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Colorado - Fri. 01/16/26 |
A Free Business Publication from Alpine Bank
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NOTICE OF BANK HOLIDAY: MLK JR. DAY
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All Alpine Bank branches will be closed Monday, Jan. 19, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We invite you to use Alpine Online or the Alpine Mobile app for 24/7 banking access, even when we are closed. Learn more at the link below.
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FEDS PURSUE OWN COLORADO RIVER MANAGEMENT PLANS WITH STATES AT IMPASSE
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With the seven Colorado River basin states unable to agree on how to manage shrinking water supplies, federal officials are moving forward with their own proposals for operating the river after current guidelines expire at the end of 2026. The Bureau of Reclamation released a 1,600‑page draft environmental impact statement outlining five alternatives for managing the river and its major reservoirs beginning Oct. 1, without identifying a preferred option. States missed a Nov. 11 deadline to outline a consensus plan and now face a Feb. 14 target, while federal officials must finalize a plan by Oct. 1.
The river supplies water to about 40 million people, but record‑low snowpack and reservoirs at 33 percent capacity at Lake Mead and 26 percent at Lake Powell heighten urgency. Some alternatives would impose up to 4 million acre‑feet of cuts on Lower Basin states, with smaller reductions in the Upper Basin, drawing criticism from Colorado water officials. Modeling shows increased risk to hydropower generation in critically dry years, underscoring pressure for agreement.
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DENVER RANKS FIFTH AMONG U.S. METRO AREAS WITH HIGHEST HOMELESS POPULATION
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Metro Denver ranked fifth among the nation’s 50 largest metropolitan areas for total homeless population in 2024, according to a new report from the Common Sense Institute, which estimated more than 14,200 people experiencing homelessness. Only New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago and Seattle ranked higher. The findings align with the 2025 annual Point‑In‑Time Count by the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative, which recorded 7,327 people homeless on a single night in January, an increase of 788 from the prior year. The count showed increases in nearly every category except newly homeless and unsheltered individuals.
The institute said housing affordability correlates with homelessness but found stronger statistical links to factors such as labor productivity, state spending, drug use, crime and mental illness. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston declared a homelessness emergency in July 2023, enabling more than $150 million in spending on shelters and services. City officials say nearly 8,000 people have secured shelter, street homelessness has fallen 45 percent, and large encampments have been eliminated. The next Point‑In‑Time Count is scheduled for Jan. 26, 2026.
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SKIER VISITS DOWN 20% FOR VAIL RESORTS, SIGNALING LOW‑SNOW IMPACT ON INDUSTRY
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Skier visits at Vail Resorts are down 20 percent this season, the company reported in a statement to investors, highlighting the effects of historically low snowfall across Colorado and the broader ski industry. Statewide snowpack remains well below 50 percent of normal, leaving most resorts with limited terrain open during what is typically a critical period for visitation. Vail Resorts, which operates multiple Colorado ski areas along with destinations across North America, said the decline reflects reduced demand tied to weather conditions rather than pricing or operations. The company’s update comes as resorts continue to rely heavily on artificial snowmaking and delayed openings amid persistent dry conditions. Industry observers have warned that early‑season snowfall is increasingly important to sustaining skier traffic, particularly during holiday periods that drive a significant share of annual revenue.
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VAIL MOUNTAIN FACES WORST SNOWPACK IN RECORDING STATION’S 47‑YEAR HISTORY
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Vail Mountain has officially recorded its worst snowpack for this time of year since measurements began nearly five decades ago, according to data from the SNOTEL site on the mountain. On Jan. 13, the site measured 4.4 inches of snow‑water equivalent, slipping below the previous low mark of 4.5 inches recorded on the same date in 2018. The SNOTEL station was installed during the 1978‑79 water year following the severe 1976‑77 drought, though no hard data exists from that earlier period. Until this week, the 2017‑18 drought year had remained worse through early winter, meaning this season did not set a record until mid‑January.
