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Colorado - Fri. 06/13/25 |
A Free Business Publication from Alpine Bank
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KROENKE SPORTS EXPANDS DENVER FOOTPRINT WITH PURCHASE OF 62-ACRE RIVER MILE DEVELOPMENT
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Kroenke Sports & Entertainment’s land ownership near Denver’s Ball Arena just got bigger — a lot bigger. KSE purchased Denver-based real estate firm Revesco Properties’ interest in The River Mile development, a 62-acre project along the South Platte River north of Ball Arena that includes Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park. The deal closed Wednesday and was announced by the two companies Thursday morning. No financial details were disclosed. The sale to KSE includes The River Mile development and 1338 First St., currently home to Meow Wolf. Revesco and KSE purchased the 2.5-acre site just south of the West Colfax Avenue and Interstate 25 interchange for $7.35 million in early 2023.
The two local real estate companies have worked together since 2015 when they jointly purchased the Elitch Gardens amusement park next to Ball Arena. KSE is the ownership group of the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche and the developer behind the 70-acre Ball Arena redevelopment, a property that Denver City Council rezoned in October. Elitch Gardens and Meow Wolf will remain open at their current sites.
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CU BOULDER TO OFFER NEW BACHELOR'S, MASTER'S DEGREES IN 2026 SCHOOL YEAR
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The University of Colorado Boulder will offer a variety of new degrees starting in the fall of 2026, including two new master’s degrees in sustainability and 12 new Bachelor of Science degrees that will replace or supplement existing degrees in the natural sciences. CU Boulder will begin enrolling students in its new master’s in sustainable business and master’s in sustainable engineering starting in the fall of 2026. The master’s degrees in sustainable business and in sustainable engineering will share many core classes in science, business and engineering before branching off into degree-specific classes.
The university will also offer 12 new Bachelor of Science degrees in natural sciences that will replace or supplement existing degrees. The Bachelor of Science degrees will be offered in astrophysical and planetary sciences, atmospheric and oceanic sciences, biochemistry, chemistry, earth science, geography, integrative physiology, mathematics, molecular, cellular, and developmental biology, statistics and data science, neuroscience and physics.
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CARLY WEST TO HEAD AMERICAN PETROLEUM INSTITUTE COLORADO
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Carly West is taking over as the executive director of American Petroleum Institute Colorado from Kait Schwartz, who is moving to Wyoming. West will lead the organization’s work to support Colorado’s natural gas and oil industry. West brings two decades of experience in government affairs, energy policy and business advocacy to the post. She most recently served as vice president of Government Affairs at the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, where she directed the Chamber’s policy initiatives at the state, local and federal levels. A graduate of Colorado State University, West holds a degree in journalism and technical communications with advanced studies in public relations and political science.
API Colorado is a division of the American Petroleum Institute, which represents all facets of the natural gas and oil industry. API members produce, process and distribute the majority of the nation’s energy. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization and has developed more than 800 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability.
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$6.5 MILLION PLEDGED TO HELP MOBILE HOME PARK RESIDENTS
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Momentum is building for community contributions to residents of two Roaring Fork Valley mobile home parks to purchase the land on which their neighborhoods sit. Pitkin County, city of Aspen and town of Basalt elected officials all committed funds for the Aspen-Basalt and Mountain Valley mobile home parks. The county and the city both approved $3 million in commitments and Basalt decided to double its commitment from $250,000 to $500,000. With a $1 million pledge from Atlantic Aviation announced last week, the total stands at $7.5 million in committed funds toward the purchase prices for the parks. Eagle County, the towns of Carbondale and Snowmass Village, and the city of Glenwood Springs are all expected to discuss their own financial contributions in public meetings.
WMRHC and Thistle have been invited to give a presentation to the Garfield Board of County Commissioners at a July 8 work session. The residents are hoping to buy their parks from the owner and implement a resident-owned community model in which a cooperative of residents own their respective parks. Even with ROC-specific financing, $20 million in contributing funds is needed to keep lot payments from skyrocketing.
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WESTERN SLOPE DRIVERS, RIDERS & COMMUTERS WEIGH IN ON COLORADO'S LONG-TERM PLANNING FOR THE MOUNTAINS
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Interstate 70 congestion, Colorado Hwy. 82 safety and the availability of public transportation were on the minds of Western Slope drivers, riders and commuters Monday as the Colorado Dept. of Transportation hosted a telephone town hall. Hundreds of people from CDOT’s Region 3, which includes Summit, Eagle, Garfield, Lake, Pitkin and Chaffee counties, tuned in to ask questions and provide feedback on the state’s roadways and transportation systems.
