COLORADO LOOKING AT EXPANDING MINIMUM WAGE, OTHER LABOR RULES

The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment has proposed broadening minimum wage coverage, overtime pay and mandatory breaks to more workers. After holding a series of public meetings, the department has drafted a major revamping of the Colorado Overtime and Minimum Pay Standards Order. Instead of covering workers in defined categories, the new minimum wage rules would apply to all Colorado workers unless they are specifically excluded. Those excluded include doctors, lawyers, teachers and most agricultural workers.

DIA MOVES TO NEW CONTRACTORS, ADDS MORE DIRECTIONAL SIGNAGE

The Denver City Council Monday approved $136 million in contracts to restart the construction project at Denver International Airport after terminating its relationship with Great Hall Partners in August. In addition to the restart of construction, airport officials are working to add better signage, hire more staff and "ambassadors" to help direct passengers through the construction maze at DIA. Starting Nov. 25, the remote drive-through bag drop will be relocated at the 75th Avenue exit of Peña Boulevard, the exit for all satellite parking lots and rental car returns. The free bag drop off allows passengers on Southwest, United, Delta, Spirit and American airlines to check bags and get boarding passes.

BAD AIR ADVISORY IN EFFECT IN DENVER METRO AREA

An air quality advisory is in effect for the Denver metro area through Tuesday evening. The advisory covers Boulder, Broomfield, Adams, Denver, Jefferson, Arapahoe and Douglas counties. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is requesting the public to limit driving and indoor fires are restricted until 4 p.m. today. Anyone in the Denver area who is sensitive to pollution should limit outdoor activities from 6 to 10 a.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. today.

ASPEN, SNOWMASS TO OPEN SATURDAY, FIVE DAYS EARLY

The Aspen Skiing Co. Monday announced it will open Aspen Mountain and Snowmass for the 2019-20 season on Saturday, five days ahead of the scheduled opening on Thanksgiving Day. Skico announced that there will be 75 acres of terrain open on Aspen Mountain and 60 acres at Snowmass. There is snow in the forecast before the Saturday opening and if there is more than six inches of new snow, more terrain could open on Saturday. At Aspen Mountain, the Little Nell and Bell Mountain chairlifts will be in operation; at Snowmass, the Village Express chairlift will be open to the midway point.

GARCO COMMISSION IMPOSES MORATORIUM ON NEW MINING PERMITS

The Garfield County commissioners Monday approved a six-month emergency moratorium on new mining permits, meaning the county will not accept applications for new or amended mining and gravel projects. The moratorium is in effect to allow time for staff and planning commissioners to develop the 2030 comprehensive plan and make adjustments to the county land-use code. The moratorium will prevent RMR Industrials from seeking a change to its special use permit for the limestone quarry north of Glenwood Springs. The county is currently fighting a lawsuit from RMR about their current special use permit and a lawyer for RMR told the state mining regulatory body that it would be applying for an updated permit from the county.

2020 CAPITOL CHRISTMAS TREE TO COME FROM GMUG

The Christmas tree for the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol building that was cut in the Carson National Forest in northern New Mexico is now making its way across the country to Washington, D.C. For 2020, the United States Capitol Christmas Tree will come from the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison national forests. The official announcement will be made this Friday and the district ranger from the Ouray Ranger District is invited to attend the announcement.

FIRST WINTER STORM WARNING IN PLACE FOR S.W. COLORADO

The National Weather Service in Grand Junction has issued a Special Weather Statement basically covering the entire Western Slope for a "slow moving storm" that may bring considerable snowfall to southeast Utah and southwest and central Colorado. In addition, the first Winter Storm Warning for the season was issued for the San Juan Mountains and the cities of Telluride, Ouray, Lake City, Silverton, and Rico. The storm warning forecasts total snow accumulations of 12 to 20 inches for the San Juan Mountains above 8,500 feet.

BEAVER CREEK TO OPEN SATURDAY, FOUR DAYS EARLY

The Vail Daily announced today that Beaver Creek Resort will open Saturday, four days ahead of its scheduled opening Wednesday, Nov. 27. Beaver Creek is set to open at 9 a.m. on Saturday with more than 70 acres of terrain accessed from the Centennial Express Lift and the Haymeadow Express Gondola. Opening day festivities will include a special Cookie Time in the morning. Paid parking in the Bear and Elk lots will also begin on Saturday.

CHEAPEST AIRPORTS IN THE U.S.