Meteorologist Joel Gratz said seasonal snowfall remains below average, with limited snowfall expected through much of the rest of January, though storms are possible later in the month. The low snowpack is contributing to what is shaping up to be one of the latest Back Bowl openings in Vail’s history. Resort officials said snowmaking continues, Chair 26 has opened, and efforts are focused on opening Chair 10 and fully connecting the front side.
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DENVER‑FOUNDED BILL PICKETT RODEO WON’T APPEAR AT NATIONAL WESTERN FOR FIRST TIME IN 19 YEARS
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For the first time in nearly two decades, the Denver‑founded Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo will not be part of the National Western Stock Show, which runs Jan. 10‑25. Founded in 1984 by Denverite Lu Vason, the rodeo celebrates Black cowboys and cowgirls and their role in building the American West. Since 2006, it has produced the MLK Jr. African‑American Heritage Rodeo of Champions at the stock show. This year, however, organizers said the growing number of contestants made the open‑entry format logistically infeasible for the packed schedule. National Western officials described the split as amicable and said the event has been replaced with a rodeo produced by Black Rodeo USA.
Bill Pickett owner Valeria Howard‑Cunningham said limiting participation to seven competitors per event would have eliminated qualifying “slack” rounds, making the trip costly and unbeneficial for members. Without the Denver stop, the rodeo will not host a Colorado event this season, instead holding competitions in several U.S. cities before its national finals near Washington, D.C.
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COLORADO BANKRUPTCY FILINGS CLIMBED 11% IN 2025, BIZWEST REPORTS
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Bankruptcy filings in Colorado increased 11.3 percent in 2025 compared with the prior year, according to data from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court cited by BizWest. Filings rose throughout the year and surged in December, when cases jumped 28 percent from December 2024, marking the largest year‑over‑year monthly increase of 2025. BizWest reported that filings in most months of 2025 exceeded those recorded in 2024. The data reflects statewide bankruptcy activity and includes both consumer and business cases.
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BASALT 2026 PUBLIC ARTS COMMISSION GRANT APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
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The Basalt Public Arts Commission is accepting applications for its 2026 grant program, offering grants of up to $10,000 to local artists, organizations and nonprofits that support public art and cultural opportunities in the Basalt community. According to the town, funding may be used for one‑time or ongoing public arts projects and programs that encourage appreciation, education and participation in the arts and provide a measurable benefit within Basalt. The application period is open until 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20. Submissions will be reviewed at the commission’s March 5 meeting, with applicants notified of funding decisions by Friday, March 27.
Past grants have supported murals, sculptures, performances and arts programming, including projects by Basalt Choir Boosters, Aspen Choral Society and several VOICES productions. The Basalt Public Arts Commission, founded in 2015, advises the Basalt Town Council on public art policy and has sponsored a wide range of arts initiatives throughout the town.
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TELLURIDE BLUES & BREWS ANNOUNCES 2026 FESTIVAL LINEUP
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The 32nd Telluride Blues & Brews Festival will return to Telluride from Sept. 18-20, featuring a blues‑forward lineup led by Jon Batiste, Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’, Marcus King Band, Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country, Samantha Fish and The Record Company. Festival organizers announced the lineup Wednesday, noting that Batiste, a seven‑time Grammy Award winner, will make his first appearance at the event. Additional performers include G. Love & Special Sauce, Charlie Musselwhite & GA‑20, Judith Hill and Tab Benoit, along with stand‑up comedy from Troy Walker & Friends and a Music Maker Foundation showcase.
The multistage festival will again feature performances across the Main Stage, Blues Stage and Campground Stage, along with food vendors, craft breweries, yoga sessions and late‑night shows around town. Some ticket options are already on sale, with single‑day passes available beginning March 18. Additional artists and a full schedule are expected to be announced in early March. For tickets and more information, visit tellurideblues.com.
