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Colorado - Wed. 11/26/25 |
A Free Business Publication from Alpine Bank
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NOTICE OF HOLIDAY CLOSURE FROM ALPINE BANK
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All Alpine Bank branches will be closed for Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, Nov. 27. There will be no Alpine e-line on Nov. 27-28. The Alpine Bank family wishes you and yours a safe and happy holiday. 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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DIA LAUNCHES PROGRAM TO REDUCE NOISE INSIDE TERMINAL
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Denver International Airport has announced a new initiative to cut noise levels inside its terminal, aiming to improve passenger comfort and reduce stress for travelers and employees. The program includes adjustments to public address systems, redesigns of seating and waiting areas to absorb sound, and expanded use of noise monitoring technology already deployed around the airport. Officials said the effort responds to growing concerns from passengers about the loud environment in the Jeppesen Terminal, particularly during peak travel periods. The airport’s Noise Office, which traditionally handles community complaints about aircraft, will now oversee interior noise reduction as part of a broader strategy to enhance the passenger experience.
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JEFF DAVIS STEPS DOWN AS HEAD OF COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE
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Jeff Davis, who has led Colorado Parks and Wildlife since May 2023, has stepped down and will move into a new role as senior policy advisor for strategic priorities within the Dept. of Natural Resources. Major General Laura Clellan, a retired adjutant general and former executive director of the Colorado Dept. of Military and Veterans Affairs, will assume CPW leadership on Dec. 1 while a formal search for a permanent director is conducted. Davis’ tenure was marked by controversy over Colorado’s wolf reintroduction program, which has seen a dozen wolf deaths, livestock losses exceeding $600,000, and costs five times higher than voters were told in 2020. He recently failed to secure wolves from Washington state after residents opposed the transfer, leaving Colorado’s plan for up to 50 wolves uncertain.
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HORSE HERPES OUTBREAK RAISES CONCERNS FOR NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW
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Colorado animal health officials are monitoring an outbreak of equine herpes that has spread from rodeos and barrel racing events in Texas and Oklahoma to at least one horse in Colorado. About 30 to 40 horses that recently traveled to those events are now in quarantine, with veterinarians warning the virus can cause fever, neurological issues, and sometimes death. The National Western Stock Show, scheduled for January in Denver, has reached out to state officials about potential impacts, though existing biosecurity measures require vaccinations and symptom-free entry. Past outbreaks have led to event cancellations, and the mortality rate for the neurological form of the disease is about 30 percent.
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OUTSIDE FESTIVAL TO RELOCATE & EXPAND AS OUTSIDE DAYS IN 2026
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Denver’s Outside Festival, which debuted in 2024, will undergo a major transformation in 2026 as it rebrands to “Outside Days” and shifts to a larger venue. Organizers said the move is designed to accommodate growing attendance and broaden the event’s scope beyond music into outdoor recreation, wellness, and cultural programming. The expansion reflects Denver’s positioning as a hub for outdoor lifestyle and innovation, with the new format expected to attract national talent and audiences while strengthening ties to the city’s identity. The rebrand also signals a long-term commitment to making the festival a signature event for the region, blending entertainment with community engagement and outdoor experiences.
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PITKIN COUNTY APPOINTS SILBERNAGEL AS INTERIM MANAGER
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The Pitkin County Board of Commissioners unanimously appointed Kara Silbernagel as interim county manager following Jon Peacock’s resignation after 15 years to become Winter Park’s town manager in January. Silbernagel, previously deputy county manager, has over a decade of experience in the county office and aims to maintain momentum on housing, solid waste, and airport initiatives while a permanent successor is sought. Raised in Palisade, she earned degrees from the University of Denver and University of Colorado Denver before working in youth development, public lands, and the National Park Service. Joining Pitkin County in 2014 as a fellow, she advanced through roles in organizational development, policy analysis, and public health oversight. Commissioners praised Peacock’s leadership and expressed confidence in Silbernagel’s ability to provide continuity and uphold the county’s civic culture.
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UTE WATER TO RAISE MINIMUM RESIDENTIAL RATE BY $1
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The Ute Water Conservancy District Board approved a $1 increase to its monthly residential minimum rate, raising the charge from $27 to $28 for the first 3,000 gallons of water. The change takes effect in December 2025 and will be billed beginning Jan. 1, 2026. Non‑residential minimums will also rise based on meter size, though tiered rates above minimum usage remain unchanged. Tap fees for standard 5/8‑inch meters will increase by $250 to $8,750, with larger meters adjusted proportionally. Ute Water, serving about 90,000 Mesa County customers, said the revenue will cover operations, maintenance, and infrastructure upgrades while preparing for future demand.
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COLORADO SNOW SHORTAGE DELAYS HOWELSEN HILL OPENING
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Howelsen Hill Ski Area in Steamboat Springs has postponed its season opening to Dec. 6 due to warm temperatures and a lack of natural snow. Originally scheduled for Nov. 29, the city-owned hill has relied on limited snowmaking, which requires cold, clear conditions to be effective. Managers said their priority is providing a safe surface for the community and the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, with forecasts predicting snow and single-digit temperatures next week to boost production. Once open, the hill will operate daily except Christmas Day, with Ski Free Sundays continuing for locals.
