|
Colorado - Tue. 08/11/26 |
A Free Business Publication from Alpine Bank
|
|
View in Browser
|
|
|
| |
COLORADO DRILL TEST FINDS CLEAN ENERGY PAY DIRT — 1,000 FEET UNDER H.S. FOOTBALL FIELD
|
| |
|
|
| |
Thanks to a relatively easy and extremely rare drill test down to 1,000 feet under the high school football field, Aspen School District will be a key proof-of-concept project for a state-backed push into Colorado’s rich geothermal energy sources. Ground-source geothermal heat pumps circulate water deep underground to gain energy from stable temperatures. In zero-degree surface temperatures in winter, the circulating lines bring up 55-degree water as the starting point for heating. In the summer, 55 degrees is the base for cooling. Aspen plans to use the new system to bring clean, low-carbon energy to school and administration buildings across its campus.
But first, construction consultants McKinstry and drillers PanTerra Energy had to prove it could be done. Most commercial-scale geothermal projects in Colorado stop at about 500 feet underground. The first few hundred feet in Aspen is actually the hardest, with drillers having to cope with varied conditions of “cobble” near the surface. While it took about four days of drilling to get through the first few hundred feet of mixed “cobble,” the next 750 feet of bedrock only took a day and a half. PanTerra reached the 1,000-foot mark that only a Hayden-area project has targeted for geothermal energy. Overhauling Aspen School District’s energy sources has been made possible by a combination of federal and state grants and tax credits, and a local bond issue.
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
LOW-CARBON CEMENT MAKER MORE THAN DOUBLES SPACE WITH NEW GOLDEN FACILITY
|
| |
|
|
| |
Terra CO2 broke ground on its new R&D concrete lab and headquarters building in June. The new 30,167-square-foot facility will be at 1341 Avery St. and is expected to be complete by next April, said new CEO Pete Lyons. All 32 of Terra CO2's Denver-area employees will work at the new concrete lab. Currently, workers are spread out between a pilot plant and concrete lab, both in Golden, which cover a combined 12,000 square feet. Terra’s true research and development facility is in Vancouver, Canada, where Chief Science Officer and Co-founder D.J. Lake runs a 10-person team with a small pilot plant. The new Golden facility will work on the electric vitrification process, a method for melting down materials. It will also develop a product called Opus Zero, a 100 percent carbon emission-free cement alternative.
Lyons' top priority is Terra's commercial-scale plant currently under construction in Cleburne, Texas, he said. Terra said the plant will be complete in the second or third quarter of 2027. Once it's up and running, it will be able to produce 240,000 tons of the company’s Opus SCM cement alternative product annually. Between 4 percent and 8 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions are attributed to concrete production, experts say, because limestone, one of the key ingredients in Portland cement, is about half carbon. When limestone is broken down and mixed with clay to create cement, it releases the carbon inside the rock. Terra’s alternative uses silicate rock to replace limestone in the cement-making process.
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
MURAL AT THE HEART OF DIA CONSPIRACY THEORIES IS COMING BACK
|
| |
|
|
| |
A large-scale mural by artist Leo Tanguma and other prominent pieces of public art are returning to Denver International Airport’s Great Hall, following the completion of construction that forced them into storage. The floor-to-ceiling mural “In Peace and Harmony with Nature,” by Denver artist Tanguma with help from his daughter Leticia Tanguma, was reinstalled last week on Level 5, Northwest. It completes a series of Tanguma murals that have prompted conspiracy theories in the three decades since the airport opened. Tanguma’s colorful “In Peace and Harmony with Nature” completes the imagery in Tanguma’s lightning-rod mural “Children of the World Dream of Peace,” which is installed a few feet away on the same walls. It’s long been the subject of elaborate conspiracy theories.
Tanguma’s murals at the airport, however, are meant to convey ideals of hope, justice and environmental stewardship, he has said, and to tell that story he also must depict the toll that war and destruction take on young lives and the environment. There are no hidden or sinister meanings, he has said. “Tanguma’s work references the social realist murals of Mexico depicting the destruction of the environment,” DIA officials wrote. “The first half of the mural depicts children displaying great sadness over the destruction and extinction of life, as the second half of the artwork depicts humanity coming together to rehabilitate and celebrate nature.” Misinterpretations of Tanguma’s work are not new, but they have over the years led to occasional threats toward the artist and his family. New protective barriers will be installed for the mural.
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
COLORADO HAS A NEW STATE HISTORIAN
|
| |
|
|
| |
Colorado’s new State Historian, Nicki Gonzales, has deep roots in Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico. It’s one reason the history professor and vice provost at Regis University has forged an expertise in the history of the American West focused on race relations and social and political movements. Gonzales, who also served in the role from 2021 to 2022, said she sees her role as an “evangelist for history” and has several goals for what she wants to accomplish during her year-long tenure. Gonzales said she couldn’t understand why her parents didn’t like to talk about the family’s past. But, as she learned more about the history of her ancestors who were Mexican Americans and from Indigenous groups, it became clearer. “They were just trying to protect us from a history of racism and discrimination, a history of poverty and difficulty,” Gonzales said.
