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Colorado - Tue. 03/17/26 |
A Free Business Publication from Alpine Bank
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GREYHOUND LAUNCHES BUS ROUTE CONNECTING DENVER TO SEATTLE
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Greyhound has launched a new daily bus route connecting Denver to Seattle, expanding intercity travel options across the Mountain West and Pacific Northwest. The route begins Wednesday and departs from Denver’s Union Station and includes stops in Vail and Glenwood Springs before continuing through Utah, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Additional stops include Green River, Price, Provo and Salt Lake City in Utah; Boise, Idaho; La Grande, Oregon; and Pasco, Yakima and Ellensburg, Washington before reaching Seattle. The service reinstates routes to Salt Lake City and Pasco and will operate once a day in both directions. The trip takes about 26 hours, with fares starting at $98. Company officials said the route responds to growing demand for affordable long-distance bus travel and aims to better connect smaller communities to major transit hubs. The launch follows a recent agreement allowing Greyhound to continue operating at Denver’s Union Station through February 2027.
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JBS STRIKE IN GREELEY BEGINS WITH THOUSANDS OF WORKERS WALKING OFF JOB
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Thousands of workers at the JBS meatpacking plant in Greeley walked off the job Monday, launching a two-week strike as they seek a new labor contract with higher wages and improved workplace protections. United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7, which represents about 3,800 workers at the facility, said negotiations have stalled after months of talks, accusing the company of offering less than 2 percent annual wage increases and shifting rising health care costs onto employees. Union leaders also cited unsafe working conditions, intimidation and unfair labor practices.
JBS disputed those claims, saying it made meaningful progress in negotiations and that union leaders walked away from the table without responding to an updated offer. The strike is the first at a U.S. meatpacking plant in four decades and affects a facility that processes up to 8 percent of the nation’s beef. While some employees continued working, union officials said participation is expected to grow. JBS said it plans to shift production to other facilities during the strike, which has drawn support from elected officials and labor advocates statewide.
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‘PRETTY CONCERNING SITUATION UP HERE’: DENVER WATER GIVES UPDATE ON DILLON RESERVOIR FORECAST
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Denver Water officials warned Summit County leaders that historically low snowpack is likely to result in very low water levels at Dillon Reservoir this summer, potentially limiting marina operations and affecting the local economy. Speaking to the Summit Board of County Commissioners on March 13, Denver Water water supply manager Nathan Elder said snowpack is at 61 percent of normal, the second lowest level recorded since the utility began measuring snowpack in the late 1970s. Forecasts do not indicate a late season recovery, and Denver Water expects reservoir inflow to be about 55 percent of normal, with the possibility of the lowest inflow on record.
Under the most likely forecast, the reservoir would reach operational levels for the Dillon Marina for several months but only briefly for the Frisco Marina, which has already announced plans to close its boat ramp and slips. Denver Water plans to implement mandatory water restrictions on the Front Range later this month, which officials said could reduce outdoor water use by 20 to 30 percent, while prioritizing keeping as much water as possible in Dillon Reservoir to aid recovery next year.
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AN EARLY AWAKENING FOR ASPEN’S FURRY FRIENDS
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Black bears are emerging unusually early in Aspen this spring, driven by low snowpack that has left grass and woody debris exposed, providing an early natural food source as bears’ digestive systems readjust, according to local wildlife experts. City of Aspen Wildlife Coordinator Lara Xaiz said the first confirmed sign of bears accessing trash in town occurred March 10 on Midland Avenue, the earliest she has seen such activity. Additional reports of tipped trash cans, scat and tracks followed in several neighborhoods, including Hunter Creek. Xaiz emphasized that unsecured trash, bird feeders, grills and food left in vehicles can quickly teach bears to associate town with rewards, increasing repeat visits.
