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Colorado - Tue. 03/31/26 |
A Free Business Publication from Alpine Bank
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A PERFECT STORM: PINE BEETLES THRIVING FOLLOWING WARM, DRY WINTER IN COLORADO
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Colorado’s warmest winter on record and persistently dry conditions have created ideal circumstances for a surge in mountain pine and spruce beetle populations, raising concerns about forest health and wildfire risk, according to state forestry officials. The Colorado State Forest Service reported increased beetle activity along the Front Range, where the insects attack lodgepole and ponderosa pines by laying eggs beneath the bark, ultimately killing trees and leaving behind dry fuel that can accelerate wildfire spread. Officials said the lack of prolonged subzero temperatures this winter failed to curb beetle survival, while low snowfall deprived trees of the water needed to produce sap that can repel infestations.
With forecasts calling for a warmer and drier than normal spring, foresters warned conditions could mirror those that preceded some of Colorado’s most destructive wildfires. Gov. Jared Polis recently created a Ponderosa Mountain Pine Beetle Task Force to coordinate mitigation efforts, educate homeowners, and address risks posed by beetle-killed trees, particularly in densely populated Front Range communities.
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COLORADO WOLF WANDERED THROUGH JEFFERSON, DOUGLAS COUNTIES IN MARCH
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At least one gray wolf traveled through parts of southern Jefferson County and western Douglas County between late February and late March, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, as the state’s wolf population continues to show a mix of localized territories and wide-ranging movement. Agency officials said no wolves approached urban areas or attempted to cross Interstate 25 during the period. A state map showed wolf activity spanning watersheds from near the Utah state line east to Teller County and from the Wyoming border south to northern Gunnison County. Separate wolf activity was also recorded in the Durango area and the San Luis Valley.
Parks and Wildlife said some wolves have established territories while others continue to roam broadly. Colorado currently has 18 collared wolves, along with pups and additional wolves that have entered the state from neighboring areas. Officials noted that denning season typically begins in April, when female wolves remain with pups and overall movement becomes more limited.
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COLORADO LAWMAKERS PASS BILL TO BAN 3D PRINTING OF GUNS AFTER POLIS VETO THREAT
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Colorado lawmakers moved to pass House Bill 1144 on Monday to prohibit the use of 3D printers to manufacture firearms and certain gun components, but only after removing a provision that would have restricted the sale or distribution of digital printing instructions following a veto threat from Gov. Jared Polis. The Democratic-backed bill expands Colorado’s existing ban on unserialized ghost guns by barring the 3D printing of firearms, large-capacity magazines, and rapid-fire trigger activators. It passed the Senate on a party-line 23-12 vote and now awaits a procedural House vote before heading to the governor’s desk.
Sponsors said the amendment was necessary after Polis’ office raised concerns that regulating digital instructions could violate constitutional protections. Polis’ spokesman said the revised bill closes a dangerous loophole while respecting Second Amendment rights. Lawmakers acknowledged the removed provision weakened the measure and said they intend to revisit restrictions on digital gun-printing instructions after Polis leaves office in early 2027.
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POPULAR DOWNTOWN DENVER BAR PROPERTY BY COORS FIELD UP FOR SALE
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The longtime home of Jackson’s LoDo, a popular downtown Denver bar across from Coors Field, has been listed for sale at $7.9 million, marking the first potential ownership change since 1992. The 20,000-square-foot building at 1520 20th St. was built in 1937 and has housed Jackson’s for more than 30 years. The property is fully occupied under a triple-net lease, meaning the tenant covers taxes, insurance and maintenance, though the lease expires in January 2028. The listing reports net operating income of $300,000 and notes the lease rate is below market, suggesting a future owner could seek higher rents. The building sits amid a growing entertainment district near McGregor Square and Market Street. Public records list the late architect Peter Dominick Jr. as the owner, though no beneficiary deed has been filed since his death in 2009. Jackson’s did not comment on the sale.
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ROARING FORK, COLORADO RIVER VALLEYS JOIN FOR ELEVATE 2026
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Women from across the Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys are invited to gather for ELEVATE 2026, a regional leadership forum focused on connection, collaboration, and professional growth. Hosted by Roaring Fork Leadership in partnership with Colorado Mountain College, the event will take place from 1 to 6 p.m. on April 10 at Morgridge Commons in Glenwood Springs. Organizers describe ELEVATE as an interactive experience designed to help participants step away from daily routines, reflect on their work, and build relationships across industries and communities.
