ALPINE BANK CELEBRATES COLORADO DAY

August 1 is Colorado’s birthday, and this year our great state turns 141! Colorado officially became a state on Aug. 1, 1876; we’ll be celebrating at Alpine Bank. Visit our MyColorado page, https://www.alpinebank.com/mycolorado, to learn how we’ll be honoring Colorado and how you can join the fun.

IT'S COLORADO DAY

On August 1, 1876, president Ulysses S. Grant signed the proclamation making Colorado the 38th state of the United States. Although August 1 is no longer an official state holiday, there are some celebrations. Colorado Parks and Wildlife will have free admission to the state's 41 state parks honoring Colorado Day on Aug. 7. There is free admission to the History Colorado Center, where there will be birthday cake, booths from businesses and nonprofits. There is free admission to the American Museum of Western Art-The Anschutz Collection. There is free admission to the Molly Brown House Museum.

DENVER CITY COUNCIL OK'S GIANT MUSIC FESTIVAL

The Denver City Council Monday voted 10-3 to approve the five-year agreement with Superfly Productions to proceed with a three-day weekend music festival each September on the Overland Park Golf Course, with each event being staged the second or third weekend of September beginning in 2018. The event is expected to draw 30,000 to 40,000 people the first year, with the contract capping the daily attendance at 80,000. Superfly will be allowed to close the golf course for up to five weeks after Labor Day each year and will pay the city a lease of $200,000 and the city will also receive income from the 10 percent seat tax plus $2 per ticket for a golf fund and $1 per ticket for a community fund.

BIG CABLE TV DEAL

Discovery Communications has reached an agreement to acquire Scripps Network in a deal that is valued at about $11.9 billion and represents a major consolidation of cable TV networks. The deal will give the combined company control of about one-fifth of all advertising-supported paid TV in the U.S. And the merger also positions the combined company's channels for improved inclusion on traditional pay-TV networks, as well as burgeoning online TV offerings such as DirecTV Now and Sling TV. Discovery's networks include the Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet and the Oprah Winfrey Network. Scripps' lineup includes HGTV, The Food Network and Travel Channel.

SKICO, KSL, INTRAWEST, MAMMOTH: DONE DEAL

A company affiliated with the Aspen Skiing Co. and KSL Capital Partners, which remains unnamed for a few more months, completed the deal Monday to purchase Intrawest Resort Holdings and Mammoth Resorts. As expected, former Aspen Skiing Co. executive David Perry was named president and chief operating officer of the company that will include 12 resorts which recorded some 12 million skier visits last season. The Aspen Skiing Co. will remain separately owned by the Crown family of Chicago.

SUNLIGHT PASS EXPANDS TO KIRORO SKI AREA IN JAPAN

Officials at Sunlight Mountain Resort Monday announced that this year's season pass will include free days in Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Washington, and Alaska as well as four free days at the Alp 25000 ski resort in the Spanish Pyrenees and the newest addition, three free days at Kiroro in Hokkaido, Japan. Kiroro is about 35 miles west of Sapporo, averages 750 inches of snow a year and features 21 runs and an abundance of backcountry skiing. In the U.S., the Sunlight pass affords three free days at Eaglecrest in Alaska; Snow King in Wyoming and Mission Ridge in Washington; as well as two days at Lookout Pass, Idaho.

TELLURIDE DAILY PLANET: GREG CLIFTON NEW VAIL TOWN MANAGER

Today's Telluride Daily Planet is reporting that it has "learned that Telluride Town Manager Greg Clifton has been offered, and will accept, the town manager's position in Vail." According to the Daily Planet, a number of Telluride town employees had been notified of Clifton's decision, although Clifton was out of town and not available for comment. The sources said Clifton was expected to remain in his position in Telluride until the end of August. Clifton has been the Telluride town manager since 2010.

HILLSIDE PUD APPLICATION GETS TELLURIDE P&Z APPROVAL

Representatives of landowner Windhorse Properties LLC submitted an application to the Telluride Planning and Zoning Commission seeking to replat 68 lots in the Northeast Hillside area into 19 lots and requested several variances for lot size, width and density. Last week, the commission gave unanimous approval to the application. The plan also requested extension of Primrose Lane to allow access to the residences.

NO MORE FIRE BAN IN ROUTT NATIONAL FOREST

The U.S. Forest Service announced that all fire restrictions on the Routt National Forest and a large portion of the Medicine Bow National Forest have been lifted, effective today. Areas affected by the fire restriction change on the Medicine Bow National Forest include the Sierra Madre and Snowy ranges, as well as the Pole Mountain Unit. The Laramie Peak unit remains under Stage I fire restrictions. Forest visitors are reminded to keep campfires small and under control, and have a shovel and water container nearby to douse escaped embers.

VETERANS AND ACTIVE-DUTY MILITARY: FREE ADMISSION TO STATE PARKS

Veterans and active-duty military personnel (including active duty Reserve and National Guard members) have free admission to Colorado State Parks in August. Those eligible need to obtain a hang-tag pass valid during the month by going to a CPW office or a state park office and show an active or retired military identification, DD Form 2, DD Form 2765, DD 214, Veterans Affairs medical card or current Colorado driver's license with the veterans seal printed on it. Although admission is free, all other applicable fees, such as fishing license or camping permit, still apply.