CDOT Regional Transportation Director Jason Smith said the interactive meeting was meant to inform the transportation department’s 2050 Statewide Transportation Plan. He outlined the transportation department’s three main goals: fixing roads “because potholes don’t fix themselves;” advancing transportation safety because “everyone deserves to get home safely, whether by driving, walking, biking or riding transit;” and increasing sustainable transportation choices. Coloradans can provide feedback on the 2050 Statewide Plan through a survey by visiting CODOT.gov.
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NEW AREA CODE TO BE INTRODUCED TO WESTERN COLORADO
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A new area code — 748 — is set to be introduced across Western and Northern Colorado, including Pitkin County, as the long-serving 970 code nears exhaustion. While the change won’t take effect until all remaining 970 numbers are assigned, that point is projected to arrive sometime between December 2025 and March 2026. The addition of area code 748 will not affect current users. Existing 970 numbers will remain unchanged, with the new code assigned only to new customers or additional lines. Ten-digit dialing, already mandated due to national standards tied to the 988 suicide prevention hotline, will continue to be required for local calls. The growing demand for phone numbers within the 970 area code is largely driven by population increases across western Colorado — though many who move away from the region still retain their 970 numbers, adding continued pressure on the area code’s availability.
- Larimer County, the most populous in the overlay region, has grown from 371,380 residents in 2020 to approximately 374,574.
- Mesa County, home to Grand Junction, added over 5,500 people during that same time frame, bringing its population to around 161,260.
- Montrose County has grown to nearly 45,000 residents.
- Routt County, home to Steamboat Springs, surpassed 25,000.
In contrast, Pitkin and Eagle counties have experienced slight population declines:
- Pitkin County dropped from 17,358 residents in 2020 to an estimated 16,643 by mid-2023.
- Eagle County decreased from 55,731 to 54,330 during the same period.
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UNLIMITED BREWS ON SATURDAY, SUPPORT OVER 60 NONPROFITS
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Saturday, June 14, locals can donate to one of more than 60 community nonprofits by enjoying an evening of “all you can drink” beer, live music and food. The Backyard Brewfest will run between 5 and 9 p.m. on Saturday at The Ale House, 2531 12th St., in Grand Junction. In addition to unlimited drinks from “the best local breweries,” the event will feature live music from DJ Chuck Jay, a dunk tank and giveaways from participating brewers. Tickets are still available at $30 each. You can purchase tickets or learn more by visiting events.humanitix.com/brewfest-at-ale-house. All the proceeds will go to Grand Valley Gives, a local organization that facilitates fundraisers and empowers small nonprofits to boost their visibility in the community. Grand Valley Gives consists of nonprofits that address a wide, varying range of issues on the Western Slope: multiple regional food banks, The Loma Cat House, Toilet Equity, The Western Slope Center for Children and Kids Aid.
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CELEBRATE NATIVE PLANTS & POLLINATORS AT OPHIR DAYS THIS WEEKEND
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Celebrate native plants and pollinators at Ophir Days this weekend June 14-15. On Saturday, Ophir will host a Diggin’ in the Dirt community work project at 9 a.m. at the Ophir Town Hall. The Ophir 101 Sustainability Home and Building Tour takes place from 1 to 4 p.m. at the East Ophir Town Park. On Sunday, join the “Know Your Plants” walk with “plant star” Katrina Blair, from 8:30 to 11 a.m., starting at Town Hall. The Town Potluck takes place from 4 to 6 p.m. Wild Ophir is looking for volunteers and local businesses owners who are excited to be a part of the plant and pollinator action. If you are passionate about pollinators, volunteer! If you own a local business and would like to partner with Ophir Wild Native Plants and Pollinator Project with a sponsorship or donation of soil/plants/signage, etc., to the pollinator gardens, call 970-708-7205.
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SURVEY SHOWS STEAMBOAT VOTERS BACK VACANCY TAX, REMAIN DIVIDED ON LIFT TAX
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Steamboat Springs voters appear ready to support a new tax on vacant homes but are more divided on a proposed lift ticket tax, according to results of a recent ballot feasibility survey presented to City Council at a Tuesday work session. The survey sought to gauge public opinion on two potential ballot measures that could appear before voters in November: a vacancy tax aimed at properties left unoccupied for more than half the year, and a lift tax that would apply to ski resort visitors — both of which are being considered for the explicit purpose of generating additional revenue for the city to offset its rising expenditures. In parallel with drafting ballot language for the lift tax, the city has also been in negotiation meetings with Steamboat Resort to attempt to reach an agreement.
