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Colorado - Tue. 05/19/26 |
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A MONUMENTAL POLLOCK & A MINIATURE BRANCUSI EACH SELL FOR OVER $100 MILLION
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After a few winnowed years that saw smaller price tags for high-end art, Christie’s charged back into top-heavy territory Monday by selling a $181.2 million Jackson Pollock painting and $108 million Constantin Brancusi sculpture, underscoring collectors’ renewed confidence. Pollock gained international fame for holding his brush above his canvases to create swirling, dripping abstracts, and a 11-foot-wide version, “Number 7A, 1948,” was the largest example of his signature style in private hands. The red and black splatters on an unprimed canvas smashed the artist’s $61.2 million auction record set in 2021 by a later work, “Number 17, 1951,” and helped the artist break into the rarefied club of nine-figure artists alongside Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso. The winner remains anonymous.
Brancusi’s 1913 gilt bronze bust, “Danaïde,” also reset the Romanian sculptor’s $71.2 million auction record set eight years earlier by another bronze, “Young Sophisticated Girl (Portrait of Nancy Cunard)” (1928-1932). The title of the latest work stems from Greek mythology. The Danaïdes were the daughters of a Libyan king who were forced to marry his nephews, but the women murdered their husbands on their wedding night. Both the Pollock and the Brancusi came from the estate of Condé Nast publisher S.I. Newhouse Jr., who died in 2017. His art adviser, Tobias Meyer, and the Newhouse heirs have been filtering the collector’s art holdings into auctions ever since, with Monday’s estimated $462 million group of 16 works from the collection representing the third and biggest installment so far. The final tally for Monday’s set exceeded Christie’s expectations, topping $630.8 million and bringing the running total for Newhouse’s estate to more than $1 billion.
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JURY REJECTS MUSK'S CLAIMS AGAINST OPENAI
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A jury unanimously rejected Elon Musk’s claims against OpenAI, finding that he brought his lawsuit against the company and Chief Executive Sam Altman after the statute of limitations expired. In deliberations that lasted less than two hours, the nine-person panel found against Musk on technical grounds. He had alleged in testimony that the startup behind the world’s most popular chatbot “stole a charity” when it converted into a for-profit company. U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, who presided over the case, accepted the verdict and dismissed the claims. Musk, in a post on his social network X, said he planned to appeal and described the ruling as a “destructive” precedent. In a post that he apparently deleted later, he accused the judge of using the jury as a fig leaf.
OpenAI now has a clear path to a public listing. In the past year, the company that makes ChatGPT has managed a host of challenges. These have included renegotiating a relationship with longtime partner Microsoft that had grown acrimonious at times, gaining regulatory approval for a conversion to a for-profit business, and the rise of rival Anthropic as a formidable competitor that has emerged as a presumptive front-runner in the AI revolution. The company also closed the largest funding round in Silicon Valley history, raising $122 billion from a host of tech giants and funds, in an effort to help settle questions about its finances that have rattled markets. Meanwhile, Musk is racing to hold an initial public offering in less than a month for SpaceX, his rocket company, which merged with xAI, his struggling AI startup.
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NORTHEASTERN COLORADO HAS A LOT TO BRAG ABOUT DESPITE SOCIOECONOMIC CHALLENGES
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The northeastern corner of Colorado is a great place to live unless you’re old, infirm or poor, and there are a lot of old, infirm and poor people living there. That’s the gist of “2026 Northeast Colorado Intersections,” research commissioned by the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado and compiled in partnership with Colorado State University. A 40-page report drawn from the work is intended to be a blueprint for making life better in the six-county region — Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington and Yuma counties — dubbed NeCo. Whether it works that way will depend on how well people can work across county lines. There are health care deserts, poverty rates, food insecurity and SNAP enrollment all exceed the state level. Housing is old and inadequate and not much more affordable than elsewhere in Colorado.
On the plus side, NeCo, is an agricultural giant in Colorado, producing more ag revenue than the colossal Weld County next door, but with far fewer people. Beef cattle, dairy, pork and cash crops place the region among the top producers in the nation and five of Colorado’s top 10 ag counties are huddled there. Where crops won’t grow and livestock can’t graze, there is a burgeoning alternative energy industry, as wind and solar farms have sprouted in almost all of the six counties. Outside influences, however, may pose even larger challenges, especially while protecting the water that is essential to the agricultural economy.
