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Colorado - Fri. 05/01/26 |
A Free Business Publication from Alpine Bank
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COLORADO SPACE STARTUP SECURES $650 MILLION FOR EXPANSION
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True Anomaly, a Centennial defense startup, said it raised $650 million in late stage funding, valuing the company at $2.2 billion and bringing total capital raised since 2022 to more than $1 billion. The company, which operates factories in Colorado and California, outlined an aggressive growth plan to double headcount from 250 to 500 by the end of this year and to exceed 1,000 by 2028 as it scales production of rapidly fieldable small satellites. True Anomaly highlighted its Jackal spacecraft and Mosaic software for quick reprogramming and maneuvering and said it intends to fly missions including the Space Force’s Victus Haze, citing threats from China and Russia as drivers of urgency. The story places the funding announcement in the context of the Space Force’s push for many inexpensive, nimble satellites and notes it is unclear whether expansion will include Colorado Springs because the company did not respond to requests for comment.
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AI INVESTMENT BOOSTED ECONOMIC GROWTH, WHILE CONSUMERS TAPPED THE BRAKES
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U.S. GDP rose at a 2 percent annual rate in the first quarter as businesses sharply increased spending on AI related equipment and intellectual property—overall business investment climbed at a 10.4 percent annual rate—helping offset a slowdown from a government shutdown; economists say AI investment may have accounted for roughly half of the quarter’s growth. Consumer spending cooled, rising 1.6 percent as spending on services outpaced a slight decline in goods, while the PCE inflation gauge accelerated to 4.5 percent and higher gasoline costs after attacks on Iran (gasoline prices up about 44 percent since late February) pose a near term drag. Federal spending rebounded after the shutdown, and the report complicates prospects for Fed rate cuts.
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DENVER SPORTS STAR-STUDDED APRIL WEEKEND DROVE $172 MILLION IN FAN SPENDING
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A rare convergence of playoff and superstar draws from April 17-19 generated $172 million in direct spending in Denver, Visit Denver says. The Nuggets hosted the Timberwolves, the Avalanche faced the Kings, Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers played the Rockies at Coors Field, and Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami drew 75,824 to Empower Field; the U.S. women’s team beat Japan before 17,589 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Visit Denver estimates about 250,000 fans attended across the region, with roughly 37,000 overnight visitors and Rockies games showing 21 percent overnight stays. A Common Sense Institute analysis says a top ranked Rockies could add about $262 million a season, projecting a 44 percent attendance rise to 3.5 million; the team’s new 40 percent minority owners include Broncos principals. Visit Denver says the momentum could extend through summer events.
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MARCH SAW DECLINES IN LODGING & SHORT-TERM RENTALS IN SNOWMASS; OPTIMISM FOR SUMMER PERSISTS
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The Snowmass Monthly Research Update for March shows lodging room night demand fell 18.5 percent year over year while room supply dropped 3.3 percent, driving occupancy down 15.7 percent to 61.2 percent; average daily rate rose 1.7 percent to $835 but lodging revenue still fell 17.1 percent to $20 million (year to date lodging revenue is down 5.9 percent). Short term rentals saw demand decline 11.9 percent as active listings rose 5.4 percent, cutting occupancy 15.6 percent to 64.2 percent and ADR down 0.9 percent to $1,184, with revenue off 12.7 percent to $19.3 million. Airport passenger volume fell 7.9 percent; the West region showed a 12 percent March occupancy drop, though summer bookings and rates are pacing higher and destinations expect a stronger season despite economic and weather risks.
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PITCO P&Z FINDS AIRPORT PLAN NOT IN CONFORMANCE
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With a unanimous vote after a nearly five hour meeting, the Pitkin County Planning and Zoning Commission found the Aspen Pitkin County Airport redevelopment plan does not conform with applicable master plans, centering on whether the project modernizes the existing airport or expands it. The plan would shift and widen the runway and double terminal square footage, potentially allowing heavier “Design Group III” aircraft. Commissioners questioned the need for a wider runway, noted the FAA has stopped funding annual repairs until design standards are met, and flagged noise, air pollution and traffic impacts. The county is conducting new air monitoring but lacks data on ultrafine particles.
Commissioners supported runway modernization but not expansion and required Woody Creek and Brush Creek master plans be included. The project’s estimated cost is about $518 million, with up to $340 million in bonds approved. The P&Z resolution directs staff to state, “We support modernization of the runway but not expansion.” The BOCC will consider overruling P&Z beginning May 13.
