The Business Times Volume 30 Issue 1

In this issue

n For the fun of it

THE BUSINESS TIMES News Trends

The Initiate Conference in Grand Junction will offer not only educational sessions, but also entertaining ones.

n More resilience

A program designed to help those who help others will teach professionals how to develop more resilience.

Candidates have announced their campaigns for four seats on the Grand Junction City Council.

n Cost recovery

How slow will it go?

Contributors Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac

Grand Valley Power has joined in efforts to recover the fuel costs Xcel Energy charged in the winter of 2021.

n Less confident

Business leaders are more shaken than stirred heading into the new year, according to the latest survey results.

n Wage changes

laws

for late payments and create a new protection unit.

Robert Bray, chief executive officer of Bray & Co. in Grand Junction, attributes slowing in the Mesa County real estate market in 2022 to higher interest rates on mortgages.

Bray expects the market to remain sluggish through the first half of 2023, but then turn more robust during the second half of the year.

Business Times photo by Phil Castle

West Slope

conference staged for the fun of it

News Trends

Phil Castle The Business Times

Contributors Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac

Dusti Reimer helps organize an annual conference because she believes it’s important to bring professional development to Western Colorado.

It’s essential, too, to offer information about new trends and techniques and foster connections among participants.

But Reimer also stages the Initiate Conference for yet another reason — for the fun of it.

Dusti Reimer

And fun and humor will play a big part in the fourth version of the upcoming event set for Feb. 9 and 10 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Grand Junction. In fact, a standup comedian is scheduled to deliver one of the keynote presentations.

“We try to keep it fun for everybody,” she said.

Reimer owns Elevate PR in Grand Junction and also founded the Experience Education Foundation, the nonprofit organization that stages the Initiate Conference.

Reimer was among a group of professionals complaining about the travel and expense associated with attending conferences. They decided on an alternative and staged the first Initiate Conference in Grand Junction in 2018.

More than 100 people attended the conference in 2022, and Reimer said she hopes that number is even bigger for the 2023 event.

The conference is geared toward marketing and communications specialists — but also the business owners and managers who frequently take on those roles.

The goal of the conference remains the same, Reimer said — to inform, inspire and energize participants as well as nurture the relationships among them. But this year, she said she wants to add to the objective humor and joy.

The keynote presentation on Feb. 9 will feature Bengt Washburn, a standup comedian who’s performed on radio and television and produced two specials.

How slow will it go?

Interest rates take “center stage” in curbing real estate activity

Robert Bray doesn’t hesitate in identifying what he considers the biggest actor on the Mesa County real estate market.

“The interest rate has taken center stage,” says Bray, chief executive officer of Bray & Co. in Grand Junction. “It seems to me to be all about the rates.”

Annette Young, administrative coordinator at Heritage Title Co. in Grand Junction, agrees. A combination of higher interest rates and prices makes real estate less affordable and, in some cases, unaffordable. “It takes buyers out of the market.”

Annette Young

Real estate transactions and dollar volume in Mesa County dropped in December to half the levels of those recorded in the same, but far busier, month a year ago. Moreover, year-end numbers for 2022 came in well below the record-setting pace in 2021.

Real estate activity could remain slow in 2023 — what Young terms a “new neutral.” But with continued demand for housing and low unemployment, the market could turn around when interest rates relent. Bray says he expects a sluggish first half followed by a more robust second half.

Young says 271 real estate transactions worth a combined $141.6 million were reported in Mesa County in December. Compared to the same month a year ago, transactions declined 51.8 percent and dollar volume dropped 44.7 percent.

Fifteen large transactions worth a total of $45.8 million

AND

helped bolster dollar volume, Young says. They included automotive dealerships and service centers at three locations in Grand Junction sold on one deed for $18 million. Commercial shopping units on 25 Road sold for $5.26 million, while the property on 12th Street that formerly included an Albertson’s grocery store sold for $3.5 million.

The December numbers brought the year-end totals for 2022 to 4,722 transactions worth a total of $2.078 billion. Compared to 2021, transactions decreased 23.8 percent.

Dollar volume fell 11.9 percent despite higher prices because of record volume in 2021. Even so, 2022 volume also topped the previous peak of $1.73 billion in 2009.

The single-year record for real estate transactions remains intact at 7,198 in 2005.

According to numbers Bray & Co. tracks for the residential market in Mesa County, 173 transactions worth a total of more than $74.3 million were reported in December. Compared to the same month a year ago, transactions declined nearly 50.9 percent and dollar volume decreased 44.8 percent.

PHOTO BY PHIL CASTLE

Robert Bray, chief executive officer of Bray & Co. in Grand Junction, attributes slowing in the Mesa County real estate market in 2022 to higher interest rates on mortgages. Bray expects the market to remain sluggish through the first half of 2023, but then turn more robust during the second half of the year as interest rates relent.

Upcoming gathering not only educational, but also entertaining

The Business Times

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Copyright © 2023 — All rights reserved

Resilience program designed to offer help to those helping others

Phil Castle The Business Times

Sydney Elks relishes the opportunity to help those who help others — among them health care providers, social workers and law enforcement officers who sometimes struggle to cope with the stress they endure.

Moreover, the benefits of teaching those Elks considers the best and brightest to develop resilience extends to the broader community. “It’s about sustainability.”

Elks, a counselor in private practice in Grand Junction, helped develop and continues to facilitate a program to help participants build resilience.

An upcoming presentation is set for Feb. 1 to May 24 at the Counseling & Education Center in Grand Junction.Sessions are scheduled for 1 to 4:30 p.m. every other Wednesday. Thanks to grants, the program is available for $450.

Elks helped start the program in 2018 as a day-long event, but expanded it to a longer format. She’ll join with Dr. Karin Lee Hughes, a physician counselor in Grand Junction, to present the upcoming course.

The program is open to those working in such fields as health care, social services and law enforcement as well as animal welfare, environmental conservation and education. But Elks said the strategies and tools also apply to those in all types of businesses and organizations.

Many people who work with and help others face emotional, mental and physical stress, Elks said. That stress can cause problems in work, personal and family lives, including fatigue and ultimately

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

The Resilience for Professionals program is set for 1 to 4:30 p.m. every other Wednesday Feb. 1 to May 24 at the Counseling & Education Center located at 2708 Patterson Road in Grand Junction. Tuition is $450. For more information, call (970) 462-7188 or log on to RESILIENCE23.eventbrite.com.

burnout. Problems have become even more pronouned in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, she said.

The symptoms of stress vary, but can include anxiety, insomnia, irritability and a feeling of numbness, Elks said. “We’re all impaired differently.”

There’s an expectation people should endure — to pull themselves up by their proverbial bootstraps. It’s important to realize, though, those symptoms are a natural reaction to stress, and people should have compassion for themselves and others, she said. “We don’t get mad when people catch a cold.”

The resilience program offers a combination of instruction and activities designed to help participants identify the effects of stress and learn and practice skills to respond to stress, Elks said. Those skills can include something a simple as slowing breathing to promote calm.

The program also teaches participants to develop strategies to address compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma as well promote work satisfaction, she said. In addition, participants learn lifestyle changes that help them regulate emotions, improve relationships and develop a deeper sense of well-being.

The program offers broader benefits, Elks said, in enabling professionals to continue to play important roles in the community. “We can’t afford to lose valuable professionals.”

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Library schedules beam signing event

A public celebration is planned as part of the construction of a Mesa County Libraries branch in Clifton.

The beam signing event is set for 2:45 to 3:45 p.m. Jan. 20 at the construction site at 3270 D 1/2 Road. Participants are encouraged to sign a steel beam that will become part of the building.

Students at nearby Rocky Mountain Elementary School also will visit the site during the day to sign the beam.

The concrete foundation has been completed, and the steel structure of the building soon will be erected. The Clifton branch is scheduled to open in August. The project is expected to cost $11.5 million.

At 17,800 square feet, the new Clifton branch will be more than three times larger than the existing branch, located in 5,400 square feet of leased space in a shopping center. The new Clifton branch will be second in size to only the central library branch in Grand Junction.

Sydney Elks

Karin Lee Hughes

Candidates announce bids for four seats on Grand Junction council

The Grand Junction mayor as well as the recently retired executive of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce are among the candidates for four seats on the Grand Junction City Council.

Mayor Anna Stout announced her plans to seek re-election to another term in District C. Diane Schwenke announced her candidacy for an at-large position in the April 4 municipal election.

In addition to the District C and at-large positions, the election will determine the council member in District B. The election also will fill a seat from District A left vacant by Rick Taggart, who was elected in November to the Colorado House of Representatives.

Nomination petitions for council candidates are available online from the city website at www.gjcity.org and city clerk’s office. Petitions must be submitted by 4 p.m. Jan. 23.

Stout was elected in 2019 and since has served as mayor pro tem and mayor. She also works as executive director of the RoiceHurst Humane Society in Grand Junction.

Stout said the last four years have been challenging given the COVID-19 pandemic, economic uncertainty and higher inflation. “But Grand Junction showed its true deep character — and we didn’t just survive, we are thriving and momentum is strong. It would be my honor to keep that momentum going and serve this community for another four years.”

Schwenke retired last fall after serving more than 30 years as president and chief executive officer of the chamber. She’s also served on a city comprehensive plan committee, parks and recreation master plan committee and American Rescue Plan Act advisory committee.

“I look forward, if elected, to promoting excellence and efficiency in city government that will make life better for our residents,” she said.

In District A, Sandra Weckerly and Cody Kennedy have announced campaigns.

Weckerly owns several businesses, including the newly opened Mama Ree’s Pizza & Brewhouse. She served on the Grand Junction Planning Commission and serves as vice chairman of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors.

“If elected, I will work to elevate our economic development/jobs and public safety operations while also valuing transparency.” she said.

Kennedy retired after 17 years as a Grand Junction police officer. He and his wife also operate a rental homes business.

“As a detective, I consistently approached cases with curiosity and an open mind, and I truly believe that approach will serve our community well if I’m given the honor to have a seat on the Grand Junction City Council,” he said.

Rec center measure also on ballot

Grand Junction voters will decide on a proposed sales tax increase to fund the construction of a community recreation center.

The Grand Junction City Council voted to include the measure on the ballot for the April 4 municipal election.

The measure proposes a 0.14 percent sales tax increase with a sunset clause to fund construction of an 83,000-square-foot recreation center at Matchett Park.

