|
Colorado - Fri. 02/20/26 |
A Free Business Publication from Alpine Bank
|
|
View in Browser
|
|
|
| |
LAKE POWELL FORECAST PLUMMETS TOWARD CRITICAL LOWS, STUDY SAYS
|
| |
|
|
| |
Lake Powell could receive only about half its normal inflow this year, according to a new federal forecast that raises concerns about hydropower generation and emergency water management across the Colorado River Basin. The Bureau of Reclamation’s February 24-month study projects that about 52 percent, or roughly 5 million-acre feet, of average inflows will reach the reservoir by September, with a more dire scenario estimating just 37 percent of the 30-year average. Lake Powell’s elevation, measured at just over 3,532 feet this week, is expected to drop to about 3,497 feet by Sept. 30 under the most likely forecast, and could fall lower under worst-case conditions. At 3,490 feet, Glen Canyon Dam would be unable to generate hydropower.
Federal officials are working to keep the reservoir above critical thresholds by adjusting releases and may call for emergency water transfers from upstream reservoirs. The Colorado River Basin, which supplies water to 40 million people, remains strained by a 25-year drought and continued high demand.
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
AMAZON SURPASSES WALMART AS AMERICA’S BIGGEST COMPANY BY REVENUE
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
Amazon has overtaken Walmart as the largest U.S. company by annual revenue, ending Walmart’s 17-year run at the top of the Fortune 500 rankings. Amazon reported $716.9 billion in revenue for its most recent full year, narrowly surpassing Walmart’s $713.2 billion for the year ending Jan. 31. The milestone reflects Amazon’s rapid expansion from an online bookseller into a diversified giant spanning e-commerce, cloud computing, advertising and entertainment, as well as faster sales growth than Walmart in recent years. Amazon’s revenue grew 12.4 percent last year compared with Walmart’s 4.7 percent. Walmart executives have long anticipated losing the title and have shifted internal messaging away from size toward customer loyalty. While Amazon now leads in total revenue, analysts note that Walmart remains the nation’s largest retailer by direct merchandise sales, as Amazon derives a significant share of revenue from third-party sellers and non-retail businesses.
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
HEAT PUMP INSTALLATIONS IN COLORADO MORE THAN DOUBLED IN 2025 AS REBATES EXPIRED
|
| |
|
|
| |
Heat pump installations in Colorado more than doubled in 2025 as utilities expanded rebates, contractors became more proficient and homeowners rushed to take advantage of incentives set to expire at the end of the year. Five major utilities reported 14,225 installations, a twelvefold increase since 2022, marking what industry leaders described as a tipping point for the electric heating and cooling technology. Xcel Energy issued more than 10,600 rebates worth $57 million, while Platte River Power Authority and Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association also saw sharp increases.
Contractors said improved cold-weather performance, rising acceptance among HVAC companies and the ability to stack state, local and utility incentives helped drive adoption. The surge was also fueled by the pending elimination of a $2,000 federal tax credit under the Trump administration’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Utilities and installers expect continued growth in 2026 as new state and regional rebate programs launch, including Denver’s $200 million Power Ahead Colorado initiative.
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
BEEF INDUSTRY WARNS CONSUMERS TO EXPECT HIGH PRICES TO CONTINUE
|
| |
|
|
| |
High beef prices are likely to persist for years as the U.S. cattle herd remains at its lowest level in 75 years and ranchers remain reluctant to rebuild supply despite strong consumer demand. The tight market has pushed ground‑beef prices up 17 percent from a year earlier, far outpacing overall grocery inflation, according to federal data. Ranchers say drought, high feed costs and financial risk have made expanding herds unattractive, even as profits improve. Industry analysts estimate meaningful herd growth may not occur until at least 2028, and beef production is unlikely to return to pre‑2020 levels.
Meatpacking companies are already adjusting to the smaller supply by closing plants and cutting production, while restaurants and grocery chains warn that beef inflation will continue to pressure prices. Government efforts to ease costs, including increased imports and policy discussions, have had limited impact, leaving consumers to adjust to beef as a premium protein with elevated prices.
