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Colorado - Fri. 07/18/25 |
A Free Business Publication from Alpine Bank
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COLORADO HEALTH INSURERS PROPOSE HUGE PRICE INCREASES
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Colorado health insurers have proposed an average 28.4 percent increase in 2026 premiums for the individual market, with rates exceeding 38 percent on the Western Slope. The spike is tied to the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which ends pandemic-era subsidies and alters renewal and eligibility rules. Over 300,000 Coloradans could be affected, with many losing subsidies and facing thousands in added costs. The changes also weaken Colorado’s reinsurance program, driving prices up further. Officials expect over 100,000 to drop coverage, especially healthier individuals, worsening the risk pool and raising costs. Regulators will review the proposals, with public comment set for Aug. 1.
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MAKING RMNP MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR VISITORS WITH DISABILITIES
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Rocky Mountain National Park is expanding accessibility with help from the Rocky Mountain Conservancy. This summer’s upgrades include 135 ABA-compliant picnic tables, a $150,000 accessible shuttle for educational programs, and four free-to-rent all-terrain wheelchairs. The Conservancy is also compiling a detailed Accessibility Guide, set to launch next spring in multiple formats, outlining trail widths, grades, and surface types. These efforts, funded by donors and foundations, aim to connect people of all abilities to the park’s natural beauty. Accessibility has been a long-term priority, dating back to the 1990s.
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LAKE POWELL FORECASTS SHOW HYDROPOWER GENERATION IS AT RISK NEXT YEAR AS WATER LEVELS DROP
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Federal officials warn Lake Powell could drop below hydropower generation levels by December 2026 due to drought, rising temperatures, and high demand. The Bureau of Reclamation’s July report shows the reservoir may fall below 3,525 feet by April 2026 and 3,490 feet by year-end, halting power production. Emergency drought response planning is underway, including potential water releases from upstream reservoirs like Blue Mesa. Hydropower from Glen Canyon and Hoover Dams serves millions across the West and could be replaced by costlier energy sources. Ecosystem impacts include low oxygen zones and toxic algae blooms. Legal tensions loom if river flows drop below 82.5 million acre-feet over 10 years, potentially triggering disputes between Upper and Lower Basin states.
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RAILROAD OPERATOR UNION PACIFIC EXPLORING DEAL FOR NORFOLK SOUTHERN
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Union Pacific is in early talks to acquire Norfolk Southern in a potential $200 billion merger that would create the largest rail operator in the U.S. and the first coast-to-coast freight network. Union Pacific is valued at $140 billion, Norfolk Southern at $60 billion. The deal could streamline operations and reduce delays at rail interchanges but faces major regulatory hurdles from the Surface Transportation Board, DOJ, and others. Norfolk Southern is seen as vulnerable after leadership changes and past investor criticism. CEO Jim Vena has advocated for a transcontinental railroad, and analysts say the current regulatory climate under President Trump may be more favorable to consolidation.
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NEW BICYCLE LINK FROM PARK MEADOWS TO C-470 TRAIL OPENS
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A new quarter-mile C-470 Trail Connector opened in Lone Tree, linking the 35-mile trail to Park Meadows Retail Resort and its RTD light rail station. The $3.62 million project, funded by CDOT, Douglas County, and Park Meadows Metro District, features a grade-separated bikeway designed to improve access to transit, jobs, and shopping. Officials say it will reduce traffic, improve air quality, and promote active transportation. The connector aims to encourage cyclists and pedestrians to opt for healthier travel over single-occupancy vehicles.
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MAY SALES IN ASPEN SHOW MODEST GAINS
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Aspen saw $47.9 million in taxable sales in May, up 21 percent from last year, with strong gains in construction (up 191 percent), fashion clothing (up 93 percent), and restaurants/bars (up 24 percent). Lodging dropped 24 percent for the month but remains up 2 percent year-to-date. Through May, total taxable sales reached $53.9 million, a 10 percent increase over 2024. Year-to-date highlights include construction up 133 percent, restaurants/bars up 20 percent, and fashion clothing up 21 percent. Sectors like automobiles (down 78 percent) and jewelry/galleries (down 51 percent) saw steep declines. Sales tax collections are up 3.9 percent year-to-date.
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WILDFIRE IN SOUTHWEST LA PLATA COUNTY PROMPTS PRE-EVACUATION NOTICE
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The Ute 63 Fire in southwest La Plata County has grown to 542 acres, prompting a pre-evacuation warning for 25 structures near La Plata Highway. The fire, first reported Sunday, is burning on Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute lands and remains uncontained due to erratic winds and shifting weather. A Type 2 federal team will take command Friday, replacing the local Type 3 team. Over 100 firefighters are responding, with more crews expected from California. No structures have been lost, but the fire is within 1.5 miles of homes. A shelter is ready at Breen Community Center. Evacuation alerts will be reassessed daily.
