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Colorado - Wed. 03/19/25 |
A Free Business Publication from Alpine Bank
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DENVER NWSL TEAM PLANS TO BUILD 14,500-SEAT STADIUM
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Denver’s National Women’s Soccer League club, set to begin play in 2026, plans to build a 14,500-seat stadium at Santa Fe Yards at Broadway and Interstate 25. Designed by Populous, it will be the state’s first stadium and entertainment district built specifically for women’s professional sports, and one of the first of its kind in the country. The stadium, slated to open in 2028, will be built on 14 acres of land the city plans to acquire in tandem with the club. The site is located in the northwest quadrant of an approximately 42-acre vacant property in the Baker neighborhood.
It will be the metro’s fifth pro sports stadium, joining Coors Field (opened in 1995), Ball Arena (1999), Empower Field (2001) and Dick’s Sporting Goods Park (2007). In addition to the stadium, the site will incorporate Vanderbilt Park East into its design. From the park, fans will be able to see into the stadium to watch events. It will also feature an accompanying entertainment complex with plans for restaurants, bars, shops and potentially housing.
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NASA ASTRONAUTS RETURN HOME
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After more than nine months in orbit, astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams returned to Earth on Tuesday, with a NASA livestream showing their vehicle splashing down in waters not far from Tallahassee, Fla. The return of Butch and Suni, as the duo are called, caps an extended saga that thrust the agency into some of its most contentious debates about safe human space flight in years. During that time, Wilmore and Williams’ lives were disrupted, exposing them to risks in orbit and keeping them far from family to carry out a mission that was supposed to last about eight days. Throughout it all, Wilmore and Williams, experienced astronauts and former Navy pilots, maintained an even keel. With Tuesday’s landing, they logged 285 days at the International Space Station and orbited the Earth almost 4,600 times. Williams, 59 years old, and Wilmore, 62, wound up celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve and both their birthdays on the space station.
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NASDAQ PLANS SECOND U.S. HEADQUARTERS IN TEXAS
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Nasdaq, long associated with its prime Times Square location, will open its first regional headquarters in Dallas. The stock exchange operator is establishing a regional headquarters later this year in Dallas, the seat of so-called Y’all Street, serving Texas and the entire Southeast. The focus of the office won’t be solely on winning listings (often viewed as the prestige business of a stock exchange). It will also house part of Nasdaq’s technology and financial crime management businesses, which help Nasdaq clients detect fraud and money laundering. Nasdaq was founded in 1971 and established stature during the tech boom of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Though Silicon Valley is a thriving pipeline for its listing business, the exchange never opened a headquarters in California. The company does have an office and events space in San Francisco. Nasdaq has more than 200 listed companies based in Texas, where it has had a physical presence since 2013.
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GOOGLE STRIKES $32 BILLION DEAL FOR CYBERSECURITY STARTUP WIZ
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Google parent Alphabet agreed to acquire cybersecurity startup Wiz for $32 billion, in a massive bid to bolster its cloud business that has struggled to keep up with rivals. The all-cash deal would be Google’s largest ever and also the biggest deal struck so far in 2025. Wiz, which offers cybersecurity software for cloud computing, is based in New York with additional offices in the U.S. and Israel. The startup partners with a number of the biggest cloud companies, including Amazon.com and Microsoft as well as Google.
The acquisition could help boost Alphabet’s efforts in cloud computing, an important and growing business but one where it has lagged behind peers. Wiz has enhanced security features that could help Google win more customers to its cloud service in a fiercely competitive market where demand is booming partly because of generative AI companies’ need for computing power. Google said Tuesday the deal would help artificial-intelligence companies get better security and use more than one cloud service.
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CUSTOMERS TO FACE HIGHER BILLS AS XCEL ENERGY SHELLS OUT MORE FOR NATURAL GAS
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The wholesale price of natural gas has gone up, which means Xcel Energy customers’ bills will likely follow. The utility has proposed raising the price for gas and electric service. Higher natural gas prices affect the price of electricity because gas is one of the fuels Xcel used to produce electricity. If state regulators agree, the increases would take effect April 1 and remain in place for three months. For gas service, Xcel residential customers’ monthly costs would increase an average of $2.64, or 6.5 percent, boosting the bill from $40.60 to $43.24. The average small business would see its monthly gas rate rise $14.07, or 7.81 percent. The bill would rise from $180.24 to $194.31. Residential customers’ electric rates would rise $2.56 a month, or 2.78 percent, increasing the average monthly bill from $92.34 to $94.90. Rates would go up $5.15, or 4.25 percent, a month for small businesses. The average monthly bill would increase from $121.3 to $126.38.
