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Colorado - Fri. 06/26/26 |
A Free Business Publication from Alpine Bank
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LEMONADE STAND AT 14,438 FEET EDUCATES COLORADO HIKERS ABOUT BACKCOUNTRY SAFETY
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Last weekend, the Lake County Search and Rescue team opened a lemonade stand to educate Coloradans about summer recreation preparedness. To meet people who might need this information the most, they set up the stand in an unusual place: At 14,438 feet in elevation. The search and rescue personnel posted up near the top of Mount Elbert, the state’s highest peak, last Sunday and offered hikers free refreshments, as well as safety tips for enjoying Colorado’s mountain wilderness. Their choice of 14er was not random. In the last month and a half, Lake County Search and Rescue says it has made six missions to attend to hikers in need, and that calls for help from Mount Elbert come in frequently.
That’s all the more reason to educate visitors about what they consider the 10 essentials to carry when in the backcountry — including sufficient water, nutrient-rich snacks, layers and lighting — and other best practices. For example, make sure someone knows your recreation plans and when to call for help, and understand that conditions can change quickly at high elevations. The organization also advises laying out your route ahead of time and having the proper navigational tools, including those that work without cell phone reception. The Search and Rescue team relies on donations and does not charge people for its services, though helicopter companies will if someone needs to be evacuated to a hospital.
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MAP SHOWS A COLORADO WOLF CROSSED EAST OF I-25 AS PART OF WIDE-RANGING MOVEMENT
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One of Colorado’s collared wolves crossed east of Interstate 25 in the past month — the first time a wolf has crossed the highway corridor since wolves were reintroduced to the state in 2023. That wolf briefly crossed the interstate in southeastern Colorado and moved through watersheds in Pueblo, Otero and Las Animas counties before returning west of the highway. The latest monthly map of wolf activity, released Wednesday, shows the wolf moved through watersheds surrounding the city of Pueblo. “This activity east of I-25 highlights the broad movements made by dispersing wolves,” agency officials said in a news release. “CPW is in active communication with producers who have known wolf activity near their operations and is coordinating access to conflict minimization resources.”
For months, wolf activity has been concentrated in Colorado’s central mountains. The map released Wednesday — which depicts the watersheds where wolves wandered between May 26 and Tuesday — shows at least one wolf moved through the San Luis Valley and along the New Mexico border. Wolves also remained present near Gunnison, Rifle, Meeker, Vail and Steamboat Springs. At least 31 wolves roam Colorado, but not all wear collars that transmit their location.
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AT 165 YEARS, DENVER MUNICIPAL BAND IS OLDER THAN COLORADO & STILL GOING STRONG
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Shane Endsley can feel the weight of the Denver Municipal Band’s history, and that only motivates him to carry it higher. The son of former DMB director Gerald Endsley, who led the band from the mid-1990s through his death in 2015, the younger Endsley is a nationally touring trumpet player and director of education and outreach for the band. Along with current DMB director and conductor Joe Martin, Endsley is still pushing forward an elastic, accomplished group that’s playing more than 20 free shows this year in addition to school visits and other performances. That includes a free Sunday, June 28, show at City Park Jazz at 6 p.m., another nonprofit that itself is celebrating 40 years. Amid that, Endsley remains one of those rare music lifers that offers a link to the past while pushing the next generation of musicians forward. Denver Municipal Band is evidence of lifelong music love in general.
They play as a 40-piece concert band, 20-piece jazz band, and contract act for show bands, a brass quintet or smaller ensembles. DMB’s $200,000 annual budget is cobbled from a variety of funding sources, but donations continue to play a huge role in its underpinning. That’s especially important since many of the musicians play in other top-notch groups such as the Colorado Symphony, Colorado Ballet, Central City Opera, Denver Brass, and the Queen City Jazz Band. They need to make a living, and while you may be shocked to hear this, the local performing arts scene isn’t exactly the most lucrative gig out there. Band members carry the soul of Denver, and they haven’t dropped the ball. For its free, July 4 and 5 shows at Washington Park and Cheesman Park, respectively, they’re playing Aaron Copland’s “Lincoln Portrait” alongside a recitation of the Gettysburg Address, amid other tunes. See more shows from Denver Municipal Band at denvermunicipalband.org.
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CSU'S HISTORIC CHRISTMAN AIRFIELD TO HOST A FREE FLY-IN EVENT
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Colorado State University will celebrate runway and lighting renovations at Christman Airfield with a grand-reopening fly-in June 27 at the historic airfield in northwest Fort Collins. Christman Field, 3985 Laporte Ave., is one of the oldest operating airfields in Colorado, established in 1929, according to CSU’s historical archives. It was used as a training ground for pilots during World War II. CSU later purchased it and now uses it as a drone research and testing ground. The grand-reopening event will run from 7 to 11 a.m., with a short program beginning at 9:30 a.m. Admission is free. In addition to the new renovations, attendees will be able to view airplanes and drones on display; aviation and aerospace exhibits; and learn more about the airfield, its history and the CSU Drone Center. Advance registration is required at dronecenter.colostate.edu/grand-reopening. The first 200 people in attendance will receive a free pancake breakfast.
