The Business Times Volume 27 Issue 18

THE BUSINESS T IMES News SEPTEMBER 24-OCTOBER 7, 2020

VOLUME 27, ISSUE 18

THE DEFINITIVE SOURCE FOR GRAND JUNCTION BUSINESS NEWS SINCE 1994

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TrendsBuilding 2 Contributors a bigger Opinionendeavor 4 Business Briefs 5 Business People Almanac

In this issue

n Energy setbacks An oil and natural gas group objects to proposed rules requiring 2,000-foot setbacks on development in Colorado.

n Sugar & Ice

An entrepreneur combines in one location a shop that offers coffee, frozen yogurt and a wide variety of other fare.

n Gains and pains Employment in the clean energy sector increased in Colorado in 2019, but fell in 2020 as a result of COVID-19.

n Labor trends

21

The jobless rate is down and the labor force up in Mesa County, diverging trends that reflect improvement.

n Taxing matters

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Tax collections, a measure sales activity, have increased in the Grand Valley, according to reports.

n Managing change

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An upcoming conference will focus on managing the changes brought on

by COVID-19 and other factors.

n Departments Almanac Business Briefs Business People Contributors News Opinion Trends

34 32 34 23-28 2-20 29-31 21-22

n Constructing new headquarters another milestone for West Slope bank.

See page 2

Jim Pedersen, co-chief executive officer of Timberline Bank, stands outside the entrance to the bank’s newly constructed headquarters in Grand Junction.

The four-story building offers 40,000 square feet of space. The new building also constitutes another milestone for the Western Colorado bank and its growing operations in the region.

Business Times photo by Phil Castle

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SePtember 24-OctOber 7, 2020

Trends Contributors Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac

Oil and gas association opposes setbacks Phil Castle The Business Times

Proposed rules establishing a 2,000foot setback for oil and natural gas development in Colorado would impose unnecessary restrictions that could hurt an important industry, according to a trade association opposed to the rules.

Moreover, the changes come only two years after a ballot measure that would have imposed similar setbacks was rejected.

“They’re flying in the face of Colorado voters,” said Chelsie Miera, the executive director of the West Slope Colorado Oil and Gas Association.

The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation C o m m i s s i o n Chelsie Miera (COGCC) is writing new oil and gas development rules following the enactment of a state law last year. The law changed the group from nine volunteer appointees to a five-member professional commission. The law also changed the mission of the commission from promoting oil and gas development while protecting public health and the environment to regulating the industry to protect health and the environment.

Miera said the Colorado Oil and Gas Association has worked with COGCC staff for a year and generally supported rules the staff recommended. But a majority of the commission voiced support for extended setbacks.

Miera said the decision was surprising.

“This just shocked everyone.”

A 2,000-foot setback between homes, schools and new oil and natural gas drilling imposes an arbitrary limit based more on politics and emotions than science, she said.

“They seem to be shooting from the hip.”

The 2,000-foot setbacks could be even longer given a change in the way setbacks are measured from property lines to the edges of well pads, she said.

Current law requires wells to be set back 500 feet from homes and 1,000 feet from schools.

Increased setbacks could limit oil and natural gas development in Colorado and in turn hurt an important industry, Miera said.

Colorado voters rejected a measure on a 2018 election ballot that would have allowed state and local governments to require setbacks greater than 2,500 feet.

See SETBACKS page 18

Jim Pedersen, co-chief executive officer of Timberline Bank, conducts a tour of the bank’s new headquarters in Grand Junction, a building that includes a popular feature in a cafe that serves coffee and other beverages.

Building a bigger effort

New headquarters another milestone for Western Colorado bank

J

The layout at the new Timberline Bank headquarters in Grand Junction offers flexibility in where people work.

Specially designed furnishings with built-in desks and screens accommodate those seeking a quiet spot.

im Pedersen leads a tour through the newly constructed building that houses the headquarters of Timberline Bank in Grand Junction.

Pedersen strolls GRAND OPENING through the expansive lobby and past the teller Timberline Bank has line. He climbs the stairs scheduled a grand that lead up the three-story opening event for Oct. 1 atrium and eventually steps at its new headquarters onto a fourth-floor terrace at 649 Market St. commanding sweeping in Grand Junction. views of the Grand Valley A public open house is planned for 9 a.m. to and Colorado National 3 p.m. Free coffee and Monument. soda will be served.

Along the way, he Food trucks will serve points out features and meals for purchase. furnishings. There are still A customer appreciation offices and conference event is set for 4 to rooms, but they’re few and 6 p.m. on the terrace. mostly small for a building with 40,000 square feet.

What there are instead are what Pedersen calls collision points designed to bring people together, among them a coffee shop, soda dispenser and full kitchen. That’s not to mention that terrace with its bar and food service facilities.

It’s an environment that’s not only welcoming for customers, but also conducive to collaboration among the people who work in the building, he says. “Us being together is what makes us us.”

There’s something else Pedersen sees in the new building, and that’s another milestone for Timberline Bank.

See BUILDING page 20

STORY AND PHOTOS BY PHIL CASTLE

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of the Western Slope than 100 years.

well-rounded One-stop shop offers perspective diverse variety of fare to new Mesa County role

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Phil Castle

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Phil Castle

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as well as New England and Canada.

Whidden said people who work in information technology aren’t just “geeks,” but offer an important perspective because they’re familiar with nearly every aspect of operations and how work gets done. They also tend to think about new and potentially better ways of doing things in asking and answering “what if ” questions. “They know how to effect change in an organization.”

Whidden expects to bring that same approach to his duties as administrator.

Whidden said it’s his role to help county commissioners make and then implement decisions. The commissioners in turn represent the residents of the county and express their will, he said. “We work for the people.”

Whidden said he also considers himself a liaison between the commissioners and county staff, and one of the priorities is to make sure employees feel valued. Whidden said he hopes not only to improve morale, but also take steps that will make Mesa County an organization for which people want to work.

Meanwhile, Whidden expects the county to continue policies and initiatives that support local business and economic development. There are additional steps that can be taken to make it easier for local businesses to sell products and services to the county, he added.

Mesa County will keep working with other government entities, organizations and institutions on fostering an environment that supports existing businesses and attracts new businesses, he said.

Whidden said there could be a opportunities to encourage the additional development of businesses that provide services to the agricultural industry as well as promote Mesa County as a distribution center for the region.

The important thing is to consider issues from a well-rounded perspective, Whidden said. “We won’t be myopic as we look at things.” ✦

It’s a coffee shop. It’s a frozen yogurt place. It’s a breakfast and lunch restaurant.

Frank Whidden brings what he It’s all of the above and more, considers a well-rounded perspective to his according to Savannah Tompkins, who’s new job as Mesa County administrator. combined in one Grand Junction location Whidden worked two businesses that serve a variety of in information beverages and foods. technology and holds It’s a merger born out of the necessity a master’s degree in in the aftermath the coronavirus pandemic, computer information but one Tompkins believes differentiates systems. But he also her operation and will enable the venture holds a doctoral to grow. “It’s unique. It’s a one-stop shop.” degree in applied Tompkins operates Mountain Grind management and Coffee and Sugar and Ice Co. The businesses decision making and Frank Whidden are located in Suite 104 at 905 North Ave. worked for more than and on the first-floor retail space of Lucero 20 years as a minister. Whidden has Hall on the Colorado Mesa University worked for large and small organizations campus. in both the private and public sectors.

Before the onset of the pandemic earlier Whidden expects to draw on all of his this year, Tompkins operated Mountain experiences in helping Mesa County Grind Coffee and Yogo Mojos yogurt shop commissioners make and carry out decisions. in separate spaces in the building.

Valuing staff and making the county Tompkins said restrictions related to the an employer of choice is among the coronavirus pandemic forced her to close priorities, Whidden said. So is planning Yogo Mojos. She said she tried curbside that results in sustainable funding and delivery with Mountain Grind Coffee, but balanced budgets on a long-term basis. couldn’t make that operation work.

Meanwhile, Mesa County will Moreover, when CMU switched to continue to pursue efforts that promote a online classes during the spring semester friendly business environment and because of the pandemic, the students and economic development, Whidden said. professors who constituted a big portion of Whidden officially began working as her customer base were no longer on campus, county administrator at the beginning of Tompkins said. “It was just a ghost town.” the year. He succeeds Tom Fisher, who was Tompkins opted to temporarily close Savannah Tompkins hired as county manager in Summit the businesses. “It was really scary and operates Sugar & Ice Co. County, Utah. hard,” she said. The worst part, she said, and Mountain Grind Coffee.

Whidden joined Mesa County in Tompkins combined in one was laying off employees, many of whom August 2011 as information technology Grand Junction location had worked for her for years. director. In April 2014, he became deputy an operation that serves Tompkins also opted to combine her county administrator for resource specialty coffees, frozen operations in one location to reduce her management in a staffing reorganization yogurt and shaved ice as lease, remodel the interior and rebrand the that eliminated four director positions. well as breakfast and lunch business as Sugar & Ice Co. fare. The menu also includes Before joining Mesa County, The new operation, which opened in late cold brew floats, left, made Whidden worked for a company providing July, serves specialty coffees as well as frozen with cold-brewed coffee, information technology services to yogurts with an assortment of toppings, hard ice cream and shaved ice. colleges and universities. In that role, he scooped ice creams and shaved ice. The (Business Times photos managed IT systems and services for shop also serves breakfast and lunch fare,

by Phil Castle) institutions in Alabama, Arizona, Illinois including pastries and paninis.

The menu includes what Tompkins said is another popular CMU has returned to in-person instruction and students and specialty in cold brew floats made with cold-brewed coffee, ice professors have returned to campus, Tompkins said she’s hoping cream and shaved ice. “It’s the best thing ever.” for more normal operations. ”Having the CMU kids back has been That’s not to mention ice cream tacos and, as a result, ice a great thing to see.” cream taco Tuesdays.

Tompkins said she’s drawn on her industry experience in In addition, Sugar & Ice Co. offers sugar- and gluten-free and adapting to the pandemic and changing business conditions. She low carb options, including keto beverages and keto cookies. helped open the first Starbucks location in Grand Junction and also Ingredients are obtained from local managed a Starbucks location in Oregon. sources to the greatest extent possible, She launched Mountain Grind Coffee a FOR YOUR INFORMATION Tompkins said. decade ago with a drive-thru operation in Along with the fare, Tompkins said Parachute.

Mountain Grind Coffee and the she wants to offer a fun environment for Her work ethic and what she described Sugar & Ice. Co. operates from families on outings, couples on date nights as an entrepreneurial heart also has helped 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays, and students on study breaks. in persevering, she said.

8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays Sugar & Ice Co. features a rotating It’s advice she’s sometimes asked and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays. exhibit of artwork for sale by local artists. to share with business students at CMU. For more, visit the Facebook The photography of Joshua Scott will be “You can do this. You can accomplish page at www.facebook.com/ displayed through September. things in life.” sugarandicecogj.

Since her business has reopened, F

September 24-OctOber 7, 2020

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Clean energy job losses offset gains in Colorado Policies bolster long-term outlook, however Employment in the clean energy industry continued to increase in Colorado in 2019, but dropped in 2020 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The long-term outlook remains bright, however, with the expectation state policies will promote renewable energy, clean vehicles and energy efficiency.

“Clean energy’s economic potential to Colorado remains incredibly high as the state continues to look ahead at recovery and rebuilding in the coming years,” said Susan Nedell, the Mountain West advocate Susan Nedell for Environmental Entrepreneurs.

Mike Kruger, president and chief executive officer of the Colorado Solar and Storage Association, said policies will support recovery for the sector and overall Mike Kruger economy. “Lawmakers need to embrace clean and renewable energy as an economic-first policy to help Colorado grow out of this recession.”

Environmental Entrepreneurs joined with the Grand Junction Cleantech Business Coalition at an online event to announce the results of Clean Jobs Colorado 2020, an annual analysis of the clean energy and energy efficiency work force in Colorado.

Environmental Entrepreneurs and the Colorado Solar and Storage Association produced the report.

Employment in renewable energy, clean vehicles, energy efficiency and other clean energy occupations in Colorado grew a total of nearly 2,800 to 62,420 in 2019.

Between 2017 and 2019, employment in the sector increased nearly 9.6 percent, proportionally more than twice the overall employment growth in Colorado and eight times national job growth. During that

span, the clean energy work force grew faster in Colorado than all but eight states.

At the end of 2019, the clean energy sector employed more people in Colorado than worked as bankers, farmers, nurses, teachers or waitresses.

Within the clean energy sector in Colorado, 36,092 worked in energy efficiency, 17,924 in renewable energy, 3,212 in clean vehicles, 3,072 in grid and storage and 2,120 in fuels.

More than 63 percent of clean energy workers were employed by businesses with fewer than 20 employees.

The Denver and Aurora metropolitan area accounted for more than half of employment in the sector with nearly 35,000 clean energy jobs. Boulder ranked second among metro areas with 7,373 jobs and Colorado Springs third with 4,666 jobs .

