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Colorado - Tue. 09/29/26 |
A Free Business Publication from Alpine Bank
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SPACEX LAUNCHES ITS MASSIVE STARSHIP ROCKET INTO ORBIT FOR THE FIRST TIME
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SpaceX launched its massive Starship rocket early Monday, sending the spacecraft into orbit for the first time from its company town and launch facility in Starbase, Texas. Starship reached orbit around 8:15 a.m. local time with SpaceX employees in attendance at the launch loudly cheering the milestone. During the 14th test flight for Starship, Elon Musk’s aerospace and defense company also successfully deployed 26 of its new Starlink V3 satellites. The ship’s booster made a “soft splashdown” off the coast of Starbase a few moments after launch, while the Starship spacecraft continued to climb with one of its vacuum engines going out in sub-orbital trajectory.
Starship is critical to SpaceX’s expansion plans. The company is counting on the giant rocket to scale its Starlink, or Connectivity, business, which was its largest and only profitable segment as of the second quarter. SpaceX operates around 11,000 active satellites in orbit today, compared to roughly 650 for competitor Eutelsat OneWeb. One Starship rocket can carry 60 of SpaceX’s new Starlink v3 satellites into orbit, the company said, representing about 20 times the capacity of a Falcon 9 launch. SpaceX went public in June in the largest IPO on record and is now valued at about $2 trillion.
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COLORADO DISTRIBUTES $170 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING TO HELP 91 RURAL HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATIONS
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Colorado will distribute almost $170 million to 91 rural healthcare providers next year to try to put them on a more solid long-term footing and improve patients’ outcomes. The funds represent the first portion of the $1 billion the state will receive over five years through the Rural Health Transformation Program created by H.R. 1. The sweeping tax law known as the “big, beautiful bill” also included cuts to Medicaid, which the health policy nonprofit KFF estimated would reduce federal healthcare funding for Colorado anywhere from $9 billion to $15 billion over a decade.
About 780,000 people live in rural communities in Colorado. Rural areas account for about 85 percent of the state’s land, but only about 13 percent of the population lives there. Colorado’s rural healthcare providers must serve large geographic areas where relatively few people live, limiting their ability to recoup overhead costs. In addition, rural residents are more likely to be uninsured, meaning hospitals and emergency services may not be able to recoup the cost of their care. About half of rural hospitals are underwater financially. In recent years, St. Vincent Health in Leadville and Delta Health particularly struggled, coming close to not making payroll at the end of the pandemic.
The largest recipients by amount are:
- Salud Family Health: $8,417,247
- San Luis Valley Health Regional Medical Center: $7,889,561
- Middle Park Health: $7,747,490
- Porch Light Health: $6,623,827
- Valley-Wide Health Systems Inc.: $6,389,468
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VAIL RESORTS' SKI PASS SALES TUMBLE, SIGNALING ANOTHER TOUGH WINTER AHEAD
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Signs are pointing to another tough winter ahead for Vail Resorts. The company sold 12 percent fewer passes through Sept. 18 for the coming North American ski season, compared with the same period last year. Days sold and pass revenues, which include sales and admissions taxes, also decreased from a year earlier. For the full year, Vail’s resort-reported revenue decreased $131.9 million, or 4.5 percent, which it attributes primarily to the record-low snowfall out West. Its full-fiscal-year profit, which it reported after Monday’s market close, was nearly halved compared with the prior year. Vail shares fell 2 percent in after-hours trading, after closing up 1.5 percent at $138.09. Last winter’s lack of snow in the Rockies was punishing for ski resorts, but Vail’s model of selling multi-resort ski passes faces a more existential challenge: It has largely maxed out the pool of dedicated skiers willing to commit to all-access passes preseason.
To recruit younger skiers, the company cut the price of the coming season’s Epic Pass by 20 percent for skiers and snowboarders ages 13 to 30. Based on current sales trends, the company doesn’t expect to make up for the shortfall in passes by the beginning of the season, Angela Korch, chief financial officer, told investors. Vail does anticipate selling more lift tickets, but executives told analysts they expect fewer visits compared with the 2024-2025 ski season, even with better snowfall.
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FIRST EAST COLFAX BUS RAPID TRANSIT LANES OPEN SUNDAY
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The first section of East Colfax Avenue’s Bus Rapid Transit system opened Sunday, giving riders the opportunity to try out new midroad station platforms and dedicated bus lanes through the historically congested Capitol Hill area. RTD routes 15 and 15L were both shifted into the dedicated center-running lanes on East Colfax Avenue on Sunday as an interim phase of the East Colfax Avenue Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, led by the City and County of Denver with RTD and the city of Aurora as partners. Once construction is complete across the entire corridor, which extends east to I-225, in late 2027 or early 2028, routes 15 and 15L will transition completely into the branded “Lynx BRT” service.
