The Business Times - v27-i6

THE BUSINESS T IMES News MARCH 26-APRIL 8, 2020

VOLUME 27, ISSUE 6

THE DEFINITIVE SOURCE FOR GRAND JUNCTION BUSINESS NEWS SINCE 1994

THEBUSINESSTIMES.COM

In this issue

Trends Keep calm 2 Contributors and Opinion 2 carry out Business Briefs 4 Business People Almanac

n Lending a hand A federal agency will offer loans to Colorado businesses affected by the coronavirus outbreak, officials announced.

n Couple of tips An entrepreneurial couple share their tips for using websites and social media and working from home.

n Moving effort

n It’s anything but business as usual as entrepreneurs cope with life in the time of coronavirus. Page 2

Chad Covell was so impressed with the service he received in hiring Two Men and a Truck, he bought a franchise himself.

n In the pipeline?

5

Some parking spots in downtown Grand Junction have been designated as pickup zones for customers ordering food from restaurants.

While restaurants have been closed for dining because of the coronavirus outbreak, many still offer food for carry out and delivery.

A federal panel has approved a natural gas export terminal that could connect West Slope supplies with Asian markets.

n Jobless jump

19

A spike in the jobless rate in Mesa County was less pronounced, but the outlook for 2020 remains uncertain.

n Laws a changin’

21

For business owners facing employment law issues, it probably seems like the only constant is change.

n Departments

Business Briefs 28 Business People 30 Contributors 21-25 News 2-18 Opinion 26-27 Trends 19-20

Business Times photo by Phil Castle

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 67 The Business Times 609 North Ave., Suite 5 Grand Junction, CO 81501

THE BUSINESS T IMES News The Business Times

Page 2

March 26-April 8, 2020

Trends Keep calm and carry out Contributors Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac Businesses exploring new and different ways in midst of outbreak

SBA disaster loans available to assist Colorado businesses

Phil Castle

The Business Times

The World War II-era admonition to keep calm and carry on applies today to Grand Valley businesses facing the growing threat of the coronavirus outbreak on their operations, local leaders say.

Business owners and managers should consider how best to respond and then proceed in what could be new and creative ways — whether that’s having staff work from home or delivering Jon Maraschin products differently. Not carry on, but carry out.

Resources are available to help. So is the support of local organizations and customers.

“The first thing that business owners can do is to take a little time to stop, assess and develop a plan,” Diane Schwenke said Jon Maraschin, executive director of the Business Incubator Center in Grand Junction. “There’s a ton of information coming at business owners from all sides right now, and it would be easy to panic or make quick decisions.”

Diane Schwenke, president and chief executive officer of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce, said it’s also important to keep positive. “Throughout the history of the Grand Valley, we’ve had ups and downs, booms and busts, and we’ve always emerged stronger economically.”

See OUTBREAK page 18

Some parking spots in downtown Grand Junction have been designated as pickup zones for customers ordering food from restaurants. While restaurants have been closed for dining because of the coronavirus outbreak, many still offer food for takeout or delivery. (Business Times photo by Phil Castle)

Entrepreneurial couple shares tips on website use and remote work Phil Castle

The Business Times

Marc and Alowetta Terrien know well the advantages of using websites, social media and email to communicate with customers.

Moreover, they’re used to working from home.

It’s something the couple has done for years in operating a website design and software development firm from first home offices in Western Colorado and then a 40-foot motorhome in which they travel across the country.

These days, the Terriens share their experiences with other business owners and managers coping with the effects of the coronavirus outbreak. Challenges ultimately could lead to opportunities, they said.

See COUPLE page 16

A federal agency offers loans to small businesses in Colorado affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced the availability of economic injury disaster loans of up to $2 million in all 64 Colorado counties.

“Local small businesses are bearing the brunt of that impact and facing a severe decline in customer traffic. SBA’s top priority is to assist businesses adversely impacted by the coronavirus, and our Dan Nordberg economic injury disaster loans can be the working capital lifelines they need to weather this difficult time,” said Dan Nordberg, the regional SBA administrator.

Frances Padilla, the director of the Frances Padilla SBA Colorado District Office, agreed.

“We are all concerned about the pressures our small businesses are facing in light of the coronavirus outbreak. The SBA Colorado District Office stands ready to assist our small business owners by providing the assistance needed to confront this challenge,” Padilla said.

SBA economic injury disaster loans may be used for accounts payable, fixed debts and payroll as well as other expenses that can’t be paid because of the effects of the outbreak.

See LOANS page 16 Marc and Alowetta Terrien offer a unique perspective on both the benefits of websites as well as working from home in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak. They provide website design, software development and other services from a 40-foot motorhome.

(Photo courtesy Joe Hendricks Photography)

March 26-April 8, 2020

The Business Times Page 3

THE he B BUSINESS usiness T T Times IMES

PPAGE age 4 4

March 26-A15-28, pril 8, 2015 2020 JANUARY

THE BUSINESS TIMES Administrator brings

WE OFFER COMPLIMENTARY

HOME & OFFICE DELIVERY/PICK UP! Delivery Hotline: 970-314-8356

599 Patterson (25 Road & Patterson)

The Business Times The Business Times 609 North Ave., Suite 2, 609 North Ave.,CO Suite 5 Grand Junction, 81501 Grand Junction, CO 81501 Telephone: (970) 424-5133 (970) 424-5133 FAX: (970) 424-5134 www.thebusinesstimes.com www.thebusinesstimes.com TheThe Business Times is published twice Business Times is published twice monthly and distributed throughout Grand monthly and distributed throughout Junction, and Palisade.

Advertising GrandFruita Junction, Fruita and Palisade. rates Advertising and deadlines are available upon are rates and deadlines request. Opinions expressed in this available upon request. Opinions expressed publication are those of the writers and do in this publication are those of the writers not necessarily reflect the views of the and don’teditor, necessarily the views of publisher, staff orreflect advertisers. the publisher, advertisers.

Copyright © 2015 editor — Allor rights reserved.

Copyright © 2020 — All rights reserved

well-rounded perspective to new Mesa County role Phil Castle

as well as New England and Canada.

Whidden said people who work in information technology aren’t just “geeks,” Frank Whidden brings what he but offer an important perspective because considers a well-rounded perspective to his they’re familiar with nearly every aspect of new job as Mesa County administrator. operations and how work gets done. They Whidden worked also tend to think about new and potentially in information better ways of doing things in asking and technology and holds answering “what if ” questions. “They know a master’s degree in how to effect change in an organization.” computer information Whidden expects to bring that same Chad Covell has opened a Two Men and a Truck franchise in Grand Junction. systems.

But he also approach to his duties as administrator.

The company offers local and long-distance moving as well as packing services, holds a doctoral moving supplies and storage. (Business TimesWhidden photo bysaid Phil it’s Castle) his role to help degree in applied county commissioners make and then management and implement decisions. The commissioners decision making and Frank Whidden in turn represent the residents of the worked for more than county and express their will, he said. “We 20 years as a minister. Whidden has work for the people.” worked for large and small organizations Whidden said he also considers himself in both the private and public sectors. a liaison between the commissioners and Whidden expects to draw on all of his county staff, and one of the priorities is to experiences inPhil helping Castle Mesa County make sure employees feel valued. Whidden YOUR INFORMATION commissioners make and he hopes not only to improve morale, The Businesscarry Timesout decisions. saidFOR Valuing staff and making the county but also take steps that will make Mesa For additional information about an employer of hired choiceTwo is Men amongandthea County an organization for which people Chad Covell Two Men and a Truck, log on to priorities, Whidden said.

So is planning want to work.

Truck to help him in Michigan and was www.twomenandatruck.com. that resultswith in what sustainable funding and Meanwhile, Whidden expects the impressed he said was a moving balanced budgets on a long-term basis. county to continue policies and initiatives experience in every sense of the word.

Meanwhile, MesaCovell County will that support economic said he specialist withlocal Two business Men andand a Truck, said continue to pursue was efforts that promote a development.

There are additional impressed enough Covell is exactly the kind of franchiseesteps for friendly businesswith environment that canthebecompany taken to make easier fortolocal the service and to which looks. itHe brings his economic development, Whidden said. businessesbusiness to sell products andasservices consider purchasing franchise experience well as to a Whidden officially beganfranchise working of as commitment the county, hetoadded. his own customer and community county administratortheatmoving the beginning of service.

Mesa willallkeep working with company.

“HeCounty checks off the boxes.” the year. He succeeds“ItTom Fisher, who was other government entities, organizations was one of those Headquartered in Michigan, Two Men hired as county manager in Summit and institutions on fostering an business opportunities and a Truck operates a total ofenvironment more than County, Utah. that locations supportsandexisting businesses and that’s always been on 380 4,000 trucks in the United Whidden joined Mesa County in attracts new businesses, he said. my radar.”

States as well as Canada, Ireland and the Chad Covell August 2011 as information technology Whidden After moving to United Kingdom.said there could be a director.

In April 2014, he became deputy opportunities to encourage the additional Grand Junction, Covell said he’s ready Ackerly said the new Grand Junction county administrator for resource development of businesses provide to take advantage of that opportunity in location is what’s billed as a that mini-market management in a staffing reorganization services to the agricultural industry as well opening what’s billed as a mini-market franchise in serving an area with a that eliminated four director positions. as promote Mesa County as a distribution franchise. population of 100,000 to 225,000 people.

Before joining County, center region. of the company are He hopes the businessMesa will soon grow All of for thethe services Whidden worked for a company providing The important beyond its name with more than one truck available, however. thing is to consider information services to issues fromservices a well-rounded perspective, and more than technology two men. Given the track Those are available not only colleges and universities.

In that role, he Whidden said.

“We won’t be myopic as we record of a company that’s developed over to help customers move entire households, managed IT systems and services for look at things.” the past 35 years into one of the largest but also to help customers move between institutions in Alabama, Arizona,in Illinois ✦ housing. Services franchised moving operations North apartments or into senior The Business Times

It’s a moving experience: Two Men and a Truck comes to Grand Junction

Let’s create something

...for your home, business, or toys!

S O L A R

P O W E R E D

1707 I-70 Business Loop Grand Junction

970-243-6310

allmetalswelding.com

Life is Precious

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

America, Covell said he’s optimistic.

Two Men and a Truck offers local and long-distance moving as well as packing services and moving supplies. Covell said he’ll also offer indoor storage and storage containers.

Covell said he’s something of serial entrepreneur who brings to his latest venture more than 20 years of experience in various business. That includes a modular housing factory he owned in Michigan.

He said he’s familiar with the operational and financial aspects of running a business and, in particular, the importance of providing excellent customer service. “If you’re not able to do that, it’s pretty tough to be successful in business.”

Cheryl Acklerly, franchise development

are available to move businesses as well, she said. “It’s perfect for Grand Junction.”

Two Men and a Truck offers franchisees a system that’s proven to work, Ackerly said. Entrepreneur Magazine ranks Two Men and a Truck among the top 500 franchisees in the United States and No. 1 in the moving category.

“If they follow the process, they’re doing well,” she said.

In Grand Junction, Covell said he hopes to soon acquire another truck for his franchise and hire eight to 10 movers and drivers.

Covell said he expects to offer the same moving experience he enjoyed with Two Men and a Truck back in Michigan to his customers in Western Colorado.

F

March 26-April 8, 2020

The Business Times Page 5

Energy institute executive: Commodity prices low now, but demand will increase Phil Castle

The Business Times

While low commodity prices affect energy development for now, fossil fuels will continue to play a major role in meeting long-term demand.

And efforts to ban hydraulic fracturing or prohibit drilling on federal lands could prove economically disastrous, according to Christopher Guith, senior vice president of policy for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Christopher Guith Global Energy Institute.

Speaking at a briefing hosted by the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce, Guith offered an overview of energy trends as well as the possible implications for proposed policies that would leave mineral resources in the ground.