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LA PLATA COUNTY ENACTS STAGE 2 FIRE RESTRICTIONS
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La Plata County will move from stage 1 to stage 2 fire restrictions on Friday at the request of the county’s four fire chiefs. As Colorado remains in moderate to severe drought and weather projections continue to forecast hot, dry and windy conditions, there is serious risk of fire ignition and rapid subsequent spread. Stage 2 restrictions prohibit open burning, burn barrels and agricultural burning; any campfire, stove fire; most welding, pipe fitting, metal grinding; operation of a torch with open flame; and discharging of firearms. There are several exceptions to the restrictions, and a more detailed explanation can be found at bit.ly/4vwBc5l.
The restrictions apply to all unincorporated areas of the county and all lands excluding those private lands in the Towns of Bayfield and Ignacio, the City of Durango, or any Federal or Tribal lands. The Southern Ute Indian Tribe declared its own stage 2 fire restrictions earlier last week. Stage 2 restrictions can vary between government entities, so residents should reach out to the applicable agency if any questions arise. Both SUIT and the county said restrictions will remain in place until conditions change for the better, or for the worse.
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LOW FLOWS PROMPT VOLUNTARY FISHING CLOSURE ON PART OF YAMPA RIVER
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Colorado Parks and Wildlife is issuing a voluntary closure of the Yampa River to fishing until further notice. The voluntary closure, which begins on Friday, is due to extremely low flows and high water temperatures. Voluntary closures are non-mandatory requests by authorities, asking individuals to stay off the river. The river will be closed between the northern boundary of Sarvis Creek State Wildlife Area — about 1.7 miles downstream of Stagecoach Reservoir — through the stretch of the river maintained by the Bureau of Land Management. The closure is also in effect for the 0.6-mile stretch of the Yampa River from the Stagecoach State Park dam downstream to the lowermost park boundary.
Water temperatures hitting 71 degrees or higher, stream flows below 50 percent of the average daily flow and minimum dissolved oxygen levels below six parts-per-million create dangerous conditions for fish. CPW tracks signs of stress for fish including fungus growth. CPW is urging anglers to fish early in the day and avoid afternoon peak temperatures by taking measurements with a handheld thermostat. Anglers can also fish at cooler and higher elevation waters. To reduce stress on the fish, CPW advises using heavier tippet; wet hands before handling any fish; keep fish submerged in the water; don’t remove fish for photos; and avoid overcrowded areas.
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ROUTT COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY PROVIDING SUBSIDIZED SPAY & NEUTER SURGERIES JULY 9-10
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The Routt County Humane Society Wellness Clinic is offering subsidized spay and neuter surgeries for income-eligible pet owners on July 9 and 10 at the clinic in Steamboat Springs, 2645 Jacob Circle. Spay and neuter operations for cats are $50. Surgeries for dogs weighing under 75 pounds are $100. To be eligible, interested participants must verify an annual income of less than $60,000 prior to their appointment. In addition to spay and neuter surgeries, pet vaccinations will be available for $20-30 each. Space is limited and appointments are required. Interested pet owners are encouraged to secure a spot by calling the clinic at 970-457-8002. Humane society representatives note that spay and neuter procedures help prevent unwanted litters while simultaneously supporting the long-term health and wellbeing of pets in the local community.
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PEAK 10 CLASSIC CANCELED DUE TO LOW SNOWPACK, PLANS TO RETURN FOR FREE IN 2027
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For the first time since its inception as an official event in 2017, Breckenridge’s Peak 10 Classic will not be happening this Independence Day. Typically, the classic draws hundreds of attendees to ski the Fourth of July Bowl — a high-Alpine basin near Peak 10 where snow usually lasts long into the summer season. But this year, with Colorado facing record-low snowpack, organizer Zach Ryan says the terrain could not sustain such an event. While weather conditions have impacted the event in the past, it’s usually due to too much snow, rather than too little. Organizers have postponed the event to August in previous years to allow snow more time to melt. Until now, the event has never, in its near-decade of being a formal event, not happened at all.
