GOV. POLIS LOOKS TO CREATE FINANCIAL LINK FOR CANNABIS INDUSTRY

Because marijuana is a controlled substance under federal law, Colorado’s dispensaries, cultivations and other businesses are prohibited from obtaining conventional financial services, such as lines of credits or loans, and the ability to accept credit cards. Gov. Jared Polis is pursuing a plan to open Colorado banks, credit unions and money transmitters to provide financial services to marijuana and hemp businesses. The governor wants to increase the number of banks and credit unions providing services to the cannabis industry relying on the fact that state-chartered financial institutions are state-based and the state has a role in meeting the needs of the industry.

RESULTS OF IOWA PRIMARY WILL NOT BE KNOWN UNTIL TUESDAY

Although there are only 41 delegates selected out of the 1,991 votes needed to win the Democratic presidential nomination, the Iowa caucus results are the first to be reported and give an initial boost to the winner of the primary. However, there were no results Monday night as Iowa Democratic Party officials cited “inconsistencies” in reporting, and were manually tabulating results. Shortly after 1 a.m. Central time, Troy Price, the chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party told reporters he expected to have caucus results “later today.”

BOWL VIEWERS UP SLIGHTLY OVER A YEAR AGO

Super Bowl LIV attracted 102 million viewers on the Fox network, covering all digital platforms and its Spanish-language channel. The game, with its fourth-quarter comeback by the Kansas City Chiefs to defeat the San Francisco 49ers, had slightly more viewers than last year’s rather lackluster Super Bowl, featuring the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams on CBS, which had 100.7 million across all broadcast outlets. The most-watched Super Bowl was on NBC in 2015, with 114.4 million viewers. The NFL is coming off a strong season, with average television viewership up 5 percent to 16.5 million a game compared with the 2018-19 season.

JEFF SHIFFRIN, MIKAELA SHIFFRIN’S FATHER, DIES UNEXPECTEDLY

Monday, the Eagle County coroner confirmed that Jeff Shiffrin, 65, died of a head injury and the cause of death was an accident. Jeff Shiffrin is the father of World Cup and Olympic champion Mikaela Shiffrin. Jeff Shiffrin was an anesthesiologist with Vail Health and Anesthesia Partners of Colorado. He was born and raised in Dover, New Jersey, where he learned to ski as a youth. He raced on the ski team at Dartmouth. He and his wife Eileen moved to Vail decades ago, raising Mikaela and Taylor Shiffrin, who was a member of the two-time Champion University of Denver Ski Team.

GARFIELD COUNTY PROPERTY TAXES UP ABOUT $6 MILLION THIS YEAR

Garfield County mailed out about 30,000 2020 property tax statements on Jan. 27 to property owners. Property owners may pay taxes in halves or one lump sum; deadlines for half-payments are Feb. 29 and June 15. The deadline for a full payment is April 30. The Garfield County commissioners certified $153 million in taxes to be collected this year. That is about $6 million more than the $147 million certified a year ago. If taxpayers have questions about paying, they should contact the county Treasurers Office. It there are questions about valuation or Senior or Homestead exemptions, contact the Assessor’s Office.

CPW STUDY: IMPACT ON DEER FROM DRILLING MINIMAL IN PICEANCE

In a study which officials of Colorado Parks and Wildlife call one of the most extensive mule deer studies ever done, researchers have found no long-term negative impact on mule deer from energy development in the Piceance Basin. The only effect noted was a slight decrease in fetal survival in a year marked by severe drought. The research was started in 2008 southwest of Meeker, with data collection continuing through last year. Final analyses will continue into next fall or winter.

MAJOR STORM HITS SALT LAKE CITY, CHAIN LAW IN EFFECT IN SAN JUANS

A major winter storm that dumped 9 inches of snow at Salt Lake City International Airport, breaking a record for Feb. 3, forced the rare decision to close Salt Lake City public schools on Monday. The storm continued in southwest Colorado with the chain and traction law in effect on Coal Bank, Molas and Red Mountain passes. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory until 6 p.m. Tuesday for Silverton, Hesperus, Rico, Ouray, Telluride and Lake City. During this time up to 8 inches of snow is expected.

FEMA GRANTS $10 MILLION FOR BRECKENRIDGE DAM

The Federal Emergency Management Agency awarded a $10 million grant to the state of Colorado last week to help fund modifications to the Goose Pasture Tarn Dam. The funds come as part of FEMA’s Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program, which is meant to help minimize the risks of possible dam failures. The Goose Pasture Tarn Dam is south of Breckenridge and is classified as “high hazard” by the state of Colorado. The classification does not refer to the physical condition of the dam, but the consequences, in terms of potential loss of life and property, in the event of any type of failure.