A combination of increasing supplies and decreasing demand has pulled down the price of oil and natural gas, Guith said. That in turn has affected the energy industry in the United States.

The effect is even more pronounced, he said, because the U.S. has become the largest producer of oil and natural gas and largest exporter of liquid petroleum products in the world. “That hits us a little harder than it used to.”

The effects of the coronavirus pandemic on energy demand and travel could further effect commodity prices, he said.

Over the long term, though, world demand for all energy is expected to increase 47 percent between now and 2050, Guith said. Most of that demand will come from developing countries. With more than a billion people who still live without

electricity, developing countries are turning to coal-fired plants to generate power.

The United States derives it’s power from the most diverse mix of sources in the world. While power from solar energy, wind turbines and other renewable sources has grown 70 percent, fossil fuels still account for 79 percent of power, Guith said.

The increasing use of natural gas to generate electricity when the sun doesn’t shine and the wind doesn’t blow constitutes the “backbone” of the clean energy economy, he said. “We can’t have renewables without gas.”

Even as drivers use more electric vehicles, crude oil still accounts for about 80 percent of transportation energy, he said.

Given the growth of the U.S. energy industry, proposed policies that would ban hydraulic fracturing or prohibit drilling on federal lands would prove economically disastrous, Guith said.

Yet, many candidates running for office in the 2020 election have advocated such policies, he said.

A study conducted by the Global Energy Institute estimated a ban on fracking would eliminate 19 million jobs between 2021 and 2025, while reducing gross domestic product by $7.1 trillion over the same period.

The institute estimated a ban on energy leasing on federal lands would reduce annual GDP by $70 billion, result in the loss of a total of 380,000 direct and indirect jobs and cut royalty and rental fees for federal and state governments $11.3 billion a year.

While the effects of climate change must be addressed on a global basis, there’s some good news in that air pollutants in the United States have dropped, Guith said. The air in U.S cities is cleaner than most foreign cities.

“We have the cleanest air in the world.”

F

Panel OKs Jordan Cove project A federal regulatory panel has approved a proposed liquefied natural gas export terminal and pipeline in Oregon that could connect Western Colorado supplies with Asian markets.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) voted 2-1 to approve the Jordan Cove terminal and Pacific Connector Pipeline.

The project still faces roadblocks in Oregon, where the state department of land conservation and development ruled backers hadn’t demonstrated the project would comply with a coastal management plan. Oregon also has denied a water quality certificate and dredging permit.

The project has drawn opposition for its potential environmental effects.

The FERC approval constitutes an important milestone, however, said Harry Andersen, senior vice president and chief legal officer of Pembina Pipeline. The

Canada-based corporation backs the project.

“We appreciate FERC’s science-based approach to their review,” Andersen stated in a news release. “The approval emphasizes yet again that Jordan Cove is environmentally responsible and is a project that should be permitted given a prudent regulatory and legal process undertaken.”

FERC Chairman Neil Chatterjee said he was pleased to approve the Jordan Cove project. Chatterjee said the FERC has approved 12 liquefied natural gas export terminals since he began chairman, but Jordan Cove is the first that would be located on the west coast of the lower 48 states.

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.

See PROJECT page 14

The Business Times

Page 6

March 26-April 8, 2020

School District 51 health care choices expanded Employees who receive their health insurance through Mesa County School District 51 have choices that include benefit plans offered by Community Hospital and Monument Health.

Tawny Espinoza, vice president of business development for Community Hospital, said participants in the School District 51 Community Health Partnership will enjoy the same benefits they’ve had for the past eight years.

“This includes access to over 163 primary care providers and specialists spanning 13 primary care offices locations,” Espinoza said. “The innovative programs we have created — such as lifestyle medicine, diabetes medication incentive program, virtual urgent care, in collaboration with the University of Utah Health — and more will also still be available to SD 51 CHP participants.”

Chris Thomas, president and chief executive officer

Tawny Espinoza

Chris Thomas

Stephanie Motter

of Community Hospital, said the hospital entered into a public and private partnership in 2012 in extending health care benefits to School District 51 and other organizations.

Since then, the program has saved School District 51 millions of dollars on health care coverage, Thomas said.

“We are extremely proud of the work we have done to help lower the cost of health care in our community.”

Employees who receive health insurance through School District 51also have a choice to select the Monument Health option. Based in Grand Junction, Monument Health works with doctors, hospitals, insurance companies and employers to offer integrated health care.

“We are thrilled District 51 has confidence in our organization and has invited us to the table to offer a product that translates into more choices for our teachers and their families,” said Stephanie Motter, CEO of Monument Health.

Monument Health offers members access to Primary Care Partners and St Mary’s Medical Center in Grand Junction as well as Family Health West in Fruita and Delta County Memorial Hospital in Delta.

F

Mind Springs Health continues to operate in midst of outbreak A regional mental health and addiction services provider continues to operate its psychiatric hospital in Grand Junction as well as outpatient offices despite the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak.

The West Springs Hospital remains open for in-patient care, while Mind Springs Health offices offer services through video and telephone connections.

Michelle Hoy, executive vice president of Mind Springs Health, said addressing mental health issues is even more important in the midst of the outbreak.

“It’s a very stressful time for many of our community members Michelle Hoy who are experiencing a level of anxiety that they’ve not felt before.

We want to ensure that our existing clients have access to their mental health provider while also extending services to those who may have never felt the need to reach out for mental health care until now.”

Like other hospitals, West Springs Hospital has implemented precautions in the aftermath of the outbreak. The walk-in clinic remains open, but clients are screened before entering. Visitation has been restricted to telephone visits. The Grand Junction detox facility adjacent to West Springs Hospital also remains physically open, as does the Women’s Recover Center.

The 12 Mind Springs outpatient offices in Western Colorado have transitioned to telehealth services over computers and telephones. Those in need of mental health services can reach out to their local offices or call (844) 493-8255. Information also is available at www.mindspringshealth.org.

“When COVID-19 is behind us, we will continue to offer in-person therapy visits in our outpatient offices,” Hoy said.

“However, we imagine that many of those who begin to utilize virtual therapy will find it such a convenient way to meet with their mental health professional, they’ll continue to use telehealth or telephone therapy going forward.”

F

March 26-April 8, 2020

The Business Times Page 7

Page 8

The Business Times

Grants fund Mesa County projects Two grants worth a total of more than $200,000 will help to acquire land to complete a trail as well as build an outdoor classroom in Mesa County.

The Great Outdoors Colorado (GOGO) board awarded a $156,920 grant to the City of Grand Junction, in partnership with the Colorado West Land Trust and U.S. Bureau of Land Management, to acquire land along the Monument Corridor.

The GOCO board also awarded a $45,000 grant to Mesa County, in partnership with Mesa County School District 51, to improve the Outdoor Wilderness Lab at Gateway School.

Libby Collins The latest grants bring to more than $44.7 million the total amount of Great Outdoors Colorado investments in Mesa County projects over the years. Grants have supported the construction of a variety of trails as well as conserved more than 18,000 acres of land. Funding comes from proceeds from the Colorado Lottery under a state constitutional amendment voters approved in 1992.

The Colorado West Land Trust will acquire a 20-acre property along the Monument Corridor Ken Sherbenou as part of efforts to complete a 10-mile paved loop connecting the Audubon Trail, Colorado Riverfront Trail, Connected Lakes, Lunch Loop trail system and Riggs Hill as well as downtown Grand Junction and several residential neighborhoods.

The Colorado West Land Trust expects to close on the purchase of the property in April. Trail construction hasn’t yet been scheduled.

“As our community experiences exciting economic expansion, strategically preserving open spaces and enhancing trail connectivity to our parks and open spaces becomes more and more critical for

maintaining our quality of life and strengthening our community” said Libby Collins, Colorado West Land Trust project manager.

Ken Sherbenou, director of the city parks and recreation department, said partnerships with the Colorado West Land Trust, BLM, Mesa County and Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association have resulted in more outdoor recreational opportunities for people of all ages. “These collaborative efforts, supported by GOCO, allow all of these organizations to have a greater impact throughout our community.”

With the help of the GOCO grant, a permanent outdoor classroom will be built at Gateway School for the Outdoor Wilderness Lab. The classroom will include a concrete pad with roof cover, outdoor furniture, privacy fence and paths accessible to those with disabilities.

Since 2012, the Outdoor Wilderness Lab has provided sixth grade students opportunities to learn about biology, conservation, forestry, history and wildlife management. The lab has operated out of borrowed or rented facilities.

Mesa County estimates the new outdoor classroom will serve more than 2,000 students during the 2020-2021 school year.

Expanding the school’s outdoor spaces also will provide the local community with additional recreation opportunities, especially considering the nearest park for Gateway residents is located nearly 50 miles away.

Students have been involved at all levels of the project, from planning and design to implementation.

Career Center students enrolled in construction courses will help lay gravel pathways and build the privacy fence. Gateway students can choose to use PE time to help build trails adjacent to the new classroom and Western Colorado Conservation Corps members are developing a volunteer plan to assist with other aspects of classroom construction.

Construction bids will begin in May, with a grand opening for the classroom scheduled for September.

F

March 26-April 8, 2020

Grand Valley man among appointees to habitat program state committee

Jon Romatzke of Grand Junction is among six new appointees to a state committee that makes recommendations about the use of funds raised through the Colorado Wildlife Habitat Stamp.

Romatzke represents Colorado Parks and Wildlife on the 11-member committee and will serve a four-year term. Jon Nestor of Rifle also was appointed to represent sports enthusiasts on the group.

The committee identifies projects and makes recommendations to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife director and commission about the use of $9 million in funds generated annually through the wildlife habitat stamp program.

The program requires hunters and anglers purchasing annual licenses to contribute $10 to a state habitat protection program. Colorado Parks and Wildlife in turn uses the funding to work with conservation groups, government entities and landowners to protect habitat as well as fishing and hunting opportunities.

F

March 26-April 8, 2020

The Business Times Page 9

Page 10

The Business Times

March 26-April 8, 2020

Grand Valley tax collections trend upward

Tax collections continued to increase in the Grand Valley through the first two months of 2020, a measure of higher retail sales compared to the same span in 2019.

Lodging tax collections in Grand Junction, an indicator of hotel and motel stays, also increased.

Numbers aren’t yet available, though, to indicate to what extent the coronavirus outbreak has affected the local retail and hospitality sectors.

The City of Grand Junction collected a total of nearly $10.2 million in sales and use tax collections for January and February. That’s an increase of almost $131,000 and 1.3 percent over the same two months last year.

January and February tax collections reflect sales in December and January.

Sales tax collections for the first two months of 2020 rose 1.9 percent. Use tax collections, a far smaller and more volatile source of revenue for the city, dropped 37.4 percent.

Sales tax collections for January increased 4 percent compared to the same month last year. But collections for February decreased 1.2 percent.

Mesa County collected a total of almost $6.5 million in sales and use taxes during the first two months of 2020. That’s an increase of nearly $353,000 and 5.8 percent over the same span in 2019.

Sales tax collections rose 7.3 percent.

Use tax collections — most on automobiles purchased outside the county, but used in the county — fell 9.6 percent.

Sales tax collections rose 8.5 percent in January compared to the same month last year and 5.6 percent in February.

For the first two months of 2020, county tax collections increased 17.1 percent on retail sales compared to the same span in 2019. Collections rose 9.6 percent on autos, 8.2 percent on home improvements and 2 percent in the hotel and restaurant sector.

Collections fell 69.7 percent in the oil and natural gas sector.

The City of Grand Junction collected a total of $165,448 in lodging taxes in January and February. Thats an increase of $11,602 and 7.5 percent over the same two months last year.

Lodging tax collections increased 14.6 percent in January, but edged down nine-tenths of a percent in February compared to the same months in 2019.

