2021: THE YEAR OF FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS IN COLORADO

Every year, flash floods occur in Colorado. They come as a result of sudden warm weather during the spring runoff, monsoon rains, slow-moving thunderstorms in the summer, a variety of causes and locations. This year has been especially susceptible to flash flooding and already, 2021 has set a record for the number of flash flood warnings. There have been 282 flash flood warnings issued in Colorado this year. That tops the previous record of 176, set in 2013. The 10-year average is just over 100 flash flood warnings issued annually. In 2012, another year with rather extreme drought, there were only 62 flash flood warnings issued across the state. Wildfires have led to the big flooding events like we’ve seen this year.

U.S. HIRING NUMBERS FAR SHORT OF EXPECTIONS, DELTA VARIANT TAKES TOLL

The U.S. Labor Dept. Friday said there were 235,000 jobs added to U.S. businesses last month. That is far short of the analysts' predictions for 720,000 new jobs. The August number was also far below the revised number of 1.1 million jobs added in July and 962,000 jobs added in June. Employers still need more workers, though. The national unemployment level declined further to 5.2 percent in August. That is down from 5.4 percent in July. The low number in August was influenced by the impact of the COVID-19 Delta variant, as hiring was particularly weak in services sectors that involve in-person contact. Travel, tourism, and retail all reported lower numbers of hires.

PEOPLE RETURN TO THEATERS, "SHANG-CHI" SETS LABOR DAY WEEKEND RECORD

Walt Disney Co.'s "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" took in $90 million in the U.S. and Canada over the weekend, and became the highest-grossing film ever for the four-day Labor Day weekend. The take for "Shang-Chi" was about three times the previous record of $30.6 million set by "Halloween" in 2007. The Disney film was released only in theaters. The box office revenue for all films released this weekend took in an estimated $135 million, the fifth-biggest box office for the Labor Day weekend. From Friday through Sunday, or the weekend without the extra holiday Monday, "Shang-Chi" is expected to register $75.5 million, which is just below "Black Widow," which grossed about $80 million in North America when it opened in theaters in July.

GLENWOOD CAVERNS ADVENTURE PARK REMAINS CLOSED AFTER DEATH OF CHILD

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park was closed Monday and will remain closed through Tuesday while authorities investigate the death of a child on the park's Haunted Mine Drop ride late Sunday. The 6-year-old girl from Colorado Springs was fatally injured on the park’s Haunted Mine Drop ride at about 7:44 p.m. Following an incident on the ride, park employees began administering first aid until paramedics arrived and pronounced the child dead at the scene. The Haunted Mine Drop opened in July 2017, and plunges riders 110 feet inside of Iron Mountain. Park visitors are required to sign a liability waiver before going on any rides or attractions.

NEW MURAL AT MESA MALL FEATURES WALLS OF PEACH BLOSSOMS

Local artist Jamie Christine was contacted by the marketing manager at Mesa Mall and told she was selected to paint a mural on the walls between Dick's Sporting Goods and the future Dillard's store. She was told there was no budget, no limits and no color restrictions to cover the 2,800 square feet. Christine created a two-dimensional mural with peach blossoms on plexiglass over a background of black and teal, with metallic gold paint. The gold shines at sunset. It took Christine three weeks to complete the mural.

NEW FAIRFIELD BY MARRIOTT HOTEL COMING TO COLORADO OUTDOORS DEVELOPMENT

A new Fairfield by Marriott Hotel is under construction in South Dakota with modular segments to be transported to Montrose to be assembled in the new Colorado Outdoors development. The hotel is planned as a four-story, 90-unit building with a pool, meeting room and 24-hour "high profile" fitness center, business center and convenience market. The Marriott hotel is part of Stage 2 of the Colorado Outdoors Urban Renewal Area project. Tax increment financing (TIF) revenues, a financing method to stimulate economic development, are being used to fund the project.

DURANGO NEEDS VOLUNTEERS TO COUNT BICYCLISTS AND PEDESTRIANS

The city of Durango is seeking volunteers to help count pedestrians and bicyclists from Sept. 14-17. There are 77 volunteer slots available, each for two hours. The count is part of the National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project. The bicycle and pedestrian count is to provide information and data to help the city understand how the infrastructure is being used. The counts may be used to secure grant funding for projects such as sidewalk repair, bicycle facilities and transit system improvements. There are 11 locations in Durango where the counts will be made. To volunteer, go to volunteersignup.org/QRAQJ.