Grand Junction ranked sixth among seven metro areas evaluated in the analysis with 1,268 jobs — 801 in energy efficiency and 282 in renewable energy.

Between January and July of 2020, however, 5,961 clean jobs were lost in Colorado. That’s an 8.9 percent decline that wiped out the gains between 2017 and 2019. Monthly job losses in the sector in March, April and May more than offset gains in June and July.

Looking ahead, Nedell and Kruger said state policies intended to address climate change and reduce vehicle emissions are expected to create opportunities and jobs for the clean energy sector.

“Lawmakers have a responsibility to take advantage of one of the fastestgrowing industries right here at home and put Coloradans back to work quickly in industries that span the state and will continue to grow and help Colorado compete at home and overseas for decades to come,” Nedell said.

The report noted that s2e Technologies has announced plans to develop a 220-unit apartment complex in downtown Grand Junction using solar power and other technologies to reduce the carbon footprint.

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Group focuses on postvention efforts to address suicide Phil Castle The Business Times

While suicide prevention is important, so is what happens after people attempt to harm themselves. To that end, a Grand Junction organization focuses on postvention.

Support from businesses and individuals help sustain advocacy, education and outreach efforts, said Erica Kitzman, secretary and treasurer of the Postvention Alliance.

“They are helping us do things that are life saving.”

Kitzman also serves as a Western Slope field advocate for the Colorado chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Postvention involves activities to care for those who’ve attempted to harm themselves, the families and friends of attempt survivors and those left behind by

suicide losses, Kitzman said.

Although suicide is associated with mental illness, medical conditions and stressful events can also trigger crises, she said. That includes thyroid and cardiac diseases, urinary tract infections and even the flu. That also includes such events as job loss, divorce and child custody disputes.

Risk increases after people have attempted to harm themselves. The risk also can increase for the families and friends of those who’ve attempted to harm themselves as well as those left behind after a suicide, she said.

According to information reported by Mesa County Public Health, 46 deaths were attributed to suicide in the county in 2019. Between 2015 and 2019, 232 suicide deaths were reported. The rate of suicide deaths in Mesa County remains higher than state and national rates.

An estimated 57 percent of those who died by suicide in Mesa County had previously attempted to harm themselves — nine attempts for every suicide death.

A total of 52 percent had contact with primary and behavioral health care providers or law enforcement within the previous 90 days.

Kitzman said the Postvention Alliance bases its efforts on the work of Edwin S. Shneidman. The psychologist researched suicide and advocated for efforts to address the needs of those who survive attempts to harm themselves.

It’s a matter of targeting care to populations with known risks, she said. Followup care following an emergency room visit, for example, can reduce risk by 40 percent.

Protective factors include family support, mentorships and friendships, she said.

See POSTVENTION page 16

House approves bill to establish suicide hotline

The U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation designating 9-8-8 as a national suicide prevention and mental health hotline.

“Our bipartisan bill to create a threedigit suicide hotline and make it easier for Americans dealing with a mental health crisis to receive lifesaving support is now another step closer to becoming reality,” Cory Gardner said U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner, a Republican from Colorado and one of four senators to introduce the legislation in the Senate.

“The tragic fact is we lose a Coloradan to death by suicide every seven hours, and we must keep fighting to provide mental health support to Coloradans in need, particularly in this time of crisis,” Gardner said.

Calls to a mental health crisis line in Colorado have increased 48 percent since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.

About 60 percent of calls are related to the pandemic.

The National Suicide Hotline Designation Act designates 9-8-8 as the national suicide prevention line, which also includes the veterans crisis line for veteran-specific mental health support.

Gardener said he’s looking forward to President Donald Trump signing the legislation into law. Until the Federal Communications Commission finalizes the technical implementation of 9-8-8 as a national number, those seeking help should call (800) 273-8255.

In his efforts to develop and promote the legislation, Gardner participated in an event at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction discussing efforts to stigmatized mental health support and suicide prevention services. He held another event in Mesa County focused on teen suicide rates in Colorado and what the federal government could do to support students.

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Mesa County fruit growers gain pest-free status

Mesa County as well as Delta and Montrose counties have received pest-free status from the Arizona Department of Agriculture, enabling growers in the three counties to ship fruit to that state without a cold storage quarantine requirement.

“Thanks to the expertise, tenacity and collaboration of many committed partners, a new market has been opened to Western Slope fruit growers that had been closed Cheryl Smith for many years,” said Cheryl Smith, an export certification specialist with the Colorado Department of Agriculture.

A five-year pest trapping program demonstrated the three

counties are free of apple maggot and plum curculio pests. The program was a collaborative effort of the Colorado Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Agriculture Pest Survey and Colorado State University Extension in Mesa County as well as Black Bear Orchard and Taylor Farms.

The Colorado Department of Agriculture offers assistance to fruit growers interested in exploring opportunities to sell products in other states and countries. The plants division researches requirements about pest quarantines. The market divisions offers assistance in connecting with prospective buyers as well as size and grade inspections and food safety verification audits. For more information, log on to the website at https://www.colorado.gov/ag.

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SePtember 24-OctOber 7, 2020

Cattlemen’s association completes tour of state

An association representing ranchers and others working in the beef industry has completed a tour across Colorado to connect with members and others.

“It was interesting to hear similarities and differences in obstacles facing ranchers and rural communities as we traveled throughout the state,” said Janie VanWinkle, a Fruita rancher who serves Janie VanWinkle as president of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association (CCA).

“We recognize that our industry is facing some of the greatest opportunities and threats of not only my time, but also of the generations before,” VanWinkle Steve Wooten said. “Now more than ever, our industry and rural Colorado need a stalwart voice prepared to represent our needs.”

The CCA usually hosts a summer convention. But in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions, the group opted instead to host small gatherings in 14 locations across the state in what was billed as the Rally for Rural Colorado Tour.

According to the organization, the meetings drew not only local ranchers, but also business owners and managers, elected officials and others. Participants voiced a desire to support rural areas of Colorado and its industries — along with leadership to address issues and opportunities.

The CCA supports the We Are All Colorado proclamation and pledge and efforts connect rural and urban areas of the state.

“Our industry is relying on beef producers to engage with our urban neighbors and tell our story,” said Steve Wooten, a Kim rancher and immediate past president of the CCA. “We know what it will take to make a difference for our communities, and your voices need to be heard to ensure a viable future for the next generations.”

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

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

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

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Colorado senator schedules telephone office hours

The Grand Junction staff of U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet has scheduled weekly telephone office hours to answer questions, listen to concerns and help Coloradans deal with federal agencies.

“There’s no greater responsibility as Colorado’s senator than being responsive to the needs of Coloradans across our state,” Bennet said.

“I’m pleased to announce that — even Michael Bennet in these challenging and virtual times — our office is holding telephone listening sessions this fall in every region of Colorado. If you’re having issues navigating a federal agency or receiving benefits or have any questions,

comments or concerns, I encourage you to schedule time to talk with our team.”

Telephone office hours are scheduled for Tuesday afternoons through Nov 17.

Coloradans who live in Mesa County as well as Delta, Garfield, Montrose, Pitkin and Rio Blanco counties can scheduled an appointment by sending an email to Alyssa Logan at Alyssa_Logan@bennet.senate.gov. They should include their names, addresses, telephone numbers and brief descriptions of the issues they want to discuss. Those without access to email can call 241-6631.

Assistance also is available through the “How We Can Help” page on the website at www.bennet.senate.gov.

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SePtember 24-OctOber 7, 2020

SBA grant to promote R&D among small firms

The U.S. Small Business Administration has once again awarded a grant to promote research and innovation in Colorado firms.

For a second straight year, the SBA awarded a Federal and State Technology (FAST) grant to the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade The grant was Frances Padilla among 24 worth a total of $3 million the SBA awarded nationally for mentoring, technical assistance and training and to improve outcomes through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Jovita Carranza and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.

The efforts involve women-owned, ruralbased and socially and economically disadvantaged firms.

“I’m so pleased to once again congratulate our partners at the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade and Colorado (Small Business Development Centers) Network on being awarded an SBA FAST grant,” said Frances Padilla, director of the Colorado District Office of the SBA. “This grant is one of many tools that SBA and its strategic partners can utilize to help Colorado small business innovators and disruptors, especially those in underserved markets, bring their solutions to the attention of federal agencies and towards the ultimate goal of commercialization,” Padilla said.

The FAST grant will help provide better access to small business technology resources offered through the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade small business development network and TechSource program.

SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza said FAST grants help entrepreneurs start and grow businesses. “Programs like FAST are more critical than ever as the SBA is laser focused on helping small businesses recover and once again propel the national economy forward.”

Funding offered through small business innovation research and technology transfer programs can help firms start as well as achieve subsequent success, Carranza said.

“Some of our nation’s leading technology firms got their start with SBIR funding, and FAST is helping expand those opportunities to other entrepreneurs.”

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HR chapter at CMU earns recognition for efforts One of the biggest pieces of advice alumni offer college students is to get involved. Colorado Mesa University senior Paola Perez has done that and then some.

Perez helped build the student chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), and now that club is being recognized for its efforts.

The student chapter was awarded the 2019-2020 SHRM, one of the highest levels of achievement a chapter can receive.

“We were surprised we got the superior award even though we worked so hard,” Perez said “When we submitted back in April, I remember thinking, ‘OK, we met all the requirements and we’ve done what we can.’ ” The win puts CMU in the spotlight. The SHRM is an international organization with more than 300,000 members in 165 countries. This allows students to broaden

their network and provides them with resources, which then better prepares them for a future in human resources and beyond.

“Winning this prestigious award shows that we have a voice and that the students in our chapter are heard. They know their value and self-worth,” Perez said.

Every year SHRM gives out three different levels of merit awards to student chapters: honorable mention, merit award and superior merit award.

“Winning the superior merit award is a testament to the leadership of our student chapter,” said Christi Sanders, an associate professor of human resources at CMU. “Winning this award is a rare honor and shows the HR world that CMU HR students are making an impact on the Western Slope and around the world.”

The opportunity to win depends on the number of

activities chapters complete during the award cycle. Perez and her team collaborated with Project 1.27 to collect stocking stuffers and gifts for local foster children.

Perez and Sanders said the Western Colorado Human Resource Association has played a role in the club and its success. “Our frequent involvement with the Western Colorado Human Resource Association has resulted in amazing internship opportunities and wonderful jobs for our students,” Sanders said.

Perez said she hopes students with majors outside HR will join the club. “SHRM is helpful for really any major. One of our goals is to help build interview skills and resumes, but SHRM is also a great business resource.

Members have access to documents, articles and business professionals.”

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Colorado Go Code event to focus on business problems

A virtual competition is planned to challenge Colorado businesses to identify problems that could be solved in part using public data.

The Business Intelligence Center of the Colorado Secretary of State’s office conducts the Go Code Colorado initiative.

Since 2014, hundreds of developers, designers, business and marketing professionals, analysts, Jana Griswold entrepreneurs and others have participated.

“Go Code Colorado encourages Coloradans to use public data to create innovative ideas for the state and business community,” said Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold.

“Since its inception, Go Code Colorado has always stood for innovation, and I’m looking forward to the program’s continuing evolution in order to best meet the needs of businesses and communities in every corner of our state,” Griswold said.

This year, Go Code Colorado will feature a business opportunities challenge scheduled for Oct. 24. Teams and individuals will compete to identify business opportunities, problems and issues that could be addressed using public information.

A panel of industry judges will review submissions. Participants with the best proposals will win.

To register or obtain more information, visit https://gocode.colorado.gov.

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Gyms join in coalition in response to pandemic

Health clubs, gyms and fitness studios with locations across Colorado have formed a coalition to establish safety protocols in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic as well as promote physical and mental health.

“The fitness industry is a crucial part in improving the health and wellbeing of Colorado citizens and working to stop the spread of COVID-19 across our state,” said Kelsey Kelsey Donahue Donahue, the regional director of operations at Orangetheory Fitness and a member of the advisory board of the Colorado Fitness Coalition.

More than 30 gyms with a total of 175 locations have joined the coalition. That includes Planet Fitness and Mesa Fitness operations in the Grand Valley.

“The CFC is a much needed, unified voice for all Colorado fitness,” Donahue said. “Together, we are working to provide our communities with spaces to safely and consistently improve their physical and mental health.”

Coalition members agree to safety, sanitation and security measures for members and employees that include mask wearing, sanitation stations, physical distancing and electrostatic gun sanitation technology. The measures adhere to state and county public health orders.

According to the coalition, one study concluded that with measures in place, there was no virus transmission or increase in COVID-19 cases related to the opening of gym facilities.

At the same time, the coalition promotes fitness as a way to promote physical and mental health and, in turn, reduce the effects of COVID-19.

According to one report issued prior to the onset of the pandemic, Americans were getting only 23 percent of governmentrecommended levels of weekly exercise.