F

Subscribe today to the journal that means business in the Grand Valley (970) 424-5133

www.thebusinesstimes.com

March 26-April 8, 2020

The Business Times Page 11

Page 12

The Business Times

March 26-April 8, 2020

News, views Montrose home and advice funeral you can use operators

Subscribe today to the journal that means business in the Grand Valley (970) 424-5133

www.thebusinesstimes.com

face charges

The operators of a Montrose funeral home faces charges they illegally sold bodies and body parts without the consent of the families of the deceased.

Megan Hess and her mother, Shirley Koch, operators of the Sunset Mesa Funeral Home were arrested. They appeared before a U.S. magistrate in Grand Junction, where they were advised of their rights and the charges against them. Hess and Koch were each charged with six counts of mail fraud and three counts of illegal transportation of hazardous materials.

U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn announced the arrest and charges in conjunction with the Denver Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Transportation Office of Jason Dunn the Inspector General.

“The defendants are charged with committing a blatant fraud on many, many victims,” Dunn said. “This betrays a fundamental trust during one of the worst times in a person’s life — having to make arrangements for a deceased loved one.

It is hard to imagine the pain and worry of those who used Sunset Mesa and not knowing what happened to their loved ones’ remains.”

According to a grand jury indictment, Hess and Koch operated Sunset Mesa Funeral Directors from 2010 through 2018, purporting to provide burial and cremation services. Hess also created a nonprofit called Sunset Mesa Funeral Foundation, a body broker service doing business as Donor Services out of the same location.

According to the indictment, Hess and Koch on at least a dozen instances didn’t follow family wishes or obtain authorization for Donor Services to transfer bodies or body parts to third parties. In instances in which families agreed to a donation, Hess and Koch sold remains beyond those authorized by the families. Hess and Koch also delivered cremains to families they said were those of the deceased when that wasn’t the case.

In addition, Hess and Koch shipped bodies and body parts that tested positive for or belonged to people who had died from infectious diseases, including hepatitis and HIV. If convicted of mail fraud, Hess and Koch face up to 20 years in federal prison for each count. If convicted of transportation of hazardous materials, they face up to five years in prison for each count. They also face a fine of up to $250,000 for each count.

The case will be prosecuted by Jeremy Chaffin, an assistant U.S. attorney in Grand Junction, and Tim Neff, an assistant U.S. attorney in Denver.

F

March 26-April 8, 2020

The Business Times Page 13

Page 14

The Business Times

March 26-April 8, 2020

Project

Continued from page 5 Andersen said Pembina has signed voluntary easement agreements that collectively constitute about 77 percent of the privately owned portion of the proposed pipeline route.

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 holds a 50 percent ownership stake in the Ruby Pipeline.

If constructed, the Jordan Cove terminal could be capable of liquefying more than 1 billion cubic feet of natural gas a day to ship to export markets.

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, Andersen said 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.

Andersen attributed the FERC approval in part to support for the Jordan Cove project in Oregon as well as Western Colorado. “The FERCs decision is due in no small part to our many supporters who have turned out time and time again to voice their support for Jordan Cove and to show that the project is in the public interest, including in southern Oregon and the Rockies basin.”

F

Applicants sought to fill board vacancy

The deadline to submit applications to fill a vacancy on the Mesa County School District 51 board has been extended to 4 p.m.

April 20.

The District C seat on the school board was vacated following the resignation of John Williams. Williams resigned before a final round of interviews for an open position as district general counsel.

To apply for the vacant seat, interested candidates must submit resumes and cover letters to bridget.story@d51schools.org.

Interested applicants must be registered to vote within District 51 boundaries for at least a year and reside in District C, located between 26 1/2 and 29 roads in central and northern Grand Junction. A detailed map is available online at d51schools.org/about_us/board_ of_education/members.

Applications must submit a copy of their driver’s licenses for verification purposes.

F

March 26-April 8, 2020

The Business Times Page 15

Page 16

Loans

Continued from page 2 Loans are available to small businesses, private nonprofit organizations and small agricultural cooperatives and aquaculture enterprises. Eligibility is based on the financial effects of the coronavirus outbreak. The deadline to apply is Dec. 17.

The interest rate is 3.75 percent for small businesses and 2.75 percent for private, nonprofit organizations. SBA offers long-term repayments to reduce monthly payments — up to a 30 years.

The availability of SBA disaster loans follows a request from Colorado Gov. Jared Polis.

SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza said the federal agency is committed to helping small businesses in Colorado. “We will be swift in our efforts to help these small businesses recover from the financial impacts of the coronavirus.”

In addition to the loans, Padilla said the SBA is working with

The Business Times FOR YOUR INFORMATION To apply for or obtain more information about SBA economic injury disaster loans, log on to the website at http://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela, call the SBA Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Completed loan applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Distribution Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155. other government entities, business groups and communities to address challenges. “I appreciate the tremendous support our agency is receiving form the state, our resource partners, local elected officials, chambers of commerce and community leaders.

This collaboration will continue for as long as critical resources are necessary.”

F

March 26-April 8, 2020

Couple

Continued from page 2 “Remember to be grateful for this new opportunity to improve your services and products and perhaps discover new ways to conduct business. That sounds like a platitude, but we all do have the chance — right now — to analyze and change things,” the Terriens stated in an email exchange with the Business Times.

The couple operates Thin Air. They’ve been busy since the onset of the outbreak helping clients update websites and social media platforms and publish email letters.

“Keeping customers informed is the most important daily-hourly activity for the foreseeable future. With more people staying home, working remotely and ordering online, businesses must keep their websites current.

Some businesses that traditionally have not sold products or services online are now considering it. This is more of a long-term strategy, but more businesses must consider this in the environment we are now in.”

Keeping existing customers and potential customers informed is easy, they said, but important in assuring them a business is available to help them.

Businesses also should check and update Google My Business, Yelp and Trip Advisor listings to get information out to people conducting internet searches.

In terms of operating businesses from home or another remote location, the Terriens said success depends on several factors.

Internet access is essential to communicating with customers and suppliers.

Video conferencing helps. Such free services as Skype and Zoom are available. Paid services offer businesses the ability to record and present classes and other information.

While texts and emails impart information, voice and video calls work better in conveying intention and providing instant feedback.

A dedicated workspace helps as well, whether that’s a home office, vacant bedroom or dining room table.

Following a regular routine and developing a work mindset is crucial, too.

“Developing the discipline to separate yourself and get into your work mode is key to success.”

Distractions and other obstacles can present challenges, the Terriens said.

“Looking out the window while trying to work only to see that you need to mow the lawn or do the laundry can ruin your activity of the day.”

Headphones help to maintain focus.

Businesses forced to send staff home to work should trust their employees, but also verify they’re completing tasks without supervision. “Set clear expectations and check in often. Try a communication tool, like Slack, to have ready access to employees to chat online about projects or tasks. Video conference and phone calls help also.”

Some employees could discover working from home is not only possible, but also more productive than working in their offices, the Terriens said.

F

March 26-April 8, 2020

The Business Times Page 17

The Business Times

Page 18

Outbreak

Continued from page 2 As of March 23, Mesa County Public Health reported five positive cases of COVID-19 infections in the county.

Statewide, 720 positive cases were reported.

As the number of positive cases and deaths has grown, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has announced a series of measures intended to slow the spread of the outbreak.

The Colorado Department of Health and Environment closed restaurants, bars, theaters, gyms and casinos for 30 days.

Establishments are allowed to offer food and beverage service, but only through drive-through, drive-up or delivery services. Establishments may allow up to five members of the public on the premises to pick up orders, but those people must remain at least 6 feet apart.

Polis issued an executive order effective March 24 until least 11:59 p.m.

April 10 requiring Colorado employers to cut in-person staffing by half and implement work-from-home options to the greatest extent possible.

The order exempts what are deemed essential employers, including those involved in providing health care, food, gasoline, news and telecommunications services.

Mesa County School District 51 facilities were closed to the public through at least April 10 with remote learning programs scheduled to start March 30.

Government offices and other facilities also have closed to the public. Mesa County Libraries locations will close until at least April 6.

In addition, events have been canceled or postponed, including the Jump Start Job Fair, Western Colorado Economic Summit and West Slope Startup Week.

Cilia Kohn, director of marketing and communications with the Grand Junction Economic Partnership, said keeping employees healthy remains a priority for businesses and the community.

Depending on the business, that means finding ways for employees to work from home, offering services over the telephone or internet or delivering products in different ways, Kohn said.

Schwenke said it’s important for businesses to communicate what they’re doing. “If you are still open, communicate how you are keeping your place of business, your employees and the public safe.”

Schwenke said businesses have increased their cleaning and sanitation procedures and moved to telephone and online communications.

March 26-April 8, 2020 HOW BUSINESSES HAVE RESPONDED

Brandon Stam, executive director at the Downtown Grand Junction Partnership, said downtown business have responded proactively to the outbreak. Retailers have been taking orders over the phone or online even as restaurants offer takeout or delivery.

Downtown parking is free until further notice and some parking spots have been designated as pickup zones for customers ordering food from restaurants, Stam said.

Mesa Mall has temporarily adjusted operating hours to 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, said Paul Petersen, general manager. Some retailers in the mall have changed their hours or closed temporarily, he said.

Washington Prime Group, a real estate investment trust that owns Mesa Mall, has offered the use of mall space to local, state and federal agencies — possibly as a distribution center, Petersen said.

In the meantime, organizations offer a range of resources to help businesses.

With the Business Incubator Center physically closed, the center has moved to a virtual platform for classes, coaching and meetings, Maraschin said. The Revolving Loan of Mesa County administered at the center will play a role as well, he said.

Schwenke said the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce will offer video conference briefings on such topics as emergency preparedness, human resources issues and handling capital needs. The chamber also has compiled lists of resources for business as well as restaurants and coffee shops offering carry out and delivery.

The Fruita Chamber of Commerce launched a Facebook group titled Grand Valley Business Support to offer information.

The Palisade Chamber of Commerce joined with Fusion Group USA, a Grand Junction website and software development company, to develop a free listing website called Who’s Open Colorado.

Kohn said businesses that need assistance are encouraged to contact the Business Incubator Center, local chambers or GJEP. “One of our greatest assets in the Grand Valley, which helped us through the last recession, is our spirit of collaboration. We have a local task force in place working on short- and longterm solutions to move past the virus toward swift economic recovery.”

Residents can help by shopping locally, business leaders said.

“Support local businesses by ordering takeout and accessing their products and services,” Schwenke said. “Buy local. And if you have suggestions on how to make it easier to do that, let businesses know.”

F

FOR YOUR INFORMATION Here, at a glance, are some of the websites offering information and resources to businesses in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak: n https://health.mesacounty.us/covid19. n www.gjincubator.org. n www.gjchamber.org n https://www.gjep.org/coronavirus-covid-19-resources. n www.facebook.com/groups/grandvalleybusinesssupport. n https://whosopencolorado.com.

n ANB BANK TAKES STEPS DESIGNED TO HELP CUSTOMERS ANB Bank has announced steps designed to relieve the financial stress customers face as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

The bank offers a three-month deferral of payments on commercial and consumer loans that require monthly principal and interest payments. That includes loans for commercial real estate and equipment as well as mortgages and home equity and installment loans.

The bank also ensures that borrowers with floating rate, prime-based loans will receive the full amount of two Koger Propst emergency rate reductions by reducing the prime borrowing rate and temporarily removing interest rate floors through Dec. 31.

“We want our customers to know our ANB team is here for them,” said Koger Propst, president and chief executive officer. “Our low-moderate risk underwriting, our privately held model and the fact that all our loans are portfolio loans puts us in a unique position to respond to this challenge in a truly meaningful manner — one that will provide financial and emotional relief to our ANB customers in this challenging time.”

ANB Bank operates more than 30 banking centers, including locations in Grand Junction. For more information, visit www.anbbank.com. n WINE COUNTRY INN OFFERS EASTER BUFFET BY TAKEOUT The Wine Country Inn in Palisade will offer its traditional Easter buffet on a takeout basis.

Individual meals cost $26 and include two meats, three sides, a dinner roll and dessert. A family of five can dine for $99. Orders must be called in at 464-5777 in advance. Food will be available for pickup between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. April 12.

