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Colorado - Wed. 03/18/26 |
A Free Business Publication from Alpine Bank
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OVER 700,000 ACRES BURN IN LARGEST WILDFIRE IN NEBRASKA HISTORY
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Nebraska is battling the largest wildfires in state history after four major fires burned more than 747,000 acres across central and western parts of the state, killing one person, closing roads, and prompting a state of emergency. The Morrill, Cottonwood, Anderson Bridge, and Road 203 fires remained at zero percent containment as of March 16, with officials warning that drought conditions and Red Flag weather could worsen fire behavior. Gov. Jim Pillen issued an emergency proclamation March 13, deploying National Guard troops, aircraft, and helicopters to assist firefighting efforts, while the state secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Fire crews from the cities of Lincoln and Omaha, and the state of Iowa, and other areas have joined the response. The Morrill Fire is the largest, burning more than 572,000 acres across five counties, followed by the Cottonwood Fire at more than 122,000 acres. Officials said limited perimeter activity was reported in some areas, but preparations continue for worsening conditions.
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STUDY FINDS NORTHWEST COLORADO LACKS LOCAL WILDFIRE MITIGATION CAPACITY
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A Colorado State University study has identified a significant mismatch between wildfire risk and local mitigation resources in northwestern Colorado, where the fourth-largest wildfire in state history burned last summer. Researchers overlaid existing wildfire risk models with a new index measuring local capacity to reduce vulnerability, finding that Rio Blanco, Moffat and Garfield counties face among the highest wildfire risks while having the least ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from fires. The study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Forest Science, defines local capacity as a community’s ability to carry out pre-fire mitigation work such as defensible space projects, prescribed burns, and forest thinning.
Researchers found that northwestern Colorado communities received little to no funding through the state’s Forest Restoration and Wildfire Risk Mitigation grant program, in contrast to the Front Range, where funding and risk are more closely aligned. The findings have been shared with state forestry officials and fire practitioners to help inform future funding decisions and policy efforts aimed at supporting under-resourced, high-risk communities.
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COAL RIDGE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR NAMED BEST IN STATE AFTER LANDMARK YEAR
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Coal Ridge High School athletic director Ben Kirk has been named the 3A Athletic Director of the Year by the Colorado Athletic Directors Association following a standout 2024-25 school year marked by historic team success and a school-wide emphasis on character development. Under Kirk’s leadership, the Titans celebrated their first state championship in varsity baseball, an eighth consecutive state title for the co-ed cheer team, a second-place finish for girls track at the state meet, and a first-ever Class 4A Final Four appearance for boys’ basketball. Promoted to athletic director in 2022 after coaching track, Kirk said the recognition reflects the collective efforts of student-athletes, coaches and the broader community.
A former college baseball player, Kirk has focused on building a culture centered on respect, accountability and personal growth, emphasizing that athletics should develop students mentally and emotionally as well as physically. He said the goal is to prepare young people to be good teammates and good citizens beyond competition. Kirk will receive the award April 27 at the association’s annual banquet in Breckenridge, noting the honor also highlights Western Slope programs that are often overlooked statewide.
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LOCAL BUSINESSES FEEL UNPREPARED FOR 2027 AIRPORT CLOSURE
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Many Aspen-area residents and business owners say they feel unprepared for the planned eight-month closure of the Aspen-Pitkin County Airport in 2027, according to a recent Aspen Chamber Resort Association survey. About 43 percent of respondents said they felt completely or somewhat unprepared, while about 35 percent said they felt neither prepared nor unprepared. The survey received 271 responses, including business owners, employees, full-time and part-time residents, commuters and visitors. The airport is scheduled to close from April through November 2027 as crews relocate and widen the runway and begin construction on a new terminal, part of a $575 million modernization project largely funded by federal grants.
Survey respondents cited concerns about visitor access, alternative transportation and potential business shutdowns, with over half anticipating a significant decrease in visitation. Some businesses plan staffing adjustments, marketing efforts or temporary closures, while others are not planning changes. ACRA officials said the next 12 to 18 months are critical for coordination and communication, and city leaders expressed confidence the community can weather the disruption through collaboration.