- The survey revealed that affordable housing remains the top concern for Steamboat voters, with 27.2 percent identifying it as the most pressing issue facing the community.
- Preserving the character of Steamboat came in as the second most important issue at 15.5 percent, followed by local roads and traffic at nearly 12 percent.
- Initial support for the vacancy tax was strong, with 60.5 percent of respondents indicating they would vote ‘Yes’ if the measure appeared on the ballot. That number edged up slightly to 63 percent after respondents were provided with more information about the proposal.
- In contrast, support for the lift tax was more tepid and appeared to be more susceptible to public debate and education efforts. The lift tax, which would primarily be paid by Steamboat Resort visitors, started with 51 percent support and rose to 61 percent after additional information was provided.
- Many voters expressed concerns about how the tax might impact local residents, particularly regarding the cost of access to the resort and Howelsen Hill. Nearly 45 percent said they were “very concerned” about the potential for the tax to increase costs for locals, and another 32.5 percent were “somewhat concerned.”
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WE'RE IN FOR ANOTHER HOT SUMMER
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Colorado saw record-breaking heat across the state last summer, and climatologists believe we’re in for another hot season this year.
- Summer 2024 was Grand Junction’s hottest on record.
- Denver had its second hottest summer since the 2012 heatwave.
- Fort Collins broke its own record for the most consecutive 90-degree days in one year.
Now, temperatures appear likely to be above normal once again. Forecasters are expecting a hot week to follow recent storms and warn that late June and early July will see temperatures continue to climb to levels that can be dangerous for those spending extended periods of time outdoors. Highs in metro Denver are already starting to sizzle, with forecasters predicting the first 90-degree day this week.
- In 2024, the state identified 21 heat-related deaths, up from 13 the year prior.
- Last year the state identified 995 heat-related illness visits to a medical provider.
- So far this year, the state has already counted 72 patients for heat-related illnesses like heat stroke and heat exhaustion.
Heat exhaustion occurs when the body loses too much water and salt, often through sweat or prolonged physical activity in high heat. It’s characterized by a temperature between 100 and 104 degrees and can be treated by cooling the body down and restoring electrolytes. If left untreated, heat exhaustion can turn into heatstroke, which can cause damage to internal organs and even be fatal. Heat stroke is characterized by the body’s inability to cool itself, with a person’s temperature rising past 104 degrees.
The Colorado Dept. of Health and Environment has a list of helpful resources to protect yourself and your community on high heat days at cdphe.colorado.gov/extreme-heat/protect-your-health. That includes the use of cooling centers for people without access to air conditioning and cool water. You can find a list of cooling centers for each municipality on days when the National Weather Service issues a heat advisory for the region by visiting denvergov.org/Community/Heat-Resources/Daytime-Cooling-Centers.
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HOW TO PROTECT YOUR HEALTH IN EXTREME HEAT
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The Colorado Dept. of Public Health & Environment is committed to ensuring Coloradans have the information and resources they need to be safe and healthy during extreme heat. Stay cool, hydrated, and informed to avoid heat-related illnesses, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat-related illnesses can damage the brain and other vital organs. These conditions occur when the body’s temperature rises faster than it can cool itself.
- Use the HeatRisk Dashboard from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to check your daily heat risk, plan activities, and stay safe.
- Talk with your healthcare provider to find out if you are at risk for heat-related illness and how to prepare a heat action plan. Certain medical conditions or other factors may make you more susceptible to heat-related illness than others.
- Stay in an air-conditioned area. If you do not have access to air conditioning, go to a shopping mall, library, or other place that does, like a cooling center — a place where you can cool down in hot weather — in your community. Call 211 to find out which cooling centers are open near you. Even a few hours in air conditioning can keep the body cool.
- Limit outdoor activity to when it is coolest. Rest often and try to find areas with shade. Wear sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.
- Wear a hat and lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothes (e.g., cotton, linen, sweat-wicking materials). Look for items made with fabrics having a UV protection factor of 30 or higher.
- Drink water often—don’t wait until you’re thirsty!
- Avoid sugary drinks and alcohol, which cause fluid loss.
- Check your urine color. When it’s light yellow or clear, it usually means you are drinking enough water.
- Talk with your medical provider if you have specific fluid restrictions that may need to be adjusted during heat season.
- Check on your neighbors to ensure people in more isolated settings stay safe during extreme heat events. Watch them closely for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
- Provide pets with access to plenty of fresh water.
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MARKET UPDATE - 06/12/2025 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 06/12/2025)
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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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