The Business Times Volume 27 Issue 14

THE BUSINESS T IMES News JULY 23-AUGUST 5, 2020

THE DEFINITIVE SOURCE FOR GRAND JUNCTION BUSINESS NEWS SINCE 1994

VOLUME 27, ISSUE 14

THEBUSINESSTIMES.COM

In this issue

Trends 2 Contributors Opinion 4 Business Briefs 5 Business People Almanac

n Marketing role

An executive who’s worked with a variety of companies in marketing a range of products has joined ProStar.

n Masks on

While a variance from some restrictions remains in place in Mesa County, a new order requires people to wear masks.

n Export order

A federal agency has OKed exports of liquefied natural gas from proposed facilities to link to West Slope supplies.

n Seesawing rate

15

The unemployment rate has seesawed back up in Mesa County even as the local labor force has grown.

n Mixed results

15

Tax collections constituted something of a mixed bag in June for Mesa County and the City of Grand Junction.

n Video interviews

17

Promoting a brand n Cattle association presidency one of many hats Grand Valley rancher wears. See page 2 Janie VanWinkle looks over a herd of cattle on part of her family’s ranching operations south of Grand Junction. Among her other responsibilities, VanWinkle has started a year-long term as president of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association.

Video conferencing offers advantages in conducting job interviews, but also presents some pitfalls to avoid.

n Departments

Almanac Business Briefs Business People Contributors News Opinion Trends

26 24 26 17-21 2-14 22 15-16

Business Times photo by Phil Castle

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THE BUSINESS T IMES News The Business Times

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July 23-august 5, 2020

Marketing executive takes role with relish

Trends Contributors Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac

Cranium 360 founder hired as VP at ProStar Phil Castle

The Business Times

Matthew Breman has worked with a variety of companies in marketing a range of products.

But the process is similar in identifying the right audiences and offering them the appropriate information.

It’s a matter, he said, of telling compelling stories.

Breman believes he has an especially Matthew Breman compelling story to tell in his new role as vice president of marketing at ProStar.

The Grand Junction company provides cloud and mobile precision mapping solutions designed to locate, map and manage underground Page Tucker utilities and pipelines. The Colorado Department of Transportation adopted ProStar solutions to manage utilities and pipelines on CDOT rights of ways.

Breman said he’s excited about the products as well as a team intent on achieving success. “It’s an amazing place to work.”

In addition, Breman views his job as another part of an effort that also includes his involvement with business, philanthropic and government organizations to promote the Grand Valley.

Breman joined ProStar at the beginning of July. But he said he’s worked with Page Tucker, president and chief executive officer of the company, for nearly a decade through Cranium 360, Breman’s marketing firm in Grand Junction.

Tucker said Breman adds to the executive team at ProStar a talented resource to lead sales and marketing efforts. “Matthew’s qualifications are nothing short of impressive, and I have no doubt that he will have an immediate impact and add tremendous value.”

Breman said he brings a systematic and structured approach to marketing and communications. That includes identifying the various audiences and information they See MARKETING page 14

Brand awareness Janie VanWinkle finds a spot in the shade to talk about her family’s ranching operations in Mesa County, the latest trends in the cattle industry and her role as the newly elected president of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association.

Promoting cattle industry welcome task for Grand Valley rancher

J

anie VanWinkle wears a lot of hats.

She wears a white straw cowboy hat as she leads a tour of part of her family’s cattle ranching operation south of Grand Junction. The wide brim of that hat shades her face from the summer sun as she points out improvements to an irrigation system on the property and grass that’s grown waist high in places. She stops at a spot where a small herd of yearlings hang out, waiting for a ride that will take them to cooler pastures atop the Grand Mesa. There’s an outlier in the bunch of mostly white Charolais — a Texas longhorn who really is with a fearsome 6 feet worth extending past his ears.

On other occasions, VanWinkle says she wears other, proverbial hats. Those of a meteorologist or veterinarian. Or a business owner faced with complex decisions involving everything from supply chains to market trends to trade policies.

“It’s not just a cowboy hat,” she says.

VanWinkle has still another hat to wear these days as the newly elected president of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association (CCA). She’s the 115th president of one of the oldest groups of its kind in the country, but only the third woman over the course of more than 150 years to hold the position.

While the coronavirus pandemic could hamper some of her aspirations for her year-long term, VanWinkle says some effects

of the pandemic also could stimulate some needed conversations about where food comes from and the role of ranchers who provide that food. It’s important for the industry to connect with consumers, she says, because they’re the end-users who drive business.

VanWinkle brings some experience to that endeavor as a former manager of big box retailers and owner of a take-and-bake pizza franchise. But she’s worked longer — for most of her life, in fact — as a rancher.

VanWinkle and her husband, Howard, have belonged to the CCA for more than 30 years. Janie VanWinkle has served on the CCA board of directors for more than six years in a succession of officer positions that’s led to her presidency.

She’ll continue serving on the board as a past president.

The association represents ranchers and others working in the beef industry across the state and advocates on their behalf. As a grassroots organization, the board takes its direction from members. VanWinkle says it’s part of her job as president to lead board efforts.

Those efforts come at a time when she says the Colorado cattle industry faces challenges from a pandemic, drought and a widening gap between the prices consumers pay and ranchers receive.

See BRAND page 12

STORY AND PHOTO BY PHIL CASTLE

July 23-August 5, 2020

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Life is Precious

Serving families of the Western Slope for more than 100 years.

well-rounded perspective statewide mask order to new Mesa County role While a variance from some pandemic restrictions remains in place in Mesa County, a newPhil statewide Castle order directs people to wear face coverings The Business Times in public indoor spaces.

ColoradowhatGov. Frank Whidden brings he Jared perspective Polis announced considers a well-rounded to his the executive order new job as Mesa County administrator. intended to reduce the Whidden worked spread of COVID-19. in information technology and holds Polis also said there a master’s degree will in be a two-week pause on issuing any new computer information variances to counties. systems. But he also holds Jared a Polis doctoral “Unfortunately, this pandemic is far degree in applied from over, cases are management andup and we have to find a way to live while decision making and sustainably Frank Whidden protecting worked for ourselves more than and those around us,” years Polis stated a news release.

“Masks 20 as a inminister.

Whidden has are the ticket to the Colorado we love and worked for large and small organizations a both critical of and supporting Colorado’s in the part private public sectors. economy and prosperity.

The best to Whidden expects to draw on allway of his support Colorado workers and businesses experiences in helping Mesa County right now is to make wear aand mask.” commissioners carry out decisions.

Under the people older than Valuing stafforder, and making the county 10 employer years mustof wear covering an choicea is among over the their nosesWhidden and mouths entering or priorities, said.when So is planning moving within public indoor that results in any sustainable fundingspace. and No business serving public in an indoor balanced budgets onthe a long-term basis. spaceMeanwhile, may allow aMesa customer to enter or County will move within that space unless the customer continue to pursue efforts that promote a wears a facebusiness covering. environment and friendly The order doesn’t apply to rooms economic development, Whidden said. in a motel or hotel or residential rooms for Whidden officially began working as studentsadministrator at educationalatfacilities.

The order county the beginning of doesyear. apply, though, to those using buses, the He succeeds Tom Fisher, who was taxis or ride-sharing services. hired as county manager in Summit TheUtah. order exempts those eating County, at Whidden restaurantsjoined or other service Mesafood County in establishments, receivingtechnology personal August 2011 asthose information services Inthat temporary director.

Aprilrequire 2014, hethe became deputy removal of face coverings and those giving county administrator for resource speeches for broadcast or an audience. management in a staffing reorganization Grand Junction City Manager that eliminated four director positions.Greg Before joining Mesa County, Whidden worked for a company providing information technology services to colleges and universities. In that role, he managed IT systems and services for institutions in Alabama, Arizona, Illinois The Palisade Chamber of Commerce has canceled the 2020 Palisade Peach Festival.

But at least one part of the annual festival will go on — the opportunity to eat fresh Palisade peaches.

Andrew Weber, executive director of the Palisade chamber, said there were efforts to find a way to operate the festival in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, but a commitment to public health prevailed.

“We appreciate Jeff Kuhr, executive director of Mesa County Public Health Department, and his staff for their dedication and hard work to minimize the COVID-19 and for working with the business community to enable economic activity as much as possible. We appreciate the Town of Palisade for their extensive assistance in our efforts,” Weber said. “We

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

as well as New England and Canada.

For more information about Whidden and said public peoplehealth who work in COVID-19 information technology aren’t just “geeks,” orders, visit the Mesa County Health website located because at butPublic offer an important perspective https://health.mesacounty.us or they’re familiar with nearly every aspect of call the and hotline 248-6900. operations howatwork gets done. They also tend to think about new and potentially better ways of doing things in asking and Caton said“what the city continue to know work answering if ” will questions.

“They with Mesa County Public Health to promote how to effect change in an organization.” education and voluntary Whidden expects tocompliance. bring that same Grandto Junction Chief Doug approach his duties Police as administrator.

Shoemaker alsosaid asked to Whidden it’s for his compliance role to help avoid disputes over those refusing to wear county commissioners make and then masks. implement decisions. The commissioners “If officers to handle a in turn representarethecalled residents of the dispute over mask compliance, that is time county and express their will, he said. “We taken from calls for service received work for theother people.” fromWhidden memberssaid of our community who need he also considers himself our help,”between Shoemaker said. “We receive a liaison the commissioners and an incredible amount of the support from isthis county staff, and one of priorities to community, and we would humblyWhidden ask that make sure employees feel valued. folks onenotanother civility and said hetreat hopes only towith improve morale, respect do the right complying but alsoand take steps thatthing willbymake Mesa with the an law.”

County organization for which people a second variance from statewide wantUnder to work. pandemic restrictions, businesses in Mesa Meanwhile, Whidden expects the County were allowed to reopen and expand county to continue policies and initiatives up 50 percent capacity up to thattosupport local business anda maximum economic of 175 people in confined indoor development. There are additionalspaces. steps Gatherings up to people are allowed. that can be of taken to 50 make it easier for local According Mesa County Public businesses to selltoproducts and services to Health, 191hepositive the county, added. cases of COVID-19 wereMesa reported in thewill county Julywith 19 County keepthrough working and 71 in the previous two weeks.

Of those, other government entities, organizations aand total of 121 cases involved people who institutions on fostering an environment traveled outside of Mesa County the that supports existing businessesor and source thebusinesses, exposure wasn’t attracts of new he said.known. Out of 8,731 tests that havethere been administered, Whidden said could be a 1.94 percent have come backthe positive.

