HOLIDAY HOURS

Just a reminder - all Alpine Bank branches will be closed Monday, Oct. 9, in observance of Columbus Day. Although our branch locations will be closed, you can still bank with us anytime, anywhere using Alpine Online at https://www.alpinebank.com, AlpineMobile or by calling the Alpine InfoLine at 888-4-ALPINE (888-425-7463). Have a safe and happy holiday!

WESTERN UNION MOVING TO DENVER, TO DONATE TO CHARITIES

Global payment services giant Western Union announced Thursday that it is moving to Denver, actually it is just a few exits north, but it takes the company from Douglas County into Denver. It will take over nearly 250,000 square feet of space at the corner of Belleview and Quebec and is looking for more space in the area. To commemorate the move, Western Union pledged to donate $1 million over the next year to Denver charities.

CANADIAN COMPANY COMPLETES TAKEOVER OF DIGITALGLOBE

Westminster-based DigitalGlobe is moving to Vancouver as MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. completed its $2.4 billion acquisition of DigitalGlobe. The takeover had a substantial impact on MDA, as the company revamped its entire operation and even changed the name of the company to Maxar Technologies and moved the company's headquarters to San Francisco. The company employs 6,500 worldwide, with about 1,150 at DigitalGlobe.

BENEVENTO NAMED HEAD OF REGIONAL EPA OFFICE

President Donald Trump Thursday named Doug Benevento as the head of the Rocky Mountain regional office of the Environmental Protection Agency. The Rocky Mountain region oversees EPA operations in Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming and 27 tribal nations, including the local Superfund sites. Benevento currently is the director of energy policy for Xcel Energy and is based in Denver.

GLENWOOD TRAFFIC DOWN 22 PERCENT, BUT STILL LONG DELAYS

The Colorado Department of Transportation released data from traffic counts taken in September at several locations in Glenwood Springs, including Grand Avenue, Eighth Street and Midland Avenue which showed an overall 22 percent reduction in average daily vehicle trips through town. In numbers, vehicle trips dropped from a pre-detour estimate of 32,560 trips to an actual count-number of 25,277 trips going both directions through town per day. However, that doesn't approach the 35 percent reduction which officials said would be needed to prevent delays, and two-hour delays are still common during the weekday, late-afternoon commute.

GARCO OFFICIAL: OIL AND GAS CRITICAL TO COUNTY ECONOMY

Garfield County Finance Director Theresa Wagenman made a presentation to the Energy Advisory Board meeting Thursday in Rifle, telling the board that the energy industry is critical to the county in terms of the economic and fiscal impacts on the county government and special districts. The top 10 taxpayers in Garfield County in 2016 were oil and gas companies, providing over $40 million in taxes for the county. In 2016, oil and gas was responsible for 54 percent of the county's assessed valuation.

BLM OK'S NORTH FORK DRILLING PLAN

The Bureau of Land Management approved the 146-well Bull Mountain master development plan submitted by SG Interests in a 20,000-acre area south of McClure Pass and about 30 miles northeast of Paonia. The action gave approval of a permit for only one well but allows for more wells including four wastewater injection wells, up to 33 well pads as well as new roads, pipelines and compressor stations. The BLM said the project "could generate up to $100 million in employment income and 470 jobs annually."

FINALISTS NAMED FOR TELLURIDE MANAGER POSITION

The Telluride Town Council decided on the four finalists for the town manager's position and announced the finalists Thursday afternoon. The four finalists were selected from 67 applicants from 21 states. The finalists are: Mark Garcia of Paonia, the owner of Gov-Plus LLC, a consulting service; Ross Herzog, who has held several positions for the Town of Winchester/City of Winsted, Connecticut; Brandy Reitter, interim manager of the Town of Saguache; and Frank Rush, town manager of Emerald Isle, North Carolina.

INTERIOR OPENS SAGE GROUSE HABITAT FOR DEVELOPMENT

The Interior Department Thursday announced it is withdrawing protections for 10 million acres of federal land, allowing mining and other development in Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Wyoming. The land had been protected by the Obama administration because it was designated as sage grouse habitat, and the protection plan was a way to keep the sage grouse off the endangered species list.