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DEEP SPRING FREEZE WIPES OUT SOME WESTERN SLOPE FRUIT CROPS, PALISADE MOSTLY UNHURT
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A late‑April deep freeze devastated orchards in the North Fork Valley—farms near Cedaredge, Hotchkiss and Paonia reported heavy losses—while Palisade growers say most trees survived and are pacing for an early harvest. Three producers that sell at the Boulder County Farmers Market (Topp Fruits, Ela Family Farms, First Fruits Organic Farms) reported total crop losses after temperatures plunged to about 21°F, killing blooms that had opened early following an unusually warm winter. Mesa County growers who used wind machines and irrigation expect roughly 80 to 90 percent of a peach crop. Delta County losses are near total, about 0 to 5 percent. Some farms will rely on crop insurance and partnerships to supply markets this season. Others face layoffs and a year without fruit.
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LICENSE SWAP GIVES SCRIPPS CONTROL OF TV NEWS IN COLORADO SPRINGS PUEBLO & GRAND JUNCTION
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The FCC approved a license exchange that lets E.W. Scripps add KKTV, the CBS affiliate in Colorado Springs, KKCO, the NBC affiliate in Grand Junction, and low power KJCT to its existing Colorado stations KMGH Denver and KOAA Colorado Springs and Pueblo, giving Scripps control of two of the three stations in the Pueblo–Colorado Springs and Grand Junction markets. Scripps will trade Gray Media stations in Lansing, Onondaga and Lafayette and no money will change hands. The agency said the swap does not violate the vacated Top Four rule after an 8th Circuit decision in July 2025 and FCC Chair Brendan Carr has pushed to relax ownership limits. Scripps says it will expand local news and sports coverage while also planning newsroom consolidation that could include layoffs. The story places the deal alongside broader antitrust scrutiny of large TV mergers including the Nexstar Tegna transaction that is currently facing legal challenges.
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INAUGURAL PALISADE FARM FEST AIMS TO CONNECT PRODUCERS, PEOPLE
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A new Palisade festival on Saturday will spotlight food, fermentation and farming with presentations from home beekeeping to beef butchering, dozens of vendors, kids’ activities and a noon wine, beer and cider tasting; organizers say the event is meant to make farming approachable for families and to connect consumers with local producers, and proceeds from tasting tickets will go to La Plaza, a nonprofit supporting migrant farm workers. Downtown and park admission is free except the tasting ($30 general, $50 VIP). Volunteers and social media interest have grown quickly, and organizers hope Farm Fest becomes an annual, multi day event. A full schedule is available at palisadefarmfest.com.
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U.S. ARMY NAMES NEW MV 75 CHEYENNE II AIRCRAFT “NIGHTHORSE” FOR SEN. BEN NIGHTHORSE CAMPBELL
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The U.S. Army announced that one of the first MV 75 Cheyenne II long range assault aircraft prototypes will bear the name “Nighthorse” to honor the late U.S. Sen. and Northern Cheyenne chief Ben Nighthorse Campbell, at the request of Northern Cheyenne President Gene Small. Jeffrey Poquette, program manager for the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft, said the name and the Northern Cheyenne flag will be painted below the pilot and copilot windows. Family member Shanan Campbell said the honor makes the family proud. The Cheyenne II, a hybrid rotary wing aircraft replacing the Black Hawk, can take off like a helicopter, cruise like a fixed wing plane, has a combat range of about 500 to 800 nautical miles and can carry a full squad. For this initial series, four aircraft will honor the Northern Cheyenne and four the Southern Cheyenne, continuing the Army tradition of naming rotary wing aircraft after Native nations.
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LOW WATER FORCES RELOCATION OF GOPRO MOUNTAIN GAMES WHITEWATER EVENTS
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Four whitewater events at next month’s GoPro Mountain Games in Vail have been moved and four others canceled because Gore Creek’s flows are too low amid statewide drought. Events relocated will run 35 to 60 miles from Vail at either the Upper Colorado River in Bond (about 35 miles) or the Glenwood Whitewater Activity Area in Glenwood Springs (about 60 miles). A fishing event also will be moved. Four additional kayak and raft events were canceled. Organizers at the Vail Valley Foundation said contingency planning has been under way for months and the changes aim to ensure athlete and spectator safety for the June 4-7 festival.