No opportunities to encourage additional deaths yet have been attributed in Mesa development of businesses that provide County servicestotoCOVID-19. the agricultural industry as well F as promote Mesa County as a distribution center for the region.

The important thing is to consider issues from a well-rounded perspective, Whidden said. “We won’t be myopic as we look at things.” ✦ at the chamber feel the need to do all we can on our part to be vigilant in the interest of the health of our valley.”

Weber also thanked American Furniture Warehouse, the presenting sponsor of the festival, as well as major sponsors Grand Valley National Bank, Happy Camper and Safeway for their continued support.

While there will be no peach festival this year, there are peaches, Weber said.

That’s despite crop losses and reduced harvests as a result of the freeze in April.

“We encourage all to visit and purchase Palisade peaches from our local growers, their stands and farmers markets.

We have never postponed a festival due to a peach freeze and did not this year. There are Palisade peaches locally, and let us celebrate by having a peach.”

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There’ll be no peach festival, but Palisade peaches available

July 23-August 5, 2030

The Business Times

Federal order clears way for Jordan Cove exports

Terminal seen as a key connection between West Slope gas supplies and Asian markets A federal agency has authorized liquefied natural gas exports from a proposed terminal that could connect Western Colorado supplies with Asian markets.

Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette said the Department of Energy issued a final long-term order allowing exports from the Jordan Cove project in Oregon.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission voted in Dan Brouillette March to approved the terminal and Pacific Connector Pipeline.

The project still faces roadblocks, however, from state permitting and court challenges.

“Today’s export authorization for Jordan Cove, the first U.S. West Coast LNG project, will ease access to further position the U.S. as a top supplier of LNG around the world,” Brouillette said.

Under the order, Jordan Cove may export up to 1.08 billion cubic feet of liquefied natural gas a day. The natural gas may be shipped by ocean-going vessels to countries without free trade agreements, but isn’t prohibited by U.S law. The department previously authorized exports to nations with free trade agreements.

Steven Winberg, assistant secretary for fossil energy, said liquefied natural gas exports will be part of efforts to rebuild the U.S. economy in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic. “The U.S. has exported LNG to 38 countries. With this authorization to Jordan Cove, the United States can look to increase that number with expanded geographic coverage for LNG into key importing markets in Asia, providing enhanced economic opportunities both here in the U.S. and globally.”

The Jordan Cove terminal has been proposed for a location near Coos Bay, a former timber hub on the Oregon coast.

The Pacific Connector Pipeline would

connect the terminal to a hub 230 miles away in Malin, Oregon. The Malin hub in turn connects to a system of pipelines coming down from Canada and the Ruby Pipeline system in the Western United States, including the Piceance Basin in Western Colorado.

Pembina Piepline, a Canada-based corporation, backs the Jordan Cove project.

Pembina also holds a 50 percent ownership stake in the Ruby Pipeline. .A West Coast liquefied natural gas terminal offers competitive advantages over terminals elsewhere in reducing the distance and time it takes to ship natural gas to Asia. A round trip between Coos Bay and Tokyo, for example, takes 27 days.

Japan ranks among the top LNG importers in the world and would like to add North America to a mix of sources that also includes Russia and the Middle East.

For Western Colorado, the Jordan Cove project offers an opportunity to connect natural gas supplies in the Piceance Basin to Asian markets. Long-term contracts would lock in sales and prices and in turn decrease volatility while increasing sustainability and investment in Western Colorado energy development.

Andrew Browning, president of the Western States and Tribal Nations Natural Gas Initiative, said the Energy Department order represents more than approval to export liquefied natural gas. “It represents a decades-long path for domestic LNG to help create jobs in construction, maintenance and operations through the western North America natural gas supply chain as well as steady tax revenue and economic opportunities for rural communities and sovereign tribes in producing regions.”

The group — the members of which include Mesa County as well as Garfield, Moffat and Rio Blanco counties in Western Colorado — urged in a letter published in The Oregonian newspaper that Oregon Gov. Kate Brown let the Jordan Cove project move forward.

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Firm announces sale of building housing Office Depot A building housing the Office Depot in Grand Junction has sold for $2.92 million.

Blue West Capital, a Denver-based company that focuses on the purchase and sales of commercial investment properties and retail shopping centers, assisted both the purchaser and seller.

Center West, a Colorado-based private family office, purchased the building. A Southwest-based investor sold the property.

Office Depot has operated at the property since 2010 and recently exercised an early renewal option. The corporate net lease features minimal landlord responsibilities and rental increases.

“Net leased investment properties with irreplaceable locations, such as the Office Depot, are highly sought after amongst private investors,” said Robert Edwards, managing partner of Blue West Capital.

Zach Wright, director of net lease investments at the firm, agreed. “The market for single-tenant, net-leased properties in Colorado remains robust. These properties are in high demand amongst investors located in Colorado and throughout the western states. We continue to experience a supply-demand imbalance resulting in favorable pricing for sellers.”

The nearly 21,000-square foot Office Depot is located near an intersection along U.S. Highway 6 and 50 across from the Mesa Mall. The property is well-positioned within a regional retail destination that also includes a Home Depot, Lowe’s, Natural Grocers, Sam’s Club, Sprouts, Target and Walmart supercenter. About 80,000 people live within a 5-mile radius of the Office Depot.

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July 23-august 5, 2020

Habitat helps in distributing face masks to nonprofits

Habitat for Humanity of Mesa County has joined in an effort to distribute face masks to help nonprofit organizations in Western Colorado in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

Through an allocation program by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Habitat for Humanity distributed more than 31,000 face masks in Mesa County. Habitat was scheduled to distribute another 13,000 face masks on July 22 to nonprofits in Delta and Montrose counties.

“One thing that is really important about this donation, FEMA wants to make sure we’re providing masks to the nonprofit’s staff and volunteers to protect them and the people they serve during COVID-19,” said Janet Brink, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Mesa County. “We are proud to be a part of this endeavor with FEMA in reaching out to local nonprofits and in keeping our communities healthy and safe.”

Kirk Granum, operations director and safety officer for Habitat for Humanity of Mesa County, said the group promotes what he said are the three Ws to slow the spread of COVID-19: watch your distance, wash your hands and wear non-medical grade masks in public. “But of the three, the most important is wearing a mask,” Granum said.

The FEMA masks are made of cotton, but also contain silver and copper to help prevent the spread of the virus.

The face mask distribution program is intended to help nonprofits affected by the pandemic. Even as those organizations face increasing costs to continue offering services and manage the pandemic, they’re also experiencing a decrease in contributions.

Nonprofit organizations in need of face masks for staff and volunteers should contact Marie Mitchell, communications director at Habitat for Humanity of Mesa County, at 216-1277 or mmitchell@hfhmesa.org.

Since its founding in 1991, Habitat for Humanity of Mesa County has worked with volunteers, donors and Habitat homeowners to build 81 houses and provide affordable housing in the county.

The organization typically builds four to five houses a year.

Donations of money, time and building materials enable Habitat for Humanity of Mesa County to pursue its mission. The organization also raises money through its ReStore, which sells donated building materials, furnishings and a variety of other wares. Area businesses provide support in terms of money, merchandise and volunteers.

For additional information about Habitat for Humanity of Mesa County, visit https://habitatmesa.org or call 255-9850.

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July 23-august 5, 2020

Women’s Recovery Center scheduled to open in Clifton A new Grand Valley facility is scheduled to open at the end of July, offering treatment for substance abuse and mental health disorders.

A virtual grand opening event for the Women’s Recovery Center in Clifton is set for 9 to 10 a.m.

July 23 at www.facebook.com/ MindSpringsHealth. The event will include a ribbon cutting ceremony and virtual tour.

Mind Springs Health built the Women’s Recovery Center after the Dan Weller state announced plans to close the Grand Junction Regional Center, which previously housed a women’s recovery center.

“We couldn’t be more excited about this new facility,” said Dan Weller, program director for the Women’s Recovery Center.

“Having a welcoming, inviting space that is conducive to healing is important in the recovery process, and this new building provides a safe place for women who are on the road to recovery,” Weller said.

Located on a nearly 7-acre campus at 3210 E Road,

Mind Springs Health plans to soon open its Women’s Recovery Center on a nearly 7-acre campus in Clifton.

(Photo courtesy Mind Springs Health) the center will offer 17 residential rooms with private and semi-private spaces available.

The center will offer intensive drug and alcohol abuse treatment in a transitional living program. The center also will offer such enhanced therapies as light, horticultural and three-dimensional virtual therapies as well as a walking and

meditation path, yoga and weight training.

In addition, the program will allow women to keep their children under age 10 with them during residential treatment, which in turn can keep children out of foster care. Family bedrooms and a playroom are available for women with children.

The center also will house the Circle program, a statefunded substance abuse treatment program for women and men. The two programs will operate separate spaces in the facility, but also share some common areas.

The location is the second for the Circle program in Colorado, but the first on the Western Slope.

“Expanding Circle provides those with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders the opportunity for recovery,” said Robert Werthwein, director of the Colorado Department of Human Services Office of Behavioral Health.

Mind Springs Health operates the West Springs psychiatric hospital in Grand Junction and also offers outpatient mental health and addiction services through 12 offices in Western Colorado. For more information, visit the website located at www.MindSpringsHealth.org.

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Mind Springs Health launches foundation to support its efforts

Mind Springs Health has launched a foundation to support behavioral health programs and services in Western Colorado.

Roger Sheffield, president of Mind Springs Foundation, said the launch of the foundation coincides with an increase in demand for mental health services in the aftermath of the coronavirus Roger Sheffield pandemic. Substance use and addiction are on the rise as well.

“As more Coloradoans are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, increased anxiety, addiction and other issues, Mind Springs Health will continue to provide both in-person therapy as well as telehealth services to those in need of behavioral health services,” Sheffield said.

Gifts to Mind Springs Health and West Springs Hospital in Grand Junction will be directed through the foundation to offer an easier process for donors.

However, donors can still designate where their contributions are directed — whether that’s the West Springs psychiatric hospital, the newly constructed Women’s Recovery Center in Clifton or one of the 12 outpatient offices Mind Springs operates in a 10-county region of the Western Slope.

“I couldn’t be more proud to support the Mind Springs Foundation, both financially and as a board member,” said Glen Jammaron, president of Alpine Bank and inaugural chairman of the Mind Springs Foundation Board of Directors.

For more information about the Mind Springs Foundation, call (970) 384-3042 or visit MindSpringsFoundation.org.

