known for its unique acoustics.
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MARKET UPDATE - 03/23/2026 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 03/19/2026)
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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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