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Colorado - Tue. 09/16/25 |
A Free Business Publication from Alpine Bank
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ADULT ZEBRA MUSSELS FOUND IN COLORADO RIVER, NOW LISTED AS “INFESTED”
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Colorado Parks and Wildlife confirmed the first adult zebra mussels in the Colorado River near Grand Junction, marking a shift from earlier detections of larvae to proof of an established population. The discovery, made in early September after follow‑up surveys of nearby lakes, prompted officials to designate the river “infested” from the 32 Road bridge downstream to the Utah border. Zebra mussels reproduce quickly, disrupt aquatic food systems, and damage infrastructure by clogging pipes and headgates. CPW has treated some smaller lakes with molluscicide but will not attempt to treat the river due to risks to native fish and the complexity of canals and ditches it feeds. The invasive species, already widespread in neighboring states and the Great Lakes, poses a major threat to Colorado’s water resources, though no mussels have been found upstream near Grand Lake or in tributaries like the Eagle and Roaring Fork rivers.
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COLORADO GETS FIRST TWO-STAR MICHELIN RESTAURANT
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The 2025 Michelin Guide awarded The Wolf’s Tailor in Denver two stars, the first in Colorado, praised for sustainable sourcing and dishes like Berkshire pork dumplings in turmeric dill broth and Colorado bison loin with apricot and zucchini in shrimp caramel. This is the third year of Michelin ratings in the state, supported by tourism agencies, with non-participating cities excluded. In total, 32 restaurants were highlighted. Denver gained three new one-star spots: Kizaki, Margot, and Mezcaleria Alma, Chef Johnny Curiel’s second starred restaurant. Michelin also recommended Alteño, Ukiyo, and Wildflower, while Boulder’s Cozobi Fonda Fina earned a Bib Gourmand. Special awards went to Dustin Lawlor of Hop Alley for cocktails, Heather Morrison of Olivia for service, and Aiden Tibbetts of Wildflower as Young Chef.
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HISTORIC DENVER CHURCH LISTED FOR SALE
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St. Paul Lutheran Church in Denver’s North Capitol Hill, a 1925 Gothic Revival building listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has been put on the market for $1.9 million as the congregation shutters. The 13,500-square-foot property includes a sanctuary seating 350 with original stained glass, vaulted ceilings, a pipe organ, and excellent acoustics, plus cameras and microphones for live streaming. The lower level offers offices, classrooms, and a commercial kitchen currently leased to a food business, and the building has heating and air conditioning. Zoning allows adaptive reuse but prohibits demolition, with potential buyers encouraged to consider uses such as a music venue. Listing agent Tom Mathews noted the trend of aging inner-city congregations closing and emphasized the property’s rare combination of historic character and modern amenities.
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DENVER SUMMIT FC HITS 15,000 SEASON TICKET DEPOSITS
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Denver Summit FC announced it has reached 15,000 season ticket deposits for its inaugural 2026 National Women’s Soccer League season, setting a new record for an expansion franchise after previously being the fastest to 10,000. The team will play its first two years at a 12,000‑seat modular stadium in Centennial before moving to a permanent 14,500‑seat stadium and entertainment district at Santa Fe Yards in Denver, scheduled to open in 2028. Fans have paid $30.30 for general deposits and $100 for premium, with pricing and conversion timelines still to be finalized. Even if some deposits do not convert, the club is on pace to surpass capacity at both venues. Led by majority owner Rob Cohen and president Jen Millet, who credited the community’s passion for women’s soccer, Summit FC will be Colorado’s first professional women’s soccer team and the state’s second professional women’s sports franchise, following the Colorado Xplosion basketball team of the 1990s.
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7 COLORADO COUNTIES ASK VOTERS TO RAISE LODGING TAXES
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Seven Colorado counties — Chaffee, Custer, Eagle, Gilpin, Routt, Ouray and Park — will ask voters this November to double or triple local lodging taxes to fund roads, police, housing, childcare, and emergency services. The ballot measures are the first under Senate Bill 1247, which allows counties to raise lodging taxes up to 6 percent in unincorporated areas. Chaffee, Custer, Gilpin, Routt and Park seek to triple their 2 percent tax to 6 percent, Eagle aims to double to 4 percent, and Ouray proposes its first-ever 6 percent tax. Supporters say the increases reflect bipartisan recognition of shrinking revenues and growing service demands, while opponents, including the new Colorado Short-Term Rental Alliance, warn higher taxes could deter visitors and hurt local economies. The proposals build on a 2022 law that expanded lodging tax uses beyond tourism marketing to include housing and childcare, with at least 10 percent still required for promotion.
