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Colorado - Wed. 06/03/26 |
A Free Business Publication from Alpine Bank
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NEW COLORADO LAW EXTENDS MAIL VOTING IN ELECTIONS
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Starting in November, Colorado voters will get an extra week to receive and return their mail-in ballots under new legislation signed by Gov. Jared Polis that also takes steps to insulate the state from federal interference. Under House Bill 1113, election officials can begin mailing ballots 29 days before an election and drop boxes must accept ballots for 22 days before Election Day, each an increase of seven days. The bill also gives the governor the authority to declare an emergency when the state cannot “strictly comply” with its own election code. And it establishes a committee that could be convened in such an emergency to help draft new rules “to ensure the proper administration of an election.” The new law won’t affect this year’s June 30 primaries. County clerks are set to begin mailing ballots for that election to voters beginning Monday.
The measure also prohibits election officials in the state from providing election records and similar material to anyone who isn’t authorized to receive them. Colleges and universities in the state will be required to send their students more information about voting, including the hours of operation for polling locations and where ballots can be dropped off. HB-1113 includes language that would block a candidate from appearing on the ballot if they’re seeking a term that goes beyond their office’s limits.
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GOV. SIGNS LAW IMPOSING NEW LIMITS ON SPORTS BETTING IN COLORADO
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Colorado’s sports‑betting industry will face new regulations — limits on deposits, prohibitions on credit‑card funding, and barring companies from targeting anyone under 21 — under a bill signed by Gov. Jared Polis. Senate Bill 131 limits customers to six deposits within a 24‑hour period and bans the use of credit cards to fund betting accounts. The measure also bars sports‑betting companies from targeting anyone under 21 and from sending push notifications or text messages that solicit bets or deposits. An earlier provision that would have outlawed proposition bets, which are wagers on specific in‑game events, such as passing yards or the first team to score, was removed from the bill before final passage.
Some 73 percent of Coloradans say the 2019 legalization of sports betting has made problem gambling worse in the state, and that research has found that about half of all gambling addicts have considered suicide, and 1 in 5 have attempted suicide, according to Healthier Colorado, a nonprofit group. Joshua Ewing, executive director of Healthier Colorado, said the bill is “the most comprehensive set of online sports betting protections in the country.” SB 131 cleared the legislature on a 20–14 vote in the Senate and 50–13 in the House. More than 90 percent of the tax revenue Colorado collects from casinos’ sports‑betting profits is dedicated to water conservation efforts.
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COLORADO IN TOP PACK FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY
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Colorado’s growing solar and wind farms generated the equivalent of 44 percent of the total electricity consumed in the state in 2025, according to a new study from nonprofits CoPIRG and Environment Colorado, up from 19 percent in 2016. The combination of wind, solar and a small amount from geothermal energy places Colorado in the top echelon of renewable energy states, ranking sixth in the nation for wind and tenth for installed battery storage, a key to a reliable clean energy grid. The “State of Renewable Energy” report includes a link to a dashboard where each state’s production is detailed on an interactive map.
Colorado ranked high alongside similar population states such as Minnesota, Oregon and Washington. Iowa’s wind farms are producing an energy bonanza, with Kansas also climbing the renewable rankings. Utah, meanwhile, doesn’t have the same favorable geography for massive wind farms, nor perhaps as much policy interest in building renewable energy. Colorado ranks sixth in wind. States that want to replace more of their fossil fuel-powered electrical grid with cleaner sources must add increasingly affordable utility-scale battery storage to cover overnight needs and gaps from lack of sun or wind. Colorado appears to be ahead of other renewables leaders like Kansas and Iowa in pairing its solar and wind farms with battery backup.
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DINKLE LAKE WILL REMAIN EMPTY THIS SUMMER
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Dinkle Lake, in the Aspen-Sopris Ranger District, at the base of Mount Sopris, will be empty this summer through August while dam repair work is completed. The liner of the interior dam will be replaced to address seepage issues. Dinkle Lake’s dam was last repaired in 2010 to address seeping. Acting Aspen-Sopris District Ranger Brent Davidson said in a press release, “If you are visiting the area, please use designated parking areas and do not block gates, and stay clear of the construction zone for your safety and that of the construction crews.” Thomas Lakes Road and the Dinkle Lake day use area will remain open during work. Visitors can expect to encounter construction traffic as well as equipment operating in the reservoir and on the reservoir dam face. The Aspen-Sopris Ranger District is working closely with Turnabout Ranch and Big 4 Ranch of Basalt, which hold the authorization for Dinkle Lake and are contracting the repairs.
