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Colorado - Tue. 02/10/26 |
A Free Business Publication from Alpine Bank
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FORD AMPHITHEATER NAMED TO BILLBOARD’S 2026 TOP MUSIC VENUES LIST
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Ford Amphitheater in Colorado Springs has been recognized by Billboard as one of the world’s top live‑music venues for 2026, earning the publication’s designation as Top West Coast Amphitheater. The open‑air venue, which opened in August 2024, was selected as part of Billboard’s annual list highlighting 28 venues that define the modern concert experience, based on editorial evaluation and performance data reported to Billboard Boxscore from Oct. 1, 2024, through Sept. 30, 2025.
Billboard cited the amphitheater’s rapid rise as a major touring destination, noting its 8,000‑seat capacity, scenic setting and ability to attract high‑profile artists across multiple genres. In its first two seasons, the venue hosted acts including OneRepublic, Miranda Lambert, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, The Black Keys and Godsmack. Operated by live‑entertainment development company VENU, Ford Amphitheater was recognized for its production quality, artist appeal and contribution to the regional live‑music landscape.
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HOW TO SEE PETROGLYPHS AROUND SOUTHEASTERN COLORADO & WHY THEY AREN’T EVERYWHERE
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Petroglyphs and pictographs found across southeastern Colorado and the San Luis Valley offer insight into the cultural and spiritual lives of Indigenous peoples who lived in the region for thousands of years, according to archaeologist Mark Mitchell of the Paleocultural Research Group. In an interview with KRCC, Mitchell said more than 60 rock art sites have been recorded in the San Luis Valley, including a large and well‑known site near Antonito that reflects Pueblo use of the Rio Grande Basin. While some sites are on public land, many are not interpreted or are located on private property, limiting public access.
Interpreted sites open to visitors include Picture Canyon on the Comanche National Grassland near La Junta and Penitente Canyon in Saguache County. Mitchell said rock art is unevenly distributed because different Indigenous groups used different forms of expression, some of which were created on perishable materials such as hides or trees that no longer survive. As a result, certain regions contain dense concentrations of imagery while others show little visible evidence today.
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LAURA CLELLAN NAMED SOLE FINALIST FOR COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE DIRECTOR
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Laura Clellan, who has served as acting director of Colorado Parks and Wildlife since late November, has been named the sole finalist for the agency’s permanent director position following a statewide search that drew about 150 applicants. The Dept. of Natural Resources said the CPW Commission will hold a virtual public meeting Feb. 23 to consider her appointment and accept public comment. Clellan, a retired Army major general with a biology degree, previously led the Colorado Dept. of Military and Veterans Affairs and oversaw thousands of National Guard members, including deployments overseas.
Since stepping into the interim role, Clellan has guided CPW through heightened scrutiny over wolf reintroduction, serving as the agency’s liaison with federal wildlife officials and defending its actions. Supporters cited her leadership experience, steady management during a turbulent period and respect among CPW staff and stakeholders as key reasons for her selection. The commission unanimously chose Clellan after interviews and review by stakeholder and employee panels.
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ASKING $33 MILLION: A PRIVATE HOME ON A REMOTE RESORT IN UTAH
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Amangiri, the luxury resort in southern Utah known for its minimalist design and secluded setting, has listed its first private residence for sale at $33 million. The newly built, roughly 12,000‑square‑foot home sits on nine acres near the resort and includes six bedrooms, a spa, fitness studio, multiple pools and full furnishings, along with access to resort services such as a private chef and hosts. Designed by Los Angeles‑based firm Masastudio, the residence reflects the same architectural style as the hotel and is the first of 12 planned private homes at the property. Until it sells, the home is available to rent for $45,000 per night. Developers said interest has been strong, particularly among loyal Aman clients, as demand grows for branded luxury residences in remote destinations.
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COLORADO TO REINTRODUCE WOLVERINES, A FIRST FOR THE U.S.
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Colorado Parks and Wildlife plans to reintroduce wolverines to the state, marking the first attempt in the United States to restore a population of the elusive alpine predator extirpated from Colorado about a century ago. The effort was authorized in 2024 through bipartisan legislation and has drawn broad support from lawmakers, ranchers, wildlife advocates and ski area operators, in contrast to the contentious wolf reintroduction. The agency must still complete several steps, including approval of a livestock compensation plan, outreach to local governments and designation of the animals as a nonessential experimental population under federal rules.
