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Colorado - Tue. 09/22/26 |
A Free Business Publication from Alpine Bank
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PARAMOUNT-WARNER MERGER SETTLEMENT REACHED
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Twelve states, including Colorado, and Hollywood writers challenging Paramount’s buyout of Warner Bros. Discovery agreed to settle their lawsuits on Monday, effectively paving the way for the $81 billion merger to cross the finish line, with some new commitments from the company. The blockbuster deal will still bring together two of Hollywood’s oldest studios, key TV networks like CBS and CNN and streaming platforms HBO Max and Paramount+, as well as decades-old libraries with titles ranging from “Harry Potter” to “Top Gun.” Among terms of Monday’s agreement, Paramount pledged to increase film production in the U.S., commit millions of dollars to a fund aimed at supporting workers who are displaced by the merger and establish monitoring of editorial independence of the company’s news operations. The settlement still needs a final sign-off by a judge.
In a statement, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said the settlement will protect moviegoers and producers. California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who led the states’ case, said Monday’s agreement was about “protecting people’s careers, the lives they’ve built here in California, the livelihoods their families rely on.” The coalition of states sued to block the merger in July, alleging a Paramount-Warner combo would “extinguish competition” and lead to fewer choices for consumers, particularly moviegoers and cable customers across the U.S. The Writers Guild of America also filed suit, and both challenges were headed toward a full antitrust trial set to kick off in March. The WGA separately confirmed Monday that it settled its case, as well.
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SKI RESORT INDUSTRY URGES LAWMAKERS TO REJECT "LOCKING THE CLOCK"
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The ski resort industry is urging U.S. senators to reject a plan that would end twice-a-year clock changing with a permanent daylight saving time, arguing the loss of an hour of sunshine on winter mornings could endanger resort workers prepping ski areas and delay opening times. “Operating safely in alpine environments requires adequate morning sunlight,” reads a Sept. 10 letter sent from five resort trade groups and two resort companies representing 115 ski areas in 10 states to 19 U.S. senators, urging opposition to the Sunshine Protection Act of 2026. The House passed the bill July 14 in a 308-117 vote, with some of the 36 sponsoring lawmakers — 33 Republicans and three Democrats — citing an October 2025 poll of 1,289 adults showing only 12 percent of Americans like changing their clocks twice a year. A Gallup Poll in March 2025 showed declining support of daylight-saving time and 54 percent of Americans ready to ditch the semiannual time changes.
Resort trade groups in Utah, Vermont, Vermont, the Pacific Northwest and the 20-member Colorado Ski Country joined ski resort owners Alterra Mountain Co. and Powdr in arguing permanent daylight-saving time will injure mountain town economies and increase risks to resort workers. The industry is lobbying lawmakers to oppose the bill, saying a sunrise after 8 a.m. in Colorado, Utah and Vermont and later than 9 a.m. at resorts farther west “poses operational, economic and safety risks for our mountain communities.”
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BOULDER ECONOMIC SUMMIT SET FOR OCT. 6 AT CU
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Tickets are still available for the Boulder Economic Summit, a half-day Boulder Chamber event that is expected to draw more than 300 business, community, education, research and government leaders to explore the forces reshaping the area’s economy and the opportunities emerging from them. The summit will be held from 7:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Glenn Miller Ballroom in the University Memorial Center on the University of Colorado Boulder campus. Cost is $95 for chamber members and $130 for nonmembers. At the event, with the theme “Navigating Disruption. Building What’s Next,” attendees will gain practical frameworks and actionable strategies to identify vulnerabilities before they become crises; prepare for multiple economic, workforce, and technology scenarios; strengthen organizational resilience and decision-making; adapt more quickly to changing market conditions; and transform disruption into innovation, growth and competitive advantage.
Pascal Finette, the summit’s keynote speaker, is co-founder of Radical, where he helps leaders build organizations that strengthen under stress. His career spans founding eBay’s Platform Solutions Group in Europe, leading Mozilla’s Open Innovation Lab and investing in social impact as principal at Google.org. He’s the author of “Disrupt Disruption” and “Outlearn,” and also founded GYSHIDO, a global productivity movement. In addition, CU Boulder economist Brian Lewandowski will offer data behind workforce, housing, technology, investment and industry trends.
