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Colorado - Tue. 04/14/26 |
A Free Business Publication from Alpine Bank
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REPORT TOUTS CSU SYSTEM’S ECONOMIC IMPACT
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A systemwide economic impact report finds the Colorado State University System generated $2.4 billion in annual economic output in fiscal 2024 and added $1.233 billion in value to Colorado’s economy—about 5.8 times the $211.6 million it received in state funding. The study says the system supported nearly 12,000 jobs, produced an estimated $90 million in tax revenue, and educated more than 50,000 students across Fort Collins, Pueblo and CSU Global; 68 percent of on campus students are Colorado residents. CSU Fort Collins alumni are estimated to have earned an aggregate $3 billion more because of their degrees, while CSU Pueblo alumni gained about $389 million in aggregate earnings.
The report highlights CSU’s role as a stable regional economic engine—driving job creation, technology transfer (CSU STRATA has helped form 69 startups since 1997), research commercialization, and extension outreach across all 64 counties, and argues the system’s returns to the state far exceed its direct appropriations.
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REVISIONS SHOW COLORADO ECONOMY ACTUALLY LOST JOBS LAST YEAR
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Revisions from the Colorado Dept. of Labor and Employment show Colorado lost about 11,700 nonfarm jobs in 2025, the weakest annual performance since the pandemic, reversing earlier estimates that had shown gains; the 12 month change through January was a loss of about 11,000 jobs with the private sector down roughly 7,000 and the public sector down about 4,000. The state’s labor force fell by about 5,200 to 3,248,000 and labor force participation slipped to 66.8 percent, the lowest since September 2020, which helped keep the annual unemployment rate lower than initial estimates even as the monthly rate rose from a revised 3.8 percent in December to 3.9 percent in January. Only educational and health services (+14,200) and other services (+1,900) added jobs; trade, transportation and utilities, leisure and hospitality, manufacturing, financial activities, information, professional and business services and mining all posted declines. Economists say the revisions change the outlook for 2025 by highlighting broader weakness outside typical recessionary periods.
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41ST SPACE SYMPOSIUM REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
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Space Symposium will convene April 13-16, 2026, at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs as the 41st edition of the global gathering for military, government, commercial and industry space professionals; registration and the event app are now available. The program promises thousands of international attendees, heads of agencies and hundreds of confirmed speakers, plus nearly 170,000 square feet of exhibit space across three centers to unite advanced manufacturing, aerospace systems, artificial intelligence, cyber security, satellite systems, spaceports and other industry sectors. Organizers position the symposium as the premier forum for leadership statements, strategy and cross sector collaboration, and invite organizations to exhibit and request speaker alerts and event updates.
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JBS PLANT EMPLOYEES RATIFY TENTATIVE AGREEMENT
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Workers at the JBS beef processing plant in Greeley ratified a tentative two-year collective bargaining agreement covering nearly 3,800 workers, ending months of negotiations and a strike that began March 16 after eight months of failed talks; nearly 4,000 employees joined the picket line and returned to work April 7. The United Food Commercial Workers Local 7 said the deal secures JBS-leading wage increases, defends workers against healthcare cost increases and prevents employees from paying for personal protective equipment. The union has accused JBS of unfair labor practices and retaliation, which the company denies. UFCW Local 7 president Kim Cordova praised members’ three-week picket. State Senator Robert Rodriguez introduced a worker safety bill to bar wage deductions for PPE and require reasonable restroom access at meatpacking plants; the union called both measures critical protections preserving human dignity.
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CALIFORNIA FIRM PURCHASES 7 WESTERN SLOPE MANUFACTURED HOME PARKS
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San Francisco‑based Primrose Real Estate bought a portfolio of seven Western Slope manufactured‑home parks totaling more than 700 homesites, including the 39‑unit Lamplighter in Rifle and six Grand Valley communities that represent roughly one‑fourth of Mesa County’s lots. Recent closings included the 102‑unit Vineyards ($8.82 million) and 119‑unit Picture Ranch ($9.89 million) in Clifton; other purchases were Garfield Estates (100 units, $8.87 million), Paradise Park (253 units, $27.45 million), Rose Park (86 units, $5.12 million) and Westlake Park (59 units, $5.79 million), bringing Primrose’s Colorado and Garfield acquisitions since December to nearly $70 million. All seven were sold by Impact Communities; Primrose president Mark Leary confirmed the buys but declined comment.
The parks now use Idaho‑based Breaking Ground Property Management. Colorado law gives residents 120 days to submit a purchase proposal; nonprofit Thistle held info sessions but only Picture Ranch showed interest and lacked the engagement threshold to pursue a resident‑owned conversion. Officials say they’ve seen notices but have no details on Primrose’s plans.
