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Colorado - Tue. 02/11/25 |
A Free Business Publication from Alpine Bank
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OUTSIDE INC. ACQUIRES TRAVEL PLATFORM, ADDING EMPLOYEES AS IT LAYS OFF OTHERS
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Outside Interactive is acquiring a travel software platform and dozens of new positions as its parent company shrinks its traditional publishing staff. The Boulder-based owner of Outside Magazine, other outdoor recreation-related publications and related technology platforms, last week revealed it had acquired Inntopia, a travel-booking and planning platform. The acquisition will add a net 60 employees. The company recently laid off 20 employees, including eight in Colorado, to keep the business sustainable, but Outside will bring on about 80 employees from Inntopia, including 12 in Colorado, as a result of the acquisition. Acquiring Inntopia’s travel booking platform, used by more than 200 resorts and destinations in North America, Europe and Australia, will allow users of Outside to book a trip directly on its social network. Users will be able to read an article from one of Outside’s publications and book the same trip outlined in the article.
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DENVER WINERY LANDS DEAL WITH MAJOR AIRLINE
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A Denver-based winery is taking to the skies in a partnership with American Airlines. KT Winery's Mom Juice, a collection of wines the company launched in 2022, has grown dramatically over the last year, said Kristin Taylor, one of the co-founders of the winery. A recently inked agreement to serve Mom Juice on American's long-haul international flights will add "significant" volume to KT Winery's orders and build on that momentum, she said. Formed with business partner Macie Mincey in 2020, KT Winery launched with the hope of reaching moms and other underserved wine consumers.
As one of the few Black women in wine, Taylor has spoken about her hopes to do things differently in the industry. The pair's goal is to move away from Napa Valley wine culture toward a more affordable and attainable one. The winery, which boasts of low-sugar content and transparency on its ingredient list, expects to produce 30,000 cases of wine in 2025, up from 9,000 in 2023 and 4,000 in 2022. Today, Mom Juice is distributed in four states and can be found at Target, Total Wine, Safeway stores and across 500 online locations.
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MIKAELA SHIFFRIN CITES PTSD AFTER CRASH AND WON'T DEFEND GIANT SLALOM TITLE
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Mikaela Shiffrin says she is dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder following a crash in November and will not defend her gold medal in giant slalom at the Alpine skiing world championships. The American holder of a record 99 World Cup wins suffered a deep puncture wound when she fell in a giant slalom race on Nov. 30 in Killington, Vermont, causing severe trauma to her oblique muscles. Whatever stabbed Shiffrin nearly punctured her abdominal wall and her colon. She told The Associated Press last month that her injury was “a millimeter from pretty catastrophic.” Shiffrin also had a high-speed crash in downhill in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, last season that kept her out for six weeks.
The women’s giant slalom is scheduled for Thursday and Shiffrin said it was “soul crushing” not to be able to defend her title. Shiffrin returned to action last month when she placed 10th in a slalom in Courchevel, France, and is still planning to race the slalom at worlds on Saturday. The speeds in slalom are lower than those in giant slalom, so the danger level is not as high. Shiffrin has also decided to enter the new team combined event at worlds on Tuesday and will pair with freshly crowned downhill gold medalist Breezy Johnson.
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ASCENDIGO AUTISM SERVICES TO HOST 14TH ANNUAL GALA
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Ascendigo Autism Services is set to bring a night of inspiration and advocacy to Aspen with its annual gala, Ascendigo Blue Aspen, on Saturday, Feb. 15 at the Hotel Jerome. For two decades, the Carbondale-based nonprofit has been a lifeline for individuals with autism and their families in the Roaring Fork Valley and beyond, fostering understanding, inclusion, and independence for individuals of all ages on the autism spectrum. What began in 2004 as a small initiative has grown into a comprehensive organization offering year-round recreational programs, adult life skills training, and early intervention services for children.
This year’s gala will feature a keynote address from Dr. Temple Grandin, the world-renowned author, speaker, and autism advocate whose groundbreaking work has reshaped autism awareness and animal science. The gala will include a live and silent auction, dinner, and Grandin’s keynote presentation. She will also be available during the cocktail hour for an exclusive book signing, with Aspen’s Explore Booksellers offering copies for purchase and donating proceeds to Ascendigo. Tickets are available at ascendigo.org/blue.
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BUTTERMILK HOSTS EMERGING BILINGUAL STUDENTS FOR FIRST EVER SKI DAY
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Almost 40 Glenwood Springs High School emerging bilingual students skied for the first time at Buttermilk on Wednesday, part of an outdoor initiative to form new relationships, break down barriers, improve academic performance, and give kids a sense of school belonging. “It’s dissolved some barriers in terms of access to getting out,” said Justin Meagher, who hosted the outing and teaches English Language Development at the high school. “But also, between groups, kids who wouldn’t normally hang out with each other (are) getting to know each other outside of the walls of the school.” Meagher started “Club del Aire Libre,” or “Club of Free Air,” at the high school this year with a goal to widen student-access to the outdoors. The club is open to the whole student body.