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BAKIN’ BIKER COOKBOOK RETURNS WITH 2026 EDITION
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Summit County resident and Biked Goods founder Tyler Zipperer is releasing the third edition of his “Bakin’ Biker” cookbook, featuring more than 110 simple, packable, and nutrient dense recipes designed to fuel outdoor adventures. After losing his full-time marketing job, Zipperer devoted his time to coaching youth mountain bike camps and developing recipes inspired by trail life, including oatmeal date cookies, fig energy bars, and seasonal veggie frittatas. Ten percent of each sale will be donated to No Kid Hungry, with every pre order providing 25 meals for children in need. Zipperer’s goal is to reach 2,026 meals through the holiday season. The cookbook is available for pre-order at BikedGoods.co.
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WHEN DOES THE IRS STOP COLLECTING? A QUICK LOOK AT CSED
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The Collection Statute Expiration Date (CSED) is the legal deadline for the IRS to collect assessed tax debts. Generally, it’s 10 years from the date of the tax assessment. Recent guidance from the IRS’s Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) explains that certain events can delay the initial 10-year CSED. This delay can take the form of a suspension or an extension of the collection period. The running of the collection period is suspended (paused) when the IRS is prohibited from collecting tax. The collection period is extended (lengthened) when the IRS is legally authorized to add a specific amount of time to the initial 10-year collection period. For more information: https://bit.ly/4oaAAxL
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VAIL LAUNCHES HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE TO SUPPORT LOCAL FAMILIES
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The Town of Vail has partnered with the Eagle Valley Community Foundation’s Community Market to host a holiday food drive through Dec. 30, ensuring families have access to healthy groceries. Donations are accepted on weekdays at the Vail Municipal Building, with the program already serving more than 4,000 people weekly across Edwards, Gypsum and mobile outreach sites. Organizers emphasize the importance of community support to meet demand during the season.
High-demand donation items include:
- Canned tuna, chicken and salmon
- Peanut butter and nut butters
- Canned beans, vegetables, soups and stews
- Pasta, rice, lentils and grains
- Cereal and oatmeal
- Cooking oils and shelf-stable milk
- Baby food and formula
- Hygiene and household essentials (toothpaste, soap, shampoo, diapers, feminine hygiene products)
Financial contributions are also encouraged to help purchase fresh meat, eggs, dairy and culturally preferred foods. Donations can be made online at EagleValleyCF.org.
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FURRY FRIENDS TRANSFORM TRAVEL AT DENVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
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Pets are reshaping how airports operate, with Denver International Airport seeing rising numbers of travelers accompanied by animals. DIA ranks among the busiest airports worldwide and has embraced this trend through its Canine Airport Therapy Squad program, launched in 2015, which brings certified therapy pets into the terminal to ease passenger stress.
Key facts:
- DIA ranks among the world’s busiest airports, with more than 82.4 million passengers in 2024.
- In 2023, DIA’s carriers served 77.8 million passengers, a 12.3 percent increase from the nearly 70 million served in 2022.
- Colorado ranks among the top states for devoted dog owners, with Virginia, Georgia, Alaska and Nevada close behind.
- In 2024, 50 percent of Denverites said they own a dog in their household, 27 percent said they own a cat and 32 percent said they have a pet-free abode.
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VAIL RESORTS’ KATZ PLEDGES $3 MILLION TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN MOUNTAIN TOWNS
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Rob Katz, Chief Operating Officer of Vail Resorts, has pledged more than $3 million in new grant funding to improve mental health and substance‑use services in 11 mountain communities, including seven in Colorado. About $1.8 million will go to organizations serving Aspen, Crested Butte, Steamboat, and Eagle and Summit counties. The Katz Amsterdam Foundation, co-founded by Katz and his late wife Elana Amsterdam, has contributed nearly $30 million to mountain community initiatives, with $22 million directed toward behavioral health. Grants will expand bilingual therapy for Spanish‑speaking residents, support substance‑use treatment and recovery scholarships, and strengthen data systems to guide local strategies.
Colorado organizations receiving funding include:
- Aspen Community Foundation — $325,000 for peer and mental health support for Spanish‑speaking residents and data collection.
- Eagle Valley Behavioral Health — $560,000 to expand bilingual substance‑use disorder services and intensive outpatient therapy.
- Gunnison Valley Health — $100,000 for bilingual patient navigation and interpretation in behavioral health and emergency care.
- Yampa Valley Community Foundation — $75,000 to advance mental health efforts using survey data.
- Crested Butte State of Mind — $100,000 to expand equitable access to mental health and substance‑use support for communities of color.
- Tri County Health Network (Telluride) — $160,000 to increase staffing for substance‑use disorder screening and treatment, plus support for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors.
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MARKET UPDATE - 11/25/2025 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 11/20/2025)
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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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