Once the city awards licenses to 10 retail cannabis businesses in 2023, tax revenues from sales at those businesses would supplement funding of a new recreation center.

Early in 2021, the council adopted a parks, recreation and open space master plan in which a community center was the highest priority.

In 2022, the city commissioned a study conducted by professors from Colorado Mesa University that showed support for a community recreation center as well as a willingness to fund a center.

The council appointed a subcommittee of members of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board to guide creation of a community recreation center plan.

The advisory board made several recommendations to the council on the site location, building size and funding plan for a community recreation center. The board also recommended the council adopt the center plan and direct staff to draft language for the ballot measure.

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Anna Stout

Diane Schwenke

Sandra Weckerly

Cody Kennedy

Grand Valley Power joins in effort to recoup charges

Grand Valley Power has joined with three other electric cooperatives in efforts to recover at least $6.9 million Xcel Energy charged them in 2021.

“We have serious concerns that a substantial portion of Xcel’s fuel costs were entirely avoidable,” said Tom Walch, chief executive officer of Grand Valley Power based in Grand Junction. “We feel we have a duty to our members, the ones who ultimately pay Xcel’s charges, to challenge these costs. It is especially critical for us to protect our members from preventable runaway costs coming from future weather events.”

Grand Valley Power joined with CORE Electric Cooperative, Holy Cross Energy and Yampa Valley

Electric in filing a complaint with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The cooperatives seek an order requiring Xcel Energy to refund a substantial portion — at least $6.9 million — of the $17.5 million the utility charged wholesale customers in February 2021.

Grand Valley Power serves more than 19,000 customers in Mesa County. The other cooperatives serve a total of about 550,000 Colorado residents, mostly in rural areas of the state.

Xcel Energy added a fuel cost adjustment to its wholesale power bill as a result of a winter storm in February 2021 that affected the central United States and triggered higher prices for the natural gas utilities burn to generate electricity. Prices were 100 times higher than normal

The complaint alleges Xcel Energy failed to obtain the natural gas its own planning determined would be

necessary to meet electric generation requirements in February 2021. The failure left Xcel dependent on natural gas purchases on the market, and the utility passed along those fuel costs to customers.

The complaint also alleges Xcel failed to credit the cooperatives for a natural gas sale the utility made to its corporate affiliate during the same time period, and Xcel continues to impend an investigation into the February 2021 charges.

Xcel released a statement disputing the allegations. “Our gas purchasing practices before and during the storm were prudent, consistent with the law and our contractual obligations and ensured continued energy service for all customers — wholesale and retail — during the unprecedented storm.”

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Grand Junction tax collections trend upward

Sales tax collections, a key measure of retail activity, continue to increase on a year-over-year basis in Grand Junction.

Use and lodging tax collections also increased in November compared to the same month last year, the City of Grand Junction reported. November reports reflect October sales.

The city collected more than $5 million in sales taxes in November, the latest month for which reports are available. That’s an increase of nearly $236,000 and 4.9 percent for the same month last year.

The city also received more than $950,000 as its share of sales tax Mesa County collects and distributes back to municipalities, an 8.3 percent increase.

The city collected more than $99,000 in use taxes, a smaller and more volatile revenue source. That’s a 30.1 percent increase over a year ago.

The city collected another $1 million in sales and use taxes earmarked for public safety and first responders.

Through 11 months of 2022, the city collected more than $58.7 million in sales taxes. That’s a gain of more than $5.3 million and 9.9 percent over the same span in 2021.

The city received nearly $9.8 million in additional sales taxes from the county, an 11.5 percent increase.

The city also collected more than $1.4 million in use taxes, a 37.2 percent gain.

Year-to-date sales and use tax collections topped what was budgeted by 6.5 percent.

In addition, the city collected more than $11.7 million in sales and use taxes allocated to public safety and first responders.

Lodging tax collections, a measure of hotel and motel stays, continue to trend upward on a year-over-year basis.

The city collected nearly $490,000 in lodging taxes in November, a 35.2 percent increase over the same month a year ago. The November report reflects hotel and motel says in October.

Through the first 11 months of 2022, the city collected almost $4.5 million in lodging taxes, a 27.8 percent gain over the same span in 2021.

Tom Walch

News, views and advice you can use

Turbine firm to receive jump start incentives

A business that opened a Grand Junction location as part of a global operation to supply parts and repair services for wind turbines has been approved to participate in a tax incentive program.

The Colorado Economic Development Commission approved Spares in Motion to participate in the Rural Jump-Start Program.

The program offers participating companies tax credits and cash grants for up to eight years — including $20,000 as a newly established business and up to $2,500 for each new hire.

Businesses must create a minimum of five new jobs and add to the economic base.

Spares in Motion recently opened a facility on 27 1/2 Road new Las Colonias Park. The company started with five employees and expects to expand staffing to 10 to 15 employees within three years.

The Grand Junction location is the first in North America for Spares in Motion, a Netherlands-based company that also operates locations in Germany and Spain. The company operates an e-business platform for the wind turbine market, supplying new and used turbines, parts and repair services.

Justin Canup, director of business development for Spares in Motion, hailed the new Grand Junction location as well as the incentive program.

“Grand Junction has been my home for over 10 years. When Spares in Motion was looking for a North American location, I suggested Grand Junction because it’s centrally located and right off a main highway, making it easy to access support for wind farms across North America.”

“Being approved for the Rural JumpStart Program is a great benefit, which will help us get started and work with Colorado Mesa University on projects and internships,” Canup added. “The Grand Junction Economic Partnership has been a great support, helping us get settled and providing us with the needed resources. We’re excited to grow in Mesa County and contribute to the community’s stability.”

Curtis Englehart, executive director of the Grand Junction Economic Partnership, said he was thrilled Spares in Motion selected Grand Junction for its North American location. “Spares In Motion is a cutting edge business that is poised to thrive and grow in our area.”

Spares in Motion is the 26th company accepted into the Rural Jump-Start Program in Mesa County, Englehart said. “RJS has been a great tool in our economic tool belt, and we hope to see the program get extended far into the future.”

Census details Colorado work-related fatalities

Transportation-related incidents remain the most common cause of work-related deaths in Colorado, according to the latest available statistics.

Ninety-six work-related fatalities occurred in Colorado in 2021, according to the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries conducted by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The census uses death certificates, coroner reports, workers’ compensation claims and other records to identify and categorize fatal work injuries.

Information for 2022 will be publicly available in December.

The 96 work-related fatalities in Colorado in 2021 constituted a 23.1 percent increase over the 78 fatalities recorded in 2020.

In 2021, 84 deaths involved wage and salary workers, while 12 involved self-employed workers.

Transportation-related incidents remained the leading cause of fatalities at 25 in 2021, continuing a trend that’s extended for at least a decade.

But violence and other injuries by people or animals accounted for 23 incidents to become the second most prevalent cause of fatalities in 2021. There were nine reported incidents in 2020.

Contact with objects and equipment as well as falls, slips and trips accounted for 17 deaths each in 2021.

Exposure to harmful substances or environments led to 13 fatalities. The category includes unintentional overdoses of non-medical drugs.

The trade, transportation and utilities sector accounted for the most fatal injuries among industry sectors with 28.

The construction sector ranked second with 25 fatalities.

Transportation-related incidents were the leading cause of death in the transportation and material moving occupation.

Falls, slips and trips were the leading causes of fatalities in the construction and excavation occupations.

Men accounted for 81 of the fatal work injuries, while women accounted for 15. Women worker fatalities in 2021 were more than double the six fatalities in 2020.

Workers aged 25 to 34 saw a more than 83 percent increased in fatalities from the year before. There were 22 incidents inolving workers that age in 2021 and 12 in 2020.

Nationally, 5,190 people died from work-related injuries in 2021 That’s an 8.9 percent increase from the 4,764 people killed in 2020.

HopeWest marks 30 years serving Western Colorado

A Grand Junction-based organization providing a range of services to ill and grieving people across Western Colorado soon will celebrate its 30th year in operation. HopeWest plans to mark the milestone as part of an annual gala set for Feb. 25 at the Grand Junction Convention Center. For more information about the event, log on to www.hopewestco.org/hopewest-gala.

“Thirty years of exceptional care shows what happens when local medical leaders, generous donors, dedicated volunteers and our incredible team members come together in service for the greater good of our community,” said Cassie Mitchell, president and chief executive officer of HopeWest.

What started out as a single facility operated out a home donated by Veterans Affairs grew into an organization with an in-patient hospice center in Grand Junction and offices in four other communities that serve an area of more than 10,000 square miles that includes Mesa County as well as Delta, Montrose, Ouray and Rio Blanco counties. That’s not to mention three retail outlets, a restaurant and coffee shop, the profits from which support HopeWest.

An organization that cared for 117 patients in its first year cared for 2,300 patients in hospice and palliative care in 2022. HopeWest served a total of another 1,350 adults and children through other programs.

Mitchell took over leadership of HopeWest in 2022, succeeding Christy Whitney, the founding president and CEO who retired.

“Our compassionate team offers miracles of human caring every day. They transform the way people experience aging, serious illness and grief,” Mitchell said. “This way, the HopeWest way, is only possible because of the generosity of our community. I am incredibly grateful to our community for the unwavering trust and support.”

Cassie Mitchell

Organization gives $62,000 to nonprofits

The Junior Service League of Grand Junction donated a total of $62,000 to 13 Mesa County nonprofit organizations offering health care, education and a range of other services.

The Junior Service League, a service organization founded in 1983 by a group of women committed to volunteerism and fund-raising, awarded the grants at a special dinner.

“This night is the culmination of the hard work of our members and the joy of seeing the impact of their efforts on the betterment of our community,” said Ahna Brock, community giving chair for the Junior Service League. “Nothing is more special.”

The Junior Service League awarded funds to: Clifton Christian Church Food Bank, Community Food Bank, DiscoverAbility, Family Health West, Golden Girls, Harmony Acres Equestrian Center, Hope of the Grand Valley, Karis, MarillacHealth, Reverent Rhythms, Riverside Education Center, Rocky Mountain Wings and United Way.

Cameron Cunningham, founder and director of Reverent Rhythms, said the grant will provide additional scholarships and support for a mission to improve student well-being through practicing performing arts.

“The benefits are like compound interest,” Cunningham said. “There are emotional, spiritual and physical benefits of performing arts, and we appreciate the Junior Service League for their support.”

Since its inception, the Junior Service League has awarded more than $1.1 million in grants to local nonprofits and logged more than 750,000 hours of volunteer service.