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ENTRANCE TO ASPEN VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE AVAILABLE UNTIL PUBLIC COMMENT CLOSES
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The city of Aspen is hosting a virtual open house through April 17 that offers a full 3D walkthrough of the Entrance to Aspen project for those who missed the March 26 meeting and is accepting public comments. City, CDOT and FHWA officials are reevaluating the 1998 Record of Decision that selected a Preferred Alternative — realigning Hwy. 82 to meet Main Street near 7th Street with a new Castle Creek Bridge, chosen from 43 options — to determine whether it remains valid under current conditions. The reevaluation, due by 2027, aims to address travel, safety and mobility while respecting community character; fall 2024 voting showed traffic relief as the top concern at 86.3 percent and emergency access a “non-negotiable.”
Proposed refinements focus on transit operations, safety, bottleneck relief and open space and Nordic trail connectivity, with potential modifications at Cemetery Lane, the Maroon Creek roundabout, the Airport Business Center and Main Street bus lane options. The virtual open house is available in English and Spanish at visualmedia.jacobs.com/CO82_ETAProject/index.html and public comments can be submitted via the city’s online form. An additional in person open house will be scheduled.
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2026 MONTROSE SUMMER MUSIC SERIES LINEUP REVEAL APRIL 15 AT HORSEFLY BREWERY
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Let the countdown to summer begin: the 2026 Montrose Summer Music Series will unveil its official lineup on Wednesday, April 15 at 6 p.m. at Horsefly Brewery, where organizers will host an evening of music and community and present the artists scheduled for the season. The series opens June 5, with additional concerts currently slated for July 4, Aug. 7 and Sept. 11; performers for those dates will be announced at the Horsefly reveal. Attendees are invited to come early, enjoy food and drinks, and be the first to see the slate of acts that will perform throughout the summer series. To learn more, visit online at montrosesummermusicseries.com.
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EDELMANN CHOSEN TO BE NEXT HEAD OF VAIL MOUNTAIN
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Vail Mountain named Shaydar Edelmann, currently vice president and general manager of Heavenly Mountain Resort, as its next chief operating officer. He will succeed Beth Howard, who plans to retire this fall. Edelmann brings more than 25 years in the snow sports industry with prior leadership roles at Park City Mountain, Boreal, Soda Springs, Woodward Tahoe and Woodward Park City, and experience overseeing construction, operations and innovations such as California’s first recycled water snowmaking system. Originally from Kaikōura, New Zealand, Edelmann has a background in outdoor sports and serves on several Tahoe and industry boards; he said he’s honored to join Vail and aims to build on the resort’s legacy while pursuing innovation.
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FEDS’ $140 MILLION PROMISED TO COLORADO RIVER DROUGHT MITIGATION PROJECTS REMAINS STUCK FOR ‘BUREAUCRATIC’ REASONS
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About $140 million in Inflation Reduction Act drought mitigation grants awarded to 17 Western Slope projects in the final days of the Biden administration remain frozen nearly 16 months later, with only $12 million released for two Orchard Mesa Irrigation District projects. The awards included $152 million for Colorado and a $40 million allocation to the Colorado River District to help buy the Shoshone water rights tied to the Glenwood Canyon hydropower plant. Three days after the awards, a Day 1 order paused IRA disbursements, and while the Bureau of Reclamation released funds for two Palisade projects in June, the rest are withheld for what lawmakers call “bureaucratic reasons” and politics.
Rep. Jeff Hurd and the full Colorado delegation have pressed Interior and Reclamation to free the money; the River District has raised $57.2 million from state and local sources and pursued legal steps including an instream flow agreement and a joint water court application but still needs the federal dollars and regulatory approvals. The need has intensified amid statewide drought, historically low snowpack and projections that Lake Powell will receive only about one fifth of normal inflows, prompting drought restrictions and activation of the state drought task force.
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MIKAELA SHIFFRIN SKIS WITH ELEVATEHER MEMBERS AT COPPER MOUNTAIN TO KICK OFF $1M INITIATIVE
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Mikaela Shiffrin spent an invite only day at Copper Mountain on April 11 with about 40 girls from elevateHER for “The GOAT Gives Back,” an event that launched a $1 million fundraising drive for ShareWinter. Shiffrin, who helped raise nearly $500,000 for ShareWinter in 2025, spoke to the 10–14 year old participants about passion, persistence and her own start in the sport (she learned to ski in the family driveway at age 2), answered questions about racing and the start gate, and shared lighthearted anecdotes including a childhood “zoomies” Christmas story and her early dream of being a “rainbow horse.”
elevateHER, a Chaffee County program that builds self-worth through mentoring, outdoor adventure and wellness, was praised by attendees for creating a supportive community that boosts confidence; organizers and ShareWinter leaders framed the day as both a fundraising kickoff and a hands on opportunity to remove barriers to snow sports by funding lessons, gear, lift tickets and transportation (ShareWinter estimates about $500 supports one child for a season). Participants said meeting Shiffrin made elite sport feel more accessible and inspiring.
