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San Juan - Thu. 02/26/26 |
A Free Business Publication from Alpine Bank
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TODAY
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- Friendship Quilters Meeting, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Friendship Hall, Montrose County Fairgrounds, 970-964-2180
- Telluride Film Festival: Shorts Series, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Wilkinson Public Library, telluridefilmfestival.org
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GRASS FIRE THAT CLOSED I-25, FORCED EVACUATIONS, POWER OUTAGES, CONTAINED
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Police and fire officials in Thornton said that a grass wildfire that ignited near Pinnacle Charter High School, 8412 Huron Street in Thornton, was fully contained shortly after 2 p.m. after burning for more than two hours. Interstate 25 was closed in both directions for more than an hour near the fire for low visibility, a closure that steadily grew before it was fully lifted. As of 1:30 p.m., all lanes of I-25 had reopened between Colorado 53/58th Ave. in North Washington and 104th Ave. in Thornton, according to the Colorado Dept. of Transportation. Law enforcement officers went door-to-door to evacuate residents in the area.
Police established a formal evacuation shelter at the Margaret Carpenter Recreation Center, 11151 Colorado Blvd., after residents were initially directed to Water World. While the fire was contained shortly after 2 p.m., residents were not yet allowed to return home. Thousands of Xcel Energy customers remained without power in the area on Wednesday afternoon, with some 3,000 customers in Jefferson County and 200 customers in Adams County.
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GREELEY VOTERS REJECT ZONING FOR $1.1 BILLION ENTERTAINMENT/HOUSING PROJECT
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The Greeley City Clerk’s Office Tuesday night reported that Greeley voters approved Ballot Issue 1A in a special election held by mail-in ballot. The city clerk’s office said there were 11,342 yes votes, and 9,506 no votes. Election results remain unofficial until certified by the city clerk’s office on March 5. The ballot issue centered on the proposed $1.1 billion Catalyst entertainment district and Cascadia development, which required the rezoning of an 834-acre property north of U.S. Hwy. 34 and east of Weld CR 17. The proposed project included a new home for the Colorado Eagles, the minor league hockey affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche, a luxury hotel, a water park, which would be owned by the city, and some 11,000 housing units, located on the western edge of Greeley.
The Cascadia development project received a favorable 5-2 vote from the city council; however, it triggered a petition campaign from a group calling itself Greeley Demands Better, which acquired the 4,586 signatures to put the issue on the ballot. The yes vote in the election repeals the changes to the zoning map of the City of Greeley establishing the Cascadia Planned Unit Development (PUD). The opposition group raised questions about the $1.1 billion price tag and whether the city taxpayers would eventually shoulder the costs. With the election results, the city clerk’s office said city staff will now conduct a full legal and planning review and return to city council with recommendations outlining potential zoning pathways and the next steps.
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ASPEN AIRPORT PREPARATION WORK WILL BEGIN THIS SUMMER, ROADS, PARKING LOTS
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About a year from now, approximately April 2027, runway and terminal construction at the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport is scheduled to begin, with the airport slated to be closed until November 2027. Before that construction can begin, the so-called "enabling projects" need to be completed and work on those will begin this spring and summer. There will be major work to relocate the Owl Creek Road, because of airport work that requires a buffer zone on the west side of the airport. Owl Creek Road and Owl Creek Trail must be moved farther west. The Airport Operations Center parking lot also needs to be moved.
The Owl Creek work, targeted for completion by the end of this summer, will cause temporary traffic changes. Owl Creek will likely be reduced to one lane at times this summer. In addition to the relocations, the airport will begin staging construction materials for the 2027 work. To do this, the airport will be re-establishing a northern entrance to the airport to avoid a “pinch point” further south on Hwy. 82. Exact dates for all of the work are not yet established.
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MCWC 2026 FIRE & WATER SPEAKER SERIES IN GLENWOOD TONIGHT
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The Middle Colorado Watershed Council announced its 2026 Fire & Water Speaker Series, a slate of community events running February through April that explore how water, wildfire and human systems shape life in the Colorado River Basin. Presented by the Hotel Colorado, the series opens tonight, Thursday, Feb. 26, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. with How Water Made the West, an author talk and book signing featuring hydrologist Robert R. Crifasi at Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs. Crifasi will examine Western water history, infrastructure and legal systems through archival imagery and storytelling, followed by audience Q&A and a book signing. Admission is by donation, with beverages and appetizers provided, and advance RSVP is required.
Additional events include a March screening of the documentary The American Southwest with filmmaker Ryan Olinger and an April wildfire‑focused program featuring the film Elemental, an expert panel and a hands‑on fire safety simulator. Organizers said the series is designed to foster accessible, story‑driven learning and community dialogue around water and wildfire resilience. For more information and event registration, visit online at the link below.
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BRIDGE WORK IN GRAND JUNCTION WILL CAUSE DELAYS, REDLANDS TO DOWNTOWN
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The Colorado Dept. of Transportation, with its contractor, United Companies, announced that a major resurfacing project on Colorado Hwy. 340 between Redlands Parkway and Grand Avenue (mile point 9.61 to mile point 13.21) will begin in early March. The project will likely take until August before completion and will cause major delays for those motorists traveling on the Broadway bridge to and from the Redlands area. The $6.2 million project will include resurfacing as well as bridge deck rehabilitation work on the east and westbound bridges over the Colorado River, concrete curb ramp upgrades at several intersections, guardrail replacements and new pavement marking throughout the corridor. Crews will begin with bridge deck rehabilitation work, starting on the eastbound bridge structure followed by the westbound. Construction on the bridges will take place during daytime hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.