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July 23-august 5, 2020

CU researchers making strides in LIDAR technology Whether it’s on top of a self-driving car or embedded inside the latest gadget, light detection and ranging (LIDAR) systems will likely play an important role in technological advances that enable vehicles to “see,” phones to map three-dimensional images and video games to offer enhanced augmented realty.

While 3-D imaging systems can be bulky, expensive and hard to shrink down to the size needed for new applications, researchers at the University of Colorado at Boulder are a step closer to a solution.

In a paper published in Optica, researchers describe a new silicon chip with no moving parts or electronics that improves the resolution and scanning speed needed for a LIDAR system.

“We’re looking to ideally replace big, bulky, heavy LIDAR systems with just this flat, little chip,” said Nathan

Dostart, lead author on the study, who recently completed his doctorate in the department of electrical and computer engineering.

Current commercial LIDAR systems use large, rotating mirrors to steer laser beams and create 3-D images. For three years, Dostart and his colleagues have worked on a way of steering laser beams called wavelength steering in which where each wavelength of the laser is pointed to a unique angle.

Researchers have not only developed a way to do a version of this along two dimensions simultaneously, but they’ve also done it with color, using a rainbow pattern to take 3-D images. Since beams are controlled by changing colors, multiple phased arrays can be controlled simultaneously to create a bigger aperture and higher resolution image.

“We’ve figured out how to put this two-dimensional rainbow into a little teeny chip,” said Kelvin Wagner,

co-author of the study and a professor of electrical and computer engineering.

Autonomous vehicles are a $50 billion industry, projected to be worth more than $500 billion by 2026. While many cars on the road today already have some elements of autonomous assistance, such as enhanced cruise control and automatic lane-centering, the real race is to create a car that operates without a human driver. Designers have realized autonomous cars will need more than cameras and radar.

They’ll also need LIDAR. While strides have been made in reducing the size of LIDAR systems, they remain the most expensive part of self-driving cars —as much as $70,000 each. Some companies are trying to produce smaller and cheaper systems using silicon photonics.

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Colorado makes insurance exams available online

Colorado insurance licensing exams are now offered online.

The Colorado Division of Insurance has worked with its testing vendor, Pearson Vue, to offer online testing through the platform OnVUE. “In this day and age, it’s vital to make everything we do as safe as possible for Coloradans,” said Michael Conway, insurance commissioner.

“Offering our licensing exams online makes Michael Conway sense for a number of reasons. But with COVID-19 still very much a concern, safety is at the top of that list.”

All insurance licensing exams offered at test centers will be available online, including those for accident and health, casualty, credit, crop hail adjuster, life, personal lines, property, public insurance adjuster, surplus lines and title.

Online exam proctoring allows certification testing to be completed remotely. Candidates need their own computer with a webcam, a reliable internet connection and quiet room. They are monitored by a proctor through the webcam and microphone to guard the integrity of the exam.

Candidates wishing to access the online insurance exams will use Pearson Vue’s Colorado insurance testing website and when registering for an exam choose at home or office when selecting an exam delivery option. Candidates will be required to download the OnVUE application, which will prompt them to provide photos of the following: headshot, government-issued identification and the room where the exam will be taken.

Call Pearson VUE at (800) 274-2616 or email pvcoloradoinsurance@pearson.com for more information.

Exams are still available at testing sites. To maintain social distancing, these sites operate at 50 percent capacity.

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July 23-august , 2020

Colorado activates drought response plan

Mesa County is among 40 counties in Colorado that will be monitored for severe and extreme drought conditions under a statewide response.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis activated the Colorado Drought Task Force and the second phase of a state drought mitigation and response plan. Drought conditions have reached more than 80 percent of the state, with severe and extreme conditions in 33 percent of the state.

The second phase of the drought plan directs the task force to assess initial damages and the effects of drought and recommend mitigation measures. In addition, an agricultural impact task force will conduct an initial assessment on physical and economic effects and recommend mitigation.

Neighboring Western Colorado counties experiencing severe and extreme drought conditions include Delta, Garfield and Montrose counties.

For more information, visit the Colorado Water Conservation Board website at https://cwcb.colorado.gov/drought.

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Janie VanWinkle looks over a herd of cattle on part of her family’s ranching operations south of Grand Junction. (Business Times photo by Phil Castle)

Brand

Continued from page 2 VanWinkle grew up in Western Colorado and graduated from Nucla High School. She attended Colorado State University and earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture education.

She returned to the West Slope and initially planned to teach. She took a job at Mervyn’s in Grand Junction and went on to become an operations manager for the department store chain. She also managed the Barnes & Noble when an outlet opened in Grand Junction. She owned the Nick-NWilly’s Pizza franchise in Grand Junction until she sold the restaurant in 2015.

Howard VanWinkle worked as a mechanic at various dealerships and shops before operating his own shop.

Janie VanWinkle says she and Howard finally realized in 2015 their dreams to work together full-time on the ranching operation they’d started when they married.

“It only took 35 years to get there.”

Their son, Dean, a student at Kansas State University, also has joined in the family operation.

Janie VanWinkle says she and Howard started out when they married with her 20 head of Charolais cross cows and his 20 head of Suffolk sheep.

Today, the VanWinkles oversee a cowcalf operation with a herd of about 550 cows to produce calves sold to feedlots for beef.

Their operation includes not only the property at their home near Fruita, but also property they lease from the City of Grand Junction east of Whitewater as well as federal grazing allotments on the Grand Mesa and Uncompahgre Plateau. With 70 miles between some of the locations, the ranch puts more than 6,000 miles a year on the truck that hauls cattle, Janie VanWinkle says.

The work can be tiring, she says. Cows are monitored around the clock during calving season. And moving cattle to some grazing allotments requires long days on horseback. That’s to mention growing, cutting and storing hay.

The work also can be rewarding, she says. But depending on market conditions, not always financially so. “There’s pride in what we’re doing, but it doesn’t always pay the bills. You save during the good years to get through the bad years.”

This year, VanWinkle says the calves

they sold through a video auction brought less than the break-even price per pound.

It’s a challenge for ranchers, she says.

Even as beef prices at grocery stores have increased, the prices ranchers earn for cattle have decreased. She attributes part of the gap to a bottleneck in processing that’s resulted in a glut of cattle in feedlots. But there are also concerns among ranchers over the power of meatpackers to set prices.

The VanWinkle Ranch has diversified its operation by selling hamburger directly to consumers. That not only adds value to their product, she says, but also affords her opportunities to talk to consumers and answer their questions about ranching and beef. “It allows me to do some education.”

Other opportunities arose after the onset of the pandemic, she says, when empty grocery store shelves prompted concerns about food supplies.

VanWinkle says one of her intentions as CCA president is to foster better connections between ranchers and consumers.

Ranching is a matter of not only providing food, but also promoting economic development, she says.

According to the CCA, Colorado livestock and products account for more than $3.7 billion in annual cash receipts — about 75 percent of that from cattle and calves. Colorado ranks fourth among states in exports of fresh and frozen beef.

According to results of the 2017 Census of Agriculture, cattle and calves also ranked as the top agriculture product sold in Mesa County at nearly $28 million.

VanWinkle says her family strives to care for livestock as well as the land and community.

Colorado Parks & Wildlife honored the VanWinkle Ranch as the CCA 2019 Landowner of the Year for efforts to improve resources that also benefit wildlife.

In addition to her work with the CCA, Janie VanWinkle serves on the boards of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce and Grand Valley Power.

Those are more hats for VanWinkle to wear.

Still, she says she most enjoys time spent under her cowboy hat — whether that’s checking on the cattle on her ranch or advocating on behalf of the cattle industry in Colorado.

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July 23-august 5, 2020

Marketing

Continued from page 2 need, then communicating with them in a way that adds value. Those audiences include endusers, but also project and safety managers as well as ProStar employees and investors.

Breman said he also plans to develop a calendar to time communications with quarterly reports, product updates and other events.

The marketing process is a bit different than others with which Breman said he’s been involved because ProStar has developed unique products and the technology evolves rapidly. “We’re leading the market so we have to create our own path.”

ProStar’s patented precision mapping solutions capture the location, type and condition of pipelines, utilities and other underground infrastructure. That information can be used for a variety of purposes in a range of industries, among them construction, energy, engineering, surveying and utility designation.

ProStar recently announced a collaboration with Trimble, a California-based company that supplies positioning software and equipment.

Trimble’s Global Navigation Satellite System receivers are integrated with ProStar’s PointMan mobile application. The partnership provides the next generation of utility mapping technology.

The Trimble distribution network means ProStar solutions are sold worldwide.

Breman said ProStar has grown rapidly and the company is well-positioned to continue growing. “It’s a success story locally.”

Breman’s own story includes a total of more than 15 years of work with the Nickelodeon television network and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. He was involved in the production of more than 2,500 episodes for broadcast television as well as internal and external marketing campaigns and product and retail store development for Nickelodeon. At Disney, he established an internal communications design agency.

In 2005, he launched Cranium 360 and relocated the full-service marketing firm and his family to the Grand Valley. He expects to continue operating the firm on a limited basis, working with a few select clients.

In addition to his work, Breman has been involved in business, philanthropic and government organizations. He served as chairman of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors and also serves on the Grand Junction Economic Partnership board of directors.

He served as president of the United Way of Mesa County board of directors. In April, he was elected to the Fruita City Council.

Breman said he’s impressed by the ways the Grand Valley has grown over the past 15 years. “The transformation has been awesome.”

But he said he’s even more excited about the potential for additional growth as more people discover the amenities and outdoor recreation the Grand Valley offers combined with a lower cost of living than big cities.

Breman said he wants to continue to play a role in promoting the valley — and his new job with ProStar fits well with that endeavor. “I love this valley. It’s been nothing but welcoming to my family and me.”

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News Trends Contributors Jobless rate seesaws up Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac The Business Times

July 23-August 5, 2020

PAge 15

INDICATORS AT A GLANCE

n Business filings t New business filings in Colorado, 33,848 in the first quarter, down 5.6% from the first quarter of 2018.

n Confidence

s Consumer Confidence Index 98.1 in June, up 12.2. s Leeds Business Confidence Index for Colorado, 44.3 for the third quarter, up 14.6. s National Federation of Independent Business Small Business Optimism Index 100.6 for June, up 6.2

n Foreclosures t Foreclosure filings in Mesa County, 3 in June, down from 14 in June 2019.

t Foreclosure sales in Mesa County, 3 in June, down from 6 in June 2019.

n Indexes

s Conference Board Employment Trends Index, 49.05 for June, up 3.78. s Conference Board Leading Economic Index 99.8 for May, up 2.8% s Institute for Supply Management Purchasing Managers Index for the manufacturing sector, 52.6% for June, up 9.5%.

n Lodging

t Lodging tax collections in Grand Junction, $70,296 for June, down 63.3% from June 2019.

n Real estate

t Real estate transactions in Mesa County, 549 in June, down 0.9% from June 2019. t Dollar volume of real estate transactions in Mesa County, $159 million in June, down 3% from June 2019.

n Sales

t Sales and use tax collections in Grand Junction, $4.4 million for June, down 9.3% from May 2019. s Sales and use tax collections in Mesa County, $3.4 million for June, up 4.8% from June 2019.

n Unemployment

s Colorado — 10.5% for June, up 0.3. s Mesa County — 10.0% for June, up 0.9. t United States — 11.1% for June, down 2.2.

