COLORADO AT THE TOP IN CARS FOR SALE UNDER RECALL

Colorado ranks No. 2 in the nation for the number of cars for sale per capita that are under active recall. Colorado had 30.8 used cars under recall for sale per 100,000 residents, which was second only to Georgia's 40.7. State and local governments take different approaches in dealing with cars for sale that are under recall. Colorado requires that dealers disclose any defect they are aware of, including an active recall, to a prospective buyer.

TOO COLD, TOO DRY, TOO WET: BRAZIL CROPS SUFFER

Across the coffee belt in Brazil, dry weather is hurting production of Arabica and robusta beans. At the same time, too much rain in citrus areas has reduced the production of orange juice. In the sugar-growing region, frost has cut yields. Brazil is the world's biggest producer and exporter of all three products and the downturn in production has caused prices to rise. Prices for Arabica coffee, the variety favored by Starbucks Corp., reached their highest levels since February 2015.

WEST ELM: FROM HOUSEWARES TO HOTELS

West Elm, the housewares brand owned by Williams Sonoma Inc., has plans to open a line of West Elm hotels, with five locations scheduled to open in late 2018. The first locations are slated to be: Charlotte, N.C., Detroit, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, and Savannah, Georgia. West Elm has almost 100 locations in the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Australia and is working with the hospitality firm DDK on the project.

CHANGES COMING TO ASPEN'S VETERANS PARK

Pitkin County is undertaking a $25 million project to renovate and expand the county's administrative building on Main Street and due to the construction and access to the construction site, some cottonwood trees will be cut and other changes will be in store for Veterans Park next door. The county hired landscape architect Nick Soho and had some seven meetings with local veterans to formulate a preliminary plan for a new Veterans Park which was presented two weeks ago. The new plan includes the creation of a plaza-type setting with a series of concrete benches.

STATE, FEDS WANT BLM TO MONITOR UTAH SHALE PROJECT

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the federal Environmental Protection Agency have requested that the Bureau of Land Management ensure the ozone and other air quality impacts of a proposed oil shale project just across the border in Utah are adequately evaluated. The EPA also stated the need for consideration of water quality, climate change and other concerns about the project and urged the BLM to conduct a supplemental environmental impact statement to address them. Enefit America Oil is looking to surface mine 7,000 to 9,000 acres to remove shale rock and produce oil from a retort process near the Colorado border southwest of Rangely.

LOTTERY RECOGNIZES GRAND VALLEY PROJECTS

The Colorado Lottery presented Starburst Awards to four projects in the Grand Valley. The lottery recognized Mesa County for its contribution to the Colorado Riverfront Trail, in particular the Monument View section of the trail. The lottery contributed $2.9 million to the project. The city of Grand Junction was recognized for the first phase of Las Colonias Park and Matchett Park. The city of Palisade received a Starburst Award for the creation of a bike skills park at Riverbend Park.

TELSKI: SUMMER FOCUS ON INFRASTRUCTURE

Telluride Ski & Golf Vice President of Mountain Operations Jeff Proteau noted that the ski area did not undertake any "brand new big exciting projects" this summer, instead concentrating on infrastructure work. Telski continued work on improving snowmaking with the addition of both a high pressure and low pressure distribution pump, which will move more snowmaking water up the hill. The resort also added new, more powerful snowmaking guns.

BLM: MASTER LEASING PLAN FOR SW COLORADO

The Bureau of Land Management of Colorado will submit a plan to the federal BLM office to initiate a Master Leasing Plan in Southwest Colorado, which would implement a much more detailed review of future gas and oil development in the Four Corners region. The submission of the proposal for a Master Leasing Plan designation comes following the review of a local advisory committee, public hearings and other local review. While the Master Leasing Plan is under consideration, there is a moratorium on all leasing of oil and gas development in the area of concern.

VR: STRONG PASS SALES, REVENUE

Vail President and CEO Rob Katz Monday reported results from the 2016 fourth quarter and the 2016 fiscal year, which ended July 31. As of the end of the quarter and the fiscal year, season pass sales increased 24% in numbers and 29% in revenue. For fiscal 2016, visits at VR's U.S. resorts increased 13% over the previous fiscal year. The company's total skier-visits exceeded 10 million for the first time in fiscal 2016. All reports from fiscal 2016 did not include results from Whistler-Blackcomb, which VR acquired in August.

SOLAR POWER FOR WELLS IN DURANGO

With funding from the Environmental Protection Agency and the La Plata Electric Association, the Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency (4CORE) is installing a 16.7 kilowatt solar system at Southwest Horizon Ranch about 10 miles east of Durango. The solar system will provide 100% of the power for the operation of the well system at the low-income housing development and will provide $5,000 in annual utility costs collectively for the community's 61 households.

"MAGNIFICENT SEVEN" TOPS BOX OFFICE

Topping the weekend box office was Antoine Fuqua's "The Magnificent Seven" remake. Totals for the weekend:

1. "The Magnificent Seven" $35 million
2. "Storks" $21.8 million
3. "Sully" $13.8 million
4. "Bridget Jones Baby" $4.5 million
5. "Blair Witch" $3.9 million

CELEBRATE ART AT THE ASPEN ART MUSEUM

Celebrate the closing weekend of the exhibition of Alan Shields’ Protracted Simplicity (1966–1985) with an in-gallery reading of selected poems also created by the artist. Presented in collaboration with the Aspen Poets’ Society, local poets Kim Nuzzo and Valerie Haugen will perform Shields’ original poetry among his paintings and sculptures. For more information call 970-925-8050.

