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Colorado - Mon. 08/31/26 |
A Free Business Publication from Alpine Bank
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RAW SEWAGE RELEASED INTO THE ARKANSAS RIVER AFTER PUEBLO PIPE BREAK
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On Friday night, the Colorado Dept. of Public Health and Environment issued a public statement advising of the release of dangerously high levels of bacteria into the Arkansas River after a broken pipe in Pueblo spilled 4.25 million gallons of raw sewage into the river. People and animals should avoid any contact with river water from where Fountain Creek enters the Arkansas River in Pueblo through John Martin Reservoir in Hasty, including Blende, Avondale, Fowler, Manzanola, Rocky Ford, La Junta and Las Animas. “Testing will continue over the coming days to assess contamination levels and water safety,” state officials said. “Public health officials do not know yet how long the advisory will remain in effect.”
The concerns over the spill are wide-range and extend to the Lower Arkansas Valley where Dept. of Agriculture officials are working with the melon and other produce farmers to find alternative sources and test their water while dangerous bacteria and other germs wash through southeastern Colorado. “Discharges of raw sewage into waterways contain harmful bacteria that present risks to human health. Produce growers who fall under the FDA’s Produce Safety Rule must ensure any water they use before, during, or after harvest is of adequate quality,” the state health and agriculture departments warned.
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PUBLIC HEALTH WARNING TO COLORADANS CONCERNING ARKANSAS RIVER SPILL
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Stay out of the Arkansas River downstream of the discharge location.
- Do not swim, wade, tube, kayak or participate in other activities involving contact with river water.
- Keep children and pets away from the river.
- Do not allow pets or livestock to drink river water.
- Do not drink untreated river water or use it to prepare food.
- Avoid fishing in the affected area.
- Do not use untreated river water on fruits or vegetables that will be eaten raw.
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COLORADO STATE FAIR TIME
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Another Colorado event celebrating the state’s 150th birthday and the 250th of the U.S. is the Colorado State Fair. The state fair opened Friday, Aug. 28 and continues through Monday, Sept. 7 in Pueblo. Although the opening day was the same day as the announcement of the massive sewage spill in Pueblo, there have been no reports of operational problems or closures at the Colorado State Fair.
Here are the basics for the Colorado State Fair and Rodeo:
- Adult Gate Admission: $15
- Kids (ages 5-12): $7
- Children 4 and under are free (when accompanied by an adult)
Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 3 p.m. – 11 p.m.
- Friday – Sunday: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
- Labor Day: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Carnival Prices:
- Unlimited Ride Band*: $34 through Aug. 27, $42 starting Aug. 28
- Megapass*: $162 through Aug. 27, $202 starting Aug. 28
- $2 fee for wristbands and cards purchased on site
- Complete information and schedule at: coloradostatefair.com
- To purchase tickets: etix.com/ticket/o/og/2700/2026-colorado-state-fair-and-fairgrounds-events
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FRONT RANGE CITIES TO VOTE THIS FALL ON FUNDING FOR COLORADO CONNECTOR TRAIN
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The Front Range Passenger Rail District board of directors Friday voted in favor of putting a measure on the November ballot for voters in the district, asking for a 33-cent sales tax increase on every $1,000 spent to raise $295 million a year for the Colorado Connector passenger train. The district, created in 2021, now includes cities in which at least 20 percent of their population is five miles from one of the train’s planned stations. That includes Denver, Westminster, Louisville, Boulder, Loveland, Fort Collins, Pueblo, Colorado Springs and the Sterling Ranch subdivision in Douglas County.
State lawmakers scaled the district back this year, trimming out more politically conservative-leaning areas like Castle Rock, Lone Tree, Monument, Greeley and most unincorporated areas. Only voters who live in the district will vote on the tax hike. Limited service between Denver, Boulder and Fort Collins would still start in three years even if voters reject the sales tax hike, with funding provided from the state transportation innovation fund and RTD money.
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COLORADO OUTSIDE DAYS GROWS IN 2026, HAS $42 MILLION ECONOMIC IMPACT
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The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade released a report that Outside Days, the Colorado festival celebrating outdoor recreation held on the last weekend of May, generated $42.15 million for the state’s economy. This year was just the third year of its existence, but it expanded to four days and had a music lineup, panels with some of the world’s top athletes, an outdoor-themed film festival, a business conference and outdoor gear show. It drew more than 40,000 attendees in 2026, up 172 percent from its debut year, with about 30 percent of the attendees from out of state. The economic impact was up 17 percent over 2025 and 163 percent above the economic impact of the first event. The next Outside Days festival is set to return to the Auraria Campus in 2027. It was originally hosted at Civic Center Park, but the historic downtown landmark is undergoing a major renovation project.