Mesa County labor force increases to its highest level in eight years Phil Castle

While the ranks of the unemployed also increased in June, initial claims for unemployment benefits have trended June May The unemployment rate has seesawed downward on a weekly basis since peaking s Delta County 9.6 8.0 back up to double digits in Mesa County at 2,583 for the week ending March 28, t Garfield County 9.7 10.1 even as the labor force has grown to its Englehart said. s Mesa County 10.0 9.1 highest level in eight years.

For the week ending June 27, 179 claims s Montrose County 10.3 9.3 Payrolls have were filed. That’s a 16-week low that’s s Rio Blanco County 7.8 6.0 increased as more comparable to the weekly claims following businesses reopen, but the seasonal layoffs after Christmas, he said. the number of people looking for jobs also Looking ahead, Englehart said the unemployment rate could has increased. At the same time, more people move higher for July given the layoffs of a total of nearly 500 are relocating to Mesa County to make homes employees at StarTek and EcoGen. “Those will be big hits.” in a place that’s fared comparatively well in In a broader sense, a rebound in the labor market will depend the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, said on how the pandemic progresses in Mesa County, he said.

Curtis Englehart, director of the Mesa County While COVID-19 cases have increased, hospitalizations Workforce Center in Grand Junction. remain low. And Mesa County has fared better than other areas even Curtis Englehart According to the latest estimates from the as a variance from statewide orders has eased restrictions, he said.

Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, the seasonally Englehart said he’s hopeful businesses and individuals will unadjusted unemployment rate climbed to 10 percent in Mesa continue to take steps to slow the spread of coronavirus. “We can County in June, up nine-tenths of a point from a revised 9.1 percent try to make this a quicker road to recovery.” for May. The May rate dropped from 12.6 percent in April. At this Meanwhile, seasonally unadjusted jobless rates also rose in time last year, the rate stood at 3.6 percent. most neighboring Western Colorado counties in June: 1.8 points to Mesa County payrolls increased 2,627 from May to June to 7.8 percent in Rio Blanco County, 1.6 points to 9.6 percent in 71,366. The number of people counted among those unsuccessfully Delta County and a point to 10.3 percent in Montrose County. looking for work rose 1,070 to 7,960.

The jobless rate retreated four-tenths of a point to 9.7 percent in The labor force, which includes the employed and unemployed, Garfield County. grew 3,697 to 79,326. Englehart said that’s the highest level since The statewide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose 2012. three-tenths of a point to 10.5 percent.

Compared to a year ago, payrolls have declined 2,008. The Nonfarm payrolls increased 55,000 from May to June with the ranks of the unemployed have increased 5,201. The labor force biggest gains in the leisure and hospitality; trade, transportation has grown 3,193. and utilities; and professional and business services sectors.

Englehart attributed payroll gains in June to businesses Since May, payrolls have regained 126,000 of the 343,300 reopening or increasing operations and bringing back staff. jobs lost between February and April. Compared to a year ago, “That’s good to see.” though, payrolls have decreased 183,000 with the biggest losses in A few businesses also are hiring, he said, especially for the leisure and hospitality; trade, transportation and utilities; and openings in the health care sector. education and health services sectors.

A total of 617 job orders were posted at the Mesa County The average workweek for employees on private, nonfarm Workforce Center in June, up slightly from 602 for the same payrolls decreased six-tenths of an hour over the past year to 33.7 month last year. For the first half of 2020, 2,862 orders were hours. Average hourly earnings increased 15 cents to $30.34. posted. That’s down almost 25 percent from the first half of 2019.

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AREA JOBLESS RATES

Grand Valley sales tax collections mixed Tax collections, an indicator of sales activity, constituted something of a mixed bag for the City of Grand Junction and Mesa County in June.

While city sales tax collections dropped 8.3 percent compared to June 2019, county collections rose 5.3 percent on a year-over-year basis. Grand Junction lodging tax collections, a measure of hotel and motel stays, fell 63.3 percent. June collections reflect May sales and lodging.

The city collected a total of more than $4.4 million in sales and use taxes, a decrease of more than $453,000 and 9.3 percent from June 2019. Use tax collections, a smaller and more volatile source of revenue, dropped 60 percent.

The county collected a total of more than $3.4 million in sales and use taxes, an increase of almost $160,000 and 4.8 percent from June 2019. Use tax collections — most on automobiles purchased outside the county, but used in the county — declined 1.4 percent.

County tax collections on retail sales increased 27.5 percent in June compared to the same month last year. Collections increased 24.2 percent on automobiles and 16.1 percent on home improvements. Collections fell 28.4 percent on restaurant meals and hotel stays and 71.6 percent in the oil and natural gas industry.

With the June decline, city sales and use tax collections through the first half of 2020 dropped 6.1 percent to a total of nearly $26.7 million. Sales tax collections fell 6.4 percent. Use tax collections declined 42.9 percent.

The county collected a total of more than $18.6 million in sales and use taxes through the first half of 2020. That’s an increase of more than $191,000 and 1 percent over the first half of 2019. Sales tax collections rose 3.3 percent. Use tax collections fell 21.8 percent.

County tax collections on retail sales rose 16.6 percent for the first half of 2020 compared to the first half of 2019. Collections increased 1 percent on automobiles and 11.6 percent on home improvements, Collections decreased 17.3 percent on restaurant meals and hotel stays and 62.1 percent in the oil and natural gas industry.

The city collected $70,296 in lodging taxes in June. That’s a decrease of more than $121,000 from the same month last year.

Through the first half of 2020, more than $428,000 in lodging taxes were collected. That’s a decrease of nearly $230,000 and 34.9 percent compared to the first half of 2019.

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July 23-august 5, 2020

Small business index reflects more upbeat expectations A measure of optimism among small business owners has rebounded on more upbeat expectations for sales and hiring, even in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

The National Federation of Independent Business reported its Small Business Optimism Index rose 6.2 points to 100.6 in June.

“Small businesses are navigating Bill Dunkelberg the various federal and state policies in order to reopen their business, and they are doing their best to adjust their business decisions accordingly,” said Bill Dunkelberg, chief economist of the NFIB. “We’re starting to see positive signs of increased consumer spending, but there is still much work to be done to get back to pre-crisis levels.”

The NFIB bases the index on the results of monthly surveys of members of the small business advocacy group, most of them small business owners.

For June, eight of 10 components of the index advanced.

A net 13 percent of those who responded to the latest survey said they expect improving sales as more operations reopen and expand. That’s up 37 points from May and 55 points from a record-low net negative 42 percent in April.

The gain in June accounted for more than half the increase in the overall index.

A net 16 percent of respondents said they plan to increase staffing, up eight points from May. A net 32 percent reported hard-to-fill job openings, up nine points. A net 19 percent cited finding qualified labor as their single most important problem. That proportion tied with taxes and ranked ahead of poor sales and government regulations.

The portion of survey participants who expect the economy to improve over the next six months rose five points to a net 39 percent.

A net 22 percent of participants reported plans to make capital outlays, up two points. A net 13 percent said they consider now a good time to expand, up eight points.

A net 7 percent reported plans to increase inventories, up five points from May and one of the highest readings historically. A net 1 percent said current inventories are too low, up six points.

Still, small business owners also reported declining earnings. The share of those reporting higher earnings fell nine points to a net negative 35 percent, the lowest level since March 2010. While 61 percent of owners cited weak sales, 9 percent blamed usual seasonal changes.

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Trends Contributors Opinion Video interview tips Business Briefs Business People Almanac

July 23-August 5, 2020

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COMING ATTRACTIONS

n The Business Incubator Center has scheduled presentations on startups and bookkeeping.

The next sessions of a business startup workshop are set for 9 to 11:30 a.m. July 29 and 1 to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 26 at the center, located at 2591 Legacy Way in Grand Junction.

A two-part webinar on how to start a business is scheduled for 9 to 10:30 a.m.

Aug. 13 and 14.

The workshops and webinar will cover the business planning process, financing and other topics. Admission is $55, which includes admission to Fast Trac classes on startup topics.

The next bookkeeping boot camp is set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 10 at the center.

Participants will learn how to set up and track accounting records and what balance sheets, cash flow projections and income statements can tell them about their businesses. Admission is $75, which includes lunch.

For more information about upcoming events, services and programs offered at the Business Incubator Center, call 243-5242 or visit the website at www.gjincubator.org. n A series of free webinars will offer information about how businesses can manage in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce has scheduled the webinars for 10 a.m. Wednesdays through Aug. 12.

The webinars will cover such topics as business insurance, local and state health orders and retaining employees and keeping them safe.

Registration will be open through 8 a.m. the day of the webinar on the chamber website at www.gjchamber.org. Log-in information for the Zoom meetings will be distributed at least an hour beforehand.

A free webinar on leveraging internships is scheduled for 10 a.m. July 30.

For additional information about the webinars as well as other upcoming chamber events, visit www.gjchamber.org or call 242-3214.

Technology offers advantages, but also presents challenges

Many people who never used video conferencing software before the coronavirus pandemic have since become believers in the potential the technology offers for conducting business in a connected world.

Interviews, for example, constitute an ideal fit for video calls and have became more common as pandemic restrictions prevent in-person meetings. As with any technology, though, people face a bit of a learning curve in the beginning.