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
CRAFT BEER CONSOLIDATION CONTINUES AS LEFT HAND ABSORBS BOOTSTRAP BREWING
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
Colorado’s ongoing craft beer consolidation continued as Left Hand Brewing announced that Longmont-based Bootstrap Brewing will join its Left Hand Collective. Under the agreement, Bootstrap’s owners will receive equity in the Collective’s parent company, Indian Peaks Brewing Company, while production gradually shifts to Left Hand’s Longmont facility. Bootstrap will continue operating its taproom with its full lineup of beers and live music. Founded in 2012, Bootstrap built a reputation for hop-forward beers and expanded distribution after moving to Longmont. The move follows Left Hand’s 2025 acquisition of Dry Dock Brewing as part of a strategy to help independent breweries remain competitive in a shrinking market. Left Hand executives said the Collective will continue pursuing selective partnerships to expand distribution, strengthen its portfolio and support long-term sustainability for member breweries.
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
MAN LEFT HIGH & DRY WITH 42 SWAN BOATS AFTER LOSING DENVER CONTRACT
|
| |
|
|
| |
Joshua Catron, owner of Denver’s Wheel Fun Rentals franchise, is scrambling to store dozens of bicycles and 42 swan boats after Denver Parks and Recreation declined to renew his long-running contract to operate rental programs at Washington Park and City Park. Catron said the decision came without warning after more than 20 years of operating on city property as a concessionaire, paying rent and sales taxes. Beginning this spring, the city plans to take over the bike and boat rental operations itself.
Catron said he had already invested in new equipment, paid seasonal staff bonuses and planned for the upcoming season when he was told to vacate city storage by mid-February. He said he is dipping into personal savings to remove and store the equipment and questioned whether the city can quickly turn a profit. Parks officials said the department now has the capacity to run the programs internally and that the decision aligns with its mission to steward public resources.
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
GRAND HOGBACK CORRIDOR BUS SERVICE FACES FUNDING GAP, POSSIBLE SHUTDOWN IN LATE 2026
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
Public bus service along the Grand Hogback Corridor between Glenwood Springs and Rifle could face a five-week shutdown late in 2026 as Garfield County and the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority warn of a growing funding shortfall. An intergovernmental agreement approved this week outlines RFTA’s 2026 transit services and notes that declining county contributions, rising operating costs and limited municipal funding threaten the Hogback commuter line, which serves about 200,000 riders annually. Garfield County will contribute $250,000 in discretionary grant funding in 2026, while Rifle and Silt will each provide $40,000, but RFTA will shoulder much of the cost early in the year. From June through November, riders can expect a 20 percent reduction in service, and without additional funding the route will shut down from Nov. 23 through Dec. 31. County officials have said Garfield will not fund the service beyond 2026, leaving RFTA searching for long-term solutions.
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
OLD SNOWMASS CERTIFIED AS INTERNATIONAL DARK SKY COMMUNITY
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
Old Snowmass has been certified as an International Dark Sky Community by DarkSky International, recognizing the area’s commitment to reducing light pollution through responsible outdoor lighting practices. The designation follows years of advocacy led by resident Martha Ferguson, who founded WildSky Old Snowmass after experiencing light pollution that obscured views of the night sky. Officials credited Pitkin County’s updated lighting code, approved in 2025, as a key factor in achieving certification. The code requires most exterior lights to be turned off between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., limits holiday lighting, mandates shielded fixtures and restricts bulb color temperature to 3,000 Kelvin or less. With the certification, Old Snowmass becomes one of 20 dark sky places in Colorado and one of 273 worldwide. Supporters say the effort protects wildlife, preserves rural character and ensures future generations can experience star-filled skies.
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
2026 ASPEN ART FAIR RETURNS WITH NEW LEADERSHIP AT HOTEL JEROME
|
| |
|
|
| |
The Aspen Art Fair will return to Hotel Jerome for its third annual edition July 29 through Aug. 1, 2026, with an expanded leadership team guiding the event. Co-founder Bob Chase announced that Kelly Cornell has been appointed director of the fair, while Christine Mack has joined its board of directors. Cornell, who has led the Dallas Art Fair since 2016, will oversee the Aspen Art Fair’s curatorial vision, exhibitor relations and programming, succeeding former director Becca Hoffman. The intimate, immersive fair features international galleries staged throughout hotel rooms and booths and draws more than 7,000 collectors, curators and cultural leaders during Aspen Art Week.