While the community has improved trash security over the past decade, bears have adapted and remain persistent. The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office received two bear calls in February. Xaiz noted that about 90 percent of a bear’s diet is vegetarian and that most conflicts are avoidable. Early reporting, bear-resistant containers, electric fencing and deterrents such as loud noise help keep bears wild and reduce the likelihood of relocation or euthanization under Colorado’s two-strike nuisance policy.
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UTE PEOPLE RETURN TO SNOWMASS ANCESTRAL LANDS
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Twenty-three members of the Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation are returning to Snowmass Mountain today, Tuesday, March 17, for a cultural exchange reconnecting them with ancestral lands that were part of the Ute Reservation until about 150 years ago. The visit is organized by Snowboard Pro and Tribal member Skyler Lomahaftewa, who has lived in the Roaring Fork Valley for two decades and said the event represents a symbolic homecoming for Ute people rarely seen in the area. The group includes Ute Royalty, cultural ambassadors such as Miss Ute Tribe and Little Miss Ute Tribe, who are participating in snow sports lessons followed by a traditional dance performance and song.
The event is supported by Aspen One, Aspen Historical Society, Snowmass Tourism and Limelight Snowmass and is tied to the Aspen Historical Society’s Colorado 150 storytelling initiative. Organizers say the exchange highlights that Ute culture is living and evolving, not confined to the past. The group will also visit Basalt High School for a cultural exchange on Wednesday.
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PEDESTRIAN DEATHS ON COLORADO ROADWAYS UP IN 2025
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Pedestrian fatalities on Colorado roads rose sharply in 2025, marking one of the deadliest years on record, according to the Colorado Dept. of Transportation. The state recorded 127 pedestrian deaths last year, nearly double the number reported in 2015, with pedestrians now accounting for nearly one-fifth of all traffic fatalities statewide. CDOT data show the highest numbers of pedestrian deaths from 2020 to 2025 occurred in Denver, Adams, El Paso, Arapahoe and Jefferson counties, though Mesa County also saw an increase, with seven deaths last year and 22 since 2020.
CDOT officials warned that the shift to Daylight Saving Time brings darker morning commutes and noted that more than 70 percent of pedestrian deaths occur after dark. The agency is promoting its Shift into Safe campaign, urging drivers to yield to pedestrians, avoid impaired driving and use caution in residential areas, while encouraging pedestrians to use crosswalks and remain alert. CDOT is also prioritizing infrastructure improvements such as better crosswalk visibility and pedestrian-focused signal timing. Learn more about bicycle and pedestrian safety at codot.gov/programs/bikeped.
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FAITH & BEGORRAH IN THE ROARING FORK
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Aspen’s longest-running civic tradition returns Tuesday as St. Mary Catholic Church hosts its annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner, now in its 137th year. The celebration dates back to Aspen’s earliest days and began as a fundraiser to help build the church, with historical records showing early dinners and community fund drives fully paid for construction when the church was dedicated in 1892. Today, the free dinner continues to benefit the church’s St. Patrick’s Fund, which provides financial assistance to local residents in need. Church leaders describe the event as a gathering centered on family, generosity and community, bringing together residents and visitors to support neighbors while honoring a tradition that has endured for more than a century.
- St. Mary Catholic Church, Aspen: St. Patrick’s Day Dinner from 4 to 8 p.m.; free with donations encouraged; menu includes roast beef, pork, mashed potatoes, gravy and green beans; live Celtic-inspired music by County Clare beginning at 4:30 p.m.
- Heather’s, Snowmass Village: Live Celtic music and traditional Irish fare, including corned beef and cabbage, Guinness and Irish whiskey; music by Oran Mor from 6 to 9 p.m.
- Heather’s, Basalt: Traditional corned beef and cabbage with root vegetables plus full dinner menu; live music by Urbane Coyote
- St. Vincent’s Catholic Church, Basalt: Annual St. Patrick’s Dinner from 4 to 7 p.m.; attendees encouraged to wear green
- Aspen Highlands: Exhibition Lift open until 5:45 p.m. for sunset skiing; Loge Peak until 5:15 p.m.; DJ, Irish food and drink specials at Merry Go Round from 2 to 5 p.m.