There’s plenty of common ground between video and in-person interviews. Most hiring managers are well-versed in the basics, like preparing Nina a list of questions or turning off email Anderson notifications and text messages. With video interviews especially, there are a few tips to consider: n Give candidates plenty of time to prepare. Because of the immediacy of technology like Zoom or Microsoft Teams, it’s easy to start an impromptu video call with coworkers and colleagues any time you need to have a discussion. Once you decide you’d like to interview potential job candidates, set a specific date that allows them time to download any necessary technology, test their devices or make arrangements to conduct the interview from somewhere with more reliable internet. n Have a plan B. No matter how much prep time is available, no technology is perfect. The potential for a breakdown is always there. Be sure to have a backup plan in case you get disconnected. Whether it’s a predetermined time to try again later or a phone number where you can be reached to continue the interview, let candidates know how to get back in touch if something happens. n Set a firm agenda. Video interviews can feel less formal than in-person interviews. It’s the nature of the medium. But don’t be tempted to just put it together on the fly. Set an agenda for the interview and what candidates can expect. The agenda can be simple, such as a bulleted list that includes such topics as introductions, job description and company overview. You could even email the agenda to candidates a few days in advance so you’ll all have a roadmap for navigating the video interview. n Remove distractions. Sure, distractions like email and texts apply just as much to video interviews as they do in-person interviews. But when you’re not in the office,

When you’re not in the office, there’s likely a whole new set of distractions to contend with you might not think about until it happens. If you’re having to pause the interview to adjust settings or figure out how to mute and unmute, it can not only be distracting, but also frustrating for candidates prepared to do their best.

there’s likely a whole new set of distractions to contend with you might not think about until it happens. One of the biggest is technology issues. If you’re having to pause the interview to adjust settings or figure out how to mute and unmute, it can not only be distracting, but also frustrating for candidates prepared to do their best. Surprise visits from kids and pets are always a possibility when interviewing by video from home, so be sure to find a place where you can lock yourself away from interruptions as best as possible. n Show some grace. Face-to-face interviews are stressful enough for candidates. Throw in the disadvantage of not physically being in the same room as the interviewer where it’s easier to read body language and facial expressions, and an interview becomes an even more awkward interaction. That’s especially true if the candidate has little experience with video conferencing. Take that into consideration, help them feel comfortable, let them know it’s just as awkward for you and to relax.

Nina Anderson owns Express Employment Professionals offices at 725 Pitkin Ave. in Grand Junction and 525 E. Main St. in Montrose. Express Employment Professionals operates an international network of franchises offering staffing solutions to the communities they serve. For more information, visit www.expresspros.com/ grandjunctionco. Anderson also belongs to the Western Colorado Human Resource Association. For additional information, visit www.wchra.org.

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July 23-august 5, 2020

Do bad apples taint your business operations?

The typical business employs a number of skilled team members, many with decent and even great attitudes. They come to work, perform their jobs to a satisfactory level or above and contribute to the work environment in mostly positive ways. But what about those team members who — although they have the skills to do their jobs — damage culture, morale and business operations? Chances are, you’re thinking of these people right now.

In many cases, business owners and managers tolerate “bad apples” because it’s expensive and time consuming to hire and train new people. This is especially true if these team members bring in large amounts of business, fill key positions essential to operations or their knowledge of the business is extensive or proprietary.

Under these circumstances, business leaders often feel held hostage by Marcus these team members, which prevents Straub necessary corrective action.

Any business that employs one or more bad apples must recognize there’s a heightened awareness of these individuals throughout the company.

Negative team members are difficult to work with, which damages trust, communications, team dynamics, morale and results. Other members of the team try to avoid them and could resent managers and owners for allowing negative individuals to remain in the business. If one of these bad apples happens to work in a management position, the consequences are even more severe.

Most likely you’ve heard the saying, “Hire for skills and fire for attitude.” Simply put, it means a bad attitude far outweighs the skills people bring to their positions.

Failing to take corrective action with these individuals

Wise business owners and managers face the situation that comes with bad attitudes and initiate corrective action sooner rather than later.

puts a company at risk.

Wherever they are in your company, negative attitudes will cost you talent. Your best people will only put up with so much before they can’t take it anymore and leave.

Others in the organization will fall under the “spell” of the bad apple, putting your culture, customer service and success at risk. These infected team members will further spread a subversive message and attitude, only deepening the dysfunction.

Keeping these individuals on board isn’t the best choice.

Wise business owners and managers face the situation that comes with bad attitudes and initiate corrective action sooner rather than later.

The first step is too free yourself from the belief your business can’t survive without these people. It’s simply not true. Time and time again I’ve helped business owners release this limiting mindset. The outcomes have been nothing but positive for everyone involved.

If the team member in question is vital to your operation, present them with a performance improvement plan and offer them professional development with a qualified professional to help them recognize, address and overcome their negative attitudes and damaging behaviors.

While not an overnight process, a qualified professional development coach can identify a team member who’s willing to change. In cases in which team members accept the information and work to change and

manage their attitudes, they become a true asset and not a continuing liability.

If, however, they’re not willing or able to change their bad attitudes and behaviors, the next step is an obvious one: You must step up to the plate and let them go. The moment you take this corrective action, your business — and everyone within it — will be freed of a negative influence.

When letting go and replacing team members, it’s wise to have a solid plan in place to avoid reproducing the same situations. Work with a qualified professional who can help you create a job benchmark for the position and provide insight into the attitudes and skill set of your candidate pool. When you hire for attitude first, you can teach skills if needed. When you encounter a candidate with both, you have a solid hire.

As a business owner or manager, you can’t afford to allow bad apples to hurt your culture, team and customers.

The costs to your business are far too high. One of the fundamental prerequisites of success is to build the most powerful team you can. Individuals with negative attitudes, no matter how skilled they are, can never be a part of this winning team.

Marcus Straub owns Life is Great Coaching in Grand Junction. His personalized coaching and consulting services help individuals, business owners, executives and companies build teams, organizations and lives filled with happiness and success. Straub is winner of the International Coach of the Year Award and author of “Is It Fun Being You?” He’s available for free consultations regarding coaching, speaking and trainings. Reach Straub at 208-3150, marcus@lifeisgreatcoaching.com or through the website located at www.lifeisgreatcoaching.com.

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Reframe the issue to help employees handle stress

I used to have a painting hanging on my wall that made me cringe every time I glanced at it. One day, I was standing a little farther away than usual and realized the painting was just fine. It was the frame I disliked. I swapped the outdated frame for a new one and, suddenly, my focus shifted to the more pleasing elements of the art. I experienced the painting as a brand new piece.

New frames can transform our perspective of many aspects of our lives, often in productive ways. During these unprecedented times, most of us experience the ways stress affects physical and mental health. The latest research demonstrates, however, the way we think about stress matters as much or more than stress itself.

One study conducted at the University of Wisconsin over an eightRebecca year period found people with high Weitzel stress were 43 percent more likely to die prematurely — but only if they believed stress was harmful. Those with high stress who believed stress could be beneficial showed no increased risk. Another study conducted by researchers from Harvard and the University of California San Francisco found that priming participants to interpret their stress response as helpful rather than harmful countered the typical effects of stress on blood pressure and cognition. Participants still felt their heart rates increase, but their blood vessels remained relaxed and their minds open.

Under the right conditions, stress provides powerful opportunities for us to connect with others, which also buffers the negative effects of stress. Several studies have shown that in stressful situations we release oxytocin, the “bonding” hormone. In a 2013 review of five studies published in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology,

scientists suggested that when stress is experienced in environments we perceive to be safe, the release of oxytocin promotes pro-social behaviors and connections with others. Conversely, when stress is experienced in environments perceived as unsafe, oxytocin induces defensiveness and negative responses.

One implication of the research is that employers that view stress with more nuance can play a more effective role in reducing its typical effects on employee well-being and, by extension, business outcomes. This can be done in a three-pronged approach: n Help employees rethink stress. Balance messages about the negative consequences of stress with information about the benefits of reappraising the stress response. In a 2017 study published in the journal Anxiety, Stress & Coping, researchers asked participants to view their stress response as a good thing — something that would help them better perform a task. Participants who viewed stress in this way experienced higher self-confidence and a more adaptive cardiovascular response compared to a control group. n Create a safe, supportive environment. Leverage the physiological stress response of increased oxytocin during stressful situations by developing a culture that motivates team members to reach out for emotional support, bond with teammates and take advantage of available resources. When employees feel a genuine sense of security and support in the workplace, stressful episodes become catalysts for connection and cohesiveness rather than meltdowns and low productivity. n Empower team members with stress-management techniques. Invite professionals to teach such resiliency techniques as mindfulness, self-compassion and stressresponse reappraisal. Implement and promote an employee assistance program to address individual needs. Give

employees the tools they need to be more resilient in the face of inevitable stressors.

As you implement a plan to mitigate the negative effects of unavoidable stress, it’s also important to acknowledge and address unnecessary stressors in the workplace. According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, 25 percent of employees cite work as their main source of stress — above family and financial issues.

Some common areas of workplace stress that deserve attention include: n Job design. Does every position in your organization provide a sense of purpose, stimulation and opportunities to learn and grow? Are roles and responsibilities clearly defined? n Autonomy. Do you empower employees to join in decisions and actions that affect their jobs? n Workloads. Do workloads match workers’ capabilities and resources? n Schedules. Do employees regularly work excessive hours, unpredictable shifts or long periods without breaks?

As we continue to face unavoidable stressors in our world right now, consider how your organization might benefit from a little reframing. Replace those outdated frames around stress at both the organizational and individual levels and watch how employee well-being and business outcomes improve.

Rebecca Weitzel is president and co-founder of Good Life Wellness Solutions, which provides affordable and easy to implement workplace well-being solutions, an online platform, consulting and education services tailored to small businesses. Contact Weitzel at (970) 216-6390 or rebecca@goodlifewellnesssolutions.com or visit the website at www.GoodLifeWellnessSolutions.com.

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The Business Times

July 23-august 5, 2020

Apply 80/20 rule to marketing and sales Perhaps you’re familiar with the so-called 80/20 rule. But have you ever applied it to marketing? Have you considered the implications of the rule on sales?

What, exactly, is the 80/20 rule? Simply put, the rule states 80 percent of your referrals, sales or revenue comes from 20 percent of your marketing efforts or customer base. To increase closing rates, sales or revenue, you should devote your limited time and resources to the referral sources, prospects or customers most likely to get you the results you want.

This targeting requires some thinking and analysis of your prospect and customer base.

Who are these prospects and customers? Who Janet are your best referral sources? Who will bring Arrowood in the most revenue?

Here’s a simple exercise to identify your top 20 percent. Make three lists, one each for customers, referral sources and prospects and target markets. Now, for each of the three lists, make a table with six columns. In the left-hand column list each member of your top 20 percent of customers, referral sources and prospects. In the next column list the annual revenue or number of referrals from that source. In the third column from the left list each member of the middle 60 percent of your sources and the revenue or referrals they generate in the next column. Repeat the process in the final two columns with the bottom 20 percent of your customers, referral sources and prospects.

Now, take a hard look at each table. What is the total revenue or number of viable referrals or prospects from the A list or top 20 percent? How about for the C list —the bottom 20 percent?