Organizers said the 2026 edition will continue its focus on highly curated gallery presentations, special projects, salon-style talks and partnerships with Aspen cultural institutions, while expanding its global reach. The fair will also continue its Art Prize Program, developed with regional and national arts partners, and its commitment to artist residencies, commissions and institutional recognition. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit aspenartfair.org.
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
JUNIATA RESERVOIR TO BE DRAINED FOR MULTI-YEAR REPAIR OF CRACKED OUTLET PIPE
|
| |
|
|
| |
The City of Grand Junction plans to fully drain Juniata Reservoir later this year as part of a multi-year project to repair a cracked outlet pipe discovered during routine inspections. City officials said the crack, which allows water to seep along the pipe inside the dam, has been monitored for several years and does not pose an immediate dam safety concern. The project, budgeted at just under $1.6 million, will involve fully replacing and upgrading the outlet structure and valve system, with construction scheduled for 2027. State dam safety officials have required the reservoir to be drained to ensure the integrity of the dam during repairs, rejecting underwater repair options.
Water inflow will be shut off beginning in November, with the reservoir expected to be fully drained by September 2027 and refilled starting in early 2028. During the drawdown, the city will rely on Kannah Creek for water supply, coordinate with Clifton Water to manage raw water use, and may lease water to agricultural users. Colorado Parks and Wildlife will conduct a public fish salvage at the reservoir to reduce fish loss during the project.
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
BAYFIELD TOWN BOARD APPROVES REZONING FOR FAITH-BASED ARENA PROJECT
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
The Bayfield town board approved rezoning land owned by Pine Valley Church from residential to agricultural, advancing plans for a proposed 90,000-square-foot Pine Valley Heritage Arena. The 3-2 vote, taken at the board’s Feb. 3 meeting, allows the church to pursue development of a multimillion-dollar event center designed to host rodeos, livestock shows, concerts, weddings and worship events. Project representatives said the facility would also provide training space for the Bayfield High School roping team and support local economic activity. The rezoning effort began in 2020 after town officials determined existing zoning categories did not fit a fairgrounds-style venue. Agricultural zoning was selected to accommodate stock shows and limited commercial uses. The nonprofit project has raised about $510,000 toward a $30 million fundraising goal and is seeking to build the arena debt-free. A use by review permit is under further evaluation by town staff.
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE REPORTS EXPANDED BOAT INSPECTIONS & SAMPLING IN FIGHT AGAINST ZEBRA MUSSELS
|
| |
|
|
| |
Colorado Parks and Wildlife reported a significant increase in boat inspections and water sampling in 2025 as it continues efforts to prevent the spread of invasive zebra mussels, which were first detected in the state in 2022 and are now established throughout portions of the Colorado River system. The agency conducted more than 438,000 watercraft inspections last year, decontaminating over 30,000 high‑risk boats and intercepting 136 vessels carrying invasive mussels before launch. Increased staffing, expanded laboratory capacity and the use of environmental DNA testing led to additional detections across the Western Slope, including multiple sites along the Colorado River, which was officially designated as infested in October.
Parks and Wildlife officials said complete eradication is nearly impossible, making prevention and early detection the primary management tools. The agency also expanded shoreline and water sampling across Western Colorado, processed more than 2,200 samples, and continues to emphasize cleaning, draining and drying boats and equipment to limit further spread.
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
THE HUB OPENS IN EAGLEVAIL, OFFERING DISCOUNTED OFFICE SPACE FOR NONPROFITS
|
| |
|
|
| |
The HUB, a new office building created by the 4 Eagle Foundation, has opened in EagleVail to provide discounted office and conference space for nonprofit organizations serving the Eagle River Valley. Located at 20 Eagle Road in the former Warner Building, The HUB offers rents at about 20 percent of market rates to help nonprofits move out of home offices and strengthen their professional presence. The space is designed to foster collaboration among organizations focused on education, health, senior care, immigration support, child advocacy, recovery services and community enrichment.
