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Colorado - Wed. 04/01/26 |
A Free Business Publication from Alpine Bank
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COLORADO APPRENTICESHIP MONTH HIGHLIGHTS WORKFORCE GROWTH
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Colorado will mark Colorado Apprenticeship Month in April with statewide events highlighting the role of apprenticeship programs in workforce development and economic growth. The initiative, led by Apprenticeship Colorado and the Colorado Dept. of Labor and Employment, is recognized in a proclamation signed by Gov. Jared Polis and will run throughout April, concluding with National Apprenticeship Week from April 26 to May 2. State officials said more than 100 new registered apprenticeship programs were added in 2025, with offerings expanding across industries including health care, clean energy and cybersecurity.
Apprenticeship Colorado also helped launch the Future Ready Apprenticeship Center in 2025 in partnership with CareerWise, supported by $12.5 million in federal funding to better align apprenticeships with career and technical education and expand access for young people. Scheduled events include the Colorado Apprenticeship Awards on April 21; a virtual apprenticeship expansion call on April 27 and an apprenticeship career expo on April 28 in Aurora. Details about Colorado Apprenticeship Month events and programs are available at apprenticeship.colorado.gov.
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DENVER SUMMIT FC ACQUIRES LAND AT SANTA FE YARDS FOR FUTURE STADIUM
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Denver Summit FC has acquired land at Santa Fe Yards, advancing plans for a future stadium as part of the club’s National Women’s Soccer League expansion. The site is a 14-acre portion of the former Gates Rubber Co. property near Broadway and Interstate 25, with redevelopment planned in partnership with the City of Denver and design firm Populous. Denver City Council approved $50 million in December to purchase the land, with additional funding for site preparation still under discussion. Team officials said the stadium is expected to cost at least $200 million and could open in 2028, though timelines and financing remain subject to approvals. Plans include a stadium with seating for about 14,500 fans and surrounding mixed-use development. City officials are also pursuing federal funding for a pedestrian bridge connecting the site to nearby light rail.
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WORLD RUGBY NATIONS CUP COMING TO COMMERCE CITY FOR JULY 4 DOUBLEHEADER
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The World Rugby Nations Cup will make a stop at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on July 4, bringing international rugby to Commerce City as part of the city’s annual 4thFEST celebration. The event will feature a doubleheader with Zimbabwe facing Tonga, followed by a marquee matchup between the USA Men’s Eagles and Portugal. The matches will coincide with the free, family friendly 4thFEST festival and Colorado’s largest public fireworks display. Tickets for the rugby matches will be available through a pre-sale beginning April 7, with general sales opening April 9 at 10 a.m. The Nations Cup includes teams that have qualified for the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup in Australia and is designed to provide consistent international competition during the July and November test windows. City and rugby officials said the event adds a new element to the long running Independence Day celebration while giving fans a chance to see top level international rugby in Colorado.
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SHELLEY READ’S BESTSELLING NOVEL DRAWS LITERARY TOURISTS TO GUNNISON VALLEY
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Readers from around the world are traveling to Western Colorado to experience the landscapes that inspired Shelley Read’s bestselling novel “Go as a River,” turning the Gunnison Valley into an unexpected destination for literary tourism. The novel, set partly in the former ranching town of Iola, which was submerged under Blue Mesa Reservoir in 1966, has sold more than 1 million copies worldwide and has been published in 45 countries and translated into 35 languages.
Fans visit the valley seeking remnants of Iola, which historically consisted of 10 to 15 buildings and did not include peach orchards, as well as imagined cabins and orchards described in the book. Some visitors roam the Uncompahgre Wilderness and Paonia looking for fictional settings, while others hope to encounter Read in Crested Butte or at events such as the Mountain Words Festival. Local officials emphasize the story’s fictional elements and have not created formal tours, while Read said she is surprised and honored by the attention.
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OLYMPIAN & ALUM HUNTER POWELL TO SPEAK AT CSU GRADUATION CEREMONY
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Colorado State University alumnus and 2026 Olympian Hunter Powell will deliver the commencement address at the university’s campus-wide graduation ceremony May 16 at Canvas Stadium. The Fort Collins native competed for Team USA in the four-man bobsled at the 2026 Winter Olympics after transitioning from a successful collegiate track and field career. Powell was a three-sport athlete at Fort Collins High School before walking on to track programs at Colorado Western and Baylor, then transferring to CSU, where he won Mountain West Conference titles in the indoor heptathlon and outdoor decathlon in 2019.