In addition, the Caroline’s restaurant at the Wine Country Inn offers dinner service for takeout between 4:30 and 8:30 p.m. Guests at the hotel can order breakfast by room service or order dinner to eat in their rooms.

“These are crazy days, but we’re going to do everything in our power to provide the service and cuisine our guests and neighbors expect,” said Ian Kelley, general manager. “Our staff has already risen to the challenge.”

The Wine Country Inn is located at 777 Grande River Drive. For more information, call 464-5777 or visit www.coloradowinecountryinn.com. n QUALITY INN REINSTITUTES ROOM SERVICE FOR GUESTS The Quality Inn in Grand Junction has reinstituted room service to deliver food to guests.

“We’re going to do our best to make their travel as pleasant as it can be under the circumstances. That’s the least we can do,” said Manager Rick Martindale.

Guests call the front desk to place their orders. The kitchen staff cooks the food and assembles orders on room service carts or trays. An employee delivers the cart or tray, knocks on the door and then steps away to let guests retrieve their food.

The Quality Inn is located at 733 Horizon Drive. For more information, call 452-7200 or visit www.qualityinngrandjunction.com. n WINENERSCHNITZEL SERVES FREE FOOD TO KIDS AND SENIORS Wienerschnitzel locations in Grand Junction, Montrose and Parachute serve free food to children age 12 and under and seniors age 65 and older.

A free original chili dog or regular hot dog will be served to children and seniors from 2 p.m. until closing. The offer is limited to one chili dog or hot dog per person, who must be present to participate. Drive-up windows will be open, and to-go orders may be placed at counters.

“In times of turmoil, we look to people and things that offer us great comfort and joy. We often hear our food makes our guests happy, so we wanted to treat them to something simple and delicious,” said Tobey Williams, franchisee of the participating restaurants. n AUTOMOTIVE DEALERSHIP OFFERS FREE PICKUP AND DELIVERY Grand Junction Subaru and Volkswagen offers free pickup and delivery with a sanitation process to customers having their vehicles serviced at the dealership.

Team members from the dealership will pick up vehicles as well deliver them following service. Customers should call 255-6677 to schedule the service.

Grand Junction Subaru and Volkswagen are located on Market Street and 24 Road. For more information, visit the websites at www.rockymtnsubaru.com or www.grandjunctionvolkswagen.com.

F

News Trends January joblessness jumps Contributors Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac

March 26-April 8, 2020

The Business Times Page 19

INDICATORS AT A GLANCE

n Business filings

t New business filings in Colorado, 28,371 in the fourth quarter, down 0.4% from the fourth quarter of 2018.

Effects of coronavirus outbreak makes Mesa County outlook unclear

s Consumer Confidence Index 130.7 in February, up 0.3. s Leeds Business Confidence Index for Colorado, 50.8 for the first quarter, up 3.9. s National Federation of Independent Business Small Business Optimism Index 104.5 for February, up 0.2.

A seasonal spike in the monthly unemployment rate in Mesa County was less pronounced, but the outlook for 2020 remains uncertain given the implications of the coronavirus outbreak.

“This is such AREA JOBLESS RATES uncharted territory,” said Curtis Englehart,

Jan. Dec. director of the Mesa s Delta County 4.1 2.9 County Workforce s Garfield County 3.2 2.4 Center in Grand s Mesa County 4.1 3.1 Junction. s Montrose County 3.4 2.5 The seasonally s Rio Blanco County 3.7 2.9 unadjusted jobless rate rose a point to 4.1 percent in January, according to the latest estimates from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.

The unemployment rate usually spikes in January to its highest level of the year because of layoffs after the holidays and the effects of winter weather on construction and other outdoor activities, Englehart said.

Still, the latest jobless rate remains below the same time last year, when the rate jumped to 5 percent.

For January 2020, Mesa County payrolls decreased 1,582 from December to 72,285. The number of people counted among those unsuccessfully looking for work increased 714 to 3,088.

The labor force, which includes the employed and unemployed, shrank 868 to 75,373.

Over the past year, payrolls have increased 245 as the ranks of the unemployed have decreased 685. The labor force has declined 440, however, which Englehart said is troubling and puzzling given 2019 was one of the best years on record for the local labor market.

“I don’t necessarily have a good answer for that.”

Labor demand as measured by the number of job openings posted at the Mesa County Workforce Center was strong in January at 1,953, he said. That’s more than double the 800 openings posted during January 2019. Demand remains strong for positions in health care and manufacturing as well as office and administrative jobs.

A total of 225 initial claims for unemployment benefits were filed in Mesa County in January, up from 210 a year ago.

While he was mostly encouraged by the January labor estimates, Englehart said the Mesa County labor market since has sustained some big blows.

StarTek, one of the largest private sector employers in Grand Junction, announced in early March it will close its Grand Junction call center. Englehart said the closure will affect 371 employees.

Staff from the Mesa County Workforce Center is working with employees there to offer them assistance in seeking jobs elsewhere, he said. Funding also is available to cover a portion of wages paid to new hires training for different work.

Englehart said it’s too early to tell to what extent the effects

n Confidence

n Foreclosures

s Foreclosure filings in Mesa County, 19 in February, up 5.6% from February 2019.

t Foreclosure sales in Mesa County, 6 in February, down 14.3% from February 2019.

n Indexes

t Conference Board Employment Trends Index, 108.96 for February, down 0.89. s Conference Board Leading Economic Index 112.1 for February, up 0.1% t Institute for Supply Management Purchasing Managers Index for the manufacturing sector, 50.1% for February, down 0.8%.

n Lodging

t Lodging tax collections in Grand Junction, $69,467 for February, down 0.9% from February 2019.

n Real estate

s Real estate transactions in Mesa County, 325 in February, up 12.8% from February 2019. s Dollar volume of real estate transactions in Mesa County, $109 million in February, up 32.9% from February 2019.

n Sales

t Sales and use tax collections in Grand Junction, $4.1 million for February, down 1% from February 2019. s Sales and use tax collections in Mesa County, $2.8 million for February, up 4% from February 2019.

n Unemployment n Colorado — 2.5% for January, unchanged. s Mesa County — 4.1% for January, up 1.0. t United States — 3.5% for February, down 0.1.

Phil Castle

The Business Times

Workforce center closes, but still providing services

The Mesa County Workforce Center in Grand Junction has closed to the public because of the coronavirus outbreak, but continues to provide services.

“The Mesa County Workforce Center is committed in providing great programs to the citizens of Mesa County.

Although the way we will be delivering services has changed temporarily due to COVID-19, our programs remain open and available,” said Curtis Englehart, director of the center.

Until further notice, business will be conducted by telephone, email or Curtis Englehart mail with employment specialists and case managers.

General information is available by calling the center at 248-0871. Those who want to schedule a telephone interview with an employment specialist should call 248-7560. A list of new job openings is available by calling 248-7575.

Information about services for job seekers and employers is available online at www.connectingcolorado.com.

F

of the coronavirus outbreak will affect the economy. That likely will vary with the length and severity of the outbreak and affect different businesses in different ways.

The outbreak forced the workforce center to close and postpone its Jump Start Job Fair scheduled for April 7. Englehart said the center will take advantage of internet connections and other technology to continue to offer services. He encouraged businesses to do the same to the greatest extent possible.

For January, unemployment rates also increased in neighboring Western Colorado counties — 1.2 points to 4.1 percent in Delta County, nine-tenths of a point to 3.4 percent in Montrose County and eight-tenths of a point to 3.2 percent in Garfield County and 3.7 percent in Rio Blanco County.

The statewide seasonally adjusted jobless rate remained unchanged at 2.5 percent, the lowest level in Colorado for statistics going back to 1976. Nonfarm payrolls increased 1,300 between December and January.

Over the past year, the state jobless rate retreated seven-tenths of a point. Nonfarm payrolls grew 53,900 with the biggest gains in the professional and business services, educational and health services and construction sectors.

The average workweek for employees on private, nonfarm payrolls lengthened three-tenths of an hour to 33 hours. Average hourly earnings increased 60 cents to $30.70.

F

Regional index tumbles on outbreak concerns An index based on surveys of banking executives in rural areas of a 10-state region that includes Colorado has suffered its biggest one-month decline as concerns mount over the economic effects of the coronavirus outbreak.

The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index dropped from 51.6 in February to 35.5 in March, the biggest one-month drop since the index began in 2006. The index is now at its lowest level since October 2016 and well below a growth-neutral reading of 50.

The index remained highest in Colorado at 37, but that reading dropped 14 points from February.

Ernie Goss — an economics professor at the university in Omaha, Neb. who compiles the index — said more than 60 percent of bank CEOs who responded to the latest survey expect the outbreak to produce a recession in their market areas. However, nearly 33 percent of CEOs said they expect few economic effects from the outbreak.

F

Page 20

The Business Times

March 26-April 8, 2020

Leading index edges up, but contraction expected A monthly index forecasting economic conditions has edged up, but the latest results don’t reflect what could be the substantial effects of a coronavirus pandemic.

“Declines in stock prices, consumers’ outlook on economic conditions, manufacturing new orders, average workweek in manufacturing and rising unemployment claims will begin to negatively impact the economy. As a result, the economy may already be entering into a period of contraction,” said Ataman Ozyildirim, senior director of economic research at Ataman Ozyildirim the Conference Board.

The business research and membership associated reported its Leading Economic Index rose a tenth of a

percent to 112.1 in February, but doesn’t reflect the effects of the coronavirus outbreak that fully hit the United States in early March, Ozyildirim said.

The Leading Economic Index increased three-tenths of a percent over the past six months, slightly slower than the four-tenths of a percent gain over the prior six-month period.

For February, four of 10 indicators of the index advanced: average weekly manufacturing hours, consumer expectations for business conditions, a leading credit index and new orders for consumer goods. Building permits, the interest rate spread and a new orders index retreated.

An increase in average weekly claims for unemployment benefits also pulled down the index. New orders for capital goods held steady.

The Coincident Economic Index, a measure of current performance, rose three-tenths of a percent to 107.6. The

index has increased seven-tenths of a percent over the past six months.

For February, all four indicators of the index increased — industrial production, nonfarm payrolls, personal income and sales.

The Lagging Economic Index, a measure of past performance, rose four-tenths of a percent to 109.1. The index has increased three-tenths of a percent over the past three months.

For February, four of seven indicators increased, including consumer debt, inventories and the cost of labor.

A decrease in the average duration of unemployment also bolstered the index. Commercial and industrial financing decreased. The average prime rate charged by banks and the cost of services remained unchanged.

F

Trends Contributors Opinion The laws they are a changin’ Business Briefs Business People Almanac March 26-April 8, 2020

Employment law conference to help employers keep pace

For businesses handling day-to-day employment issues, it seems like the only constant is change.

The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment recently overhauled regulations governing how employees are paid even as state and federal courts change how various aspects of employment laws are interpreted. Federal agencies change employer responsibilities and employee rights on what seems like a weekly, if not daily, basis.

For employers responsible for Michael keeping abreast of these changes, the Santo Western Colorado Human Resource Association will offer help at its annual spring employment law conference scheduled for April 29.

Bechtel, Santo & Severn, a Grand Junction law firm that advises employers on day-to-day employment law

The Business Times Page 21

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

The Western Colorado Human Resource Association and Bechtel, Santo & Severn law firm has scheduled a spring employment law conference for April 29. Admission is $230 for WCHRA members and $300 for others. Prices will increase April 4. To register or obtain more information, visit www.wchra.org.

issues, will present the conference and offer sessions on a variety of employment topics.

The conference is scheduled to begin with a morning session offering a legislative and case law update.

Employment laws change at a rapid pace. This session will address those changes.

The new Colorado overtime and minimum pay standards order makes sweeping changes to the way private employers compensate employees. The update will address these changes, including rest breaks, meal periods, uniforms, tips and who qualifies for overtime exemptions.