Still, aspects of the classic will live on, particularly through the Peak 10 Classic Beer, which is available beginning June 26 at four local breweries: Broken Compass Brewery, Breckenridge Brewery, Syndicate Brewing and Angry James Brewing. Proceeds from beer sales go, in part, to Friends of the Dillon Ranger District, a partner of the classic. Beer profits will also go back to the Peak 10 Classic Foundation, which works to ensure that the event remains free to the public. Proceeds from alternate efforts this summer will help ensure that the event remains free when it returns in 2027, so long as snow conditions allow.
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VOLUNTEERS FOR OUTDOOR COLORADO’S CAIRN PROGRAM IS ACCEPTING STUDENT & MENTOR APPLICATIONS FOR 2026-27
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The Cairn Program is an award-winning high school program that guides and challenges students to become caretakers of Colorado’s natural resources. Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado is currently accepting both high school student and adult mentor applications now through July 31, 2026. Founded in 2008, the Cairn Program engages 20 students throughout the school year in monthly outdoor activities and stewardship projects across the Front Range. For more information and to apply as a student or mentor, visit voc.org/cairn-program.
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KVNF RAFFLES OFF A BRAND-NEW 2026 TOYOTA TACOMA SR5
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KVNF Community Radio is raffling off a brand-new 2026 Toyota Tacoma SR5, valued at $43,749. This annual raffle is one of KVNF's largest fundraisers, helping support community radio programming and operations across Western Colorado. Tickets are $20 each or 3 for $50, with no limit on the number of entries per person. Only 5,499 tickets will be sold. Ticket sales end August 30, 2026, or when all tickets are sold out. The winning ticket will be drawn on August 31, 2026.
Tickets can be purchased:
- Online at kvnf.org
- At the KVNF Studios, 233 Grand Avenue, Paonia
- At select summer events throughout the region
KVNF's Summer Raffle is made possible through the generous support of Alpine Bank, Bighorn Toyota, and Big B's Delicious Orchards. Proceeds from the raffle support KVNF's mission to engage our communities through access to diverse music, news, and voices.
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THREE COLORADO TOWNS ARE AMONG LEAST AFFORDABLE FOR HOMEBUYING IN AMERICA
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Colorado has some of the nation’s hottest markets and trendy areas for homebuyers, but that comes with a hefty price tag in some parts of the state. A new study by Compare the Market, an online insurance comparison site and app, showed that three of the nation’s nine least affordable markets for homebuying are in Colorado: Breckenridge (No. 5), Steamboat Springs (No. 8) and Edwards (No. 9). In addition, Durango (No. 25) and Boulder (No. 36) landed in the 50 least affordable markets. The study looked at more than 800 markets in the U.S. and determined affordability by calculating how many years of the state average salary it would take to buy an average value home in that market.
What are Colorado’s least affordable places to buy a home? Since the study calculated affordability using a state average salary of $71,968 for all markets in Colorado, it essentially ranked the state’s markets by their average home values.
- Breckenridge, $1,593,203 average home value, 22.1 years of salary to buy
- Steamboat Springs, $1,401,299 home value, 19.5 years
- Edwards, $1,355,322 home value, 18.8 years
- Durango, $915,542 home value, 12.7 years
- Boulder, $823,588 home value, 11.4 years
- Montrose, $631,684 home value, 8.8 years
- Grand Junction, $581,709 home value, 8.1 years
- Denver, $579,710 home value, 8.1 years
- Fort Collins, $547,726 home value, 7.6 years
- Canon City, $485,757 average home value, 6.7 years
- Colorado Springs, $477,761 home value, 6.6 years
- Greeley, $445,777 average home value, 6.2 years
- Pueblo, $377,811 home value, 5.2 years
- Fort Morgan, $359,820 home value, 5 years
- Sterling, $327,836 home value, 4.6 years
What are the least affordable places to buy a home in the U.S.? Communities in mountains and near coasts — particularly what the release sharing the study called “resort and lifestyle-driven markets” — dominate the list of least affordable places to buy a home:
- Hailey, Idaho, $55,640 average salary, $1,610,092 average home value, 28.9 years of salary to buy
- Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, $80,330 salary, $2,051,271 home value, 25.5 years
- Heber, Utah, $61,069 salary, $1,404,858 home value, 23 years
- Key West, Florida, $60,216 salary, $1,371,435 home value, 22.8 years
- Breckenridge, $71,968 salary, $1,593,203 home value, 22.1 years
- Kapaa Kauai, Hawaii, $65,042 salary, $1,401,180 home value, 21.5 years
- Maui, Hawaii, $65,042 average salary, $1,340,196 home value, 20.6 years
- Steamboat Springs, $71,968 salary, $1,401,299 home value, 19.5 years
- Edwards, $71,968 salary, $1,355,322 value, 18.8 years
- Santa Barbara, California, $76,960 salary, $1,347,584 home value, 17.5 years
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MARKET UPDATE - 06/25/2026 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 06/25/2026)
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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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