The university-wide ceremony, scheduled from 10 to 11:30 a.m., will bring together all students graduating during the 2025-26 academic year and does not require tickets. Individual academic units will hold separate, ticketed recognition ceremonies May 15-16, where graduates will walk across the stage and receive diploma covers. Students planning to participate must RSVP at ramweb.colostate.edu by May 8.
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RESIDENTIAL HOME SALES OFF TO A SLOW START
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Residential home sales in Mesa County began 2026 at a slower pace, with sales through February down 12.3 percent compared with the same period last year, according to Bray Real Estate’s monthly report. A total of 313 homes sold in January and February, compared with 357 during the same months in 2025, while total sales volume declined to $138.9 million from $160.9 million. Despite fewer transactions, home prices edged higher, with the February median price rising 2.5 percent year over year to $406,750. Inventory continued to grow, reaching 638 active listings, up 14 percent from February 2025, placing the market at about 3.8 months of supply, which analysts say remains relatively balanced.
New home construction showed stronger momentum, with 76 single family permits issued in February and year to date permits up 18 percent from last year, marking the highest level since mid 2025. Building activity shifted slightly toward Fruita, while Grand Junction collected higher sales and use tax revenues, signaling broader economic stability despite the slower housing market.
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THIRD STRAIGHT RECORD YEAR STILL ON TABLE FOR AIRPORT DESPITE LOW SNOW, EARLY SKI TERRAIN CLOSURES
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Eagle County Regional Airport officials say a third consecutive record year for commercial passenger traffic remains possible despite historically low snowpack and early ski area closures at Vail and Beaver Creek. The airport set records in 2024 and 2025, with commercial enplanements increasing about 13 percent each year to just under 330,000 in 2025. Officials said passenger numbers have remained steady into March, even as Vail Resorts reported a 12 percent decline in skier days across its North American resorts and Beaver Creek closed two weeks early.
County officials reported Eagle County’s 1 percent sales tax collections dropped 11.5 percent in January. Airport leaders said expanded summer capacity, including larger aircraft that add 12 percent to 14 percent more seats, could affect year-end totals. The airport also was selected to host the TakeOff North America 2027 aviation conference, highlighting its growing role despite long-term limits from its single runway and seven gates.
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TASTE OF VAIL CELEBRATES 35 YEARS
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The Taste of Vail marks its 35th anniversary April 1–4, continuing its legacy as one of the nation’s longest running destination food and wine festivals. The four day event brings together more than 40 wineries and 30 chefs for a series of tastings, chef curated dinners, competitions and educational seminars highlighting handcrafted winemaking and culinary creativity. Organizers have introduced a more boutique, intimate format this year to encourage interaction between chefs, winemakers and attendees, while also reflecting shifts in the wine industry toward direct to consumer engagement. Events include The Pour, the Après Tasting and Chef Competition, the newly renamed Debut of Rosé, and the Grand Gala Tasting, with several activities taking place at the Vail Golf Club.
The festival also features chefs from across the country and internationally, including participants from Mexico, expanding the event’s culinary reach. Tickets are available for individual events as well as festival and seminar passes, and attendees are encouraged to use town parking garages and free bus service for events at the golf club. Details on events, tickets, seminars, participating chefs and wineries are available at tasteofvail.com.
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STEAMBOAT-BASED STARTUP COLTER BACKCOUNTRY APPROVED FOR STATE PROGRAM SUPPORTING RURAL JOB GROWTH
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Steamboat Springs-based startup Colter Backcountry has been approved to participate in Colorado’s Rural Jump Start Zone Program, a state initiative designed to encourage job creation and economic diversification in rural communities through tax incentives and other relief. Founded by brothers Patrick and Daniel Bauman, the company designs ultralight fishing gear for backcountry anglers, an idea inspired by their experience hiking the 3,100-mile Continental Divide Trail and struggling to find lightweight, durable equipment.
Participation in the program requires Colter Backcountry to add at least three full time jobs that meet or exceed Routt County’s average annual wage, in exchange for temporary relief from certain state income, sales and use taxes, along with income tax benefits for employees. State and local officials said the approval reflects the strength of Steamboat Springs’ outdoor industry ecosystem and the importance of supporting year round employment opportunities, particularly in low snow years.
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SUMMIT SCHOOL DISTRICT TO HOST TOWN HALL ON FACILITIES MASTER PLAN & CONSOLIDATION
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Summit School District will host a public town hall on Tuesday, April 6, to gather community input on its developing 10 year facilities master plan, which is intended to address declining enrollment across the county while maintaining educational quality. The meeting will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Summit Middle School, where district officials will present research, enrollment data and early proposals and invite feedback from families, staff and residents. While consolidation options were discussed by the district’s master plan committee last fall, no formal recommendations have been finalized, and officials emphasized that the process is currently in its community engagement phase.
