8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.   20549

Form 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  December 30, 2008

GLACIER BANCORP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Montana

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)
000-18911	81-0519541

49 Commons Loop

Kalispell, Montana 59901

(Address of principal executive offices)  (zip code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (406) 756-4200

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligations of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2 below):

¨  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨   Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act of  (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act of  (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 8.01 OTHER EVENTS

On December 30, 2008, Glacier Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ “GBCI”) (the “Company”) announced that it had informed representatives of the U.S. Treasury Department of its decision to forego participation in the TARP Capital Purchase Program.

The Company also announced that it has elected to take part in the FDIC’s Transaction Account Guarantee Program and is eligible for participation in the FDIC’s debt guarantee program.

A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

Item 9.01  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(a) Financial statements. – not applicable

(b) Pro forma financial information. – not applicable

(c) Shell company transactions - not applicable

(d) Exhibits:

99.1 Press Release dated December 30, 2008

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Dated: December 30, 2008	GLACIER BANCORP, INC.
	By:	/s/ Michael J. Blodnick President & Chief Executive Officer

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

NEWS RELEASE

December 30, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact: Michael J. Blodnick
	(406) 751-4701
	Ron J. Copher
	(406) 751-7706

GLACIER BANCORP, INC.

DECLINES PARTICIPATION IN U.S. TREASURY

CAPITAL PURCHASE PROGRAM

KALISPELL, MONTANA - Glacier Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq:  GBCI) today announced that it has declined participation in the U.S. Treasury’s Capital Purchase Program.  On November 25, Glacier was notified that it had been approved for participation in the program, but recently informed representatives of the U.S. Treasury Department of its decision to forego participation.

“We greatly appreciate the federal government’s recognition of our financial strength in approving Glacier’s participation in the TARP Capital Purchase Program,” stated Mick Blodnick, CEO.  “However, with the $94 million in net proceeds from our successful common stock offering, we are already one of the most strongly capitalized banking companies in the country, with total risk-based capital of approximately 16%.  Consequently, we do not believe that participation in TARP is in our shareholders’ best interests.”

Glacier also announced that it has elected to take part in the FDIC's Transaction Account Guarantee Program, providing a full guarantee on all non-interest-bearing transaction accounts held by any depositor, regardless of dollar amount, through December 31, 2009. Additionally, Glacier is eligible for participation in the FDIC's debt guarantee program, which provides for the guarantee of eligible newly issued senior unsecured debt of participating entities.

Glacier Bancorp, Inc. is a regional multi-bank holding company providing commercial banking services in 56 communities in Montana, Idaho, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and Colorado. Glacier Bancorp, Inc. is headquartered in Kalispell, Montana, and conducts its operations principally through eleven community bank subsidiaries. These subsidiaries include six Montana banks: Glacier Bank of Kalispell, First Security Bank of Missoula, Valley Bank of Helena, Big Sky Western Bank of Bozeman, Western Security Bank of Billings, First Bank of Montana of Lewistown; as well as Mountain West Bank in Idaho, Utah and Washington; 1st Bank in Wyoming; Citizens Community Bank in Idaho; First National Bank of Morgan in Utah; and Bank of the San Juans in Colorado. Visit Glacier’s website at http://www.glacierbancorp.com