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MCGREGOR SQUARE TO HOST WATCH PARTIES FOR AVALANCHE'S WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL
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McGregor Square will offer a different viewing experience for Avalanche fans. McGregor Square in LoDo will host ticketed watch parties for the NHL’s Western Conference final starting with Game 1 on Wednesday. The Avalanche hosts the Vegas Golden Knights to open a series that will determine one Stanley Cup finalist. Doors open for the watch party at 4:30 p.m. for a 6 p.m. puck drop. Admission is limited to ages 21 and over and tickets cost $10 for Game 1. Tickets for the remaining games cost $15 and can be purchased in advance through Eventbrite.
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RMPBS TO HOST ‘WOMEN DECIDE: THE COLORADO GOVERNOR’S FORUM’
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Rocky Mountain PBS, The Women’s Foundation of Colorado, and the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce will produce and present Women Decide: The Colorado Governor’s Forum — a live, virtual forum bringing together confirmed primary candidates for Governor of Colorado on Sunday, June 7, 2026 at 7 p.m. The forum will be free and open to all Coloradans, streaming live on Zoom Webinar and on Rocky Mountain PBS’s YouTube channel. "Women Decide: The Colorado Governor’s Forum" is designed to address the policy priorities that affect women, families, and communities across Colorado. The Forum will address the full range of policy questions that shape the lives of Colorado women — from economic opportunity, small business, and workforce to healthcare, housing, education, and caregiving — through a lens that reflects the breadth and diversity of women’s experiences across the state.
In alignment with the structure of a nonpartisan candidate forum, viable candidates eligible for the primary ballot from the major parties were invited. The following candidates for Governor of Colorado have confirmed their participation: Michael Bennet, Scott Bottoms, Barbara Kirkmeyer and Phil Weiser. Victor Marx was invited and declined to participate. Candidates will be asked identical questions by Rocky Mountain PBS journalism director Gabriela Resto-Montero and given equal time to respond. The Forum is nonpartisan and does not constitute an endorsement of any candidate or political party by any partner organization. Audience questions may be submitted ahead of the forum via registration at the link below.
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LIFT-UP LAUNCHES MOBILE MARKET PANTRY IN ASPEN
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LIFT-UP has expanded its Mobile Market Pantry services into Aspen, providing another accessible food resource for individuals and families living and working in the upper Roaring Fork Valley. After soft launching on May 14, the Mobile Market Pantry will continue operating every Thursday from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Aspen Ranger Station, located at 806 W. Hallam St. LIFT-UP is bringing services directly into Aspen with the aim of reducing transportation barriers and increasing access, particularly for those who live in employee housing. The Mobile Market Pantry offers fresh produce, pantry staples and other essential food items in a low-barrier environment “designed to meet people where they are.”
Eighty percent of food across LIFT-UP’s pantries is bought by the nonprofit with donated funds, purchased from Food Bank of the Rockies and 13 local valley farms. The other 20 percent comes from food donations and grocery rescues, including working with Harvest for Hunger, Walmart and more. At the beginning of this year, LIFT-UP was able to use donated funds to purchase a new truck capable of pulling the mobile pantry trailer all the way up to Aspen. Sunsense Solar in Carbondale also recently helped complete several updates to the mobile pantry unit that make the Aspen expansion possible. LIFT-UP is currently also seeking volunteers for the Aspen mobile pantry to assist the full-time staff. To register as a volunteer, visit liftup.org/get-involved/friends-volunteer.
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NEW CARBONDALE AQUATICS CENTER SET TO OPEN SATURDAY
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The new Carbondale Aquatics Center is set to open to the public Saturday, marking the return of a public pool after two seasons without one. The $13.4 million facility was funded through more than $9 million in bonds and interest, $2.3 million in town reserve funds and $2.1 million raised through more than 500 individual donors, families, foundations, civic organizations, and county and state grants. Construction was completed by AD Miller Services Inc. The “Let’s Make a Splash!” campaign raised about 15 percent of the funds for the new facility, making it the largest capital fundraising campaign in the town’s history. Designed by local architecture firm Land+Shelter, the new aquatics center “reflects the character of Carbondale and the town’s continued evolution." The facility eliminates the use of natural gas, aligning with Carbondale’s long-term climate goals, and will be the first all-electric public aquatics facility in the region.
The new aquatics center features a six-lane lap pool, a recreational pool with a toddler shelf, a 16-person hot tub, a diving board and climbing wall, modern bathhouses and support buildings, and multiple shade structures. The design is fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The grand opening celebration on Saturday will include a preview from 10 a.m. to noon, followed by public hours from noon to 6 p.m. The public celebration will include a cannonball contest, hourly giveaways and other activities. For more information, visit carbondalerec.com.