This year, The Club del Aire Libre has also been cross-country skiing at Spring Gulch, hiking at the Maroon Bells and on Red Mountain trails, and ice skating. High school staff and the community collaborated in a group effort to make the outing possible. At least 15 staff members donated ski gear, and the cafeteria staff assembled 40 lunches for the students. Aspen Skiing Company provided free lift tickets, free rentals, and free lessons for everyone participating.
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LEVALLEY RANCH HONORED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP...AGAIN
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A Hotchkiss-area ranch is one of seven around the country that has been recognized by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association as regional winners of the 2024 Environmental Stewardship Award Program. LeValley Ranch received the award at CattleCon 2025 in San Antonio. The ranch received a similar statewide award a few years ago. The Environmental Stewardship Award Program celebrates outstanding land stewards in the cattle industry.
Ken Holsinger, an ecologist with the Bureau of Land Management Uncompahgre Field Office, said the LeValley Ranch’s “willingness to discuss differing ideas, problem solve complex issues and explore new ideas to improve management have led to positive and lasting rangeland conservation. The LeValley Ranch is deserving of this award for their proven commitment to the stewardship and conservation of their public land permits and for their cooperative efforts in working with agency partners and other landowners.”
LeValley Ranch is a commercial cattle operation that makes use of both public and private rangeland to support livestock production, wildlife habitat and range vigor with plant diversity, while also directly connecting to consumers and their community through direct marketing of beef. The ranch has been in the LeValley family for five generations.
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POWERHOUSE SEEKS COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN RENOVATION PLANS
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Durango community members are imagining a new and more accessible Powerhouse with locally relevant science exhibits and improved community gathering spaces. At an input session last month, led by Process Curiosity, community members gathered around tables equipped with Post-it notes as Jennifer Martin, a consultant for the firm, posed questions about what the community lacked and how the Powerhouse could fill those gaps. The Powerhouse, the children’s science museum at 1333 Camino del Rio in Durango, is looking to make a multimillion-dollar investment in the museum informed by community priorities.
One of the gaps identified by meeting attendees was the lack of exhibits dedicated to locally relevant science. A team of staff members will meet biweekly with the consulting firm to design new exhibits and work out a plan for updating the current space. Both economic accessibility and physical accessibility were highlighted as key priorities by participants, as well as staff members. The Powerhouse was recently approved to provide licensed child care in the Carlton Family Science Education Center and has received grants that will make it an affordable option for working-class families.
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STEAMBOAT POLICE WELCOME FIRST-EVER K-9 TO TEAM
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The Steamboat Springs Police Dept. has received its first-ever K-9, a male named Amun after an Egyptian god. After being transported from the Netherlands to a kennel in North Carolina, Amun was assessed by a Colorado training company for temperament before being assigned to Steamboat’s police department. Amun came fully trained and ready to bond with his new handler, Officer Brenden Andrews. Amun is a “drug-specific” K-9 and is not trained to track or bite people. For just over a week, Andrews and Amun have been bonding both on and off the clock, which Andrews said he is more than pleased to do. “He’s a super sweet, playful, energetic, high-drive dog,” said Andrews. “It will be really exciting to learn with him about how detection works and to be out working together side-by-side.” After several more weeks of bonding, the two will enter formal training together. Amun will always be in the car while Andrews is on patrol, without exception.
- The Craig Police Dept. has two K-9 teams including a Belgian Malinois named Odin with handler Officer Nate Baker, along with German shepherd Bane with handler Cpl. Grant Laehr.
- The Routt County Sheriff’s Office has employed five K-9 officers, including Boomer, who retired after serving five years and later died in January 2021, and Murray, who recently retired.
- Routt County currently has three K-9 partners including black labs Bella and Winston, and German shepherd/Belgian Malinois mix Cleo, who was certified in fall 2024.
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COLORADO SNOWSTORM FORECAST; WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY
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National Weather Service meteorologists say gusty winds, up to double-digit snowfall and cold temperatures could bring hazardous conditions starting Tuesday evening. A winter weather advisory is in effect from 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, until 11 a.m. Wednesday for mountainous areas near the Continental Divide, including Summit, Grand, Gilpin, Clear Creek and Park counties. The areas include the mountains of Summit County, the Mosquito Range, Indian Peaks, the northern Front Range foothills and the southern Front Range foothills. The storm is expected to boost snowpack levels across the state, which have lagged behind the 30-year normal, though areas like Summit County are currently 110 percent of the historic normal.
Between 4-10 inches of snow could fall in these areas, with chances for localized higher snow totals. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. Arctic air is expected to accompany the storm, bringing the possibility of single-digit temperatures Tuesday night and high temperatures in the teens on Wednesday. Temperatures could drop below freezing on Wednesday night into Thursday morning before warming up to near freezing. After a lull in the weather pattern Thursday during the day, a more significant storm is expected to hit Colorado ahead of the Presidents’ Day holiday weekend, which often brings many travelers to Colorado’s mountains.
