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Colorado - Wed. 03/25/26 |
A Free Business Publication from Alpine Bank
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HOW DIA KEEPS TSA SECURITY LINES SHORT DURING SHUTDOWN & SPRING SURGE
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Major investments in new security screening technology have helped Denver International Airport keep Transportation Security Administration wait times averaging 12 minutes during a spring break travel surge and a prolonged federal government shutdown. Airport records show travelers waited no more than 35 minutes over the past two weeks, often clearing security in under 10 minutes, even as other U.S. airports reported hours-long delays caused by staffing shortages as TSA officers worked without pay.
DIA’s $2.1 billion terminal overhaul included replacing 42 older screening lanes with 34 new lanes equipped with artificial intelligence systems that allow passengers to keep laptops in bags and use facial recognition to speed processing. Each lane can screen up to 240 passengers an hour. DIA spent $60 million on the equipment and donated it to the TSA. Airport officials said the upgrades, combined with TSA employees continuing to report to work, helped maintain normal operations despite the shutdown.
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RTD ROLLS OUT NEW TOOLS TO EASE LANGUAGE BARRIERS
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The Regional Transportation District is introducing new tools to help non-English-speaking riders navigate the Denver metro bus system more easily, including multilingual “I Speak” buttons for frontline employees and QR code decals on buses that link riders to translated transit information. RTD is distributing 1,500 buttons covering 12 languages plus American Sign Language, based on a staff survey showing about 30 percent of employees speak a language other than English, most commonly Spanish. The QR codes, placed near bus entry doors, direct riders to a language help webpage with trip planning, fare information, customer care contacts and security details translated into nine languages.
The effort supports RTD’s 2025-2028 Language Access Plan and Title VI requirements, as agency data show linguistically diverse communities rely on transit at higher rates. RTD officials said the tools are designed to improve access while allowing bus operators to stay focused on safety.
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LITTLETON PICKS MINERAL STATION FOR FRONT RANGE PASSENGER RAIL STOP
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Littleton has selected the Mineral light rail station as the site of its future Front Range Passenger Rail stop, rejecting a downtown location largely because of cost. City officials said engineering and construction for a station near West Mineral Avenue are projected at less than $15 million, compared with estimates ranging from $100 million to as much as $1 billion downtown, where widening the rail corridor would require land acquisition, bridge reconstruction and other major work. The decision comes as the Front Range Passenger Rail District moves toward a November ballot measure to fund a Fort Collins-to-Pueblo train system with up to 10 round trips daily and service expected to begin in 2031.
Consultants projected a station at Mineral could generate a $750 million economic benefit for Littleton over 30 years, including $325 million in new development and 1,620 jobs. Officials cited Mineral’s available space, existing transit connections and development potential as key advantages, while emphasizing that downtown revitalization efforts will continue separately.
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DENVER TUNNEL PROPOSAL LOSES IN ELON MUSK’S TUNNEL VISION CHALLENGE
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A proposal by Kroenke Sports and Entertainment to build a pedestrian tunnel in downtown Denver was not selected as a winner in The Boring Co.’s Tunnel Vision Challenge, a competition run by Elon Musk’s transportation company. Kroenke’s plan was among 16 finalists chosen from 487 submissions and called for a 330-foot pedestrian tunnel linking Ball Arena with an RTD light rail station and Elitch Gardens, an area currently accessed by a pedestrian bridge over train tracks. The Boring Co. had said it would fund and build a tunnel up to one mile long at no cost for winning proposals. Instead, the company selected projects in New Orleans, Baltimore and Dallas, which will now move into a due diligence phase. Kroenke officials said both a pedestrian bridge and tunnel remain under consideration for the site as the company continues redeveloping more than 50 acres around Ball Arena.
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WILDERNESS EXCHANGE TO CLOSE ICONIC DENVER STORE AFTER 26 YEARS
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Wilderness Exchange, a longtime outdoor retailer in Denver’s Highland neighborhood, will permanently close its brick-and-mortar store later this month after 26 years in business, transitioning to a primarily online operation. The store, at 2401 15th St., announced the closure in an Instagram post but did not provide a reason, and company leaders declined further comment. The decision comes just over a year after the shop reopened following a major renovation that created the Black Diamond Wilderness Exchange, with Utah-based Black Diamond occupying about half of the 6,000-square-foot space. Wilderness Exchange continued selling used, discounted and consignment gear on the lower level. Founded in 2000 by Don Bushey, the store built a reputation for making outdoor recreation more accessible and affordable, and described itself as a community hub as much as a retail space.
