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San Juan - Wed. 07/22/26 |
A Free Business Publication from Alpine Bank
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TODAY
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- Telluride Baseball Festival, Telluride Town Park, telluridebaseballcamp.com, 602-694-0976
- Montrose County Fair & Rodeo, 1001 N 2nd St., montrosecountyfairandrodeo.com
- Market on the Plaza, 11 .m. to 4 p.m., Heritage Plaza, Mountain Village, 970-369-8236
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BALL ARENA BRIDGE AGREEMENT APPROVED BY DENVER CITY COUNCIL
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The Denver City Council has approved an agreement setting the stage for the construction of a pedestrian bridge linking Lower Downtown to the Ball Arena property that is poised for redevelopment. The council passed the nonfinancial intergovernmental agreement on Monday evening that allows Kroenke Sports and Entertainment to move forward with a proposed Wynkoop Crossing Pedestrian Bridge, which would span Speer Boulevard and connect the 55-acre arena property to LoDo. The bridge is part of the Ball Arena parking lot redevelopment’s first phase of construction, which is planned to include two residential buildings, a performance venue, a 13-story hotel and public spaces. Construction of the bridge is expected to be completed on or around Dec. 31, 2029.
The Wynkoop Crossing Pedestrian Bridge is designed to be a single-arch pedestrian bridge with 16-foot-wide pathways shared by pedestrians, including those on bikes or scooters, with lighting, plazas and ADA-accessible ramps, according to city documents. It will originate next to an existing Downtown Children’s Playground on the LoDo side and connect to the Ball Arena property on the other side of Speer. It will be a segment of the proposed 5280 Trail that connects several areas of Denver, including Lower Downtown, Ball Arena and Auraria Campus.
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GREAT TRAIN LINKUP: NEW CHAPTER FOR PUEBLO AS THE UNION PACIFIC GETS A NEWLY MILLED RAIL
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Some 144 years after Pueblo’s Colorado Fuel & Iron Co. forged its first steel rail for the Union Pacific Railroad, the UP’s top executive was back in Pueblo last week to receive a second, ceremonial rail. That transaction, in a newly opened mill on CF & I’s historic site, cements Colorado’s relationship with the nation’s largest railroad well into the future. The first rail milled in 1882 had been 30 feet long, short enough to fit on a railroad flatcar. The new one delivered Wednesday measures 100 meters — 328 feet, milled by a state-of-the-art electric arc furnace that’s 95 percent solar-powered. In its heyday as the “Steel City of the West,” some 22,000 workers had been employed at the mill. Some 6,000 workers were still at the plant in 1982 when steel prices collapsed. CF & I went through a series of bankruptcies, and 8,000 steelworkers and support employees in Pueblo lost jobs. The town’s population fell from just over 100,000 to 98,600.
Now, new rail technology and sustainability are bringing steelworkers back to Pueblo — nowhere near the numbers of its early days, but already over 1,000 workers, higher-paid and trained, with more to come. With an annual capacity of 1.1 million tons, the new EAF furnace creates some noteworthy efficiency gains, requiring 80 percent fewer welds than current rails require while improving track safety and reliability. The plant also produces wire rods and rebar for construction and pipes and connections for oil and geothermal energy production. Meanwhile, 95 percent of the power for the new electric milling technology is delivered by an 1,800-acre solar farm, creating the world’s first solar-powered steel mill. Metal for the EAF mill is entirely stocked by recycled steel, making it the largest recycling operation in the state.
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AER LINGUS TO DISCONTINUE DENVER FLIGHTS TO IRELAND AFTER SEPT. 28
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Travelers flying between Colorado and Ireland will soon lose a nonstop option. Aer Lingus will discontinue its long-haul service between Dublin and Denver after Sept. 28 as the Irish airline carries out a broader cost-saving plan. The airline announced this month that it will eliminate several routes and reduce others to summer-only operations beginning in late September and continuing into 2027. The restructuring also includes a 6 percent reduction in flight capacity and the elimination of 500 jobs. “We are working hard to minimize disruption as much as possible for all customers affected. If your flight has been impacted, we will contact you directly in relation to reaccommodation or refund options,” the airline said in a statement. “If you booked through a travel agent, partner airline or tour operator, they will be in touch with you directly to discuss your options, including a refund if required.”
