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Colorado - Fri. 02/06/26 |
A Free Business Publication from Alpine Bank
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BRONCOS SEASON TICKET PRICES TO INCREASE LEAGUE-AVERAGE 9% AS RENEWAL WINDOW OPENS
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Fresh off their first AFC West title in a decade and a run to the AFC Championship Game, the Broncos opened their 2026 season ticket renewal window with an average price increase of 9 percent, roughly in line with the NFL average. Team officials said demand remains exceptionally strong, with a 99 percent renewal intent rate and a waiting list of about 107,000 fans. Senior vice president Jesse Nading said pricing is driven by market data, including resale trends, which saw tickets sell for more than 50 percent above face value in 2025. The club said it continues to balance demand with affordability, noting that nearly half of general admission seats will cost less than $150 per game. Strong home performance, high satisfaction surveys and a top-ranked game-day experience also factored into the decision as Denver prepares for eight regular season home games and two preseason contests in 2026.
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FIRST WOMEN’S DOWNHILL TRAINING CANCELED OVER HEAVY SNOW
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Heavy snowfall forced organizers of the Milan Cortina Games to cancel the opening women’s downhill training session scheduled for Thursday on the Olympia delle Tofane course in Cortina d’Ampezzo. About 7 inches of snow fell on the course this week, with more snow forecast overnight, prompting officials to call off the first of three planned training runs ahead of Sunday’s downhill race. At least one training session must be held for the race to proceed under competition rules. The cancellation offered additional recovery time for Lindsey Vonn, who ruptured the ACL in her left knee and suffered bone bruising and possible meniscal damage in a crash last week in Switzerland. Vonn’s team had hoped for the delay but still wants her to complete at least one training run in case further sessions are canceled. Two additional training sessions remain scheduled for Friday and Saturday.
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FOOD BANK OF THE ROCKIES LAUNCHES CULINARY TRAINING PROGRAM
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Food Bank of the Rockies is expanding its workforce training efforts with a new Community Culinary Pathways Program designed to help people with barriers to employment move into culinary jobs and reduce their reliance on food assistance. The program offers an alternative to traditional culinary school, starting participants with food safety training before advancing to meal preparation, cooking skills, and basic kitchen management as they help produce meals for after-school programs.
The food bank’s new Aurora facility currently produces 2,400 to 2,700 meals each school day, with about 40 percent cooked from scratch, and leaders hope to expand capacity to 10,000 meals per day with 80 percent scratch cooking. The first cohort of six students is expected to begin midyear and complete the program in about six months, with plans to grow to 24 students annually at an estimated cost of $150,000 per year. Leaders say workforce training is increasingly important as demand for food assistance rises and federal support declines.
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HOW MUCH IT COSTS TO HOST A SUPER BOWL PARTY IN 2026
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Hosting a Super Bowl party in 2026 has become one of the most expensive casual gatherings of the year, with national estimates putting the cost for about 10 guests between $120 and $150, depending on how much food is homemade versus store prepared and how much alcohol is served. A typical spread includes wings or other protein, chips and dips, a veggie or fruit tray, dessert and a mix of beer, soda and water, with protein and beverages accounting for the largest share of spending. Some estimates show totals climbing closer to $175 for hosts relying heavily on prepared platters or premium drinks.
Costs have risen sharply compared with recent years, with one analysis finding a 10-person party now costs about 43.9 percent more than in 2020, reflecting higher meat prices, convenience food premiums and ongoing labor and supply chain pressures even as overall grocery inflation has cooled. Despite the rising price tag, Americans are projected to spend about $20.2 billion on Super Bowl-related purchases in 2026, highlighting how deeply the event has become embedded in household entertainment budgets.
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APPLICATION WITHDRAWN FOR GIANT BUC-EE’S TRAVEL CENTER IN PALMER LAKE
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Plans for a second Buc-ee’s travel center in Colorado were thrown into uncertainty after Palmer Lake officials announced that Monument Ridge West LLC withdrew its annexation application for land along Interstate 25 in El Paso County. The proposed development, which drew strong opposition from residents and community groups concerned about traffic, infrastructure strain and water supply impacts, would have included a 74,000-square-foot convenience store, 120 fuel pumps, electric vehicle charging stations and hundreds of parking spaces. The withdrawal marks the second time the annexation request has been pulled, following an earlier withdrawal in March when the proposal was slated for revision.
Town officials said the established annexation process was followed, while Buc-ee’s and the property owner declined to comment. The prolonged fight has reshaped local politics, contributing to lawsuits, a recall election and the former mayor’s resignation. Colorado’s first Buc-ee’s opened in Johnstown in 2024, and questions remain about whether the company will pursue another location in Palmer Lake or elsewhere in the state.
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DENVER’S CHERRY CREEK MALL TO GET MAKEOVER AS SIMON INVESTS $250 MILLION
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Simon Property Group plans to renovate Denver’s Cherry Creek Shopping Center as part of a $250 million investment across three U.S. malls beginning in 2026. The Indianapolis-based real estate company said it will update the 1.2 million square foot Cherry Creek mall with modernized flagship spaces, architectural upgrades and refreshed storefronts aimed at enhancing the guest experience and reinforcing its status as a top regional luxury retail destination. Specific renovation details were not disclosed.