“They wanted us to feel like we belonged 100 percent and that education would be our ticket to mainstream society or to belonging as an American.” Gonzales hopes she can inspire more Coloradans to understand how their own family history fits into the larger historical picture. “I hope to help people to be strengthened by the challenges and triumphs that their ancestors experienced,” Gonzales said. “I really believe that that will help us understand one another and I believe that understanding leads to empathy. Gonzales said it’s sometimes tempting for families to want to throw away old letters and objects from the past, but she urges people to use them to learn more about their ancestors.
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
UPDATE ON BEAVERS RELEASED IN FIRST PHASE OF HABITAT RESTORATION PROJECT
|
| |
|
|
| |
At West Rifle Creek and Garfield Creek state wildlife areas, two creeks were slowly transforming into fast-moving, deeply eroded ditches, impacting water availability at the wildlife areas that benefit a large number of species. Colorado Parks and Wildlife local wildlife officers came together to implement an innovative restoration effort blending out-of-the-box thinking and resourcefulness, conservation partnerships, and low-tech engineering. Combining the use of beaver dam analogs, or BDAs — man-made structures designed to mimic natural beaver dams — with the strategic relocation of seven beavers, these projects are successfully slowing down the flow, reviving critical riparian habitats. In August 2024, staff built two BDAs about a mile downstream from the existing colony. The results were almost immediate. Within just a single month, an enterprising beaver took over one of the structures and began expanding its colony.
In an effort to continue the momentum, CPW partnered with Colorado Open Lands, Ducks Unlimited, the Mule Deer Foundation and the National Wild Turkey Federation on a large-scale project that would encompass four miles of West Rifle Creek. In 2025, the partnership was awarded a grant through CPW’s wetland program to help purchase materials to complete remaining work. By the spring of this year, crews constructed 39 new BDAs along the creek. The project is slated to continue over the next two years. The goal is to slow the water down, encourage the creek to meander naturally across the landscape again and widen the lush riparian corridor that so many wildlife species depend on. CPW and partners at Ducks Unlimited will also work to repair Clark Reservoir to eliminate current seepage and install infrastructure that allows CPW to manage the release of water, creating additional wetland habitat at the state wildlife area.
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
RITA THE ROCK PLANTER TELLS VICTOR'S STORY IN THE TROLLS OF AMERICA PUBLIC ART
|
| |
|
|
| |
They’re wonderful wooden giants, filled with personality, most with touching history tributes to their out-of-the-way home areas, all recycled and environmentally perfect. And two of the beloved Thomas Dambo trolls are in special sites in Colorado. Famed Danish artist Dambo creates character trolls worldwide, working with communities and volunteers who turn into recycled-wood-pallet preparers and rock gatherers for the art teams. There are more than 150 of his recycled sculptures hidden in nature in 20 countries, and Trolls of America is Dambo’s dream of one or more in every state. Travelers can follow a TrollMap, at trollmap.com, and join fan clubs in search of the hidden gems in rugged locations, sharing social media with hints about any difficult sites, all of them on difficult-to-traverse trails and hikes to settings with names and histories Dambo knows they’ll appreciate.
The two Colorado trolls are prize finds for Dambo Troll hunters. Rita the Rock Planter is quietly at home in the midst of the famous Teller County mountain mining area where many millions of dollars in gold were extracted. Isak Heartstone of Breckenridge was the first Colorado troll and he turned into quite the story. Thousands of people, sometimes 3,000 a day, poured into his quiet, hidden (not so much) area causing worse than serious parking issues for tiny neighborhoods on the edge of town. Breck took a vote that said to dismantle Isak, the visitor attraction, in 2019. Dambo returned to Breckenridge to reinstall Isak in a town location where people have to hike or bike to see him. Isak resides on Trollstigen Trail near the ice arena.
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
GRANT OPPORTUNITIES FOR WESTERN SLOPE NONPROFITS
|
| |
|
|
| |
Founded in 1996, the Western Colorado Community Foundation was created to help build charitable funds and provide resources to benefit Western Slope communities. Thirty years later, they’re doing just that. The foundation announced it is now accepting applications for local and regional grants to support nonprofits. The Two Rivers Unrestricted Endowment, or T.R.U.E fund, is a grant-making fund of the Two Rivers Community Foundation supporting eligible nonprofit organizations that serve Carbondale, Glenwood Springs, and New Castle. The Conservation, Outdoor, Recreation, Environment (CORE) Fund is managed by the Western Colorado Community Foundation and supports organizations that work to strengthen western Colorado through conservation, outdoor recreation, and environmental stewardship. The CORE Fund will accept applications from Aug. 10 through Sept. 11.