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COLORADO STATE PATROL PULLED OVER 2,540 FOR LEFT LANE CAMPING LAST YEAR
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The Colorado State Patrol pulled over 2,540 drivers statewide last year for traveling slower than the flow of traffic in the left lane, a practice known as “lane camping,” according to a news release from the agency. More than a third of those stops, about 960, occurred on Interstate 70. State Patrol officials said drivers are not legally allowed to obstruct traffic lanes, even if they disagree with the speed of other motorists, and doing so is considered unsafe driving behavior. Under Colorado law, on multi-lane roads with posted speed limits of 65 mph or higher, the far-left lane is designated as a passing lane, and slower vehicles must move right after completing a pass or allowing another vehicle to merge. The agency said improper use of the left lane often leads to frustration among drivers and can trigger unsafe behaviors such as tailgating, aggressive passing and flashing headlights, increasing the risk of crashes on busy highways like I-70.
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DOCUMENTARY SCREENING EXPLORES COLORADO RIVER BASIN IN FIRE & WATER SERIES
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The Middle Colorado Watershed Council will host a screening of the documentary The American Southwest followed by a filmmaker talk as the second event in its 2026 Fire and Water Speaker Series. The visually rich film traces the Colorado River from alpine headwaters to the desert delta, highlighting landscapes, wildlife and water challenges across the basin. Following the screening, filmmaker and conservation biologist Ryan Olinger will share behind-the-scenes stories and participate in a facilitated discussion about the river and the future of the Colorado River Basin. Olinger, who is based in Tucson, combines a background in wildlife biology with filmmaking and spent months capturing rare moments for the film, including elusive desert wildlife and seasonal blooms.
The event is designed to foster community dialogue around water, wildfire and human systems shaping life in the basin and will take place Saturday, March 28, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Vaudeville Theater in Glenwood Springs, with advance tickets priced at $20 and day-of-show tickets at $25. To learn more, visit the link below.
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MESA VERDE PREPARES FOR UPGRADES AHEAD OF BUSY SEASON
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Mesa Verde National Park is preparing for a milestone summer as it marks its 120th anniversary on June 29, coinciding with Colorado’s 150th birthday and the nation’s 250th year, while officials project a busy season despite a slight dip in visitation last year. Park leaders told Montezuma County commissioners that Mesa Verde recorded about 475,000 visitors in 2025, a 3.4 percent decline from the previous year, with year-to-date visitation through February at about 13,000. Superintendent Kayci Cook Collins said traffic is already increasing and the park expects to operate normally this summer.
Planned work includes replacing six overlook barriers, rebuilding access roads near park headquarters and Far View sites, remodeling parking lots, improving traffic flow to Wetherill Mesa, and chip-sealing sections of the main entrance road, which may cause delays. Wetherill Mesa will open seven days a week starting May 22. Additional projects include historic structure rehabilitation, preservation work at Spruce Tree House that may limit access until 2027, and wildfire mitigation efforts such as fuel reduction and improved fire road access.
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ESKENAZI MEYERS THEATRE FUND ESTABLISHED WITH TRANSFORMATIONAL GIFT
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A major gift from Dori and David Meyers has established the Eskenazi Meyers Theatre Fund at the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek, creating a permanent source of support for capital projects, maintenance, and operational excellence. In recognition of the gift, the Vilar’s 530‑seat theater will be named the Eskenazi Meyers Theatre for a 30‑year term, while the name of the Vilar Performing Arts Center itself remains unchanged. The Meyers said their contribution reflects a belief that the Vilar is one of the community’s greatest assets and plays a critical role in introducing young people to the arts. The fund is intended to help sustain the venue’s mission to entertain, educate, and inspire while supporting more than 110 annual performances, welcoming over 35,000 attendees, providing more than 8,000 free tickets to students and community members, and generating more than $19 million in annual economic impact in Eagle County.
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WARM SPRING SIGNALS TOUGH SUMMER DECISIONS ACROSS YAMPA VALLEY
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Unusually warm winter and spring conditions across the Yampa Valley are raising concerns that water shortages, wildfire risk, and agricultural stress will force difficult decisions this summer, according to local CSU Extension officials. Routt County Extension Director Todd Hagenbuch said early blooming plants at high elevations and widespread lack of snowpack point to a shortened irrigation season and increased pressure on ranchers, homeowners and land managers to conserve water and adapt practices. Ranchers may face reduced hay production, limited summer pasture, and potential livestock selloffs, while grazing permits on public lands could require fewer animals or shorter use periods.