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VAIL TO CELEBRATE 10TH MOUNTAIN DIVISION WITH LEGACY WEEKEND: FEB. 28-MARCH 1
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This weekend, Feb. 28-March 1, will be Vail Legacy Weekend, when the Vail Valley celebrates its heritage and pays homage to the 10th Mountain Division soldiers. The 10th Mountain Division was the winter warfare group that trained at Camp Hale and were instrumental in breaking the Nazi Gothic Line by their daring attack up Riva Ridge in World War II, Feb. 18-19, 1945. The 10th Mountain Division soldiers returning after the war were founders of the Colorado ski industry as well as Vail. Some of the events this weekend:
Saturday:
- Noon to 5 p.m. at 10th Mountain Division Village located by Express Lift by Gondola One with booths
- 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. Riva Ridge Ski Down, with members of current 10th Mountain Division, Colorado National Guard and veterans
- 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. Vail Legacy Weekend parade, fireworks show and march through Vail Village
- 7:30 p.m. Reception at 10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirits Company
Sunday:
- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter landing on Eagles Nest Ridge
- 2 to 5 p.m. Après ski at Express Lift Café with the 10th Mountain Division Band and the Vail Valley’s Fabulous Femmes
- 5 p.m. Awards and Closing Ceremony
Complete information is available online at vail.com.
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STEAMBOAT SPRINGS: STATE OF THE CITY, MARCH 5
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Steamboat Springs residents, business owners and community members are invited to attend the city’s annual State of the City address from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday, March 5 at Citizens Hall (124 10th St.) followed by a public reception, according to a statement released Monday. City Manager Tom Leeson and City Council President Steve Muntean will lead the event, offering updates on major projects, accomplishments from the past year and priorities for Steamboat’s future. Topics will include housing, infrastructure, transportation, public safety, environmental sustainability and community engagement. The event is free and open to the public.
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10% GLOBAL TARIFF NOW IN EFFECT
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As of 12:01 a.m. (ET) Tuesday morning, Feb. 24, the U.S. put a “Worldwide Tariff” of 10 percent into effect. On Monday night, before the midnight start of collections, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency notified shippers that the rate would be 10 percent. Although many White House sources stated that President Donald Trump had "no change of heart" about implementing a 15 percent tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, the president had not signed a formal presidential order for the increase to 15 percent. Section 122 allows the immediate implementation of the tariff for up to 150 days to address “large and serious” balance-of-payments deficits and “fundamental international payments problems.”
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MINNESOTA ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF ITS SNOWPLOW NAMING CONTEST
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For six years, the Minnesota Dept. of Transportation has held a snowplow naming contest with the winners being placed on the plows in each respective district. Almost 19,000 votes were cast for 30 finalists.
The winners listed in order of votes:
- Oh, For Sleet’s Sake – District 3 (Central Minnesota)
- Flurrious George – District 6 (Southeast Minnesota)
- Sled Zeppelin – District 2 (Northwest Minnesota)
- K Pop Blizzard Hunter – District 8 (Southwest Minnesota)
- Minne-Snow-ta – District 1 (Northeast Minnesota)
- Every Day I’m Shovelin’ – District 7 (South Central Minnesota)
- Brother, Where Art Plow? – District 4 (West Central Minnesota)
- The Life of a Snowgirl – Metro District (Twin Cities)
List of some other finalists:
- Don’t Flurry, Be Happy
- Just Scraping By
- Say It Ain’t Snow
- KaPlow!
- Here We Snow Again
- 867-530-Brine
- I Got Friends In Snow Places
- Feelin’ Salty
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UK LAUNCHES NEW ETA ENTRY SYSTEM FOR VISITORS
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On Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, the United Kingdom implemented its new electronic traveler authorization (ETA) system for those arriving in the UK Basically, most visitors who have been able to travel to the UK visa-free until now will need an ETA. The new rules apply to people from 85 different countries, including the U.S. and Australia. To apply to receive an ETA, the UK government recommends going online to etourist.com or download the app from Google Play or the Apple App Store. You will need to provide contact and passport details, provide a suitable photo, and answer a set of questions. You must travel using the same passport you used when you applied for the ETA.
Once approved, your ETA will allow you to stay in the UK for up to six months. It will be valid for two years, or until your passport expires, and allows multiple journeys to the UK. It can also be for people who cross the border and travel through the UK as part of a journey, although people transiting through UK airports and who don't need to go through border security will not need an ETA. Longer trips and visits for work or longer study will require a visa.
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BOOKING.COM’S 14TH ANNUAL TRAVELER REVIEW AWARDS
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Booking.com released its 14th annual Traveler Review Awards, compiled using more than 372 million verified customer reviews on Booking.com. Review scores for the Traveler Review Awards 2026 were based on the average of all guest reviews published on its website and app between Dec. 1, 2022, and Nov. 30, 2025. Booking.com calculated each final review score on Dec. 1, 2025. Alongside the awards, Booking.com also releases its annual ranking of the most welcoming places on earth. To determine the most welcoming places lists, destinations were sorted by the share of accommodation partners receiving a Traveler Review Award in 2026 compared to the number of eligible properties in that destination.
Here are the 10 most welcoming cities in the world:
- Montepulciano, Italy
- Magong, Taiwan
- San Martín de los Andes, Argentina
- Harrogate, United Kingdom
- Fredericksburg, Texas
- Pirenópolis, Brazil
- Swakopmund, Namibia
- Takayama, Japan
- Noosa Heads, Australia
- Klaipėda, Lithuania
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MARKET UPDATE - 02/25/2026 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 02/19/2026)
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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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