Funding is available for projects and programs serving communities within the Western Colorado Community Foundation’s service areas, including Delta, Eagle, Garfield, Mesa, Montrose, Ouray, and Rio Blanco counties. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and other qualified charitable entities recognized by the IRS. To be eligible for the local fund, applicants must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has operated for at least two years, have an annual operating budget of $5 million or less, and serve the communities of Carbondale, Glenwood Springs, New Castle, or a combination of those communities. Applications for the T.R.U.E. Fund will be open until Friday, Aug. 28. For more information about either grant opportunity, visit wc-cf.org. For more information about the Two Rivers Community Foundation, visit 2rcf.com.
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
DURANGO TRAILS RECEIVES GRANT, NOMINATED BY LOCAL BUSINESS
|
| |
|
|
| |
Durango Trails, a local nonprofit, was awarded $20,000 from the Outdoor Market Alliance after being nominated by Durango’s own Backcountry Experience. The Outdoor Market Alliance is a collective of 25 outdoor sales rep agencies serving the Rockies. Since the alliance began in 2022, it has awarded funding every year to various nonprofits. This year, $35,000 was made available to outdoor-focused nonprofits, and local retailers had the opportunity to nominate or write the grant letter for deserving organizations. Backcountry Experience owner Ben Rockis and marketing manager Brandon Mathis nominated Durango Trails, which received the largest grant awarded, $20,000. The other two recipient organizations were awarded $10,000 and $5,000.
Durango Trails is a local nonprofit that builds and maintains trails around town while encouraging community engagement. The organization has more than 300 miles of trails within 30 minutes of Durango. They rely heavily on charitable donations, memberships and community fundraising, said Jen Gersbach-Venzara, Durango Trails executive director. One of the main ways Durango Trails has used the money was putting its crew through sawyer training, so everyone is properly trained on chainsaw use. This will allow their crew to work on clearing downed trees in addition to drainage and tread work on Forest Service trails. The money will also help with volunteer events Durango Trails hosts throughout the week, such as their Trail Happy Hours on Thursday evenings.
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
YAMPA RANCH HISTORIC BARN & GRANARY DESIGNATED AS A ROUTT COUNTY HISTORIC PROPERTY
|
| |
|
|
| |
The Yampa Ranch Historic Barn and Granary was added to the Routt County Register of Historic Places on June 23. The barn and granary are rare surviving examples of agricultural construction in the Yampa Valley. Property owner Matt Tredway worked with Historic Routt County to place it on the register. Tredway is also on the Historic Routt County board of directors. Artifacts like belt buckles, rake teeth and square nails were found near the top of the strata. Spoons, forks and tobacco pipe stems were found deeper in the soil. The property is south of the town of Yampa along Routt County Road 6D. The Ute Indigenous tribe occupied the Yampa Valley long before white settlers. Twenty-five years after gold was discovered at Hahn’s Peak in 1864, James Sweeney claimed the land that the barn and granary sat on in 1889. Sweeney patented the land in 1894. In 1906, Sweeney sold the land to John P. Phillips, who was himself an early settler in the Yampa Valley.
Phillips first set eyes on the Yampa Valley in 1881, as part of a posse looking for a team of stolen horses from Florissant. After securing the horses and returning south, Phillips vowed to return to the green grass that lined the Yampa River. “Phillips, at 8 years old, walked all the way from Missouri to Florissant,” said Tredway. “That alone is amazing, but his story takes an incredible turn when he arrives in our area.” By 1882, Phillips returned and began homesteading. In early August, Phillips’ cabin was ransacked and robbed, and he set out again with a posse to retrieve his stolen items. “Sixteen horses were stolen, a shootout ensued near what is now Oak Creek, and Phillips was able to kill the two thieves,” said Tredway. “He was even able to recover his stolen boots, which were on the feet of one of the thieves.”
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
COLORADO'S ONLY FINALIST IN NORTH AMERICAN TOURNAMENT HONORING LIFT MAINTENANCE STAFF
|
| |
|
|
| |
Loveland Ski Area was recently named a finalist in the sixth annual Rise Up Challenge, a competition honoring lift maintenance workers across North America. Loveland’s Zoe Corigliano is Colorado’s only finalist, competing against workers at resorts in Virginia, Vermont, New Mexico, Minnesota and Alberta, Canada. Each of these resorts submitted a video spotlighting a “rising star” on their lift maintenance team. Along with being Colorado’s only finalist, Corigliano is the only female highlighted in a finalist video. “It’s not just a man’s world, it’s not just a boys club,” said DJ Johnson, a lift maintenance manager at Loveland featured in its video submission. “(Zoe’s) proving that females can do this job and are valuable lift mechanics when they have a skill set like hers and a mindset like hers, and dedication, capabilities and skills like hers.”