“Obesity is a risk factor for more severe outcomes with COVID,” said Kris Ehresmann, infectious disease director for the Minnesota Department of Health.

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SePtember 24-OctOber 7, 2020

Charter offers free services for remote ed

Charter Communications has resumed a remote education promotion offering free Internet access to households with students or educators.

The promotion is available to households in Spectrum markets with students in kindergarten through college or educators and offers free Internet access for 60 days to those who don’t already use Spectrum Internet services.

To enroll, customers should call (844) 310-1198. Free self-installation kits will be provided.

“The pandemic has prompted new focus on the technology divide, and Charter is committed to being part of the comprehensive solution needed to close these gaps,” said Tom Rutledge, chairman and chief executive officer of Charter Communications.

“This offer is the latest example of Charter’s ongoing commitment to improving access to broadband and helping to ease the strain of the pandemic in the communities we serve,” Rutledge said.

Charter launched its remote education offer in March, resulting in 448,000 new households added through June 30.

In addition to the remote education offer, Charter also offers Spectrum Internet Assist (SIA), a low-cost broadband program available to eligible low-income households and seniors. SIA includes a free Internet modem, high-speed data, no data caps or contracts and optional in-home wireless service for an additional $5 a month.

SIA is available to households in which one or more members are a recipient of assistance through the National School Lunch Program or Supplemental Security Income.

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Postvention

Continued from page 6 Simple acts of kindness can make a difference, she said. That includes sending a card or making soup for someone going through difficult circumstances.

Some people who’ve attempted suicide and survived said they wouldn’t have tried to harm themselves if even one person would have said hello to them that day, Kitzman said. “That was their bar for staying alive.”

The Postvention Alliance provides education and support workshops for people affected by suicide. The group also provides information and resources on its website at https://www.postvention.org.

In addition, the group is involved in various events, including the International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day scheduled for Nov. 22.

While suicide prevention is important, Kitzman said, so is what happens after people attempt to harm themselves.

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September 24-OctOber 7, 2020

The Business Times

page 17

Page 18

The Business Times

SePtember 24-OctOber 7, 2020

Effects of oil and gas setbacks studied Setbacks

Setbacks separating oil and natural gas operations from buildings and waterways have minimal effects on oil and gas availability at 1,500 feet. But the effects escalate as distances increase to 2,500 feet or more, according to a new study from the University of Colorado at Boulder and Colorado School of Mines.

“The steep increase in costs at certain setback distances was remarkable,” said Daniel Kaffine, an economics professor at CU and co-author of the study. “In some counties, increasing the setback just 500 feet had major consequences in terms of accessible oil and gas.”

Kaffine; Sean Ericson, an economics graduate student at CU; and Peter Maniloff, an assistant professor of economics at the Colorado School of Mines, wrote the study. The results will be published in an upcoming edition of Energy Policy.

Researchers used geographical information systems and publicly available data to measure the effects of increasing oil and gas production setback distances on oil and gas availability.

They specifically looked at Colorado as a case study.

“Oil and gas setbacks are a controversial way of keeping households safe. Some environmental groups have advocated increasing setbacks to increase health and safety,” Maniloff said.

“What we show in this paper is how the costs stack up as those setbacks increase.”

Colorado law currently mandates oil and gas setbacks ranging from 500 to 1,000 feet depending on the type of resources or developments nearby.

The researchers found Colorado would lose about $500 million in annual resource revenues, roughly a tenth of 1 percent of gross domestic product in the state, by requiring oil and gas setbacks of 1,500 feet.

With a setback distance of 2,500 feet, as a 2018 Colorado ballot measure proposed, costs would increase to $4.5 billion.

“Colorado’s Proposition 112 ballot initiative was the main catalyst for looking into this, particularly when we realized that existing research on setbacks was extremely limited,” Kaffine said.

Colorado Proposition 112 failed at the ballot box, but the idea of increasing setbacks isn’t dead. The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission is considering a new round of regulations after a recent reorganization, which could change setback distances or introduce new considerations, such as environmental effects on neighbors.

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Continued from page 2 According to estimates made at that time, the setbacks would have excluded 85 percent of non-federal land in Colorado from oil and natural gas development.

That proportion increased to 99 percent in Garfield and Rio Blanco counties in Western Colorado.

One study evaluated the economic and fiscal effects of passage of the ballot measure on an industry that at that time contributed $32 billion annually to the Colorado economy and employed more than 100,000 people.

The study calculated that 147,800 jobs would be lost in Colorado through 2030 — 43,000 in the first year. Gross domestic product in the state would decline $218 billion through 2030, while state and local tax revenues would decline $7 billion to $9 billion during that span.

The measure failed with more than 55 percent of voters rejecting the proposition. But two years later, the longer setbacks are under consideration again, Miera said.

The proposed COGCC rules establishing a 2,000-foot setback could have similar effects, she said. “Now is not the time to be hurting such a vital industry.”

Setbacks constitute a “blunt tool” that preclude more flexible approaches if development isn’t allowed, she said.

Moreover, rules promulgated for urban areas of the Front Range don’t necessarily apply to rural areas of Western Colorado.

“The one-size-fits-all approach just doesn’t work.”

While a legal challenge to the setbacks remains a last resort, Miera said that’s a consideration given the implications for the oil and natural gas industry and its workforce.

“There are conversations heading that way,” she said. “We have to do what’s right for our hard-working women and men.”

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Men to race in heels in benefit competition

More than 60 men are expected to race in high-heeled shoes in the latest version of an annual event to raise money and awareness of efforts to help victims of domestic violence.

The 11th annual Alpine Bank Men in Heels Race is set for Sept. 24 and will be broadcast on KFQX on Oct.1.

This year’s race will feature 14 teams.

The Men in Heels Race raises money for Latimer House.

A program of Hilltop Community Services, Latimer House provides advocacy, children’s services, emergency shelter and individual and group counseling to those affected by domestic violence and sexual assault in Mesa County. Latimer House also operates an around-the-clock crisis line.

For more information or to make a donation to your favorite team, visit the website at www.meninheelsrace.org.

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September 24-OctOber 7, 2020

The Business Times

page 19

Page 20

The Business Times

SePtember 24-OctOber 7, 2020

The newly constructed headquarters of Timberline Bank in Grand Junction features an expansive lobby and three-story atrium. The four-story building offers a total of 40,000 square feet. (Business Times photo by Phil Castle)

Building

Continued from page 2 Founded by employees and investors in 2004, Timberline Bank operates locations in Grand Junction as well as Aspen and Montrose with assets of about $500 million and a staff of 80, Pedersen says.

The new headquarters is like the bank, he says, in promoting flexibility and collaboration with room to grow. “This building is the perfect representation of this company.”

Timberline Bank moved into the new building Sept. 1 following a year of construction and years of planning, Pedersen says. The Blythe Group architectural firm and FCI Constructors contracting firm were involved in the project.

Timberline Bank outgrew its previous building on 24 Road to the point of having to lease additional space, Pedersen says.

At 10,000 square feet, each of the four floors of the new building offers more space than the old building, he says. That reunites the 60 people who work there.

The building was designed to take advantage of what Pedersen says is a workplace culture of collaboration. He uses the term team, not employees. Team members are encouraged to share ideas and participate in processes to set and achieve goals.

Timberline Bank was among five banks in 2019 to receive Best Community Banks to Work For awards from the Independent Community Bankers of America, a national trade association. The winners were selected on the basis of the results of workplace surveys.

While the new building includes some assigned offices, team members have the flexibility to work where they’d like —

whether that’s on long tables with computer monitors, in booths or other furnishings.

The coffee shop, soda dispenser and other amenities also bring team members together during various times of the day, Pedersen says.

The effort to promote that culture shows up in the way the team serves customers and the resources they provide, he says.

The U.S. Small BusinessAdministration has twice honored Timberline Bank as rural lender of the year in Colorado.

Timberline Bank brings to lending an understanding of what’s involved in running a locally owned business, Pedersen says. “We are a small business. We operate as a small business.”

Earlier this year, Timberline Bank processed all of the loan applications the bank received through the Paycheck Protection Program implemented as part of coronavirus pandemic relief legislation.

It was an effort that had the team at the bank working nights and weekends, Pedersen says.

Customers played a role in a different effort earlier this year when the bank faced limits on obtaining coinage, he says. Customers responded to a request to bring coins to the bank — some by the wheelbarrow full.

Pedersen says he expects those same kinds of services and relationships to continue in the new location. While information about Timberline Bank is available on its website, he encouraged people to see the new building in person.

“There’s no better way than to come down and see what we have.”

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News Trends Contributors Jobless rate retreats Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac

September 24-OctOber 7, 2020

The Business Times

page 21

INDICATORS AT A GLANCE

n Business filings

t New business filings in Colorado, 31,221 in the second quarter, down 1.7% from the second quarter of 2019.

Latest trends point to improving labor conditions in Mesa County

t Consumer Confidence Index 84.8 in August, down 6.9. s Leeds Business Confidence Index for Colorado, 44.3 for the third quarter, up 14.6. s National Federation of Independent Business Small Business Optimism Index 100.2 for August, up 1.4.

The Mesa County Workforce Center in Grand Junction The monthly unemployment rate decreased and labor force has scheduled a job fair for Oct. 14. increased in Mesa County in August, diverging trends that reflect The Fall Job Fest Job Fair is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. improving conditions.

The event is open to veterans only from 10 to 10:30 a.m.

“Those are really good signs to see,” said Weather permitting, the event will be held outdoors in a Curtis Englehart, director of the Mesa County parking lot near the center at the corner of North Avenue and Workforce Center in Grand Junction.

29 1/2 Road. In the event of inclement weather, the event Englehart said he expects the jobless rate will be held indoors in the center. to continue to edge down and the labor force Curtis Englehart, director of the Mesa County Workforce to grow as more people return to work and the Center, said about 35 employers are expected to participate, pace of hiring picks up. “That’s what we’re all of them looking to fill job openings. really hopeful for.”

To register and obtain quick entry and check-in to the According to the Colorado Department job fair, visit www.connecingcolorado.com. of Labor and Employment, the seasonally Curtis Englehart F unadjusted unemployment rate dropped to 6.2 percent in August. That’s down eight-tenths of a point from what was revised upward to 7 percent in July. At this time last year, however, the rate stood at 3.1 percent. The labor force grew 139 filings for the week ending Aug. 29, which Englehart said is more than 700 over the past month. comparable to what historically happens in January with seasonal For August, Mesa County payrolls increased 1,246 to 72,584. layoffs following the holidays.

The number of people counted among those unsuccessfully A total of 12,336 initial claims for unemployment benefits looking for work decreased 535 to 4,805. The labor force, which were filed in Mesa County between the week ending March 14 and includes both the employed and unemployed, grew 711 to 77,389. the week ending August 29. But only about 3,000 people continue Compared to a year ago, payrolls dropped 1,979. The ranks to receive benefits, he said. “A lot of people have been able to go of the unemployed more than doubled at 2,428. The labor force back to work.” increased 449.

Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates also decreased Since hitting 12.6 percent in April in the aftermath of in neighboring Western Colorado counties in August: six-tenths the coronavirus pandemic and related business closures and of a point to 5.9 percent in Montrose County and 5.7 percent in restrictions, the jobless rate has retreated 6.4 points.

Garfield County, three-tenths of a point to 5.9 percent in Delta “It’s getting a little bit more like normal,” Englehart said.

County and a tenth of a point to 5.1 percent in Rio Blanco County.

Hiring continues, he said, especially for jobs in construction, The statewide seasonally adjusted jobless rate decreased health care, manufacturing and transportation. seven-tenths of a point to 6.7 percent.

One measure of labor demand has yet to rebound to levels Nonfarm payrolls increased 36,900 from July to August of a year ago, though, Englehart said. A total of 536 job orders with gains spread across industry sectors. Since May, Colorado were posted at the Mesa County Workforce has gained back 178,500 of the 342,300 AREA JOBLESS RATES Center in August, down 26.4 percent from nonfarm payroll jobs lost between February the same month last year. Through the first and April. Compared to a year ago, though, Aug. July eight months of 2020, 3,988 job orders payrolls have decreased 147,800. t Delta County 5.9 6.2 were posted. That’s down 24.8 percent The average workweek for employees t Garfield County 5.7 6.3 from the same span in 2019. on private, nonfarm payrolls lengthened t Mesa County 6.2 7.0 Meanwhile, the weekly number of six-tenths of an hour over the past year t Montrose County 5.9 6.5 initial filings for unemployment benefits to 34.2 hours. Average hourly earnings t Rio Blanco County 5.1 5.2 has declined since peaking at 2,583 for increased 67 cents to $30.79. the week ending March 28. There were F

n Confidence

n Foreclosures

t Foreclosure filings in Mesa County, 4 in August, down from 22 in August 2019.

t Foreclosure sales in Mesa County, 2 in August, down from 9 in August 2019.

n Indexes

s Conference Board Employment Trends Index, 52.55 for August, up 1.18. s Conference Board Leading Economic Index 106.5 for August, up 1.2% s Institute for Supply Management Purchasing Managers Index for the manufacturing sector, 56% for August, up 1.8%.

n Lodging

t Lodging tax collections in Grand Junction, $120,295 for August, down 34.9% from August 2019.

n Real estate

s Real estate transactions in Mesa County, 542 in August, up 7.3% from August 2019. s Dollar volume of real estate transactions in Mesa County, $158 million in August, up 6.8% from August 2019.

n Sales

s Sales and use tax collections in Grand Junction, $5 million for August, up 2.5% from August 2019. s Sales and use tax collections in Mesa County, $3.7 million for August, up 8.4% from August 2019.

n Unemployment t Mesa County — 6.2% for August, down 0.8. t Colorado — 6.7% for August, down 0.7. t United States — 8.4% for August, down 1.8.