Cherry Creek Shopping Center, which has more than 160 shops, a movie theater and over a dozen restaurants, recently added tenants including Ash and Agave restaurant and Crate & Barrel. Simon acquired a majority stake in the mall in 2020 through its purchase of Taubman Realty Group and gained full ownership in November. The investment comes as the surrounding Cherry Creek area sees significant mixed-use development, including new residential, office and retail projects underway or planned nearby.
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FIRST CAPITAL FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN IN TOWN OF CARBONDALE HISTORY SURPASSES $2 MILLION
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Carbondale’s first-ever capital fundraising campaign has raised more than $2 million to help complete the new $13.4 million Carbondale Aquatic Center, allowing the project to move forward without a tax increase. The “Let’s Make a Splash” campaign concluded Dec. 31 and drew support from more than 500 community members, with donations ranging from $20 to $50,000. The aquatic center, set to open in April 2026 at Seventh and Main streets, replaces the town’s 40-year-old pool and will be Colorado’s first municipal pool powered entirely by renewable energy.
Originally projected to cost just over $7 million when approved in 2019, the project’s price nearly doubled due to pandemic impacts and rising construction costs. Funding includes more than $9 million in bonds and interest, $2.3 million from town reserves and $2.1 million from the fundraising campaign. The all-electric facility will feature an Olympic-size lap pool, a leisure pool with splash features, a relocated hot tub and a fully ADA-accessible bathhouse, with a communitywide celebration planned for its opening.
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GLENWOOD CANYON BREWING COMPANY WINS ‘SMALL BREWERY OF THE YEAR’ AT 2026 COLORADO BREWERS CUP
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Glenwood Canyon Brewing Company earned the title of “2026 Small Brewery of the Year” at the Colorado Brewers Cup after taking home three medals at the statewide competition, marking a strong start to the Glenwood Springs brewery’s 30th year in business. The second annual event drew nearly 800 entries from 120 Colorado breweries across 29 categories, with winners announced Jan. 23 at the Colorado Craft Brewers Summit in Aurora. Glenwood Canyon Brewing claimed gold for its helles bock, Everflow, in the pale malty lager category, along with silver medals for Hanging Lake, a Mexican pale lager, and Vapor Cave, a West Coast-style IPA. The Small Brewery of the Year honor is awarded based on points accumulated from medal wins and is limited to breweries producing no more than 675 barrels annually. Company leaders credited the recognition to a focus on fresh, approachable beers and said the awards were especially meaningful given the depth of Colorado’s craft brewing scene.
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REGULATIONS, INVENTORY TOP CONCERNS AT ANNUAL HOUSING SUMMIT
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Rising construction costs driven by regulations and a shrinking housing inventory dominated discussion at the annual Housing and Building Association of Western Colorado summit held last week at Colorado Mesa University. Builders, policymakers and real estate professionals described a bleak housing outlook in the Grand Junction area, citing high material prices, labor shortages, unfavorable interest rates and economic uncertainty. Industry speakers said regulation-related costs account for about $90,000, or roughly 25 percent, of the average new single-family home nationally, with even higher impacts on multifamily housing.
While local single-family building permits rose 35 percent from 2023 to 2024, they fell about 9 percent in 2025, worsening supply constraints. Panelists said rules governing lot sizes, environmental standards and design requirements inflate prices and limit affordability, but emphasized that collaboration between builders, sellers and policymakers — rather than eliminating specific regulations — is needed to address the region’s growing housing challenges.
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52,703-ACRE BLM LEASE SALE INCLUDES LOCAL ACREAGE
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The Bureau of Land Management plans to offer 52,703 acres in a Colorado oil and gas lease sale scheduled for March 31, including substantial acreage in western Colorado. The proposed sale includes nearly 25,900 acres in Garfield County, more than 6,400 acres in Mesa County and about 6,961 acres in Rio Blanco County, while another 360 acres in Rio Blanco County have been deferred. The BLM originally proposed offering nearly 73,000 acres statewide but reduced the total after deferring parcels in Las Animas and Rio Blanco counties to continue tribal consultation. While leasing would not authorize drilling without further review, the agency’s draft environmental assessment outlines potential future development scenarios, including dozens of wells in Mesa and Garfield counties. The plan has drawn both opposition, citing environmental concerns, and support from some counties for its economic benefits. A protest period on the leasing plan runs through March 2.
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COMMUNITIES CAN APPLY FOR AMERICA 250 - COLORADO 150 PROJECT FUNDING THROUGH FEB. 15
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The America 250 Colorado 150 Commission is accepting applications for its Community Grant Program, which supports small, community-based projects as Colorado prepares to mark its 150th anniversary alongside the nation’s 250th birthday. The program builds on the commission’s Aligned Giving Program, shifting focus to localized projects that can be launched quickly and highlight the unique history, culture and creativity of Colorado communities. Grants of up to $7,500 per project are funded through the commission’s fundraising efforts and philanthropic partners, with awards based on alignment with the commission’s goals, themes and values.