TOP ZIP CODES FOR REAL ESTATE RETURN

HomeUnion ranked the zip codes in areas that maximized real estate returns while minimizing risks over the past 5 years. Top 10:

1. 33434: Hamptons at Boca Raton, Fla.; West Palm Beach; 8.1%
2. 19035: Gladwyne, Penn.; Philadelphia; 6.9%
3. 48322: West Bloomfield Township, Mich.; Detroit; 6.9%
4. 33158: Palmetto Bay, Fla.; Miami; 6.8%
5. 33327: Weston, Fla.; Fort Lauderdale; 6.6%
6. 37062: Fairview, Tenn.; Nashville; 6.5%
7. 66223: Overland Park, Kansas; Kansas City, Mo.; 6.2%
8. 60016: Des Plaines, Ill.; Chicago; 6%
9. 45255: Forestville/Cherry Grove, Ohio; Cincinnati; 5.9%
10. 30078: Snellville, Ga.; Atlanta; 5.8%

63RD ANNUAL KIWANIS PANCAKE BREAKFAST

The 63rd Annual Glenwood Springs Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast will be held Saturday, Aug. 12 in downtown Glenwood Springs. The breakfast is served at 9th Street and Grand Ave. (next to Centennial Park) from 7 to 11 a.m. The menu includes pancakes, eggs, sausage, orange juice, coffee and milk. This event features live entertainment. Enjoy breakfast and visit with friends while supporting Kiwanis projects. The Kiwanis Club uses the proceeds for community projects and youth scholarships. Contact any Kiwanian or call 970-945-2345 for advance tickets at a reduced price.

HABITAT SEEKS HOMEOWNERS

Habitat for Humanity of Mesa County is seeking Mesa County residents for their homeownership program. Ideal applicants might be a family, single, single parent or veteran but are certainly not limited to these categories. Habitat for Humanity of Mesa County believes that everyone needs a decent, affordable place to live, regardless of race, religion, age, gender, political views or any of the other distinctions that too often divide people. For more details on how to apply, interested parties can call the office to make an appointment at 970-255-9850x207.

LA PLATA COUNTY FAIR CONCERT

Establishing a new tradition, the La Plata County Fair is set to host a special concert event Friday night of the Fair, Aug. 11, featuring up-and-coming Country headliner Kyle Park. Special guest Shotgun Lullaby will open the show. To be staged in the La Plata County Fairgrounds Rodeo Arena, the show is set for 8 p.m., with gates opening at 6:30 p.m. Advance tickets are available at www.durangoconcerts.com, 970-247-7657, and at the Durango Welcome Center, 8th St. and Main Ave. in Downtown Durango.

ZEPHYR STAGE ARRIVES IN CARBONDALE

Zephyr Stage presents an original play written by Valerie Haugen Nuzzo and Kim Nuzzo at Thunder River Theatre in Carbondale on Wednesday, Aug 2, at 7:30 p.m. "Multitudes" is a one-man show about the great father of American poetry Walt Whitman! The play addresses death, sexuality, slavery, the Civil War and Whitman’s poetic vision of democratic ideals. This free event is a benefit performance to help Zephyr take the show to Edinburgh, Scotland, for performances, Aug. 7-11. Donations are gratefully accepted. To learn more, email zephyrstage@gmail.com.

NAVY SEAL FOUNDATION'S EVENING OF TRIBUTE

The Navy SEAL Foundation's Evening of Tribute will be held Thursday, Aug. 3. at XJet in Englewood. The Navy SEAL Foundation provides immediate and ongoing support and assistance to the Naval Special Warfare community and their families. Alpine Bank is a proud sponsor of this amazing event.

JIM DIXON MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

The Home Builders Association of Southwest Colorado is proud to partner with the Volunteers of America in yet another community project. With the completion of the Southwest Safehouse renovation, it is time to turn our attention to the Durango Community Shelter. Please unite with us and support this endeavor as we invest in our community together. Join us for the Jim Dixon Memorial Golf Tournament, Charity Luncheon and Silent Auction on Thursday, Aug. 17 at the Dalton Ranch Golf Course Pavilion in Durango. This fundraiser will benefit the Volunteers of America Durango Community Shelter renovations. The evening includes music, cocktails, Latin cuisine and incredible auction items! The festivities begin at noon. For tickets, click on the link below. For more information, call 970-382-0082.

ENGLISH IN ACTION NEEDS YOU!

English In Action, whose mission is to build a stronger community and intercultural relationships through language development, personal empowerment, and community engagement, is looking for tutors! The organization is dedicated to helping immigrants learn English and develop the skills they need to pursue their dreams. Currently, there are over 100 students on the waitlist. We have students with varying levels of English, so tutors do not need to speak Spanish or another language, or have prior teaching experience. Come learn how you can make a difference in another person’s life by just showing up! The next Volunteer Orientation Training is Monday, Aug. 21, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Pitkin County Library. Call 970-963-9200 or email info@englishinaction.org to RSVP or for more information.

SEMINARS AT STEAMBOAT CONTINUE

The 15th annual Seminars at Steamboat summer presentations continue with Marcia Coyle giving an overview of the Supreme Court, "The Nation's Highest Court: On the Cusp of Change," on Aug. 7. The series concludes Aug. 14 with a presentation on climate change and biodiversity by Elizabeth Kolbert. All seminars will take place at the Strings Music Pavilion at 5:30 p.m. Visit online at www.seminarsatsteamboat.org for more information.