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ASPEN LAUNCHES PUBLIC ACCESS TO LIVE WILDFIRE DETECTION CAMERAS
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Aspen Fire and the Wildfire Collaborative Roaring Fork Valley have become the first in Colorado to give the public access to live wildfire detection camera feeds, using Pano AI’s ultra‑high‑definition panoramic cameras combined with artificial intelligence. The system can detect smoke up to 10 miles away, with images screened by AI and verified by analysts before alerts are sent to local fire authorities. Cameras are now operating across the valley, including Aspen, Snowmass, Basalt, Thomasville, Carbondale/Redstone, and Glenwood Springs. Officials say the technology will improve early detection, speed response times, and help residents, HOAs, and businesses prepare for wildfire threats. For more information on wildfire preparedness and safety, visit rfvwildfire.org.
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LITERACY OUTREACH SEEKS VOLUNTEERS TO TUTOR GARFIELD COUNTY ADULTS
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Garfield County nonprofit Literacy Outreach is recruiting volunteers to help adults improve reading, writing, and English-speaking skills, with no teaching or bilingual experience required. An information session is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 17 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Literacy Outreach office in Glenwood Springs. The session will explain expectations, training, and time commitments for potential tutors. Currently, 108 adults are on a waiting list for lessons, and the group hopes to add at least 10 new volunteers this fall. Tutors are matched with students by availability and location, often meeting in libraries, coffee shops, or community spaces. More details are available at literacyoutreach.org.
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FORT LEWIS MESA ELEMENTARY TURNS CAFETERIA SCRAPS INTO FARM FEED
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Students at Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary are leading the Durango School District’s Green Team food waste program by collecting cafeteria and classroom leftovers to feed local pigs, ducks and chickens. The rural school’s location near family farms makes it especially active in the districtwide initiative, which has been running for three years. Food waste categories in the cafeteria include meat, cheese, eggs, fruits, veggies, grains and liquids. Ensuring scraps make it into the right bins is a student-run effort, and staff say the program fosters community support while reducing feed costs for local farmers. Teachers and custodial staff praise the effort as a model of student leadership and environmental stewardship.
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ROTARY CLUB ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR FALL GRANT CYCLE THROUGH OCT. 1
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The Rotary Club of Steamboat Springs is accepting applications for its fall 2025 Community Needs Grant program until Oct. 1. Grants of up to $2,000 are available to schools, government entities, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Routt County, with priority given to programs serving youth and seniors, though all community‑benefit projects will be considered. Since 2004, the club has awarded 271 grants totaling more than $430,000 to 87 nonprofits. Applications can be submitted online at tinyurl.com/yk6wben6, and more information is available at SteamboatRotary.org.
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FIRST SNOW FALLS AT SUMMIT COUNTY SKI RESORTS
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Summit County’s ski season got an early preview as Copper Mountain, Arapahoe Basin, Keystone, Breckenridge, and nearby Loveland, all reported their first snowflakes over the weekend of Sept. 13–14. The snowfall arrived about a week later than last year’s first dusting and came shortly after fire restrictions were lifted in the county. Meteorologists with the National Weather Service said more snow could arrive Tuesday into Wednesday, with peaks likely turning white before skies clear later in the week. Cooler temperatures in the 60s are expected midweek, with a return to sunnier, warmer conditions by Friday. Resorts are now preparing for opening days: Keystone aims for mid‑October, Arapahoe Basin and Loveland plan to open as soon as conditions allow, and Copper Mountain and Breckenridge are scheduled for Nov. 7.
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WILD & SCENIC FILM FESTIVAL RETURNS TO GLENWOOD & RIFLE
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For more than a decade, the Wild & Scenic Film Festival has drawn hundreds of community members together each fall in Garfield County to celebrate water, wild places and the people working to protect them. This year, the festival returns with in-person events on Oct. 2 in Glenwood and Oct. 4 in Rifle, a virtual on-demand option, and a scholarship ticket—in partnership with Generation Wild/Garfield County Outdoors—aimed at engaging youth. Tickets are on sale now. The festival is the Middle Colorado Watershed Council’s largest annual fundraiser, featuring award-winning environmental films to raise awareness and support for watershed stewardship and protection. This year, the Watershed Council has added a new outreach component: Complimentary admission for middle and high school students and teachers in Districts RE-2 and G-16 at the Rifle event, with an advance reservation.