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THE AVERAGE SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENT BY U.S. STATE
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Depending on your work history and other savings, Social Security income may be a crucial part of your retirement strategy. In fact, 77 percent of current retirees in the U.S. rely on Social Security income to make ends meet. But not everyone gets the same amount.
- In Connecticut, for example, retirement beneficiaries receive an average payment of $2,114 a month, the most in the country.
- Beneficiaries in Mississippi receive the lowest average payment of $1,756 a month.
- Averages can be skewed by a small pool of beneficiaries receiving more or less than the bulk of recipients. In Alaska and New Mexico, the average retiree benefit is more than $100 greater than each state’s median payment, which tends to be more representative of each place’s retiree population.
Your full retirement age depends on when you were born; for Americans born in 1960 and later, it’s 67 years old. But you can start claiming Social Security retirement benefits as early as 62. However, doing so could lose you up to 30 percent of your maximum benefit, according to the Social Security Administration. Your benefit is reduced based on the number of months between when you start claiming and your full retirement age. To view the payments in any state, visit the link below.
In Colorado:
- Average monthly payment: $1,958
- Median monthly payment: $1,898
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THREE COLORADO CAMPGROUNDS RANKED AMONG THE BEST
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Campspot, a website and app that helps campers book campsites, has a few local suggestions. On Tuesday, the company announced the winners of its fourth Campspot Awards, which recognize campgrounds in the U.S. and Canada that offer “unforgettable outdoor experiences." Three Colorado camping destinations earned recognition in 2025, including an RV park on the Front Range, a new campground near the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, and a Western Slope orchard that allows guests to camp among the fruit trees. The award winners were chosen based on data like Campspot’s user ratings and park features, among other criteria.
- The Sun Outdoors Rocky Mountains in Granby ranked No. 4 among North America’s top RV campgrounds. In 2023, Campspot named it one of the best glamping destinations and, in 2022, the website touted it as one of the best campgrounds for first-time campers.
- Further west, Big B’s Delicious Orchard in Hotchkiss nabbed the No. 5 spot on the list of unique campgrounds. The venue has campsites for tents, RVs and trailers in the shade of its peach, apple and apricot trees. In the summer, the orchard regularly hosts live music.
- Ramble, which opened near the Great Sand Dunes National Park in Alamosa in 2023, also earned a shout-out as the No. 5 tent camping spot in North America. The company has since opened a second campground near Mesa Verde National Park and plans to expand significantly in the coming years.
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DENVER MUSEUM OF NATURE & SCIENCE GETS ITS LARGEST DONATION EVER
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The Denver Museum of Nature & Science on Friday announced it received the largest gift in its history, and it plans to use the money on a "remarkable transformation." The museum said it is launching a new East Wing Project thanks to a $20 million gift from the Sturm Family Foundation. "This project will rejuvenate our historic theater, lobby and plaza, ushering in a new era of possibilities for our community," the museum said in an email. "The updated venue will seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor spaces, revolutionizing the way you engage with the museum and City Park." Construction on the project is expected to start in April and will cause a temporary closure of the museum's Infinity Theater through late July, museum officials said. The museum plans to remain open throughout the construction and will post updates throughout the process.
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ASPEN APPOINTS INTERIM CITY MANAGER
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Aspen City Council has appointed Pete Strecker as interim city manager following the resignation of Sara Ott on Feb. 28. The decision places Strecker at the helm of the city’s administrative operations while a search for a permanent replacement unfolds — a process expected to take several months. Strecker has served as Aspen’s finance director since 2018. With more than two decades of experience in state and local government, Strecker brings a strong background in leadership to the role.
Strecker’s career includes serving as budget director for Colorado’s Health Care Policy and Financing (Medicaid) and Agricultural departments, as well as Chief of Economic Forecasting under former Gov. Bill Ritter Jr. After moving to the Roaring Fork Valley in 2011, he joined the city of Aspen as assistant finance director in 2012 before advancing to his current role. Under the terms of his appointment, Strecker will receive an annual salary of $250,000 and will be entitled to all benefits provided to city employees as outlined in Aspen’s policy manual.
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VALLEY VIEW NAMED AMONG TOP RURAL HOSPITALS IN THE NATION FOR 2025
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Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs has been recognized as one of the top rural and community hospitals in the country. The hospital was named among the 2025 Top 100 Rural & Community Hospitals by The Chartis Center for Rural Health. It was also named a Top 20 Rural and Community Hospital by the National Rural Health Association. This recognition is based on the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance Index, which evaluates hospitals using publicly available data. The National Rural Health Association’s Top 20 list is determined by factors such as inpatient and outpatient market share, quality, outcomes, patient experience, cost, charge and finance.