Tickets are on sale for the group’s largest fund-raising effort, Viva El Vino, scheduled for April 29 at the Wine Country Inn in Palisade. For more information, visit, https://jslgj.com/viva-el-vino.

Grant applications for Mesa County nonprofit organizations will be available in July on the Junior Service League website at https://jslgj.com.

Work begins at Highline to eradicate zebra mussels

Highline Lake will be lowered about 30 feet over the next few months as efforts continue to eradicate zebra mussels in the lake and stop their spread into other waters.

“The next phase to remove zebra mussels from Highline Lake will be twofold,” said State Park Manager Alan Martinez. “Our goal is to eliminate the mussels while protecting a quality warm water fishery that has taken decades to build.”

Highline Lake will be lowered an additional 20 feet from the initial lowering that began Nov. 28 to inspect the pump at the inlet that pulls water from the reservoir into the Government Highline Canal.

In addition to lowering the lake to expose areas along and near the shoreline to kill zebra mussels through the natural processes of desiccation and freezing, Colorado Parks and Wildlife will apply EarthTec QZ, a copper-based molluscicide, to the lake.

Once the lake has reached the desired level and the ice has come off the lake, CPW will perform the first application of molluscicide to the east side of the lake. Park staff believe this will occur around March 1. After two weeks, a second application will be added to the west side of the lake.

Robert Walters, invasive species program manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, said attempting eradication while population densities remain low offers the best opportunity to eradicate the mussels and prevent their spread to other waters in the state.

This two-step application approach will allow fish and other aquatic species the ability to move to areas of the lake where concentrations of the chemical are initially lower. Water from the canal will be turned back on in April, with Highline Lake returning to normal levels around the first week of May.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife will continue to monitor Highline Lake for the presence of zebra mussels on a weekly basis following the treatment. Even if no evidence of zebra mussels are found in the first year, Highline Lake will be considered infested for five years. If no zebra mussels or other aquatic nuisance species are found during this time, the lake would return to a negative prevention water and the containment boat inspection and decontamination program that began in September will no longer be required.

“We are optimistic that with the combination of lowering Highline Lake and the EarthTec QZ application, we will be able to eradicate the mussels while limiting impacts to non-target organisms, including preservation of the warm water fishery that Northwest Region staff have worked so hard to build,” Walters said.

Ag businesses sought to join in state program promoting internships

Applications will be accepted through Feb. 10 for agricultural businesses interested in participating in an internship program for the 2023 growing season.

The Colorado Department of Agriculture conducts the Agricultural Workforce Development Program.

“By providing paid, hands-on internships in agriculture, we’re helping more young people gain access to education and experience that will help them decide if they want to pursue a career in agriculture,” said Colorado Agriculture Commissioner Kate Greenberg. “This program supports the development of future generations of farmers and ranchers and supports ag business owners in training the next generation. ”

The program provides financial incentives to Colorado farms, ranches and agricultural businesses to hire interns and provide training. Qualified businesses may be reimbursed for up to 50 percent of the cost of hiring an intern up to $5,000.

Since it began in 2018, the program has funded more than 75 internships at farms, ranches and agricultural businesses across the state — 25 in 2022 alone.

To apply, qualifying agricultural businesses must complete an online application found on the CDA website at https://ag.colorado.gov/awdp. A team will review and evaluate applications. Award notices will be sent out in late February.

Once businesses receiving funding are selected, CDA will publish a form for interns seeking internships so interested intern candidates can connect with them. Internship applications will open in the spring.

A recording of a virtual informational meeting about the Agricultural Workforce Development Program with a question-and-answer session is available on the CDA website.

More information on the program is available on the website or by contacting Joanne Hernandez, a CDA grants specialist, at joanne.hernandez@state.co.us.

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FunContinued from page 2 Reimer said she also expects an entertaining presentation by Josh Meuwly in his keynote presentation on Friday.

Meuwly runs a graphic, web and video production firm in Grand Junction and also works as an instructor at Colorado Mesa University and Western Colorado Community College. He stresses the importance of having fun with clients to create joyful work experiences and lasting business relationships.

Josh Lewis, a public information and social media officer with the Colorado State Patrol known for his funny videos, will return to the conference to talk about using humor to communicate messages and connect with audiences.

Still other speakers will address in breakout sessions and panel discussions a variety of other topics, Reimer said. They will include everything from budgeting, customer relationships and digital marketing to media relations, rebranding and social media.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

The Initiate Conference is set for Feb. 9 and 10 at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, 743 Horizon Drive in Grand Junction. Tickets range from $399 for both days of the conference to $199 for one day to $109 for a keynote session.

To register or obtain more information, visit the website at www.initiateconference.com.

Speakers and topics are selected, Reimer said, to address the needs of not only marketing and communications specialists, but also the business owners and managers who frequently take on those roles.

It’s also important, she said, to keep up to date with new trends and different ways of doing things. “Everything is changing so rapidly in this world.”

The schedule for the conference also will include events, activities and time for participants to network and develop connections, she said. “It’s still one of the biggest factors.”

The cost of the conference — tickets range from $109 to $399 — hasn’t changed, Reimer said.

Moreover, discounts and payment plans are available.

“We keep the cost down so people can keep coming,” she said. “We’re really trying to keep it affordable.”

Bengt Washburn

Josh Meuwly

Kate Greenberg

Group: Construction backlog holds steady

A measure of the amount of work construction companies are contracted to complete remains unchanged at its highest level in nearly four years even as a separate measure of confidence increased.

Associated Builders and Contractors reported its Construction Backlog Indicator remained unchanged at 9.2 months in December. The backlog remains at its highest level since the second quarter of 2019.

The ABC Construction Confidence Index reading for profit margins and sales increased in December, while the reading for staffing levels moved lower. All three readings remain above the threshold of 50, indicating expectations of growth over the next six months.

“Contractors enter the new year with plenty of optimism,”

said Anirban Basu, chief economist of the national construction industry trade association. “Backlog remains elevated, which means that, even if the economy were to enter recession this year, contractors would likely be insulated from significant harm. Rather than fixate on the possibility of a recession, many contractors remain focused on growth, with expectations for rising sales and staffing levels over the next half year.”

Concerns persist, however, Basu said. “Anecdotal evidence suggests that financing commercial real estate projects is more difficult due in part to recession predictions. The general increase in the cost of capital has also jeopardized many projects, with certain contractors noticing an increase in postponements.”

SlowContinued from page 2

Bray says the changes were dramatic and somewhat reminiscent of what happened in Western Colorado in the aftermath of the oil shale bust in the 1980s, although that decline was deep and prolonged.

The December numbers brought the year-end totals for 2022 to 3,257 transactions worth a total of nearly $1.4 billion. Compared to 2021, transactions decreased 21.4 percent and dollar volume fell nearly 9.3 percent.

Bray attributes the slowing to an increase in mortgage interest rates that peaked at 7.5 percent, but since have moderated to around 6.4 percent for 30-year mortgages and 5.7 percent for 15-year mortgages.

Home prices continue to appreciate, but at what could be a slowing pace, he says.

The median prices of homes sold in Mesa County in 2022 climbed to $385,000, up 16.7 percent from 2021. Between December 2022 and December 2021, however, the median price was up 5.6 percent to $370,000.

One result of slowing in real estate activity has been an increase in inventory, Bray says.

At the end of December, there were 523 active listings in Mesa County. That’s more than double the 219 listings at the same time last year and a gain that offers buyers more selection.

New home construction continues to lag, he says, as higher interest rates and growing uncertainty slow building. For 2022, 720 building permits for single family homes were issued in Mesa County. That’s down 21 percent from 2021.

Even with more inventory, housing stocks lag behind what’s needed, he says.

As for 2023, Bray says he remains optimistic because slowing is related more to higher interest rates than higher unemployment rates. “It’s not unemployment induced.”

Moreover, demand for housing remains strong, he says.

After what she described as a roller coaster ride in 2022 in which the year started strong and then activity dropped when interest rates spiked, Young says she expects the market to remain at 2020 levels in 2023. “I think we’re going to see this new neutral.”

Bray says he expects a “soft landing” with efforts to raise interest rates to curb inflation without sending the economy into a serious recession. Once interest rates come back down — perhaps by the middle of the year — he expects the real estate market to rebound.

Meanwhile, property foreclosure activity continues to increase, Young says.

For 2022, 241 foreclosing filings and 45 foreclosure sales were reported in Mesa County. That contrasts with 27 filings and 21 sales in 2021.

Young says foreclosure activity could increase further, but doesn’t consider the numbers alarming.

Trends

INDICATORS AT A GLANCE

n Business filings

s New business filings in Colorado, 43,657 in the third quarter, up 14.5 percent from the third quarter of 2021.

n Confidence

s Consumer Confidence Index 108.3 for December, up 6.9.

n Leeds Business Confidence Index for Colorado, 39.8 for the first quarter, unchanged.

t National Federation of Independent Business Small Business Optimism Index 89.8 for December, down 2.1.

n Foreclosures

s Foreclosure filings in Mesa County, 14 in December, up from 2 in December 2021.

t Foreclosure sales in Mesa County, 1 in December, down from 3 in December 2021.

n Indexes

t Conference Board Employment Trends Index, 116.31 for December, down 0.83.

t Conference Board Leading Economic Index 113.5 for November, down 1%.

t Institute for Supply Management Purchasing Managers Index for manufacturing, 48.4% for December, down 0.6%.

n Lodging

s Lodging tax collections in Grand Junction, $489,521 for November, up 35.2% from November 2021.

n Real estate

t Real estate transactions in Mesa County, 271 in December, down 51.8% from December 2021.

t Dollar volume of real estate transactions in Mesa County, $141.6 million in December, down 44.7% from December 2021.

n Sales

s Sales and use tax collections in Grand Junction, $6.1 million for November, up 5.7% from November 2021.

s Sales and use tax collections in Mesa County, $4.5 million for November, up 6.7% from November 2021.

n Unemployment

t Mesa County — 3.6% for November, down 0.2.

t Colorado — 3.5% for November, down 0.1.

t United States — 3.5% for December, down 0.1.

Shaken, not stirred

Latest survey of Colorado business leaders reflects slowing economy

Phil Castle Business Times

Colorado business leaders remain more shaken than stirred heading into the new year, according to the latest results of a quarterly survey.

Contributors Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac

It remains to be seen whether or not the economy officially will slip into recession, but any growth likely will come at a snail’s pace, said Rich Wobbekind, a senior economist and faculty director of the business research division of the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado at Boulder. “It’s gonna be a really slow economy.”

