XCEL ENERGY STARTS UP ITS HUGE WIND FARM

Xcel Energy-Colorado has completed construction of the 500-megawatt Cheyenne Ridge wind farm on the Eastern Plains. The 229-turbine facility in Cheyenne and Kit Carson counties will provide enough energy to power about 270,000 homes, according to Xcel Energy. The project, owned by the utility, was completed ahead of schedule and began operating in August. With the addition of Cheyenne Ridge wind power, Xcel set a record for hourly wind generation in Colorado when the wind power on its system provided close to 70 percent of the energy for customers.

AIR QUALITY COMMISSION OK’S RULE ON PREPRODUCTION MONITORING

The Colorado Air Quality Control Commission voted unanimously Wednesday night for a rule to track emissions from the start of construction of a well and over the first six months of production. The monitoring of so-called preproduction, a phase that can produce high emissions of chemicals and health complaints from the public, is a new requirement. This monitoring rule is thought to be the first of its kind anywhere in the country and is part of the implementation of Senate Bill 181. Companies will have to begin monitoring programs for new wells starting May 1.

PAC-12 SAYS YES TO FOOTBALL THIS FALL, HOWEVER CU ENCOUNTERS A PROBLEM

Leaders of the Pac-12 Conference, school presidents and chancellors, late Thursday afternoon voted unanimously in favor of an abbreviated football season starting Nov. 6 as well as allowing men’s and women’s basketball teams to begin Nov. 25. The Pac-12 football season will have six “regular season” games plus a championship game. For the football team at the University of Colorado the good news was tempered by an order from Boulder County Public Health on Thursday halting all gatherings for 18-to-22-year-old Boulder residents until at least Oct. 8. In addition, stay-at-home orders were issued for 36 addresses, many of which are fraternity and sorority houses. It’s unknown how many CU football players reside in those 36 locations.

SKICO ANNOUNCES 2020-21 SEASON PASSES, NEW LOCAL PASS

The Aspen Skiing Co. Thursday announced its season passes for the 2020-21 season, including the addition of a new weekday pass for Roaring Fork Valley residents only. The new Valley Weekday Pass is for Monday through Friday and is $899 for chamber members currently, and then $999 after Nov. 13. For Roaring Fork Valley residents who are not connected to a chamber of commerce, the Weekday Pass is $999 and will go to $1,049 in November. The Premier Pass with the discount, which comes through membership in the Aspen Chamber Resort Association and other chambers in the valley, will be $1,799 if bought before Nov. 13 and $2,099 after. For complete information, go to aspensnowmass.com.

FEDERAL AGENCIES FACE LAWSUIT OVER GROUSE

The Center for Biological Diversity and Western Watersheds Project have informed the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service and National Park Service of their intent to sue in 60 days over a drop in the population of the imperiled Gunnison sage-grouse and an alleged failure to protect the species from livestock grazing in the Gunnison Basin, unless the agencies address their concerns. The lawsuit would focus on grazing issues in the Gunnison Basin.

A FIRST LOOK AND RIDE DOWN THE PALISADE PLUNGE

Representatives of the land managers, nonprofits and governments that collaborated on the development of the Palisade Plunge met on Grand Mesa Thursday to receive an update on the trail and then take the first "test" ride on the lower portion of the trail. That lower half of the trail runs from Lands End Road more than 17 miles down to the town of Palisade. The second phase of the project will bring the trail up to the mesa rim and then travel around 12 miles on top of the mesa to the Mesa Top Trailhead off Colorado Highway 65. In total, the Palisade Plunge will cover 32 miles and descend 6,000 feet in elevation. The lower portion only needs minor work before completion and should open to the public soon.

TELLURIDE LODGING MOVES TO 75 PERCENT OF CAPACITY

Summer in Telluride was relatively busy, with campers and visitors, not necessarily overnight lodgers. Summer bookings tended to be virtually “on-the-spot,” with the advance booking time for summer dropping from an average of about 80 days to 31 days. Hotels and lodging accommodations were limited to a 50 percent occupancy rate. San Miguel County officials will boost the occupancy rate to 75 percent on Oct. 1, in recognition of the decrease in visitor traffic from camping and drive traffic as well as the stable COVID-19 case levels.