- Rock Island Oyster Bar, Carbondale: Live music with an Irish twist by Julie and Tom Paxton from 3 to 5:30 p.m.
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ASPEN VALLEY LAND TRUST PARTNERS WITH CMC TO PRESERVE PROPERTY
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Colorado Mountain College has permanently conserved 312 acres of land at its Spring Valley campus through a conservation easement with Aspen Valley Land Trust, protecting a portion of land originally donated by local ranching families in 1966 to establish the college. In total, 12 families gifted 811 acres to create one of CMC’s first campuses alongside Leadville, with classes beginning in 1967. CMC President Matt Gianneschi said discussions about conserving part of the property began nearly 10 years ago as the college evaluated how its assets could best serve students and the broader community.
The land was appraised by AVLT as preservable property, transferred to the CMC Foundation, and submitted to the state for review, with stewardship shifting to AVLT while ownership remains with CMC. AVLT officials said the partnership preserves wildlife habitat near an elk corridor while honoring the valley’s ranching heritage. The agreement marks the first time AVLT has partnered with a higher education institution for land conservation.
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COLORADO FFA FOUNDATION SEEKS NOMINEES FOR 2027 FARM CREDIT COLORADO AGRICULTURE HALL OF FAME
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The Colorado Future Farmers of America Foundation is seeking nominations for the 2027 Farm Credit Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame, which honors individuals who have made an extraordinary impact on Colorado’s agriculture industry and its allied businesses. Nominees may be recognized for current achievements or a lifetime of contributions, regardless of age, with impact ranging from local to international. Potential recipients include agricultural innovators, individuals with significant community involvement, and rising leaders who have empowered the next generation of agriculture professionals.
Presented by the Farm Credit Associations in Colorado and the Colorado FFA Foundation, the Hall of Fame is the state’s only statewide award recognizing excellence across all facets of agriculture. Nominations are due by June 1 through an online application, and the induction ceremony is scheduled for February 2027. More information and the nomination form are available at ColoradoFFAFoundation.org.
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ST. PATRICK’S DAY HAPPENINGS AROUND THE VAIL VALLEY
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From corned beef and cabbage to live music, green beer and Irish-themed drink specials, Eagle County establishments are marking St. Patrick’s Day with a wide range of celebrations across the Vail Valley. Restaurants and bars from Vail to Eagle are offering holiday menus, discounted drinks, live entertainment and themed events, giving locals and visitors plenty of options to get into the spirit of the holiday.
- Cucina at the Lodge at Vail: Irish-inspired food and drink specials from 3 to 9 p.m.; live music by Kevin Danzig from 4 to 7 p.m.; 20 percent off food for Epic Pass holders, veterans and guests wearing green
- Beyond Golf Jamboree Party, Eagle: St. Patrick’s Day celebration from 6 to 9 p.m. featuring green beer from Eagle River Brewing Co., Irish food specials, live music by Al Maul, a lineup reveal for the Eagle River Jamboree music festival, ticket giveaways and fee-free local ticket sales
- Ein Prosit: Jameson, Guinness and Irish car bomb specials, Irish stew and beer cheese soup with Guinness brat, plus live music by the Blue Ox Boys
- Southside Benderz: Corned beef and cabbage, Jameson shot specials, car bombs, discounted drafts
- Garfinkel’s: Slopeside après ski celebration with Guinness and shot specials
- Tavern on Vail Square: Live music from noon to 3 p.m., corned beef and cabbage specials, beer specials and a featured cocktail, The Drunken Leprechaun
- Red Lion: Corned beef and cabbage and live music by Johnny Schleper from 4 to 6 p.m. and 9 to 11 p.m.