The Leeds Business Confidence Index remained unchanged at 39.8 for the first quarter. That ties the fourth-lowest reading in the 20-year history of an index the division bases on surveys of business leaders across Colorado and industry sectors.

Looking ahead to the second quarter, the reading was slightly more upbeat at 43.2 Still, readings below 50 reflect more negative than positive responses.

Individual scores for two of six metrics the index tracks increased between the fourth and first quarters with improving expectations for the state and national economies. Scores for the other four indicators decreased on less upbeat expectations for hiring, capital expenditures, sales and profits. All six scores remained below 50.

While leaders base their expectations for the state and national economies on external factors, Wobbekind said they base their expectations of other conditions on internal factors that inform them their businesses are slowing. Inflation, higher interest rates and uncertainty also affect the outlook, he said.

Colorado continues to outperform other areas of the United States, Wobbekind said, especially in terms of personal income and the production of goods and services.

Job growth continues as well, he said. Colorado payrolls increased 103,400 between November 2021 and November 2022, the latest span for which estimates are available. All seven

metropolitan statistical areas in Colorado posted year-over-year job growth, including a nearly 1.6 percent gain in Mesa County. Employment growth is expected to slow in 2023, however, with a projected increase of 57,000 jobs, he said.

Inflation poses the biggest concern for business leaders, with the rate for the Denver, Aurora and Lakewood area expected to hit 4.5 percent this year, he said.

Among the 143 leaders who responded to the December survey upon which the first quarter index was based, nearly 58 percent expected the U.S. to enter a recession in the first half of 2023 even as 21.6 percent believed a recession remained very unlikely.

Expectations for the Colorado economy for the first quarter rose 1.8 points to 41.8 with 49 percent of respondents predicting moderate or strong decreases and 19.6 percent anticipating moderate or strong increases. Another 31.5 percent forecast no change.

Expectations for the national economy rose 3.7 points, but remained the lowest of the six components at 34.4. While 64.3 percent of respondents anticipated moderate or strong decreases, 21.7 percent expected no change and 14 percent forecast a moderate increase.

The reading was highest for hiring at 42.1 despite a 1.2 point drop from the fourth quarter. For the first quarter, 42 percent of respondents anticipated no changes in staffing, a total of 39.9 percent expected moderate or strong decreases and a total of 18.2 percent predicted moderate or strong increases.

Expectations for capital expenditures fell 1.1 points to 39.7. A total of 46.2 percent of respondents forecast moderate or strong decreases. Another 36.4 percent expected no change and a total of 17.5 percent anticipated moderate or strong increases.

The score for sales fell 1.3 points to 42.2 with a total of 51.1 percent of respondents forecasting moderate or strong decreases, 28.7 percent no change and a total of 20.3 percent moderate or strong increases.

Expectations for profits fell two points to 39.7 with 51.1 percent of respondents anticipating moderate or strong decreases, 30.8 percent no change and a total of 18.2 percent moderate or strong increases.

F

Small Business Optimism Index declines

A measure of optimism among small business owners has declined on less upbeat expectations for the economy, sales and earnings.

“Overall, small business owners are not optimistic about 2023 as sales and business conditions are expected to deteriorate,” said Bill Dunkelberg, chief economist of the National Federation of Independent Business.

The NFIB reported its Small Business Optimism Index retreated 2.1 points to 89.8 in December. The index has remained below the 49-year average of 98 for 12 consecutive months.

“Owners are managing several economic uncertainties and persistent inflation, and they continue to make business and operational changes to compensate,” Dunkelberg said.

The NFIB bases the index on the results of monthly surveys of members of the small business advocacy group, most of them small business owners. For December, eight of 10 components of the index declined.

The proportion of NFIB members responding to the survey upon which the December index was based who expected the

economy to improve fell eight points. At a net negative 51 percent, more members anticipated worsening conditions.

A net 23 percent reported plans for capital outlays, down a point from November. A net 5 percent said they consider now a good time to expand, also down a point.

The share of those who expected increased sales fell two points. At a net negative 10 percent, more forecast decreased sales.

Expectations for profits declined eight points to a net negative 30 percent. Among those reporting lower profits, 30 percent cited higher material costs and 24 percent blamed weaker sales.

A net 17 percent of survey respondents reported plans to increase staffing, down a point. A net 41 percent cited unfilled job penings, down three points.

The proportion of respondents planning to increase inventories remained unchanged at a net negative 4 percent. A net 1 percent said existing inventories were too low, up three points.

Asked to identify their single most important business problem, 32 percent cited inflation, up 10 points from a year ago.

Still, the proportion of respondents reporting raising average selling prices dropped eight points to a net 43 percent. That’s the lowest level since May 2021. Price hikes were most frequent in the wholesale, manufacturing and construction sectors.

Rich Wobbekind

Bill Dunkelberg

U.S. payrolls up, jobless rate down

A year of ups and downs in the U.S. labor market ended with payrolls up and the monthly unemployment rate down.

Nonfarm payrolls increased 223,000 in December as the jobless rate edged down a tenth of a point to 3.5 percent, according to the latest estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The payroll gain fell short of the monthly average for 2022. But the jobless rate matched a 53-year low.

The payroll gain for November was revised down 7,000 to 256,000, while the gain for October was revised down 21,000 to 263,000.

For all of 2022, payroll employment rose 4.5 million, less than the 6.7 million increase in 2021. Payrolls increased an average of 375,000 a month in 2022.

For December, 5.7 million people were counted among those unsuccessfully looking for work. Of those, 1.1 million have been out of work 27 weeks or longer. Another 3.9 million people were counted among those working part-time because their hours were cut or they were unable to find full-time positions.

The labor participation rate edged up two-tenths of a point to 62.3 percent, but remained below the rate before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. in early 2020.

Payroll gains for December were spread out among industry

Labor index signals slowing

A monthly index tracking labor trends declined for a third consecutive month, signaling slowing in job growth in the months ahead.

The Conference Board reported its Employment Trends Index slipped more than eight-tenths of a point to 116.31 in December. Seven of eight components of the index declined. F

sectors. Employment increased 67,000 in leisure and hospitality, 55,000 in health care, 28,000 in construction and 20,000 in social assistance. Gains were smaller at 9,000 for retail trades, 8,000 for manufacturing and 5,000 in transportation and warehousing. Government payrolls rose 3,000.

The average workweek shortened a tenth of an hour to 34.3 hours, The average manufacturing work week was little changed at 40.1 hours.

Average hourly earnings rose 9 cents to $32.82. Over the past year, hourly earnings increased 4.6 percent. F

Consumer Confidence Index rebounds

A measure of consumer confidence has rebounded to it highest level in eight months on more upbeat assessments of business and labor conditions.

The Conference board reported its Consumer Confidence Index rose 6.9 points to 108.3 in December. The gain reversed two months of declines to reach the highest reading since April.

Measures of current conditions and shortterm expectations both increased.

Lynn Franco, senior director of economic indicators at the Conference Board, said consumers were more optimistic about the economy and jobs. Expectations for inflation retreated to their lowest level since September 2021 as gasoline prices declined. Consumers indicated they were more willing to take vacations, but less likely to purchase homes and appliances,.

“The shift in consumer preferences from big-ticket items to services will continue in 2023, as will headwinds from inflation and interest rate hikes,” she said.

A think tank based in New York, the Conference Board bases the Consumer Confidence Index on the results of monthly household surveys.

More upbeat assessments of current conditions pushed up the present situation component of the index 8.9 points to 147.2.

The proportion of consumers responding to the survey upon which the December index was based who described business conditions as “good” rose 1.2 points to 19 percent. The share of those who said conditions were “bad” fell 3.5 points to 20.1 percent.

The proportion of respondents who said jobs were “plentiful” rose 2.6 points to 47.8 percent. The share of those who said jobs were “hard to get” fell 1.7 points to 12 percent.

More optimistic outlooks pushed up the expectations component of the index 5.7 points. But at 82.4, the reading lingered near a level associated with recession.

The share of consumers who said they expected business conditions to improve over the next six months rose six-tenths of a point to 20.4 percent. The proportion of those who said they anticipated worsening conditions fell seven-tenths of a point to 20.3 percent.

The share of those who said they expected more jobs to become available rose a point to 19.5 percent. The proportion of those who forecast fewer jobs fell 2.9 points to 18.3 percent.

While 16.7 percent of consumers responding to the survey said they expected their incomes to increase, 13.3 percent said they expected their incomes to decrease. F

Leading index still signaling U.S. recession

An index forecasting economic conditions in the United States continues to decline, signaling a recession that could start early this year.

The Conference Board reported its Leading Economic Index fell 1 percent to 113.5 in November. The index has dropped in each of the last nine months and 3.7 percent over the past six months.

Separate measures of current and past conditions increased in November.

Ataman Ozyildirim, the senior director of economics at the Conference Board, said the latest readings reflect headwinds to U.S. economic growth.

“The Federal Reserve’s monetary tightening cycle is curtailing aspects of economic activity, especially housing,” Ozyildirim said. “As a result, we project the U.S. recession is likely to start around the beginning of 2023 and last through mid-year.”

For November, six of 10 components of the Leading Economic Index retreated, including average weekly manufacturing hours, building permits, consumer expectations and leading credit and new orders indexes. An increase in weekly initial claims for unemployment benefits also pulled down the index. The interest rate spread, new orders for capital and consumer goods and stock prices advanced.

The Coincident Economic Index, a measure of current conditions, edged up a tenth of a percent to 109.4. The index rose 1.2 percent over the past six months.

For November, three of four indicators increased: nonfarm payrolls, personal income and sales. Industrial production declined.

The Lagging Economic Index, a measure of past performance, rose two-tenths of a percent to 116.4. The index rose nine-tenths of a point over the past three months.

For November, three of seven components advanced: the average prime rate charged by banks, commercial and industrial financing and consumer credit. The change in labor costs and services pulled down the index, as did an increase in the duration of unemployment. Inventories remained unchanged.

Lynn Franco

Ataman Ozyildirim

COMING ATTRACTIONS

n The Business Incubator Center in Grand Junction has scheduled presentations on cash flows and state sales tax returns.

A presentation on cash flows for small business startups is set for noon to 1 p.m. Jan 17 at the center, 2591 Legacy Way. Participants will learn how to complete a cash flow budget using Microsoft Excel.