Groups now based at The HUB include The Literacy Project, Eagle Valley Community Foundation, Caregiver Connections, Mountain Dreamers, Tree Top Child Advocacy Center, HomeCare & Hospice of the Valley, the Reconnected Foundation, Vail Symposium and several 4 Eagle Foundation programs. Organizers said the goal is to create a shared center for philanthropy and service that increases community impact, with a limited number of offices still available. For more information on The HUB and the 4 Eagle Ranch Foundation, along with opportunities to contribute, please go to 4eaglefoundation.org.
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
SNOW HELPS A-BASIN OPEN MORE TERRAIN AS SUMMIT COUNTY SKI AREAS EXPAND OPERATIONS
|
| |
|
|
| |
Recent snowfall in the Colorado mountains allowed several Summit County ski areas to open additional lifts and terrain this week, with Arapahoe Basin Ski Area reporting the largest expansion. A-Basin increased its open terrain by 13 percent after receiving new snow, while other resorts across the county also announced lift and trail openings as conditions improved and more snow remained in the forecast.
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area
- Expanded open terrain from 22 percent to 35 percent
- Opened additional trails on the Front Side, Pallavicini and The Beavers
- Newly available terrain includes chutes, glades and high-alpine runs
Copper Mountain Resort
- Scheduled to open the Resolution Lift on Feb. 20
- Plans to open the Three Bears chairlift the following week
- Lift openings will provide access to Tucker Mountain, Mountain Chief and Blackjack Trails Bowl
Loveland Ski Area
- Opened Lift 4 to the summit on Feb. 15
- Gained access to Apollo and Mercury trails
- Opened Avalanche Bowl for the season on Feb. 18
Keystone Resort
- Opened Ballhooter and Riperoo’s Glade trails
- Mountain operations crews continue focusing on trail maintenance and safety
Breckenridge Ski Resort
- Maintaining existing open terrain
- Preparing to open additional terrain as snow and conditions allow
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK TO KEEP TIMED ENTRY RESERVATIONS FOR 2026
|
| |
|
|
| |
Rocky Mountain National Park will continue its timed entry reservation system for a seventh consecutive year in 2026, even as several other high profile national parks move away from the approach. Park officials said the system, which limits vehicle access during peak hours, will operate from late May through mid-October and will closely mirror the structure used in 2025. The National Park Service said the decision is intended to manage crowding, protect visitor safety and preserve park resources, while still allowing access during off-peak hours without a reservation. Visitation at Rocky Mountain has declined slightly since the system was introduced, dropping from 4.4 million visitors in 2021 to 4.1 million in 2024.
2026 Timed-Entry Reservation Highlights
- Reservation season: May 22 through Oct. 13 for most of the park; Bear Lake Road Corridor reservations extend through Oct. 19
- Reservation release: First batch opens at 8 a.m. May 1 for visits from May 22 through June 30; additional reservations are released monthly
- Two reservation options: Bear Lake Road Corridor and entire park, required from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.; All areas except Bear Lake Road Corridor, required from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- No reservation access: Visitors may enter without a timed entry reservation outside restricted hours, though entrance fees still apply
- Other parks: Arches, Glacier and Yosemite will discontinue their timed entry systems in 2026
- Construction impacts: East side campgrounds are expected to be fully open; Timber Creek Campground will close Aug. 10 for sewer repair
Reservations will be available at recreation.gov once booking opens.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
MARKET UPDATE - 02/19/2026 Close
|
| |
|
(Courtesy of Alpine Bank Wealth Management*)
|
| |
|
Canadian dollar (per U.S. dollar)
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Mexican peso (per U.S. dollar)
|
| |
|
|
|
|
30-year fixed mortgage rate (Freddie Mac 02/19/2026)
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
*Not FDIC insured. May lose value. Not guaranteed by the bank.
|
| |
|
| |
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.
|
| |
|
|
| |
| Make changes to your subscription or unsubscribe here. |
| © 2026 Alpine Bank. |
| |
|
|