Aer Lingus said the changes are essential to improve its operating margin. The airline cited several reasons for the proposed cuts, including increased competitor capacity, increasing seasonality of the airline’s business, elevated fuel costs and first quarter losses of about $117 million. To address these challenges, the airline said it has focused on reducing supplier costs and has reduced senior management roles by about 25 percent. The airline said there will be a reduction in the use of two A330 aircraft and four A320 aircraft for peak summer 2027. In 2027 Aer Lingus will also retrofit 10 Airbus A330 aircraft cabins and introduce Premium Economy.
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MUSEUM TO USE $1.5M GRANT FOR NORTH BOULDER PROJECT
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Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art has been awarded a $1.5 million grant it will use to build a new museum in north Boulder. The grant comes from the Colorado Community Revitalization Tax Credit program, administered by Colorado Creative Industries, a department of the state Office of Economic Development and International Trade. The 54-year-old BMoCA’s new museum will include five exhibition spaces, two classrooms, an event space for education and community gathering, a cafe and spaces for a shop, lobby and offices. The new BMoCA will offer expanded exhibitions, multigenerational education programs and inclusive community initiatives. The museum will be part of the proposed North Boulder Creative Campus. New York-based SO–IL and Boulder-based Coburn Partners were selected in February 2025 as the architectural design team for the planned campus. SO–IL stands for Solid Objectives – Idenburg Liu, which was founded in 2008 by Florian Idenburg and Jing Liu.
The purpose-built museum will significantly expand opportunities for artists and creative practitioners by providing flexible galleries designed to accommodate large-scale installations, immersive exhibitions and new commissions. The new dedicated education spaces and community gathering areas will allow BMoCA to broaden its educational programming, deepen partnerships with artists and local organizations, and reach more people through expanded exhibitions, creative experiences and learning opportunities. The grant is one of 12 announced last week by Gov. Jared Polis and Colorado Creative Industries. BMoCA, founded in 1972, serves more than 240,000 people through more than 20 exhibitions and 500 programs at its flagship facility at 1750 13th St. in Boulder and more than 40 partner locations across the Denver metro area.
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ONCE ASKING $125M, BILL KOCH'S ASPEN HOME FETCHES $33.515M
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Billionaire industrialist Bill Koch is poised to sell his roughly 52-acre Aspen compound for $33.515 million, following the conclusion of an auction on Friday. Despite last-minute competition, the high bid is a steep discount from the property’s peak asking price of $125 million in 2025. The sale, handled by Concierge Auctions, caps more than a decade in which Koch had the lodge on and off the market. This spring, he said he would sell the estate in an auction. “I thought it would go for more,” said agent Lance Hughes of Aspen Luxury Sales, who wasn’t involved in the sale. However, he said the log home-style architecture may not appeal to everyone; the home is also roughly 10 miles from Aspen, and driving on winding roads during the winter may have been a deterrent. “If it was 2 miles from town, there’d be a knife fight for $33 million,” he said.
Known as Elk Mountain Lodge, the property has an eight-bedroom, roughly 16,600-square-foot main lodge and seven cabins. The property was simultaneously listed by Steven Shane of Compass, with a last asking price of $99 million. Koch bought the estate for about $26.5 million in 2007, property records show, converting what was an event venue into a private home. Over time, he added about 31 acres. He first listed the compound for $100 million in 2015, before dropping the price to $80 million. Later, he sold the 31-acre parcel for $14.5 million in 2020 but retained the lodge and its 52 acres. In 2023 and 2024, he rented the lodge, asking $300,000 a week, according to Zillow. In early 2025, Koch put the 52-acre compound on the market for $125 million.
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TWO LARGE HOSPITAL SYSTEMS ANNOUNCE A NEW PARTNERSHIP IN COLORADO
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Two giants of the Colorado healthcare market — hospital systems AdventHealth and Intermountain Health — announced Tuesday that they are coupling up. The systems said they have signed a letter of intent to pursue a joint venture that would combine all five of AdventHealth’s Denver-area hospitals with three of Intermountain’s hospitals in the Denver metro area. After the joint venture is formed, AdventHealth will take over management and day-to-day operations of Intermountain’s Good Samaritan Hospital in Lafayette, Lutheran Hospital in Wheat Ridge and Platte Valley Hospital in Brighton. The affiliation also includes all of the hospitals’ associated physician practices and clinics, as well as AdventHealth’s freestanding emergency rooms and urgent care.