The update also will address the Colorado Equal Pay

Act with its quickly approaching implementation date as well as how changes in the “alphabet soup” of such federal legislation as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) affect employers.

A session will enable participants to ask a panel of lawyers their most pressing questions.

A session will address the 10 mistakes employers most often make and how to address them. In a perfect world, laws would be clear and employers would know how to comply. Unfortunately, we don’t live in a perfect world, and employers occasionally make mistakes in complying with employment laws. This session will address some of the inadvertent missteps employers make and how to fix them. Separate presentations are planned for large and small employers.

Michael Santo is a cofounder and partner at Bechtel, Santo & Severn, a Grand Junction law firm that advices employers on employment law issues. Reach him through the website at www.bechtelsanto.com. For more information about the Western Colorado Human Resources Association, log on to www.wchra.org.

F

SBA disaster loans offer assistance to address outbreak effects Small businesses are the fabric of the Over the years, the federal Colorado economy. Their success depends agency has helped communities on the ability to freely market products recover from hurricanes, and services to communities across the tornadoes, floods and fires. state. As Americans face the new reality of The SBA has the time-tested social distancing measures brought on by experience to effectively and the coronavirus outbreak, small businesses expeditiously implement this bear the brunt of those measures and face disaster loan program on a serious challenges with declining customer national basis. traffic.

SBA economic injury Responding to businesses affected by disaster loans offer up to Frances the coronavirus outbreak and the request of Dan $2 million in assistance per Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, the U.S. Small Nordberg small business and can provide Padilla Business Administration has been authorized vital economic support to small to offer economic injury disaster loans to firms to help overcome the Colorado small businesses in need of working capital and temporary loss of revenue they’re experiencing. These support with operating expenses. loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts This is not the first time the SBA has been asked to payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the step forward to help the nation’s small business during effects of the outbreak.

The interest rate is 3.75 percent for small businesses a time of adversity. Following the events of 9/11, the SBA implemented a nationwide disaster declaration that without credit available elsewhere. Businesses with credit supported and saved thousands of businesses from failure. available elsewhere aren’t eligible. The interest rate for

nonprofit organizations is 2.75 percent. SBA offers loans with long-term repayments to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years. Terms are determined on a case-by-case basis based on the ability to repay.

The application process as well as information on assistance available to impacted communities in Colorado is available at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.

SBA disaster loans are just one piece of the expanded focus of the federal government’s coordinated response, and the agency is committed to providing the most effective and customer-focused response possible. For additional guidance, log on to www.sba.gov.

America’s national economy is dependent on a healthy and vibrant small business community. The SBA is committed to doing everything we can to support America’s entrepreneurs during this challenging time.

Dan Nordberg serves as administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration Region VIII, a six-state region that includes Colorado. Frances Padilla serves as SBA Colorado District director.

F

Page 22

The Business Times

March 26-April 8, 2020

Do you take your professional baggage home?

In my previous column, I enumerated the problems associated with bringing personal baggage to work. I described how even top performers can stumble and fall when they’re unable to effectively manage their personal issues in the workplace. I also elaborated on the domino effect these uncontrolled issues can have on workplace culture, fellow team members, customers and the business.

In this column, let’s consider the other side of the coin. When people bring their professional baggage home, their personal lives are affected in very real ways. This situation can damage and even destroy marriages; alienate children; and cause others to avoid these unhappy, negative and often angry people. Perhaps you know a spouse, child or the friend of someone who’s unable — or simply lacks the tools — to effectively manage Marcus their professional life.

Straub An excessive amount of professional pressure can lead to a whole host of self-sabotaging behaviors that also affect personal lives. Alcohol, prescription medication or illicit drug abuse are more common than you might realize. When people are unhappy at work they don’t sleep well. They might eat poorly or not at all. They stop exercising and in general neglect their well-being. As these compounding factors pile up one on top of another and despair sets in, people could become visibly depressed and withdrawn. If they’re unable or unwilling to get the assistance they need, the overwhelming and negative effects become an unavoidable consequence.

This doesn’t have to be the case, however. As with personal challenges, professional challenges belong solely to the people experiencing them. They have the power to choose, or not, to effectively address the professional

It’s a profound and life-changing choice to leave your professional issues at the office and use your time with family and friends as a healthy “timeout” during which you can refresh and recharge.

stressors with which they’re dealing.

Let’s be clear. I’m not suggesting you shouldn’t talk to your loved ones and friends about the troubling situations you face at work. In fact, trusted, caring and honest family and friends can prove invaluable in choosing to effectively address professional issues. What I’m suggesting — even urging — is those who love you don’t deserve to bear the brunt of your frustrations and unhappiness.

If handled correctly, your home and personal life can offer a safe environment where you can take a welcome break from the stress, frustration and hardships you feel at work. It’s a profound and life-changing choice to leave your professional issues at the office and use your time with family and friends as a healthy “timeout” during which you can refresh and recharge.

Realizing life isn’t all about your work — that work is only a part of your life — will help you strike a successful balance between life and work that leads to greater levels of happiness and success both on and off the job. When you go home, truly go home by leaving work where it belongs — at work. This mindset will serve you, and those around you, well.

In some cases, a different career path or another type of change could be in order. As a coach and consultant, I’ve worked with many business owners and team members

who weren’t fulfilled and happy in their professional realities. Their work simply didn’t align with their personal motivations, purpose, behaviors and competencies. These same people also felt trapped by fear of the unknown, finances and a host of other self-imposed limitations. With guidance, they overcame their limitations and created professional lives they now enjoy.

If you find yourself struggling to be happy at work, at home or both, take the empowering step of seeking a qualified coach who can help you understand your situation and make necessary changes. You might think the personal and professional aspects of your life aren’t connected, but they are. In fact, they have profound effects on each other.

You want those effects to be positive, not negative. When you’re happy and fulfilled at work, you’ll bring a version of yourself home that enhances your personal life.

Even with the help of family, friends and a qualified coach, there will be days that don’t go well and push you to the limits of you abilities to effectively manage your actions, emotions, thoughts and words. Maintaining your balance in both areas of your life comes down to using self-awareness, self-control and newfound tools to rise above your issues.

Marcus Straub owns Life is Great! 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 at www.lifeisgreatcoaching.com.

F

March 26-April 8, 2020

The Business Times Page 23

Natural approach at work bolsters productivity Think back to the last time you felt truly calm, peaceful and void of stress. Where were you? What did you see?

What sounds did you hear?

Odds are you weren’t standing in a busy grocery store line; driving your car through traffic; or, for that matter, sitting in your office staring at your computer screen. More likely, you were enjoying a natural setting of some kind — hiking in the forest, soaking up the sun by the ocean, walking the dog in the park, napping in a hammock in the backyard or even sitting near a window overlooking the trees or taking Rebecca in a view of the mountains.

Weitzel Research confirms our intuition: Our environment affects our stress levels, mood and overall well-being. Unpleasant environments trigger anxiety, helplessness, nervousness, poor immune function and sadness. Pleasant environments, including the great outdoors, reverse such effects. One study found that 95 percent of participants reported less anxiety and stress and improved mood in a natural environment. Moreover, it seems nature can improve our mental capacity. A study conducted by David Strayer at the University of Utah demonstrated a 50 percent improvement on creative problem-solving tasks after participants spent three days backpacking in the mountains.

Strayer theorized the brain’s executive center — the prefrontal cortex — has to recover much like an overworked muscle. In a natural setting, the brain experiences far fewer inputs, giving it a chance to rest. Mounting research confirms this rest period is essential to our mental health and ability to perform our best.

It follows that organizations that want to cultivate a healthy,

One study of the power of natural elements in the workplace showed that even small changes produce dramatic positive effects.

productive and more resilient work force should find ways to improve work environments and increase employee contact with nature. Such environmental improvements don’t have to mean an overhaul of your office space. In fact, one study of the power of natural elements in the workplace showed that even small changes produce dramatic positive effects.

Consider integrating some of the following ideas, or some of your own, to bring nature into the office and encourage employees to spend more time recuperating outdoors: n Add more plants. Simply adding flowers, trees and other plants to a work setting has been shown to make people happier and more productive. n Provide more natural light through windows or skylights. Science shows natural light is associated with better mental and physical health compared to the straining flicker of fluorescent lights. n Create a walking path in a park-like setting on company property. One study showed walking in a park helps alleviate the types of negative thoughts associated with a higher risk for depression. n Adopt an office pet. If your employees agree, bring in a trained dog, calm cat, quiet bird or fish and set up a schedule to take turns walking or feeding the pet. Interacting with an animal has been shown to improve mental well-being. n Create outdoor break room spaces. Designate comfortable, quiet, covered areas outside to encourage employees to spend time taking in the sights and sounds of nature during breaks.

n Install a decorative fountain in the break room.

The sound of running water has been shown to sooth and improve mood. n Place digital screens or photographs depicting nature scenes in hallways or conference rooms. Studies show that even digital depictions of nature improve health. n Schedule regular hikes, bike rides and other outdoor adventures for your staff. Incorporate regular outdoor activities into your wellness offerings. Invite passionate employees to lead the effort or start a club. Embed these activities into your culture. n Choose natural settings for team retreats and company parties. Consider scheduling long meetings, retreats and company celebrations in outdoor settings or remote locations near nature. n Incentivize vacations spent in natural settings.

Promote extended time spent in nature by offering discounts or gift cards for outdoor equipment or activities. n Ask employees for their suggestions. If none of these ideas resonate, hold a focus group or conduct a survey to solicit ideas from your team members. They’ll likely offer even better ideas that fit your organizational culture.

Incorporate nature into your work environment and culture. It’s possible the next time your employees are asked when they last felt calm, peaceful and void of stress, they’ll honestly answer, “Yesterday — at work.”

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.

F

Page 24

The Business Times

March 26-April 8, 2020

Creative efforts improve health care Affordable health care seems to be top of mind for everyone, lately. It’s no wonder creative health care solutions are popping up out of necessity to control rising costs on both the insurance and provider sides of care. The good news: Creative solutions work.

Direct primary care clinics like Trailhead and Appleton clinics have cropped up in the Grand Valley. Just a few miles up Interstate Highway 70, mountain communities created Peak Health Alliance to negotiate their own rates with local hospitals.

At the state level, Gov. Jared Polis has tackled high insurance costs through reinsurance. We’re seeing immediate and real savings to some folks in rural parts of Colorado because of reinsurance. Some Monument Stephanie Health members have realized savings as well.

Motter We hope lawmakers will offer solutions to make these reinsurance savings last.

But I would be remiss not to draw attention to the good work our local team here at Monument Health does behind the scenes to quietly reduce health care costs and provide a higher level of care to our members. After all, Monument Health was started as a creative health care solution to do just that. We take a different approach to health care, one that’s truly integrated and puts our members at the center.

So what is Monument Health, anyway? We’re a team of local professionals who bring doctors, hospitals and insurance companies to the table to achieve better outcomes at lower costs.

We look at care models, negotiate with all parties, remove layers of redundancy and cut red tape. We drive down patient costs while increasing the quality of care our members receive.

We’ve provided this coordinated care model on the Western Slope since 2016. We can’t claim we’ve single-handedly fixed the system, but we’re improving health care for the nearly 15,000 members receiving products or services within our network.

• Same day appointments available

We take a different approach to health care, one that’s truly integrated and puts our members at the center.

We guarantee our members access to primary care providers.

In case you need to see a specialist, we ensure you see one sooner.

We get rid of costly waste and ensure our doctors are incentivized to treat patients based on quality care and not the number of people they shuffle through their doors.

Thanks to our local team of wellness warriors, Monument Health has helped hundreds of people navigate tricky insurance questions, matched them with doctors they like where often times there’s no copay and educated them on when and when not to make a trip the ER. We also help people with extra services at no extra cost, including behavioral health, diabetes management, smoking cessation and even cooking classes.

All of these creative, integrated efforts translate to better care and lower costs.