Phil Castle

The Business Times

Job fair scheduled for Oct. 14

Reports: Sales taxes up, lodging taxes down Tax collections, one measure of sales activity, have increased in the Grand Valley, according to the latest monthly reports.

The City of Grand Junction reported a 2.5 percent increase in sales and use tax collections in August compared to the same month last year. Mesa County reported an 8.4 percent year-over-year gain.

August collections reflect July sales.

Meanwhile, city lodging tax collections, a measure of hotel and motel stays, dropped 34.9 percent.

The city collected a total of more than $5 million in sales and use taxes, an increase of more than $124,000 over August 2019.

A 3.1 percent increase in sales tax collections more than offset a 55 percent drop in use tax collections and what’s a far smaller and more volatile source of revenue.

The county collected a total of nearly $3.7 million in sales and use taxes, an increase of more than $283,000 over August 2019. Sales tax collections rose 8.3 percent. Use tax collections

— most on automobiles purchased outside the county, but used in the county — rose 9.3 percent.

City sales and use tax collections through the first eight months of 2020 topped $37 million. That’s a decrease of nearly $1.6 million and 4.1 percent from the same span in 2019. Sales tax collections fell 4.1 percent. Use tax collections fell 44.9 percent.

County sales and use tax collections through the first eight months of 2020 totaled nearly $26 million. That’s an increase of nearly $756,000 and 3 percent over 2019. Sales tax collections rose 4.6 percent. Use tax collections fell 14.6 percent.

The city collected $120,295 in lodging taxes in August on hotel and motel stays in July.

Through the first eight months of 2020, $638,073 in lodging taxes were collected. That’s a decline of more than $417,000 and 39.5 percent compared to the same span in 2019.

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Page 22

The Business Times

SePtember 24-OctOber 7, 2020

Leading index increases, but signals slowing ahead A monthly index forecasting economic conditions in the United States has increased for a fourth consecutive month, but still signals slowing growth.

The Conference Board reported its Leading Economic Index (LEI) rose 1.2 percent to 106.5 in August. The latest gain follows a 2 percent increase in July, 3 percent increase in June and Ataman Ozyildirim 3.1 percent increase in May. “While the U.S. LEI increased again in August, the slowing pace of improvement suggests that this summer’s economic rebound may be losing steam heading into the final stretch of 2020,” said Ataman Ozyildirim, senior director of economic research at the Conference Board.

“Looking ahead to 2021, the LEI suggests that the U.S. economy will start the new year under substantially weakened economic conditions.”

The LEI dropped 4.7 percent over the past six months, down from no growth over the six months before that.

Gross domestic product, the broad measure of goods and services produced in the country, contracted at an annual rate of 31.7 percent during the second quarter in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

For August, five of 10 indicators of the LEI advanced, including average weekly manufacturing hours, interest rate spread, a new orders index and stock prices. A decline in average weekly claims for unemployment insurance also bolstered the index. Building permits, consumer expectations for business conditions, a leading credit index and new orders for capital and consumer goods declined.

The Coincident Economic Index, a measure of current conditions, increased six tenths of a percent to 100.8. The index has decreased 6.4 percent over the past six months.

For August, three of four components of the index advanced: industrial production, nonfarm payrolls and personal income. Sales retreated.

The Lagging Economic Index, a measure of past performance, fell six-tenths of a percent to 107.6. The index has declined 4.7 percent over the past three months.

For August, consumer credit and inventories advanced. Commercial and industrial financing and the cost of both labor and services retreated. An increase in the average duration of unemployment also pulled down the index. The average prime rate charged by banks held steady.

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Trends Contributors Opinion Managing change Business Briefs Business People Almanac

September 24-OctOber 7, 2020

The Business Times

page 23

COMING ATTRACTIONS

n The Western Colorado Human Resource Association has scheduled its fall conference for 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 30. The conference will be conducted in person at the Colorado Mesa University Center ballroom in Grand Junction as well as offered online.

Presentations during the morning session will address diversity, COVID-19 compliance and building readiness for change and resilience. A legislative review also is planned. The afternoon session will address dimensions of change, strategic initiatives, psychological safety when managing change and change failure.

The conference will conclude with a keynote address by John Register, an inspirational speaker, trainer and author.

Admission to the conference is $195 for WCHRA members for the in-person event and $125 for the online presentation. Others pay $250 and $150, respectively. Discounts are available for Colorado Mesa University students.

To register or obtain more information, log on to www.wchra.org or send an email to conferences@wchra.org. n The Business Incubator Center in Grand Junction has scheduled presentations on startups.

The next session of a business startup workshop is set for 6 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at the center, 2591 Legacy Way. A two-part webinar on how to start a business is scheduled for 1 to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 20 and 21.

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

For more information about upcoming events, services and programs offered at the Business Incubator Center, call 243-5242 or visit the website at www.gjincubator.org. n The Mesa County Workforce Center in Grand Junction has scheduled a webinar on the basics of LinkedIn and networking for 10 a.m. Sept. 30.

To register, visit the website located at www.connectingcolorado.com and sign up under the workshops tab. More information is available by calling the center at 248-7560.

Upcoming conference to offer help to position for transition “The year was 2020, kids. Your parents were the same age you are today. I would not do the events of that year justice if I didn’t set the stage properly. The rug was ripped out from under our secure and comfortable footing. We learned some things that year.” — Me, many years from now.

When business leaders and human resource professionals started this year, big things were on the calendar. We saw legislative changes on the horizon.

We knew an election was looming.

Some were simply happy watching Patrick Mahomes lead his team to a Super Bowl victory.

Things changed. We started to hear reports from China, the cruise ship, Italy. People died. The coronavirus Lindsay pandemic spread and more people Powers died. Our world shut down. There was a moment of pause. Then followed the hard decisions, discussions, layoffs and closures. We executed “your life is now changed” notices to our peers and friends and did our best to support employees through the transition. Then George Floyd died. Let me rephrase that. We watched George Floyd die. Our lives were split again, and 2020 continued with more division, destruction, fear, despair and lives that matter.

In the midst of these events, the Western Colorado Human Resource Association strived to do anything the organization could to bring the HR community together.

We scheduled the fall conference to talk about “putting out the fire of 2020” and rising up stronger from adversity.

Then our beautiful home caught on fire — actual fire. As we watched Colorado burn, even more destruction followed.

We just can’t seem to win this year. But we continue to show up every day and push hard to provide for our families, employees and customers. We have a responsibility to each other to do what we can to persevere.

And we are.

And then your chief executive officer sends you a text over the weekend. “Hey, got a minute?”

In my time in my organization, I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to serve the community alongside one of the most tenacious and passionate leaders I’ve ever encountered. She’s an entrepreneur, community advocate, basketball coach and golden retriever loving, awesome

human. In the wake of all that already had occurred in 2020, now this. I was heartbroken.

But I decided to pause. I looked around at the team she led and the culture in our organization she cultivated.

Then I noticed the spirit within each one of the team members, individually at first but then as a unit. We’re strong, capable, able, willing and, dare I say it, excited.

Any leadership transition presents a challenge, but losing this CEO felt like the heart of the organization walked away. What makes this exciting, though, is the team understands not only the effects of the change, but also how to use the strengths of each individual and the group as a whole to bridge the gap. We’re nimble, and we’ll be successful. I also realize we’re the lucky ones.

Our community will be successful, too. The WCHRA has operated in Western Colorado since 1977 and continues to garner the support of passionate professionals to advance HR. The WCHRA Fall Conference scheduled for Sept. 30 will focus on change management. Much like examining my own team in the looming CEO transition, it’s important to look to external support and networks to keep moving forward.

The conference — titled “Rising from the Ashes of 2020” — will focus on not only the coronavirus pandemic, but also diversity, legislation and compliance. HR leaders and entrepreneurs will join for presentations and discussions to share expertise and insights. We’ll focus on how to get through transitions and what we need to do. The conference will be offered in person — with responsible social distancing, of course — and online.

John Register will deliver the keynote address in not only telling a great personal story, but also digging into the changes we face. Learn more about John and his story at https://johnregister.com.

Register for “Rising from the Ashes of 2020” at www.wchra.org and join WCHRA, your HR network and the community to collectively say goodbye to these challenges and come out stronger on the other side.

Lindsay Powers, a senior certified professional, is a local human resources professional passionate about supporting work force development. She’s also a member of the board of directors of the Western Colorado Human Resource Association. For more information, visit www.wchra.org.

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Page 24

The Business Times

SePtember 24-OctOber 7, 2020

Are you an admired leader on your team?

There’s a vast difference between a leader and a boss.

A leader influences, collaborates, guides, mentors and supports others to foster movement in a desired direction.

Conversely, a boss lords over others, is often controlling and domineering and uses fear and intimidation to get ever more out of the individuals he or she oversees.

If you’re like most people, you’ve worked for a variety of business owners and managers over your lifetime. Undoubtedly, a few stand out in your mind as people you enjoyed working for, while others created an unpleasant work environment. It’s also likely there’s no doubt in your mind about the type of person for which you’d rather work.

Leaders create goodwill and Marcus enthusiasm and foster an environment Straub where teammates want to give as much as possible. Leaders understand they can’t control others and endeavor instead to help their people gain more self-control; make better decisions; and thereby become leaders, too. Bosses rely on authority and fear to make individuals do more and more for as little as possible. Bosses believe they retain control when their people are intimidated and afraid.

Leaders are service-oriented and see themselves as part of the team. With this mindset, there’s no need for blame, only a collaborative effort in a shared mission.

Bosses tend to be self-centered and power hungry. They believe they’re special; stand above everyone else; and, because there’s no team concept, play the blame game.

Leaders recognize that when a person receives quality instruction and training, understanding and efficiency are created. Leaders also know sharing their time and

Leaders work to empower their team members and inspire them to personal and professional greatness.

Bosses disempower their people to control them.

knowledge helps their people become more competent and, therefore, confident. Bosses like to tell others how to do things rather than get involved and demonstrate the process.

They’re more interested in power and control than teaching others how and why something should be done.

Leaders give credit where it’s due and readily accept responsibility as part of the team. They work with their people to find solutions and inspire others through their examples of personal accountability and teamwork. Bosses love to take all the credit for things that go well and none of the accountability for things that don’t. To retain authority and control, they believe they can never be at fault.

Leaders rely on the intelligence of their team members, understanding no one person knows it all. They seek out and welcome the ideas of their teammates, knowing this will contribute to the team’s overall success. Bosses believe they know it all and they’re the only ones with the correct answers. They don’t welcome the knowledge of their people, leaving employees uninspired and disheartened.

Leaders willingly empower their team members and, therefore, the entire company, leading everyone to increased happiness and success. Rather than simply bossing people around, leaders help others become their best. Bosses disempower and demoralize people, making them and the company less of what they can be.

Leaders view their team members as humans with

their own hopes, dreams and desires. Leaders coach their people in the pursuit of achieving their goals and help them become more than they were. Bosses see people as objects in their pursuit of success, riches and power. They drive their people and use them up along the way.

Through their commitment to communication and mentoring, leaders foster the best in others as the people they lead are treated like valuable humans capable of accomplishing great things. Through their lack of appreciation and dictatorial management, bosses lay the foundation for distrust, resentment, disloyalty, high turnover and absenteeism, lowered productivity and efficiency and underperformance of the business.

The biggest difference between these two management styles is that leaders work to empower their team members and inspire them to personal and professional greatness.

Bosses disempower their people to control them.

Are you a leader or are you a boss? If you recognize within yourself the need or desire for leadership development, take the powerful step of working with a qualified professional to become a respected leader on your team. The admired leaders among us believe in and value humans and work diligently to collaborate with and develop the potential in their people for the betterment of all. Bosses do not.

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

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September 24-OctOber 7, 2020

The Business Times

page 25

Workplace lessons: Millennials have a lot to teach us My oldest son is a millennial, a member of the generation born in the 1980s and 1990s that’s been labeled entitled, lazy and in need of constant praise. Before you feel sorry for me, though, here are some other facts about my son: he graduated from college debt-free, moved out voluntarily and landed a career job.

