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Colorado - Tue. 04/07/26 |
A Free Business Publication from Alpine Bank
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ARTEMIS II BREAKS APOLLO 13’S DISTANCE RECORD AS HUMANS TRAVEL FARTHER FROM EARTH THAN EVER BEFORE
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NASA’s Artemis II astronauts set a new distance record Monday during a six-hour lunar flyby, becoming the farthest humans from Earth and surpassing the mark set by Apollo 13 in April 1970. Less than an hour before beginning the fly-around, the four-person crew exceeded Apollo 13’s record distance of 248,655 miles from Earth and was expected to extend it by more than 4,100 miles as their Orion capsule swung behind the moon. The mission marks NASA’s first crewed return to lunar space since Apollo 17 in 1972 and includes three Americans and one Canadian. During the flyby, the astronauts observed the moon’s far side, requested permission to name two newly seen craters, and followed a free-return trajectory that will send them back toward Earth. The test flight is scheduled to conclude with a Pacific Ocean splashdown on Friday and is a key step toward future missions aimed at landing astronauts near the moon’s south pole later this decade.
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FAST-GROWING WELD COUNTY TOPS LARIMER IN POPULATION FOR FIRST TIME
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Colorado’s population surpassed 6 million residents in 2025 as Weld County overtook Larimer County in population and became the state’s fastest-growing large county, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates. Weld County reached 378,426 residents as of July 1, 2025, edging Larimer County’s 377,292, and posted a year-over-year growth rate of 1.92 percent, surpassing Douglas County’s 1.6 percent. Colorado’s population increased from 5,988,502 in July 2024 to 6,012,561 a year later. Since 2020, Weld County has grown 14 percent compared with 5 percent growth in Larimer County. Strong net migration between July 2024 and July 2025 occurred in Weld, Larimer and Douglas counties, alongside some of the largest gains in residential construction.
Elbert County recorded the fastest overall growth rate at 4.1 percent. Since 2020, 24 of Colorado’s 64 counties have lost population, led by Jefferson, Boulder and Eagle counties, reflecting slower job growth, housing affordability pressures, immigration policy changes, high interest rates and aging in place. El Paso County remained the state’s most populous with 757,040 residents, while Hinsdale County was the smallest with 753 residents.
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WINNING NAME ANNOUNCED FOR COLORADO’S FUTURE FRONT RANGE PASSENGER TRAIN
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Colorado officials announced Colorado Connector as the winning name for the state’s planned Front Range passenger rail service after more than 25,000 residents voted in a public contest, according to the Front Range Passenger Rail District. The name was selected from four finalists and is intended to reflect the goal of linking communities along the Interstate 25 corridor from Fort Collins to Trinidad. State officials plan to launch the service by 2029 using existing freight rail tracks, pending agreements with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway.
Gov. Jared Polis marked the announcement by boarding a ceremonial passenger train at Denver’s Union Station and riding to Longmont on freight tracks. Officials said the naming effort was designed to build public awareness as planning continues, including work on station locations, service plans and funding. The district is considering a future sales tax ballot measure to help pay for the project, which has been discussed for decades as a way to expand transportation options along the Front Range.
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WANT A PIECE OF BOULDER’S DARK HORSE? AUCTION’S COMING APRIL 13-14
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The recently shuttered World-Famous Dark Horse bar in Boulder will auction off the iconic art and oddities that once filled its walls and ceilings after closing March 14 following more than five decades serving University of Colorado students and alumni. Dark Horse management said the auction is intended in part to help provide severance for long-term staff as the business winds down. While specific items have not yet been listed, the bar said it plans to sell large statues, antiques, themed display pieces and other memorabilia. Items can be inspected April 13-14 at 7500 York St. in Denver, with purchases required to be paid for and removed by April 16.
The Williams family, which owns the Dark Horse property at 2922 Baseline Road, plans to demolish the building as part of its Williams Village II redevelopment, which would add hundreds of student-oriented apartments and nearly 60,000 square feet of commercial space. Although the family previously said a new space for the bar could be built as part of the project, Dark Horse owners have not said whether they would reopen, fueling speculation about a possible future revival elsewhere.
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RFTA EXPANDS SEASONAL BIKE LOADING PROGRAM
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The Roaring Fork Transportation Authority will expand seasonal bike loading across much of its bus system starting April 6, allowing bicycles to be loaded at all stops on a majority of routes for the first time. Bike loading will be available on the Roaring Fork Valley Local, VelociRFTA, Hogback, Snowmass Aspen and Snowmass Valley routes, reflecting increased demand and years of fleet and stop upgrades. RFTA officials said the change removes a key barrier for riders who combine biking with transit for commuting and recreation. Bike loading will not be offered on Aspen, Ride Glenwood or Carbondale Circulator routes due to operational constraints.
Each bus can carry up to three bikes, including e-bikes under 75 pounds, on a first-come, first-served basis. The program will operate from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Labor Day, with reduced hours as daylight shortens, and will end in mid-November. RFTA said the expansion supports goals of reducing single-occupancy vehicle trips, improving first- and last-mile connections, and expanding access to jobs and recreation.