A presentation on completing Colorado sales tax returns is set for noon to 1 p.m. Jan. 24. Participants will learn how to access the forms needed to complete returns and will complete a state sales tax return for a hypothetical business.

Trends

Contributors Opinion Business Briefs Business

Wage laws changing

Legislation increases penalties and creates protection unit

With all the hoopla surrounding the new family and medical leave program in Colorado, significant changes in state wage laws have garnered considerably less attention.

People Almanac

For more information about upcoming events, programs and other services offered at the Business Incubator Center, call 243-5242 or visit https://gjincubator.org.

n The next session of the Coffee Club free networking meetings is set for 9 to 10 a.m. Jan. 20 at the FWorks coworking space, 325 E. Aspen Ave. in Fruita. For additional information, log on to https://gjincubator.org or https://fruitachamber.org.

n The Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce has scheduled a coffee and community connections event for 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Jan. 24 at the Adobe Creek Golf Course at 876 18 1/2 Road.

The event will feature Dalida Bollig, chief executive officer of the Business Incubator Center; Curtis Englehart, executive director of the Grand Junction Economic Partnership; and Travis Holder, fire marshal with the Lower Valley Fire District. The event also will feature the leaders of the Fruita, Grand Junction and Palisade chambers of commerce.

Fruita chamber members may attend at no charge. Others will pay $5. To register or obtain more information, call 858-3894 or log on to https://fruitachamber.org.

n The Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce has scheduled an energy summit for 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 25 at Colorado Mesa University.

The summit will feature keynote presentations as well as breakout sessions covering a range of energy related topics.

Admission is $65 for chamber members, $75 for others. To register or obtain more information, call 242-3214 or visit the website at htttps://gjchamber.org.

Small businesses owners responding to the latest survey tracking the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic reported sales have returned to or exceeded pre-pandemic levels. But other challenges persist, among them supply chain disruptions, staffing shortages and inflation.

“The small business economy is recovering from the pandemic, but they continue to manage other economic headwinds,” said Holly Wade, executive director of the National Federation of Independent Business Research Center. “With historic inflation, ongoing staffing shortages and supply chain disruptions, owners are working hard to get back to pre-crises economic levels.”

Since March 2020, the NFIB has conducted 23 surveys assessing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic

Senate Bill 22-161 amended the Colorado Wage Act and created a new worker protection unit in the office of the Colorado attorney general. More specifically, the act: n Increases the penalties imposed on employers for late payment of wages. The Colorado Division of Labor Standards and Statistics (DLSS) previously could impose penalties of 125 percent of the first $7,500 owed and 50 percent of any amount above $7,500 owed or an employee’s average daily earnings for 10 days, whichever is greater, for wages not paid within 14 days of an employee’s demand for payment. The act now authorizes penalties of two times the amount of the unpaid wages or compensation or $1,000. This increases the minimum penalty for small violations and increases the ceiling for larger violations. And if the employee demonstrates the violation is willful, the penalties increase to the greater of three times the amount of the unpaid wages or $3,000.

the employer pays all the amounts demanded in good faith for all employees within 14 days of receiving the demand and employees ultimately recover less than the amount the employer paid.

n Creates the Worker and Employee Protection Unit within the attorney general’s office and empowers the unit to investigate alleged employee misclassifications and bring actions against employers.

Harris

n Allows employees to make claims not only on their behalf, but also on behalf of groups of similarly situated employees. The act authorizes the DLSS to investigate and issue determinations of behalf of the entire class. This practice will expand actions to include claims individuals might not have asserted on their own. Claims for individual damages are often small enough individuals don’t find it worthwhile to invest time and money to pursue their claims. But combining claims in a larger class action reduces the investments by individual members and makes it easier to retain legal counsel.

n Beginning in August, employees may bring their own civil actions if they believe they’ve been discriminated or retaliated against for filing a wage complaint, testifying or providing evidence. Employees may seek back pay, reinstatement or front pay, 12 percent interest, a penalty of $50 per day per employee, liquidated damages equal to the greater of two times the amount of the unpaid wages or $2,000, injunctive relief and attorney’s fees and costs.

n Makes it more difficult for an employer who prevails on a Colorado wage claim to recover attorney fees. In the past, either prevailing party could request the court to order reimbursement of legal fees and costs. Under the act, the employer may recover attorney fees only when

n Imposes new requirements on employers before they may deduct the amount of money or value of property an employee failed to properly pay or return to the employer upon the employee’s termination. Now, an employer must provide a notice to the employee within 10 days of separation containing a written accounting specifying the amount of money or specific property the employee failed to pay or return, the replacement value of the property, when the money or property was provided to the employee and when the employer believes the employee should have paid the money or returned the property. If the employee pays the money or returns the property that was the basis for the deduction within 14 days of the employer’s notice, the employer must pay back the employee the amount of the deduction within 14 days of receiving the money or property from the employee.

It’s more important than ever for employers to develop accurate timekeeping methods and keep accurate and thorough pay records. Employers should accurately record all property or money they entrust to employees and have employees sign an agreement authorizing a payroll deduction for unreturned money or property before entrusting the items to the employee. The act already provides for daily penalties on employers that don’t comply with an order of the DLSS. Employers should promptly pay any wage award ordered by the DLSS to avoid significant penalties and interest that increase by the day.

Updated guidance on the investigation of wage claims is available online at https://cdle.colorado.gov/ sites/cdle/files/INFO%20%232%20Wage%20Claim%20 Investigation%20Process%20Updated%2012.22.2022.

pdf. The Employers Council is available to advise enterprise and consulting members on this and other employment matters.

Dean Harris is the Western Slope Area managing attorney for the Employers Council. The Employers Council counsels, represents and trains member employers in all phases of employment relationships. Contact Harris at dharris@employerscouncil.org or (970) 852-0190. F

Survey: Firms recovering from pandemic, but face other challenges

and related restrictions on small business operations and economic conditions. The small business advocacy group conducted the latest survey in December.

More than a third — 36 percent — of small business owners responding to the latest survey said sales have returned to or exceeded pre-pandemic levels. But 11 percent said sales remained less than half those before the onset of the pandemic.

Nearly a third — 31 percent — of owners said economic conditions in their areas had returned to pre-pandemic levels. But most owners reported conditions remained below those before the onset of the crisis.

While 14 percent said they expect recovery in the first half of 2023, 55 percent said they don’t anticipate

improvement until the second half of 2023 or later.

Asked about supply chain disruptions, 36 percent of owners reported significant effects from disruptions, 38 percent moderate effects and 20 percent mild effects.

Addressing labor conditions, 20 percent of owners reported significant staffing shortages and 25 percent reported moderate shortages. Fully 72 percent of owners reported raising wages to attract more applicants, while 16 percent offered hiring bonuses.

Almost half — 46 percent — of owners reported raising average selling prices because of inflation. Of those who’ve raised prices, 42 percent said they raised prices by 10 percent or more.

Dean

Are you a leader or boss? There’s a big difference

There’s a vast difference between leaders and bosses. Leaders collaborate, guide, influence, inspire, mentor and support others to foster movement in a desired direction. Conversely, bosses master over others and are often controlling, domineering and use fear and intimidation to get more out of the individuals they oversee.

If you’re like most people, you’ve worked for a variety of business owners and managers. A few likely stand out in your mind as those you enjoyed working for even as others created unpleasant work environments. It’s also likely there’s little doubt about the type of person you prefer. The same holds true for your team members.

teamwork. Bosses love to take all the credit for things that go well and none of the accountability for things that don’t. To maintain authority and control, they believe they can never be at fault.

people in the pursuit of achieving their goals and help them become more. 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 human beings capable of accomplishing great things. Through their lack of appreciation and dictatorial management style, bosses lay the foundation for disloyalty, distrust and resentment as well as increased absenteeism and turnover, decreased efficiency and productivity and the underperformance of the business.

Leaders are service-oriented and see themselves as part of a team. With this mindset, there’s no need for blame, only collaborative efforts in a shared mission. Bosses tend to be selfcentered and power hungry. They believe they’re special and stand above everyone else. Because there’s no team concept, they play the blame game.

Marcus Straub

Leaders recognize quality instruction and training creates understanding and efficiency. Leaders also know that sharing their time and knowledge helps their people become more competent and, therefore, confident. Conversely, 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 for solutions and inspire others through their positive examples of personal accountability and

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

Leaders create goodwill, enthusiasm and environments in which teammates want to contribute as much as possible. Leaders understand they can’t exert control over others and endeavor instead to help people gain more self-control, make better decisions and become leaders themselves. Bosses rely on authority and fear to force individuals do more for as little as possible. They believe that when their people are intimidated and afraid, they’re in control.

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

Leaders view their team members as human beings with their own dreams and desires. Leaders coach their

The largest difference between these two management styles is that leaders empower their team members and inspire them to personal and professional greatness while bosses disempower their people to control them.

Are you a leader, a boss or a combination of both? If you recognize the need or desire for leadership development, take the powerful step of working with a qualified professional to become a respected leader of your team.

The best leaders among us believe in and value human beings. They work diligently to help their team members become leaders in their own right. 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@ligcoaching.com or through the website located at www.ligcoaching.com. F

Leaders empower their team members and inspire them to greatness. Bosses disempower their people to control them.

Time to survey customer satisfaction

What’s the purpose of a client or customer satisfaction survey?

For that matter, what is a satisfaction survey?

According to the SafetyCulture website, a satisfaction survey offers a useful tool to measure engagement with product or service offerings. Hotel, retail, restaurant and other business sectors commonly use surveys to gauge customer experiences, identify areas of improvement and prevent customer attrition. There are numerous templates you can use as a starting point to create a survey tailored to your needs. Here are a few sites to check out to get started:

n SafetyCulture: https://safetyculture.com/ checklists/customer-satisfaction-surveys.

n Question Pro: https://www.questionpro.com/ survey-templates/customer-satisfaction-surveys.

n Zoho Survey: https://www.zoho.com/survey.

n Survey Monkey: https://www.surveymonkey.com.

It’s important to set goals for your surveys. Without written goals or objectives, it’s difficult to formulate questions that will get you useful results. If you want measurable responses, ask questions that require relevant responses. Questions that elicit yes or no answers might not work.

Creating surveys is fairly simple, but make sure to ask the right questions. If you ask too many questions, customers won’t fill out the whole survey or might not respond at all. Ask the wrong questions, and the answers won’t provide a clear picture of what your clients or customers think about your business.