Under the new setup, riders boarded the buses at station platforms in the middle of the road, accessed by crosswalks, and the two center lanes of Colfax Avenue from Broadway to Colorado Boulevard began to operate as bus-only lanes, with passenger vehicle traffic restricted to the outer lanes. Other changes accompanying the new system include “Transit Signal Priority” technology built into buses, which coordinates with traffic signals to allow more efficient movement through intersections, and free two-hour parking zones along Colfax and on side streets.
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BREATHING ROOM FOR WEST END FAMILY LINK AS COUNTY APPROVES $75K TO RESTORE FOOD BANK, VITAL SERVICES
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A vital resource in the western part of Montrose County is poised to reopen on Sept. 29 and Oct. 1, after a plea for emergency funding resulted in county commissioners approving a one-time $75,000 contribution. The West End Family Link Center serves Nucla, Naturita and surrounding communities in the remote West End, offering not only a food bank, but also utility assistance, supplemental food for school kids when school is not in session, and a connection point for older adults and others who need help navigating available resources. On Aug. 14, it simply ran out of money and had to close down, but its board approached commissioners, asking for a one-time $100,000 infusion while it continued to pursue grants and pare back even more. The West End Family Link Center serves nearly 45 percent of residents on the West End, where the median income is roughly half the state’s median, and where at least 18 percent of households are below the federal poverty line.
The Link purchases food from Food Bank of the Rockies, for pennies on the dollar, spending about $5,500 per month. The center also provides full holiday meals to those in need, as well as clothing, hygiene products, pet food and other essentials. The plan for now is to reopen the Nucla food bank from noon - 5 p.m. on Sept. 29. Thereafter, it would be open every Tuesday from noon - 5 p.m. and every Friday from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Utility — electricity, water, propane, Black Hills natural gas, firewood, wood pellets for heating assistance or help in enrolling in other programs is available during these hours or by calling Jody Gardner at 970-864-2245 to set up an appointment. The center’s Paradox Pantry is to reopen Oct. 1 and be open every Thursday thereafter from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Those who want to help out can donate via PayPal at westendflc.org.
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ROUTT COUNTY ANNUAL HAZARDOUS WASTE DROP-OFF EVENT SET FOR SATURDAY, OCT. 3
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Routt County Environmental Health will host its annual Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Event this Saturday, Oct. 3 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Apex SHIFT Center (2701 Downhill Dr.) in Steamboat Springs, providing local residents with a safe, convenient way to dispose of hazardous materials that should never be placed in household trash or curbside recycling. Accepted items include pesticides, fertilizers, mercury thermostats, aerosol containers, flammable liquids, corrosive cleaners and pool chemicals. Fees vary depending on the material, ranging from $2 to $11.50 per pound. To view the full fee list, visit TinyUrl.com/37yhztam.
Non-hazardous materials like most household cleaners, drywall mud and caulk can be disposed of through normal trash service. The Apex SHIFT Center will remain open during the event and will also continue to collect its usual hard-to-recycle items, such as paint, batteries, electronics and light bulbs, among other household materials. Residents are encouraged to use this year-round facility to keep reusable and hazardous materials out of the landfill. For more information, contact e-health@co.routt.co.us or call Routt County Environmental Health at 970-870-5588.
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REDESIGNED EMERALD PARK TO REOPEN AFTER 5 MONTHS OF CONSTRUCTION
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The redesigned Emerald Park playground is reopening after five months of repair work and upgrades. The city of Steamboat Springs will christen the redesigned playground from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, with a community celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony around 4 p.m. The renovations include two age-specific play structures, a 60-foot zip line, four slides, a two-person swing, a spinner, digital play riders, benches, shaded picnic tables, boulder seating and new sidewalks. The redesign also includes native landscaping, a rubberized play surface, drainage improvements and a water-efficient irrigation system.
Further improvements include benches and tables with umbrellas that provide spots for families to gather. Workers also installed new concrete sidewalks and gravel paths to create durable surfaces to navigate in and around the playground. The ribbon-cutting celebration will offer an opportunity to explore the playground, meet members of the Parks and Recreation team and hear from city representatives.
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NATIONAL REPERTORY ORCHESTRA OFFERS MUSIC LESSON SCHOLARSHIPS FOR AREA STUDENTS
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The National Repertory Orchestra is accepting applications through Tuesday, Sept. 29, for full and partial scholarships covering private music lessons for middle and high school students during the 2026-27 school year. The Summit County Music Lessons Scholarships are available to students in grades 6-12 who live in Summit County or neighboring communities. Scholarships are awarded based on financial need and can be used for lessons with professional musicians and educators from Oct. 12 through May 21. The orchestra plans to offer instruction in piano, voice, guitar, violin, cello, flute, saxophone, trumpet, trombone and percussion, depending on instructor availability. Lessons can take place in person or online. Students must demonstrate basic skills on an instrument or participate in a music program or other music-making activity and have access to an instrument for lessons. Applications are available at NROMusic.org.
