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Colorado - Wed. 03/11/26 |
A Free Business Publication from Alpine Bank
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DIA BRACES FOR SPRING SURGE AS SHUTDOWN LEAVES TSA SECURITY OFFICERS UNPAID
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Denver International Airport is preparing for a spring break travel surge with more than 1.3 million passengers expected to pass through security checkpoints between Wednesday and March 29, even as a partial federal shutdown leaves Transportation Security Administration officers working without pay. The Dept. of Homeland Security shutdown, which began Feb. 14 over immigration policy disputes, means TSA officers will miss their first full paychecks this weekend, raising concerns about staffing and longer security lines. While wait times at DIA remained mostly under eight minutes this week, disruptions at airports in Atlanta, Houston and New Orleans last weekend forced travelers to wait up to three hours. DIA officials said Fridays and Sundays will be the busiest travel days and urged passengers to monitor security wait times online at FlyDenver.com/security and arrive at least two hours before boarding, noting lines can change quickly during peak periods.
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COLORADO AGRICULTURE OFFICIALS WARN OF ‘STRANGE’ SEED PACKAGES IN MAIL
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Colorado agriculture officials are warning residents to watch for unsolicited seed packages arriving by mail ahead of the planting season and to avoid planting or discarding them because they could pose a biosecurity risk. The Colorado Department of Agriculture says no such packages have been reported in the state so far this year, but similar shipments have already appeared in other states, including Texas and Alabama. Officials say Coloradans have received unsolicited seeds since 2020, with more than 1,000 cases reported nationwide, and federal investigations previously linked the shipments to a marketing scheme rather than confirmed bioterrorism. Still, the seeds are unvetted and could carry invasive species, pests or plant diseases that threaten Colorado’s $47 billion agriculture economy.
Residents who receive seeds they did not order should not open the packets or throw them away but instead seal them in a plastic bag and mail them for testing to USDA APHIS PPQ, 3950 North Lewiston St., Suite 104, Aurora, Colorado 80011 1561.
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A ROBERT A.M. STERN DESIGNED HOME ON ASPEN’S RED MOUNTAIN ASKS $70 MILLION
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Frederic “Rick” Bourke, co-founder of the Dooney & Bourke accessories brand, has listed his Robert A.M. Stern designed home on Aspen’s Red Mountain for $70 million. Completed around 1993, the roughly 11,000 square foot residence sits on about 3.5 acres roughly 800 feet above downtown and features seven bedrooms, a horizontal design built into a rock face, tawny beige stucco walls atop native sandstone, metal roofing and natural wood trim. Bourke, who became one of Stern’s early clients in the 1970s, said he commissioned the architect to design a family home after acquiring the property in the late 1980s. The house includes a heated outdoor pool, billiards room and expansive views from Independence Pass to Mt. Sopris.
Bourke said health issues related to altitude following a severe bout of Covid 19 prompted the decision to sell. Listing agent Emery Holton said Stern’s death last year could add to the property’s appeal, noting current Pitkin County regulations would not allow a home of this size to be built today.
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VAIL RESORTS CUTS PROFIT FORECAST AS WARM WINTER LINGERS IN THE ROCKIES
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Vail Resorts has lowered its full year profit forecast after an unusually warm and dry winter sharply reduced snowfall across the Rocky Mountains, particularly in Colorado and Utah, the company’s most important markets. The Broomfield based ski operator now expects profits of $144 million to $190 million for the fiscal year, down from its earlier projection of $201 million to $276 million. Company officials said snowfall in the Rockies is down 43 percent from last year, leading to limited terrain, delayed openings and a 13 percent drop in skier visitation, along with an almost 14 percent decline in quarterly profit.
The poor conditions affected ski school, rentals, dining and retail sales, though executives said the company’s Epic Pass, which accounts for 75 percent of visits, helped stabilize revenue. Vail Resorts has also rolled out new discounts, including Epic Friend Tickets and advance purchase deals, to boost visitation and lift ticket sales as it works to offset the impact of the snow drought.
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TIRED OF JOB HUNT, LOCAL LAUNCHES ‘DESIGNOSAURUS’
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After struggling to find steady work that matched his skills and communication style, Grand Junction graphic designer Chase Ledebur decided to create his own opportunity by launching Designosaurus Productions. Ledebur, who has autism and holds a degree in visual communications from Colorado Mesa University, spent months working with the Colorado Dept. of Vocational Rehabilitation and a job coach at the nonprofit Strive after traditional job openings proved unappealing or inaccessible. With their help, he developed a business plan, secured funding for equipment and created marketing materials.