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YAMPA VALLEY REGIONAL AIRPORT AWARDED $3 MILLION GRANT FOR AVIATION BUSINESS PARK
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Routt County has secured a $3 million federal grant to advance infrastructure development at the Yampa Valley Regional Airport’s Aviation Business Park; a project officials say will support economic growth and job creation across Northwest Colorado. The funding, awarded by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration, will be used to construct a new taxi lane, install utility systems, and prepare parcels for future aviation and commercial tenants. The grant application was a collaborative effort involving Routt County, the town of Hayden and the Yampa Valley Electric Association, with support from Routt County Economic Partners and the Northwest Colorado Development Council.
Officials said the proposed Aviation Technician Apprenticeship Program at the Northwest Colorado Innovation Center, developed in partnership with Colorado Northwestern Community College, helped distinguish the application. Airport Director Tinneal Gerber said the award represents the final grant funding step for the business park’s future, crediting former director Kevin Booth’s groundwork. The project is expected to create more than 230 jobs and leverage $75 million in private investment.
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HOWELSEN HILL TO END SEASON EARLY WITH CLOSING DAY CELEBRATION SUNDAY
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Howelsen Hill will wrap up its 110th winter season earlier than expected on Sunday, March 22, inviting the community to celebrate Closing Day with free skiing, live music, food and activities, according to a Monday statement. The final Ski Free Sunday runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with free lift tickets available at the ticket office, arriving about a week earlier than last year’s March 30 event. Despite lower snowfall and warmer temperatures, crews kept the slopes open through grooming, lift work and snowmaking. Afternoon festivities at the base will feature DJ Rocksteady Teddy, colorful costumes, fun jumps and rails in place of the traditional pond skim, and prizes from local sponsors. Tube Howelsen will offer 50 percent off sessions, and the Outrun Snack Bar will serve all day happy hour specials. Activities may shift based on weather, and more information is at SteamboatSprings.net/Ski.
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GOLD RUN NORDIC CENTER TO CLOSE FOR THE SEASON MARCH 17
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After a challenging winter marked by historically low snowfall, the Gold Run Nordic Center in Breckenridge will close for the season today, Tuesday, March 17, according to a town news release. While the public may continue using the upper trail system on County Road, grooming operations will end. Officials thanked the community for its support and flexibility during what they described as an unprecedented season and expressed hope for more typical conditions next year. The Breckenridge Nordic Center remains open, and both the golf simulator and Tee One restaurant will continue operating.
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AMERICA NOW HAS MORE SPAS & GYMS THAN STORES SELLING ACTUAL STUFF
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Americans are increasingly spending their money on services rather than physical goods, a shift that is reshaping the retail landscape and how landlords lease space. Wellness, fitness and other service-oriented businesses have overtaken traditional retailers for the first time, reflecting changes in consumer behavior, the growth of e-commerce and rising demand for experiences tied to health, appearance and social connection.
- Service-oriented tenants leased just over 50 percent of U.S. retail square footage in 2025, surpassing goods-based retailers for the first time, according to CoStar. Fifteen years ago, service tenants accounted for about 40 percent of leasing.
- Wellness and fitness are leading the growth, as consumers spend more on gyms, yoga studios, spas, salons and other personal care services. The U.S. wellness market reached $2.1 trillion in 2024, according to the Global Wellness Institute.
- E-commerce has reduced the need for large physical stores, allowing landlords to repurpose space once used by apparel and goods retailers into smaller service-based shops. Online sales made up 16.4 percent of total retail sales last year, up from about 8 percent in 2016.
- Fitness centers now account for nearly 30 percent of service-based leases, up from 20 percent in 2016, driven by social media, post pandemic social habits and increased health awareness.
- Landlords report higher rents and stronger foot traffic from service tenants, with some shopping centers generating more revenue after replacing single large retailers with multiple wellness-focused businesses.
- Retail vacancy remains near record lows at 4.4 percent, supported by strong demand from service-based tenants such as Planet Fitness, which continues to expand into spaces vacated by bankrupt retailers.
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MARKET UPDATE - 03/16/2026 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 03/12/2026)
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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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