|
Colorado - Tue. 06/30/26 |
A Free Business Publication from Alpine Bank
|
|
View in Browser
|
|
|
| |
COLORADO WILDFIRES: FIRES CONSUMER 76,000 ACRES ACROSS STATE AMID DRY, WINDY WEATHER
|
| |
|
|
| |
Wildfires burning in western and southern Colorado have together consumed more than 76,000 acres — roughly 119 square miles — and killed three firefighters, according to the responding agencies. “Critical fire weather conditions” forecast each day this week could spur the wildfires’ growth across the state’s Western Slope and mountains. As of Monday morning, red flag warnings had been issued for most of southwest Colorado, including the Paradox Valley, North Fork Valley, Gunnison Basin and Colorado River Basin. Red flag warnings were also issued for Boulder, Chaffee, Clear Creek, Douglas, El Paso, Fremont, Gilpin, Grand, Jefferson, Lake, Las Animas, Park, Pueblo, Summit and Teller counties.
- Snyder fire in Mesa County and Utah: Colorado’s largest wildfire is burning on nearly 30,000 acres on the Western Slope, near the Utah border, and has killed three firefighters. The firefighters who died were identified as 38-year-old Emily Barker of Michigan, 27-year-old Nick Hutcherson of Arizona and 27-year-old Sydney Watson of Alabama. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis declared a disaster emergency for the Snyder fire on Saturday and authorized the use of the National Guard to fight the blaze. The sheriff's office and the American Red Cross are operating a Snyder Mesa fire evacuation center at Grand Junction High School, 1400 N. Fifth Street.
- Gold Mountain fire near Ouray: A wildfire burning near Ouray multiplied in size on Sunday, consuming more than 7,000 acres. The Gold Mountain fire sparked Saturday north of Ouray, forcing evacuations. It was first mapped at an acre on Saturday, grew to 572 acres by Sunday morning and had charred 4,217 acres as of that evening. As of Monday afternoon, state officials said the fire had reached 7,103 acres. That's roughly 11 square miles. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis issued a disaster declaration for the wildfire -- which forced evacuations north of Ouray -- on Sunday. Evacuated residents can seek shelter at the Ridgway Secondary School, 1200 Green Street.
- Ferris fire in San Juan National Forest, near Dolores: Three fires that sparked Saturday in southwestern Colorado's San Juan National Forest have now merged into one, consuming more than 15,000 acres with no containment. As of Monday morning, the Ferris, Far Draw and Doe Canyon fires had scorched an estimated 15,888 acres -- nearly 25 square miles -- under the Ferris fire name. Fire officials believe lightning sparked all three wildfires in the San Juan National Forest's Glade area near Narraguinnep Canyon, north of Dolores. Mandatory evacuations were issued Sunday for residents north and east of the wildfires. The evacuation area was bordered to the north by Disappointment Road, to the south by the Glade Ranch community, to the west by the fire and to the east by Road 30.
- Willow fire near Leadville: Less than a day after it ignited, the Willow fire burning near the Leadville National Fish Hatchery had consumed roughly 1,259 acres with no containment.
- Aspen Acres fire in Custer County: A wildfire sparked Monday morning in Custer County and raced across nearly 2,500 acres, forcing evacuations near Beulah.
- Air quality alerts: As wildfires continue to burn across Colorado, state health officials have issued another air quality advisory for parts of the mountains and Western Slope. The newest alert from the Colorado Dept. of Public Health and Environment will remain in effect until at least 9 a.m. Tuesday. Smoke could create unhealthy conditions near and downwind of the fires burning in southwestern Colorado and southeastern Utah, including in Chaffee, Clear Creek, Delta, Dolores, Eagle, Garfield, Gilpin, Gunnison, Grand, Lake, Mesa, Montezuma, Montrose, Ouray, Park, Pitkin, San Miguel and Summit counties, according to state health officials. If the smoke drops visibility to less than 5 miles in an area, it has reached unhealthy levels, according to the agency. Those with heart disease and respiratory illnesses, young children and older adults are more at risk.