Designosaurus specializes in high end slideshow videos for memorial services and deceased pets, offering carefully designed layouts, music and precisely timed transitions that compete with similar services offered by funeral homes. Ledebur said the work allows him to express empathy and preserve memories for grieving clients, challenging assumptions about autism and emotional connection. Inspired in part by recent family losses, he hopes to eventually expand into videos for other life milestones, including graduations, anniversaries and retirements.
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BIG CHANGES COMING FOR REC, SCHOOL DISTRICT FACILITIES
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The Montrose Recreation District and Montrose County School District have agreed to a coordinated exchange of major facilities aimed at meeting long term space needs without raising taxes or fees. Under the plan, the school district purchased the rec district’s field house for about $3.4 million and intends to convert it into a permanent early childhood center, while the rec district used proceeds from the sale and existing savings to buy the former Secret Creek building and adjacent riverfront property at the Colorado Outdoors campus for roughly $7.5 million.
District officials said the arrangement allows both entities to move forward on capital priorities they had already identified, with the school district planning to apply for a $6.2 million state BEST grant to renovate the field house beginning in 2027. Rec district programming will remain in the field house through 2026, including the final season of outdoor pool use, which was already slated for closure due to age and cost. The rec district expects to begin public engagement and design work this spring on the new facility, which could open as early as next fall.
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NO RESERVATIONS NEEDED YET AT SCENIC LAKES IN COLORADO, PERMITS COMING SOON
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Visitors heading to the popular Blue Lakes near Ridgway will not need reservations this summer, though a limited entry permit system is expected to roll out next year as part of the U.S. Forest Service’s Blue Lakes Visitor Use Management Plan. In a recent update, the agency said it is advancing development of permits envisioned in the 2024 plan to curb crowding and restore damaged land in the Mount Sneffels Wilderness. The Blue Lakes trailhead reopened last fall after parking lot reconstruction and revegetation work, and overnight dispersed camping at the lower lake will remain available in 2026, though with limited sites and some areas temporarily closed for restoration.
Camping will not be allowed at the middle and upper lakes, overnight groups will be capped at six people, waste must be packed out and bear resistant food storage will be required. The Forest Service is now in Phase 2 of the plan, with a fee proposal and public engagement expected, while Phase 3 could introduce daily caps of 40 hikers and 24 overnight visitors to protect habitat and water quality.
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MOUNTAIN VILLAGE ACQUIRES PARCEL FOR WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY
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The Town of Mountain Village has finalized the $1.1 million purchase of a 5 acre parcel along Highway 145 in Ilium for a future regional wastewater treatment facility, completing an agreement first announced in June 2024. Town officials said the Down Valley site offers a long term solution as the existing wastewater plant, built in 1985, is unlikely to meet regional demand or updated state health and environmental requirements beyond 2047. Expanding the current facility would cost an estimated $133 million and provide only limited additional capacity, prompting Mountain Village, the Town of Telluride and San Miguel County to pursue an alternative location.
The Ilium site could allow gravity fed sewer service and better accommodate seasonal population surges tied to festivals and tourism. Mountain Village, a 15 percent owner of the existing plant, has entered memorandums of understanding with regional partners and the Alexander Family, which sold the property. Under current agreements, construction of a new facility is expected within the next decade, with continued maintenance required at the existing plant until the new system is operational.
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DURANGO CITY COUNCIL AWARDS $135K IN ARTS & CULTURE GRANTS
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Durango City Council approved $135,893 in lodgers tax arts and culture grants last week, distributing funding to 16 organizations as part of the city’s first grant round for 2026. The cycle was highly competitive, with about 50 applicants requesting more than $1 million in total funding, according to Economic Opportunity Manager Tommy Crosby. Among the largest awards were $18,800 to the Durango Arts Center for theater sound and lighting improvements, $15,400 to the Mountain & Valley Wool Association for its 43rd annual fiber arts festival and $12,925 to artist Annie Bussell to complete a mural at the Boys & Girls Club of La Plata County.
Other recipients included Community Concert Hall, Fort Lewis College, Durango Bluegrass Meltdown, Maria’s Literary Foundation, Springboard, Durango PlayFest and Earth Day Durango. Compañeros: Four Corners Immigrant Resource Center received $10,000 to support a community mural, its Latin American Cultural Celebration and expansion of its La Escualita children’s art program. City officials said the funding round is the second largest arts and culture allocation the city has awarded to date.