What kinds of questions should you ask? Here are some ideas:

n Questions should be relevant to your business. If your business involves customers ordering from your website, you might ask: “On a scale of 1 (difficult) to 5 (simple), how user-friendly do you find our order process?” Then offer a space for comments and suggestions for improvement.

n Questions should be clear and concise and surveys quick and easy to complete. People are averse to long questions, which can be easily misunderstood. Consider a simple question such as: “How would you rate the customer service you received on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best?” Then ask: “What are your suggestions to improve the customer experience going forward?”

n Questions should be specific. Don’t ask: “What did you think of our service (or product)?” Instead ask: “Which of the following best describes your experience with our service (or product)?” Always include an option for customers to provide their own answers.

As you formulate your survey, consider gathering a small focus group of your top clients or customers to assist with the development and actually take the survey. This approach allows you to create a baseline and determine if you’re asking the right questions.

Once you’ve compiled and analyzed the responses, send a short summary with a sincere thank you to those who responded — and just the summary to those who didn’t respond. In both cases, offer customers or clients an opportunity to provide additional feedback or suggestions.

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

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Janet Arrowood

Questions should be clear and concise and surveys quick and easy to complete. People are averse to long questions.

Managing remote workers a balancing act

With an increase in requests for remote or hybrid work environments, businesses owners and managers learned there are pros and cons to offering such options.

Keeping this classification of employees engaged and productive requires new best practices for business professionals and leaders to implement. While the job tasks might not change, the mindset of individuals working with more autonomy could. Recognizing the differences between in-office and remote work structures allows employers to address the unique needs in a remote workplace by setting the stage for effective and productive teams.

hours, working in a separate or dedicated “office” space at home, restricting working to the home address, and monitoring computer use through technology to ensure productivity. Employers might also consider daily check-ins and video calls with cameras on to enhance the feeling of accountability, belonging and professionalism. Combining work activities with social virtual events provides the camaraderie human beings enjoy whether they admit it or not.

Managing a hybrid team requires consistency from the manager as well. Regardless of the type of team member, it’s important to require the same level of commitment and performance from each person. Consider these tips:

n Set SMART goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely. But also keep goals fluid as projects move toward completion.

n Cleary communicate key performance indicators.

While we’ve learned how to handle tasks, personalities and technology, one more important thing must be discussed: culture. Bringing culture to hybrid teams poses more of a challenge. There are fewer opportunities for employees to get to know each other’s interests, likes and dislikes. But employers can recreate this experience with video conference rooms or message channels. Randomly pair employees for short, virtual chats. This might seem awkward at first, but employees quickly develop relationships through this outlet. Think about company rituals — the tangible as well as the unspoken ones. Whether those include monthly happy hours, milestone events, birthday celebrations or lunch ‘n’ learns with the CEO, adapt cultural rituals to a remote setting or even invent new ones.

Kelly Murphy

Let’s start by reviewing some of the challenges associated with a remote workforce. While some thrive working by themselves, everyone experiences isolation at some point with less face-to-face interactions. Lack of socializing opportunities could increase productivity or decrease motivation depending on the individual. Additionally, distractions in the home from other family members, television programs and personal phone calls could lead to a lack of focus.

The best offensive is a great defense. Getting to know the unique traits of your employees offers a proactive approach to manage them both as individuals and part of a team. Analytics into productivity and engagement become key in managing expectations. Vetting work-from-home agreements provides structure as a starting point. This could include set office

n Identify barriers to success as well as solutions.

n Allow flexibility for time and work style as long as business needs are met. Prioritize results over hours worked.

n Encourage regular breaks.

n Ensure managers are available for unscheduled calls.

n Check in often to assess needs or requests to increase efficiency and satisfaction.

n Acknowledge accomplishments.

n Show appreciation and say thank you often.

The next area to review is how individuals comprise a team. Many of the same techniques to determine traditional teams apply to hybrid or fully remote work teams. We still learn the abilities, knowledge, skills, strengths and weaknesses of individuals and assign team roles to achieve business objectives and goals. Through interactive virtual meetings, continue to support groups and celebrate accomplishments and discuss challenges together. This support could come from teammates or the project leader at different times, just as they do in an in-person setting.

Survey employees to determine what kind of arrangements they prefer going forward. Ask them about the best ways to interact with each other. What types of virtual events do they find engaging? Some companies are changing their physical workspaces into collaborative spaces designed more for group work and large discussions than individual workstations.

Regardless of the tools, leaders must maintain a balance between micromanaging and supporting employees. With a new world of work-from-home options and advancing technology, there’s an opportunity to adapt and shape collaborative efforts to meet new demands and support diverse opportunities in an ever-changing working reality.

Kathy Krey is co-owner of Lighthouse HR Support in Grand Junction. Kelly Murphy works there as a senior human resource business partner. Lighthouse HR Support offers a range of human resource management services. For additional information, call (970) 243-7789 or log on to www.lighthousehrs.net.

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What to ask when hiring a property manager

Whether intentional or accidental, investing in rental properties offers a great way to build wealth. According to Investopedia, investing in real estate can provide steady returns even through the ups and downs of the stock markets.

Still, managing rentals can be time consuming and stressful for owners who might lack the time and expertise. Hiring a professional property manager could be the answer to a successful venture into rental property ownership.

When hiring a property manager, first decide what duties you want them to perform and what duties you’ll handle. Then look for an individual or company with a solid reputation that can meet those requirements.

Here are some important questions to ask. How does the property manager attract and screen potential tenants?

Ask about the advertising plan and who pays for it. There should also be a solid screening process in place. How long it will take to complete background screenings? The property manager should also screen the tenant’s income-to-rent ratio, ensuring they can afford to pay rent on time and consistently.

What items does the tenant lease cover?

n Late fees: By law, late fees are capped at the greater of 5 percent or $50 and can’t be charged until the seventh of the month. Does the property management company keep all or part of late fees?

n Lease term: What’s the duration of the lease and does it automatically renew? What notifications are required if either the tenant or landlord want to end the lease? What happens if the lease ends or transitions to month to month?

n Utilities: Who pays what?

n Occupants: How many people and who are allowed to live in the property?

n Pets: Are pets allowed? What are the refundable and non-refundable deposits or additional pet rent?

n Maintenance: Who’s responsible? What’s considered tenant maintenance and what’s owner maintenance? Does someone trouble shoot with the tenant before calling a contractor?

n Security deposits: What deposit is required? What’s the timeline for refunds? What constitutes damage versus normal wear and tear? Are there any standard charges the tenant needs to be aware of — like carpet cleaning? How long does a tenant have to remedy damages before additional collection measures are taken? What are additional collection remedies and who pays those costs?

n Insurance: What’s the owner insurance requirements? Is the tenant expected to have liability insurance to cover guests and personal property?

n Lead-based paint disclosure: If a home was constructed before 1978, you must provide a lead-based paint disclosure.

How does the property manager handle maintenance?

Someone should remain on call around the clock. Does the property manager have in-house techs? If so, what are their rates? Owners should know what jobs are subcontracted.

What are the communication policies?

Ask what turnaround timeline you should expect on calls and emails. Make sure expectations are in line.

When do owners get paid?

Ask how and when the property manager will disburse funds and what’s the monthly expense cutoff.

A professional property manager should inform you of laws, requirements and other things you haven’t considered. They’re your best strategy for protecting property value, maximizing rental income stream and guarding your time and sanity.

Cindy Hoppe has been the manager of Bray Property Management since 1994 and active in the business since 1984. She’s served in various leadership roles in the Western Colorado National Association of Residential Property Managers. For more information, call (970) 242-8450 or visit www.brayrentals.com.

Kathy Krey

Cindy Hoppe

New venture offers health care opportunities

UC Health recently announced plans to form a joint venture with Intermountain Healthcare to establish a large clinically integrated network (CIN) in Colorado. The stated intent of this joint venture is to accelerate the transition to value-based care and introduce new health insurance options.

Monument Health has fielded questions about what this means to our organization and Western Colorado.

Monument Health also operates a CIN, organized as a joint venture between Primary Care Partners and St. Mary’s Medical Center — now a part of Intermountain Health.

health is local and requires strong local engagement with providers, employers and patients to achieve desired results.

I believe there could be many potential benefits to Western Colorado via partnerships with this new CIN. One of the biggest benefits is the size and scale it offers, which could allow us to partner in deeper and more meaningful ways with insurance companies. Insurance is all about risk. Taking on significant risk becomes easier the larger the population. Our self-insured employer groups know this fact quite well. If we can spread risk across larger populations, we can more meaningfully engage in cost reduction efforts in partnership with insurance companies and pass along those savings to patients and employers.

which results in improved outcomes at lower prices. Without CINs, these competing interests wouldn’t have the incentive or, quite frankly, the ability to change their business models. Doctors wouldn’t be able to shift from caring for high volumes of patients at what’s referred to as a “churn and burn” pace with fees for services, and insurance companies would continue to push for as few visits and subsequent claims as possible. We envision a different future for health care and work to promote it. I believe this new joint venture CIN will share similar goals and aspirations.

Monument Health has grown into one of the largest CINs in Colorado with a robust number of partnerships with insurance companies and employer groups to support 75,000 patients. Many of these relationships are advanced in terms of their levels of sophistication and have proven valuable in improving health outcomes and effectiveness while reducing the cost of care. Monument Health has forged the path toward value-based care across Western Colorado and serves as a model for this type of work statewide.

Ashley Thurow

As a standalone entity operated by an independent board of directors, Monument Health isn’t a part of the proposed joint venture. But as the new joint venture develops, we will look at ways to partner. This partnership could take many potential forms, giving us a variety of options and ways to make this effective.

Monument Health will continue to strive to serve our local communities here in Western Colorado. Population

Another possible benefit could be access to a larger network of providers, particularly around specialties that have longer wait times here or require travel. Our goal is to keep care local whenever possible. But when travel becomes necessary for highly specialized care, we want to ensure our patients are taken care of and transitioned seamlessly. That is an area we will explore.

The addition of another insurance option could also bring big benefits to the Western Slope. We look forward to learning more about Intermountain’s health plan, SelectHealth, and how that could operate in tandem with the new joint venture. Monument Health would welcome partnership with SelectHealth, as we have with many other payers willing to engage with us in value-based care work.