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AVH ANNUAL HEALTH FAIR RETURNS TO ASPEN, EL JEBEL
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Aspen Valley Health is hosting its annual health fair from 8 to 11:30 a.m. on June 5 and 6 at the AVH Medical Center in Aspen, and June 7 at the Eagle County Community Center in El Jebel. A variety of lab tests will be provided at a steep discount. The tests available include the popular HealthScreen test, which evaluates 32 metabolic functions, as well as the Complete Blood Count, Hemoglobin A1C, hsCardio CRP, PSA, T3, T4 and Vitamin D tests. Test prices range between $32 to $79. On June 5 and 6, the health fair will also showcase information stations designed for community members to meet providers and learn more about AVH’s services and community partners. The stations will feature representatives from AVH’s Primary Care, Surgical Specialists, Whitcomb Terrace, Aspen Ambulance, Pitkin County Community Health, Chris Klug Foundation and WE-cycle.
Walk-ins are not allowed — those planning to attend should book their appointment prior to their visit online or by phone. To learn more about the health fair and test specifics or to book an appointment, visit aspenvalleyhealth.org/programs/health-fair.
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NEW NONPROFIT PLANS TO SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM IN REGION
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Board members have formally announced the creation of the Western Colorado Journalism Foundation, a nonprofit that aims to support local newsrooms across the region. On its website, the foundation lists a handful of top-level goals, including “expanding local coverage,” “sustaining the future” of local reporting, and “restoring trust in truth” in news outlets, among others. Board member and former Sentinel reporter Charles Ashby said he hoped the nonprofit would help combat a national trend of shrinking and shuttering newsrooms, on a local level. “There are growing media deserts, where newspapers are going out of business, and they have no one to watch government or report on their communities, no one for anyone to turn to,” he said. “There’s no watchdog … and you can’t sustain that, in a community.”
The informal goal of the organization is to double the number of working journalists in western Colorado. A handful of ideas floated by group leaders included grants to pay for reporters at financially limited outlets, or to fund issue-specific coverage shared between newsrooms, or arranging for training and professional development of journalists who face a shrinking market of entry-level jobs. The foundation spokespeople said the nonprofit is prepared to offer assistance anywhere in the region, to any professional news outlet, regardless of its size or its medium. As a nonprofit, the organization qualifies for grants and tax benefits that for-profit newsrooms don’t. That means donors can also write their contributions off, according to an FAQ page online at wcjfoundation.org.
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OIL SPILL SHUTS DOWN IGNACIO'S MAIN THOROUGHFARE
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Ignacio’s main roadway was shut down for several hours Monday when a large container of gear oil fell off a truck, dumping its contents onto the street. The container of oil used to lubricate machinery fell off a semi-truck and onto the street about 11:40 a.m. at the intersection of Goddard Ave., CR 151 and Ute St. The container broke when it hit the street and spilled about 100 gallons, said Scot Davis, Los Pinos Fire Protection District battalion chief. Firefighters with Los Pinos regularly train to respond to hazmat incidents and sprang into action. The cleanup took roughly three hours.
In addition to Los Pinos fire, the Ignacio Police Dept., Southern Ute Police Dept., Southern Ute Rangers, Colorado State Patrol’s hazmat team, and the Colorado Dept. of Transportation and Ignacio’s town maintenance department provided aid. “We also had a number of citizens assisting,” Davis said. Both Davis and Mayor Alison deKay said mechanics with Dub’s Auto Body sprang into action as soon as the container tipped over and began leaking oil.
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STEAMBOAT SPRINGS SALES TAX COLLECTIONS DROP OVER 11% IN APRIL
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The city of Steamboat Springs has released its preliminary sales tax report for the month of April, with total sales, use, accommodation and short-term rental taxes down nearly 11.3 percent from the same month last year. The decline amounts to about $256,000, with year-to-date revenues trailing 2025 by more than $1 million and falling roughly 6 percent below budget expectations. Several sectors saw double-digit decreases compared with April 2025.
Lodging decreased by 23.14 percent, restaurants by 19.43 percent, sporting goods by 21.81 percent, utilities by 11.93 percent, and liquor and marijuana decreased by 14.5 percent. Accommodation tax revenue, which funds community amenities, parks and environmental efforts, fell over 20 percent year over year. Short-term rental tax collections, used to support affordable housing and related infrastructure, dropped nearly 22 percent. In contrast, building use tax revenue — tied to construction activity — rose sharply, increasing about 88 percent from April 2025. To view the full report, visit tinyurl.com/3ydpy6y4.
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CONSTRUCTION BEGINNING SOON ON DOWNTOWN BRECK PEDESTRIAN PATH
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The Town of Breckenridge has awarded a construction contract for a new pedestrian connection that will cut through three downtown parking areas and remove about 11 parking spaces from the Wellington Lot as part of a broader effort to improve east-west access along the Blue River corridor. Shannon Cahill, town engineer, told Breckenridge Town Council that she had accepted a bid from Columbine Hills Construction of Silverthorne, which submitted the lowest bid, clearing the way for work to begin this month on what officials have called the Sawmill pedestrian connection. Cahill said the town is now coordinating with Columbine Hills on a final schedule before construction begins. Public outreach to adjacent property owners will begin once the construction schedule is finalized.