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WATER CONSERVATION ‘CRITICAL’ FOR ASPEN AMID CONCERNS WITH CASTLE, MAROON CREEKS RUNOFF
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Water conservation is critical in Aspen as runoff season begins for Castle and Maroon creeks amid historically low snowpack and record winter warmth, according to city utilities officials. Aspen remains under a Stage 2 drought declaration that has been in effect since September, with snowpack below normal following Colorado’s warmest winter in more than 130 years. The city relies almost entirely on seasonal runoff from Castle and Maroon creeks for its municipal water supply, with limited raw water storage that can meet peak summer demand for only eight to 12 hours.
Utilities Director Erin Loughlin Molliconi warned that continued low runoff could force difficult operational decisions, including reducing stream flows below ecological targets or shutting down the Maroon Creek hydroelectric facility to meet drinking water needs. She emphasized that outdoor irrigation is a major concern and urged residents and visitors to conserve water to protect stream health, firefighting capacity and essential services. The city is promoting conservation programs, rebates and efficiency standards while continuing to pursue long-term water storage solutions to improve resilience.
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MIDDLE COLORADO WATERSHED COUNCIL ANNOUNCES FINAL EVENT IN FIRE & WATER SPEAKER SERIES
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The Middle Colorado Watershed Council will host the final event in its 2026 Fire & Water Speaker Series on Thursday, April 30 at the Ute Theater in Rifle, focusing on wildfire readiness and community resilience in the Colorado River Basin. Titled Firewise Futures: Readiness & Resilience in the West, the event will feature a full afternoon and evening of hands-on education, film and discussion. A mobile Fire Safety Simulator from the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control will be open from noon to 8:30 p.m., with guided demonstrations available for youth, schools and families.
The evening program begins at 5:30 p.m. and includes a screening of the 84-minute documentary Elemental: Reimagine Wildfire, followed by a panel discussion and audience Q&A with regional wildfire, forestry and insurance experts. Admission is by donation, with advance registration requested. Organizers said the event is designed to build practical preparedness skills and foster shared understanding around wildfire risk, water resources and long-term resilience in Western communities. For more information, visit online at the link below.
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THE UTE PEOPLE, PAST & PRESENT
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The Glenwood Springs Historical Society will host a free public presentation on Ute history by historian and tribal leader Roland McCook at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 11, at the Glenwood Springs Branch Library. McCook, a member of the Uncompahgre Band of the Ute Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation and a descendant of Chief Ouray and Chipeta, will speak about Colorado and Ute history as well as his personal experiences working for the Ute Tribe, federal agencies and the Smithsonian Institution. The talk is part of the Historical Society’s ongoing speaker series, with a previously scheduled April speaker rescheduled for November.
McCook’s background includes service as a civil engineer and realty manager for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, fire manager for the Bureau of Land Management, director of housing and development for the Ute Nation, and nine years in tribal government, including two as chair. He has also led national efforts to repatriate Native American artifacts and remains and currently serves as president of Native American Cultural Programs. The event is free and open to the public.
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GJ GROUP MAINTAINS A WWII AIRCRAFT & THEY’RE LOOKING FOR PASSENGERS
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A Grand Junction chapter of the Commemorative Air Force is expanding paid ride offerings in its historic Grumman TBM 3E Avenger as military deployments and global tensions have reduced air show opportunities. The single-engine World War II bomber, built in the mid-1940s and listed on state and national historic registers, is maintained and flown by volunteers at the Grand Junction Regional Airport. Rides cost $825 per passenger, helping offset operating expenses that average about $1,000 per flight hour.
The aircraft, once used by the Royal Canadian Navy and later repurposed for wildfire suppression, was acquired by the local CAF wing in 1981 and restored over several years. While upgraded with modern safety and navigation equipment, it remains largely historically accurate. Volunteers conduct ongoing inspections and maintenance to keep the 80-year-old plane airworthy. One upcoming ride day in Grand Junction is planned for May 23, with additional dates dependent on weather, pilot availability and maintenance schedules.
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FLYING HIGH: MTJ’S SUMMER FLIGHT SCHEDULE IS GROWING
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Montrose Regional Airport will offer expanded air service this summer as airlines add routes, increase flight frequency and deploy larger aircraft, according to the Colorado Flights Alliance. Total seasonal capacity at MTJ is expected to rise 5 percent compared with last summer, reflecting continued demand for regional air access. United Airlines will introduce once-weekly Saturday service to Los Angeles International Airport beginning May 23, increase Montrose to Chicago flights from two to five days per week, and operate daily service to Houston from late May through mid-August. Southwest Airlines will boost its Denver service from five days per week to daily, while maintaining Saturday flights from Dallas Love Field. Core routes will remain in place, including multiple daily flights to Denver on United and Southwest and American Airlines service to Dallas/Fort Worth. For more information on routes, dates and schedules, visit coloradoflights.org/summer.