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BRECKENRIDGE IMPOSES OUTDOOR WATERING RESTRICTIONS AS TOWN ENGINEER DECLARES TOWN-WIDE WATER SHORTAGE
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Breckenridge Town Council approved Stage 2 restrictions effective May 1, cutting outdoor watering from three days to two days per week to address a town wide water shortage tied to historically low snowpack and reduced Blue River streamflows, town engineer Shannon Cahill said. The measure aims to reduce outdoor use by roughly 30 percent. The town will preserve watering for high use turf and allow hand watering, drip irrigation and new landscaping. If demand remains high officials may draw from Sawmill Reservoir or further cut outdoor watering to one day. Smart meters and a WaterSmart program help residents track use. Staff will reevaluate every 30 days and enforcement will be minimal.
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SUMMER RECREATION OPENINGS AT 11 STATE PARKS IN NORTHWEST MOUNTAINS
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Colorado Parks and Wildlife said summer boating, camping and day use will open at 11 state parks in the northwest mountains and reminded visitors to follow aquatic nuisance species rules by cleaning, draining and drying watercraft and gear to prevent invasive species spread. The announcement lists phased openings, inspection hours and launch restrictions that vary by park and urges visitors to check individual park pages for exact dates and to reserve campsites at CPWShop.com.
- Elkhead Reservoir — Boat ramp opens May 22 with inspections from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Stagecoach — Campground reservations and facilities open May 15; launching restricted outside inspection hours; inspection hours change on May 22.
- Vega Island Boat Ramp — Opens May 1 with inspection hours that shift on May 22.
- Steamboat, Pearl and State Forest parks — First come camping available until mid to late May before reservations begin.
- Rifle Gap and Harvey Gap — Launching allowed only during inspections that extend to longer hours through Sept. 7.
- Sylvan Lake and North Michigan Reservoir — Phased openings and wakeless rules as ice melts.
- James M. Robb sections — Campsite reservations accepted.
- Aquatic nuisance warning — Zebra mussels have been found in the Colorado River and the stretch from the Eagle River to the Colorado Utah border is considered infested.
- Visitor guidance — Clean, drain and dry all watercraft and equipment before moving between waters and check park pages for changing conditions and exact hours.
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ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK TIMED-ENTRY BOOKINGS START MAY 1
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Timed-entry reservation permits to Rocky Mountain National Park and Eldora Canyon State Park open May 1, with reservations for other popular Colorado public lands to follow. Here is what you need to know to get your reservations in 2026:
Rocky Mountain National Park:
- First day you can start making reservations: 8 a.m. MT May 1 for reservations for May 22 through June 30.
- Reservations for subsequent months start the first of the month for any times not yet booked that month and the entire next month.
- Reservations are required May 22 through Oct. 13 for all areas of the park except the Bear Lake Road Corridor, where reservations are required through Oct. 18. Reservations for the Bear Lake Road Corridor include the corridor and rest of the park. Those are required from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Another option includes all of the park except the Bear Lake Corridor, with those reservations required from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Entering the park without a reservation: Visitors do not need a timed-entry reservation if entering the park before or after the restricted hours for the Bear Lake Road Corridor and rest of the park. However, entrance fees are still required. Information: More information about the timed-entry reservation system is available at nps.gov. For reservations, visit recreation.gov.
Eldorado Canyon State Park
- May 1 through Oct. 1.
- Reservations can be made 30 days in advance through cpwshop.com, with a minimal number of reserved entries available 24 hours in advance.
- Days reservations required: Saturdays, Sundays and holidays only. Reservations cannot be booked in person at the park entrance or visitor center.
- Visit the park's page at cpw.state.co.us.
Mount Blue Sky
- Formerly known as Mount Evans, Mount Blue Sky boasts the highest paved road in the U.S. The road climbs 7,000 feet in its 28 miles to just below the summit at 14,130 feet.
- It has been closed since Labor Day 2024 due to construction. Weather permitting, it will reopen Memorial Day weekend in 2026.
- Denver Mountain Parks took over management of the Mount Blue Sky Recreation Area from the Arapaho National Forest.
- Reservations are expected to go live in early to mid-May, with the first reservations available May 22, 2026. To make reservations, visit recreation.gov.
Brainard Lake Recreation Area
- Located in the Indian Peaks Wilderness in the Arapaho National Forest.
- First day you can make reservations: 8 a.m. MT May 30. Reservation dates will be continually released on a 15-day rolling window. Due to snow, upper parking lots open later.
- To make reservations, visit recreation.gov. Reservations are only valid for the date, time and parking lot listed on the reservation.
- Visit the Brainard Lake Recreation Area page on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland at fs.usda.gov.
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MARKET UPDATE - 04/30/2026 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 04/30/2026)
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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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