The restoration plan calls for translocating up to 15 wolverines per year for three years, primarily from Canada, with releases targeted to high elevation areas north of Interstate 70, the central mountains and the San Juan Range. Officials say Colorado’s extensive alpine habitat could support 50 to 100 wolverines, though a release timeline has not yet been set.
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U.S. CONSUMER SENTIMENT HITS SIX‑MONTH HIGH, BUSINESS OUTLOOK MIXED
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U.S. consumer sentiment rose to a six‑month high in February, though concerns about the labor market and the cost of living remain widespread, according to the University of Michigan’s Surveys of Consumers. The sentiment index increased to 57.3 from 56.4 in January, beating economists’ expectations but remaining about 20 percent below its level a year earlier. The third straight monthly gain was driven largely by higher‑income households with stock portfolios, underscoring a widening divide between wealthier consumers and those without investments. Inflation expectations for the next year fell to 3.5 percent, a 13‑month low, suggesting consumers believe the worst tariff‑related price pressures may be easing, though longer‑term expectations edged higher.
The survey also highlighted persistent anxiety about jobs, as government data showed job openings fell to a more than five‑year low in December. Economists said the mixed signals leave the Federal Reserve focused on upcoming employment data as it weighs future policy decisions.
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ASPEN MID-WINTER OCCUPANCY RATES TREND DOWN
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Aspen’s lodging occupancy declined in December 2025, with rates falling 9.2 percent year over year to 57 percent, according to the Aspen Chamber Resort Association’s final monthly report for 2025. The drop was driven by weaker demand and increased lodging supply, with ACRA citing reduced international travel and below average snowfall as key factors. Despite lower occupancy, the average daily room rate rose 6.5 percent to $1,323, resulting in a 1.6 percent increase in overall lodging revenue compared with December 2024.
Tourism officials said the decline was larger than typical for a non-pandemic year and reflects broader trends, including a slowdown in international travel to the United States amid geopolitical tensions and negative global perceptions. Ongoing drought conditions and a snowpack well below median levels have also weighed on winter visitation. Forward looking data show February and March bookings fluctuating, with some days tracking ahead of last year but others lagging by double digit percentages.
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ARC UPGRADES COULD COST $3.25M MORE THAN EXPECTED
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Planned upgrades to the Aspen Recreation Center are now projected to cost up to $3.25 million more than originally anticipated after further analysis revealed structural issues beneath the pool decks. The city approved $1.83 million in contracts last fall to replaster the lap pool, replace drains, update ozone and chlorine controls, and install a new boiler, but subsequent investigation found significant earth settling that has damaged drainage infrastructure and concrete decking. City staff determined that additional work is needed to address root causes, including removing and rebuilding portions of the pool shell and replacing fill material in parts of the natatorium. The expanded scope could bring total costs higher, with city officials identifying a potential funding plan using parks fund dollars. City Council is expected to review an updated plan in March. Separate electrical upgrades are also planned this year.
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ROCK WORK IN DE BEQUE CANYON AND ROAD CLOSURES IN PALISADE
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Colorado Dept. of Transportation crews will conduct rock scaling operations in De Beque Canyon on Interstate 70 on Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 9 and 10, to reduce the risk of rockfall. Work will take place near the roller dam between the Colorado Hwy. 65 exit and the Beavertail Mountain Tunnel, from milepost 49 to 50, with periodic lane closures and traffic holds of up to 20 minutes in both directions between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. In Palisade, motorists will also encounter road closures and detours related to a safety improvement project on U.S. 6. Elberta Avenue south of U.S. 6 will be closed for most of the week, with detours routed through Fairhaven Road and nearby streets, while northbound Rupp Avenue will be closed at the frontage road intersection. The work is part of a long-term project from milepost 42.45 to 43.01 and is expected to continue through late 2026.
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PALISADE PROJECT TO IMPROVE BOAT LAUNCH, RIVER ACCESS UNDERWAY
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Construction is underway at Riverbend Park in Palisade to improve safety and access at Harky’s Boat Launch, a popular put in for rafters on the Colorado River. The project includes regrading and extending the steep, narrow ramp, terracing the riverbank to create multiple access levels, and adding stairways and walking paths to reduce congestion and improve usability at varying river levels. Town officials said the work follows years of planning and required approval from the Army Corps of Engineers. Crews are also reinforcing an existing concrete jetty, installing large boulders to stabilize the bank, and planting trees for erosion control and shade. The $125,000 project is being completed in house by town staff, a move officials said saved significant costs compared with contracting the work out. Construction is expected to wrap up by late February or early March, with a public celebration planned once the improvements are complete.