Despite the negative stereotypes, millennials are also known for being caring, innovative and socially conscious. Since millennials are expected to soon comprise 75 percent of the work force, we older folks could benefit from learning from their perspectives, especially when it comes to work. Consider some lessons. n Lesson one: It’s essential for employers to care about employees as Rebecca people.

Weitzel This might seem obvious. But traditionally, caring about employees beyond what they can offer the business hasn’t been thought of as an employer’s responsibility.

After my son got his job, he highlighted for me the reasons he likes it. None was related to perks or pay.

Instead, he raved about how the welcome committee took him to lunch and made sure he felt connected. He described his supervisor’s patience during training. He shared how his boss showed concern rather than annoyance when he called in sick with a stomach bug.

It turns out caring is not only the nice thing to do, it’s also a great retention tool. Despite the reputation millennials have for job-hopping, the loyalty my son feels, born of the kindness he’s experienced from his employer, has influenced him to stay despite other opportunities.

It’s not just millennials who want to feel cared for

It’s not just millennials who want to feel cared for at work. Most people prefer to stick around in caring environments over indifferent or hostile ones. at work. Most people prefer to stick around in caring environments over indifferent or hostile ones. A great way for employers to demonstrate care is to promote employee well-being programs. A growing body of evidence shows organizations with effective wellness programs retain employees longer than those without such programs. n Lesson two: Working smarter is better than working longer.

Many of us in the baby boom or X generations cling to the notion that to get ahead, you’ve got to put in more time. Since we dutifully followed the path of working long hours as we trudged toward success, we typically aren’t pleased with people who take short cuts.

Millennials, however, grew up technologically savvy, always looking for efficient ways to do things. They aren’t impressed with co-workers who burn the midnight oil doing things the old way. They celebrate the colleague who hacks her way to completing a project in half the usual time and leaves early. They recognize peak performance and productivity are less a function of time than focus, innovation and creativity.

When employers measure output over hours worked, benefits like flexible schedules — something millennials reportedly value more than pay or promotions — become more of a viable option, empowering employees to better integrate work and life and promoting overall well-being.

Healthier people lead to healthier businesses. A study

conducted by the University of California Riverside demonstrated an actual causal link between increased employee health and increased productivity. n Lesson three: Purpose and growth matter as much or more than a paycheck.

According to experts, millennials grew up in uncertain times and, as a result, care about making the most of every moment. They’re not satisfied with going through the motions to earn a paycheck. They want to add value to the company, seek personal and professional growth opportunities and care deeply about social causes.

Purpose-driven organizations that provide regular feedback about how employee efforts align with the overall mission and those that contribute to the world can inspire all employees, not just millennials, to bring their best selves to work every day. Moreover, companies that invest in the personal and professional growth of their teams reap the rewards as skill levels expand to better serve the company and loyalty skyrockets, turning employees into brand ambassadors.

My son would quickly look for work elsewhere if he felt no one cared about him or his contributions. The truth is, many older people feel the same way. Organizations that recognize this and choose to design cultures around caring, innovation, flexibility and purpose are those in which employees and bottom lines flourish.

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

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Page 26

The Business Times

SePtember 24-OctOber 7, 2020

Manage writer’s block with a structured approach You probably write dozens of emails and other documents over the course of a week: articles, manuals, performance appraisals, proposals, reports and more. Most of these materials are time sensitive and mission critical.

But sometimes the words just won’t come. When you’re faced with a blank email, document template or sheet of paper — along with a deadline — everything you wanted to say simply packs up and hides out What’s a writer to do?

Writer’s block is a state of mind that can be managed by applying a structured approach to document design and drafting.

Janet Start with a blank screen and type Arrowood anything you can think of that might be a key point. If you’re working in a group, do the same thing using whiteboards in a conference room or paper in someone’s office. Don’t worry about the order or relative importance of the information — just capture your thoughts and ideas.

Now prioritize the key points you’ve noted. You could print a copy or work on the whiteboard or paper. Assign numbers to each point, then reorganize them in sequential order. Along the way you could decide some of the ideas you noted are either not relevant or subordinate to another point.

Place these subpoints under the applicable key points. It’s important to only use each point or subpoint once to avoid repetition and confusion later. Now jot two to four subpoints under each main point, being careful to avoid repetition.

You’ve just created an outline — the key to writing a logical, non-repetitive document while managing writers and writer’s block. You can use this outline in many ways: as a management tool to keep supervisors in the loop and get their

Start with a blank screen and type anything you can think of that might be a key point. If you’re working in a group, do the same thing using whiteboards in a conference room or paper in someone’s office. Don’t worry about the order or relative importance of the information — just capture your thoughts and ideas.

buy-in before adding text, as a coordination tool by adding deadlines and responsibilities or as a “co-author” and subject matter expert (SME) herding tool by assigning page and word counts to each person’s key points in the outline. You might want to capture the information in your outline in Excel or a Word table. Then you have a useful management, coordination and collaboration tool.

Now that the critical information is captured, structured, organized, approved and assigned, it becomes easier to write your document. Instead of writing “in serial” and going through the key points in order, you can hop around, using key points and subpoints to keep you on track and take breaks without losing your place.

You’re writing “in parallel,” which enables you to write each section out of order while using the outline to keep focused. This same freedom applies to your co-authors and SMEs. They, too, can write in whatever order moves them. Of course, all of the sections eventually will have to be written. Listing and organizing key points also offers an effective process for writing short, focused, emails.

An outline can serve two additional purposes beyond easing writer’s block. First, it enables you to manage the managers by getting their input and support while your document is in the planning stage. An organized approach reassures even the most micro of managers you’re on top of things and so organized they can rely on you to get the document written on time. Second, when several authors provide inputs — especially SMEs who could procrastinate and then give you an information dump at the last minute — you can manage them, too. How? By assigning paragraph and word counts to each author or SME. Assigning paragraph and word counts is easy when you have the approved outline with key points and subpoints.

A standard page of text with 12-point Times New Roman type contains about 400 words. If there are tables or figures, the word count is less. A paragraph written in clear, concise English usually includes two to six sentences, with each sentence having about 10 to 15 words. So, if you take the average of these lengths, you get about eight, 50word paragraphs containing about four sentences each on a page. Now you can allocate these counts to each point and subpoint, making the writers’ — and your own — tasks straightforward.

Writer’s block is a state of mind. By applying the simple approach I just described, you can make writing a logical process. Everything you write will be clearer, more concise and on message.

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

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September 24-OctOber 7, 2020

The Business Times

page 27

Plan to come out of the pandemic financially sound While it’s easy to get wrapped up in the day-to-day stress the coronavirus pandemic has created, you’ll thank yourself in the future if you take a step back and take advantage of planning opportunities to maximize your future cash flows and investment returns.

Here are some ways to benefit from the economic environment and tax legislation that’s resulted from COVID-19: n Consider converting a traditional Individual Retirement Account to a Roth IRA. Because of the pandemic, your income could be lower in 2020, resulting in a lower tax rate. Roth conversions require the amount converted to be recognized as taxable Paige income in the year of the conversion.

Curtiss Doing this conversion in 2020 would allow you to take advantage of your lower income tax rate. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) lowered the tax rates, but future legislation could increase rates to help recover from the economic effects of COVID-19. Why convert your traditional IRA to a Roth?

Doing so is advantageous because future tax rates will likely be higher. Taxing the balance of your IRA now will lead to savings in the future, because Roth distributions are tax-free as long as the account has been open five years and you’re 59 ½ or older. Unlike traditional IRAs, Roths aren’t subject to required minimum distributions. The money in a Roth can grow untouched for as long as needed. n The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act allows distributions up to $100,000 from retirement plans for qualifying purposes related to the pandemic — the adverse financial consequences of being quarantined, furloughed or laid off or having work hours reduced. This

Don’t let the performance of your investment portfolio surprise you.

Review your situation before the end of the year to minimize any capital gains tax you might owe as a result of buying low during the worst of the pandemic and selling high as the market recovered.

amount isn’t subject to the 10 percent early withdrawal penalty.

It’s also allowed over a three-year spread, which means you could report a third of the distribution on your federal tax return for the next three years. You also could repay the distribution within three years, in which case the distribution will be treated as though it were repaid in a direct trustee-to-trustee transfer not subject to federal income tax liability. n Keep the new net operating loss (NOL) rules in mind if you find yourself or your business at a tax loss in 2020. The CARES Act removed the 80 percent limit on NOL utilization the TCJA imposed for tax years beginning before 2021. Additionally, any NOL generated in tax years beginning after Dec. 31, 2017 and before Jan. 1, 2021 are allowed a five-year carryback period. It likely could be beneficial to carry back any NOL that occurs during this time because tax rates were higher five years ago than they are now and your income could have been higher five years ago than it will be in future years. n Don’t let the performance of your investment portfolio surprise you when tax time comes. Review your situation before the end of the year to minimize any capital gains tax you might owe as a result of buying low during

the worst of the pandemic and selling high as the market recovered. If you have capital gains, consider selling nonperforming stocks at a loss to prevent paying taxes on net capital gains. If you have capital losses, see if you have any stock you can sell at a gain. This is a smart move because capital losses are fully deductible to the extent of your capital gains. However, capital losses in excess of capital gains can offset only $3,000 of ordinary income.

The remaining capital losses carry forward indefinitely. n Members of our community need assistance during this difficult time. If you’re considering charitable contributions to qualified organizations, your tax liability will benefit more than ever. Taxpayers who don’t itemize will receive up to a $300 above-the-line deduction for charitable contributions made in 2020. If you itemize, the normal 60 percent of adjusted gross income limitation on charitable contributions has been increased to 100 percent of AGI. These are just a few of the planning opportunities available to help you come out of the pandemic as financially sound as possible. Talk with your certified public accountant or advisor to ensure you’re aware of the options that could be tailored to your needs.

Paige Curtiss is a certified public accountant and senior accountant with Dalby, Wendland & Co. She assists businesses and individuals with income tax preparation.

Dalby, Wendland & Co. operates the largest public accounting firm headquartered in Western Colorado with offices in Grand Junction as well as Aspen, Glenwood Springs, Montrose, Rifle and Telluride. The firm offers a range of accounting, auditing, bookkeeping and consulting services. For more information, call 243-1921 or visit www.dalbycpa.com.

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Page 28

The Business Times

SePtember 24-OctOber 7, 2020

Yoga offers numerous physical and mental benefits Yoga is all about learning to balance life with calmness and positive thinking. Yoga means to join or yoke together the body and mind into one experience.

Yoga dates back more than 5,000 years and combines three main areas: breathing, exercise and meditation.

Breathing techniques are based on the concept breathing is the source of life. Exercises put pressure on glandular systems and promote health and well-being. Through meditation, practitioners learn how to quiet their minds and heal from the stresses of life.

There are more than 100 schools Paula of yoga. The most common type and Reece one most people associate with is Hatha yoga. This is an easy to learn form of yoga that combines physical movements and postures with breathing techniques.

Another type is Bikram yoga that includes muscular strength and endurance, cardiovascular flexibility and weight loss. This type of yoga is performed in a room heated to 95 degrees to 105 degrees. The heat promotes flexibility and detoxification while preventing injuries. Warm yoga is similar, but in a warm rather than hot environment.

Power yoga combines stretching, strength training and meditative breathing. Many of the poses resemble such basic calisthenics as push-ups, handstands and side bends. The pace of this type of yoga is faster, with each move flowing into the next without pausing.

Although there are many more forms of yoga, these give you an idea of what’s available. Many instructors incorporate different forms of yoga into one class.

Most adults with varying degrees of abilities can practice yoga. There are some advanced classes that aren’t suitable for people with physical limitations from injuries or pregnant women. Always check first with your doctor before engaging in an exercise program. However, there are special classes that incorporate yoga into a workout with modifications. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and always listen to your body.

In taking your first yoga class, expect to enter a low-light room with soft music. You should wear comfortable clothing.

You don’t need special shoes — most people are barefoot.

You’ll have a mat and such props as bands, blocks and blankets. Your instructor will tell you when and how to use these.

At the end of each yoga class, most teachers bring their hands together in front of their hearts, bow their heads and say “namaste.” Students bring their hands together and

respond in kind. Namaste means “I bow to the divine in you.”

Yoga offers numerous benefits, including improved breathing, flexibility, posture and strength. Many people worry they’re too old or out of shape for yoga. In fact, you’re never too old to improve flexibility. Yoga not only stretches your muscles, but also the soft tissues of your body, including ligaments and tendons. Nearly all of the poses in yoga build core strength in the abdominal muscles.

With this stronger core strength comes better posture. You also become more aware of your posture in daily activities.

Most forms of yoga concentrate on breathing. Learning to deepen or lengthen your breath will stimulate relaxation.

Yoga also improves mood and concentration.

If you’re already a yogi, you understand all this. If you’re not, hopefully this has answered some of your questions about yoga. Challenge yourself to try a few classes for a couple weeks and see if you experience some of the amazing benefits. Namaste.

Paula and Dale Reece own Crossroads Fitness Centers in Grand Junction with a downtown location at 225 N. Fifth St. and north location at 2768 Compass Drive.

