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Colorado - Thu. 05/07/26 |
A Free Business Publication from Alpine Bank
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DENVER AREA RECREATION HUB GROWING BEHIND RED ROCKS AMPHITHEATRE
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Jefferson County Parks and Open Space has purchased Braun Ranch, a 347-acre parcel long visible from Red Rocks, for $7.3 million to expand Matthews/Winters Park and protect wildlife habitat. The Conservation Fund led negotiations and Great Outdoors Colorado contributed $2.3 million toward the acquisition. Officials say the buy preserves corridors used by elk and deer and habitat for species of concern, including the Hops Azure butterfly and Preble’s meadow jumping mouse, and that natural resources monitoring will precede any trail construction. County staff emphasize public access and trail work are not imminent, and planners will assess environmental conditions before deciding on trails or openings. The property could eventually connect to Mount Morrison and nearby parklands, creating a larger conserved and recreational landscape, but no timeline has been announced.
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- Denver Gazette, 05.05.26
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STUCK OR STABLE? METRO DENVER HOUSING MARKET IN A HOLDING PATTERN
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Metro Denver’s housing market shows little net movement this spring with median prices essentially flat and sales roughly comparable to recent years, suggesting a market that is stuck rather than surging. Active inventory rose 17.2 percent from March to April to 11,539 listings but is down 3.6 percent from a year earlier. The overall median price in April was $605,000, nearly unchanged from $604,000 in April 2025 and $602,000 in April 2024. Single-family homes posted a median of $670,000 up 4.4 percent from March and about $10,000 above last year while condos and townhomes had a median of $385,462, down 0.5 percent year over year.
Monthly sales rose 2.35 percent from March to 3,926 but are down 5.9 percent from a year ago and year to date sales of 12,631 are down 3.7 percent from 2025. Median days on market were 14 in April down from 16 in March and up from 13 in April 2025. The S&P CoreLogic Case Shiller index showed a 2.2 percent year-over-year drop for Denver in February and economists warn sellers holding ultra-low mortgages may delay listings which could force price adjustments if they decide to sell.
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SNOWMASS VILLAGE TO HOST EDUCATION EVENT AS BEARS EMERGE EARLY
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Snowmass Village will host a free bear education event from 3 to 5 p.m. on May 12 at the Town Park Gazebo, organized by the Snowmass Village Police Department’s Animal Services team to teach residents and visitors how to reduce human–bear conflicts by securing garbage, removing attractants, and recognizing seasonal bear behaviors. Attendees can take home free 2‑ounce local honey bears while supplies last. Animal Services officer Lauren Martenson said bears have been emerging earlier than usual this spring, with seven sightings in the area so far, likely because record‑warm temperatures and low precipitation left bears in caloric deficits and more food‑motivated. She urged reframing bears as wildlife following instincts and said, “It’s on us.”
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FREEZE WATCH ISSUED FOR SOUTHWEST COLORADO WEDNESDAY NIGHT
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The National Weather Service issued a freeze watch for communities in Southwest Colorado, including Cortez, Mancos, Dove Creek, Towaoc and Durango. Late Wednesday through early Thursday, residents can expect lows in the 20s for lower-elevation communities, according to NWS forecaster Dennis Phillips. “Around midnight, we’ll probably get close to freezing” Phillips said, adding cold temperatures could continue through early morning and predawn hours. “Once the sun pops up, it warms up pretty quickly, especially this time of year.”
Phillips said the frequency of freeze watches is related to the unusually warm weather that took over Southwest Colorado during winter and jump-started springtime foliage. “Usually, you’d have a slower start to spring,” Phillips said. “But with March being especially warm, stuff started early and we had to start freeze watch and warnings earlier.” The freeze watch cautions residents to protect sensitive vegetation and outdoor plumbing, with freezing temperatures putting tender plants and water pipes at risk. After Thursday morning, weather will warm again with highs in the 70s and 80s for the rest of the week and into the early days of next week.