Valley View previously received the Top 100 recognition in 2021. In 2024, it also earned a Performance Leadership Award from Chartis for top-quartile performance in outcomes among rural hospitals. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services gave the hospital a five-star rating for overall hospital quality that same year. For more information, visit vvh.org.
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JUNE ADOPTION EVENT PLANNED FOR LITTLE BOOK CLIFFS HORSES
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Seventy-two of the 98 horses that the Bureau of Land Management removed from the Little Books Cliffs Wild Horse Range west of De Beque in a roundup operation in September are expected to be offered in an event in late June at the Mesa County Fairgrounds. Horses will be available for viewing June 26-27 and adoptions of animals will occur on June 28. Grand Valley Horse Rescue is hosting a silent “hospitality” auction through today. Auction offerings include a guided tour of the Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Range and a guided tour of the Piceance/East Douglas Herd Management Area in Rio Blanco County, as well as local hotel and restaurant gift certificates. Auction information may be found at gvhr.org.
The adoption event will be part of a Colorado Mustang West June 25-28 event featuring activities such as an EQUUS Film & Art Fest, Art of the Mustang event and a June 28 Mustang Summit Gala to benefit Grand Valley Horse Rescue’s efforts. More information on adopting wild horses may be found at blm.gov/programs/wild-horse-and-burro/adoptions-and-sales.
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STEAMBOAT GETS $1.44 MILLION FOR SLATE CREEK PARCEL PURCHASE
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The city of Steamboat Springs has been awarded $1,440,076 from Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), in support of purchasing a 181-acre parcel known as Slate Creek. The parcel is adjacent to Bob Adams Airport and is being offered to the city for $5.25 million under a purchase agreement signed last summer that expires in July 2026. Along with the GOCO funding, City Council has committed $500,000 in capital improvement funds toward the purchase. The city is seeking to buy the property to develop a regional park that would include a 46-acre park featuring indoor and outdoor ball fields, 10 acres of secondary access to the housing authority’s Brown Ranch property, and 131 acres of open space featuring passive recreation that would also include an encumbered conservation easement. City officials estimate the $5.25 million asking price included in the purchase agreement to be roughly $750,000 below the property’s appraised value.
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HCCC GRANT FUNDING FOR WASTE REDUCTION PROJECTS
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The High Country Conservation Center, in partnership with the Summit County government, is offering grant funding for waste reduction projects. Local nonprofits, businesses, homeowners’ associations, schools and government agencies can apply for the competitive grants aimed at reducing waste and increasing recycling and composting efforts. Funded by the Strong Future program, High Country Conservation Center will be awarding up to $285,000 for projects starting in 2025. Priority will be given to projects serving local workforce and underserved populations. Grant amounts range from $1,000 to $75,000, and all projects must be completed within one year of award notice. Detailed application instructions can be found at HighCountryConservation.org. Information is available in both English and Spanish. The deadline to submit applications is 5 p.m. Sunday, June 1.
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REPORTING DIGITAL ASSETS ON YOUR TAX RETURN
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Taxpayers must report all digital-asset-related income on their federal income tax returns. Digital assets include non-fungible tokens, stablecoins, cryptocurrency and other forms of virtual currency. Such assets are taxed as property rather than currency. That means taxpayers must report taxable gains or losses every time they exchange a digital asset for goods, services, U.S. dollars or another digital asset. If you have digital holdings (or had them at any time during the tax year), you must answer “yes” to the question about digital assets on your tax return. Depending on the details, you may need to file an additional form. For more: https://bit.ly/3VS2297
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THESE ARE THE 10 CHEAPEST STATES TO START A NEW BUSINESS IN THE U.S.
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The cheapest U.S. state for starting a new business in 2025 is Utah, according to SimplifyLLC, which ranked every state based on affordability for businesses. The range of factors it considered included basic business costs, like corporate income tax rates and business filing fees, along with the cost and availability of workers, average costs of commercial rent and utilities, and the overall health of each state’s business environment. The “Beehive State” boasts some of the lowest corporate taxes in the U.S., with a top rate of 4.65 percent, as well as low utility costs and one of the lowest average annual wages at just under $64,000. Those statistics helped Utah score well on CNBC’s 2024 ranking of the Top States for Business, where the state ranked 13th overall. Each of the next nine states on the ranking are either Western or Midwestern. None is located on a coast.
Here are the 10 cheapest states for starting a business:
- Utah
- South Dakota
- Colorado
- Wyoming
- Montana
- Idaho
- Nebraska
- Kansas
- Nevada
- North Dakota
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MARKET UPDATE - 03/18/2025 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 03/13/2025)
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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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