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
U.S. SUPREME COURT WILL WEIGH IN ON WATER BATTLE BETWEEN COLORADO & NEBRASKA
|
| |
|
|
| |
The U.S. Supreme Court will weigh in on a legal battle over one of Colorado’s critical water sources as a neighboring state seeks to use more water from the South Platte River. The nation’s highest court on Monday announced it would hear the case, in which Nebraska officials claim Colorado water administrators are violating a century-old water compact by failing to send enough of the river’s water across the border. They also say Colorado officials are interfering in the neighboring state’s efforts to build a canal that would allow it to take more of the river’s water. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser on Monday denied Nebraska officials’ allegations that the Centennial State was violating the 1923 South Platte River Compact.
The South Platte River Compact allows Nebraska to use more of the river’s water during the winter, but only if it builds a canal system. Nebraska leaders in 2022 revived long-dormant plans to build the Perkins County Canal, a move that could require them to use eminent domain to obtain land in Colorado. Farmers in northeastern Colorado say that, if built, the canal would dry up tens of thousands of acres of farmland and threaten the economies of the corner of the state. Last year Nebraska officials surprised Colorado leaders by taking their allegations to the Supreme Court. The two states had been meeting for months to discuss the proposed canal project.
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK BANS ALL CAMPFIRES
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
Due to extreme fire danger, ongoing wildfire activity across Colorado and the extended weather forecast, Rocky Mountain National Park has implemented Stage 2 Fire Restrictions effective June 29 until further notice. Under the restrictions, all campfires, including charcoal briquette fires, are prohibited throughout the park. Petroleum-fueled stoves and grills that can be turned on and off are still allowed in developed campgrounds, picnic areas and designated wilderness campsites. Smoking is prohibited except inside an enclosed vehicle or while stopped in a developed paved area with no vegetation within at least 3 feet. Visitors are urged to fully extinguish and properly dispose of smoking materials. Fireworks remain prohibited at all times within the park. The park normally operates under Stage 1 fire restrictions, which allow campfires only in designated fire rings at front-country campgrounds and picnic areas.
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
DENVER OFFERS $5 PARKING FOR THOUSANDS OF DOWNTOWN SPOTS THIS SUMMER
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
Snag a cheap spot downtown this summer through September with a new Denver parking initiative. Mayor Mike Johnston issued a news release on Monday announcing the City and County of Denver partnered with SpotHero to launch “Mayor’s Park $5.” It’s described as a “first-of-its-kind initiative that will make thousands of parking spots available in Downtown Denver for $5.” SpotHero is an online and mobile parking reservation service available in more than 400 cities across the U.S. and Canada. The special price is available from “morning to late afternoon on Mondays and Fridays,” and every weeknight at 4 p.m. It’s also available for 12-hour parking on Saturdays and Sundays. The initiative includes up to 5,000 spots in the Denver area. “In partnership with the Mayor’s Office, SpotHero will also offer a promo code to waive the $.99 service fee, the first of which is MILEHIGH5,” the news release said.
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
GJ DELAYS FIREWORKS SHOW OUT OF RESPECT FOR FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS
|
| |
|
|
| |
Grand Junction will postpone its July 4 fireworks show out of respect for three firefighters who died nearby in the line of duty over the weekend. The delay was announced by Grand Junction Fire Chief Peter Skeris outside City Hall Monday afternoon. “Although we feel that Lincoln Park is a safe site — being that it is irrigated, it is not the dry environment we are seeing in other places — we felt that out of respect for those three that gave their life during the Snyder fire and ongoing other resource allocations that we have, that it would be best,” Skeris said.
Fruita announced a week earlier that it would cancel its July 3 fireworks show, citing wildfire risks, while Palisade didn’t have an official fireworks display planned for 2026. Grand Junction’s announcement leaves the Grand Valley without an official pyrotechnic display to celebrate Independence Day in 2026, and without legal chances for unofficial shows amid countywide restrictions banning fireworks amid a historically severe drought.