MOUNTAIN RECREATION TO ASK VOTERS FOR $60 MILLION INCREASE

The members of the board of directors of Mountain Recreation have been seeking community input on a ballot measure to increase the property tax to fund upgrades at its facilities in Eagle, Edwards and Gypsum and expand programming. There were more than 30 events held to provide input and while there was support for the upgrades, the proposed increase of $80 million was considered too much. The board, last week, unanimously approved a property tax increase to support about $60 million in construction. The increase will result in an additional payment of about $217 per year for the average home in the Mountain Recreation district. The money will fund improvements at all three facilities, the Eagle Pool and Ice Rink in Eagle, the Gypsum Recreation Center and the Edwards Field House.

BEST AND WORST STATES FOR RETIREMENT, 2021

Bankrate ranked the best states for retirement in 2021, analyzing five broad categories: affordability, wellness, culture, weather and crime. Bankrate notes there is subjectivity when choosing a location for retirement, but here are their top and bottom places to retire in 2021:
Best

1. Georgia
2. Florida
3. Tennessee
4. Missouri
5. Massachusetts

Worst (No. 1 is the worst ranked, or 50th)

1. Maryland
2. Minnesota
3. Kansas
4. Montana
5. Alaska

AVLT OPEN HOUSE AT COFFMAN RANCH SEPT. 19

The Aspen Valley Land Trust completed its acquisition of the 141-acre Coffman Ranch located 1.5 miles east of Carbondale on the Roaring Fork River. AVLT plans to maintain the land as a working ranch and will establish an agriculture and conservation education center onsite. AVLT will launch a $7 million capital campaign to support conservation and public access to the ranch. There will be an open house at the ranch from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 19. RSVP at the link below. For more information, call ​970-963-8440.

MINING & RECLAMATION CONFERENCE IN TELLURIDE

Diverse speakers and topics will span the breadth of considerations about mine reclamation, waste management and water protection at the 11th annual San Juan Mining & Reclamation Conference (SJMRC) in Telluride on Sept. 22-24. Watershed nonprofits from around the San Juan Mountains will gather scientists, artists, communicators, and community leaders to consider the intersection of mining and reclamation with arts and humanities. Hybrid ticket options for online presentations are available, while all receptions and tours are outside, and additional precautions will be taken during the event to limit the spread of COVID-19. Conference registration is available at the link below.

SUBMIT YOUR HIGH-PRIORITY STEWARDSHIP PROJECTS

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) is accepting project applications for its 2022 field season. Each year, VOC manages volunteers in building and maintaining trails; developing and maintaining other recreational infrastructure; seeding, planting, and erosion control tasks; habitat restoration efforts including noxious weed management and fence removal; and the deployment of crosscut and chainsaw crews. Land management agencies and other organizations are encouraged to submit their high-priority stewardship needs by Sept. 15 at the link below.

PEDAL FOR PREVENTION VIRTUAL RIDE

Mind Springs Foundation's second annual “Pedal for Prevention” Virtual Ride takes place Sept. 25-26. Join this “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. 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. To learn more, visit the link below.

WESTERN COLORADO ECONOMIC SUMMIT RETURNS SEPT. 30

The Western Colorado Economic Summit returns in person on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021. The event, which sold out in its last two years, has moved to the Grand Junction Convention Center to accommodate a larger audience. Registration is now open at westcoeconomicsummit.com.

VETERAN SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH FUNDRAISER IN GJ

September is Veteran Suicide Prevention Month and Volley’s in Grand Junction is holding a fundraiser, "Reach Out," with the Student Veterans Assoc. and Colorado Mesa University. The fundraiser takes place Saturday, Sept. 18, beginning at 10 a.m. at Volley's, 1130 North Third St. Ten community co-ed teams made up of six players are needed. The teams are guaranteed three games. For more information, call 970-393-6379 or email Rainy.Reaman@va.gov.