The program will feature local leaders including former Colorado State Sen. Gail Sheridan Schwartz and Carbondale Arts Executive Director Jamie Abbott, along with a panel discussion on workplace culture and leadership featuring Cindy Dady, CEO of Sunlight Mountain Resort, and other regional leaders. Attendees will also take part in small-group discussions and informal networking over food and refreshments. For more information or to register, visit rfleadership.org. Morgridge Commons is located at 815 Cooper Ave., second floor, in Glenwood Springs. General admission is $109.
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ASPEN, PITKIN COUNTY ADOPT STATE WILDFIRE RESILIENCY REQUIREMENTS
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Aspen and Pitkin County have adopted new wildfire resiliency building codes to meet state standards established by a wildfire board in 2023, with a required adoption deadline in early April 2026. Local officials said the changes represent minimal shifts because both governments already had fire-resistant construction rules in place. The updated codes apply to new construction, major renovations, and significant expansions, and are intended to align local regulations with the science-based state model. Existing buildings will not be required to retrofit unless more than 25 percent of exterior materials are replaced or an addition exceeds 500 square feet.
The regulations emphasize structure hardening through the use of fire-resistant materials, including treated wood, and prohibit untreated wood. Landscaping rules require non-combustible space immediately around structures, tree pruning within 5 to 30 feet, and fire-resistant fencing. Officials said the county will also update wildfire mapping as part of the broader alignment effort. The codes are expected to take effect about 30 days after adoption, placing implementation in mid-April.
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DOWNTOWN GJ SAW STABILITY, SOME GROWTH, IN 2025
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Downtown Grand Junction experienced steady visitor behavior and modest economic growth in 2025, according to the Downtown Development Authority’s annual report, which used location-tracking data to analyze activity in the area. Visitors spent an average of 146 minutes downtown last year, a figure consistent with previous years, while dining activity continued to shift toward evening hours. Despite broader trends favoring online shopping, downtown-specific sales tax revenue grew 5.5 percent in 2025, outpacing the citywide growth rate of 3 percent and marking the strongest increase of any area in Grand Junction.
The report also highlighted continued investment and development, including new residential leasing at The Junction, Hilltop’s relocation downtown, and several major projects planned for 2026, such as a $47 million workforce housing development known as The Terminal. Event attendance remained largely consistent, with Market on Main standing out as a significant growth driver, drawing an average of 2,300 visitors per week during the season.
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FLC APPOINTS NORTH CAROLINA EDUCATOR AS SCHOOL OF EDUCATION DEAN
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Fort Lewis College has appointed Tiece M. Ruffin, a North Carolina-based educator with more than two decades of experience, as the new dean of its School of Education following a national search, the college announced. Ruffin, a first-generation college graduate who holds a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from Ohio University, most recently spent 16 years at the University of North Carolina Asheville, where she served as chair of the Dept. of Education and previously as a professor, Fulbright Scholar faculty liaison, and director of Africana Studies. College leaders cited her experience addressing teacher shortages, strengthening partnerships, and preparing educators to serve rural and culturally diverse communities as key assets.
Ruffin’s priorities at Fort Lewis College will include expanding English Language Learner programming, advancing community-responsive initiatives, and strengthening partnerships with tribal nations and Indigenous communities. She will officially assume the role July 15, succeeding former dean Jenni Trujillo, who departed in spring 2025, after Chiara Cannella served as interim dean.
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COMMUNITY WATER PANEL TO EXPLORE DROUGHT & THE FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE IN THE WEST
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Colorado Water Trust and the Eagle River Coalition will host a community water panel examining how drought and changing water conditions are shaping agriculture across the West. Titled “Water, Drought, and the Future of Agriculture in the West,” the event will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14, at Walking Mountains in Avon as part of Climate Action Week. The panel will bring together local experts, ranchers, and water leaders to discuss the impacts of declining snowpack, earlier runoff, and ongoing drought on farming, ranching, and water management in Colorado. Panelists will also explore the role agriculture plays in sustaining river systems and how policy, collaboration, and community action can support resilient water and agricultural futures. Community members and stakeholders interested in water and agriculture issues are encouraged to attend. For more information and to RSVP, visit eagleriverco.org.