There’s still more work to be done, and I know there are more ideas incubating to cut costs. As long as we all remain committed to solve the pressing issue of affordability, I remain hopeful it can and will be achieved. We all need access to high-quality health care in Western Colorado without breaking the bank.

Stephanie Motter is chief executive officer of Monument Health, a clinically integrated health care network in Mesa County.

She previously worked as vice president for quality and clinical strategy at DaVita. She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Smith College and master’s degree in nursing from Yale University. For more information about Monument Health, visit www.MonumentHealth.net.

F

March 26-April 8, 2020

The Business Times Page 25

Best advice? Take care of yourself There’s so much advice going around lately I’m about ready to stop listening. Just thinking about all the things I should be doing — or NOT doing — makes my head spin.

The coronavirus outbreak has quickly changed our lives. We face dilemmas about not only our health, but also our jobs and money. That’s not to mention the fear of the unknown.

So this is what I’d like to offer readers.

I want to write about what I know to be true, and that’s the importance today and every day of self-care.

How do you maintain your physical and emotional states at their best? You take care Paula of yourself. That means exercising every day, Reece eating nutritious meals, getting proper sleep and trying to manage stress.

Our bodies need exercise every day. Putting temporary closure signs on our fitness centers was an emotional task knowing how many people rely on us for their exercise needs. So it’s time to get creative with your exercise.

Our website at www.crossroadsfitness.com offers some options. Our instructors and trainers are creating workouts and virtual classes. There are links for Les Mills and Silver Sneaker classes. Join us on Facebook and Instagram for even more ideas.

There are many options for indoor exercise. Use home equipment if you have it. If not, get your heart pumping by climbing the stairs, jumping rope or doing high knee lifts. Weight training can be part of your home workout, too. Body weight training requires no equipment — just you. Try pushups, wall sits, arm circles and crunches. Fill water bottles with water and use them as light weights.

Alternatively, head outdoors. Take a brisk walk, walk your dog or hop on your bike. The fresh air will make you feel better.

If you’ve always been disciplined with your exercise, try to keep exercising at the same time you used to go to the gym or participate in exercise classes.

There are opportunities now to include your family in your workouts. Kids love to join in exercise time. Make it a priority in your self-care routine.

Eat right. Don’t buy into the notion we have to eat processed foods out of cans. There are many healthy options. Frozen veggies are still better than chips. It’s a great time to consume power foods to help boost your immune system. For Vitamin C, try broccoli, strawberries and red and green peppers. For Vitamin E, try almonds, sunflower seeds and peanut butter. For zinc, eat baked beans, cashews and chickpeas. Fermented foods also keep your immune system strong. Such foods as pickles, olives and yogurt increase the good bacteria in your gut and in turn boost immunity.

Stressful times can affect your sleep. The need for quality sleep is more important than ever. It helps your body and immune system stay strong. Make time to unplug, even if it’s for only a little while. No TV or phones. Just let your mind be still. Take advantage of your quite time to reflect. What are your blessings?

What’s positive about your day?

One of my blessings? The readers of this column. Thank you for letting me be part of your day.

Stay safe, healthy and happy.

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.

F

Health care-related real estate changing The Affordable Care Act and the general need for convenience in accessing health care services have changed how some providers view the modern medical office space.

A decade since the federal legislation was enacted, many health care professionals and diagnostic centers have ditched their old-fashioned, sterile-looking office setups for flashier and, more important, conveniently located spaces. In many cases, these spaces are located in retail centers and regional malls.

Major drug store chains and even some grocery stores operate in-store clinics where customers can get a flu shot, have their prescriptions filled or even receive treatments Tim for minor ailments.

Whitney These new levels of accommodations in health care has shifted the paradigm. Because this trend will only continue to grow, shopping center owners are taking advantage of this opportunity to fill empty spaces once leased by more traditional tenants.

News, views and advice you can use

Subscribe today to the journal that means business in the Grand Valley (970) 424-5133

www.thebusinesstimes.com

With the recent outbreak of the coronavirus, there are even plans for a public-private partnership to take advantage of pharmacy drive-through lanes at major chain drugstores to offer convenient and efficient testing for the virus. These organizations are working closely with the Trump administration to implement this service. What will initially be offered in select markets could eventually expand nationwide.

No one knows how long this health care crisis will last.

But you can expect the commercial real estate market to adapt to changing times to assure health care services become more convenient and readily available for customers.

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.

F

RentaSpace.DiegoCorp.com

Contributors Opinion Bold for Polis: 2015 On thepredictions contrary, Gov. There’s news Every A newsome yeargood affords Business Briefs business and job essential more like not-so-bold repeats in help for local business a new opportunity Business People Almanac to meet local needs THE he BUSINESS usiness T T Times IMES

PAGE age 26 22

Perhaps the only thing that makes bearable the threats of the coronavirus outbreak on Grand Valley businesses is the blessed assurance they’re not alone in facing this crisis.

Just as quickly as the growing effects of the outbreak became apparent, a variety of local efforts tofor provide A new yearorganizations almost alwaysgeared bringsupantheir opportunity a freshresources start andand support.

Businesses have offered to help other businesses.

And customers loyal renewed ambition to do things better. to their cherished establishments will play an essential role in their continued In business, that usually boils down to providing customers better products operations. evenatevidence some those who say the must and servicesThere’s faster and lower cost thanofcompetitors.

Partthey’re of thefrom process government and are here to help really will. include listening to customers to determine what they actually need and then The that hastily assembled in thegood latest Business Times if meeting need.

After all,coverage it does little toissue offer of thethe latest and greatest details some of the efforts.

You can read all about it.

But the highlights bear nobody actually wants what you’re selling. repeating: Just like the businesses that belong to the group, the Grand Junction Area n TheofU.S. Small Business Administration announced theaavailability of of Chamber Commerce invariably starts out the new year with reassessment economic injury disaster loans of up to $2 million to Colorado businesses affected the services and resources it provides and how well they match with members by the outbreak.

The the loans may be usedoffor debt, payrolls needs.

Jeff Franklin, new chairman theaccounts chamberpayable, board offixed directors, as well as other expenses that can’t be paid because of the effects of personifies this approach in describing what he considers his role forthe theoutbreak. coming Low interest rates and long terms will help to make repayment more affordable. year: listen to members, determine their needs and then meet those needs. It’s a While theFranklin BusinessisIncubator and Mesa County Workforce role n with which familiar asCenter market president of Bank of Colorado.

Center in Grand Junction are physically closed, the staffs there continue to help The process will take on a more structured approach in what the chamber businesses over the phone and internet with classes, counseling and other services. plans as the resumption of a program aptly called Listening to Business. Under the n The Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce has compiled lists of to program, business owners participate in in-depth interviews to identify barriers resources well problems as local restaurants and coffee shops offering carryout and growth andasother they encounter. deliveries.

The chamber also will offer conferences such timely topics as The new year offers a good time tovideo join the proverbialon club. emergency preparedness, human resource issues and handling capitalTimes? needs.

As an advertiser or reader, what do you need from the Business n The Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce launched a Facebook group While business journals traditionally gather and report the relevant newscalled to Grand Business Support to do justathat on thestreet. socialThat’s mediaespecially platform.true as readers,Valley communication isn’t necessarily one-way Theand Palisade Commerce with Fusion Group USA to Webn sites e-mailChamber make theofdialogue morejoined convenient than ever. develop a free listing website called Who’s Open Colorado.

Good publications don’t exist in a vacuum. They respond to the needs of While the effects of thewhat’s coronavirus advertisers andlong-term readers. They provide needed.outbreak aren’t yet known, the short-term effects already have been profound and in some cases unprecedented.

So what do you need?

If theIshuman toll of the pandemic in the United and elsewhere in theabout world there additional news coverage that wouldStates help keep you informed isn’t horrific enough, there likely could be a fearsome economic toll as well. local business developments? Are there features that would be interesting or ForIsthe timeadvice being,that the would best —make perhaps recourse is to do everything useful? there youronly jobs— a little easier? practically possible to stay safe and also enable businesses to continue It’s equally important to ask what you don’t need. With limited timeproviding to products, services and jobs. produce content and limited space in which to publish it, would time and space be Kohn, of marketing and communications at the Grand Junction betterCilia devoted to director something else?

Economic Partnership, encouraged businesses help to contact the What’s good? What isn’t? What’s needed? that Whatneed isn’t? incubator and workforce centers, the chambers and GJEP. “One of our Times greatest Let us know. Send us an e-mail. Comment online on the Business Web assets in the Grand Valley, which helped us through the last recession, is spirit site at www.thebusinesstimes.com. You could even write an old-fashionedour letter to of collaboration.” the editor if you’d like. Your feedback, both positive and negative, is valued and that’s considered. true of Americans in general, it seems especially true in a place will While be carefully like the Grand Valley experienced so only manythe booms and so many Good publicationsthat’s are the result of not efforts ofbusts, their staffs, but also ups and downs.

We marshal our collective talents and work together to address collaborative efforts involving advertisers and readers. challenges.

Nobody’s alone in facing crisis.

Like any other good business, wethe want to listen to our customers, find out And that makes the threats of the coronavirus outbreak at least a little more what they need and then meet those needs. bearable.

It’s a new year. Please help us to do so.

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.

Someone had to say it. Might as well be me. it’s my nature to be contrary It’sWhile that time of year when — few can argue both sides of a debate the resolutions and prognostications abound. way I can —saying this isn’t aboutto being My favorite applied Newcontrary Year’s or even politics. is about freedom. resolutions is in This saying they’re basically a And we’re losing it to bybreak the day Colorado. bunch of promises theinfirst week As I write of January.

Andthis while I won’t predict a (hopefully, whole lot, Imuch can pretty much accurately talked-about) column nail a few things that without question at great risk, areYou will see these are will make thethere news. small people pretty,business well, predictable: and their employees ■ Prediction one: wondering if this There will be some is theofday they shut sort weather event, down lose their naturaland disaster or jobs — all while a heinous occurrence select in Denver where few someone will with their taxpayerbe interviewed and say Craig Hall funded, guaranteed the following: “I’ve paychecks benefits decide who’s never seen and anything “essential” and who isn’t. That’s the like that in my height of arrogance.

We’re all essential. lifetime.”

It’s as if this Craig Hallof Butisthis is where we are.

A handful person a required people decide what’s wrong and what’s right attendee at every news for everyone elseWhile in our Istate.

And all most it has reporting event. understand led to areperspective food shortages, people’s can panic, indeedhoarding be limited and confusion.

And, yes, Itheir fullyown expect to be by, or contained within, personal taken out of context thistocolumn. experiences, it is toowith much ask to But I’m gonna publish it anyway as the world consult some historical perspective before changed in a aweek between meresponse leaving for saying such thing?

Yes, this cana golf a Wednesday and coming home applytrip to on some events. But when it comes to aweather shuttered on a disasters, Monday. I’m pretty andstate natural wasn’t evenhistory a weekrepeating ago I sure Itthis is simply itself. congratulated Gov. Jared Polisof Same as it hasColorado for millions and millions for a logical, calm, wellthe thought press years.

More important, planetout made it! conference to the coronavirus What didn’trelated were certain species. How’s pandemic.

The presser focused on that for perspective? economic ideas totwo: be put intoitplace ■ Prediction When comes to a for Colorado to hit the crime or something thatground occurs running between once we the got other past the initialattendee stages ofatthe humans, required all outbreak and overall I was news reporting eventsresponse. is the person who relieved hear we’re the governor says this:to“They just the NOT nicesttalk about bunch taxI see money on this people,spend and ina no wayofdid something stimulus here or that stimulus there.

The like this coming.”

Exactly.

No one does ideas presented temporary most of the timewere whenfor it comes to relief for the citizens of Colorado inPeople payingshould their neighbors and acquaintances. mortgages, billstime because be surprisedutilities at what and goesother on from to (I would assume) he knew measures time in their neighborhoods, towns andput in place to temporarily close businesses with people they know because people are would hit the of that Colorado right in good. And for people the times they shouldn’t the wallet and pocketbook.