Horticulture experts warned residents to hand-water valuable trees and shrubs, delay new plantings, and prepare for increased weed growth and pest issues. Despite the challenges, officials noted some benefits, including healthier livestock after a mild winter and expanded vegetable growing options. CSU Extension staff will host a drought workshop for agricultural producers April 13, with additional drought-focused education nights April 28 and 29. For more information, call 970-879-0825.
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IRS UPDATES TAX WITHHOLDING ESTIMATOR
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The IRS has updated its Tax Withholding Estimator (https://bit.ly/3VjGqR1 ) to reflect changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). This free online tool helps taxpayers calculate the correct amount of federal income tax to withhold from their paychecks or other payments, such as those from pensions, to avoid unexpected tax bills. The calculator now takes into account OBBBA provisions that eliminated tax on qualified tips and overtime and provided new deductions for seniors and auto loan interest. It also more accurately accounts for OBBBA changes to credits related to families, homeownership and charitable giving.
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YOSEMITE DROPS ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK OUT OF TOP FIVE BUSIEST PARKS
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Rocky Mountain National Park fell out of the top five busiest national parks in the United States in 2025 for the first time since 2013, according to National Park Service visitation data. The shift was driven by a sharp increase in visitation at Yosemite National Park, while Rocky saw only a marginal year‑over‑year gain. Park officials continue to cite timed‑entry reservations as a necessary tool to manage crowding and protect resources, even as other major parks adjust or eliminate similar systems.
- Rocky Mountain National Park recorded 4,171,431 visitors in 2025, an increase of 17,082 from 2024.
- Yosemite National Park moved into fifth place with 4,278,413 visitors boosted by a year‑over‑year increase of more than 156,000.
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park remained the busiest park with 11,527,939 visits, accounting for about 12 percent of all national park visits.
- Zion ranked second with 4,984,525 visitors, followed by Yellowstone at 4,762,988 and the Grand Canyon at 4,430,653.
- Rocky’s record attendance came in 2019 with 4,670,053 visitors, ranking it third nationally.
- Since implementing peak‑season timed‑entry reservations, Rocky generally ranked fourth or fifth until slipping to sixth in 2025.
- Yosemite and Arches National Park have dropped timed‑entry reservation requirements for 2026.
- Colorado’s other national parks all saw visitation declines in 2025, including a 25 percent drop at Black Canyon of the Gunnison due to wildfire‑related closures.
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WYOMING STOCKPILES GOLD AS STATES SEEK HEDGE AGAINST ECONOMIC RISK
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Wyoming has joined a growing group of states turning to precious metals as a hedge against economic instability, storing millions of dollars in gold inside a former newspaper building in Casper. Lawmakers backing the move cite concerns about federal debt, inflation and long-term confidence in the U.S. dollar, while critics warn that gold’s volatility and limited liquidity make it a risky addition to public investment portfolios. The debate reflects a broader national trend, particularly among states with mining legacies, as legislatures weigh whether physical assets can provide protection against financial shocks or represent an unnecessary gamble with public funds.
- Wyoming purchased 2,312 troy ounces of gold in December for about $10 million, now valued at roughly $11.6 million.
- The gold is held in about 72 bars, each roughly the size of a smartphone.
- The purchase was required under the Wyoming Gold Act, passed last year with broad legislative support.
- The gold is stored in a private Wyoming Reserve vault in Casper, housed in a former Casper Star Tribune building.
- Storage fees began at $7,021 annually and fluctuate with the gold’s market value.
- Gov. Mark Gordon allowed the bill to become law without his signature, citing concerns about volatility and legislative intrusion into portfolio management.
- Gold prices reached a record $5,354.80 per ounce in January before falling about $700 within days.
- Utah reaffirmed gold and silver as legal tender in 2011 and passed a 2024 law authorizing up to $140 million in precious metals purchases, capped at 10 percent of its rainy-day funds and stored in a Brink’s vault in Salt Lake City.
- West Virginia, Tennessee, and Georgia are pursuing or expanding similar precious metals legislation.
- Wyoming’s gold holdings represent a small portion of the $12 billion Permanent Wyoming Minerals Trust Fund.
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MARKET UPDATE - 03/17/2026 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 03/12/2026)
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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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