APPLE DAYS FESTIVAL IN DURANGO

Growing Partners of Southwest Colorado invites you to the Apple Days Festival, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 2 in Buckley Park at 12th and Main Avenue in Durango. Celebrate our local harvest with live bands from Stillwater Music, delicious food, fun activities for all ages, a pie eating contest, and more! Fresh pressed apple juice will be sold to benefit Growing Partners of Southwest Colorado, building a healthy local food system that reaches all ages, incomes, and cultures. Go to growingpartners.org to sign up to harvest apples or volunteer during the event. Alpine Bank is a proud sponsor of this event.

VOLUNTEERS & BAKED GOODIES ARE NEEDED

The Senior Matters Snow Cone and Homemade Baked Goodies Booth is looking for volunteers and donated baked goods for the Potato Days event in Carbondale on Saturday, Oct. 1, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bakers can drop off baked items at the booth on Saturday. Money raised supports the Senior Center at Third Street Center. For additional information, please call Diane Johnson at 970-306-2587.

CRAFT BEER & FOOD PAIRING DINNER

A Craft Beer and Food Pairing benefitting the National Repertory Orchestra will be held Tuesday, Oct. 18, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., at the Blue River Bistro in Breckenridge. For more information contact the NRO at 970-453-5825 or visit online at www.nromusic.com.

DOLLARS FOR DOGS/CASH FOR CATS

October is national “Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month,” and Roice-Hurst Humane Society is partnering with local businesses to help area homeless pets with its 8th annual “Dollars for Dogs/Cash for Cats” fall fund-raising campaign. Throughout the month of October, animal lovers can purchase a paper “PAW” for $1 (or more) at many Grand Valley businesses, including all Loco Food Stores, all Alpine Banks, both Chow Down Pet Supplies, Coronado Liquor Mart, All Pets Center, Hot Tomato, Bestslope Coffee, and many other locations, including the Roice-Hurst shelter at 362 28 Rd. For more information about Roice-Hurst, contact them at 970-434-7337, or connect online at www.rhhumanesociety.org.

PREVENT T2 PROGRAM CLASS SERIES STARTS IN OCT.

Mesa County Health Department is kicking off a new Prevent T2 class series for residents. Prevent T2 is a program designed to help people make lifestyle changes to reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Based on national estimates, one in three Mesa County residents are prediabetic. Joining the Prevent T2 Program will give you the tools and the support you need to make changes that will both prevent type 2 diabetes and last a lifetime. Small groups will meet with coaches approximately once a week for six months, then transition to monthly meetings for the following six months. Find out if you qualify for the Prevent T2 Program today - our upcoming classes start in October. Call 970-248-6900 or visit health.mesacounty.us or talk to your health care provider.

BOSOM BUDDIES 24TH ANNUAL WALK/RUN

The 24th annual Bosom Buddies “One Step Closer to Help and Hope” Walk/Run is Saturday, Oct. 8 starting at the Montrose Pavilion. Presented by Montrose Memorial Hospital, the event opens at 8 a.m. for registration with the 5K walk and 5K/10K run beginning at 9 a.m. This is the major fund raiser for the Bosom Buddies Breast Cancer Support Group of Southwestern Colorado. Bosom Buddies offers weekly support group meetings to women, men and their families who have ever had to deal with breast cancer. The support group meets Wednesdays at noon at the Bosom Buddies office at 645 S. 5th Street in Montrose. Entry forms are available at Montrose Memorial Hospital, San Juan Cancer Center, City Market, Safeway and the Bosom Buddies office. Mailed registrations must be postmarked by Friday, Sept. 30. Online registration is available until 10 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 5 at www.bosombuddiesswc.org.

JOURNEY OF HOPE FAMILY 5K RUN/WALK

The 21st Journey of Hope Family 5k Run/Walk takes place Saturday, Oct. 1 in Durango, and benefits women in our area and provides mammograms for those who can’t afford them. The event will begin at Mercy Breast Care Center and end at Three Springs. Registration begins at 8 a.m. For more information visit online at www.mhffnd.org or call 970-764-2800.

MIDDLE COLORADO RIVER CLEANUP

Join the Middle Colorado Watershed Council, in partnership with Alpine Bank, for their third annual River Cleanup on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 8:30 a.m. Meet at Centennial Park in Rifle, disperse to several cleanup locations, and conclude at noon for a free BBQ and celebration. For more information, visit online at www.midcowatershed.org. Pre-registration is also encouraged at Eventbrite.

SCAPE ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 2017

Southwest Colorado Accelerator Program for Entrepreneurs, in Durango, is accepting applications for 2017! Do you have a startup company? Or does your business need help growing to the next level? SCAPE is an intensive program which provides selected ventures with office space, a proven launch program, mentoring, and available equity funding. SCAPE creates high growth, job creating companies in Southwest Colorado by providing education, mentoring and access to funding for startups and early stage companies. Apply by Oct. 31, 2016 at www.goscape.org. For more information call 970-317-0880.

GIVE BACK TO COLORADO'S OUTDOORS AS A VOLUNTEER

There are many stewardship opportunities offered by Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado through October. Opportunities are available for thousands of volunteers of all ages, skill levels, and interests, in gorgeous locations across the state. Some of the highlighted opportunities this year include the Cougar Ridge Trail Restoration in Minturn, Oct. 1-2. No experience or training is ever needed to participate. Those interested in volunteering can browse and register for projects at www.voc.org/volunteer.

WOMEN WHO WINE

Join the Yampa Valley Community Foundation for a unique giving circle formed by women for women to learn more about the needs of local nonprofits while enjoying a glass of wine and embracing the spirit of philanthropy. The event takes place Wednesday, Oct. 5, 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Sundance Studio in Steamboat Springs. This month's presenter will be Advocates Building Peaceful Communities. For more information call 970-879-8632 or visit online at www.yvcf.org.