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- Durango Herald, 05.05.26
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PAT MILBERY TO CREATE PARTICIPATORY HEART SCULPTURE AT MOUNTAIN GAMES
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Artist Pat Milbery, known for large murals with bold geometry, vivid color and a heart motif, will install a 4-foot-tall transparent heart of steel and tempered glass called “Heart of the Games” at the GoPro Mountain Games CoLab stage. The structure will start empty and be filled during the event with wooden tokens made and decorated by attendees. Athletes will receive 6-inch, three-dimensional tokens and visitors will get 3-inch tokens to customize with paint pens or to write messages in ink on the natural wood. The piece will be filled in real time, then sealed and presented as a 60th birthday gift from Heart Space Studios to the town of Vail for permanent installation. The project was developed with the Vail Valley Foundation, Discover Vail and Vail’s Art in Public Places board.
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- vaildaily.com, 05.04.26
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COLORADO TRANSPORTATION OFFICIALS WARN POTENT LATE SEASON STORM WILL IMPACT I‑70
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Colorado Dept. of Transportation warns a potent late season storm will peak Tuesday, May 5, and Wednesday, May 6, bringing heavy mountain snow and travel impacts across the state. The National Weather Service forecasts up to 20 inches for parts of the Western Slope and has issued a mix of winter storm warnings, winter weather advisories and freeze watches through about Wednesday night. Daytime warmth may melt snow and ice on road surfaces, but heavy overnight snow could make the I‑70 mountain corridor slushy to snow-covered with visibility concerns during the Wednesday morning commute. Officials say Colorado’s chain and traction laws in effect through May 31 will likely be activated requiring passenger vehicles to carry chains, another traction device or snow tires with proper tread. Drivers should give plows space and carry water, blankets, batteries, and extra clothing. Check COTrip.org for the latest road conditions.
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- Steamboat Today, 05.05.26
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KEYSTONE SCIENCE SCHOOL MARKS 50 YEARS WHILE LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
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Keystone Science School, founded in 1976 by mountaineer and educator Bob Craig, is celebrating its 50th year on a 23-acre campus that includes an observatory, gardens, a yurt, cabins and athletic fields. Eric Rightor, the school’s executive director, called the campus “a living classroom,” saying participants experience the history and the land. The nonprofit serves more than 4,100 participants annually through summer camps, school-year programs and after-school initiatives. It raises roughly $300,000 a year, with about 23 percent of revenue from donations that help fund more than $305,000 in financial aid and $32,335 in school-group scholarships. More than half of summer day camp spots are reserved for Summit County students. Leaders are developing a strategic plan to expand programming, increase capacity and improve staff housing; a gala on July 18 will unveil the plan. The school enforces a strict no-phones rule to foster connection and discovery.
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TOURISM SLOWDOWN, RISING INFLATION & STEADY CONSUMER SPENDING SHAPE BRECKENRIDGE FINANCIAL OUTLOOK
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An economist from the University of Colorado Boulder told Breckenridge town leaders that the local, tourism‑driven economy faces mixed signals heading into budget season: economic growth has been weaker than expected, job growth has stalled and the labor force is shrinking, yet wages and consumer spending remain surprisingly resilient. Professor Brian Lewandowski highlighted that nearly two‑thirds of local employment is tied to tourism, retail or professional services, making the town vulnerable if visitation falls.
Lewandowski noted a 2.4 percent decline in net taxable sales in 2025 and flagged rising inflation—driven in part by energy costs and a roughly 75 percent jump in gas prices over four months—as a risk that could curb visitor spending. Council members probed how public investment in amenities and events might influence long‑term sales growth, while Lewandowski cautioned the outlook is uncertain amid competing forces including AI‑related layoffs and climate vulnerabilities.
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ALPINE BANK WEALTH MANAGEMENT’S TRICIA LAWSON AWARDED ELITE FINANCIAL DESIGNATION
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Alpine Bank Wealth Management Assistant Vice President Tricia Lawson was recently awarded the Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA) designation by the American Bankers Association, joining a select group of 89 CTFA holders in the state of Colorado. The CTFA designation is awarded to individuals who demonstrate excellence in the field of wealth management and trust. To qualify for the CTFA certification, individuals must have certain levels of experience and education in the trust profession, pass an exam and agree to abide by a code of ethics. The CTFA exam covers many areas including fiduciary and trust activities, financial planning, tax law and planning, and investment management and ethics.