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CELEBRITY CHEF TO HOST LUNCH FOR VETERANS, FIRST RESPONDERS
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Susie Jimenez learned to cook for a crowd long before she became a celebrity chef. Jimenez, who has called the Roaring Fork Valley home for 25 years, grew up with 28 aunts and uncles. Learning from her grandmother, and with the help of her aunts, Jimenez honed her skills as a chef while helping prepare food for family gatherings that could draw as many as 300 relatives. Cooking has shaped her life ever since. Jimenez attended culinary school in San Francisco before moving to Aspen to chase the food scene. In 2011, Jimenez auditioned for the Food Network and finished as runner-up among 50,000 applicants. Since then, Jimenez has appeared on more than 30 cooking shows, is an established private chef, caterer and launched her own spice collection. Now, Jimenez and her husband, Gabe Adame, want to leverage Jimenez’s cooking prowess and celebrity chef status to give back to veterans and first responders in the Roaring Fork Valley.
Jimenez and Adame will host a free lunch for veterans, active-duty military members and first responders at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 29 at American Legion Post 100 in Carbondale. Jimenez designed the menu and will prepare the meal with the help of volunteers. On the menu is grilled wild boar, turkey and elk with Brazilian sauces, grilled vegetables and rice pilaf. The event will also feature live music. Jimenez and Adame are hoping to bring 200 people in for the event. For Adame, the event is personal. He served for 23 years in the Air Force, including 10 years overseas in Iraq, Nigeria, Ukraine, Kuwait and Afghanistan. The lunch is funded by the Sportsman Channel’s Hunt.Fish.Feed. program, which uses game meat to provide meals for those in need, as well as veterans and first responders. Since 2007, the program has distributed over 45,000 meals. The event is free. Active-duty military, veterans and first responders can RSVP at RSVPspiceitup@gmail.com.
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ALPINE BANK CELEBRATES YOU WITH A CUSTOMER APPRECIATION BBQ
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As a thank you for being an important part of our bank family, please stop by the Downtown Grand Junction Alpine Bank branch and enjoy some delicious food on us on Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The bank is located at 225 North 5th Street. For more information, call 970-243-5600 or visit online at the link below.
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GARFIELD COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE HOSTS RECRUITING EVENT FOR DEPUTIES, NURSES
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The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office will host a recruiting event Saturday, Sept. 26 aimed at filling law enforcement and correctional health care positions. The event will run from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, in Glenwood Springs. Attendees can take a guided tour of the jail, meet recruiters, get help with applications and learn about employee benefits. A valid photo ID is required for the jail tour. The sheriff’s office is currently advertising openings for detention deputy, patrol deputy, network administrator and kitchen specialist positions. Career opportunities within the office also include K-9, search and rescue, school resource officer, booking, field training officer and court and transportation assignments. The sheriff’s office offers medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage at no cost to employees under qualifying plans, along with retirement benefits, disability coverage, life insurance and paid time off.
CorrHealth will also recruit nurses to work in correctional health care during the event. The company is advertising licensed practical nurse positions paying $42-$45 per hour and registered nurse positions paying $49-$52 per hour, with additional pay available for night, weekend and PRN shifts. Full-time, PRN, swing and night shifts are available, and new graduates are welcome to apply. More information about sheriff’s office positions and benefits is available at joingcso.com.
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USDA AWARDS GJ BUSINESS INCUBATOR WITH NEARLY $700K IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT FUNDING
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The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) presented a $692,075 check to the Grand Junction Business Incubator Center (BIC) on Monday afternoon. USDA Rural Development Colorado State Director Sallie Clark presented the award, which will go toward rural development funding through the BIC, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. The funding comes through two distinct USDA Rural Development programs: The Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP), which is providing the BIC with a $500,000 loan to establish a new revolving microloan fund, as well as a $100,000 grant to provide technical assistance to rural businesses through the BIC, and microloans of up to $50,000 for startups and small businesses with 10 or fewer employees in Mesa, Delta, Montrose, Garfield and Rio Blanco counties, and; a $92,075 Rural Business Development Grant to support rural entrepreneurs in Mesa County.