GET MORE THAN JUST A MASCOT

Now, with Super Bowl LIV done, as you think about next year for your favorite team, how about considering the real representation of your team:

• New England: A Patriot missile: $3 million
• New York: A Gulfstream G650 private jet, operating budget for one year: $1.6 million
• Tennessee: Titan I missile, cost per launch: $1.5 million
• New Orleans: Beatification toward sainthood: $550,000
• Dallas: Successful rodeo cowboy’s annual salary: $150,000
• Tampa Bay: Somali buccaneer’s annual earnings: $53,000
• Las Vegas: Somali raider’s annual earnings: $53,000
• Green Bay: meatpackers mean salary: $28,000
• Minnesota: Viking stove: $23,000
• Miami: Untrained dolphin: $10,000
• Philadelphia: Adult eagle: $10,000
• Denver: Saddle bronco: $8,500

FRUITA CHAMBER ANNUAL BANQUET: HAVANA NIGHTS!

Mark your calendars for the Fruita Chamber Annual Banquet on Saturday, Feb. 8 from 5:30 to 10 p.m. at the Fruita Community Center! This year's theme is Havana Nights! Reserve your tickets now! Purchase tickets at the link below. For more information, call 970-858-3894.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN OYSTER FRY 4-H BENEFIT

The Eagle County 4-H Program and a committee of amazing volunteers are teaming up to produce the annual Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry 4-H benefit. This event, on Saturday, March 21, at the Eagle River Center in Eagle, will feature a delicious dinner, open bar, silent and live auctions, family entertainment (petting zoo, mechanical bull, bouncy castle, STEM Energy Trailer), and the Back Road Roots Band. Proceeds from the event will go to fund local 4-H Scholarships, awards at County Fair and local 4-H Club support. Doors open at 5 p.m. Admission is $20 for adults, $10 for youth and seniors, kids under 5 are free. To learn more, visit the link below.

STEAMBOAT UNPLUGGED FEB. 13

Join Partners on Thursday, Feb. 13, 5 to 9 p.m., for a private acoustic performance by four amazing musical artists playing at the 2020 Steamboat Winter WonderGrass festival. The night will feature a musical journey weaving the history of bluegrass through old-time music, bluegrass, country, newgrass, jam grass and beyond. Performed by some of the nation's best pickers; Tyler Grant (U.S. Flatpicking Champion), Andy Thorn (Leftover Salmon), guitar virtuoso Jon Stickley, and Scotty Stoughton (Bonfire Dub and WWG founder). Guests and musicians will enjoy tasty creations from one of Steamboat’s own culinary geniuses, made right in the kitchen during the early evening. Wine will be flowing as will the good vibes as the musicians perform their favorite sets for a small audience of music fans. For more information, call 970-879-6141 or visit the link below.

THE HIGH KINGS IN DURANGO FEB. 15

Heirs of Ireland's folk heritage, The High Kings will take the stage at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College in Durango on Saturday, Feb. 15, at 7:30 p.m. Members of The High Kings have emerged as internationally acclaimed folk and ballad singers and instrumentalists. Tickets are available online at www.durangoconcerts.com, by phone at 970-247-7657, or in person at the Ticket Office inside the Durango Welcome Center at 8th St. and Main Ave. The Community Concert Hall is a not-for-profit, multi-use performance venue located on the campus of Fort Lewis College. Its ability to bring a diverse spectrum of shows to Southwest Colorado is made possible through a partnership with the college, a state-supported, independent institution of higher education, and through financial and in-kind contributions from generous members of the community.

LUNCH AND LEARN IN DURANGO AT THE SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS HUB

The Sustainable Business Hub in Durango is offering a Lunch & Learn series on marketing and sustainability. The first installment takes place Thursday, Feb. 27, from noon to 12:50 p.m., and is entitled "Brand on Purpose." The event takes place at the Durango Smiley Building Studio 12. Bring your spork, glass jar, and bento box full of your favorite lunch and get ready to network and learn helpful DIY tools to grow your social audience, customer base, market share, and your triple bottom line! Change your business for good. For tickets, visit the link below. For more information, call 970-903-3241.

MST3K LIVE IN DURANGO FEB. 13

Mystery Science Theater 3000 Live – the “live” version of the popular comedy television series – comes to the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College, Thursday, Feb. 13, at 7:30 p.m. The Great Cheesy Movie Circus Tour will be the final tour for the show’s creator Joel Hodgson (better known as the red jumpsuit-clad Joel Robinson in the series). The Great Cheesy Movie Circus Tour features never-before-screened films including, No Retreat, No Surrender and Circus of Horrors, with host Hodgson accompanied by his movie riffing robots, Tom Servo, Crow and Gypsy. Together they tackle these two films with their irreverent, rapid-fire comedy and sarcasm. Tickets are available online at www.durangoconcerts.com, by phone at 970-247-7657, or in person at the Ticket Office inside the Durango Welcome Center at 8th St. and Main Ave.

ALPINE BANK SUPPORTS NONPROFITS

Every Tuesday, Alpine e-line features stories about local nonprofit organizations. Anyone interested in having a nonprofit featured in the Alpine e-Line, should e-mail information to factx@sopris.net.