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U.S. ENERGY DEPT. EXTENDS EMERGENCY ORDER PREVENTING CRAIG COAL PLANT FROM SHUTTING DOWN
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The U.S. Dept. of Energy has extended an emergency order keeping Craig Station’s Unit 1 coal plant in Moffat County operating beyond its planned retirement, citing an ongoing energy “emergency” in the western United States. The order, first issued Dec. 30 under the Federal Power Act, was set to expire March 30 but now requires the more than 40-year-old unit to remain online through at least June 28. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said accelerated power plant retirements could risk outages affecting public health and safety, and the department retains authority to extend the order indefinitely.
The decision drew criticism from environmental groups and Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, who argued that no true emergency exists and that continued operation will raise costs and pollution. Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association and Platte River Power Authority, which co-own the unit, also oppose the extension, saying customers will bear the financial burden. Tri-State said it is reviewing the order and evaluating legal options while complying with federal requirements.
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STEAMBOAT RESORT MOVES CLOSING DAY TO SUNDAY, APRIL 5
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Steamboat Resort has moved its Closing Day up to Sunday, April 5, and canceled its annual Cardboard Classic event due to continued warm weather and a lack of snow, resort officials announced. The decision follows a winter marked by unusually low snowfall and rapid snowmelt, which has left insufficient snow coverage to safely host the iconic end-of-season event. Resort officials said conditions no longer support continued operations beyond early April, prompting the earlier closure. Guests are encouraged to monitor official resort channels for updates as spring conditions continue to evolve. For more information on spring operations and current conditions, visit steamboat.com or follow Steamboat Resort’s official communication channels.
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COLORADO AUTO THEFTS DROP 56% FROM 2021 LEVELS
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Colorado has seen a sharp decline in motor vehicle thefts since peaking as the worst state in the nation per capita in 2021, according to the 2025 Colorado Auto Theft Annual Report released by the Auto Theft Intelligence Coordination Center. State officials credited data-driven investments, law enforcement coordination, and prevention efforts for the improvement, while cautioning that continued funding and public participation remain critical as thefts, though reduced, persist statewide.
- Auto thefts fell 56 percent from 2021 levels, with 16,291 thefts reported in 2025
- The 2025 total represents a 34 percent decline from 2024
- National vehicle thefts declined 23 percent in 2025 compared with 2024
- Eighty percent of vehicles stolen in 2025 were recovered the same year
- Total vehicle recoveries reported in 2025 reached 14,452
- Estimated total financial loss from thefts was $257 million
- Colorado courts recorded 3,443 cases involving 11,482 theft-related charges
- SUVs were the most commonly stolen vehicles, followed by passenger cars
- Hyundai and Kia models accounted for about 15 percent of thefts statewide
- Denver International Airport recorded 94 thefts within a 2.5-mile radius, down 87 percent from 2023
- Preliminary data through February 2026 shows the state exceeded its 35 percent reduction target
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DENVER’S MOST POPULAR AIRLINES BY PASSENGERS IN 2025
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United Airlines continued to dominate passenger traffic at Denver International Airport in 2025, carrying more than half of all travelers, according to Denver Business Journal research based on airport data. Southwest Airlines remained a distant second, while Denver-based Frontier Airlines held its position as the third-largest carrier. Together, the top three airlines accounted for nearly 90 percent of all passengers at DIA, underscoring the airport’s heavy concentration among a small group of carriers.
- United Airlines – 41.42 million passengers, 50.3 percent market share
- Southwest Airlines – 24 million passengers, 29.1 percent market share
- Frontier Airlines – 7.62 million passengers, 9.2 percent market share
- Delta Air Lines – 3.33 million passengers, 4 percent market share
- American Airlines – 2.82 million passengers, 3.4 percent market share
- Alaska Airlines – 715,728 passengers, 0.9 percent market share
- Lufthansa – 355,702 passengers, 0.4 percent market share
- Air Canada – 329,049 passengers, 0.4 percent market share
- JetBlue Airways – 316,206 passengers, 0.4 percent market share
- Volaris – 233,000 passengers, 0.3 percent market share
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MARKET UPDATE - 03/30/2026 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 03/26/2026)
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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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