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SUPPORT OUTDOOR STEWARDSHIP: SHARE VOC’s 2027 PROJECT & TRAINING APPLICATIONS
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Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) is now accepting project and training applications for the 2027 season—and your network may be able to help spread the word. VOC partners with a wide range of organizations across the state to engage thousands of volunteers in hands-on stewardship projects, from trail building and habitat restoration to wildfire mitigation, urban greening, community gardening, and more. Please share this opportunity with nonprofits, community groups, or land managers that could benefit from VOC’s support in engaging volunteers for on-the-ground work. VOC is also accepting applications for trainings to help increase the stewardship capacity of local volunteers or staff. These trainings cover skills such as trail design, crew leadership, ecological restoration, and more—and may be useful to individuals or groups in your broader community. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but submissions are encouraged by Oct. 15, 2026.
- Learn more about partnering with VOC on a project at voc.org/partner-resources.
- Request a stewardship training at ositraining.org/training.
- For questions about partnering with VOC, contact Kelly Clouse at kclouse@voc.org or Sam Hutchins at sam@voc.org for training inquiries.
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CDOT REPORT SAYS MOST COLORADANS SPEED ON HIGHWAYS
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A recent report from the Colorado Dept. of Transportation provided the disturbing statistic that 73 percent of Coloradans say they speed on main highways at least some of the time. The newly released Driving Behavior Report also stated that 69 percent of Coloradans say they also speed on local highways. CDOT said that speeding is a major factor in crashes around the state and contributed to 234 deaths in 2025, 33 percent of total traffic fatalities that year. According to a study performed by AAA, at 31 mph, the odds of a pedestrian being killed when struck by a car is 50 percent. That risk increases to 75 percent at 39 mph and 90 percent at 46 mph. That means driving 45 mph in a 35-mph zone nearly doubles a pedestrian’s risk of being killed if hit by a vehicle. In 2024, an estimated 316,757 people in the United States were injured in traffic crashes involving speeding. CDOT also reminds motorists to always slow down in construction zones.
Other tips provided include:
- Obey the posted speed limits.
- Stay Alert! Expect the unexpected.
- Watch for workers. Drive with caution.
- Don’t change lanes unnecessarily.
- Avoid using mobile devices such as phones while driving in work zones.
- Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you.
- Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones.
- Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
- Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.
- Anticipate lane shifts and merge when directed to do so.
- Be patient!
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HAPPY NATIONAL COFFEE DAY TODAY! HOW TO GET FREEBIES
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Fall brings out something special for coffee drinkers. Besides welcoming the latest in pumpkin spice — which Coloradans have a documented interest in — the season also includes National Coffee Day on Sept. 29. It’s a chance to celebrate the drink consumed daily by two thirds of American adults, according to the National Coffee Association’s fall 2026 coffee trends survey. That is more than have a daily drink of tap or bottled water. One of the best ways to celebrate the day is by drinking coffee. Even better: drinking free coffee. (Just not too much.)
Here are some of the deals you can find around Colorado for National Coffee Day:
- Caribou Coffee: Free medium hot or cold brew coffee with purchase of any other beverage. (Only available in the Caribou Coffee app.)
- DoorDash: Buy one, get one free Dunkin’ hot or iced coffee with any $15 purchase on Sept. 29, or free Scooter’s medium Carmelicious drink with any DoorDash order placed from Sept. 27 through Sept. 29.
- Dunkin’: Dunkin’ Rewards members can get a free medium iced or hot coffee with any purchase. Deal must be found in the app.
- Einstein Bros. Bagels: Free any size iced coffee with any purchase. Just mention the offer in store; it's not available online or in the app.
- Krispy Kreme: Free small or medium hot or iced coffee with any purchase.
- Paris Baguette: PB Rewards members get a free medium hot or iced coffee with any purchase.
- Playa Bowls: Rewards members can get BOGO 20-ounce cold brews.
- Smoothie King: On Sept. 28 and 29, get a free Coffee High Protein Almond Mocha smoothie.
- Voodoo Doughnut: Free cup of Brewed Magic Roast Coffee from 6 a.m. to noon, plus a BOGO deal on Pumpkin Spice Latte Doughnuts. Offer valid in store only. Limit one free coffee per guest per purchase.
- Whataburger: Free 16-ounce hot or iced coffee for anyone. Offer is online or in app.
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MARKET UPDATE - 09/28/2026 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 09/24/2026)
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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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