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AS BLM OPENS MOAB TRAILS TO E-BIKES, COLORADO WEIGHS MAJOR EXPANSION
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The Bureau of Land Management’s Moab Field Office has opened more than 200 miles of singletrack to Class 1 e-bikes, marking the largest expansion of e-bike access in the West and prompting similar discussions in Colorado. The BLM’s Upper Colorado River Valley Field Office is now collecting public comment on a proposal to allow Class 1 e-bikes on more than 220 miles of trails across Eagle, Garfield and Pitkin counties, compared with just 18 miles currently open. The Colorado plan follows a national policy shift that gives local land managers authority over e-bike access and mirrors Moab’s phased rollout emphasizing education, monitoring and trail etiquette. Support remains divided, with surveys showing mixed opinions among trail users, though some advocates cite research indicating Class 1 e-bikes do not damage trails and help older riders stay active. BLM officials say attitudes are shifting from opposition toward management as e-bike use continues to grow.
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SG AEROSPACE AGAIN INVOLVED IN ARTEMIS II MISSION SET TO LAUNCH
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Grand Junction-based SG Aerospace and Gas will again play a role in NASA’s Artemis program when the Artemis II mission launches as soon as early April, marking the first crewed deep space mission since Apollo 17 in 1972. The 10-day mission will send four astronauts — NASA’s Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen — around the moon aboard the Orion spacecraft. SG Aerospace manufactured components for the Orion capsule in partnership with Lockheed Martin, continuing its involvement from the uncrewed Artemis I mission in 2022. Company president Michael Sneddon said the components help support and protect astronauts during flight, emphasizing the heightened safety standards required for a crewed mission.
Artemis II was delayed earlier this year due to technical issues, but NASA says it could launch as soon as April 1 if no further problems arise. SG Aerospace officials said the mission represents a significant milestone for both space exploration and the Western Slope manufacturing firm.
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VAIL MOUNTAIN SNOWPACK REACHES NEW LOW OF 40% BELOW PREVIOUS RECORD
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Vail Mountain’s snowpack has fallen to a new historic low, reaching levels 40 percent below the previous record as record high March temperatures rapidly depleted remaining snow. On Monday, the mountain recorded 6.2 inches of snow water equivalent, compared with 10.4 inches on March 23, 2012, the prior low for that date. Vail Resorts CFO Angela Korch told investors earlier this month that snowpack across the Rockies was tracking 40 percent worse than previous lows, a figure that became true for Vail following a late March heat wave. Snow water equivalent at Vail peaked this season at 9.5 inches March 9 before declining sharply, dropping from 9.4 inches on March 17 to 7.7 inches Saturday, 7.0 inches Sunday, and 6.2 inches Monday. In 2012, snowpack peaked at 12.4 inches and held steady for several days. Resort operators are working to preserve remaining snow as Vail Mountain targets an April 19 closing date, while Beaver Creek remains scheduled to close April 12.
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STEAMBOAT RESORT BEGINS PHASED CLOSING AMID WARM WEATHER
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Steamboat Ski Resort has begun a phased closure of terrain as unusually warm March temperatures rapidly reduce snow coverage, with operations now focused on preserving upper mountain conditions. Starting Tuesday, March 24, skiers and riders began downloading from the upper mountain via the Wild Blue Gondola as lower mountain terrain started to close. Resort officials said the approach mirrors past seasons but requires constant evaluation as conditions change by the hour. Most lower mountain terrain is closing, with Tuesday marking the final day for the Christie Peak Express, Four Points Lodge, Gondola Joe’s Express and Stoker lifts.
Several runs off Christie Peak remained open Tuesday, along with Greenhorn Ranch, Rabbit Ears and Bashor terrain parks. On Wednesday, uphill access and the Storm Peak and Morningside lifts are scheduled to close, while several other lifts will remain open as conditions allow. The resort has relocated snow to extend operations and continues to plan for an April 12 closing date, with the Cardboard Classic and Splashdown Pond Skim still scheduled for April 11 and 12.