For more information, call 242-8746 or log on to the website at www.crossroadsfitness.com.

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Real estate investments provide a hedge against inflation By definition, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a measure of the average change over time in the prices urban consumers pay for a basket of goods and services.

In simple terms, when the CPI goes up, it generally means our daily cost of living goes up The CPI offers a primary gauge of inflation. When the CPI rises, that indicates a decrease in the purchasing power of currency.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the CPI for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.4 percent in August on a seasonally adjusted basis after rising 0.6 percent Tim in July. Over the past year, the all Whitney items index increased 1.3 percent before seasonal adjustment.

This is okay for the typical American worker — assuming you still have a job — because real average weekly earnings have kept pace. You didn’t fall behind.

As the government continues to print money to battle the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, I expect the cost of living to go up at a much faster clip in certain areas of the economy.

But you didn’t get ahead, either.

However, as the federal government continues to print money to battle the effects of the coronavirus pandemic — public debt now approaches $27 trillion — I expect the cost of living to go up at a much faster clip in certain areas of the economy.

We’re already seeing the cost of housing rise mostly due to low inventories and increasing costs of materials and labor for new construction. There are also a number of businesses that have effectively added a so-called COVID tax to their

bills. While inflation remains in check for the moment, there’s a good possibility it soon will rear its ugly head That begs the question: What can you do about it if the almighty dollar loses steam? The good news is there are a few things you can do, including purchasing investment real estate. It just might offer the hedge against inflation for which you’re looking. While inflation causes consumer goods to cost more, it also leads to increases in rent.

We can keep our fingers crossed the cost of living stays in check. But it’s better to be prepared just in case it doesn’t.

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 website at www.CBCPrimeProperties.com.

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Contributors Opinion Well done good and faithful servant Business Briefs With governance, less can be more BusinessOpinion People Almanac

September 24-OctOber 7, 2020

The Business Times

page 29

Harry L. Hall Jr. — July 13, 1933-Sept. 15, 2020

THE BUSINESS TIMES JANUARY 15-28, 2015 Eight-seven years. Many would say that’s a But dad’s main role in life was being dad, pretty good run. providing to make things better for his family.

There’s an argument to be made for the precept that government Frankly, I could argue Dad wasn’t around as much as I would have is best which governs least. it both ways. My dad’s last liked when I was a kid. Maybe that’s because he There’s an existential role for governments to defend citizens three years were difficult was working any one of three shifts at the Ford from enemies foreign and domestic. There are times, too, when ones of steady decline to his Motor Co. Rouge Works while going back to government is better suited to provide services in a collective school to earn his bachelor’s degree to become a passing. But I also thought fashion — paving streets and putting out fires, to name two obvious teacher. That experience led him to an ongoing if he could just get past this examples. In addition, government has a legitimate responsibility to life of learning and earning degrees, just short of COVID mess, he’d have a maintain even playing fields to ensure equality and fairness under the It’s that timeofofhealth year when long run alwaysa hurt consumers. Another month or two and doctorate. law. resolutions and prognostications fact is that unemployment certain clarity to enjoy his family abound.

Dad’sreaches job at aFord also led him to his other Otherwise, less could be more in allowing the greatest degree My favorite saying applied to New Year’s level based on the economy. And while the before he went to see mom lifelong love: University of Michigan football. of freedom. That includes not only freedoms among individuals to resolutions is in saying they’re basically a government might brag the number is low, and his Regardless He was a season ticket pursue happiness, but also freedoms among businesses to pursue bunch of sons. promises to break the first week it’s more than likely the government did holder from 1969 until Craig Hall to cause of time and wishes, dad his move to Colorado those endeavors that both result in profits as well as providing of January.

And while I won’t predict a something that number being low— and the tickets stayed A new year almost always brings an opportunity for a fresh start and decided wasmuch enough theway. family much longer. neededambition products services. whole lot,enough I can pretty accurately — and not in aingood Conversely, when The way dad told it, renewed to and do things better.Private property and intellectual nail few thingsseptic that without question business picks he up,was it’s because the people witha ongoing infections.

He passed listening to J.P. McCarthy (a long-time rights combined at least less fettered exploration result in In business, thatwith usually boils down to providing customerscan better products will makeunder the news.

You will see good these are need to buy widgets who were notin Detroit) after a midnight and services faster and at lower than competitors.

Part of the process must quietly the care of the folks who at the voice on WJR radio remarkable discoveries thatcost improve lives. pretty, well, predictable: buying widgetsshift because the he economy includeNonetheless, listening to customers to determine whattothey actually needForgetting and then HopeWest hospice facility. when heardwas Michigan had hired Bo the temptation persists govern more.

■ Prediction one: contracting due to natural (or unnatural, meeting that need. After all, it does little good to offer the latest and greatest if Harry L. Hall Jr. was the oldest son of Harry Schembechler to become the new head football for a moment the rhetoric in an election year, neither major political There will be some government caused) reasons, decided we nobody actually wants what you’re selling.

Sr. and Viola. event, From early on, they knew dad coach.

SoThe thegovernment old Mercury took a detour to Ann party seems particularly resistant. sort of weather better buy some widgets.

Just like the businesses that belong to the group, the Grand Junction Area was going to be a giant.

He literally was.

All the Arbor for season tickets instead of heading Perhaps it’s one logical outcome of the election process.

What natural disaster or had nothing to do with this.

Chamber of Commerce invariably starts out the new year with a reassessment of picturesoccurrence of dad in his youth showed him head■and home. and I with attended countless games politician campaigns do less?and To how enact fewer fewer heinous Prediction four:Dad In keeping the services and resourcesto it provides well they laws. match To withbring members where someone willthe rest. That continued things the government does, shoulders above through together, andI predict every the crisp fall morning will be needs.

Jeff Franklin, the back new chairman of the chamber board of directors, government dollars to constituents. be interviewed and say government will manipulate the numbers to personifies this approach in describing what he considers his role for the coming his high school football days of the early 1950s my forever reminder.

Perhaps it’s a function of the governing process itself. It’s like the the claim the economy getting year: listen to members, needs and then those needs. looks It’s a Even in is retirement, dad was bad at retirement. andfollowing: a young “I’ve man nearly 6-foot-4 and 270make pounds the proverb: If your determine only tool their is a hammer, thenmeet every problem never seen anything better because of how hard it is working to role with which Franklin is familiar as market president of Bank of Colorado.

For many years in Boulder, dad continued to sell (tiny by football standards today) who pushed like a nail. Even with the best of intentions, the response can be like that in my help all of us “working Americans.” Now The process will take on a more structured approach in what the chamber real estate — his third occupation — and then anyone around the gridiron.

His football talent disproportional. lifetime.” It’s as if this you might say, “Craig, you always say this plans as the resumption of a program aptly called Listening to Business. Under the Craig Hall heavilyyou involved landedishim a scholarship — dad always laughed Thebusiness resultsowners can beparticipate costly, though, in every sense that word. person a required about Presidentbecame Obama because don’t in the Lutheran Church. program, in in-depth interviews to of identify barriers to attendee news likeathim.” in a as sense.

I don’tpresident for the Missouri Heright served regional he knewatitevery wasn’t for academics — to play the You’re to one measure based on publicly available growthAccording and other problems they encounter. reporting event.

While I understand most know the man,Synod. but whatChurch I know of him andwere always a big part of The new year a good time the proverbial club. and faith University of Toledo. information, theoffers aggregate cost to ofjoin federal regulation tops $1.9 trillion people’s perspective indeed be limited his thinking, or himafter one iota.

As an advertiser or keeping reader, what do you fromdown the Business Times?for dad’slike life,it even he began living at The Oaks A knee injurycan ended dad’s football days early I don’t annually.

For those score, thatneed breaks to $14,000 by, or contained within, their own personal Before you go off, however, I didn’t like While journals traditionally gather and report the relevant news to in Fruita as his health declined. on and landed him in the United States Army, each andbusiness every U.S. household. experiences, it is too much to ask to President Bush and his bailouts, stimulus readers, communication isn’t necessarily a one-way street. That’s especially true as other bigtothing where he served a two-year tour in Germany as a Rather than determining and implementing the minimum amount consult some historical perspective before and his abandoning The the free market save for dad was family, and Web sites and e-mail make the dialogue more convenient than ever. oneI don’t benefited more than my daughters and radio operator.

He’d about was of governance necessary to accomplish objective, just opposite saying such a thing?

Yes,tell thisstories response can how thehe free market.no And know him Good publications don’t exist in a vacuum.an They respond to thethe needs of Papa loveddoes, doting on my girls. Along with mysteriously transferred to the best football outfit is more often the case.

Asprovide if a kitchen sink approach would work apply to some events.

But when it comes either.

What theI.government and the advertisers and readers.

They what’s needed. to and at natural disasters, pretty Instead, only thing it can do, is they hurt the economy.

Nana, made every holiday memorable as in weather the region the behest of I’m an officer. better.

Thedo problem is that maximum efforts preclude what could be So what you need? sure history itself.

Unless it does my nothing put criminals in Is thereefforts additional that wouldathelp informed kidsorgrew.

They could also be counted on for dad this got is thesimply officer backrepeating by playing basketball. minimal thatnews are coverage just as effective lesskeep cost.you That’s not about to Same as it has for millions and millions of jail instead of partnering with them, nothing local business developments?

Are there features that would be interesting or Sunday (well, any day) dinner and visits every If you knew dad at all, you knew of his mention more flexible solutions tailor made to solve problems. years. More important, the planet made it! the government does will help. Always look useful?InIsthe there advice that would make yourisjobs a little easier? of quantity week. For me, their indispensable knowledge fondness for his Army days and Germany. end, effective government a combination What didn’t were certain species. How’s at it this way, whatever the government says It’s equally important to ask what you don’t need. With limited time to and effort were a big Perhaps it was because the farming household and quality.

Of legislating and regulating only as much as necessary that for perspective? it is doing, whatever the name of the lawpart it of the reason you produce content and limited space in which to publish it, would time and space be enjoy the Business Times today. Dad was even he grew up in spoke a lot of German, as did his and bringing to the process integrity and a genuine desire to serve ■ Prediction two: When it comes to a is passing, or whatever the name or goal of better devoted to something else? with delivery church school during formative the years. constituents. crime or and something that occurshis between bureaucracyhelping it is presenting to the up to the week sepsis What’s good? What isn’t? What’s needed? What isn’t? humans, other required attendee at all people, expect bouts the polar opposite occur. took awaytohis freedom to move about on I speak the from experience because the same Let us know.that.

Send us an e-mail. Comment online on the Business Times Web Imagine news reporting events had is thehis person guess what saying is that site at Contrast www.thebusinesstimes.com.

You could even write old-fashioned letter to his I’m own. school and church fourwho boys singingI in that with what seems more like theansingle-minded says this: “They just the nicest perhaps get outthree of ouryears own of fighting one infection the editor to if you’d like.

Your feedback, bothparty. positive and negative,can is valued German whenwe’re we attended.

I tend to think dad it’s time to After pursuit thwart the other political The winners claim and people, and in no way did I see something perspective. There’s plenty of history will be carefully considered. after another, the decision was made to reunite was so fond of Germany because of the books lifelong victory, to be sure, but a Pyrrhic one that inflicts a devastating toll on like this coming.” Exactly. No one does and historical research out there to Good publications are the result of not only the efforts of their staffs, but also dad with mom, hishas sons, his siblings and many friendships he forged there.

One of those friends the citizenry. most of the time when it comes to begin to understand that all of this collaborative efforts involving advertisers and readers. friends dad in going to his Savior. eventually him to the love of his There’s an argument to be forlisten the precept that government neighbors andintroducing acquaintances.

People should happened before.

And itwho willpreceded again, Like any other good business, wemade want to to our customers, find out I can hear the cards being knuckle-slammed on life, Marilynn Rose Bardell. be surprised at what goes on from time to whether the topic is people or government. is best governs least.

Ultimately, that government is best which what theywhich need and then meet those needs. time in their neighborhoods, townseight and years older The best recommendation is to findthe Carling beers being It’s a new year. Please help us to do so. the table, the laughter, My mom, scandalously governs well. with they knowdad’s because peoplefor arenearly some try that whole Google cheers, my kids’ laughter ✦ the Michigan thanpeople dad, became partner 60 books orpopped, F good. And for the times that they shouldn’t a lot of information on the pure love and enjoyment and see us boys years before passing in 2016. They had thing. four There’s from be shocked — like with politicians, repeat Great Depression. The truth is it wasn’t with a carload of the Detroit News at 5 on a boys — Kevin, twins Kurt and Karl and their offenders and terrorists — where’s the even a good one until the government got Sunday morning, the family at sporting events youngest, yours truly.

Kurt and Karl preceded interview that says, “This doesn’t surprise involved. There’s also plenty of research 609 North Ave.,Ave., Suite 2,Suite 5 609 North and the smoke-filled rooms we cared nary dad in death, passing in 2000 just five weeks me in the least.” on the medieval warm period when the Grand Junction, CO 81501 HE USINESS IMES Grand Junction, CO (970) 81501 ■ Prediction three: Something good planet was much warmer with with family and friends TEL (970) 424-5133 • FAX 424-5134 about.

