December 2025 News

Bellco’s First Colorado Springs Branch

Our first Colorado Springs Bellco branch is opening this December! We’re excited to bring “Banking for Everyone” to the Springs, offering local members a convenient branch and welcoming new ones from the community. We’ve made great strides in growing our branch coverage throughout Colorado and are eager to continue to open new branches to better serve all our members throughout the state in 2026! 

Keep your eyes peeled for more details about the Grand Opening Celebration that will be held at the Colorado Springs East Branch in January. During the celebration, stop by to enjoy locally made sweet treats and gain access to limited time offers and exclusive giveaways. To learn more, visit Bellco.org/COSpringsEast. 

A Quick Guide to Staying Safe from Holiday Scams

If you find yourself scrambling online to find some last-minute gifts, you’re not alone. December is always one of the busiest digital retail months of the year. Unfortunately, this also means that it’s a time when scammers are most active. This article will detail some of the most common holiday scams so you can identify them, as well as some tips on how you can protect yourself from being scammed. Plus, some steps to take if you think you’re the victim of a scam. 

Non-Delivery Scams 

A non-delivery scam involves a situation where you pay for goods or services online, but you never actually receive your items. These types of scams particularly spike on social media during the holiday season. They’ll create professional-looking ads for popular items then make clones of sites that mimic real retailers but use slightly different URLs. Another popular scam during the holiday season involves replicating a popular holiday rental and creating a fake listing of a real property that isn’t actually available to rent. It’s important to be thorough in analyzing any links you click and double checking that they go to secure URLs that exactly match the expected retailers’ official sites. Be wary of any messaging that seems particularly pushy with language emphasizing how little time you have to make a purchase or how low their “limited time” prices are. Never share any sensitive information such as your driver license over digital communication such as text or email. Most importantly, trust your gut; if you have a feeling that a deal is too good to be true, it most likely is and isn’t worth the risk. 

Non-Payment Scams 

Non-payment scams involve you shipping purchased goods or services but never receiving payment for them. To avoid being scammed by fake buyers, make sure you double-check the legitimacy of their credentials before agreeing to a sale. Try to use an online marketplace that requires verification before creating an account and check your potential buyers’ feedback ratings to avoid anyone with mostly unfavorable ratings or no ratings history at all. Avoid any buyer that tries to request their purchase be shipped using a certain method to avoid customs or taxes inside another country. And be suspicious of any credit card purchases where their cardholder address doesn’t match their shipping address. Always make sure that you receive the cardholder’s authorization before shipping any products. According to the Internet Crime Complaint Center’s (IC3) 2024 report, non-payment and non-delivery scams cost people more than $785 million that year. Credit card fraud accounted for another $199 million in losses. 

Gift Card Fraud 

Scammers will use fake ads, websites, apps and even utilize AI-generated calls or texts to impersonate your family and friends to trick you into buying them gift cards and sending the codes. This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t give gift cards this holiday season, just be wary if anyone contacts you specifically requesting them. They’ll often create a story involving an emergency, preying on your love and concern for your loved ones to create emotional pressure and urgency that clouds your judgment. Don’t panic, remember that texts and even voices can be faked. Verify any unexpected request by calling or video chatting with the supposed contact through a number you’re familiar with. Keep in mind there’s almost no real scenario where an emergency can be solved with a gift card. If someone you know is pressuring you into buying them a gift card, they may be a victim of a scam themselves, so you may want to investigate why they are in such need of a gift card. 

More General Tips to Avoid Holiday Scams 

  • Never click suspicious links or attachments in emails, websites, or on social media. And never give up personal information such as your name, password, or any bank information through these links. 
  • Double-check every website’s URL before making any transactions.  They should have “https” in the web address and not contain any typos. 
  • Verify the legitimacy of a buyer or seller by looking at their transaction history and feedback. 
  • Never wire money to a seller. 
  • Don’t pay for items with pre-paid gift cards; if they won’t accept any other payment option, they are most likely trying to scam you. 
  • Keep an eye on your credit card and bank account statements for any suspicious transactions.