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CMU EXTENDS TUITION LIFELINE TO TIMBER MILL WORKERS
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Whether or not Montrose Forest Products closes down on Nov. 6, Colorado Mesa University will be sticking to a promise it announced Friday: Free tuition for one year to any timber mill employee. Montrose Forest Products’ parent company Nieman Enterprises, on Sept. 8, issued a notice under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act, informing its employees the mill could close in 60 days, after strategies to remain open failed to bear fruit. At last report, Neiman Enterprises was in talks with a potential buyer, however, the mill’s log supply will only take it through October, and a sale is not certain. Montrose Forest Products employs 90 people at the mill and supports work for several haulers, loggers and contractors. In all, Montrose Forest Products pumps an estimated $106 million per year into the local economy.
Because of robust philanthropic contributions to its foundation, the university found the means to offer one year of free tuition to the affected workers. Those who wish to take advantage of the offer can take classes at either the Montrose campus or at Grand Junction’s main campus, Bishop Campus or at the electric lineworker training facility in Grand Junction. The year of free tuition is available for trade certificates, two-year degrees, or as a path to bachelor’s degrees. CMU also offers free tuition to any family in the state making less than $70,000 per year under the CMU Promise, which was initially a Western Slope-specific opportunity. Timber mill employees who want more information, or to be contacted personally can call 970-249-7009 or email Lead IRIS Advisor for CMU Montrose, Chrissy Simmons, at crsimmons2@coloradomesa.edu, and Montrose Campus Student Services Coordinator Chris Wilcox, at chwilcox@coloradomesa.edu.
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FORMER STEAMBOAT CITY COUNCILOR LAUNCHES LOCAL NONPROFIT UNCOMFORTABLE HISTORY
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Former Steamboat Springs City Councilor Joella West has launched Uncomfortable History, a local nonprofit with the mission of connecting current events to the past through raw, honest conversations facilitated through speakers and community dialogues. West has also been a longtime board member of Seminars at Steamboat, which has provided a free, nonpartisan lecture series with public policy experts to the Yampa Valley community every summer for the past 24 years. While Seminars tend to reach an older, often largely retired audience, Uncomfortable History, with events planned for the fall and spring seasons, aims to reach those who “might not find public policy discussions … in their field of interest,” such as students, parents and the working class, explained West.
The organization will kick off its inaugural season next week with journalist and podcast host Vann R. Newkirk for a talk called “250 Years of Voter Suppression,” which will address the historical roots of efforts to restrict voting rights in the United States and “current initiatives similarly aimed at curtailing those rights,” states a news release for the event. In 2024, Newkirk was named “Journalist of the Year” by the Washington Association of Black Journalists. The debut event will be held on Monday, Sept. 28 at 6 p.m. at Wildhorse Cinema & Arts (655 Marketplace Plaza) in Steamboat Springs. The talk is free and open to the public and will be followed by a moderated Q&A session with the audience. Refreshments will be provided. To register for in-person attendance at the Sept. 28 event, visit TinyUrl.com/bdzjxn5j. To register via Zoom, visit TinyUrl.com/5ffsu83n.
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BLM BEGINS WILD HORSE HELICOPTER GATHERS IN SAND WASH BASIN
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The U.S. Dept. of Interior’s Bureau of Land Management has officially begun wild horse gather operations in the Sand Wash Basin Herd Management Area west of Craig, where the agency plans to gather 300 horses — 55 of which will be returned to the range — through helicopter drive-traps over approximately 11 days. As of Sept. 20, 11 horses have been gathered, including five stallions, three mares and three foals, with no deaths reported. Designated public observation days are Sept. 19-24. The Sand Wash Basin gather comes just weeks after a helicopter drive-trap gather in the Piceance-East Douglas/West Douglas Herd Management Area, where the BLM gathered 894 horses over roughly 31 days of operations. Nine horses died. Since 1971, the BLM has removed nearly 4,400 animals from public rangelands in Colorado.