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RESORT BOOKINGS INDICATE TRAVELERS MAY BECOMING MORE PRICE CONSCIOUS
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Inntopia, the resort reservations, marketing and research firm, released information on bookings for the summer season for Colorado resorts. The summer season runs from May through October. As of July 31, summer occupancy at Colorado destinations tracked by Inntopia was up 3 percent compared to this time last year. There was some change in bookings for September, which is traditionally one of the lower-priced months of the season, as there were larger gains in bookings from customers seeking more budget-friendly travel options and accommodations.
Tom Foley, director of Business Intelligence for Inntopia, notes that travelers who target September and October vacations can save anywhere from 15 percent to 35 percent per night. Booking data also shows early strength for December across Colorado’s mountain destinations, a product of vacationers jumping on early lodging offers for the upcoming ski season, Foley said. He also identified the combination of rising travel expenses and inflated consumer prices as putting pressure on lodging rates. “Even luxury consumers are pulling back, and economy-minded consumers remain tentative,” Foley said in the report.
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COLORADO AVALANCHE SIGN CALE MAKAR TO ALL-TIME RECORD $163M CONTRACT
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The Colorado Avalanche selected Cale Makar No. 4 in the 2018 National Hockey League draft. Makar won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year, has won the Norris Trophy twice and will just turn 28 years old in October. On Friday, the superstar defenseman agreed to an eight-year contract worth $163.2 million with the Colorado Avalanche. It is the largest in NHL history. Makar has one season left on his current deal, a six-year, $54 million pact, which he signed on July 24, 2021. The new contract will start with the 2027-28 season and runs through 2035. Makar, a Calgary native, has 136 goals and 507 points, which are both franchise records for a defenseman, in 470 career regular-season games. He has 26 goals and 90 points in 90 playoff games. The NHL’s new collective bargaining agreement begins Sept. 16. The day before is the final day that a player can sign an eight-year contract with his current club. Seven years will be the new maximum moving forward.
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AS BIG GAME HUNTING SEASONS BEGIN THIS WEEK, A BLM REMINDER
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Colorado big game hunting seasons start this week, with archery season for deer and elk starting Wednesday, Sept. 2 and continuing until Sept. 30. The deer and elk muzzleloading season runs from Sept. 12 to 20. Officials of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management remind Coloradans that the agency supports hunting as one of the recreational opportunities in its multiple-use mission.
There are these reminders for hunting on BLM lands:
- Most BLM-administered public lands are open to hunting, unless specifically prohibited.
- Some BLM roads end at private property and access may be legally prohibited.
- Do not cross private property without permission.
- Stay on designated roads.
- Be aware that many BLM-administered lands remain under Stage 1 fire restrictions.
- For maps, road information, fire restrictions or questions about access, contact your local BLM office.
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BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS: FEWER JOBS CREATED THAN EARLIER REPORTED
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The U.S. Dept. of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics Friday released a report which indicated that U.S. employers likely added 79,000 fewer jobs than previously reported over the last 12 months ending in March 2026. It is a preliminary report. For its monthly jobs reports, the BLS relies on a survey of about 119,000 employers, covering about a quarter of U.S. jobs. The BLS later gets more comprehensive data from state unemployment tax records. Friday’s preliminary report is part of a process where the BLS updates and revises the jobs figures based on the tax data. The official revision will come in February, and history suggests it could look much different than the preliminary figures.
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TELLURIDE COUNCIL AGREES TO UPDATE FLOOD HAZARD MAP
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The town of Telluride’s existing flood hazard map, which is officially the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Map, was last updated in 1992. The Telluride Town Council, at their regular Aug. 11 meeting, heard a presentation from Telluride Historic Preservation and Planning Director Kristen Clothier about updating the map. A flood hazard map identifies areas at risk for flooding and is used in evaluating planning and building applications to ensure development in flood-prone areas is safe. It can also be used to determine if a homeowner needs to purchase flood insurance. Telluride’s existing map identifies two flood zones, the Cornet Creek alluvial fan area with another along the San Miguel River corridor. Clothier estimated that the process would take approximately two years.
In the first year, engineers hired by the town would work to create a new map, which is then submitted to FEMA. Clothier explained that the second year is largely taken up by a “back and forth” with FEMA, which reviews the map and submits questions and feedback before approving and adopting the map. The cost to the town, she estimated, will be between $225,000 and $275,000. Although there are sources of funding to offset the expense, an application for a grant would delay the start of the project. The council unanimously supported the remapping project.
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LA PLATA FAMILY CENTER TO TAKE OVER POND FARM
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The Pond Farm, the 103-acre farm property with a conservation easement, owned by Jerry and Karen Zink, about 20 minutes south of Durango off U.S. Hwy. 550, has been donated by the Zinks to the La Plata Family Center. For the past five years, the nonprofit La Plata Family Center has used the farm as a temporary home for its community garden, farming and entrepreneurship programs. Last month, the transfer of the farm and conservation easement was made final with the Family Center becoming the farm’s legal steward. For complete information on the La Plata Family Center, go to lpfcc.org.
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COLORADO WILDFIRE SUPPORT
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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.
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MARKET UPDATE - 08/28/2026 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 08/27/2026)
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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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