“Not only do we have a strong sense of social responsibility in the communities we serve, but also an environmental responsibility that affects all areas of our operations.”
On the heels of the longest government shutdown in our country’s history, and with another potential government shutdown looming next Friday, Alpine Bank – one of our valued Community Partners – is making a difference right here in Colorado by offering interest-free loans for furloughed government employees.
“For us, helping out our neighbors who have missed a paycheck isn’t a political decision,” says Regional President Chris Maughan. “We’ve implemented this type of support to our federal employees before, during the government shutdown in ’95-‘96 during Clinton’s presidential term. We really just want to help these folks.”
In the last few weeks, Alpine Bank has served some 1,070 federal employees, totaling $4.6M. To receive an instant, zero-interest loan, employees are asked to bring both their Colorado and federal IDs to an Alpine Bank branch, along with a federal payroll statement.
“We’re not a national banking chain,” says Chris of the employee-owned and locally operated bank – headquartered in Glenwood Springs – that’s served Coloradans since 1973. “Our size and streamlined organizational structure allow us the flexibility to make local decisions quickly.”
Indeed, Alpine Bank also gives back through other philanthropic endeavors that support community events, the arts, animal shelters, sports and recreation, and children and education. Related, every time you – as an Alpine Bank customer – use your Alpine Bank Loyalty Debit Card, the bank donates 10 cents to your chosen cause. According to the bank’s website, it donated $4.2M to support community groups and nonprofits across Colorado last year, $1.2M of which was on behalf of customers using its debit card.
Additionally, the bank strongly encourages employee volunteerism by paying its employees for their volunteer hours, and CEO and Chairman of the Board Bob Young was recognized as a Colorado Philanthropist of the Year.
“Not only do we have a strong sense of social responsibility in the communities we serve, but also an environmental responsibility that affects all areas of our operations,” continues Chris. To date, Alpine Bank operates in 39 locations from Durango to Denver, and will open a Front Range branch in Boulder this month. Its new, LEED Gold-certified building at Canyon and Folsom will feature a rooftop with a 21.6 kwh solar system, among several sustainable building attributes.
In 2014, ColoradoBiz magazine named Alpine Bank one of the 50 greenest organizations in the state; and in 2016, the bank was inducted into the International Green Industry Hall of Fame.
Having previously lived and worked in Telluride, serving on the board of the Telluride Foundation, Chris is excited to be involved with Community Foundation Boulder County. “The foundation really understands the biggest needs within Boulder County,” he says. “The Community Foundation and the TRENDS Report are vital in helping us identify the most meaningful ways for us – as a Community Partner – to be involved in this community.
“Our bank is only as healthy as the communities we serve.”
Chris and his wife are also Donor-Advised Fundholders with the Community Foundation, and his wife has served as a grant reviewer for the foundation.