Do you really want to spend valuable resources and effort on this group? Perhaps you have a professional or business colleague who’s new to the business and might have the time and resources to work with your C list members to convert them into B list members. Think about how much time and how many resources you could free up while helping out a colleague and ensuring those

customers or prospects get the attention and service they deserve.

Too often, business owners reward people or businesses that aren’t active clients or customers, spending time, resources and money to try and capture them rather than rewarding and incentivizing existing customers and referral sources.

If you own a personal care service such as a hair salon or massage business are you are trying to grow your client base?

Who do you incentivize? Potential new clients or existing clients?

Referral sources? The tendency is to provide new or “potential” clients with incentives — buy one, get one, 50 percent off or next visit free. But what about rewarding regular clients for their loyalty — fifth visit free or a 50 percent discount for making a referral?

Most marketing and retention consultants will tell you it’s far less expensive to retain existing customers than seek out new ones.

Sure, everyone needs — or at least wants — new customers as well as to keep existing customers. But sometimes the cost of doing so is unacceptably high. Why not incentivize existing customers and referral sources so they can do the hard part of getting new prospects and customers for you? Then you can devote more time to improving your offerings to those people and businesses with whom you already work.

Implementing the 80/20 rule could be difficult since many of the customers, referrals and prospects in the middle 60 percent and bottom 20 percent might be friends or long-term customers. But business growth and success sometimes require unpleasant decisions.

Keep in mind it takes a long time to gain a new client, but relatively small gestures keep existing clients. Where would you rather spend your time, effort and money? Hopefully on the top 20 percent.

Janet Arrowood is founder and managing director of the Write Source, a Grand Junction-based firm that offers a range of services, including grant and proposal writing, instruction and technical writing. Reach her at janet.arrowood@thewritesourceinc.com.

For more information, visit www.TheWriteSourceInc.com.

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The Business Times

Fitness means freedom to enjoy life Freedom means different things to different people. But most would agree freedom includes the right to learn, work, speak and enjoy life.

If you enjoy a healthy and fit lifestyle, you also have freedom. This freedom allows you to perform different activities, from daily chores to your favorite sports. Without health and fitness, you could lose your freedom to do these things.

No one is ever too old to improve fitness.

It’s never too late. Start with the basic four areas of fitness: flexibility, cardio, strength and nutrition. When you combine these four areas, you’re on the right path.

Paula n Flexibility involves more than just Reece bending over to touch your toes. Getting in and out of a car, walking through the grocery store and housework all require movement and flexibility. Doing such exercises as yoga strengthen the core and improve posture.

Your core muscles consist of the muscles in your pelvis, lower back, hips and abdomen. Think of all the small movements you do each a day in which you use using these muscles, from reaching for a glass from the cabinet to making your bed. Another major benefit of core strength is balance and reducing the risk of injury from falls. n Cardio fitness keeps your heart strong and cardiovascular system working properly. By starting slowly if you’re beginner, you can develop cardio fitness that will enable you to enjoy such

simple pleasures as playing with your grandchildren or traveling.

Walking, hiking and dancing are all forms of cardio exercise.

Choose an activity you enjoy, and you’ll be more motivated to keep at it. While starting slowly is a good idea, it’s also important as you become more cardio fit to challenge yourself. Try different types of activities. n Strength training for all ages has become more popular in recent years and for good reason. The benefits are numerous.

Studies show lifting weights two or three times a week increases strength by building muscle mass and bone density. Strength training also can reduce the symptoms of many diseases, including arthritis, depression and osteoporosis. n Nutrition is also a key component in health. Feeding your body the nutrients that it needs provides the fuel you need to not only feel better, but also look better.

The first step toward enjoying freedom is to get started. Talk to your doctor about what’s best for you and then get moving. Try a fitness class, such a gentle yoga class. There are many classes for beginners as well as those who are highly fit. Ask a friend to join you.

Whether you’re already on the path to fitness or just starting, you’ll reap the freedom that comes from health and fitness.

Commercial real estate owners have been nervous for months as they wait to see how their investments will fare after the coronavirus pandemic subsides.

With more office employees getting used to working from home and business people reluctant to travel beyond their immediate areas, office properties and especially hotels have taken a big hit.

Across the country, many retail properties are taking a beating as well. Nearly 20 major retailers — including such well-known national brands as Brooks Brothers, GNC, J.C. Penney, Neiman Marcus, Pier 1 and Tuesday Morning — have filed for bankruptcy Tim this year. That number is expected to grow in Whitney the third and fourth quarters. It’s important to note, though, many of those retailers already faced financial and other challenges long before the onset of the pandemic.

According to recent reports, the delinquency rate — loans 30 days or more past due — for commercial mortgagebacked securities has neared an all-time high. Last month, the delinquency rate for the retail sector jumped to 18 percent, while

the rate for hotel properties rose to more than 24 percent. Office and multifamily loans saw only a slight increase, and industrial properties stayed relatively low. Delinquency rates could worsen before they start to get better.

Now for some good news.

As they say, all real estate is local. And as Grand Junction and Mesa County continue to lead the way in recovering from the pandemic and its effects, the future looks brighter.

While there’s limited inventory in some sectors, pricing of most commercial properties for sale or lease has started to stabilize here.

The nation might not see the V-shaped recovery for which everyone hoped. But in Mesa County, it appears that recovery could occur.

Paula and Dale Reece own Crossroads Fitness Centers in Grand Junction with a downtown location at 225 N. Fifth St. and north location at 2768 Compass Drive. For more information, call 242-8746 or log on to the website at www.crossroadsfitness.com.

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Commercial real estate fares better locally

Tim Whitney is managing broker of Coldwell Banker Commercial Prime Properties, a commercial brokerage and property management firm based in Grand Junction. Whitney has been involved in the sale, lease and management of commercial real estate in Colorado for more than 35 years. For more information, call (970) 243-7375 or visit the internet website located at www.CBCPrimeProperties.com.

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July 23-august 5, 2020

Contributors Opinion Bold predictions forwe2015 If division is success, have one A new year affords Have you eaten today? of Business Briefs the most successful governors more like not-so-bold repeats Then thank a producer a new opportunity Business People Almanac to meet local needs THE he BUSINESS usiness T T Times IMES

PAGE age 22

T-shirts, bumper stickers and books pose the question: Did you eat today?

For most people, thankfully, the query is rhetorical. The point is the suggestion that follows: Hug a farmer.

These days, I suppose the more appropriate gesture would be to exchange air an high fives. Moreover, I’d broaden the A new year almost always brings opportunity for a fresh start and all agricultural producers, including ranchers. renewed ambition tosuggestion do things to better.

Not counting a summer job as acustomers carpenter’sbetter assistant on a In business, that usually boils down to providing products largeathog operation, I’vecompetitors. never workedPart as aoffarmer or rancher. and services faster and lower cost than the process must But my grandparents and parents did.actually One of my bestand friend’s include listening to customers to determine what they need then fatherall, wasitadoes veterinarian, andto weoffer accompanied calls. I still meeting that need. After little good the latesthim andon greatest if recall a hot summer day spent branding and vaccinating calves nobody actually wants what you’re selling. with realthat life versions ofthe cowboys only seen on TV. Just like the businesses belong to group,I’d thepreviously Grand Junction Area My late wife grew Northwest Colorado on whatof Chamber of Commerce invariably starts outup theinnew year with a reassessment must have been one the most intensively managed acreages the services and resources it provides andofhow well they match with members Phil Castle thenew world.

Her family’s 1-acre lotboard was of home to a menagerie needs. Jeff Franklin,inthe chairman of the chamber directors, of farm My wifehemilked cows, rabbits and personifies this approach in animals. describing what considers hisraised role for the coming cared for orphaned lambs sheltered in the lone bathroom of her house because year: listen to members, determine their needs and then meet those needs. It’s athe early spring temperatures were too cold. role with which Franklin isoutside familiar as market president of Bank of Colorado.

While I luxuriate in these memory lane, in I mention this The process will take on awalks more down structured approach what theallchamber because long recognized and appreciated the Listening hard worktoofBusiness. farmers and plans as I’ve the resumption of a program aptly called Under the ranchers growing and raising the food I eat. interviews to identify barriers to program, in business owners participate in in-depth Myand admiration for agricultural producers has only increased as a journalist growth other problems they encounter. who The occasionally interviews them for stories. club. new year offers a good time tonewspaper join the proverbial Take, for example, a recent opportunity to interview VanWinkle, As an advertiser or reader, what do you need from theJanie Business Times? a Grand Valley rancher and newly elected president of the Colorado Cattlemen’s While business journals traditionally gather and report the relevant news to Association.

I interviewed Janie once before when she opened a Nick-N-Willy’s readers, communication isn’t necessarily a one-way street.

That’s especially true as pizza franchise.

But itmake was athe fardialogue differentmore experience talking Janie as we Web sites and e-mail convenient thanwith ever. toured a part of her family’s southrespond of GrandtoJunction.

Good publications don’t ranching exist in aoperation vacuum. They the needs of What impresses me They most in talkingwhat’s with producers advertisers and readers. provide needed. like Janie are the passion and indefatigable work ethic they bring to their businesses. They care deeply about So what do you need? the land and animals as well the quality of the products they supply customers.

Is there additional news coverage that would help keep you informed about Agricultural producers are a lot like other entrepreneurs in that way asorwell as local business developments? Are there features that would be interesting the waysIsinthere which theythat persevere the face factors beyond useful? advice would in make your of jobs a little easier?their control — a pandemic, for example.

Some years, efforts pay theto bills.

It’s equally important to ask whateven you their don’tbest need.

With don’t limited time I suspect a few believe food comes fromit,stores, thatbe produce content andpeople limitedstill space in which to publish wouldincluding time and all space meat under cellophane.

But the notion becomes disabused when shelves empty, like better devoted to something else? whatWhat’s happened in the early stages of the pandemic.

Moreover, there’s a growing good? What isn’t? What’s needed? What isn’t? awareness consumers the role of agricultural as wellTimes as a desire Let usamong know. Send us an of e-mail.

Comment online producers on the Business Web to with them. That’s an encouraging siteconnect at www.thebusinesstimes.com.

You couldtrend. even write an old-fashioned letter to So letifme poselike. the Your question: Did you today?and Didnegative, you buy is food fromand a the editor you’d feedback, botheatpositive valued store orcarefully restaurant?

Did you pick up some produce at a stand or farmers market? will be considered.

Did you eatpublications a Palisade peach savorofa not glass of Grand Valley wine?staffs, Did you Good are theorresult only the efforts of their but grill also acollaborative hamburger?efforts involving advertisers and readers.