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BAYFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT NAMES SOLE INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT FINALIST
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Mary Rubadeau, a Durango-based educator and consultant, has been named as the sole finalist for Bayfield School District interim superintendent. Rubadeau was chosen by the Board of Directors out of a pool of 17 candidates, all of whom were reviewed, screened and background checked by consulting company McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C., according to a news release from the district. She previously served as interim superintendent for the district between March and June 2018. If chosen, Rubadeau will serve in the role for one year while the board continues the search for a more permanent candidate.
Rubadeau, who holds a Master of Science in Educational Psychology from the University of Albany and a Bachelors of Education from St. Lawrence University, has worked in additional, non-interim superintendent roles in the past, including with the Juneau Douglas School District in Juneau, Alaska, from 1994 to 1999, and more recently with the Telluride School District from 1999 to 2011. She was awarded the Colorado Superintendent of the Year award in 2008. Rubadeau will be interviewed by the board on May 27, and stakeholders are invited to a meet-and-greet from 4:30 to 6 p.m. May 26 at the Bayfield High School PAC Wing Commons, 800 County Road 501, in Bayfield.
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EAGLE COUNTY PARAMEDIC SERVICES TO HOST BLOOD DRIVE ON FRIDAY, MAY 22
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In partnership with the American Red Cross, Eagle County Paramedic Services (ECPS) will host a blood drive on Friday, May 22, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Edwards Station (1055 Edwards Village Blvd). For ECPS, blood is a critical, lifesaving tool carried in the field. The agency is among a growing number of care providers nationwide equipped to administer whole blood transfusions before patients ever reach a hospital, dramatically increasing survival chances in cases of severe trauma and medical emergencies. That blood comes from donors. “Every unit we carry starts with someone willing to give,” Brandon Daruna, CEO of ECPS said. “Our patients depend on it in their most critical moments. This blood drive is a chance for our community to be part of that chain of survival.”
While donations collected in Eagle County may be distributed wherever the need is greatest, each pint helps sustain the national blood supply that frontline providers rely on every day —including in Eagle County. Appointments are encouraged. Schedule an appointment at redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code EdwardsCO or call 1-800-RED-CROSS. Bring a photo ID or your blood donor card, or two other forms of ID. You can save up to 15 minutes when you donate blood using RapidPass. Visit redcrossblood.org/rapidpass for more information.
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR YAMPA RIVER FESTIVAL
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Friends of the Yampa is seeking volunteers for the 46th Annual Yampa River Festival, scheduled for Thursday, May 28 through Sunday, May 31. Volunteers are needed May 30 and May 31 to assist with a variety of tasks, including on-water safety and parking logistics. Shift locations and times vary, and each volunteer will receive a free, exclusive t-shirt. To sign up as a volunteer, visit tinyurl.com/4ae4fh8x.
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45 MILLION AMERICANS PLANNING MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND GETAWAYS
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AAA projects 45 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home for Memorial Day between Thursday, May 21 and Monday, May 25. This year’s domestic travel forecast is slightly higher than last year and sets a new Memorial Day weekend record with 39.1 million people traveling by car and 3.66 million expected to fly to their destinations. While gas prices are higher than last Memorial Day weekend, average ticket prices for flights are lower than last year for those who booked early.
- AAA projects 39.1 million people will travel by car over Memorial Day weekend, a slight jump over last year. Driving is the most popular way to travel and makes up 87 percent of the share of Memorial Day travelers. This holiday weekend, drivers are paying more at the pump compared to last year when the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline was $3.17 on Memorial Day. Currently, pump prices are the highest they’ve been since the summer of 2022.
- For travelers who rent cars over Memorial Day weekend, AAA car rental partner Hertz says Thursday and Friday are expected to be the busiest pick-up days. The top 5 markets with the highest demand are Orlando, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver, and Boston. According to AAA booking data, domestic car rentals are 1 percent cheaper this holiday weekend compared to last year.
- AAA projects 3.66 million travelers will take domestic flights over Memorial Day weekend, a small increase over last year. Air travelers make up 8 percent of the share of travelers this holiday weekend. According to AAA data, which is based on what travelers paid when they booked their Memorial Day weekend trips, roundtrip domestic flights are 6 percent cheaper compared to last year, with an average ticket costing $800. Most of those trips were booked before rising jet fuel prices started affecting airfare.
