NREL: MOVING PEOPLE AROUND ON SELF-DRIVING SHUTTLE

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory officially launched its all-electric, self-driving shuttle Monday. The 12-passenger EZ10 Shuttle from EasyMile takes passengers around the NREL campus in Golden. The NREL joins a few Department of Defense sites in incorporating the self-driving vehicles. MV Transportation provides transportation services for NREL and for now, there is an attendant on board as the vehicles travel the pre-programmed 1.1-mile loop around the NREL campus.

U.S. HOUSE COMMITTEE QUESTIONS BLM MOVE TO GJ

William Perry Pendley, acting director of the Bureau of Land Management and Wyoming native, Tuesday appeared before the House Natural Resources Committee to defend the move of the BLM headquarters to Grand Junction. Pendley said, "Nearly every Western state will realize significant benefits from this reorganization," in response to questioning from critics that the move will cause career employees to leave the agency, will be too costly and will harm tribal interests.

SOUTH KOREAN FIRM ACQUIRES LUXURY HOTEL PORTFOLIO

Anbang Insurance Group Co., a Chinese insurer, began building its 15-hotel portfolio of luxury U.S. hotels when new rules a few years ago allowed them to invest more easily abroad. Anbang eventually acquired high-end properties such as the Essex House overlooking Central Park in New York, InterContinental Hotels in Chicago and Miami, and San Francisco's Westin St. Francis, among others. Anbang announced it has sold the portfolio for USD$5.8 billion to South Korean financial services firm Mirae Asset Global Investments.

ASPEN CITY COUNCIL AGREES TO MOVE CITY OFFICES TO RIO GRANDE PLACE

The Aspen City Council, at a work session Tuesday, was presented with two options for relocating city offices and finding space for the Aspen Chamber Resort Association, incorporating the new 37,500-square-foot municipal office at Rio Grande Place and the current City Hall in the armory building. The majority of the council, with Mayor Torre in the minority, agreed the city offices, as well as meeting space for the city council, should move to Rio Grande Place, while ACRA should use vacated space at the armory.

GJ ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP HEAD DEFENDS GJ AS BLM HEADQUARTERS

Robin Brown, the executive director of the Grand Junction Economic Partnership, traveled to Washington, D.C. Tuesday to appear before the House Natural Resources Committee. The committee was considering the proposed move of the headquarters of the Bureau of Land Management from Washington, D.C. to Grand Junction. One area that Brown addressed specifically was the improvement in air service in Grand Junction.

PALISADE TRUSTEES TURN DOWN HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

The Palisade Board of Trustees Tuesday held a public review of the zoning change of a 20-acre parcel located on G Road north of U.S. Highway 6 from commercial business to planned development. The zoning change was proposed to allow the West End Village housing development, with as many as 155 units. After three hours of discussion, the board of trustees voted 5-2 to deny the proposed zoning change.

GOV. POLIS COMMENTS ON BLM UNCOMPAHGRE PLAN

Gov. Jared Polis has provided the Bureau of Land Management a governor's consistency review of the BLM's proposed management plan for its Uncompahgre Field Office. The governor's review presents an analysis of how the plan conforms to current state law, programs and policies. In his review, Polis asks for the BLM to review Senate Bill 181, which addresses how oil and gas is to be regulated in the state as well as another state measure setting goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the state.

MONTROSE AIRPORT EXPANSION GETS FAA FUNDING

The Montrose County commissioners Tuesday approved receipt of a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration of about $682,200, which has a match component of $37,900 each from the county and the city of Montrose. The funds will be used to begin developing the design work and cost estimate for expansion of the Montrose Regional Airport. Airport officials note the last expansion was in 2012 and now the airport needs to more than double its current size to accommodate present and future passenger numbers.

CPW SEEKS TO REDUCE BEAR NUMBERS

The number of human-bear encounters across Colorado has increased substantially this year, and now Colorado Parks and Wildlife is making changes in hunting requirements and license fees to increase the bear harvest by hunters. CPW has bear population goals for each game management unit (GMU) in the state, and particularly in western Colorado, bears outnumber the desired count. CPW has increased the number of available bear licenses by about 10 percent this fall. In certain GMUs, hunters will be allowed to take more than one bear. The most substantial change is the reduction in the price of a bear license for out-of-state residents, going from $350 down to $100. A Colorado resident bear license is $50.

EAGLE HOLY CROSS DISTRICT RANGER PROMOTED TO FRONT RANGE POST

Aaron Mayville, who served as deputy ranger in Eagle Holy Cross District from 2012-2016 before becoming the District Ranger in 2016, announced that he is leaving the Eagle Holy Cross District to become the Deputy Forest Supervisor for the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest and Pawnee National Grasslands in Fort Collins. The last day for Mayville in the Eagle Holy Cross District is Oct.18.

LARGEST LANDOWNERS IN THE U.S.

From the figures from 2018 in the Land Report:

1. John Malone: 2,200,000 acres
2. Emmerson family: 1,960,000 acres
3. Ted Turner: 1,920,000 acres
4. Stan Kroenke: 1,380,000 acres
5. Reed family: 1,330,000 acres
6. Irving family: 1,250,000 acres
7. Brad Kelley: 1,150,000 acres
8. Singleton family: 1,100,000 acres
9. King Ranch heirs: 930,000 acres
10. Peter Buck: 930,000 acres

EXPENSES TEACHERS CAN/CAN'T DEDUCT

Teachers often pay for expenses for which they don’t receive reimbursement. Fortunately, they may be able to deduct some of them on their tax returns. You don’t have to itemize your deductions to claim this “above-the-line” tax break. For 2019, educators can deduct up to $250 of eligible expenses that weren’t reimbursed. Eligible expenses include books, supplies, computer equipment, software, other classroom materials, and professional development courses. To be eligible, taxpayers must be kindergarten through grade 12 teachers, instructors, counselors, principals or aides. They must also work at least 900 hours a school year in an elementary or secondary school.

ALPINE BANK - SNOWMASS ANNIVERSARY

Alpine Bank - Snowmass is celebrating its 45th Anniversary on Friday, Sept. 13! The celebration includes a BBQ lunch from Slow Groovin' BBQ, live music by Damian Smith, fabulous desserts provided by Annette's Mountain Bake Shop and maybe a surprise or two. The event takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in front of the bank at 45 Village Square. For more information, call 970-923-0060.