For an agriculture can save thecustomers, hugs for later.

Likenow, any thank other good business,producer. we want You to listen to our find out what they need and then meet those needs.

Phil It’s Castle is editor the Business Reach him at phil@thebusinesstimes.com a new year. of Please help us Times. to do so. or 424-5133. ✦ F

THE BUSINESS TIMES

609 North Ave., Suite 2, Grand Junction, CO 81501 TEL (970) 424-5133 • FAX (970) 424-5134

Publisher/Owner: Craig R. Hall

Editor: Phil Castle

Reach advertising at: publisher@thebusinesstimes.com Reach the editor at: phil@thebusinesstimes.com.

Subscribe or submit press releases online at www.thebusinesstimes.com The Grand Valley Business Times, a subsidiary of Hall Media Group LLC, is published twice monthly and distributed throughout Grand Junction, Fruita and Palisade. Advertising rates and deadlines are available upon request. Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, editor, staff or advertisers.

Copyright © 2015 — AllCopyright rights reserved. © 2020 — All rights reserved.

It’s funny and sad. Because if you askedIt’s most how they’d feel about thatpeople time of year when one person having total control overabound. their resolutions and prognostications lives, they’d be against it. Yet,to here weYear’s are in My favorite saying applied New Colorado choosing sides because of one man. resolutions is in saying they’re basically a Although we’reto break the first week bunch of promises told Gov. Jared of January.

AndPolis whileis I won’t predict a doing hepretty can much accurately whole the lot,best I can in a difficult situation nail a few things that without question and the the good of You will see these are will for make news. all people, actions pretty, well,hispredictable: come■down to a one: Prediction simple, time-honored, There will be some political tradition: sort of weather event, Shoving one’s political natural disaster or agenda beliefs heinousand occurrence down throatswill of the Craig Hall wherethe someone citizens.

And no one be interviewed and say can do this better than a Democrat who’s the following: “I’ve assumed power. For that, I also never seentotal anything blame Republicans equally for enacting like that in my legislation that’s lifetime.” It’s as ifallowed this Polis to become Craig dictator-in-chief of our once great Hall state. person is a required I know some will attendee at every newscall the dictator comment ButI what else would reporting hyperbole. event. While understand most you call someone who’s people’s perspective canmaking indeed rules, be limited mandates and laws regarding aspect by, or contained within, theirevery own personal of our lives? And not even masking experiences, it is he’s too much to ask to his intentions any historical longer. perspective before consult some Let’s start with masks, shallresponse we? Some saying such a thing?

Yes, this can of this to goes above and beyond our it governor. apply some events.

But when comes But in termsand of anatural state mandate, it’sI’m all on to weather disasters, pretty him. to the reasoning of our itself. sure According this is simply history repeating governor, hadfor a model (although I haven’t Same as ithehas millions and millions of seen have you?) showing ICUsmade beingit! years.it,More important, theour planet overrun

by September if wespecies. didn’t slow the What didn’t were certain How’s spread COVID-19 via mask wearing. that forofperspective?

Let me remind youtwo: the governor hadto a ■ Prediction When it also comes acrime model 500that or more Coloradans orshowing something occurs between dying daily a total of 35,000 or more humans, thewith other required attendee at all dead mid-June back is sometime in May, newsby reporting events the person who yet masks weren’t mandatory says this: “They we’re justthen. the Wouldn’t nicest that model governor a reason to mandate people,give andthe in no way did I see something masks? he didn’t. like thisYet coming.”

Exactly. No one does it was because backtothen mostPerhaps of the time when it comes the word on masks was they didn’t work. neighbors and acquaintances.

People should And that wasatfrom Centers for Disease be surprised whatthegoes on from time to Control.

Let’sneighborhoods, look at that more closely. time in their towns and The is, ifthey Polisknow believed masks worked withfact people because people are then andfor he the wastimes wearing for good.—And thatone, theyeven shouldn’t his tete-a-tete — what herepeat did be shocked —with likeTrump with politicians, was put Coloradans’ lives jeopardy. offenders and terrorists —inwhere’s theAnd he did it over lie. Here’s lie. The CDC, interview thatasays, “This the doesn’t surprise Dr. Fauci, Dr. Deborah Birx and me Anthony in the least.” the brain trust of the COVID task force put ■ Prediction three: Something good the of every Americanand at risk willlives happen economically, the (to be blunt) by saying werefor unnecessary government will masks take credit it. The most and don’t slow the spread.

Why werepeople they recent example is gas prices, where saying was found the real for ask methat? why It I won’t creditlater the president reason because we hadisa mask shortage low gaswas prices.

My answer simple: for front line never personnel.

Therefore Government makes the pricegetting of them masksgo—down and masks for special, select, something and simply takes credit all-knowing leaders — was is more important for good news.

Gas pricing subject to than There canthere be no manysaving globallives. factors.

Now areother conclusion. evidence speaks forsome itself.of governmentThe answers to addressing yet prices we fight overfor masks today themAnd to keep stable Americans, from angovernment unconstitutional edict but our has none offrom them our in leader whoonly justthings a couple of in months place. The it has place ago in the

July 23-august 5, 2015 2020 JANUARY 15-28,

didn’t care if you lived or died, just as long run as he and more important people always hurt consumers.

Another were had their masks.

Hey folks fact issafe thatand unemployment reaches a certain … wear your Just don’t level based onmasks. the economy.

Anddemand while the Igovernment wear mine might as demanded socialis low, brag thevia number shaming ordered bythe ourgovernment governor. did it’s more than likely For thetorecord, if a business demands something cause that number being low a—mask andin I want to way. go there, of course and not a good Conversely, when I’ll wear picks my mask.

The business every business up, it’s because thehas people right to make demands ofwho whowere it will who need to buy widgets notor will notwidgets serve. That’s a constitutional thing, buying because the economy was not a dictatorial thing.

And(or full disclosure, contracting due to natural unnatural, I’ll never bow to the reasons, dictator.decided And thatwe does government caused) not make a selfish bastard. better buyme some widgets.

The government I shouldto throw in one last thing on how had nothing do with this. our governor is making based ■ Prediction four: decisions In keeping withon his “models.”

No modeldoes, has ever been correct things the government I predict the in its predictions. just a useful scare tactic government will It’s manipulate the numbers to to pushthe agendas.

Andeconomy our governor’s agenda make claim the is getting is to divide the people, peopleto better because of how rule hardover it is the working and theus next electionAmericans.” before running for helpwin all of “working Now president. theyou kind of stuff you mightYou say,know, “Craig, always saypeople this are afraid about in our current president.

And about President Obama because you don’t Polis always has aright model backing like him.”

You’re in handy a sense.

I don’this beliefs to push know the man,his butplaybook. what I know of him and To understand his thinking, I don’t Polis’ like it playbook or him onea iota. little better, alloff, onehowever, needs toIdo is visit Before you go didn’t like downtown Denver the Capitol.

President Bush and around his bailouts, stimulus It’s up there with Minneapolis. and right his abandoning the free market to save But we have Denver-a-Polis withhim its the free market.

And I don’t know boarded up, the tagged and destroyed public either. What government does, and the and a tentthecity on onlyprivate thing itbuildings, can do, is hurt economy. the Capitol grounds rights forin Unless it does nothingand or civil put criminals only those who further our jail instead of partnering withgovernor’s them, nothing ambitions. the government does will help. Always look Theway, first whatever job of anytheelected officialsays is at it this government to Constitution of the United it isuphold doing,the whatever the name of the law it States against all enemies and protect is passing, or whatever the name or goal of the bureaucracy rights and property of citizens. it is presenting to theOur Capitol and thethe ongoing events around it people, expect polar opposite to occur. showI Polis guess(and whatthe I’mDenver sayingmayor) is that care little for it’s the time rightstoofgetanyone thinks perhaps out of who our own differently. grounds areofdestroyed perspective.The There’s plenty history more on a daily basis, theto booksand andmore historical research outand there encampments now have outbreaks begin to understand that disease all of this has (no, NOT before.

COVID,And amazingly) rarely happened it will again, seen.

Andthe recently, peaceful, properly whether topic is apeople or government. permitted assembly was violently attacked The best recommendation is to find by thebooks same folks beenGoogle destroying some or trywho’ve that whole Denver with the byeofand leave of our thing. There’s a lot information on the governor.

Just as our leaders allowed Great Depression.

The truth is it wasn’t Denver to beone destroyed, sat back got even a good until thethey government and allowed civil,also innocent, involved.

There’s plentylaw-abiding of research citizens to be assaulted with nowhen intention on the medieval warm period the of protecting themwarmer even though policewith planet was much than today were present. a whole lot less people (and warmer well Does of here this sound before manany was at all).like And yep, Gov. Polis a uniter when he has people haveisbeen killing other surprised continually the lives Coloradans people sinceput history wasof first written. in danger?

Because only folks I see stop our Maybe somethe research will help governor uniting areOtherwise, those he can usebeto all of these trends. we’ll further his political Eventually, saying we’ve never ambitions. seen anything like it in none of usAnd willnot matter. our lives. in a good way.

Craig Craig Hall Hall is is owner owner and and publisher publisher of of the the Business Times. Reach Reach him him at at 424-5133 424-5133 Business Times. or or publisher@thebusinesstimes. publisher@thebusinesstimes.com.

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n EIGHT COMPANIES TO OFFER IN COLORADO INDIVIDUAL HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS IN 2021

Eight companies that offer individual health insurance plans in Colorado in 2020 will do so again in 2021, according to the Colorado Division of Insurance.

Anthem, Bright Health, Cigna Health, Denver Health, Friday Health, Kaiser, Rocky Mountain Health Plans and Oscar Health will offer Affordable Care Act plans next year.

Rocky Mountain Health Plans and Bright Health plan to expand their geographic coverage areas in 2021, reducing the number of Colorado counties with only one health insurance company selling plans from 22 to 10.

Rocky Mountain Health Plans will offer plans in the following counties which have Anthem as their only on-exchange company: Dolores, Garfield, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montezuma, Montrose, Ouray, Pitkin, San Juan and San Miguel counties.

Rocky Mountain Health Plans also will expand into La Plata and Archuletta counties. Bright Health will expand into the following counties with one on-exchange company: Dolores, Grand, Lake, Montezuma and San Juan counties. Bright Health also will move into La Plata County.

The expansions will leave Eagle, Jackson, Logan, Moffat, Phillips, Rio Blanco, Routt, Sedgwick, Washington and Yuma as the remaining counties with only one on-exchange health insurance company.