The competition, hosted by Ski Area Management Magazine and Leitner-Poma of America, will be decided based on public votes. The ski area with the most votes by Aug. 16 will receive a $3,500 education grant to support training for its lift maintenance employees. To watch Loveland Ski Area’s entry video or place a vote, visit SAMInfo.com.
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
COLORADO WILDFIRE SUPPORT
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
Alpine Bank has created funds to support the families of the firefighters and pilot who were tragically impacted by recent local wildfires - the Snyder Fire and the Gold Mountain Fire. Alpine Bank has made the initial donations and invites our local communities to join us in supporting these families. Alpine Bank has a longstanding commitment to supporting the communities it serves, especially in moments of hardship. These firefighters were there for our communities and now it’s our turn to stand beside their families and support them however we can. That’s what neighbors do. The benefit accounts are open for donations now through Aug. 31, 2026, with all funds going directly to the firefighters' families. Information on how to contribute can be found at the link below.
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
72 FALL ILL, 7 HOSPITALIZED AT COLORADO SPRINGS FESTIVAL
|
| |
|
|
| |
Dozens of people fell ill in the heat over the weekend at a taco-themed festival in Colorado Springs. Temperatures in Colorado Springs hit a record-tying 97 degrees on Saturday. The heat caused 72 people at the Tacos and Tequila Festival to fall ill, and paramedics took seven people to the hospital for severe dehydration or intoxication. The outdoor event coincided with a heat advisory on Saturday, and more advisories have been issued this week as the heat continues. El Paso, Fremont and Pueblo counties are under a heat advisory between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Tuesday. “Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors,” forecasters wrote in the advisories.
Colorado Springs Fire Dept. officials said people should watch out for signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, including:
- Heat exhaustion: Excessive sweating, dizziness, thirst, nausea, weakness, muscle cramps and headaches.
- Heat stroke: Confusion, slurred speech, nausea, rapid pulse and loss of consciousness. “Heat stroke is a medical emergency,” fire officials said. “Call 911 immediately. Move the person to a cooler location and begin cooling them while waiting for emergency assistance to arrive.”
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
THE 10 MOST IN-DEMAND ZIP CODES FOR HOMEBUYERS IN 2026
|
| |
|
|
| |
The hottest place for U.S. home shoppers right now features modest, detached homes on generous lots, suburban shopping and highway access to downtown Boston, just 20 miles away. Peabody, Massachusetts, was the most in-demand ZIP code for homebuyers in the first half of 2026, according to Realtor.com, which ranks ZIP codes based on how many views listings receive and how quickly homes sell. The last time Peabody was on the list was in 2021, when it ranked No. 3. With a $600,000 median list price, Peabody is relatively affordable compared with some of the North Shore’s wealthier communities. It’s also the only one of this year’s 10 hottest ZIP codes where the median listing price is lower than in its surrounding metro.
Here are the 10 hottest ZIP codes for homebuyers in 2026:
- Peabody, Massachusetts (01960): Median listing price, $600,000; Views per property, 4.09 times the U.S. average
- Montclair, New Jersey (07042): Median listing price, $1.05 million; Views per property, 3.3 times the U.S. average
- Sewell, New Jersey (08080): Median listing price, $426,000; Views per property, 3.8 times the U.S. average
- Fairport, New York (14450): Median listing price, $429,000; Views per property, 5.25 times the U.S. average
- Westfield, Massachusetts (01085): Median listing price, $381,000; Views per property, 5.21 times the U.S. average
- Livonia, Michigan (48154): Median listing price, $338,000; Views per property, 3.39 times the U.S. average
- Lititz, Pennsylvania (17543): Median listing price, $598,000; Views per property, 3.84 times the U.S. average
- North Haven, Connecticut (06473): Median listing price, $562,000; Views per property, 5.34 times the U.S. average
- New Berlin, Wisconsin (53151): Median listing price, $445,000; Views per property, 4.48 times the U.S. average
- Wheaton, Illinois (60187): Median listing price, $575,000; Views per property, 3.03 times the U.S. average
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
MARKET UPDATE - 08/10/2026 Close
|
| |
|
(Courtesy of Alpine Bank Wealth Management*)
|
| |
|
Canadian dollar (per U.S. dollar)
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Mexican peso (per U.S. dollar)
|
| |
|
|
|
|
30-year fixed mortgage rate (Freddie Mac 08/06/2026)
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
*Not FDIC insured. May lose value. Not guaranteed by the bank.
|
| |
|
| |
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.
|
| |
|
|
| |
| Make changes to your subscription or unsubscribe here. |
| © 2026 Alpine Bank. |
| |
|
|