Applications are due Feb. 15, with notifications expected by March 30. In its first round of community grant-making, the commission identified 46 projects submitted in 2025 for funding totaling $345,000, with announcements pending completion of required paperwork. The commission was created by Gov. Jared Polis and the Colorado General Assembly to guide the statewide commemoration.
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FAMILY THREADS: KVENFOLK IS A MULTIGENERATIONAL CLOTHING COMPANY THAT MAKES THE OLD NEW AGAIN
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Kvenfolk, a Delta-based clothing brand run by mother-daughter duo Morgen Peltonen and Grethe “Aeda” Cowan, is transforming vintage textiles into one-of-a-kind garments that blend history with modern style. The multigenerational business grew from Cowan’s early vintage resale work into a creative collaboration that now includes upcycled jackets made from quilts, skirts fashioned from tablecloths and handcrafted accessories. Peltonen, who learned to sew from her grandmother, handles most of the garment construction, while Cowan focuses on beadwork and design, drawing inspiration from Edwardian, 1930s and 1940s fashion.
The brand’s name comes from an old Norse word meaning “womenfolk,” reflecting the family’s creative lineage, which also includes Cowan’s grandmother. Kvenfolk sells both vintage finds and original pieces online at kvennfolk.com and kvennfolk.etsy.com, as well as at Western Slope markets, as the team works through a studio overflowing with thrifted materials waiting to be reimagined.
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MANNA SOUP KITCHEN IN DURANGO TO OFFER FOUR AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS
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Manna Soup Kitchen plans to add four low-income housing units in Durango to provide transitional and stable housing for residents earning below 60 percent of area median income in La Plata County. The units will be located in a residential building donated to the organization that was originally built in the late 1800s and has served people in need for more than 25 years. Rents will be set below local market rates, with tenants paying no more than 30 percent of their gross monthly income, according to a news release. Manna is seeking donations and in-kind support to help fund updates and repairs, including exterior siding work and remodeling of two units this year. Some improvements have already been completed with help from local businesses and residents, and the organization said the housing initiative is intended as a first step toward expanding its impact on housing stability in the community.
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VAIL TO MAKE BUDGET CUTS AS SLOW SEASON AFFECTS TOWN REVENUES
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Historically low snowpack is weighing on Vail’s winter economy, prompting town officials to lower revenue forecasts and recommend millions of dollars in budget cuts for 2026. In a financial update to the Vail Town Council, staff said early indicators from sales tax, lift tax, parking revenue and lodging data point to a softer-than-expected season. Despite that outlook, preliminary estimates show the town’s 2025 revenues likely met or exceeded projections, with December sales tax collections down just 1.3 percent, or about $60,000, from last year to $5.78 million. Lift tax collections in December fell 14 percent year over year, while daily parking sales through Jan. 25 were down 13.3 percent.
A January lodging survey found 80 percent of respondents reported increased cancellations, largely due to poor snow conditions. Staff now project sales tax revenue will decline 10 percent for the remainder of winter and 4 percent for the rest of the year, leading to a recommended $4.45 million, or roughly 2 percent, reduction in town expenditures. The Town Council signaled support, with changes to be finalized in March.
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PARKS & WILDLIFE BIG GAME SURVEY DEADLINE IS FEB. 17
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Colorado Parks and Wildlife is asking selected hunters to complete its annual big game harvest survey by Feb. 17, with responses used to help set hunting limits for future seasons. About 170,000 deer, elk and pronghorn license holders were chosen to participate and notified by email, text message and live phone calls. The survey asks hunters where and when they hunted, whether they harvested an animal, what species was taken and their satisfaction with herd conditions, along with additional questions on crowding and preferences for future herd management. Hunters can access the survey through a link provided in notifications, by visiting survey.colobgharvest.com, or by calling 855-924-4278. Past harvest reports are available on the CPW website, and results from this year’s survey are expected to be posted in March.
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10 BEST PLACES TO INVEST IN SHORT-TERM RENTALS IN THE U.S. IN 2026
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A new report from AirDNA finds that small and mid-sized cities — rather than traditional resort destinations — offer some of the strongest opportunities for short-term rental investors in 2026. The analysis shows that declining mortgage rates have made entry into the market more accessible, while demand continues to grow in less conventional travel markets. AirDNA evaluated thousands of homes listed for sale as of Jan. 1, 2026, comparing potential annual rental income before expenses with listing prices, along with occupancy rates, booking frequency, revenue growth potential and local demand drivers such as proximity to beaches, parks, energy hubs and business activity.
Here are the top 10 places to invest in short-term rentals in 2026, with the estimated average annual revenue potential for properties currently listed for sale in each market:
- Port Arthur, Texas: $35,000
- Abilene, Texas: $55,000
- Downtown Saint Paul, Minnesota: $45,000
- Charleston, West Virginia: $32,000
- Springfield, Illinois: $35,000
- Lake Charles, Louisiana: $37,000
- Montgomery, Alabama: $42,000
- Akron, Ohio: $39,000
- Lebanon, Pennsylvania: $42,000
- Jackson, Mississippi: $44,000
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MARKET UPDATE - 02/05/2026 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 02/05/2026)
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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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