Thethan besttoday of times apart. will happen andour the youth was filled a whole lot less people (and warmer well reunited in heaven.

Mucheconomically, like dad’s life, government credit it. work The most beforeand man was here at all).

Andityep, Publisher/Owner: Craig R. Hall Editor: Phil Castle And above all, I see and hear this giant of with sports,will thetake value of for hard and family recent example is gas prices, where people people have been killing other surprised a man who gave me life and then worked to the friendship gatherings the year around. Thanks to ask me why I won’t credit the president for people since history was first written.

Reach advertising at: publisher@thebusinesstimes.com endresearch to makewill myhelp life,stop his family’s lives and my my gas parents, wasanswer an amazing time to grow up. low prices.itMy is simple: Maybe some Reach the editor at: phil@thebusinesstimes.com. children’s liveswe’ll better.

Sportsnever would be athetheme in dad’s life Government makes price of all as of these trends.

Otherwise, be See you soon, Pop ... but Subscribe or submit press releases online at www.thebusinesstimes.com not too soon. he playedgomany sports something down recreational and simply takes creditthroughout saying we’ve never seen anything like it in for news. Gas pricing is subject our lives. And not in a good way. hisgood life before retirement as welltoas refereeing The Grand Valley Business Times, a subsidiary of Hall Media Group LLC, is published twice many global factors.

Now there arehis knees finally Craig Hall is owner and publisher of the basketball and football until monthly and distributed throughout Grand Junction, Fruita and Palisade. Advertising rates and government answers addressing some good of Craig Hall is owner and Times. publisherReach of the him at 424-5133 or Business slowed him down.toMom, a pretty athlete deadlines are available upon request. Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the them to keep prices stable for Americans, Business Times. Reach him at 424-5133 writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, editor, staff or advertisers. publisher@thebusinesstimes. in her own right, occasionally joined in or as publisher@thebusinesstimes.com. both but our government has none of them in Copyright © 2015 —Copyright All rights reserved. © 2020 — All rights reserved.

F spectator andthings participant. place.

The only it has in place in the ✦

PAGE 22

A new year affords a new opportunity to meet local needs

T B

T

Bold predictions for 2015 more like not-so-bold repeats

Page 30

The Business Times

SePtember 24-OctOber 7, 2020

What happens when the payroll tax is “suspended”?

According to several reports, President Donald Trump ordered the Department of the Treasury to stop withholding payroll taxes for the balance of the year from federal employee checks beginning mid-September and running through the end of 2020.

Perhaps the scariest aspect of this order is its 100 percent application to military enlisted members. Officers can opt out, but enlisted service members can’t. The youngest, most vulnerable and grossly underpaid members of the military will see an increase of around 6.4 percent in their take-home pay for the rest of the year. But the tax man will return in force in January, collecting the Janet “suspended” payroll tax plus the Arrowood currently due payroll tax until the entire amount is withheld. These soldiers will see around 12.8 percent of the amount they received in December simply vanish.

That will be a nightmare for hundreds of thousands of young men and women who volunteered to serve their country. Many of those who aren’t yet on food stamps will have to consider that option. As a former military officer who helped young soldiers get food stamps, I know how demeaned and helpless they’re going to feel.

If this “suspension” continues through 2021, apparently Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) checks will end after 2021. Social Security retirement checks would follow at the end of 2023 when the trust fund empties.

Congress, it seems, could only enact legislation to override a threatened Trump veto if it had a veto-proof majority — something it doesn’t have in 2020 and likely won’t have in 2021. The president can, it seems, unilaterally continue the payroll tax “suspension” as long as he’s in office without oversight or input from our elected representatives.

What happens as the “suspension” drags on?

First, most people will likely simply spend the additional money they see in their checks, assuming their employers don’t withhold the money and escrow it. The direction from the federal government for federal employees is to simply give the money to those federal employees who contribute to Social Security. This means that come January 2021, unless the “suspension” is extended or made permanent, the money that wasn’t withheld will be clawed back from about 1 million

Then there are the tens of millions of seniors who rely on Social Security retirement income benefits. They worked for decades and contributed to the trust fund, but could discover after December 2023 there’ll be no more monthly checks. Social Security was never intended to provide the lone source of retirement income.

But for many people, those benefits are all they have.

Federal employees and some to-be-determined number of business employees.

Imagine getting used to another 5 percent or more in your paycheck for four months only to have your employer start taking out double that amount for some period (currently about four months) starting in January.

That’s like seeing a 15 percent drop in your salary since you got used to having the extra 5 percent (and an even higher percentage of your take-home pay).

What if the “suspension” continues past Dec. 31, 2020?

If, as projected, the SSDI fund runs dry at the end of 2021, hundreds of thousands (probably millions) of totally or partially disabled workers and dependents (disabled children and others), will suddenly have no SSDI income.

No checks automatically deposited. No way to pay the mortgage or rent, buy food, pay utilities and on and on. The resulting financial situation will make the stay at home directions for handling the COVID-19 pandemic seem tame.

Then there are the tens of millions of seniors who rely on Social Security retirement income benefits. They worked for decades and contributed to the trust fund, but could discover after December 2023 there’ll be no more monthly checks. Social Security was never intended to provide the lone source of retirement income. But for many people, those benefits are all they have.

What happens if payroll tax collections don’t restart in January 2021 with 100 percent claw back of the “suspended” amounts? Many things, none of them good.

Many retired people could have to sell their homes for the cash to live. That will likely pull down residential

real estate pries since there’ll be a glut and younger generations might not be able to afford these houses.

Then all these newly houseless seniors will enter the rental market, competing with younger people and driving up rents.

Next, many seniors will have to find some sort of work to replace the $1,000 to $2,000 a month (approximate average) of lost Social Security income.

They’ll compete with younger people for jobs that disappeared courtesy of COVID-19 and the resulting high unemployment.

As rents rise, more seniors will be forced out of rental properties and into multi-generational living situations. They’ll have to move in with their adult children, nieces, nephews or other lucky souls. The disruption to families will be horrendous since these moves likely will be permanent. It’s doubtful seniors in this living situation will be able to afford long-term care in a facility, so they’ll further increase the burden on their families.

Working people will likely not save much, if any, of their “windfall,” even though they’ll now have to fund even more of their retirements themselves. Consider how few people stay at one employer long enough to qualify for retirement benefits, fully fund their 401(k)s or similar plans or contribute to IRAs. Where are the resources going to come from? It’s relatively painless to give up 5 percent to 8 percent of income now in exchange for a significant guaranteed income later.

The potential crisis illustrates the snowball effect.

Someone makes a 3-inch diameter snowball and sends it rolling down a 2-mile long snowy slope. By the time the ball reaches the bottom of the hill, it’s grown into a half-mile wide avalanche that takes out an entire village.

The decision to “suspend” payroll taxes is probably one of the top 10, or even top three, worst executive orders to come from this president. America can’t afford four more years. We might not even survive four more months. And what this will do to our wonderful military enlisted personnel is beyond the pale.

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

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Despite grandiose declarations, it’s more of the same from the Fed The Federal Open Market Committee statement released on July 29 was more of the same from the Federal Reserve — depending on one’s perspective, for better, for worse or for no real difference.

In the FOMC statement, the key point was: “The path of the economy will depend significantly on the course of the virus. The ongoing public health crisis will weigh heavily on economic activity, employment and inflation in the near term and poses considerable risks to the economic outlook over the medium term. In light of these developments, the committee decided to maintain the target range for the Raymond federal funds rate at 0 to 0.25 percent.

Keating The committee expects to maintain this target range until it is confident that the economy has weathered recent events and is on track to achieve its maximum employment and price stability goals.”

As for policy beyond its fed funds target, since the

The Fed somehow thinks its unprecedented shift to loose money since the 2008-2009 crisis has been a positive for the economy. But that’s hard to see, to say the least. Plus, loose money has largely fed into a vast expansion in bank reserves. pandemic has hit the United States, the Fed has ramped previously unprecedented loose money to a still new level.

The monetary base — currency in circulation plus bank reserves — once again jumped in March, April and May, with some leveling off since.

The Fed somehow thinks its unprecedented shift to loose money since the 2008-2009 crisis has been a positive for the economy. But that’s hard to see, to say the least. Plus, loose money has largely fed into a vast expansion in bank reserves. That would indicate that, at best, loose money by

the Fed hasn’t mattered much at all and that is most likely to be the case during the current crisis.

The performance of the U.S. economy in the coming weeks, months and years will rely on a host of factors, including not only the path of the pandemic, but also the level of entrepreneurship and private investment and a wide range of public policies, including tax, regulatory, trade and government spending measures.

At best, the Fed can run monetary policy geared toward maintaining price stability or it can continue to run loose money, which will either create uncertainty, lead to inflation or mean little.

For all of the grandiose declarations from the Fed as well as Fed watchers, we’re simply seeing more of the same from the Fed with little effect on the real economy.

Raymond Keating is chief economist for the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council. The nonpartisan, nonprofit advocacy, education and research organization works to protect small business and promote entrepreneurship.

For more information, log on to www.sbecouncil.org.

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THE he B BUSINESS usiness T T Times IMES

SJANUARY eptember 24-OctOber 15-28, 2015 7, 2020

age 15 31 PpAGE

Gallagher Amendment shiftsGrand property tax burden Junction’s Largest Local Payroll Provider Property tax is calculated by multiplying the actual envisioned that is if residential property assessed values “Excellence in Service our First Concern!” value, assessment rate and mill levy. The assessment statewide exceeded 45 percent, as it did between 2005 and Time is money. 2017, Let us helpwould yougosave some residential of both.tax. rate is generally 29 percent for nonresidential property. the RAR up to increase When Gallagher was passed, the RAR was 21 percent. To TABOR prevented that increase. When the change resulted maintain the 45 percent to 55 percent statewide target under in lower tax under Gallagher, the mill levy would go up and Gallagher, the Colorado Legislature floated the RAR. As a the change was disproportionate. Again, TABOR prevented result, the RAR has dropped to 7.15 percent. If the ballot still does.

Payroll Tax Filingthis increase and Quarterly & Year End initiative doesn’t pass, the RAR could drop to 5.88 percent. Payroll It’s true thatTax asReporting the actual value increases on property, Multi-State Under Gallagher and without TABOR, if that drop resulted the tax can increase tax&is“Pay the result Directsince Deposit Cards”of actual value Time Keeping Systems This season, in lower tax, the mill levy increased to adjust the tax funding times the assessment rate times the mill levy. That’s because

Online HR Support Web-based Time Clocks required by districts. This resulted in a disproportionate property tax in ad valorem, according to value.

Colorado Handbook is Development

Web-based Payroll save time, increase for nonresidential payers. Gallagher didn’t lowerCompensation Again, Gallagher doesn’t prevent a tax increase when the New Hire Reporting Workers’ tax, it simply transferred the burden to nonresidential payers. actual value increases, but Plans does ensure the increase will be energy and Retirement Mobile Scheduling TABOR limited the tax rate, the mill levy rate and disproportionate. Once again, TABOR prevents or at least your with budget back totals, not Gallagher. Specific districts set their mill moderates this increase. Inflation results in higher property levies to fund operations.

Over the years, the RAR has values as well as higher costs to provide the government snow removal dropped, but not consistently. Between 2005 and 2017, the services taxpayers demand. Again, TABOR provides services RAR would from have increased every year but one. Therefore, protection based on inflation plus new construction. the residential share of the tax would have increased.

There are better ways to fund government, but the The Landscape However, TABOR prevented this increase. Again, TABOR Gallagher Amendment constitutes bad tax policy because did this, not Gallagher. Today, the RAR is 7.15 percent and it continues to shift more and more of the tax burden onto Center. a small drop in the rate becomes a large percentage change a minority of payers. for a district. For example, a reduction from 7 percent to The Mesa County School District 51 ballot initiative 6 percent represents a 14 percent change. in 2017 increased the median homeowners tax about $110 When districts require additional funding, they seek a a year, but increased the median business tax by $1,000. mill levy increase, as the Clifton Fire District did in 2018.

Governments picking winners and losers is never TABOR requires voter approval. Thewww.autopaychecks.com rate increase is four a good idea. This ballot initiative is an improvement. times higher on nonresidential taxpayers due to Gallagher.

However, a much better way to reduce taxes is to vote 441 ColoradoforAvenue The effect on urban areas with a high concentration candidates who share a philosophy of funding only of nonresidential property is minimal. But the effect for functions governments must do.

Grand Junction, CO 81501 areas with fire, library and other districts more dependent on residential property taxes is far more significant.

Ken Brownlee serves as Mesa County assessor. He’s a Central Orchard Mesa Fire District property tax funding certified residential appraiser with 15 years experience. is 93 percent residential.