The type of work I’m describing upends the traditional paradigm of health care. CINs provide the framework and accountability to align the competing interests of providers, hospitals and insurance companies around the same goals focused on prevention and reducing the overall cost of care,

The work we’ve accomplished in Western Colorado didn’t happen overnight. It was accomplished through consistency and local relationships. As Intermountain and UC Health begin this journey, we’re excited to support their efforts and share lessons learned. I look forward to exploring opportunities with this new entity to broaden the population we serve while increasing the resources and data available to Monument Health. With a broader population, risk can be spread and more effective health outcomes achieved.

In the meantime, Monument Health will continue to charge onward in our mission to promote a healthy population and preventive care while lowering costs. We will continue to explore local growth opportunities and prioritize our relationships with local employers The future is bright for us and Western Colorado.

Ashley Thurow is executive director of Monument Health, a clinically integrated network based in Grand Junction. Reach her at Ashley.Thurow@monumenthealth.net. For more information about Monument Health, visit www.monumenthealth.net. F

Preparations under way for universal preschool in Mesa County

Preparations are underway for universal preschool, a tuition credit program for children the year before kindergarten.

This new program offered in the Grand Valley and across Colorado aims to prepare young children for success in school and later in life.

Quality early childhood education exerts huge effects on the workforce. When parents know their children have a safe place to learn and grow, they focus on work and contribute to the success of their companies.

These services affect future workers as well. Quality early education sets children on the path to school readiness and successful careers later in life.

Registration is underway for providers taking part in universal preschool in Mesa County. Any licensed

provider, whether in a facility or home, can apply. The registration process is simple.

Participating in universal preschool offers a way for providers to expand their services. Providers must meet licensing requirements and provide approved curriculum. There will be a focus on quality to ensure young students have the foundation they need to enter kindergarten.

Families will be able to sign up for universal preschool starting Jan. 17. All children in Colorado are eligible the year before kindergarten for 15 hours of preschool. The program provides a tuition credit for nine months starting in August of 2023. Certain qualifying factors will allow up to 30 hours for 4-year-olds and up to 10 hours for some children who are 3 years old.

Universal preschool is a voluntary program and cost savings for participating families and providers. It will ultimately expand family access to preschool in various settings. Other programs are available to cover costs if additional care is needed on top of the 15 hours.

The Mesa County Partnership for Children and Families (PCF) is coordinating universal preschool in Mesa County. The PCF team is available to answer questions and work with providers through the registration process. In addition, training opportunities are available for Mesa County providers.

The PCF team also will be available to guide families through the qualifying process and answer questions along the way.

Early childhood education constitutes an important piece of the economic landscape in Mesa County. Universal preschool will provide funding so more children can benefit from preschool and the preparation that can set them up for success in the school setting.

Sarah Gray is a communication specialist with Mesa County Public Health. For additional information, call 248-6900 or visit https://health.mesacounty.us. F

Sarah Gray

New year, old problem: Ruinous fiscal policies result in higher prices

Once the gifts have been opened and often exchanged, the Christmas decorations packed up and stored, the last of the holiday goodies consumed and a new year welcomed with celebrations, financial reality sets in. Despite government spokespersons telling them the economy is fine, people know with every purchase the economy isn’t fine.

Stacey Vanek Smith, cohost of the Planet Money podcast on National Public Radio, put it this way in late November: “The most recent numbers show prices up 7.7 percent over 2021. But for items like eggs, health insurance and gasoline, prices have been rising much faster than that.”

Businesses are often blamed for higher prices. But as Smith pointed out, the cost of raw materials is up more than 8 percent and businesses are simply passing on the higher costs of production to consumers.

Other economic news isn’t good, either. Bloomberg contributor Naureen S. Malik wrote about U.S. power prices rising the most in 41 years. Miguel Otarola, a climate and environment reporter at Colorado Public Radio, reported the latest energy bills from Xcel Energy, Colorado’s largest public utility, are almost double the amount from November. Xcel attributed the increase to higher natural gas prices. Since there is a shortage of coal, more natural gas is necessary to make up the difference.

Why is there a shortage of coal? Why is there a shortage of natural gas? Why is inflation stealing our wealth? The answer is ruinous fiscal policy at the federal and state levels.

Policies matter. The United States has a debt-to-Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio of 125 percent. According to Epoch Times contributor Michael Washburn, government debt exceeds the entire value of goods and services produced by the country in a year. The debt-to-GDP ratio has more than doubled over the last 20 years. The government continues to spend money it doesn’t have and prints money, devaluing the dollar and causing runaway inflation.

America has an abundance of energy resources. as Alex Epstein’s research

indicated in his book “Fossil Future,” the U.S. could lead the world in low-cost, reliable and increasingly clean energy. Instead, he wrote, “A root cause of America’s cost and reliability problems is extreme preferences for unreliable solar and wind electricity.” Utilities are coerced into combining intermittent and unreliable sources of wind and solar energy with reliable sources of fossil fuel energy. Because the unreliable energy sources are heavily subsidized by the government, Epstein contends unfair rules make utilities pay the same for unreliable solar and wind as they do for reliable energy sources. Government leaders openly try to destroy fossil fuel production. Higher utility bills are the result of that bad policy.

Fiscal policy is directly influenced by the ideology of its creators. Whether public policy is through laws, regulations, subsidies or taxes, the ideology of those in power affects the pocketbooks of citizens. The financial well-being of American citizens is in peril because of ruinous fiscal policies.

A new year has begun, but will anything we need to live be affordable?

Phyllis Hunsinger is founder of the Freedom & Responsibility Education Enterprise Foundation in Grand Junction. The FREE Foundation provides resources to students and teachers in Western Colorado to promote the understanding of economics, financial literacy and free enterprise. A former teacher, principal and superintendent, Hunsinger wrote “Down and Dirty: A ‘How To’ Math Book.” Reach Hunsinger at phyllis@free-dom.us.com. For more information about the FREE Foundation, log on to the website located at www.free-dom.us.com. F

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Chamber collaborations key part of representing Colorado’s businesses

The Colorado Chamber of Commerce is in the solutions business. We believe a strong business environment equals a strong and thriving economy. We advocate for industry growth and pro-business policies to support and improve the cost of doing business; the quantity of educated skilled workers; and Colorado’s critical infrastructure, which include roads, telecommunications, water and energy.

We also work across our great state to support and partner with local chambers as they do the same. This includes your local voice of business, the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce. We’ve grown to know Grand Junction’s chamber as a grounded champion and bold leader on emerging issues, which has helped us multiply our voice and impact when policymakers move forward with initiatives that could have unintended and adverse implications for business owners.

As we work together today to make sense of complex public policies that have passed, such as the new state-run family and medical leave insurance program (FAMLI), we feel privileged to work with your new president and chief executive officer, Candace Carnahan.

Our rich partnership with the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce has allowed us to work together on numerous issues with your leadership over the years. During the pandemic, we were able to magnify the work being done at the local level with Mesa County’s 5-Star Program to expand that across the state to help navigate the complexities of keeping our communities safe and businesses open. Again, that effort required bold leadership common to the Grand Junction chamber.

Most recently and notably, the Colorado Chamber had the privilege of building a broad and powerful coalition of unique chamber and businesses voices, which included Grand Junction chamber support, to replenish the state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund (UITF). This fund was depleted during the pandemic, leaving employers in a vulnerable position with looming increased unemployment insurance state and federal payroll taxes forecast in the millions. Because of the broad coalition we convened and countless months of negotiations, we were able to reach a bipartisan compromise and infuse $600 million into the state’s drained UITF, saving employers and ensuring they would be able to continue to operate within Colorado. We couldn’t have been successful without the numerous voices that weighed in across the state to support us and ensure negotiations were considered.

When the Colorado Chamber of Commerce actively works to advocate on policy that will help Colorado’s business climate or proactively works against an issue that will hurt it, we’ve always been able to reach out to your chamber for support, trusting that business priorities will always come first.

Under Candace Carnahan’s leadership and with the support of her board and local membership, we’re confident the Grand Junction chamber will continue to be a strong, unwavering voice for business interests and a thriving economy Bold leadership will be increasingly important as we prepare for emerging issues of tomorrow and champion policy that will support the businesses across Colorado we serve today.

But we couldn’t be successful without partnerships across the state, like the one we have with the Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce.

Loren Furman is president and chief executive officer of the Colorado Chamber of Commerce. Prior to becoming president, she served as senior vice president of state and federal relations and led chamber engagement on state and federal government issues that affect businesses across Colorado. Learn more about the Colorado Chamber of Commerce at https://cochamber.com.

Phyllis Hunsinger

The Business Times welcomes guest columns and letters to the editor on issues affecting businesses in Western Colorado. Submissions should be emailed to phil@thebusinesstimes.com and include names and telephone numbers for verification.

Whether public policy is through laws, regulations, subsidies or taxes, the ideology of those in power affects the pocketbooks of citizens. The financial well-being of American citizens is in peril because of ruinous fiscal policies.

Loren Furman

When the Colorado Chamber of Commerce actively works to advocate on policy that will help Colorado’s business climate or proactively works against an issue that will hurt it, we’ve always been able to reach out to your chamber for support, trusting that business priorities will always be first.

Business Briefs

n KOOLER GARAGE DOORS OWNER LAUNCHES SERIES OF WEEKLY PODCASTS

Matt Kuehlhorn, owner of Kooler Garage Doors, has launched the Kooler Lifestyle Podcast promoting community building and awareness.

“We are excited to launch the Kooler Lifestyle Podcast and bring together a community of listeners who are passionate about learning, growing and making a positive impact on the world,” Kuehlhorn said. “Our hope is that through these conservations, we can promote understanding, empathy and positive change in our communities.”

The Kooler Lifestyle Podcast is available from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and other podcast platforms. New episodes are released weekly. For more information, visit www.KoolerPodcast.com.

Kooler Garage Doors began in 2015 in Gunnison and opened a Grand Junction location in October. For more information about Kooler Garage Doors, visit www.KoolerGarageDoors.com or call (970) 660-3456.

n APPLICATION PERIOD UNDER WAY FOR GRAND VALLEY POWER SCHOLARSHIPS

Grand Valley Power based in Grand Junction is accepting applications for college scholarships as well as scholarships for electric lineworker training.

Applications will be accepted through March 1 for college scholarships. Applications are due June 1 for lineworker scholarships.

“Grand Valley Power is dedicated to empowering future generations of our community,” said Rita Sanders, director of marketing and communications. “Providing students with the financial support they need to continue their education is an important part of our guiding principles.”