- Travel by other modes is expected to go up by 5 percent with 2.2 million people traveling by bus, train, or cruise over Memorial Day weekend. Alaska cruise season kicks off this time of year, and the popularity of Alaska cruises is a driving factor in this category’s growth.
Memorial Day weekend travelers are taking trips to theme parks and famous landmarks, boarding cruises in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, and flying to Europe to visit iconic capital cities. Here are the top 10 domestic and international destinations, based on AAA booking data:
- Orlando Florida (domestic); Rome, Italy (international)
- Seattle, Washington; Vancouver, Canada
- New York, NY; Paris, France
- Las Vegas, NV; London, England
- Miami, Florida; Athens, Greece
- San Francisco, California; Dublin, Ireland
- Anchorage, Alaska; Barcelona, Spain
- Chicago, Illinois; Southampton, England
- Denver Colorado; Amsterdam Netherlands
- Boston, Massachusetts; Edinburgh, Scotland
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OVER 7,500 ANIMALS KILLED IN 2025 ON COLORADO HIGHWAYS
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At least 7,770 animals were killed last year on Colorado’s roads, the vast majority occurring on the Western Slope. This is according to 2025 roadkill data from the Colorado Dept. of Transportation. The agency relies on reports from its road maintenance crews and roadkill app as well as an app from Colorado Parks and Wildlife to gather quarterly and annual reports for the state. Primarily, because the data is collected opportunistically, the numbers are considered to be underreported and can have inequalities regarding where reports are made. As such, the state transportation department warns that the data is not for analysis, but for information — giving a general idea of which animals are being struck and where.
- Reports of roadkill between 2024 and 2025 were up slightly across the state, with 273 more animals noted than in 2024. Which region of the state and what animals were killed in 2025 followed similar trends as the previous year.
- The Western Slope accounted for the vast majority (68 percent) of roadkill reports in Colorado. Last year, the Colorado Dept. of Transportation’s southwest region — one of five regions in the state — had the highest volume of reported roadkill. Around 39 percent of the state’s total came from the southwest.
- This was followed by the agency’s northwest region, which reported 2,226 animals killed or around 29 percent of Colorado’s total. The northwest region encompasses a significant portion of the Western Slope, including Moffat, Routt, Jackson, Grand, Summit, Eagle, Lake, Pitkin, Rio Blanco, Garfield, Mesa, Delta, Gunnison and Hinsdale counties. It also includes a portion of Montrose County.
- In 2025, the 10-mile stretch in the northwest region that had the highest number of roadkill reported was between Paonia and Hotchkiss in Delta County on Colorado Hwy. 133.
- High numbers of incidents were also reported last year on Interstate 70 along the 10-mile stretch through Glenwood Springs, and on the highway between Dowd Junction west of Vail and Silverthorne. Colorado Hwy. 13 between Craig and the Colorado-Wyoming border, and stretching south toward Garfield County, had some of the highest reports as well.
- U.S. 40 from Maybell in Moffat County to Steamboat Springs, U.S. 50 near Blue Mesa Reservoir in Gunnison County and Colorado Hwy. 82 between Carbondale and Basalt also saw high numbers of roadkill.
- Year after year, mule deer are the No. 1 animal reported as roadkill in Colorado. Last year was no exception, with deer accounting for the vast majority of reports in all five of the transportation department’s regions. This is perhaps unsurprising, as Colorado boasts one of the nation’s largest mule deer populations, with an estimated 400,000 across the state, according to Parks and Wildlife. In 2025, at least 4,769 deer were killed on Colorado roads, accounting for around 61 percent of all roadkill reports. Of the deer reports, 73 percent occurred on the Western Slope. In the northwest, around 1,218 deer were reported as roadkill, and 2,271 in the southwest.
- Elk were the second most reported roadkill last year, with 729 animals counted. Sixty-four percent of these took place on the Western Slope, 216 in the northwest and 246 in the southwest.
- Across the state, November saw the highest number of reports, with 976 incidents noted by the department’s dataset. This is followed by October with 882, March with 717 and December with 708. In the northwest, November 2025 had the most reports for the year with 294, followed by March (250), December (210) and February (186). The fewest reports came in April last year, with 128 animals reported. January, June, July, August and October all saw between 170 and 180 reports.
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MARKET UPDATE - 05/18/2026 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 05/14/2026)
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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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