What To Do if You Think You’ve Been Scammed 

If you used a credit card or debit card, contact your issuer to dispute the charge and report fraud. You should also contact your financial institution to report a fraudulent transaction if you wired money directly from your accounts. Please note that once a wire is sent, it’s almost impossible to get the funds back, so make sure you know exactly what you’re doing before sending any wires.  Make sure to change the passwords on any accounts if you believe someone (or some site) may have tricked you into sharing your account credentials with them. Additionally, you can report holiday scams directly to ic3.gov, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). 

December Car Buying Tips

For those of you in the market to buy a new car, truck, or SUV, the holiday season can be the best time to finally head to the dealership. That’s because on average, December is traditionally the month with the highest discounts off MSRP. Plus, waiting until after Christmas could also snag you some great deals with dealerships prioritizing year-end quotas and desire to make room for new models. Keep in mind, December is also the busiest time of the year to go car shopping. Here are some tips to make your holiday car-buying experience as stress-free as possible. 

Don’t Rush the Process 

When you see an advertisement or commercial for a specific deal, often they tie it to a specific holiday or weekend. In reality, many of these manufacturers or dealer-sponsored incentives stay in effect for days or even weeks after those advertised dates. That means you don’t have to feel pressured to try and fit your whole car buying process into a day or two. Use that extra time to research more choices or enjoy holiday time with your family. However, keep in mind that the offer will expire at some time, so don’t wait too long to take advantage of a deal you like. 

Do Your Homework 

Speaking of research, you want to be prepared before you even get to the dealership. That way, you’ll already have a budget, whether you’re leasing or buying, and have narrowed your list of desired models down.  

Here are some quick tips on getting a head start at home: 

  • Decide if you want to lease or buy a new car. Or, consider buying a used car. 
  • Get a copy of your credit report (and credit score) and if you plan to finance, get preapproved for a car loan. 
  • Set your budget. A good rule of thumb is to keep your monthly payment below 10%-15% of your monthly take-home pay. Plus, don’t forget about factoring in the cost of fuel, insurance, and maintenance. 
  • Try to read multiple reviews of the models you’re interested in. Don’t rely entirely on a busy salesperson to teach you about all the features of a car. Check both professional and consumer reviews of the models you’re considering. This is where you should narrow down your finalists. 
  • Check the inventory of the cars currently available at your local dealerships. See which dealerships have models configured the way you want so you can take them for a test drive. You can also contact the dealer to receive a dealer price quote to get an upfront price on the car you want. 
  • Since most offers are limited to models on the dealer’s lot, be prepared to compromise on the features and functions you want to get the offered deal.  For this, prioritize your list of needs and wants to make sure you don’t sacrifice something you will regret later. 

Scheduling a Test Drive 

If possible, try to schedule a test drive on a weekday before the holidays. During the holidays and weekends, the dealerships can get packed with shoppers which means you’ll feel more rushed on your test drive. Consider making an appointment for a test drive ahead of time so they can have the car ready when you arrive. If you must go during the weekend, try to schedule a test drive early in the morning right at the beginning of the weekend. Once you’ve taken your car for a test drive, you can proceed to the deal-making process if you’re sure you want it, but for most people it’s a good idea to sleep on a big purchase. 

Getting the Right Price 

Once you’ve settled on the car you want, it’s time to settle on a price (including all fees and taxes). Here’s some things to keep in mind. 