Both AdventHealth and Intermountain have struggled in Colorado in recent years. In the most recent edition of his every-other-year market analyses, independent analyst Allan Baumgarten found that AdventHealth’s Denver-area hospitals lost $68 million in 2024, while Intermountain’s lost $155 million. Most of those losses for Intermountain came at Lutheran Medical Center, which moved to a new campus in 2024. Intermountain only came to Colorado in 2022, when it merged with SCL Health, taking over the five Colorado hospitals that SCL managed. SCL Health was a Catholic-affiliated system, meaning its hospitals followed Catholic health directives. Of those hospitals, though, only Saint Joseph Hospital in Denver and St. Mary’s Medical Center in Grand Junction continue to follow the Catholic directives, according to Intermountain. Those two hospitals are not included in the joint venture with AdventHealth.
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MUD, DEBRIS CLOSE I-70 BETWEEN NEW CASTLE & SILT
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Colorado Dept. of Transportation maintenance personnel continue to work on Interstate 70 between New Castle, Mile Point 105, and Silt, MP 97, to remove tons of mud and debris covering the roadway. At approximately 7 p.m. on July 20, I-70 became impassable due to a debris flow. Torrential rain and hail flooded the area, pushing mud, logs and rocks across the roadway and overwhelming local drainages. It’s estimated that the mud and debris have covered more than 300 yards of the highway and more than three feet deep in some areas.
A debris flow is a fast-moving, gravity-driven slurry of water-saturated rock, soil, vegetation, and other organic materials that travel down slopes. Moving like a river of liquid mud and rock, these destructive landslides can exceed speeds of 35 mph and are frequently triggered by intense rainfall or rapid snowmelt, particularly in areas recently scarred by wildfires, but can also take place in extremely dry conditions. Extended delays are expected. Commuters are encouraged to use the COtrip.org website or COtrip Planner App for roadway updates and detour information.
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EAGLE COUNTY YOUTH DEVELOPMENT LEADER RECOGNIZED BY SKI AREA MANAGEMENT MAGAZINE'S '10 UNDER 30'
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Lydia Eger was recognized in Ski Area Management Magazine’s “10 Under 30” Class of 2026 for her work as Eagle County Program manager for the outdoor mentorship program SOS Outreach. The nationwide accolade honors rising professionals who are making an impact on their organization and the future of the North American ski industry. Eger was recognized for her leadership in expanding opportunities for youth through SOS Outreach’s mentoring program, all while building relationships with families, mentors and community partners. “It’s the perfect job — a balance between outdoors, kids, and doing a lot of logistics, which I enjoy,” Eger said in her interview with SAM Magazine.
SOS Outreach has been around since 1993, creating opportunities for young people to be outside no matter the societal barrier. The program has served over 3,000 kids and teenagers annually for the past 30 years. During the 2025-26 season, SOS Outreach’s Eagle County Program engaged nearly 500 kids from fourth grade through age 18 to learn life skills through mentorship, outdoor experiences, leadership abilities and career opportunities. The 24-year-old Eger jumped from program coordinator to program manager for SOS’ founding location. This season she also gave 22 parents of SOS kids the chance to learn how to ski and snowboard, deepening family connections to snowsports. After learning to ski in Tahoe, Eger’s passion for the outdoors and teaching youth is what pushed her to join SOS Outreach.
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YAMPA VALLEY HOUSING AUTHORITY OPENING TWO LOTTERIES FOR 12 UNITS AT THE COTTONWOODS AT MID VALLEY
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The Yampa Valley Housing Authority has announced the opening of two new lotteries for 12 units at the Cottonwoods at Mid Valley, with availability for one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom homes ranging from $266,000 to $428,000. YVHA announced the redesignation of the 12 units from 140 percent area median income to 120 percent and 100 percent AMI earlier this month, citing less demand for a certain “product type” at higher income levels. The lottery for both 120 percent and 100 percent AMI levels will be open July 22 through July 28 and will run on July 29. Approved paperwork is due July 24.