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FORT LEWIS COLLEGE TO HOST BUSINESS & LEADERSHIP PANEL IN DURANGO
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Fort Lewis College will host a business and leadership panel next week aimed at bringing together business owners, nonprofit leaders and emerging professionals for discussion, learning and connection. Presented by FLC’s Katz School of Business in partnership with Alpine Bank, the event will focus on leadership impact, collaboration and community engagement across sectors. Organizers say the goal is to create meaningful dialogue and foster relationships among regional leaders while sharing real-world insights and lessons learned.
Event details for attendees:
- Wednesday, April 1, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Fort Lewis College Center for Innovation, 835 Main Ave., Suite 225, Durango
Speakers:
- Heather Shotton, President of Fort Lewis College
- John Harper, Chief Operating Officer of American Heritage Railways
Program includes:
- Panel discussion on business and leadership impact
- Facilitated Q&A focused on purposeful leadership
- Optional networking session following the panel
Cost:
- Free and open to the public (general registration without lunch)
The event is designed for business, nonprofit and emerging leaders interested in cross-sector learning and community impact. Organizers encourage attendees to participate in the discussion and connect with peers from across the region. For more information, visit durangobusiness.org or call 970-247-0312.
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2026 COLORADO RESORT CLOSING DATES
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Closing days at Colorado resorts are approaching faster than usual. Some resorts are still planning to close as originally scheduled, while others are adjusting their calendars or omitting them altogether — Winter Park, Breckenridge Ski Resort, Copper Mountain, Loveland Ski Area and Arapahoe Basin Ski Area are all TBD on closing dates. Here are the 2026 closing dates announced so far:
- April 5: Buttermilk; Keystone Resort
- April 11: Snowmass
- April 12: Aspen Highlands; Steamboat Resort; Beaver Creek
- April 19: Aspen Mountain; Vail Mountain
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CORE TRANSIT ANNOUNCES 2026 SUMMER SCHEDULE BASED ON RIDER FEEDBACK
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Core Transit has released a preview of its 2026 summer schedule, launching April 12, with service updates shaped by rider surveys, community outreach and continued ridership growth across the Eagle River Valley. Agency officials said the changes reflect ongoing efforts to improve connections, reliability and access while maintaining service levels that proved successful during the winter season. Core Transit is continuing to gather rider input through its winter schedule survey and encourages riders to use the live chat feature at coretransit.org for questions or feedback. Executive Director Tanya Allen said rider input directly informs service decisions and helps build a dependable, accessible transit system. The summer schedule maintains recent service expansions and adds targeted improvements to support commuters, students and down-valley travel as seasonal demand increases.
Hwy. 6 Route East and West
- West Vail Mall stops added to better serve employees and businesses
- Additional westbound peak-hour trips to Freedom Park
- Winter service levels maintained due to strong ridership growth
Valley Route East and West
- West Vail Mall stops added to improve cross-valley connections
Minturn Route
- Expanded service introduced last year will continue
Leadville Route
- Expanded service introduced in 2025 will remain in place
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COLORADO150 FILM SERIES BRINGS 150 COLORADO-RELATED MOVIES TO COMMUNITIES STATEWIDE
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A new statewide film series tied to Colorado’s sesquicentennial will bring 150 screenings of Colorado-related movies to independent theaters beginning in June. The program, titled The CO150: 150, highlights films set or shot in Colorado, or featuring notable Colorado actors, dating back to 1876. Co-presented by Switchboard Strategies and Denver Film, the series will draw from a curated list of 25 titles selected by industry professionals, with screenings staged in venues chosen for their local connection to each film. Each event will include short films, music videos and presentations by Colorado creatives, and audiences will be invited to vote for their favorite Colorado-related films online as part of the broader Colorado150 initiative.
- Denver — Sie FilmCenter and additional locations
- Colorado Springs — Kimball’s, ENT Center, Colorado College
- Grand Junction — Avalon Theater
- Durango and Pagosa Springs — Multiple venues
- Cortez — Sunflower
- Mancos — Mancos Opera House
- Pueblo — Multiple venues
- Boulder — Boedecker Theater
- Steamboat Springs — Wildhorse Cinema
- Fort Collins — The Lyric
- Lamar — Lamar Theater
- Breckenridge — Eclipse
- Greeley — The Kress Cinema
- Center — Frontier Drive-In
- Ouray and Silverton — Wright Opera House and Powerhouse
- Flagler — Flagler Theatre
- Fort Morgan — Cover 4 Theater
- Limon — Lincoln Theater
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MARKET UPDATE - 03/24/2026 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 03/19/2026)
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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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