Grand Valley Power expects to award $20,500 in college scholarships ranging from $1,500 to $2,000 each. Applicants must live in a home served by Grand Valley Power. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of financial need, volunteer or work achievements and a personal essay. Lineworker scholarships are available to Mesa County residents.

Scholarship applications are available at high school counseling offices and the Colorado Mesa University financial aid website. For more information, call (970) 242-0040 or send an email to scholarships@gvp.org.

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

IT’S A GIRL: COMMUNITY HOSPITAL WELCOMES FIRST BABY BORN IN 2023

Community Hospital in Grand Junction welcomed the first baby born there in 2023 with a basket full of gifts.

The first baby of 2023 was a girl born at 4:29 a.m. Jan. 1. She weighed 7 pounds and 7 ounces.

“We are very excited to ring in 2023 in this special way,” said Marsha Bagby, director of the Birth Place at Community Hospital. “We congratulate this wonderful family and all of the families who are welcoming their bundles of joy in 2023.”

The Community Hospital Foundation presented a basket to the family containing donated gifts, including baby items from Colorado Baby and the Community Hospital gift shop, a photo session from Galasso Images, a gift certificate for dinner at Warehouse 2565, $100 gift certificate to Walmart and $50 gift certificate to Body Therapeutics & Medical Massage.

The labor and delivery unit at Community Hospital features eight labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum suites, each with private jetted tubs. Expectant parents also enjoy private parking and a private entrance with an elevator that takes them directly to the labor and delivery unit. To learn more about labor and delivery services offered at at Community Hospital, visit www.YourCommunityHospital.com.

n FREDDY’S FROZEN CUSTARD & STEAKBURGERS ADDS HOT CHOCOLATE SHAKE TO MENU

Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has added to its menu a chocolate shake made with Ghirardelli hot cocoa. The shakes will be available through Feb. 14.

The shakes blend frozen vanilla custard with Ghirardelli hot cocoa and marshmallow sauce. Shakes are topped with whipped cream and sprinkled with hot cocoa powder.

Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers operates a total of more than 450 fast casual restaurants in 36 states, including locations at 737 Horizon Drive and 2489 U.S. Highway 6 & 50 in Grand Junction and 3232 Interstate 70 Business Loop in Clifton. F

Rocky Mountain Health Foundation awards grants

Rocky Mountain Health Foundation in Grand Junction has awarded a total of nearly $1.9 million in grants to health-related organizations in Western Colorado.

The latest awards brought total giving in 2022 to more than $4 million, double the level in 2021. In the final funding cycle of the year, awards to a total of 95 organizations in 16 Western Colorado counties were approved to support programs providing food, housing, transportation and other services.

Grants ranged from $10,000 to $40,000. Programs that help people access to physical and behavioral health care and disability services accounted for nearly half of funding.

Rocky Mountain Health Foundation was established in 2017 to invest in programs that improve the health of people living on the Western Slope. For more information, visit the website located at https://rmhealth.org/grant-making/funded-projects.

NOTEWORTHY

Business People Almanac

Bray & Co. Real Estate has unified its various divisions on a single campus in Grand Junction.

The commercial real estate and development divisions were relocated, joining the residential real estate, property management and construction divisions at a campus located at 1015 N. Seventh St.

“This move creates more synergy for all our divisions, allows us to better serve our clients and customers and get us closer to our goal of being under one roof in the next few years,” said Michelle Urlacher, president of Bray & Co. The campus offers parking, multiple conference rooms and shared support staff as well as the Bray Education Center. The independent businesses of The Group Mortgage and Guaranteed Title also operate on the campus.

“Each division will still maintain its dedicated focus to their area of responsibility and expertise, but now with more resources and connectedness.” said Stewart Cruickshank, brokerage sales manager.

“I expect the dynamics of all our divisions being together will further increase productivity and drive as we head into 2023.”

With a total of more than 100 real estate agents and employees, Bray & Co. provides a range of services in Mesa County as well as Delta, Garfield and Montrose counties. For more information, call 242-3646 or visit wwwbrayandco.com.

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Rita Sanders

Michelle Urlacher

S. Cruickshank

Matt Kuehlhorn

Marsha Bagby

Business Briefs Business People Almanac Business Briefs Business People Almanac

n GRAND JUNCTION SURGEON APPOINTED TO COLORADO MESA UNIVERSITY BOARD

Dr. Joyce Sekharan of Grand Junction has been appointed to the Colorado Mesa University Board of Trustees.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis also reappointed Kasia Iwanickzo-MacLeod and Daniel Ramos, both of Denver, to the 11-member board overseeing CMU.

“I am elated to join the Colorado Mesa Universty Board of Trustees and am honored to represent Western Colorado and the health care industry,” Sekharan said. “I look forward to being an active member with an eye for how CMU can continue to meet regional needs by producing more medical practitioners in areas where we need them most.”

CMU President John Marshall hailed the appointment. “Dr. Sekharan is a valued member of this community and will play a vital role in leading Colorado Mesa University to meet the emerging health care and workforce needs of our state and community. We’re honored to have her, and I look forward to hearing her unique perspective as we work to form the future of CMU.”

A general and trauma surgeon, Sekharan serves as director of the breast cancer program at St. Mary’s Hospital and chief medical director at Advance Skincare and Laser Center. She’s practiced in the Grand Valley since 2003.

She holds a degree from the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine and completed a residency in general surgery at the University of Florida-Jacksonville. She’s a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

n FORMER MESA COUNTY COMMISSIONER REAPPOINTED TO RIVER DISTRICT BOARD

Former Mesa County Commissioner Scott McInnis has been reappointed to the Colorado River Water Conservation District Board of Directors.

“It is a privilege to continue to serve on the Colorado River District Board of Directors as the Mesa County designee,” McInnis said. “Water is the lifeblood of our community, and we must fight to protect Mesa County’s senior water rights and our agricultural producers.”

Mesa County commissioners Cody Davis and Janet Rowland reappointed McInnis to continue serving on the district board.

In addition to two terms as Mesa County Commissioner, McInnis served six terms in the U.S. House of Representatives and also served in the Colorado House of Representatives.

“The river district is at the front of the crisis the West and the nation face with the drought impact on the Colorado River,” McInnis said. “The good news is Mesa County holds critical senior rights, which is a critical factor for the entire Colorado River. The bad news is many junior users want them.”

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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 FAMILY HEALTH WEST ANNOUNCES SELECTION OF FOUNDATION DIRECTOR

Glacia Peck was selected as the new director of the Family Health West Foundation in Fruita.

“My hope is to spark motivation for partners, donors and volunteers by reigniting a shared vision for the future — creating the kind of care we all want for our loved ones and inspiring the future of health care in the Grand Valley,” Peck said.

A separate, nonprofit organization, the foundation raises funding for Family Health West hospital and clinics and purchases that improve services, patient care and the workplace.

Dr. Korrey Klein, chief executive officer of Family Health West, praised the selection. “Glacia brings a wealth of nonprofit experience to our foundation. She has worked with volunteer boards and committees as well as with shoestring budgets and planned fund-raisers to pay for things that budgets could not meet. In short, her vast experience fits perfectly with the needs of the FHW Foundation.”

Peck brings to her new duties more than a dozen years of experience working with the Lutheran Church and School of Messiah in Grand Junction. She’s also supported Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Grand Junction High School choir and theater programs and Grand Mesa Little League. She’s a member of the Dyslexia Foundation of Western Colorado board.

For more information about the Family Health West Foundation, visit https://fhw.org/foundation.

n ALPINE BANK ANNOUNCES CHANGES IN EXECUTIVE TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES

Alpine Bank announced several changes to the executive team overseeing operations.

Andrew Karow, who served as chief digital officer from 2015 to 2022, is now chief operations officer.

Glenn Davis, who served as chief retail officer, is now chief development officer and in charge of efforts to recruit, develop and retain talent.

Jack Rickstrew, formerly market president of the mountain region, was named chief retail officer.

The changes follow the retirement of Tom Kenning as chief administrative officer. Kenning will continue to serve as a board director.

Based in Glenwood Springs, Alpine Bank operates banking offices across Colorado, employs 800 people and serves 170,000 customers. For more information, visit www.alpinebank.com.

Jan. 12

n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce business after hours, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Fruita Community Center, 324 N. Coulson St. Admission $5 for chamber members, $10 for others. 858-3894 or https://fruitachamber.org Jan. 17

n Presentation on cash flows for small business startups, noon to 1 p.m., Business Incubator Center, 2591 Legacy Way, Grand Junction. 243-5242 or https://gjincubator.org Jan. 18

n Young Professionals Network of Mesa County lunch conversation with Martha Graf, development specialist with MarillacHealth, noon to 1 p.m., 2333 N. Sixth St., Grand Junction. Lunch provided. www.ypnmc.org

Jan. 20

n Coffee Club free networking meeting, 9 to 10 a.m., FWorks coworking space, 325 E. Aspen Ave., Fruita. https://fruitachamber.org or 858-3894

Jan. 24

n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce coffee and community connections event, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., Adobe Creek Golf Course, 876 18 1/2 Road, Fruita. Chamber members attend at no charge. Others pay $5. 858-3894 or https://fruitachamber.org

n Presentation on Colorado sale tax returns, noon to 1 p.m., Business Incubator Center. 243-5242 or https://gjincubator.org

Jan. 25

n Energy summit, 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Colorado Mesa University, Grand Junction. Admission $65 for members of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce, $75 for others. 242-3214 or https://gjchamber.org

n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Women in Business hat bar party, 5:30 to 7 p.m., 634 Main St., Suite 101, Grand Junction. Admission $65, which includes materials for the hats. 858-3894 or https://fruitachamber.org

Upcoming

n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Welcome Thursday Friends networking group, noon to 1 p.m. Jan. 26, Suds Brothers Brewery, 127 E Aspen Ave., Fruita. https://fruitachamber.org or 858-3894

n Young Professionals Network of Mesa County after hours event, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Jan. 26, Trail Life Brewing, 436 Main St., Grand Junction. www.ypnmc.org

n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Women in Business networking luncheon, noon to 1 p.m. Feb. 2, Copper Club Brewing Co., 153 N. Mulberry St., Fruita. Admission $15 for chamber members, $25 for others. https://fruitachamber.org or 858-3894

n Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce Networking at Noon, noon to 1 p.m. Feb. 8, Mama Ree's Pizza and Brewhouse, 664 North Ave. Admission $20 for chamber members, $25 for others. https://gjchamber.org or 242-3214

Scott McInnis

Joyce Sekharan

Glacia Peck