The number of individual plans the companies propose to offer next year, both on-and off-exchange, will increase from 264 to 324. In the small group market for small employers with less than 100 employees, 13 companies will offer a total of more than 400 plans.

Information on the number of plans and insurance companies for the individual and small group markets for 2021 is available at https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dora/health-insurance-plan-filingsand-approved-plans. Preliminary information about premiums won’t be available until the end of July.

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NOTEWORTHY

The Business Times welcomes submissions for free publication in Business Briefs. Email submissions to phil@thebusinesstimes.com or submit a news release online at the website at www.thebusinesstimes.com.

An upcoming event will serve as a fund-raiser to help Grand Valley musicians who’ve suffered financial hardships as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

A 90-minute production called Riff for Relief is scheduled for 7:30 to 9 p.m. July 30 at Mesa Theater, 538 Main St. in Grand Junction. The show may viewed in person for those who reserve tickets or watched online.

A spinoff of the National Public Radio tiny desk performances, Riff for Relief will feature prerecorded sessions followed by a singer songwriter round and headliner. The show also will serve as the final event of the Techstars Startup Week West Slope.

Riff for Relief will raise money for the Grand Valley Music Relief Fund established to help offset the financial burdens shouldered by local musicians.

Applications for assistance will be accepted through Aug. 28.

Contributions will flow through West Slope Startup Week with the Grand Junction Economic Partnership serving as the fiscal agent.

The show also will serve as a soft launch for a community initiative called Creative’s Landing and a place for musicians and artists to gather, share and draw inspiration.

Creative’s Landing is an effort of Chandler Smith and TJ Smith.

“It’s our hope that this landing place will benefit the community and foster people’s relationships with the arts and culture of their local neighbors,” TJ Smith said.

“Riff for Relief is the first of many projects to come that will enrich our community and showcase its many talents,” Chandler Smith said.

For more information about Riff for Relief, visit the website at www.facebook.com/events/ 3589227927757196. For more information about Creative’s Landing, log on to the site at https://creativeslanding.com.

n WINE AND WHISKERS GALA SET FOR JULY 24 TO RAISE MONEY TO HELP HOMELESS PETS An upcoming gala will raise money for the Roice-Hurst Humane Society animal shelter and adoption center in Grand Junction.

The Wine and Whiskers Gala is scheduled for 6 to 8:30 p.m.

July 24 at Two Rivers Winery and Chateau, 2087 Broadway.

Tickets sell for $45 and are available from the Roice-Hurst website at www.RHhumanesociety.org/wine-whiskers, by calling 434-7337 or visiting the shelter at 362 28 Road. Thanks to sponsors, all proceeds from ticket sales will go to caring for pets in need.

For those who attend the gala in person, outdoor seating options and ample space between tables will be offered. Tickets include a glass of wine and appetizers. A virtual options is available for those who’d prefer to celebrate from home. Tickets for the virtual option include a bottle of wine delivered to participants. A silent auction will be conducted in person and online.

Anna Stout, executive director of the Roice-Hurst Humane Society, said community support of the Wine and Whiskers Gala is more important than ever.

“We are facing an increase in animals surrendered to the shelter, an increase in demand for services like our pet pantry and low-cost clinics, a decrease in adoptions and a significant decrease in revenues,” Stout said. “The gala is one of our biggest fund-raisers and your support, whether in person or virtually, will help ensure we can continue providing life-saving services to our valley’s pets.”

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Freddy’s brings back chilies and key lime pie concrete Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has brought back two seasonal menu items in Hatch green chilies and a key lime pie concrete.

Both items will be available at restaurants through Sept. 2 or while supplies last.

Hatch green chilies can top steakburgers or beef hot dogs or serve as a garnish. The key lime pie concrete combines frozen custard with a slice of key lime pie and is topped with whipped cream and graham cracker crumbs.

“Our Hatch green chilies are a great addition on any of our menu items if you’re looking to add a little bit of heat,” said Scott Redler, cofounder and chief operating officer of Freddy’s. “We first introduced the key lime pie concrete last year and it received so much love from fans that we brought it back onto our menu again this year.”

Founded in 2002 in Wichita, Kan., Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has grown to a total of more than 375 locations in 32 states. In Grand Junction, restaurants are located at 737 Horizon Drive and 2489 U.S. Highway 6 & 50. For more information, visit the website at www.freddysusa.com.

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July 23-august 5, 2020

Hatch green chilies are back on the menu at Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers and available as a topping for steakburgers and hot dogs.

The restaurant chain also has brought back its key lime pie concrete.

(Photo courtesy Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers)

July 23-August 5, 2020

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n UNITED WAY OF MESA COUNTY BOARD NAMES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Zebulon Miracle has been named executive director of United Way of Mesa County.

Laura Glatt, president of the United Way of Mesa County board of directors, announced the decision. “Zebulon brings extensive management experience, infectious energy and innovation to our agency.”

Miracle succeeds Julie Hinkson, Zebulon Miracle who joined the Rocky Mountain Health Foundation.

“United Way of Mesa County’s approach of having the community identify needs, find solutions and raise funds is a model that I am passionate about,” Miracle said. “I am especially proud that every dollar raised here remains here in Mesa County. I firmly believe in the creativity and generosity of our community to find solutions and resources that will improve the lives of every Mesa County resident.”

Miracle previously worked at the Museums of Western Colorado and Gateway Canyons. He served on the boards of the City of Grand Junction Historic Preservation Board, Colorado Canyons Association and Community Food Bank. He also serves on the boards of MusicSpark and Visit Grand Junction.

Since 1959, United Way of Mesa County has invested more than $20 million into improving health, education and self-reliance in Mesa County. For more information, visit www.unitedwaymesacounty.org. n ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON JOINS FAMILY HEALTH WEST IN FRUITA

Dr. Chris Copeland has joined the medical staff at Family Health West and Monument Orthopedics and Sports Trauma in Fruita.

Copeland offers orthopedic care, including total hip and knee replacements as well as treatments for trauma fractures. He also practices sports medicine, including arthroscopy and cartilage restoration Chris Copeland of knees and ankles.

He’s a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics. He’s also a member of the adjunct faculty at Rocky Vista College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Copeland joins at Monument Orthopedics and Sports Trauma a team that includes Drs. Richard Ackerson, Michael Rooks and Pete Scheffel. The team performs surgeries at the Colorado Canyons Hospital & Medical Center in Fruita.

For more information or an appointment, call 858-2705 or visit https://monumentorthopedics.com.

Family Health West operates a hospital, various medical practices and assisted and secured living facilities. For additional information, call 858-3900 or log on to the website at www.fhw.org.

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July 23-august 5, 2020

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The Business Times welcomes submissions for free publication in Business People and the Almanac calendar of events. Email submissions to phil@thebusinesstimes.com or submit a news release online at www.thebusinesstimes.com.

n LASER AND SKIN CARE SPECIALIST JOINS MEDICAL AESTHETICS PRACTICE

Erin Larson, a certified laser and skin care specialist, has joined the Advanced Skin Care and Laser Center, a medical aesthetics practice in Grand Junction.

Larson has practiced in the Grand Valley since 2003 and treats patients from across Colorado as well as Utah and Wyoming. Larson performs nonsurgical laser skin procedures Erin Larson on the face and body, including treatments for acne scarring, post skin cancer scarring, rosacea and sun-damaged skin.

In 2015, Larson placed second at the Aesthetic Show in Las Vegas for best nonsurgical facial rejuvenation.

Winners were selected on the basis of before and after photographs of patient outcomes. Hundreds of photos were submitted for the competition.

In 2018, Alma Lasers invited Larson to teach medical professionals advanced laser procedures at seminars the company conducts across the United States.

Drs. Jill Hilty and Joyce Sekharan own and operate Advanced Skin Care and Laser Center at 120 W. Park Drive, Suite 112. The practice offers a variety of skin care, cosmetic and laser treatments, including chemical peels, microdermabrasion and injectables as well as body treatments.

For more information, call 254-2400 or visit the website at https://advancedskincaregj.com. n OWNER AND BROKER TOP PERFORMER AT GRAND JUNCTION REAL ESTATE FIRM

Toni Heiden-Moran was honored as the top-performing agent for June at Weichert Realtors-Heiden Homes Realty in Grand Junction.

Heiden posted the highest dollar volume in sales for the month, the most closed transactions and most new listings.

The owner and broker of her firm, Heiden has worked in the Western Toni Heiden-Moran Colorado real estate market for more than 40 years. The National Association of Realtors recognized her service in bestowing her emeritus status.

Weichert Realtors-Heiden Homes Realty operates offices at 735 Rood Ave. For additional information, including listings for properties for sale and rent, call 245-7777 or visit www.heidenhomes.com.

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July 23 n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Welcome Thursday Friends networking group, noon July 23 and 30. Reservations required. Call for location.

858-3894 July 27 n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Business Builders networking group, noon July 27 and Aug. 3. 858-3894 July 29 n Business startup workshop, 9 to 11:30 a.m., Business Incubator Center, 2591 Legacy Way, Grand Junction. Admission $55. 243-5242 n Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce free webinar on business insurance, 10 a.m. www.gjchamber.org July 30 n Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce free webinar on leveraging internships, 10 a.m. www.gjchamber.org Aug. 4 n Free presentation for people considering careers in real estate, 5:30 p.m., Weichert Realtors-Heiden Homes Realty, 735 Rood Ave., Grand Junction.

Call for reservations. 245-7777 Aug. 5 n Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce free webinar on the latest county and state health orders, 10 a.m. www.gjchamber.org Upcoming n Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce free webinar on retaining employees and keeping them safe in a pandemic, 10 a.m. Aug 12. www.gjchamber.org n Two-part webinar on how to start a business, 9 to 10:30 a.m. Aug. 13 and 14. Admission $55.

243-5242 n Free presentation for people considering careers in real estate, 5:30 p.m. Aug. 18, Weichert RealtorsHeiden Homes Realty. Call for reservations.

245-7777 n Palisade Chamber of Commerce business after hours and downtown business crawl, 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Aug. 19, check in at the chamber office, 305 S. Main St., Suite 102. Admission $6 in advance, $8 at the event. 464-7458 n Business startup workshop, 1 to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 26, Business Incubator Center. Admission $55. 243-5242 n Bookkeeping boot camp, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Sept. 10, Business Incubator Center. Admission $75, which includes lunch. 243-5242 n Palisade Chamber of Commerce business after hours, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Sept. 16, Wine Country Inn, 777 Grande River Drive. Admission $6 in advance, $8 at the event. 464-7458 F

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The Business Times

July 23-august 5, 2020