VR ISSUES 2020 FISCAL YEAR REPORT: INCOME DOWN 67 PERCENT

Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz Thursday held the company’s quarterly earnings call and presented a wrap up of the 2020 fiscal year for the resort company. The fiscal year for VR runs Aug. 1 – July 31. Net income for the fiscal year was down 67.2 percent, compared with FY 2019, following the complete shutdown of North American resorts on March 15 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the slow start-up to summer. Vail Resorts’ net income for FY2020 was $98.8 million. The income declines were partially offset by eliminating quarterly dividends to stockholders and the May sale of $600 million worth of unsecured bonds with a maturity date of 2025. On the brighter side, pass sales, including company-issued credit to those who held passes for the 2019-2020 season, are ahead of the pace set in 2019.

USFS GIVES OK TO PAVING ROAD TO PROPOSED BERLAIMONT DEVELOPMENT

The U.S. Forest Service Thursday gave approval to the proposal to pave 2.6 miles of Berry Creek Road and Forest Service Road 780 to the 680-acre Berlaimont Estates private inholding. The approval, according to White River National Forest officials, was based on the legal obligation of the USFS "under the Alaska Native Interest Land Conservation Act to provide adequate access to the inholding and minimizes impacts on National Forest System lands by keeping the access across the Forest entirely on existing roads.” The decision applies only to Forest Service lands, and the proposed Berlaimont development would need to obtain approval from Eagle County for any road construction on private lands.

IN 2020, IS ANYBODY HAPPY???

With all that has gone on this year, the pandemic, hurricanes, wildfires, is anyone happy? WalletHub ranked the U.S. states on how happy their residents are in 2020. The personal finance website created an index based on 32 metrics related to emotional and physical well-being, work environment, community and environment:

1. Hawaii
2. Utah
3. Minnesota
4. New Jersey
5. Maryland
6. California
7. North Dakota
8. Iowa
9. Idaho
10. Connecticut

RIDING FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION

Join us for the Inaugural “Pedal for Prevention” Virtual Ride to raise awareness of suicide prevention. The event takes place Sept. 26-27. Take action by joining us for a “virtual” bike ride, walk, run – whatever your favorite activity may be – and help raise awareness (and funds!) during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in September. Support your community when they may need you the most. So many people are feeling uncertain and helpless during this unprecedented time. Others may be asking, “What can I do to help?” This is our opportunity to be pro-active, take action, and help save lives. We hope that you join us in our efforts. “Separate and Together”...we can make a difference. Alpine Bank is proud to be an Advocate Sponsor. To learn more or to sign up, please visit the link below.

VIRTUAL GLENWOOD CANYON SHUFFLE RACE ON NOW

The Glenwood Canyon Shuffle Race for Literacy is happening - virtually! Due to the Covid 19 Pandemic and the Grizzly Creek Fire the race will be a little different this year. Race participants can run or walk a 5K, half-marathon, or do your own thing to support Literacy Outreach. Because of the recent fire, participants cannot use Glenwood Canyon but there are plenty of beautiful locations around Glenwood Springs to run, walk, ride, read, and take in the fall colors. Each participant will be entered in a virtual shuffle the deck poker hand with the winner receiving either $100 or lodging in Moab for a weekend. The second place hand will receive $50. The Shuffle is being run from Sept. 25 - Oct. 12. Online registration is available at Active.com before Oct. 12. For more information, call 970-945-5282 or visit LiteracyOutreach.org.

REGISTER TO VOTE!

Colorado offers online voter registration. You can register by mail to vote in Colorado by printing a voter registration form, filling it out, and mailing it to your local election office. You can also register to vote in person if you prefer. Election day is Nov. 3. The online registration deadline is Oct. 26; by mail, it must be received by Oct. 26; and in person registration can take place through Nov. 3. For a quick and easy way to to check your voter registration, visit the link below.