The project will create a new pedestrian route connecting the existing bridge near the South Gondola Parking Garage through both the Sawmill and Wellington parking lots and onto North Main Street. It’s designed as an east-west corridor through the downtown core, following priorities outlined by council members and town officials in the Blue River Pathways Master Plan. The new pathway intends to encourage more pedestrians to walk along the Blue River corridor and improve access between downtown parking areas and Main Street businesses. The work will ultimately require full closure of the Wellington Lot, likely toward the end of June, during a portion of the project, though some limited use may be maintained for scheduled events. The project is funded through the town’s capital improvement program and is estimated to cost around $400,000.
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THE COLORADO MOUNTAIN EFFORT TO HELP ARTEMIS ASTRONAUTS LAND ON THE MOON
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When Apollo 11 approached the moon on July 20, 1969, its planned landing zone in the Sea of Tranquility was unexpectedly cluttered with large boulders, prompting Mission Commander Neil Armstrong to take control of the lunar module, evade the rocky field, navigate to safer ground and land with only 25 seconds of fuel remaining. For Armstrong, his successful landing, despite the unforeseen challenges, was due to his training on Earth. Now, as NASA prepares to send humans back into deep space as part of the Artemis program, the agency’s training philosophy is rooted in similar goals and challenges, but it is also leveraging new places and technologies to train its astronauts — including in Colorado’s northwest mountains.
Ethan Jacobs is an instructor at the High Altitude Army National Guard Training Site in Gypsum where, as of May 2026, 25 NASA astronauts and one European Space Agency astronaut completed a two-week training course developed between the Colorado National Guard and NASA. They participated in flight and landing training to help certify the Gypsum course. Artemis flight crew trainers, mission control leads, and lunar lander operational experts from NASA joined them on each helicopter flight to assess the instruction, training environment and technical applications for crewed lunar missions.
- The Colorado National Guard built the High Altitude Army National Guard Aviation Training Site in Gypsum over 40 years ago following the Vietnam War, to train military helicopter pilots how to maneuver through mountainous terrain and high altitudes.
- In 2021, NASA approached the Colorado National Guard to develop a course that prepares the Artemis astronauts to use the human landing system built by SpaceX and Blue Origin for the Artemis missions. It gives them a real-world environment to practice vertical flight skills, in addition to the ground and simulation training they do in Ohio and Texas.
- The majority of the astronauts have either flown a plane or never flown at all when they start their training. In an airplane, the vehicle is facing forward, making landing and navigating different from both a helicopter and lunar lander.
- With the thin air and varied landscapes around Gypsum, the mountains and surrounding area offer visual illusions and flight conditions similar to those on the moon, making the region a perfect place for astronauts to practice lunar landing and flight procedures using helicopters.
- The course is also used year-round by NASA and offers seasonal conditions that mimic lunar landings. When landing on the moon, the spacecraft could kick up lunar dust and make it difficult to see the surface. In Colorado, dusty or snowy conditions can cause similar visual obstructions.
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$3.6 MILLION AN HOUR - MEASURING ELON'S FORTUNE
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The initial public offering for SpaceX could make Elon Musk the world’s first trillionaire. Just how wealthy is the tech founder? His fortune now stands at roughly $970 billion, mostly in stock, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis. Accumulating that amount over his career averages out to $992 a second.
The Musk-O-Meter
- Change in Elon Musk’s wealth in the time it takes to read this sentence: +$33,712.02
Musk’s wealth includes $538 billion for his pre-IPO stake in SpaceX, $167 billion for his stake in Tesla, and another $150 billion or so for stock options in those companies he could exercise just about any time, the Journal analysis found. Then there is $5 billion apiece for The Boring Company, which drills tunnels, and Neuralink, the brain-implant firm he founded, and $104 billion in property, aircraft and other investments and assets as estimated by Altrata, a wealth-intelligence firm.
How Musk compares with other tech founders
- Musk, $970 billion
- Larry Ellison, $243 billion
- Jeff Bezos, $276 billion
- Mark Zuckerberg, $219 billion
Musk has made about $3.6 million an hour over 31 years. He is 54 years old and co-founded the first of his many U.S. tech- and engineering-oriented companies in 1995, 31 years ago.
To amass $970 billion in that time meant accumulating roughly
- $59,492 a minute
- $3.6 million an hour
- $85.7 million a day
- $602 million a week
- $2.6 billion a month
- $31.3 billion a year
An American household earning the median U.S. income ($83,730 in 2024) would have to work more than 11 million years to make his wealth. Musk would make about $4.2 million an hour in his career, if he worked 70 hours a week without vacations until he is 75 years old.
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MARKET UPDATE - 06/02/2026 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 05/28/2026)
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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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