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ROUTT COUNTY RESIDENTS ASKED TO SELF-REGISTER CELL NUMBERS FOR EMERGENCY ALERTS
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Despite high fire danger and five active wildfires, only 9,000 of Routt County’s 25,000 residents have registered cell phones for emergency alerts. Officials urge residents to sign up at Co.Routt.co.us/760/Routt-County-Alerts, noting that landlines are auto-registered but often incomplete. The alert system, updated in 2019, requires manual registration for mobile phones, emails, and access needs. Emergency Operations Director Mo DeMorat warns that relying on landlines or assuming alerts will come another way is risky. In evacuations, the Integrated Public Alert Warning System may be used, but it’s less precise than Routt County Alerts.
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EMERALD MOUNTAIN'S NEWEST BIKE TRAIL TO OPEN FRIDAY
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In Steamboat Springs, Emerald Mountain’s new downhill bike trail, Highway to Hell, opens Friday with its lower section ready for riders. The 3.2-mile advanced trail features 27 berms, 11 step-up jumps, 27 rock drops, and 20,000 square feet of rock armoring. Designed for expert riders, it runs from the radio towers to Howelsen Hill stables. The upper segment will open this fall. Funded by 2A Trails and built by FlowRide Concepts, the trail respects conservation easements by using natural terrain in restricted areas. A community survey chose the trail’s name, narrowly favoring Highway to Hell over Steamroller.
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WHERE CPW IS CONSIDERING RELEASING WOLVES NEXT YEAR
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Colorado Parks and Wildlife plans to release wolves in southwest Colorado for the first time in January 2026, marking the third year of its reintroduction program. Previous releases placed 25 wolves in northwest zones, but growing wolf territories there prompted a shift south. The agency is engaging local stakeholders and has agreements restricting releases near Southern Ute tribal lands. Discussions are underway to source more wolves, possibly from British Columbia. One relocated female wolf has traveled over 2,400 miles across western Colorado since January, highlighting the species’ wide-ranging behavior.
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EL POMAR FOUNDATION BOOSTS AREA NONPROFITS
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El Pomar trustees approved $70,000 allocated to eight nonprofit organizations in the San Juan region at the Foundation’s May Trustees meeting. Through the foundation’s grant making process, the following organizations were awarded grants:
- Delta Health Foundation – $5,000 for general scholarship fund; regional merit
- Delta Health Foundation – $5,000 for the Nurses Scholarship Fund; regional merit
- Gunnison Country Food Pantry – $5,000 for general operating support; regional merit
- Lake City Downtown Improvement & Revitalization Team, Inc. – $10,000 for the ADA-compliant playground; competitive
- Mesa County Land Conservancy, Inc. (Grand Junction) – $7,500 for Delta County general operating support; regional merit
- Mountain Roots Food Project (Gunnison) – $10,000 for food security programs; competitive
- Mountain Roots Food Project (Gunnison) – $5,000 for general operating support; regional merit
- North Fork Valley Public Radio, Inc. (Paonia) – $10,000 for local community and news programs; competitive
- Valley Housing Fund (Gunnison) – $10,000 for general operating support; competitive
- Western Slope Conservation Center (Paonia) – $2,500 for general operating support; regional merit
Founded by Spencer and Julie Penrose in 1937, El Pomar Foundation has an established legacy of general-purpose grant making. The competitive process remains the foundation’s primary vehicle for organizations to receive funding. Additionally, over the last 88 years, El Pomar has either developed or been entrusted with the stewardship of a number of other funds, as well as presenting merit grants in each region recommended by trustees and regional council members. Competitive applications are accepted on a rolling basis. To view a full listing of El Pomar’s funds and grant making areas, see elpomar.org/grant-making.
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COLORADO'S INSURANCE RATE ROLLERCOASTER
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Colorado health insurers have proposed huge price increases for next year for people who purchase coverage on their own. On average, insurers have asked regulators to approve a 28.4 percent increase to health insurance premium prices for 2026. The proposed increase would be the second largest since the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.
The rate at which Colorado health insurance prices in the individual market have increased — or decreased — each year:
- 2014: 0 percent
- 2015: +0.71 percent
- 2016: +9.84 percent
- 2017: +20 percent
- 2018: +34.3 percent
- 2019: +5.6 percent
- 2020: -20.2 percent
- 2021: -1.4 percent
- 2022: +1.1 percent
- 2023: +10.4 percent
- 2024: +9.7 percent
- 2025: +5.6 percent
- 2026: +28.4 percent
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MARKET UPDATE - 07/17/2025 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 07/17/2025)
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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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