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
CHANGES COMING TO BLUE MESA RESERVOIR MARINAS AS WATER LEVELS DECLINE
|
| |
|
|
| |
Boaters on Blue Mesa Reservoir should prepare for changes to marina operations in July and August as water levels are expected to continue to decline. Boat ramp access at Elk Creek and Lake Fork will be affected by the declining water levels, as the Park Service will have to move marina infrastructure to deeper water. Trailered watercraft will not be able to use existing boat ramps once water levels decline to certain levels. However, hand-launching of non-trailered watercraft will remain available.
- On Friday, June 26, the Lake Fork boat ramp was no longer safe for launching or retrieving trailered watercraft. Hand launching was still allowed, but trailered boats shifted to the Elk Creek boat ramp. As water levels decline further the Lake Fork Marina walkway must be pulled and large boats with deep drafts should be retrieved at the Elk Creek boat ramp.
- On Sunday, July 5, all boats must be removed from Elk Creek Marina slips by 8 p.m.
- On July 6, the marina will be moved to a deep-water location to protect infrastructure.
- On Saturday, Aug. 1 all boats must be removed from Lake Fork Marina slips with the marina scheduled to be moved to a deep-water location beginning on Aug. 2.
- By Aug. 8, the National Park Service said it will no longer be safe to launch trailered boats from the Elk Creek boat ramp.
Boaters can also hand-launch craft from the shore where conditions are safe to do so. Visitors should be cautious on the reservoirs this season because low water levels can create rapidly changing conditions. Current boating and safety information is available at nps.gov/cure/planyourvisit/boating.htm.
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
YAMPA RANCH HISTORIC BARN & GRANARY ADDED TO ROUTT COUNTY HISTORIC REGISTER
|
| |
|
|
| |
The Yampa Ranch Historic Barn and Granary has been officially added to the Routt County Register of Historic Properties via a resolution passed by the county commissioners last week. The designation honors the historic log barn and granary as surviving examples of early agricultural construction in the Yampa Valley. The property owners, Matt and Dana Tredway, coordinated with Historic Routt County representatives to support the effort.
The property, south of the town of Yampa on Routt County Road 6D, was first claimed in 1889 by James Sweeney and patented by the United States in 1894. In 1906, the land was transferred to early valley settler John P. Phillips, whose family helped found permanent homesteads and agricultural operations in the region. The designation also recognizes the barn and granary for their distinct architectural character and functional design. The barn features hand-hewn logs and dovetail corner joinery while the granary includes interior siding aimed to protect stored grain from pests.
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
NIGHTTIME RAMP & ROAD CLOSURES PLANNED AT FRISCO EXIT 203 CONSTRUCTION PROJECT THIS WEEK
|
| |
|
|
| |
Construction work endures on the Interstate 70 Exit 203 interchange project in Frisco this week, with overnight closures affecting the westbound Exit 203 off-ramp and Dillon Dam Road as crews relocate utilities and continue work on the new underpass bridge. The most significant traffic impacts are scheduled overnight between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. On Tuesday, June 30, the westbound Exit 203 off-ramp to Colorado Hwy. 9 will be closed while crews move a fiber optic cable. Drivers will be detoured to Exit 201 at Frisco Main Street before returning eastbound on I-70 to access Colorado Hwy. 9. On Wednesday, July 1, Dillon Dam Road will be fully closed overnight between Hwy. 9 and North Ten Mile Drive. Work will pause for the Fourth of July holiday. Crews will be off the roadway by noon Thursday, July 2, and are scheduled to resume work on Monday, July 6.
Other traffic impacts this week include:
- Overnight eastbound left-lane closure on I-70 Monday, June 29 for storm sewer repairs
- Shoulder closures on both sides of the I-70 bridge at Exit 203
- Daytime construction between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- Overnight construction between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.
More information on the construction project can be found at CODOT.gov/projects/i70-exit203-interchange-frisco.
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
RANKING COLORADO’S TOP 10 PRIVATE GOLF CLUBS FOR 2026
|
| |
|
|
| |
Golfweek has released its 2026 rankings for the top private golf courses in Colorado. The list features exclusive, member-only clubs that have hosted major golf events. From the Rocky Mountains to the valleys of the Western Slope and the plains out east, Colorado has some of the most desirable private golf courses in the country. The Centennial State has many familiar names in the latest rankings, featuring courses that have hosted premiere PGA and USGA events like the 2024 BMW Championship and the 2023 U.S. Amateur Championship in recent years. The 2026 U.S. Open champion (Denver native Wyndham Clark) even grew up playing at the No. 3 course on this list.