The New York Times published an investigative report on Aug. 20 claiming that in 2025, sales of wild horses more than doubled, and that traders are using a legal loophole to increase profits when selling them for slaughter. The commencement of operations in Sand Wash Basin also follows a call from state leaders earlier this month to “immediately halt” wild horse gathers in Colorado, with Gov. Jared Polis and U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse citing the “inhumane and unnecessary” nature of the BLM’s helicopter gather methods. The Sand Wash Basin Herd Management Area can sustainably support 163 to 362 horses, states the agency’s website. The current total estimated population is 505 horses, or 140 percent “over what the range can sustainably support.” Of the 55 horses planned to be returned to the range, 22 will be darted with fertility control treatment to “balance herd numbers” and “reduce the need for frequent, large-scale removals.”
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SUPPORT OUTDOOR STEWARDSHIP: SHARE VOC’s 2027 PROJECT & TRAINING APPLICATIONS
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Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) is now accepting project and training applications for the 2027 season—and your network may be able to help spread the word. VOC partners with a wide range of organizations across the state to engage thousands of volunteers in hands-on stewardship projects, from trail building and habitat restoration to wildfire mitigation, urban greening, community gardening, and more. Please share this opportunity with nonprofits, community groups, or land managers that could benefit from VOC’s support in engaging volunteers for on-the-ground work. VOC is also accepting applications for trainings to help increase the stewardship capacity of local volunteers or staff. These trainings cover skills such as trail design, crew leadership, ecological restoration, and more—and may be useful to individuals or groups in your broader community. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but submissions are encouraged by Oct. 15, 2026.
- Learn more about partnering with VOC on a project at voc.org/partner-resources.
- Request a stewardship training at ositraining.org/training.
- For questions about partnering with VOC, contact Kelly Clouse at kclouse@voc.org or Sam Hutchins at sam@voc.org for training inquiries.
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SOUTHWEST COLORADO PUBLIC LANDS DAYS CELEBRATE LA PLATA MOUNTAINS
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Lovers of the La Plata Mountains are invited to celebrate public lands stewardship during the inaugural Southwest Colorado Public Lands Days, which begins Saturday on National Public Lands Day. “It’s how we recreate, or it’s where we hunt, or it’s where we bring up our families and live,” said Dan King, organizer with the La Plata Mountains and Public Lands Coalition. “We’re celebrating that common ground.” Events hosted by the La Plata Mountains and Public Lands Coalition will run from Sept. 26 to Oct. 10. The event’s goal is to celebrate stewardship, while King described public lands as being under threat. While the National Public Lands Day began about 32 years ago, the two-week event hosted by the coalition is new, King said. Events will include celebrations with live music, cleanups, presentations and hikes.
If you go:
- National Public Lands Day celebration kick off: – La Plata Canyon cleanup: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sept. 26, meet at the La Plata Canyon entrance gate County Road 124. – Public lands celebration: A free event with food, speakers, a silent auction and live music. 5-8 p.m., Sept. 26, Rotary Park, 1580 E. 2nd Ave., Durango.
- Western slope ranch talk, tour & picnic: To feature speeches, a historic ranch tour and a silent auction. 4-7 p.m., Oct. 3, Reddert Ranch Property northeast of Mancos, 10375 Road 44 (Echo Basin Road, between the west and east Mancos rivers)
- Hesperus Peak hike: A challenging hike that requires some Class 2+ scrambling, about 5.2 miles long, with 2,700 feet of elevation gain, and the highest point of elevation at 13,238 feet. Dan King will lead the hike. Starts 7:30 a.m. Oct. 4 at Transfer Campground, Forest Service Road 561 off U.S. Hwy. 184.
- Walt Dabney, public lands champion speaking tour, talk No. 1: 5-7 p.m., Oct. 6, Ruby M. Sisson Memorial Library, 811 San Juan St., Pagosa Springs.
- Walt Dabney, public lands champion speaking tour, talk No. 3: 5-7 p.m., Oct. 7, Durango Public Library, 1900 East Third Ave., Durango.
- Walt Dabney, public lands champion speaking tour, final talk: 5-7 p.m., Oct. 8, Dolores Public Library, 1002 Railroad Ave., Dolores.
- La Plata mountains hike and campground clean up (West Mancos River Loop): 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Oct. 10, Transfer Campground, Forest Service Road 561 off U.S. Hwy. 184.
- Public Lands Party: 3-5 p.m., Oct. 10, Mancos Brewery, 484 Hwy. 160 E. Frontage Road, Mancos.