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SUMMIT HISTORICAL SOCIETY TO DIGITIZE ITS COLLECTION OF HISTORIC MAPS
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The Summit Historical Society has about 1,000 historic maps and has received a grant to begin digitizing the collection, starting with 35 maps. The first batch of maps to be digitized will include historic maps of each of the existing towns in Summit County as well as maps depicting “hot topics” in local history, such as planning of the Dillon Reservoir, historic railways and the dozens of ghost towns in the county. Some of the maps in the collection are close to 100 years old.
Because of the age and historic value of the maps, the historical society tries to handle the maps as little as possible. Oils on human skin can damage old documents, so historians use gloves when handling the maps, and even light exposure can cause wear to historic texts. With 1,000 maps to digitize, the Summit Historical Society is planning to create a dedicated fund so that history enthusiasts can donate to the project. It costs about $100 to digitize each historic map. Anyone who wishes to donate to the project can reach out to mail@SummitHistorical.org.
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CMC ASPEN OPEN HOUSE: BE A STUDENT FOR A NIGHT!
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Be a Student for a Night at the Colorado Mountain College Aspen Open House on Wednesday, Feb. 19, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Explore the Aspen Campus and prepare a new recipe, create a masterpiece, sew up a ski jacket, and learn about world history all in one night. CMC Aspen offers a robust program of studio art courses including ceramics, jewelry-making, painting, printmaking, and more! Come explore our studio art facilities, see classes in action, and participate in studio activities like screen printing and see the laser engraver in action. In the Art Gallery, an exhibition reception for Intimate Immensity: Work by Laura Dortmans will be held at 5:30 p.m. Learn more about enrolling and course offerings. Includes complimentary appetizers and beverages. Call 970-925-7740 for more information and to learn more about CMC Aspen.
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SOUP FOR THE SOUL TO BENEFIT HOSPICE OF MERCY IN DURANGO
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The 18th annual "Soup for the Soul" benefit to support the Hospice of Mercy takes place now through Feb. 14. Sixteen local restaurants will participate with handcrafted soups. Every Soup for the Soul Passport with five or more stamps can be dropped off at the Alpine Bank downtown or Three Springs branches, to be entered into a drawing for a fabulous gift basket. Participating locations are El Moro Spirits and Tavern, Love n Juice, Backcountry Gourmet, Avalanche Bowl Company, Steamworks Brewing, Mahogany Grille, Seasons, The Bookcase and Barber, Mama Silva's, East by Southwest, Mineshaft Bar and Grill at Glacier, Prospector at Glacier, Ska Brewing, and Mercy Medical Center. More information is available at the link below. Alpine Bank is a proud community sponsor.
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BUDWEISER'S CLYDESDALES WIN USA TODAY AD METER
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In a Super Bowl commercial lineup that leaned into artificial intelligence, nonspecific meditations on divisiveness and the usual smattering of celebrities, Budweiser rose above the chaff with a proven formula. Clydesdales.
- For the ninth time, Budweiser emerged as the winner of USA TODAY’s Ad Meter contest as Super Bowl viewers voted “First Delivery,” a tale of a Clydesdale foal proving its mettle, the No. 1 commercial in Sunday’s game broadcast. It marks a return to the winner’s circle for Budweiser, which claimed its first Ad Meter title in 1999 yet hadn’t reached that No. 1 spot in 10 years. And it was a banner year overall for Anheuser-Busch, which led all alcohol products by purchasing 3 ½ minutes of advertising time – at about $7 million per 30 seconds – and saw a payoff in viewer approval.
- Budweiser edged Lay’s “The Little Farmer,” which finished second on the strength of an authentic backstory of potatoes sourced to domestic farms. It was an InBev flood after that.
- Michelob Ultra placed third with its “Ultra Hustle” spot featuring actors Willem Dafoe and Catherine O’Hara as advanced-aged pickleball paragons.
- Stella Artois, with soccer star David Beckham and Matt Damon in a separated-at-birth saga, followed in fourth.
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MARKET UPDATE - 02/10/2025 Close
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(Courtesy of Alpine Bank Wealth Management*)
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Canadian dollar (per U.S. dollar)
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Mexican peso (per U.S. dollar)
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30-year fixed mortgage rate (Freddie Mac 02/06/2025)
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*Not FDIC insured. May lose value. Not guaranteed by the bank.
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Alpine Bank is an independent, employee-owned organization with headquarters in Glenwood Springs and banking offices across Colorado's Western Slope, mountains and Front Range. Alpine Bank serves customers with retail, business, wealth management*, mortgage and electronic banking services. Learn more at alpinebank.com.
*Alpine Bank Wealth Management services are not FDIC insured, may lose value and are not guaranteed by the bank.
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