Here are Golfweek's top 10 private golf courses in Colorado for 2026:
- Ballyneal Golf Club (Holyoke)
- Colorado Golf Club (Parker)
- Cherry Hills Country Club (Cherry Hills Village)
- Cornerstone Club (Montrose)
- Castle Pines Golf Club (Castle Rock)
- Country Club of the Rockies (Edwards)
- Maroon Creek Club (Aspen)
- Frost Creek (Eagle)
- The Glacier Club, Mountain course (Durango)
- Roaring Fork Club (Basalt)
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
COLORADO TOWN'S LOOK TO ALTERNATIVES TO FIREWORKS
|
| |
|
|
| |
As more Colorado counties face increasing wildfire risk and respond with stricter fire restrictions, many are looking to firework alternatives to celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary on the Fourth of July. As of Friday, June 26, several Western Slope counties have enacted stage 2 fire restrictions, including Garfield, Eagle, Summit, Routt, Pitkin and Grand counties. White River National Forest and the Upper Colorado River District of the Bureau of Land Management also entered stage 2 fire restrictions on Friday. Stage 2 restrictions completely ban the use of all personal fireworks, however, including those typically permissible under state law.
While professional fireworks are still allowed under stage 2 restrictions, individual cities may decide to cancel shows if conditions are too risky. Some Western Slope towns including Vail, Avon, Rifle and Craig had originally included firework displays in their programming for Independence Day celebrations but have since announced cancellations in response to the stage 2 restrictions.
- With Avon canceling its fireworks, there will be no professional displays in the valley this year over the July 4 weekend.
- Vail’s traditional Fourth of July celebration features a parade in the morning, inviting community-organized floats, marching bands and performances. Family-friendly activities in the afternoon and a free electronic music show on the Gondola One lawn in the evening ensure that guests will be entertained long into the evening — even without a fireworks display.
- Aspen’s two-day Fourth of July celebration, held downtown, will feature live music, family activities, a downtown parade, bike decorating, aerial dance performances, free carnival rides and a nighttime drone show. Carnival attractions are expected to include a 65-foot ferris wheel, carousel, fun slide, Dizzy Dragon ride and additional family-friendly activities. Replacing what would have otherwise been professional fireworks is a drone show organized by Aspen Chamber Resort Association. Last year was the city’s first time replacing fireworks with drones, Curtis said. The 2025 drone show cost north of $150,000, while a typical 10-15-minute firework show costs around $40,000.
- Steamboat Springs removed fireworks from its programming several years ago, according to city marketing director Laura Soard. Previously held in Steamboat Lake State Park, the fireworks have rarely been the city’s main attraction in past years, thanks to long-standing traditions that have been around for over 100 years, such as the Cowboys’ Roundup Days. Steamboat’s celebrations begin a full day before the fourth, featuring three days of rodeos, a hometown parade and even some Nordic jumping.
- Breckenridge’s 2026 Independence Day Celebration also chose to leave out fireworks, with town officials stating that the community places a high value on wildfire prevention. The activity-packed schedule includes a 10K trail running race, a family-friendly bike race, a parade, live music, a drone show and even a live reading of the Declaration of Independence.
- Glenwood Springs’ celebration at Two Rivers Park will include lawn games, axe throwing and bull riding, with live music and performances in the evening.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
MARKET UPDATE - 06/29/2026 Close
|
| |
|
(Courtesy of Alpine Bank Wealth Management*)
|
| |
|
Canadian dollar (per U.S. dollar)
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Mexican peso (per U.S. dollar)
|
| |
|
|
|
|
30-year fixed mortgage rate (Freddie Mac 06/25/2026)
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
*Not FDIC insured. May lose value. Not guaranteed by the bank.
|
| |
|
| |
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.
|
| |
|
|
| |
| Make changes to your subscription or unsubscribe here. |
| © 2026 Alpine Bank. |
| |
|
|