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VAIL MAH JONGG GROUP GROWING IN POPULARITY
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Vail Mah Jongg, a community group founded by longtime East Vail resident Dana Dance, has grown rapidly since launching last summer, now connecting about 200 players across the Vail Valley. Dance began the group while recovering from back surgery and unable to participate in outdoor activities, turning instead to the American version of Mah Jongg as a way to stay engaged and build community. The free, informal group welcomes full-time residents, seasonal workers and visitors, hosting games at rotating locations throughout Eagle County, including cafés, shops and gathering spaces that benefit from increased foot traffic.
Beyond social play, the group is expanding into philanthropy, working to raise $25,000 for Shaw at Home, a Vail Health palliative care program, and developing limited edition, locally made Mah Jongg sets featuring Vail Valley imagery. Dance said the group’s core mission is connection, fellowship and supporting local businesses, offering an inclusive social outlet for players of all ages and backgrounds. To learn more, visit instagram.com/vailmahjongg.
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MAIN STREET STEAMBOAT SPRINGS A SEMIFINALIST FOR 2026 GREAT AMERICAN MAIN STREET AWARD
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Main Street Steamboat Springs has been named one of eight semifinalists nationwide for the 2026 Great American Main Street Award, a top national honor recognizing preservation-based economic redevelopment, according to an announcement from Main Street America. The designation highlights the nonprofit’s work revitalizing and preserving downtown Steamboat Springs while strengthening the local economy and fostering an inclusive community. A national jury of community development and historic preservation experts selected the semifinalists based on their impact and resilience.
Main Street Steamboat Executive Director Lisa Popovich credited the recognition to broad community collaboration, while board president JJ Johnson praised the organization’s staff and volunteers for their lasting contributions to downtown vitality. Three award winners will be selected from the eight semifinalists and announced April 13 during the Main Street Now Conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Other semifinalists include Downtown San Marcos in San Marcos, Texas; Columbia Main Street in Columbia, Tennessee; and Main Street Farmington in Farmington, Michigan.
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BRECKENRIDGE SKI RESORT CO-FOUNDER & COLORADO SKIING LEGEND TRYGVE BERGE DIES AT 93
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Trygve Berge, a co-founder of Breckenridge Ski Resort and a pioneering figure in Colorado skiing, died April 2 at age 93 following a brief illness, according to his obituary. A native of Voss, Norway, Berge was a professional ski racer before helping establish Breckenridge in 1961 alongside Sigurd Rockne and Bill Rounds. He was the Norwegian downhill champion in 1954 and competed for Norway in the 1956 Winter Olympics. Known for his bold, stylish skiing, Berge appeared in ski films and early marketing that helped popularize the sport statewide. At Breckenridge, he helped lay out and name the resort’s original runs, served as its first ski school director and co-founded Ullr Fest. Inducted into the Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame in 1999, Berge was widely remembered for his warmth, mentorship and deep ties to the community. He is survived by four children and four grandchildren. A celebration of life has not yet been announced.
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WHAT IT TAKES TO BE MIDDLE CLASS IN COLORADO
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The threshold to be considered middle class on average in Colorado is increasing faster than the rest of the country. SmartAsset, an online platform for financial advice and information, once again calculated the middle-class income ranges for 100 major U.S. cities — including three in Colorado — and all 50 states. Colorado as a whole finished with the eighth-highest upper limit on what makes someone middle class, up a spot from 2024. But the threshold in Colorado’s largest cities didn’t climb as fast as in peer cities — and for a change, Denver was not the one with the highest threshold in the state. The calculations are based on Pew Research Center’s definition of middle income, which is two-thirds to double the median household income, as well as the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Here’s a look at how Colorado stacks up compared to the rest of the country and how much you need to make to be considered middle class. All rankings are based on the upper limit of what is considered to be middle class.
- A household in Colorado is considered middle class if it makes between $64,742 and $194,226.
- This is an increase from $61,934 to $185,822 in 2025.
- The median income in Colorado is $97,113, up from $92,911 a year earlier.
- Aurora is ranked 23rd in the SmartAsset rankings, with households needing to make between $62,558 and $187,674. The median household income is $93,837.
- Denver is ranked 24th, with households needing to make between $61,669 and $185,008. The median household income is $92,504.
- Colorado Springs is ranked 42nd, with households needing to make between $55,781 and $167,344. The median household income is $83,672.
The three states with the highest thresholds to be considered middle class are unchanged from 2025, but the upper limits to be middle class in those states went up:
- Massachusetts: $69,885 to $209,656
- New Jersey: $69,529 to $208,588
- Maryland: $68,603 to $205,810
- Hawaii: $67,163 to $201,490
- California: $66,766 to $200,298
Four cities passed 2025’s leader, Arlington, Virginia, on the list:
- San Jose, California: $98,817 to $296,452
- Irvine, California: $97,154 to $291,462
- Frisco, Texas: $96,963 to $290,888
- San Francisco: $93,201 to $279,602
- Arlington, Virginia: $89,055 to $267,164
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MARKET UPDATE - 04/06/2026 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 04/02/2026)
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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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