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COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE OPENS $1.2 MILLION GRANT CYCLE FOR WETLAND, RIPARIAN PROJECTS
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Colorado Parks and Wildlife has opened applications for its Wetlands for Wildlife grant program, which will award more than $1.2 million to projects that improve wetland and riparian habitats across the state. According to the agency, funding will support efforts that enhance duck populations and waterfowl hunting opportunities or address habitat needs for declining and at‑risk species identified in Colorado’s State Wildlife Action Plan. Wetlands make up less than two percent of Colorado’s landscape but provide habitat for more than 75 percent of the state’s wildlife species, including boreal toads, American kestrels and greater sandhill cranes.
Since 1997, the program has invested more than $40 million to preserve, restore or create over 200,000 acres of wetlands and adjacent habitats. Grant funding comes from Great Outdoors Colorado, supported by Colorado Lottery proceeds, and Colorado Waterfowl Stamps. Grant applications can be submitted online at cpw.state.co.us/wetlands-wildlife-grants through Tuesday, Feb. 24.
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HAYDEN SECURES $1.6 MILLION STATE GRANT TO BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR LOCAL WORKERS
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A long‑planned effort to expand affordable housing in Hayden is moving forward after the town’s municipal housing authority secured a $1.6 million state grant to help build Poplar Commons, an eight‑unit rental development for essential workers. Funding for the project was announced by the Colorado Dept. of Local Affairs in a Dec. 31 news release and fills a major financing gap for housing aimed at residents earning roughly 60 percent to 80 percent of the area median income, or about $50,000 to $70,000 annually. Town officials said workers in this income range often earn too much to qualify for deeper subsidies but not enough to afford market‑rate housing. Poplar Commons will include four two‑bedroom units, each paired with an attached one‑bedroom unit, and is designed for teachers, firefighters, childcare workers and nonprofit employees. Construction is expected to begin later this year and finish before the end of 2026, with units opening shortly thereafter.
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I‑70 EXPECTED TO SEE INCREASED MOUNTAIN TRAFFIC OVER MLK DAY WEEKEND
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Drivers should expect heavier traffic along Colorado’s Interstate 70 mountain corridor during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend, traditionally one of the busiest ski weekends of the winter, according to GoI70, an initiative of the I‑70 Coalition. While no snow is forecast, which could help keep traffic moving, below‑average snow conditions this season may slightly reduce skier travel. Historical data shows westbound traffic has experienced delays of about 60 minutes on Saturday mornings between 5 and 10 a.m., while eastbound traffic has seen delays of roughly 30 minutes between 3 and 7 p.m. On Sunday, westbound delays ranged from 30 to 60 minutes between 6 and 9 a.m., with eastbound delays of 15 to 30 minutes from about 2 to 6 p.m. GoI70 recommends avoiding peak travel times and checking conditions before heading into the mountains. To view real‑time traffic and road conditions, drivers can visit COTrip.org.
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NO. 1 BEST PAYING JOB WITHOUT A COLLEGE DEGREE IS AIRCRAFT MECHANIC
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Aircraft mechanics rank as the highest paying job that does not require a college degree, according to a new report from U.S. News. The ranking draws on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data to identify careers with strong earning potential that typically require a high school diploma or postsecondary non-degree training rather than a four-year college education. Many of the top roles fall within the skilled trades or specialized service fields, offering long term career opportunities and job stability for workers seeking alternatives to college.
Top 10 top-paying jobs that don't require a college degree, with median salary:
- Aircraft mechanic: $78,680
- Patrol officer: $76,290
- Executive assistant: $74,260
- Construction and building inspector: $72,120
- Flight attendant: $67,130
- Sales representative: $66,780
- Sound engineering technician: $66,430
- Plumber: $62,970
- Surgical technologist: $62,830
- Structural iron and steelworker: $62,700
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MARKET UPDATE - 01/15/2026 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 01/15/2026)
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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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