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COLORADO RIVER VALLEY CHAMBER HONORS OUTSTANDING CITIZENS BUSINESSES AT ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET
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The Colorado River Valley Chamber held a Roaring ’20s themed annual awards banquet at Grand River Health in Rifle featuring a costume contest, silent and live auctions, a skit and raffle, and fundraising to support the chamber’s mission; organizers thanked sponsors Rib City and Property Professionals and noted the event drew hundreds of guests who celebrated local businesses, nonprofits and community leaders.
- Board Member Appreciation: Jack Kirkpatrick • Business of the Year: Big O Tires (represented by Bill Mitchell; Randy Marquez)
- Non-Profit Organization of the Year: Riding Institute for Disabled Equestrians (RIDE) (Brandi Smythe; Poke)
- Community Champion of the Year: Michael Churchill
- John B. Scalzo Lifetime Achievement Award: Steve Rippy (accepted by Steve Rippy Jr.; Becky Rippy)
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RIVERSEDGE WEST VOLUNTEER EVENTS KICK OFF APRIL 14
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RiversEdge West has announced its 2026 River Stewardship volunteer schedule, inviting community members to participate in hands-on conservation efforts to protect and restore riverside habitats in the Grand Valley. The events, held through partnerships with local agencies, aim to enhance ecological sustainability and engage the community in conservation work. Learn more at riversedgewest.org.
Upcoming volunteer events include:
- April 14, 9-11 a.m.: Planting Event at Clifton Nature Park (with Mesa County)
- April 18, 8 a.m. to noon: Earth Day Volunteer Planting Event (with City of Grand Junction)
- April 23, 9-11 a.m.: Planting Event at Grand Junction Wildlife Area (with Bureau of Reclamation)
- May 7, 8-10 a.m.: GJ Wildlife Area (with Bureau of Reclamation)
- May 21, 8-10 a.m.: James M. Robb Colorado River State Park (with Colorado Parks and Wildlife)
- May 28, 8-10 a.m.: Grand Junction (with City of Grand Junction)
- June 4, 8-10 a.m.: GJ Wildlife Area (with Bureau of Reclamation)
- July 8, 8-10 a.m.: Grand Junction (with City of Grand Junction)
- Sept. 10, 9-11 a.m.: James M. Robb Colorado River State Park (with Colorado Parks and Wildlife)
- Sept. 30, 9-11 a.m.: GJ Wildlife Area (with Bureau of Reclamation)
- Oct. 15, 9-11 a.m.: James M. Robb Colorado River State Park (with Colorado Parks and Wildlife)
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WHAT IS THE AVERAGE TAX REFUND IN COLORADO?
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With Tax Day just around the corner, many taxpayers may be most concerned with where their refunds are or if they can get more time to file. If you’re waiting for your refund, consumer finance site Upgraded Points looked at federal tax data to figure out what refunds look like in thousands of counties and all 50 states. The average refund nationally is nearly $3,600, with about three quarters of taxpayers receiving one, according to the data. The average refund sent to Colorado taxpayers is slightly higher, and Colorado taxpayers are slightly less likely to receive one. According to the study, the average federal income tax refund sent to a Colorado taxpayer is $3,617, good for 24th in the nation. About 63.7 percent of Colorado taxpayers get a federal tax refund and 90.9 percent of those receive their refund through direct deposit.
Which states see the largest refunds?
- Florida: $4,433
- Texas: $4,344
- Wyoming: $4,282
- Nevada: $4,193
- Louisiana: $4,117
Which states saw the smallest refunds?
- Maine: $3,057
- Wisconsin: $3,151
- Oregon: $3,191
- Vermont: $3,241
- West Virginia: $3,262
Which Colorado counties get the largest refunds?
- Pitkin County, $8,756 (No. 2 nationally)
- San Miguel County, $7,009 (No. 7 nationally)
- Eagle County, $4,799 (No. 68 nationally)
- Routt County, $4,719 (No. 80 nationally)
- Boulder County, $4,515 (No. 111 nationally)
Which Colorado counties get the smallest refunds?
- Jackson County, $2,501
- Lake County, $2,599
- Dolores County, $2,730
- Mineral County, $2,767
- Phillips County, $2,880
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MARKET UPDATE - 04/13/2026 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 04/09/2026)
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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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