The committee, made up of parents, educators and community leaders, has been reviewing facility conditions, fiscal sustainability and student needs, with engagement and scenario modeling expected to continue through the spring. District leaders said additional public events will be held before recommendations are presented to the Board of Education. Details about the facilities master plan and a community feedback form are available at summitk12.org/facilities/master-plan.
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EDUCATION TAX CREDITS & DEDUCTIONS: WHAT TO KNOW
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To offset the high costs of continuing education, the federal tax code offers eligible taxpayers several tax benefits, including credits and deductions. The IRS has issued a handy Tax Tip that summarizes a variety of education-related tax relief, beginning with two tax credits: the American Opportunity Tax Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit. The Tax Tip also delves into education-related tax deductions, including ones for student loan interest and qualified work-related education expenses. Read IRS Tax Tip 2026-21: https://bit.ly/4s9jF1e. Contact us for additional details about the education-related tax breaks you might qualify for.
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JAMES BEARD AWARDS REVEAL DENVER FINALISTS
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Five Colorado chefs and restaurants advanced to the finalist round of the 2026 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards, narrowing the field from 17 statewide semifinalists announced earlier this year. Four of the finalists are based in Denver, reflecting the city’s continued prominence in the national culinary conversation. The James Beard Awards recognize excellence across the U.S. restaurant industry, from fine dining to bars and beverage programs. Winners will be announced June 15 at the awards ceremony in Chicago. Colorado set a record this year for semifinalist nominations, with 14 of the 17 semifinalists located in the Denver area.
Colorado finalists:
- Johnny Curiel, Alma Fonda Fina, Denver – Best Chef: Mountain
- Penelope Wong, Yuan Wonton, Denver – Best Chef: Mountain
- McLain Hedges and Mary Allison Wright, Yacht Club, Denver – Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service
- Ryan Fletter, Barolo Grill, Denver – Outstanding Professional Beverage Service
- Josh Niernberg, Bin 707 Foodbar, Grand Junction – Outstanding Chef
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HOW A MASSIVE KITKAT HEIST TURNED INTO CRISIS PR GOLD
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Nestlé turned the theft of more than 12 metric tons of KitKat bars into a viral public relations win by leaning into humor and encouraging meme driven engagement rather than downplaying the incident. The chocolate was stolen while being transported from Italy to Poland, and while the product and truck remain missing, the company’s playful response sparked a wave of brand-to-brand jokes that marketing experts say exemplify modern crisis communications. The episode highlights how companies can transform low risk mishaps into positive attention when humor aligns with brand identity and timing.
The memes
- Nestlé: “We’ve always encouraged people to have a break with KitKat — but it seems thieves took the message too literally.”
- Domino’s Pizza UK: Offered condolences, then announced a new “KitKat pizza.”
- Charlotte FC: Promised roughly 413,000 KitKats at an upcoming home match.
- Ryanair: Posted a cartoon airplane with five bitten off KitKat bars in its mouth.
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THE ROAD SIGNS THAT TEACH TRAVELLERS ABOUT FRANCE
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For more than 50 years, France’s distinctive brown motorway signs have quietly introduced drivers to the country’s history, culture and regional identity. First installed in 1972, the illustrated panels point motorists toward monuments, landscapes, local industries and historic sites, forming what designers describe as an overlooked national art project. Designed to be understood in seconds at motorway speeds, the signs use simple imagery and a limited color palette to communicate across languages. While many early signs have been removed due to age and safety concerns, hundreds of designs are preserved in national collections, with selected originals set to be displayed publicly this spring and summer.
- Introduced in 1972, the brown signs were commissioned by the French state to promote tourism, heritage and regional culture
- Early designs by Jean Widmer and Nicole Sauvage used minimalist pictograms to represent places, industries and traditions
- The signs were designed to be legible at speeds up to 130 kilometers per hour, often appearing in pairs to capture attention and then provide direction
- Brown and white coloring distinguished cultural signage from standard motorway signs and improved nighttime visibility
- In the 1980s, artist Philippe Collier created a more detailed, painterly generation of signs with input from local communities
- Collier produced roughly 950 signs over his career, becoming one of France’s most visible anonymous artists
- Some signs commemorate difficult history, including Holocaust memorial sites
- Many original signs have been removed over time due to deterioration, though more than 400 designs are preserved by the Centre National des Arts Plastiques
- Selected original signs will be exhibited at the Espace Culturel Decauville in Île de France from mid-April to mid-July
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MARKET UPDATE - 03/31/2026 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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