And he repeat was be shocked — like with politicians, correct in and doing so. (Full offenders terrorists —disclosure: where’s theMy “essential” business is exempt, I’m interview that says, “This doesn’tbut surprise working me in thefrom least.”home.) I was impressed.

The next day,three: our governor went on ■ Prediction Something good TV said,economically, “I’m not a socialist, will and happen and the like Donald Trump.”

Andcredit BOOM, myThe hope government will take for it. most in the governor at that recent example iswas gasgone. prices,Because where people moment, I was shaken back the reality ask me why I won’t credit thetopresident for Polis’ politics. He is low gaspolicies prices. are My driven answerby is simple: aGovernment socialist, and every act the he and never makes pricehisofparty have takengo since hisand election it. something down simplyproves takes credit Ifor gave him the Gas benefit of the good news. pricing is doubt. subject No to longer. many global factors. Now there are So nowanswers we’ve doubled downsome on of government to addressing “essential” a tagged-on order forcing them to keepwith prices stable for Americans, companies to createhas ways forofhalf of in but our government none them their to work from home.

Justinlike place.staffs The only things it has in place the

March 26-A15-28, pril 8, 2015 2020 JANUARY

the stay at home order, it sounds great in theory, doesn’t in reality.

How long runbut always hurtwork consumers.

Another in is a business reaches supposed to put factthe is world that unemployment a certain that place when it doesn’t a plan levelinto based on the economy.

Andhave while the or the resources tobrag do so? government might the number is low, It’s all simple Businesses it’s more than likelyeconomics. the government did aren’t making any money.

No matter how something to cause that number being low many people attempt — andefforts not in good-willed a good way. Conversely, when to get folks to order to go, local, business picks up, it’sfood because thebuy people support local businesses who need to buy widgets and whokeep were the not economy rolling, one reality trumps it all: buying widgets because the economy was People aren’t to spend money for contracting duegoing to natural (or unnatural, anything other than reasons, their personal health government caused) decided we and safety if theywidgets. don’t know they have better buy some The government ahad jobnothing or a paycheck in this. the next week or to do with two. ■ Taking awayfour: and then “re-allowing” Prediction In keeping with liquor sales won’t salve thatI wound. things the government does, predict the The main businesses are in to government willreason manipulate the numbers this just the as simple: governor makebind the is claim economyOur is getting closed most ofofthe businesses our state. better because how hard it isin working to is also on Polis are the untruths help What all of us “working Americans.”

Now and he now states his press you blame might say, “Craig, youinalways say this briefings.

I shake my head at theyou obvious about President Obama because don’t MSM lie about president saying like him.”

You’rethe right in a sense.

I don’t states are man, on their know the but own. what Trump I know actually of him and told states toIgo get like supplies on their his thinking, don’t it or him one iota. own because getIthem Before you gothey off, could however, didn’tfaster like and more Bush efficiently and Washington President and his bailouts, stimulus would them. What bothered and hisback abandoning the free marketme to save more was this: Polis he the free market.

And Icomplaining don’t know him became governor to implement either. What the government does,all-day and the kindergarten anddo, other socialist policies, only thing it can is hurt the economy. not handle a pandemic.

Unless it does nothing or put criminals in Gov. Polis, perhaps with I could be nothing of jail instead of partnering them, service.

To quote mywill favorite the government does help. football Always look coach: job.” the Andgovernment no, your job at it this“Do way,your whatever says isn’t to dispense unlimited monies it is doing, whatever the name of thefrom law ita slush fund or forwhatever all of your is passing, theutopian name orsocialist goal of dreams.

It’s to give to thetopeople the bureaucracy it is hope presenting the of Colorado we’llthe come out of this to OK and people, expect polar opposite occur. then Ifind a way. guess what I’m saying is that Whether youtolike orof not, perhaps it’s time get itout ouryour ownjob is to figure out a wayplenty to findofahistory middle perspective.

There’s ground between people working books and historical research outand there to earning living, businesses staying open begin toaunderstand that all of this has to make money taking care of those happened before.and And it will again, most vulnerable sick. Because that’s whether the topicand is people or government. whatThe governors do. best recommendation is to find “essential” thing someGovernor, books or the try only that whole Google to understand most businesses thing.

There’s is a lot of small information on the are month to month, most employees are Great Depression.

The truth is it wasn’t paycheck to paycheck andgovernment your policiesgot even a good one until the on keepingThere’s them closed, evenof inresearch the short involved. also plenty term, destroywarm them.period They when instinctively on thewill medieval the know “bailout” planetWashington’s was much warmer thanwon’t todaysave with them, if itlotcomes at all. (and warmer well a whole less people Ordering businesses to close easy. before man was here at all).

And is yep, Finding a solution that works all is people have been killing otherfor surprised hard. watching businesses peopleI’m since historysmall was first written. trying everything make itwill through this Maybe some to research help stop pandemic. is the last thing all of theseClosing trends. Otherwise, we’llonbe their minds. grim reaperlike should saying we’veBeing neverthe seen anything it in be lastAnd thingnot oninyours. ourthe lives. 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.

F ✦

THE he B BUSINESS usiness T age 15 27 T Times IMES P PAGE

M arch 26-A pril2015 8, 2020 JANUARY 15-28,

American courage equal to our latest crisis Grand Junction’s Largest Local Payroll Provider “Excellence in Service isleast ourthat First Concern!”

When it comes to fear, I draw a distinction between and go home. At would be my initial reaction.

Franklin Roosevelt famously asserted in his first presidential inauguration address the only thing Americans had to fear was fear itself.

That was saying something in 1933. When the Great Depression reached its lowest point, nearly half the banks in the country had failed and 15 million people were out of work. Roosevelt understood, though, the power of positive thinking and united resolve.

Nearly 90 years later, it remains to be seen whether or not the only Americans have to fear is fear Phil Castle thing itself.

The threat of the coronavirus outbreak is real and the worst-case scenarios no less foreboding than the endings of those books and movies about pandemics. Truth is not only stranger than fiction, but also far more terrifying because there’s no way to put down the book or click off the TV. As if the tragic human toll of coronavirus in the United States and around the world isn’t bad enough, there likely could be an enormous economic toll as well.

By some horrific projections, the outbreak could claim millions of lives in the United States even as tens of millions of people lose their jobs in another depression.

Perhaps the most for which we can pray at this point is a substantial, but mercifully short-lived, disruption in our lives. Best-case scenario: warming weather slows infections, new drugs prove effective and the economy rebounds.

Unfortunately, the situation probably will get worse before it gets better.

Clearly, there’s a lot to fear.

the justifiable fear of the known and irrational of the Instead, found new and Time fear is money.

Let usrestaurateurs help youhave save some of creative both. ways to unknown. maintain operations. Not only carry on, but also carry out.

Fear gets a bad rap, but serves an essential role in Other businesses have been just as creative in the survival. There’s a good reason to run from lions and ways in which their employees work from home or how tigers and bears, oh my. It’s no so much bravery to stand they take orders and deliver products. Some retailers have Payroll Tax Filing Quarterly & Year End up to apex predators as an invitation to lunch. even rewarded customers for their orders with precious Tax Reporting Multi-State Payroll Faced with a pandemic, it’s equally prudent to rolls of toilet paper. Now that’s clever.

Direct Deposit & “Pay Cards” Time Keeping Systems stay away from others to the greatest extent practically Employees deserve our gratitude as well. That’s true This season, Online HR Support home.

Web-based Timenot Clocks possible, to avoid crowds and hunker down at only of those at home juggling work with caring for Handbook Development

Web-based Payroll save time,of protecting not only ourselves and our It’s a matter children, but also those still at work stocking shelves New Hire Reporting Workers’ Compensation loved ones, but also others. and driving trucks and those growing crops and raising energy and Retirement Plans Mobile Scheduling The problem is people give in to fear of the livestock. That’s especially true of those working in unknown.

It’s understandable.

If anything, unknown health care who are willing to risk their well-being to your back with threats become even more fearsome than known threats. assure the well-being of others. Talk about real courage. snow removal The monsters we conjure in our minds are far bigger and Meanwhile, chambers of commerce and a variety badder — tofrom the point, in fact, we convince ourselves of other organizations offer businesses resources and services they’re invincible. I’ve yet to connect the dots between assistance. Businesses help other businesses, too.

The Landscape the zombie apocalypse and the need for a lifetime supply It’s all reassuring, but not at all surprising. of toilet paper, but that’s fear of the unknown for you.

As Roosevelt knew in 1933, Americans unite in times of Center.

Real courage is the ability to acknowledge the fear of crisis. That’s what we do. We see what needs to be done the known and unknown, then act anyway. As the British and get on with it. admonished at the onset of World War II, to keep calm Leadership could help if our elected officials would and carry on. remove their political blinders long enough to see the big And here, finally, are some encouraging words and picture. the moral of my story.

Roosevelt was prophetic in what he said in 1933 Business owners rank among thewww.autopaychecks.com most courageous holds true in 2020: “This is no unsolvable problem if we people I’ve met. It takes real courage to start a business, it wisely and courageously.”

441 Coloradoface Avenue In the meantime, I reiterate what Charles Dickens to act on the confidence a better product or service CO in81501 wrote one of his famous endings. “God bless us, combined with hard work will resultGrand in success.Junction, It takes everyone.” even more courage to maintain that business in the midst of a crisis and overcome the obstacles that arise.

Phil Castle is editor of the Business Times. Reach him at I’m especially inspired by restaurateurs. So the phil@thebusinesstimes.com or 424-5133. government comes along and tells you customers can’t F come into your establishment. Game over. Take your ball

Complete Payroll Service

Be safe this winter with TLC!

CALL TODAY

970-245-4244

SUBSCRIBE TODAY and SAVE! Start receiving the Business Times THE BUS DECE MB

THE DE FIN

In this

Fill out the form below and mail it to our office. You can also call 424-5133 or visit www.thebusinesstimes.com to start receiving your subscription for 24 issues.

Subscription Order Form

Phone (________)

________________________________________

Method of payment

■ Check

■ Mastercard

■ Visa

Card No. __________________________ Expiration date __________

609 Ave., Suite 5 2 609North North Ave., Suite Grand CO CO 81501 GrandJunction, Junction, 81501

(970) 424-5133 fax (970) 424-5134

❑ Subscription to the Business Times

$30

Amount enclosed $_________________

FOR GR

AND JU

ER 18 , 2014 -JA

INESS TIMES

NCTIO

N BUSIN

NUAR Y 14, 2015

ESS NE

2

3

Changin

WS SIN CE

g grou An adv ocate for ps Slope Wester inte soon cha rests plans n but not nge organiz to ations, her role .

4

6

Rising tax coll continu ections e local offic to reflect wha improvi ials describ t e ng eco nomic as conditio � ns.

16

Legal pl

THEBUS

ans Group legal plan another s offer employe benefit to legal serves: access to ices whe n they need it.

18

� Depa rtmen

Almana ts Busine c 26-27 Busine ss Briefs ss 24-25 Contrib People 26 News utors 18-21 Opinio n 2-14 Trends 22-23 16-17

EAKIN

Busines s Times

G NEWS

photo illus tration

by Phil

, ADVE

RTISING

ME 21 , ISSUE

INESS

TIMES

� Indic at a more ors offer outloo upbeat Mesa Ck for for 2015ounty See pag . e2

� Snow busines s

Early indi a succes cators poin t to in Colora sful ski season variable do, but another comes into play : snow.

