ALPINE BANK HOLIDAY HOURS

All Alpine Bank branches will be closed Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022 in observance of New Year's Day. We invite you to use Alpine Online or the Alpine Mobile app for 24/7 banking access, even when we are closed. Learn more at the link below. Happy New Year from Alpine Bank!

WILDFIRE SWEEPS ACROSS BOULDER COUNTY, FORCES 30,000 EVACUATIONS

A series of wildfires, the Marshall Fire, started by a downed powerline caused by winds that reached 100 mph Thursday, swept across grasslands in Boulder County, forcing the evacuation of 30,000 people, and destroying at least 500 homes. More than 200 structures were lost in downtown Superior, including a hotel. The entire populations of Superior and Louisville were evacuated and parts of Broomfield were placed under pre-evacuation orders. Gov. Jared Polis declared a state of emergency in Boulder and Jefferson County. By midnight, all evacuation and pre-evacuation orders for Broomfield were lifted.

GOV. POLIS REDUCES SENTENCE FOR TRUCK DRIVER CONVICTED IN FATAL CRASH ON I-70

Gov. Jared Polis Thursday reduced the sentence for Rogel Aguilera-Mederos from 110 years to 10 years. Aguilera-Mederos is the former truck driver convicted of causing a 2019 fatal crash on Interstate 70 that killed four people. First Judicial District Attorney Alexis King, whose office prosecuted the case, requested the judge reconsider the sentence. More than 5 million people had signed a petition calling on the governor to reduce the sentence.

COVID-19, OMICRON NO PROBLEM FOR GAMBLERS, NEVADA CASINOS ON RECORD PACE

The Nevada Gaming Control Board Wednesday reported that statewide gaming revenue in November was $1.32 billion, just shy of the single-month record of $1.36 billion set in July. Nevada casinos have now recorded their third-highest gaming revenue….and there is still one month left in the year to calculate. Another $1 billion month would smash the all-time single-year number. The single-year record for gaming revenue is $12.8 billion, established in 2007, followed by $12.6 billion in 2006. So far, through 11 months this year, casinos have taken in $12.3 billion. Nevada sportsbooks reported revenues of $72 million in November, a single-month record, topping the $61.8 million set a year ago.

NEW YEAR'S EVE CELEBRATIONS IN THE ROARING FORK VALLEY

There will be the usual events to toast the new year in the Roaring Fork Valley, with fireworks and gatherings from Aspen to Glenwood Springs. Aspen will host its traditional fireworks over Aspen Mountain on Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. (no midnight fireworks this year). Wagner Park will be home to the traditional community party, bonfire, music and all. Snowmass Village will also host fireworks at 10 p.m. over Fanny Hill, with a torchlight parade running earlier in the evening at 6 p.m. Glenwood Springs is slated to host its annual New Year’s Eve fireworks display at 7 p.m. on Friday. The city will host live music, free giveaways, hot cocoa and face paintings at Bethel Plaza from 3 to 8 p.m.

TELLURIDE FOUNDATION PROVIDES GRANTS TO 61 LOCAL NONPROFITS

This week, the Telluride Foundation announced its annual community grants. The Telluride Foundation awarded $918,000 to 61 nonprofit organizations in Telluride, Norwood, Nucla, Naturita, Rico, Ridgway and Ouray. During the 2021 Community Grants cycle, the foundation received 75 applications totaling more than $1.5 million in requests. Grant awards ranged from $1,000 to $65,000 and although the awards were focused on human service and health organizations, there also were awards to Mountainfilm and the Telluride Nordic Association.

TIME FOR THOSE RESOLUTIONS

New Year's Resolutions - most people make them, few people complete them. According to the time management firm FranklinCovey, one third of resolutioners don’t make it past the end of January. Why? There are three primary reasons: Resolutions are too vague; There isn't a realistic plan for achievement; They aren't SMART:

• S = Specific: state a concrete goal. Don't be vague.
• M = Measurable: for example, instead of "I want to lose weight" try "I want to lose 10 pounds." Logging progress into a journal or taking notes or pictures can help.
• A = Achievable: sometimes our resolutions are too lofty or too long-term.
• R = Relevant: is your resolution really something that matters to you, and are you making it for the right reasons?
• T = Time-bound: just like achievability, the timeline has to be realistic.

FIRST DAY HIKES WITH CPW

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is celebrating its 125th anniversary on Jan. 1 with the First Day Hikes program. The First Day Hikes program promotes getting people outside on New Year's Day and experiencing nature where they live. In southwest Colorado, Ridgway State Park will host guided and self-guided hikes throughout New Year’s Day. The events start at 10 a.m. Saturday with a one-mile guided hike on the Forest Discovery Nature Trail, which loops out from the visitor center. CPW will roast marshmallows at 11:30 a.m. and another three-mile guided hike on Wapiti and Twin Fawn trails will leave at 2 p.m. Visitors can walk self-guided hikes on the Oak Leaf, Dallas Creek and Forest Discovery nature trails with brochures from the visitor center. To find programs in your area, visit the link below.