- Thursday, Oct. 2, Glenwood Springs — Glenwood Vaudeville Theatre. Doors open at 6 p.m., films begin at 7 p.m. Live auction and door prizes. Dinner and drinks available for purchase. Tickets are $30 in advance, and $40 at the door. midcowatershed.org/filmfest
- Saturday, Oct. 4, Rifle — The Ute Theater & Events Center. Doors open at 6 p.m., films begin at 7 p.m. Snacks and drinks available for purchase. Door prizes. Tickets are $25 in advance; $35 at the door; complimentary admission for RE-2 and G-16 students and teachers. midcowatershed.org/filmfest
- Virtual Screening — Available online Oct. 2-11. midcowatershed.org/filmfest
Districts RE-2 and G-16 Middle and High School Complimentary Scholarship Tickets are available at bit.ly/Student_Tix. A parent can register their student online for a scholarship ticket at bit.ly/Student_Tix. Alpine Bank is a proud sponsor of the Wild & Scenic Film Festival.
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NOT HOT LIST 2026: INTREPID TRAVEL’S ALTERNATIVES TO OVERTOURISM
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Intrepid Travel released its eighth annual Not Hot List, spotlighting ten under‑the‑radar destinations where tourism supports communities and sustainability, offering options beyond overcrowded hotspots that attract 80 percent of travelers. The list was compiled with input from local guides and experts, focusing on places investing in tourism infrastructure and cultural exchange.
The List:
- Tiwai Island, Sierra Leone – UNESCO rainforest site, part of a 10‑year tourism plan
- Tien Shan Mountain Range, Kyrgyzstan – Sustainable tourism program, glacial lakes, yurt stays
- Sierra Norte, Mexico – Oaxaca mountains, Indigenous‑based tourism, cooking workshops, farm stays
- Vis Island, Croatia – Slow‑paced island, beaches, cycling trails, no cruise ship ports
- Southeastern Anatolia, Türkiye – Gaziantep museums, Silk Road cuisine, UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy
- Arunachal Pradesh, India – Remote northeast, homestays, rafting, jungle safaris, tribal eco‑tourism
- Via Transilvanica, Romania – 870‑mile “Camino of the East,” forests, villages, UNESCO sites
- Ruta de las Flores, El Salvador – Scenic highland drive, villages, coffee fields, cultural experiences
- Oulu, Finland – 2026 European Capital of Culture, Northern Lights, ice fishing, creative events
- Great Basin National Park, U.S. – Remote Nevada/Utah park, ancient trees, pristine stargazing
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EMMY AWARDS 2025: “THE STUDIO” SETS RECORD WITH 13 WINS
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“The Studio” dominated the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards with 13 trophies, the most ever for a comedy series in a single season, surpassing last year’s record of 11 by “The Bear.” “The Pitt” claimed best drama, Noah Wyle won best drama actor, and Britt Lower of “Severance” took best drama actress. Limited series Adolescence earned six awards, including acting honors for Stephen Graham and 15‑year‑old Owen Cooper.
Top Winners
- Drama Series: The Pitt
- Actor in a Drama: Noah Wyle, The Pitt
- Actress in a Drama: Britt Lower, Severance
- Supporting Actor in a Drama: Tramell Tillman, Severance
- Supporting Actress in a Drama: Katherine LaNasa, The Pitt
- Directing for a Drama: Adam Randall, Slow Horses
- Writing for a Drama: Dan Gilroy, Andor
- Comedy Series: The Studio (13 total awards)
- Actor in a Comedy: Seth Rogen, The Studio
- Actress in a Comedy: Jean Smart, Hacks
- Supporting Actress in a Comedy: Hannah Einbinder, Hacks
- Supporting Actor in a Comedy: Jeff Hiller, Somebody Somewhere
- Directing for a Comedy: Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg, The Studio
- Writing for a Comedy: Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Peter Huyck, Alex Gregory & Frida Perez, The Studio
- Limited/Anthology Series or Movie: Adolescence (6 awards)
- Actor in a Limited Series: Stephen Graham, Adolescence
- Actress in a Limited Series: Cristin Milioti, The Penguin
- Supporting Actor in a Limited Series: Owen Cooper, Adolescence
- Supporting Actress in a Limited Series: Erin Doherty, Adolescence
- Directing for a Limited Series: Philip Barantini, Adolescence
- Writing for a Limited Series: Jack Thorne & Stephen Graham, Adolescence
- Variety Special: SNL 50: The Anniversary Special
- Scripted Variety Series: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
- Writing for a Variety Series: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
- Talk Series: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
- Reality Competition: The Traitors
- Bob Hope Humanitarian Award: Ted Danson & Mary Steenburgen
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MARKET UPDATE - 09/15/2025 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 09/11/2025)
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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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