The Points Guy, a website and blog that covers travel, aviation, and credit cards evaluated the costs of 50 busiest U.S. airports. The Points Guy scored airports using the average cost of a domestic ticket (50 percent of the total), with the other half based on costs of everything from a cup of coffee, 24-hour parking, luggage-cart rental to the cost of ride-hailing services to the nearest city center. The most affordable U.S. airports:

1. McCarran International Airport (LAS), in Las Vegas
2. Orlando International Airport (MCO) in Orlando
3. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) in Fort Lauderdale
4. Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) in San Jose
5. Oakland International Airport (OAK) in Oakland
6. Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL) in Dallas
7. Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) in Baltimore
8. Tampa International Airport (TPA) in Tampa
9. Miami International Airport (MIA) in Miami
10. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) in New Orleans

MOST EXPENSIVE AIRPORTS IN THE U.S.

The Points Guy, a website and blog that covers travel, aviation, and credit cards evaluated the costs of 50 busiest U.S. airports. The Points Guy scored airports using the average cost of a domestic ticket (50 percent of the total), with the other half based on costs of everything from a cup of coffee, 24-hour parking, luggage-cart rental to the cost of ride-hailing services to the nearest city center. The most expensive U.S. airports:

1. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in Newark
2. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York City
3. Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Dulles, Virginia
4. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in San Francisco
5. LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York City
6. Salt Lake City International (SLC) in Salt Lake City
7. George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston
8. Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) in Philadelphia
9. Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) in Charlotte
10. Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) in St. Paul

PICTURES WITH SANTA AT ST. MARY'S

The Friends of St. Mary's Medical Center will host Pictures With Santa on Saturday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Main Lobby of St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction. Santa will take a reindeer-feeding break from 11:30 a.m. to noon. No pets please. This event also includes Children's Craft Tables. Proceeds benefit the Micah S. Montag Pediatric Fund and the St. Mary's Fund. To learn more, visit the link below.

MONTROSE COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING DINNER NEEDS VOLUNTEERS

Montrose Community Dinners Inc. will host its 25th Thanksgiving Friends Celebration on Thursday, Nov. 28 from noon to 3 p.m. at Friendship Hall. In addition to a turkey dinner with all the trimmings, the celebration will have a kids’ activity room and musical entertainment. Community Dinners needs volunteers to help. The dinner typically serves some 2,000 meals and it takes more than 200 volunteers. To sign up as a volunteer or to receive delivery of the Thanksgiving meal, visit the link below or call 970-318-6724.

PAMPER YOURSELF BEAUTY DAY

Free haircuts for seniors will be offered from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21 at the New Castle Branch Library presented in partnership with Visión Latina. Registration is required. To register, or for more information call the library at 970-984-2346.

ALPINE BANK'S FLC FOREVER LOYALTY DEBIT CARD

Alpine Bank offers an opportunity to put your money where your heart is! Every time you use your FLC Forever Loyalty Debit Card, Alpine Bank will donate 10 cents to Fort Lewis College, ensuring the institution remains the Four Corners’ stronghold of academic excellence for the next generation of entrepreneurs, cyclists, educators and game changers. To learn more, visit the link below.

CAIC BENEFIT BASH IN BRECKENRIDGE

The Friends of Colorado Avalanche Information Center are proud to host the 12th Annual CAIC Benefit Bash, its biggest annual benefit event for the center, on Saturday, Nov. 23, from 5 to 10 p.m. at the Riverwalk Center in Breckenridge. Join us as we come together to support the CAIC in their continued efforts in avalanche forecasting and education throughout Colorado. This winter kick-off party will feature great 80's music from The Goonies, incredible beer from Breckenridge Brewery and the members of Summit County's United Brewer's Association (SCUBA), and dinner provided by 5 Star Catering! For more information, visit the link below.

ALPINE BANK REIMBURSES EAGLE & ROUTT COUNTY TEACHERS

Under its Teacher Reimbursement Program, Alpine Bank is reimbursing Eagle and Routt County School District teachers for up to $200 in school supplies purchased before Dec. 1, 2019. This program is open to all educators in the Eagle and Routt County school districts. You must have an existing Alpine Bank Liberty checking account with direct deposit, or open a new one, in order to qualify. Eagle County School District teachers with questions please contact Betsy Wood at betsywood@alpinebank.com or call 970-870-7424. Routt County School District teachers please contact Alice Klauzer at aliceklauzer@alpinebank.com or 970-871-1901. This program is made possible by Alpine Bank customers who use the Education Loyalty Debit Card. Last year alone in Eagle County Education Loyalty Card customers helped generate $25,860 in donations by the bank to support education. Routt County Education card users spurred Alpine to donate $7,700.

WE ARE COLORADO - THANKS TO OUR VETERANS!

We are able to enjoy all that Colorado offers thanks to the sacrifices that our veterans have made through their military service to our country. Please join Alpine Bank in honoring our American military men and women every day. Help us contribute to local nonprofit organizations across our state, including those which do so much to support veterans. In November, Alpine Bank will contribute a dime for every transaction our customers make using their Community Loyalty Debit Card, and those dimes really add up. To learn more, please visit the link below.