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PROPOSED FOREST TIMBER PROJECT INCLUDES MESA COUNTY ACREAGE
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The U.S. Forest Service is proposing a logging and forest health project covering about 2,600 acres in the Fourmile area southwest of Glenwood Springs, spanning Pitkin, Mesa and Garfield counties. The White River National Forest plan calls for selective thinning and vegetation clearing in two treatment areas and along roads to improve forest resilience to drought and insect outbreaks, reduce wildfire risk and provide timber.
The project is centered near the Twin Peaks area above Sunlight Mountain Resort and would primarily target Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir, with vegetation treatment planned along Fourmile Road. The area is heavily used for recreation and grazing and includes existing infrastructure such as a natural gas storage operation. The proposal would rely on existing decommissioned road templates and limited temporary roads, all to be closed or removed after work is completed, with log hauling generally restricted on weekends, holidays and during big game hunting seasons. Public comments on the proposal are being accepted through Feb. 27.
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PARKS & WILDLIFE EMPLOYEES RECOGNIZED FOR SERVICE
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Four Colorado Parks and Wildlife employees serving Northwest Colorado were honored during statewide ceremonies Jan. 21 for lifesaving actions, investigative excellence and career achievement. The annual awards honored 21 CPW employees statewide for public service, leadership and professional excellence.
- District Wildlife Manager Evan Jones, a game warden based in the south Craig area, was named John D. Hart Wildlife Officer of the Year for leading complex poaching and outfitting investigations, mentoring fellow officers and serving as a statewide legal resource.
- District Wildlife Managers Elijah Columbia of Steamboat Springs and Seth Schwolert of Meeker each received Lifesaving Medals for separate emergency responses, including aiding a crash victim in a remote area and coordinating a helicopter evacuation for a critically ill hunter.
- Routt County resident Julie Arington, manager at Steamboat Lake and Pearl Lake State Parks, received a Lifetime Achievement Award recognizing her decades long career in park operations, training and mentorship.
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HEARTHSTONE RESTAURANT IN BRECKENRIDGE SELLS AFTER 36 YEARS
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Hearthstone Restaurant, a longtime fine‑dining fixture in Breckenridge, has been sold after 36 years by owners Dick Carleton and Alexandra Storm, who opened the restaurant in 1989 inside the historic Kaiser Home. The new owners, Kimberly and David Salmon, moved to Breckenridge in 2022 after decades of visiting Summit County and said Hearthstone has long been their go‑to spot for special occasions. The Salmons said they were drawn to the building’s history and the restaurant’s established culture, noting that many employees have worked there for decades. They plan to preserve Hearthstone’s core identity, including popular menu items, while introducing a fine wine program inspired by their background as wine enthusiasts. Additional menu changes may follow later in the year. Carleton and Storm will remain business partners on their real estate holdings but said they are confident the restaurant is in good hands as it enters its next chapter.
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BILLBOARD HIGHLIGHTS TOP MUSIC VENUES FOR 2026
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Billboard’s 2026 Top Music Venues list recognizes 28 stadiums, arenas, amphitheaters, clubs and specialty spaces that shaped the live‑music experience over the past year, drawing on editorial judgment and performance data reported to Billboard Boxscore from Oct. 1, 2024, through Sept. 30, 2025. Rather than ranking venues overall, Billboard selected category leaders across regions and venue types, citing booking power, production capability, fan experience and cultural impact. The list spans North America and international destinations, from massive stadiums hosting record‑setting tours to intimate rooms prized for acoustics and atmosphere. • Allegiant Stadium, Paradise, Nev. — Top West Coast Stadium • Soldier Field, Chicago — Top Central U.S. Stadium • MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J. — Top East Coast Stadium • Estadio GNP Seguros, Mexico City — Top International Stadium • Rogers Centre, Toronto — Top Canadian Stadium • Golden Gate Park, San Francisco — Top U.S. Festival Location • Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Mexico City — Top International Festival Location • Sphere, Las Vegas — Top West Coast Arena • American Airlines Center, Dallas — Top Central U.S. Arena • Kaseya Center, Miami — Top East Coast Arena
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MARKET UPDATE - 02/09/2026 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 02/05/2026)
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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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