February 2026 | January 2026 | December 2025
February 2026
Finish line in sight for Poudre River Trail
Northern Colorado’s 45-mile Poudre River Trail — a decades-long vision dating back to the 1970s — is finally nearing completion with its last remaining segment set to be finished in early 2026. The long journey to connect the trail continuously from Bellvue through Fort Collins to Greeley has involved persistent collaboration among local governments, nonprofits and volunteers. The final mile between Timnath and Windsor represents the culmination of more than 50 years of planning, fundraising and construction, and will fulfill the original regional trail dream once it opens in the coming months. Visit poudretrail.org to explore and plan your next ride!
Colorado Ends 2025 With Stronger Job Market, Northern Colorado Counties Lead the Way
Colorado closed out 2025 with improving job numbers, as its unemployment rate dipped to 3.8% in December—remaining well below the national average of 4.4%. Northern Colorado showed particularly strong performance, with Boulder and Larimer counties posting the lowest local rates, followed closely by Broomfield. Click here to explore data from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.
IRES 4th Quarter Report
Information and Real Estate Services (IRES) recently released their Q4 2025 MarketWatch Report. In Larimer County, the median sales price was $575,000 for Q4-2025, a 2% decrease year-over-year. The number of closed sales was down 1.4%, coming in at 1,131. In Weld County, the median sales price was $509,995 for Q4-2025, a 1% decrease year-over-year. The number of closed sales was down 0.2%, coming in at 1,210. In Boulder County, the median sales price was $822,500 for Q4-2025, a 2.7% year-over-year decrease. The number of closed sales was up 2.6%, coming in at 801.
January 2026
Westerly named Community of the Year
Erie’s Westerly, an almost 800-acre master-planned community developed by Southern Land Co., was honored as Community of the Year at the Denver Marketing & Merchandising (MAME) Awards, presented by the Home Builders Association of Metro Denver, recognizing excellence in overall community marketing and design. The award highlights Westerly’s thoughtful design, integration with its environment, creative use of space and materials, appealing architecture and strong sales performance. In addition to the top community honor, Westerly won a MAME award for Best Video, and two team members received individual accolades for outstanding professional achievements. When complete, the community is expected to include about 3,100 homes and over 290 acres of parks and open space.
A Second Act for Historic Park Theatre
A nonprofit foundation has agreed to lease and manage the historic 112-year-old Park Theatre in downtown Estes Park, planning to lead efforts to renovate and preserve the nearly century-old cinema as a community arts venue. The Park Theatre, one of the oldest movie theaters in the region, will be overseen by the foundation to ensure its continued operation and revitalization for film showings, live performances and other cultural events, marking a new chapter in maintaining this treasured local landmark.
Colorado Labor Market Holds Steady
Colorado’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged down by one-tenth of a percentage point between August and September in the most recent state labor report from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, even as reporting was delayed by the federal government shutdown. Local jobless rates varied in September, with Broomfield at 3.7% and Weld County at 4.3%, while average weekly hours dipped slightly and average hourly earnings rose above the national average. Click here to read more.
December 2025
Fort Collins Utilities Earns National Award for Energy Innovation
Fort Collins Utilities has been honored with the Frost & Sullivan “Excellence in Resourcefulness – Energy” award, recognizing its innovative, community-focused approach to energy management. The utility has implemented programs like Time-of-Use pricing and a distributed energy resources management system (DERMS), partnering with Itron to integrate smart thermostats, EV chargers, and grid-interactive devices. These measures have enabled the city to shift about 750 MWh of energy annually to cleaner off-peak periods, reduce stress on grid infrastructure, and advance the city’s goals of 100% renewable electricity by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050. Click here to read more.
Wellington Launches First-Ever Transportation & Mobility Plan
The Town of Wellington has launched its first Transportation and Mobility Plan — a community-driven roadmap to guide future investments in streets, sidewalks, trails, and travel options to improve how residents and visitors move around town. The plan aims to enhance safety, better manage growth, and strengthen everyday connections between neighborhoods, schools, and local businesses. The town is inviting residents to provide feedback via an interactive online map and survey, and staff will also gather input at community events over the next several weeks. The plan is slated for development throughout 2026, with multiple opportunities for public involvement. Click here for project updates and to explore an interactive map.
A New Look at RMNP’s Beginnings
The Rocky Mountain Conservancy has released a new history book highlighting the early exploration, origins, and formative years of Rocky Mountain National Park—offering readers a rich, detailed look at how the beloved park came to be. It’s an engaging read for park enthusiasts, history lovers, and anyone who cherishes Colorado’s natural legacy. And with the holidays around the corner, it also makes a perfect gift—available for purchase along with other books and maps at rmconservancy.org/product-category/books-maps/.