For more information about the inaugural two-week Southwest Colorado public lands days, contact laplatamountains@gmail.com or visit laplatamininginfo.com/home.
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COLORADO UNEMPLOYMENT RATE CLIMBS BACK TO 4%
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Unemployment in Colorado hit 4 percent in August after more than a year below the benchmark, a new report shows. The Colorado Dept. of Labor and Employment reported the state has 128,000 unemployed residents, up by 3,200 from July, according to its monthly report released Friday. Meanwhile, the nation’s unemployment rate stayed flat at 4.1 percent. The U.S. unemployment rate has been higher than the state’s for more than a year, though Colorado is inching closer.
- Colorado also saw 1,400 job losses from July to August, marking the third month of fewer positions this year, the report said. Also, early estimates for the month of July’s job growth were revised down from 5,800 jobs added to only 3,800.
- The last time Colorado had a 4 percent unemployment rate was in June 2025.
- The state’s economy had a huge spike in unemployment when the pandemic first hit, reaching nearly 12 percent. As the economy recovered, Colorado’s rate quickly rebounded and dropped as low as 2.4 percent in the summer of 2022.
- But as inflation soared, unemployment climbed again to a high of 4.3 percent that was sustained throughout late 2024 and early 2025. The labor market slowly improved but was relatively flat throughout 2026 with Colorado’s employment rate hovering between 3.8 percent and 3.9 percent as the nation’s unemployment rate climbed to 4.5 percent.
- The Denver metropolitan area saw inflation climb by 3.9 percent in July, according to federal data. The national average was 3.4 percent, above the Fed’s 2 percent target rate.
The report showed Colorado’s economy should grow at 2.1 percent, the same level as 2025. The state’s budgeting office cites consumer spending and business are still strong enough to “cushion” the impacts of geopolitical issues such as trade and military wars. Meanwhile, the state’s revenue is projected to be down by nearly $176 million from the TABOR cap for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, citing federal tax policy changes have cut into Colorado’s revenues. It will be the first time the state will not distribute refunds since 2019-2020. The state forecasts refunds to rebound in 2026-2027, totaling $244.4 million because of economic growth, consumer spending and corporate profits, the report said.
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GOLDEN GATE CANYON STATE PARK JUST NAMED COLORADO'S FIRST URBAN NIGHT SKY PLACE
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Colorado is continuing to grow its list of places designated for prime stargazing. The latest designation is a first for the state. Golden Gate Canyon State Park recently announced achieving Urban Night Sky Place status from DarkSky International, which over the years has named more than 20 International Dark Sky Parks and International Dark Sky Communities around the state. On its website, DarkSky International lists 18 Urban Night Sky Places worldwide. The organization describes these as places “near or surrounded by large urban environs, and whose planning and design actively promote an authentic nighttime experience in the midst of significant artificial light.” The Urban Night Sky Place recognition comes after the state park reportedly worked to replace or retrofit 96 light fixtures and increase educational programming with stargazing parties and partnerships with local astronomy groups.
Jackson Lake State Park made similar efforts in being named an International Dark Sky Park in 2020 ー Colorado’s first state park to achieve recognition. Golden Gate Canyon was among a dozen state parks that officials said were working toward DarkSky International designations in an announcement last year. The others listed were Crawford, Eleven Mile, Elkhead Reservoir, Highline Lake, John Martin Reservoir, Mueller, Rifle Gap, State Forest, Steamboat Lake, Staunton and Trinidad Lake. In August, Frisco became the state’s ninth International Dark Sky Community, joining neighboring Breckenridge, which was awarded in 2025. Colorado’s other Dark Sky Communities are Crestone, Norwood, Nucla and Naturita, Old Snowmass, Paonia, Ridgway and Westcliff and Silver Cliff.
These are the state’s Dark Sky Parks:
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
- Browns Canyon National Monument
- Chimney Rock National Monument
- Curecanti National Recreation Area
- Dinosaur National Monument
- Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
- Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
- Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area
- Hovenweep National Monument
- Jackson Lake State Park
- Mesa Verde National Park
- Lake Fork Earth and Sky Center near Lake City
- Top of the Pines, a recreation area near Ridgway
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MARKET UPDATE - 09/21/2026 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 09/17/2026)
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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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