AVON WORKS THROUGH COMMITTEE FOR SPECIAL EVENTS FUNDING

The Avon Town Council has a budget of about $500,000 to fund special events in the town and formerly, the council used to hear requests for the funding on a one-by-one basis, a very time-consuming process. This year, the council created an Ad Hoc Special Events Committee and the committee fielded all requests for special events funding, which totaled $1 million, and will recommend those events to be funded on Oct. 6, with the town council acting on the funding recommendation on Oct. 10.

ALPINE BANK BUYS TAX CREDIT, DONATES TO WALKING MOUNTAINS CENTER

When the Walking Mountains Science Center purchased 5.8 acres of land in December 2016, the nonprofit organization received tax credit from the state of Colorado on 3.5 acres of the property. Alpine Bank has purchased the tax credit from Walking Mountains for $920,000 and also made a $50,000 donation to the capital campaign of Walking Mountains. Since Walking Mountains is a tax-exempt organization, the state statutes allow the sale of a tax credit to a corporation like Alpine Bank.

WORST DAYS TO TRAVEL THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Looking at this year's calendar, experts say these are the worst days to travel, i.e. busiest and highest priced:

• For Thanksgiving (Thanksgiving is the busiest time of the year for airlines) Worst days are Wednesday before Thanksgiving (Nov. 22); Sunday following (Nov. 26)
• For Christmas (The year-end holidays fall on a Monday this year, producing more "worst" days than usual) Worst days are Friday before Christmas (Dec. 22) along with the weekend Dec. 23 and 24
• For New Year's, avoid Friday, Dec. 29 and Tuesday, Jan. 2

ALPINE BANK DISASTER RELIEF

Dear community members,  
Compassion and community are two of our core values, and although most of the time we focus on supporting our own community in Colorado, we are also moved by the devastation that some fellow communities around the country are facing.  
Like many members of our community, we want to find a way to best help the communities that have been hit hard by recent natural disasters.  
After reviewing many options to assist our neighbors adversely affected by recent epic weather events, we believe that supporting the American Red Cross is the most effective and efficient use of our resources. Supporting the American Red Cross ensures their volunteers and staff can continue to deliver critical relief and support to those in crisis.  
Alpine Bank will match total donations, dollar for dollar, up to $30,000. It’s our way of supporting you as well as our friends who are in trouble.  
By using the secure Alpine Bank website, at the link below, you can rest assured your donations are secure.  
Thank you in advance for your generosity,
Best, Bob Young

ALPINE BANK MIDDLE COLORADO WATERSHED RIVER CLEAN UP

The Middle Colorado Watershed Council and Alpine Bank invite you to the 4th Annual River Clean Up in Rifle on Saturday, Oct. 7. Registration at 9 a.m. at Centennial Park. Lunch will be provided. Pre-registration is available if you would like to create a River Team for your group or business. The MCWC asks you bring sun protection, water, and wear close-toed shoes. The Middle Colorado Watershed Council’s mission is to evaluate, protect, and enhance the health of the middle Colorado River watershed through the cooperative effort of watershed stakeholders. The Middle Colorado River Watershed extends from Glenwood Canyon to De Beque Canyon. For more information, please visit www.midcowatershed.org or email annie@midcowatershed.org.

A COLORADO RIVER BUSINESS TOUR

The Economics of our Water: A Colorado River Business Tour will take place Saturday, Oct. 7. Business owners, entrepreneurs, elected officials and community leaders are invited to attend. Learn how the Grand Valley’s economy depends on our rivers for its growth and vitality. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please meet at Edgewater Brewing, 905 Struthers Ave. in Grand Junction. The tour includes Talbott Farms, the Orchard Mesa Pump & Power Plant site, Farm Lunch, Las Colonias/Watson Island and Happy Hour at Edgewater! Alpine Bank is a proud supporter of this event. Register at coloradomesa.edu/water-center. For more information, email molly@businessforwater.org or hholm@coloradomesa.edu, or call 970-248-1968.