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SKI CORP. AMBASSADORS PROGRAM SEEKING RECRUITS FOR MARCH 26 CLINIC
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Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation is inviting community members to learn more about joining its Steamboat Ambassadors program during a Spring Clinic scheduled for Thursday, March 26, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The clinic offers an introduction to one of the resort’s most visible guest services teams and is open to those interested in volunteer roles as well as part- and full-time paid positions. Participants will spend the day learning about ambassador expectations, duties and benefits, and will get a firsthand look at how the program enhances the guest experience across the mountain.
A ski and snowboard assessment will be included for those seeking on slope assignments, though non skiing and non-snowboarding roles are also available. Anyone interested must register in advance by visiting the information trailer in Steamboat Square, located outside the Giggle Gulch Candy Store, between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily. Additional details are available by calling the information trailer at 970-871-5444.
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FRIDAY FUNDRAISER CELEBRATES CRANES’ RETURN TO THE YAMPA VALLEY
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The Colorado Crane Conservation Coalition will mark the return of sandhill cranes with its Crane Migration Celebration from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Friday, March 13, at the historic Depot Art Center in downtown Steamboat Springs. The fundraiser supports the coalition’s conservation work, education programs and operational capacity, including five annual crane awareness contests and the Crops for Cranes initiative, which helps sustain local nesting birds and migrating cranes using the Yampa Valley as a stopover. Guests can view 27 creative arts scholarship entries, bid on unique auction items and enjoy dishes created by chef Steve Carlson inspired by the landscapes that cranes travel through on their migration back to Colorado. Organizers say the event also offers a chance to learn about the coalition’s 2026 vision following Greater Sandhill Crane Week. Tickets, $125, are available at ColoradoCranes.org.
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NATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF SNOWSPORTS DRAWS HUNDREDS OF MEMBERS TO KEYSTONE FOR ANNUAL SUMMIT
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The National Brotherhood of Snowsports returned to Keystone Resort for its annual Black Summit from Feb. 28 to March 7, drawing hundreds of members for a week of skiing, community and cultural events. The nonprofit, which represents 58 ski clubs nationwide, chose Keystone for the second consecutive year — an uncommon decision — citing a strong partnership with Vail Resorts. The summit featured ski races for multiple skill levels, film screenings, snowmobile tours, après ski gatherings and live music, along with signature events such as Gospel Fest and the Opening Ceremony parade, where clubs marched with banners and team jackets. Attendance reached 842 this year, slightly below the event’s typical average of about 1,000, which organizers attributed largely to economic conditions.
The Black Summit aims to introduce more people of color to snowsports and support elite athletes, including members of Team NBS who competed at the 2026 Winter Olympics. The volunteer run organization relies on donations, and those interested in supporting its mission can contribute to specific funds, including the Olympic Scholarship Fund, at NBS.org.
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ST. PATRICK’S DAY: HOW A QUIET RELIGIOUS FEAST BECAME A GLOBAL CELEBRATION
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St. Patrick’s Day, celebrated each year on March 17, began as a modest religious observance in Ireland and gradually evolved into the lively, green filled celebration recognized around the world today. According to historians cited by Reader’s Digest, the holiday’s transformation was shaped by centuries of storytelling, Irish immigration and American influence, turning a solemn feast day into a global celebration of Irish culture.
- St. Patrick was a 5th century Catholic missionary, born in Britain, who was kidnapped to Ireland as a teenager, enslaved for seven years and later returned as a missionary.
- March 17 marks the anniversary of St. Patrick’s death, which became a religious feast day honored by the Catholic Church.
- Early observances in Ireland were quiet and church centered, with families attending services and later relaxing Lenten restrictions to eat, drink and dance.
- Irish immigrants brought St. Patrick’s Day to the United States in the 1800s, using public celebrations to honor their heritage amid discrimination.
- One of the earliest recorded St. Patrick’s Day parades took place in 1601 in what is now St. Augustine, Florida; New York City followed with its first parade in 1762.
- The shamrock, a three-leaf clover, is the holiday’s most iconic symbol and is traditionally linked to St. Patrick’s teachings about the Holy Trinity.
- Wearing green comes from Ireland’s nickname, the “Emerald Isle,” while modern traditions include parades, music, Irish food and learning about Irish history.
- St. Patrick’s Day is not a federal holiday in the U.S., though major cities often see traffic disruptions due to parades and festivities.
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MARKET UPDATE - 03/10/2026 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 03/05/2026)
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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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