Reach him at ken.brownlee@mesacounty.us As for lowering homeowners’ tax, Gallagher originally F

The Gallagher Amendment to the Colorado Constitution doesn’t prevent taxes from increasing.

Limitations imposed under the Taxpayers Bill of Rights (TABOR) do. Gallagher instead transfers the property tax burden from homeowners to nonresidential taxpayers.

When Gallagher first passed, for a value at which a homeowner paid $1 in tax, a nonresidential taxpayer paid $1.38. Today, that nonresidential taxpayer pays more than $4. And if an initiative on the November election ballot doesn’t pass, that taxpayer will pay almost $5.

Gallagher transfers more and more of the property tax burden to nonresidential taxpayers and, in Ken doing so, narrows the tax base. I do Brownlee not and will not favor a tax increase.

But neither do I favor a scheme to shift the tax burden onto someone else’s shoulders. The necessary funding of government should be fairly shared by all. What’s unnecessary shouldn’t be funded.

The Gallagher Amendment did many good things.

It established an annual audit of every assessor in the state; reconstituted the State Board of Equalization to ensure similar properties get similar treatment; and exempted certain categories of property from taxation, such as household furnishings; inventories held for business consumption, livestock and agricultural products, among others. However, the 45 percent to 55 percent relationship between residential and nonresidential property values wasn’t one of them. The ratio was intended to reign in residential tax hikes. However, the drop in the residential assessment rate (RAR) from 21 percent to 7.15 percent was never expected. And when assessment rates went down, mill levies were expected to go up.

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Page 32

Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac

n REAL ESTATE BUSINESS EXPANDS NETWORK IN PARTNERING WITH MONTANA FIRM

Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties based in Grand Junction has further expanded its operation in partnering with Smith & Co. Real Estate in Big Sky, Mont.

“Our focus in Big Sky, as in every market we serve, is to provide exceptional service based on local expertise, innovative technology and the global strength of the Coldwell Banker brand,” said Todd Conklin, chief executive officer of Coldwell Banker Todd Conklin Distinctive Properties. “Our specialty over the years has been in resort markets and luxury real estate. We’re incredibly excited to partner with agents who are dedicated to the Big Sky community and helping others find their piece of it.”

Amelia and Greg Smith of Smith & Co. Real Estate said partnering with Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties will provide access to technology, exclusive tools and a global network of support to provide services to their 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, visit www.cbdistnctive.com. n HOUSING & BUILDING ASSOCIATION SCHEDULES ANNUAL PARADE OF HOMES

The Housing & Building Association of Western Colorado has scheduled its annual Parade of Homes for six days in October.

The event is set for Oct. 2 to 4 and Oct. 9 to 11. The self-guided tour will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. The tour also will be offered virtually.

The HBA of Western Colorado is a professional organization promoting the home building industry. The tour showcases homes as well as trends in construction, design and technology.

Tickets sell for $15 and are available at Safeway locations in Grand Junction and online at www.hbaevents.com.

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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.

Bray Real Estate based in Grand Junction is among the latest Colorado companies recognized in an annual magazine awards program.

Bray Real Estate was one of three finalists in the real estate category of the 2020 Top Company Awards presented by ColoradoBiz magazine.

“We have our people to thank for their involvement in our community and dedication to serving their clients’ needs,” said Robert Bray, chief executive Robert Bray officer of Bray Real Estate.

The Top Company Awards competition evaluated companies on three criteria: achievement, financial performance and community involvement.

“The Top Company Awards program is widely viewed as the most competitive business award of its kind,” said Sylvia Harmon, publisher of ColoradoBiz magazine.

Founded in 1946, Bray Real Estate operates residential and commercial brokerages and a business brokerage and offers property and homeowner association management and residential development. More than 50 employees and another 70 independent agents work with the company.

Bray Real Estate created the Bray Cares Foundation in 2019 and contributed $20,000 to local organizations addressing housing-related needs. In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the company created the Caring for Our Home Community Fund to help nonprofit organizations alleviate hunger while also helping restaurants struggling to maintain operations.

For more information about Bray Real Estate, call 242-3647 or visit www.brayandco.com.

n ROTARY CLUBS CONTRIBUTE TO PURCHASE SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT AT FRUITA HOSPITAL The Rotary Clubs of Fruita and Grand Junction, along with the 5740 Rotary Foundation, contributed more than $6,000 to the Family Health West Foundation to purchase equipment for a rehabilitation program.

The $6,460 gift will be used to purchase specialized gym equipment for the pediatric rehabilitation sensory program at the Colorado Canyons Hospital & Medical Center in Fruita. The program helps those experiencing difficulty as a result of sensory concerns related to movement, noise, smells, touch and vision.

“It is our honor to support such an important program in Mesa County,” said Abby Landmeier, president of Fruita Rotary.

“Knowing that families who desperately need this specialized therapy can stay in their hometown is heartwarming and helpful with their treatment. And to partner with the Grand Junction club is just icing on the cake.” n PALISADE CHAMBER AND BUSINESSES SHOW SUPPORT TO TEACHERS AND STUDENTS The Palisade Chamber of Commerce and Palisade businesses presented an electric bicycle to Jennifer Steele, a physical education teacher at Taylor Elementary School, as part of effort to show appreciation to teachers and students at the beginning of the school year.

Steele volunteers for chamber and community activities, including the Feast in the Fields dinners. She makes tortilla soup for the Altrusa Cub of Warmth as part of the Palisade Olde Fashioned Christmas. Steele and her husband, Patrick, also help with concession stands for school sporting events.

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Artistic effort under way to raise money for Habitat An annual benefit is under way to support Habitat for Humanity of Mesa County and its affordable homeownership program.

The Expressive Doors & Windows event will run through Oct. 10. People can view artwork created by 12 local artists and a youth group and participate in a silent auction at the Habitat ReStore located at 2936 North Ave. in Grand Junction. The event is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday.

The artists and youth group selected unfinished doors from the Habitat ReStore to use as canvases for artwork that expresses their visions for home and tranquility. Alpine Bank sponsors the event and provides financial support.

Expressive Doors & Windows is part of a local observance of World Habitat Day, which falls on Oct. 5 this year.

Habitat for Humanity of Mesa County works with volunteers, donors and Habitat homeowners to build houses and provide affordable housing. For more information, call 255-9850 or visit the website at https://habitatmesa.org.

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SePtember 24-OctOiber 7, 2020

A fund-raiser for Habitat for Humanity of Mesa County features doors and windows turned into artwork and sold in an auction.

(Photo courtesy Habitat for Humanity of Mesa County )

September 24-OctOber 7, 2020

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BusinessBriefs Briefs Business BusinessPeople People Almanac Business Almanac

n WESTERN COLORADO ACCOUNTING FIRM ANNOUNCES NEW ADMINISTRATOR

Matt Leach has joined Dalby, Wendland & Co. as administrator of the Grand Junction-based accounting and advisory firm.

“We are excited to have Matt join our leadership team,” said Chris West, chief executive officer of Dalby, Wendland. “He brings great experience, including a passion for Matt Leach technology that will help our firm continue to be proactive with clients.”

Leach brings to his duties experience as a financial statement auditor before becoming the firm administrator and client accounting services director for an accounting firm in southern Colorado. His background also includes business management, human resources and information technology. He Chris West grew in Grand Junction and earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Adams State University in Alamosa.

“Dalby, Wendland serves a large and diverse client base, giving me the opportunity to continue my career with a leading accounting and advisory firm,” Leach said.

“I look forward to the many growth opportunities.”

Dalby, Wendland & Co. operates the largest public accounting firm headquartered in Western Colorado with offices in Grand Junction as well as Aspen, Glenwood Springs, Montrose, Rifle and Telluride. The firm offers a range of accounting, auditing, bookkeeping and consulting services. For more information, call 243-1921 or visit www.dalbycpa.com.

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The Business Times welcomes submissions for free publication in Business People and the Almanac calendar of events. Email submissions to phil@thebusinesstimes.com or submit a news release online at www.thebusinesstimes.com. n DERMATOLOGIST JOINS TEAM AT WESTERN COLORADO PRACTICE Dr. Rachael Kappius has joined ReGenesis Plastic Surgery and Dermatology in Western Colorado.

Kappius offers a full spectrum of medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatological services. She specializes in treating acne, eczema and psoriasis as well as autoimmune diseases, pediatric dermatology and skin cancer detection Rachael Kappius and treatment.

She said she enjoys working with patients to solve problems with their skin as well as create anti-aging plans. She also said she’s looking forward to building relationships with other health care practitioners and the community.

Kappius received her medical degree from the University of Florida. She completed dermatological training serving as chief resident of the Medical University of South Carolina. She’s trained under several of the top medical and cosmetic dermatologists in the nation.

ReGenesis Plastic Surgery and Dermatology operates offices in Suite 506 of the St. Mary’s Hospital physician’s tower at 2643 Patterson Road in Grand Junction and at 100 Tessitore Court, Suite B, in Montrose, For an appointment or additional information, call 242-8177 or visit the website at www.regenesisplasticsurgery.com.

n COLORADO MESA UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR APPOINTED TO ACCOUNTANCY BOARD

n GRAND JUNCTION REAL ESTATE FIRM NAMES BEST-SELLING AGENT FOR AUGUST

Gina Suzanne Owens-Ott of Grand Junction has been appointed to the Colorado Board of Accountancy.

Owens-Ott, an associate professor of accounting at Colorado Mesa University, will serve a term on the board expiring Jan. 31, 2023. Owens-Ott succeeds Christine Zurilgen Joyeux Noel, who resigned.

The board regulates certified public S. Owens-Ott accountants in overseeing applications, examinations and certifications as well as acting on complaints.

At CMU, Owens-Ott leads courses in the principles of financial accounting, ethics for accounting professionals, professional preparation and audits.

A certified public accountant, Owens-Ott worked for a decade at a public accounting firm as well as in private industry. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Norfolk State University, a master’s degree from Emporia State University and master’s of business administration degree from the University of Missouri.

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

Heiden-Moran posted the most closed transactions and most new listings for the month.

The owner and broker of Weichert Realtors-Heiden Homes Realty, Heiden-Moran brings to her firm Toni Heiden-Moran more than 40 years of experience in the real estate industry in Western Colorado. The National Association of Realtors bestowed upon her emeritus status in recognition of her career. The U.S Commerce Association has honored her three times with the Best of Grand Junction Award in the real estate agents category.

Weichert Realtors-Heiden Homes Realty operates offices at 735 Rood Ave. For information, including properties for sale or rent, call 245-7777 or log on to the website located at www.heidenhomes.com.

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SePtember 24-OctOber 7, 2020

Sept. 24 n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Welcome Thursday Friends networking group, noon, Munchies Pizza & Deli, 550 Kokopelli Drive.

858-3894 Sept. 25 n Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce golf tournament, Bookcliff Country Club, 2730 G Road.

Shotgun starts 7:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Admission $145 per person, $675 for a team of four. 263-2919 n Young Professionals Network of Mesa County event with Nathan Souder, superintendent of the Colorado National Monument, 5:30 p.m.

Reservations required. www.ypnmc.org Sept. 28 n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Business Builders networking group, noon Sept. 28 and Oct. 5, Enzo’s Ristorante, 707 Horizon Drive, Grand Junction. 858-3894 Sept. 30 n Western Colorado Human Resource Association fall conference, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Colorado Mesa University Center ballroom and online presentation.

Admission $195 for the conference and $125 for the online presentation for members, $250 and $150 for others. www.wchra.org n Mesa County Workforce Center webinar on the basics of LinkedIn and networking, 10 a.m.

Register online.www.connectingcolorado.com n Young Professionals Network of Mesa County lunch conversation with Ken Sherbenou, director of Grand Junction Parks and Recreation, noon, 340 Gunnison Ave., Grand Junction. Lunch provided. Reservations required. www.ypnmc.org Oct. 1 n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Welcome Thursday Friends networking group, noon, Dragon Treasure, 576 Kokopelli Drive, Unit A. 858-3894 Oct. 6 n Free presentations for people considering careers in real estate, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 6 and 20, Weichert Realtors-Heiden Homes Realty, 735 Rood Ave., Grand Junction. Call for reservations. 245-7777 Oct. 7 n Young Professionals Network of Mesa County before hours event, 7 to 8:30 a.m., Kiln Coffee Bar, 326 Main St., Grand Junction. www.ypnmc.org Upcoming n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Welcome Thursday Friends networking group, noon Oct. 8, Fiesta Guadalajara, 103 U.S. Highway 50. 858-3894 n Business startup workshop, 6 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 8, Business Incubator Center, 2591 Legacy Way, Grand Junction. Admission $55. 243-5242 n Mesa County Women’s Network monthly luncheon meeting, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 13, Doubletree

by Hilton hotel, 743 Horizon Drive, Grand Junction.

Admission $20 for members, $25 for others.

Reservations due Oct. 7. www.mcwn.org F

September 24-OctOber 7, 2020

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SePtember 24-OctOber 7, 2020