The redesignated units are comprised of seven one-bedrooms, four two-bedrooms and one three-bedroom unit. As of this summer, a household earning 100 percent AMI in Routt County translates to $97,100 annually for a single person, ranging up to $138,700 for a family of four. Those falling within the 120 percent AMI bracket may earn up to $116,520 as an individual and up to $166,440 for a family of four. An open house for The Cottonwoods is scheduled for Thursday, July 23, from 3 to 6 p.m. at 1650 Mid Valley Dr. in Steamboat Springs. For more information, visit YVHA.org/Cottonwoods.
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FRISCO RAILPARK PASSES ON SALE AUG. 3 FOR 2026-2027 WINTER SEASON
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Passes for the 2026-2027 winter season at the Frisco Railpark will go on sale Monday, Aug. 3. The railpark — located at the Frisco Adventure Park — features boxes, rails and other snow amenities, allowing winter sport enthusiasts to practice their skills off the slopes. The park will operate with extended hours this upcoming season from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday through Monday, offering guests more chances to enjoy over a dozen different features. The season is expected to kick off in mid-December, with an exact date to be determined. Guests can purchase single day tickets, season-long passes or passes for multiple visits. To learn more about passes and pricing, including special offers for locals and youth, visit TownOfFrisco.com.
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WHO QUALIFIES FOR THE HOME OFFICE TAX DEDUCTION
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A common tax-related question is whether an employee working remotely from home qualifies for a home office tax deduction. The answer is “no.” But business owners, self-employed individuals and people with home-based side gigs may qualify. To be eligible, generally you must use part of your home regularly and exclusively as your principal place of business or a place to meet with customers, clients or patients in the normal course of business. Typically, the business use percentage is determined by the home office’s square footage, but other methods exist. Visit bit.ly/4vXbaZ4 for additional information from the IRS.
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ALPINE BANK OPENS BENEFIT ACCOUNT FOR FIVE 'SNYDER FIRE' FIREFIGHTERS
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Alpine Bank has established a dedicated benefit account to support the families of five firefighters impacted by the Snyder Fire, in Mesa County. Three of the firefighters tragically lost their lives in the line of duty and two were critically injured. Alpine Bank is launching the effort with an initial $25,000 donation, to be split equally among the five families. The bank has a longstanding commitment to supporting the communities it serves, especially in moments of hardship.
“This hits close to home for all of us,” said Alpine Bank Regional President Tyler Dahl. “When something like this happens, you don’t hesitate. You show up. These firefighters were there for our communities and now it’s our turn to stand beside their families and support them however we can. That’s what neighbors do.” The benefit account is open for donations now through Aug. 31, 2026, with all funds going directly to the firefighters' families. Information on how to contribute can be found at the link below.
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HAVEN'T HEARD MUCH ABOUT COLORADO'S 150TH BIRTHDAY? YOU'RE NOT ALONE
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What’s a 150th birthday party if no one comes? That’s the conundrum facing Colorado as it nears its sesquicentennial, or 150th anniversary of statehood, on Aug. 1. Less than a third of Colorado voters, 30 percent, said they’d heard much about the landmark, according to a poll released Tuesday, and only 6 percent said they’d heard a lot about the event. “I’m sure the historians will be a little depressed about this one,” chuckled pollster Lori Weigel, principal of New Bridge Strategy, during a poll briefing. Dozens of events, big and small, are featured across the state to mark the milestone anniversary. The full details are available at am250co150.org. All that said, most Coloradans do feel an innate pride in the state and its success.
- Eighty-four percent said they were moderately to extremely proud of their home state, outpacing the 75 percent who felt similar levels of national pride.
Further, there’s near-unanimity in what Coloradans feel is important now: protecting Colorado’s lands and waters:
- 89 percent ranked it as very important
- 99 percent said it carried some level of importance
- Ensuring free and fair elections (89 percent very important, 98 percent assigning it some level of importance)
- Being a place where people can afford to live and work (84 percent very important, 98 percent giving it some level of importance)
A quarter of proud respondents cited the state’s natural beauty and outdoors as their top reason, they’re proud to be a Coloradan. The next-largest category, the state’s progressive policies and rights, was cited by 13 percent of respondents. Seventy percent of respondents said they felt Coloradans had more in common than things dividing them, and 66 percent felt the state’s best days were ahead. They felt similarly about the country, with 77 percent saying Americans had more in common than not and 63 percent saying the country’s best days were ahead.
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MARKET UPDATE - 07/21/2026 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 07/16/2026)
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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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