Lawson is a trust officer with expertise in retirement planning, investment management, and trust administration, serving clients throughout Colorado’s Front Range and the Denver metro area. She brings extensive experience in trust and estate administration, fiduciary tax return preparation, trust audits, and real estate management planning and taxation. She works closely with clients across all stages of life, tailoring her approach to each individual’s unique financial planning circumstances. Known as a trusted and knowledgeable resource, she combines strong technical skills with a client‑focused mindset. Lawson earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois. To learn more about Lawson and Alpine Bank Wealth Management, visit alpinebank.com/wealth-management.
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COLORADO HIGH COUNTRY RESIDENTS ADJUST ROUTINES AS GAS PRICES SPIKE
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As gas prices in Colorado mountain towns soar past the $4.50 mark, residents are starting to adjust their driving behaviors — and potentially, their summer plans. Average gas prices in the U.S. are up more than 30 cents from one week ago, and roughly $1.32 from one year ago as of May 5. The $4.48 national average comes as the U.S. explores efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. West Texas Intermediate crude oil prices are trading roughly between $101 and $103 per barrel as of May 5, up more than 75 percent compared to May 2025. Average gas prices in Colorado sit six cents lower than the national average at $4.42 — up $1.36 from one year ago and almost 60 cents higher than in early April. The average price per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline is inching closer to the highest average price on record for Colorado, which reached $4.92 in June 2022.
On May 5, the association reported the following average gas prices across the Western Slope:
- Garfield County: $4.60
- Pitkin County: $5.79
- Grand County: $4.50
- Routt County: $4.53
- Summit County: $4.53
- Eagle County: $4.70
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- GS Post Independent, 05.05.26
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COLORADO WATER PARKS SHINE IN USA TODAY 10BEST READERS' CHOICE AWARDS
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Water World in Federal Heights earned national recognition in USA TODAY 10BEST’s Readers’ Choice Awards, placing No. 5 among outdoor water parks while several of its attractions received individual rankings: the Mile High Flyer was voted No. 3 water coaster in the U.S., the park’s lazy river placed No. 5, Voyage to the Center of the Earth ranked No. 2 among waterslides and Lost River of the Pharaohs came in at No. 9. Great Wolf Lodge in Colorado Springs was also honored, with the chain ranked No. 9 among indoor water parks.
- Best indoor water park: Kalahari Resorts in multiple locations
- Best lazy river: Paradise River at Splash Island Waterpark in Valdosta, Georgia
- Best outdoor water park: Splashway Waterpark in Sheridan, Texas
- Best water coaster: Wildebeest at Splashin' Safari in Santa Claus, Indiana
- Best water slide: VR Waterslide at Kalahari Resorts — Poconos in Pocono Manor, Pennsylvania
- Best wave pool: Tsunami Bay at Lost Island Waterpark in Waterloo, Iowa
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WHY THESE COLORADO TOWNS ARE AMONG THE BEST FOR A SUMMER GETAWAY
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Travel + Leisure named the 10 best small towns for a weekend getaway, and three Colorado mountain towns made the list: Crested Butte at No. 2, Telluride at No. 6 and Salida at No. 10. Each town shifts from a winter resort rhythm to summer activities that highlight wildflowers, outdoor adventure, and a festival calendar, offering distinct flavors for visitors seeking biking, hiking, culture or a quieter base for river and mountain access.
- Crested Butte: Mountain biking, an adventure park and the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival; Travel + Leisure calls it “untouched and unhurried” and highlights summer blooms.
- Telluride: “Ideal playground for outdoor adventure” with cool summer temperatures, hiking, biking, swimming, paddleboarding and cultural draws like the Bluegrass and Film festivals; the resort offers ziplining, spa services and fine dining.
- Salida: A more off the beaten path Telluride with fewer hotel rooms and rentals, an easygoing, no frills atmosphere, access to outdoor recreation and festivals, and proximity to the Arkansas River.
Towns in the Rockies had a strong showing on Travel + Leisure’s list, with five honorees. Colorado was the only state with more than one:
- Jackson, Wyoming
- Crested Butte, Colorado
- The Kennebunks, Maine
- Easton, Maryland
- St. Francisville, Louisiana
- Telluride, Colorado
- St. Simons Island, Georgia
- Ketchum, Idaho
- Spring Lake, New Jersey
- Salida, Colorado
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MARKET UPDATE - 05/06/2026 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 04/30/2026)
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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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