  • Check for incentives: Check dealer advertisements and manufacturer websites for manufacturer financing or customer rebates. 
  • Get additional offers: Contact multiple dealers that have similar cars available to get two or three price quotes. Once you have a price you’re comfortable with, have the text or email on hand when heading there to conclude your deal. You should also make sure the exact model you want is still available before driving to the dealership. 
  • Pay attention to details: Look at all aspects of your quoted price. This includes the interest rate, down payments, document fees, finance terms, any other added fees, and the “out the door price”. 
  • Add-ons: Some dealerships will try to sell you additional products you may need or want (e.g., paint protection, extended warranties, GAP coverage, service plans, etc.).  Know ahead of time if you need or want any of these add-on products.

Closing the Deal 

Here are a couple things to keep in mind as you approach the home stretch of your car-buying journey: 

  • Save time by asking the dealer to prepare your purchase or lease paperwork ahead of your arrival and make sure to bring the essential documents you’ll need to conclude the sale. 
  • If you don’t need your car right away, consider arranging delivery post-holidays. This gives the dealer’s detail department more time after the holiday rush to make sure your car is in tip-top condition. Your patience can pay off. 
  • Once you receive your car, inspect it to make sure there are no new scratches or dents from the shipping process and make sure any accessories you agreed on are properly installed.  If the dealer still owes you some added feature or accessory, get a written IOU from the dealer with all of the missing features and accessories. 

Consider Bellco for Your Auto Loan 

AUTO LOAN RATES AS LOW AS 4.99% APR*

We have recently lowered our auto loan rates, which makes now a great time to refinance any previous auto loans you have with another lender, or purchase a new or used car this month. With up to 100% auto loan financing available, no application or processing fees, and a quick and easy application process, a Bellco auto loan may be right for you. 

To learn more and get started, visit Bellco.org/Auto, any Bellco branch, or call 1-800-BELLCO-1. 

*The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) provided above is for well-qualified borrowers. Advertised rates are subject to change without notice. All loans are subject to approval. The final APR may vary based on several factors, including personal credit history, term of loan, loan to value and age of auto. You must qualify for membership. Other conditions and restrictions may apply.

Celebrate the Holidays All Around Colorado 

If you’re looking to celebrate the holiday season with lights, parades, sweet treats, hot drinks, or all of the above, here’s a list of fun holiday events going on all around Colorado this December. 

Winter in the City in Downtown Denver 

Between visiting Santa at Skyline Park, the Denver Parade of Lights on December 6, and a calendar of 31 straight days of different holiday happenings every night of December, downtown Denver is a great destination for holiday fun. 

Blossoms of Light at the Denver Botanic Gardens 

This year marks 40 years of transforming the Botanic Gardens into an illuminated winter wonderland during Blossoms of Light. See vibrant displays, immersive installations, and wander along the mile-long path showcasing both dazzling lights and the garden’s winter plant collections. 

Zoo Lights at the Denver Zoo 

Come see over 80 acres boasting over three million lights and join in on one of Denver’s favorite holiday traditions. Check the schedule for special events including Sensory-Friendly Night, Adult (21+) Nights, and Scout Nights. 

Electric Safari at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo 

Enjoy over 85 one-of-a-kind light sculptures, larger-than-life illuminated inflatable animals, and a nightly drone show while also celebrating the holiday season with the interactive activities and shows featuring the zoo’s animals.  

Festival of Lights Parade in Downtown Colorado Springs 

Now is the 41st year of one of the most beloved holiday traditions in Colorado Springs. On Saturday, December 6, watch Tejon street magically transform into a dazzling winter spectacle and cheer on the parade with the local Colorado Springs community. 

WinterFest in Downtown Greeley 

On Saturday, December 6, you can stroll through Downtown Greeley’s 8th and 9th Street Plazas for festive displays, live performances, and a unique Holiday Gift Market. Then on Saturday, December 13 you can enjoy carolers and visit Old Saint Nick at Santa’s Workshop. 

ElectriCritters at the Pueblo Zoo 

Come see the brightest holiday light show in southern Colorado! Visitors can check out over 250,000 lights and 150 designs throughout the park, enjoy hot cocoa and cookies, and on Sundays kids can meet Santa.