� Taxin g trend

1994

VOLU

Sneak peek

regiona way more coo l group call s regulat peration and for ion industry for the ene less rgy — the “West Slope � A gr way.” ea t de Issues bate surroun transfer ding the to states of federal land debate were the topi s at a Clu c b 20 foru of m. �

FOR BR

City __________________________________ State ________ Zip Code _________________

issue

� Wes t Slope A

Name________________________________________________________________________ Mailing Address _______________________________________________________________

URCE

PRS U.S. PO RT STD STA PERMIT GE PAID The Bus NO. 67 609 Nor iness Times th Ave Grand Junctio . Suite 2 n, CO 81501

at your office, business or home

ITIVE SO

AND SU

Castle

BSCR

IPTION

S, VISIT

A spec this iss ial section ins nonpro ue focuses onide and ph fit organization ilanthrop s y.

THEBUS

INESS

TIMES

.COM

.COM

24

Page 28

Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac

n WEST SLOPE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FIRMS MERGE TO OFFER CLIENTS EXPANDED SERVICES

Networks Unlimited has merged with Lorimer Network Research to offer more information technology services in a larger geographic area.

With offices in Grand Junction and Montrose, Networks Unlimited serves a total of more than 2,000 clients in 39 states.

Based in Ouray, Lorimer Network Research serves a total of more than 300 clients in Southwest Colorado and Denver. The combined business will operate as Networks Unlimited.

“We are excited to have our current customers benefit from the additional experience and resources from Lorimer Networks Research Inc. and have a regional presence in Ouray,” said Mark Swain, founder and president of Networks Unlimited. “And, similarly, customers benefiting from an expanded technology services offering to a larger service team and a dedicated remote support services staff.”

Network Unlimited offers a range of information technology services as well as computer and networking sales and support.

For more information, call 243-3311 or log on to the website located at www.networksunlimited.com. n PINNACOL ASSURANCE ANNOUNCES 2019 TOTALS FOR GRANTS, SCHOLARSHIPS AND OTHER GIVING

Pinnacol Assurance gave more than $534,000 in grants in 2019 to programs promoting employee health safety, rehabilitative health and work force development, the Colorado workers’ compensation insurance carrier announced.

The Pinnacol Foundation awarded a total of nearly $475,000 in scholarships to 100 students across the state whose parents were seriously injured or killed in work-related accidents.

In addition, employees at Pinnacol Assurance donated more than $160,000 in a giving campaign in which the company matches contributions. Employees volunteered a total of nearly 4,750 hours during 2019.

“Our caring mission and spirit of giving is part of the connective tissue that binds our employees together and makes working at Pinnacol a unique experience,” said Edie Sonn, vice president of communications and public affairs.

For more information about Pinnacol Assurance, log on to the website at www.Pinnacol.com.

The Business Times

SHARE YOUR NEWS

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.

Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties based in Grand Junction has once again been named a Chairman’s Circle company.

“Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties, Coldwell Banker Canyonside and CB Commercial Prime Properties are honored to have again Todd Conklin achieved the prestigious recognition of the Coldwell Banker Chairman’s Circle Award,” said Todd Conklin, chief executive officer of Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties.

The designation is awarded to Coldwell Banker franchise companies that attained gross commission income of $10 million or more in 2019.

Only 53 Coldwell Banker companies out of about 715 companies in North America qualified for the designation.

That means Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties ranks among the top 7 percent of affiliated companies in North America.

“This exclusive standing demonstrates the commitment to excellence all of our agents and staff consistently provide to their clients, delivering exceptional service every time, and it’s what sets our company apart,” Conklin said. “Year after year, we have helped our agents serve more clients.”

Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties operates in Colorado, Idaho and Montana. The company was named the 25th fastest growing real estate company in the nation in the Real Trends 500 report and also ranks among the 5,000 fastest-growing privately held companies in an annual Inc. magazine listing.

For additional information, call (877) 978-2978 or log on to www.cbdistnctive.com.

n VETERINARY PRACTICES JOIN IN EFFORT TO OFFER DISCOUNTED SPAY AND NEUTER PROCEDURES Grand Valley veterinary practices have joined with Mesa County Animal Services to offer spay or neuter procedures at a reduced price.

The Animal Assistance Foundation has provided funding for pet sterilization procedures to assist pet owners with financial needs.

Participating veterinarians have agreed to offer the procedures at a reduced rate, resulting in a fee of $25 to pet owners.

Participating veterinarians have been issued a limited number of vouchers, which are valid through Sept. 30. Pet owners are required to provide proof of rabies vaccinations to use the vouchers.

The cost of vaccinations isn’t covered. Pet owners also could be asked to show they have financial needs or communicate why they face unique circumstances.

Participating veterinary practices are: All Pets Center, Animal Birth Control, Amigo Animal Clinic, Arrowhead Veterinary Hospital, CLAWS, Cottonwood Veterinary Hospital, Desert Spring Veterinary Services, Jean Fromm, Footprints Animal Hospital, Grand View Animal Hospital, Orchard Mesa Veterinary Hospital, Redlands Pet Clinic and VCA Tiara Rado Animal Hospital. n EMPLOYERS COUNCIL ANNOUNCES SELECTION OF PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Kim Koy has been named president and chief executive officer of Employers Council, a human resource and employment law services provider for businesses in Colorado, Arizona and Utah.

Koy will succeed Michael Severns, who plans to retire, effective April 1. Koy brings 20 years of experience with Employers Council to her new duties, most recently as chief operating officer.

For more information, visit www.employerscouncil.org.

F

Businesses awarded for United Way campaign efforts Businesses and organizations were recognized for their roles in a campaign that raised more than $900,000 for United Way of Mesa County.

As of March 12, the latest campaign had raised $905,994.

Most of the money comes from employee workplace contributions and individual donations. Foundation support and proceeds from the Home Loan Taste of the Grand Valley benefit event add to the total. Contributions are allocated to nonprofit health and human service programs.

The campaign remains open to collect additional contributions.

For more information, call 243-5364 or visit the website located at www.unitedwaymesaconty.org.

United Way of Mesa County presented eight awards recognizing campaign efforts.

CSL Plasma was recognized for the largest increase in workplace campaigns.

Markah Williams, branch manager of CSL Plasma, received

March 26-April 8, 2020

the Raul Ramos Memorial Award for leadership in a workplace campaign that results in increased contributions.

River City Consultants was recognized for a new or renewed workplace campaign that experienced the greatest success.

Clifton Water District won the award for the most innovative campaign techniques.

Networks Unlimited won the award for a company that sets an example of philanthropy for its industry.

FCI Constructors won the award presented to a company that best exemplifies the spirit of United Way for its philanthropy throughout the year.

HopeWest won the Mary J. Nelson Inspirational Award presented to a United Way funded agency that demonstrates community leadership and a high standard of service to clients.

Lois Bell received special recognition for her 30 years of volunteer service.

F

March 26-April 8, 2020

The Business Times Page 29

Page 30

Business Briefs Business People Almanac

n BROKER ASSOCIATES JOIN TEAM AT GRAND JUNCTION REAL ESTATE FIRM Derrick Snider and Derek Irick have joined Bray Real Estate in Grand Junction as broker associates.

Snider returned to Grand Junction and changed careers after working and traveling in the energy development industry.

“Helping buyers find their perfect home is very rewarding for me, and I enjoy delivering a high level of Derrick Snider service to them before, during and after the transaction,” he said.

Irick has been active in the real estate industry for three years.

He graduated from Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction with degrees in business management, marketing, entrepreneurship and culinary arts.

“I understand that moving and relocating can be stressful, and Derek Irick my goal is to constantly communicate with my clients throughout the transaction to make their experience as stress-free and pleasurable as possible,” he said.

Stewart Cruickshank, sales manager at Bray Real Estate, welcomed the additions. “Derrick is energetic, extremely focused and puts his clients’ needs first. And we are very excited to have him on our team.”

Cruickshank said of Irick: “Derek is personable and understands the needs of buyers and sellers, and we are thrilled to have him join our Bray family.”

Bray Real Estate operates offices at 1015 N. Seventh St. For more information, call 242-3647 or visit the website at www.brayandco.com. n GRAND JUNCTION LAWYERS APPOINTED TO JUDICIAL NOMINATING COMMITTEE Grand Junction lawyers Anne Deprey Murphy and J. Martelle Daniels have been appointed to the judicial nominating committee for the 21st Judicial District.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis appointed the two to serve terms scheduled to expire on Dec. 31, 2025 as Democrat attorneys from Mesa County.

The committee selects nominees for county and district judicial vacancies.

The Business Times

March 26-April 8, 2020

n COLDWELL BANKER HONORS TOP AGENTS

SHARE YOUR NEWS 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.

Annette Hejl

n REAL ESTATE FIRM OWNER HONORED AS TOP PERFORMER FOR FEBRUARY Toni Heiden-Moran was honored as the top performer for February at Weichert Realtors-Heiden Homes Realty in Grand Junction.

She posted the most closings and dollar volume in sales. She also posted the most new listings for the month.

The owner and broker of Weichert Realtors-Heiden Homes Realty, Heiden-Moran brings to her T. Heiden-Moran duties more than 40 years of experience.

The National Association of Realtors recognized her with emeritus status.

Weichert Realtors-Heiden Homes Realty operates offices at 735 Rood Ave. For more information about listings and rental properties, call 245-7777 or log on to www.heidenhomes.com.

N. Yenter-Pzystup

Julie Shafer

n GRAND JUNCTION FAMILY PRACTICE ANNOUNCES ADDITION TO MEDICAL TEAM Dr. Randy Cate has joined Family Physicians of Western Colorado in Grand Junction.

Cate brings to the practice his experience at Wasatch Internal Medicine in Salt Lake City and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in that city. He’s board certified in internal medicine. He holds a medical degree from the University of Randy Cate Texas Southwestern Medical School and completed his internship and residency at the University of Utah. He’s accepting new patients.

Family Physicians of Western Colorado operates offices in the Primary Care Partners building at 3150 N. 12th St. For appointments or more information, call 245-1220 or visit the website at www.pcpgj.com.

F

Mike Foster

Brandon Schuette

Annette Hejl, Niki YenterPzystup and Julie Shafer were among the agents honored at annual celebration hosted by Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties in Grand Junction.

Mike Foster and Brandon Schuette were honored for their work with Coldwell Banker Commercial Prime Properties in Grand Junction.

Hejl won the salesperson of the year award for the highest adjusted gross commission income. Yenter-Pzystup was named rookie of the year for the highest adjusted gross commission income in her first year with the company. Shafer received the Distinctive Angel award for her efforts on behalf of the community.

The Vaughn-Clark Group was named the top team of the year with the highest adjusted gross commission income.

Foster was honored as the salesperson of the year, while Schuette received the Distinctive Angel award for his community contributions.

The celebration held at the Colorado Mesa University Center featured presentations

by Jackie Wickens and Trecie Wheat Hughes from the cable television series “Mountain Mamas.” The two talked about how they transform historic Montana properties into dream homes.

Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties and Coldwell Banker Commercial Prime Properties operate offices in Colorado, Idaho and Montana.

For more information, log on to www.cbdistinctive.com or www.cbcprimeproperties.com.

Grand Junction couple honored for support for nonprofit groups Bernie and Mary Beth Buescher have received recognition for their support of nonprofit organizations in Mesa County.

The Community Impact Council of Mesa County presented the Grand Junction couple with the Living Legacy Award. A collaboration of businesses, charitable organizations, government agencies and individuals, the council promotes advocacy and education for nonprofit groups.

The annual Living Legacy Award recognizes people who’ve made a difference in the community through their support of nonprofits and philanthropy. Past recipients include Tillie and Pat Bishop, Jamie Hamilton, John and Audrey McConnell and Gene Taylor.

The Bueschers have together served on more than 50 nonprofit boards and donated to local, state and national nonprofits.

The Community Impact Council presented the latest

award during its Inspire Impact Breakfast celebrating the role of nonprofits in Mesa County and honoring business, individuals and organizations that support them.

The event, conducted during Colorado Nonprofit Week, also included a panel presentation with representatives from statewide funders.

For more information about the Community Impact Council, visit https://communityimpactcouncil.org.

F

March 26-April 8, 2020

The Business Times Page 31

Page 32

The Business Times

March 26-April 8, 2020