Business Briefs

n COLORADO GROWERS

PLAN ANNUAL CONFERENCE

The Colorado Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association has scheduled its annual conference for Feb. 28 to March 1 as both an in-person gathering at the Denver Renaissance Central Park Hotel and virtual event available online.

The conference will open with a panel presentation on new state legislation which, among other things, removes the exemption of agricultural labor from state and local minimum wages and authorizes agricultural employees to organize and join labor unions.

“Panelists from the Colorado Department of Agriculture and the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment will unpack the many provisions of this bill to help growers better understand how to comply with the new regulations,” said Bruce Talbott, a Palisade grower who serves as president of the CFVGA.

Other presentations at the conference will cover branding and marketing Colorado products, food safety practices, labor solutions and the latest research on production practices. The event also will include on-site and virtual exhibitors, networking sessions and an awards luncheon.

The CFVGA represents a total of more than 250 growers and representatives from allied industries. For more information about the association and upcoming conference, visit https://coloradoproduce.org. n LISTINGS SOUGHT FOR

FARM FRESH DIRECTORY

Listings will be accepted until Feb. 28 for the Colorado Farm Fresh Directory, an annual publication promoting farmers markets, wineries and other agricultural operations in Colorado.

The Colorado Department of Agriculture expects to distribute more than 85,000 copies of the directory in June.

The directory will be distributed through chambers of commerce, extension offices, farmers markets, libraries and welcome centers. The directory also is available as a mobile application for smartphones and online at https://ag.colorado.gov/markets/ publications.

A listing fee of $25 is charged. For more information or to request a listing form, contact Loretta Lopez at (303) 869-9175. The Business Times Opinion February 3-16, 2022

Business Briefs Business People SHARE YOUR NEWS The Business Times welcomes AlmanacNOTEWORTHY submissions for free publication in Business Briefs. Email items to phil@thebusinesstimes.com or submit a news release online at www.thebusinesstimes.com. n BLM SEEKS COMMENTS

ON TRAIL DEVELOPMENT

Bruce Talbott The U.S. Bureau of Land Management will accept comments through Feb. 28 on a draft environmental assessment of proposed changes to a popular trail system north of Fruita. The assessment analyzes plans for 29 miles of new trails as well as the reclamation of 3 miles of existing trails in the special recreation management area. The assessment also analyzes the use of electric bikes on trails. “This is great chance for the public to The Primary Care Partners complex on North 12th Street in Grand Junction provide the BLM feedback on the North features the new logo for the health care group. The logo depicts Mount Fruita Desert’s trail system, said Field Garfield inside a location marker. (Photo courtesy Primary Care Partners) Manager Greg Wolfgang. “E-bike popularity is growing, and we want to hear from the Primary Care Partners has unveiled a new logo and redesigned public in particular regarding the preferred website that reflects the role the Grand Junction-based health care group alternative, which includes allowing Class 1 has played in the region for more than 20 years. e-bikes on current and proposed trails.” The new logo features an outline of Mount Garfield inside the shape The assessment is available online at of a location marker. The retro color scheme constitutes a nod to the late https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/ 1970s and early 1980s, when the founding providers at Western Colorado project/2014877/510. Comments may be Physicians Group formed Docs on Call in response to a community need. submitted through the website or mailed “When we set out to begin this important work, we quickly realized to “North Fruita Desert,” 2815 H Road, the community knew Docs on Call, but they may not have realized how Grand Junction, CO 81506. many of their beloved providers are also under the PCP umbrella,” said Jack Thompson, chief executive officer of Primary Care Partners. “The n GRAND OPENING PROMOTIONS rebrand reflects our commitment to our patients and our focus on offering OFFERED AT CLIMBING FACILITY comprehensive care. We don’t want them guessing where to go for care. Instead, we are committed to remaining their health care destination.” Grand opening promotions are set to run Primary Care Partners includes nine physician-owned divisions through Feb. 6 at Grip Bouldering, a Grand operating at three locations across the Grand Valley. PCP provides a Junction indoor climbing facility offering range of services to 55,000 people across Western Colorado and Eastern around-the-clock access to its members. Utah. Located at 716 Scarlet Street, Grip The website was redesigned to demonstrate to patients how the nine Bouldering offers 2,200 square feet of divisions, three locations and numerous programs and services connect commercial climbing surfaces, including to the Primary Care Partners mission and a commitment to offering a two adjustable climbing boards. The facility health care destination for patients. also offers lattice training equipment, a “We kept our patients’ experience in mind with every design element hang board station and cardio machines. of the website. It’s responsive, intuitive, easy to navigate and beautiful,” Grip Bouldering was scheduled to said Dr. Megan Stinar, an owner-physician with Western Colorado open Feb. 2. Promotions will include $5 Pediatrics, a division of Primary Care Partners, who served on the day passes and equipment rental, games, rebrand committee. challenges, prizes and youth activities. Thompson said the new logo and redesigned website reflect hard Grip Bouldering offers day passes as work. “We hope to celebrate this milestone when COVID-19 case counts well as memberships, youth programs and drop off. But COVID can’t stop us from making a splash with our exciting adult training. news and sharing the redesigned website and brand today.” For more information, visit the website For more information about Primary Care Partners, visit the website at at www.gripbouldering.com. www.PCPgj.com. F

THE DEFINITIVE SOURCE FOR GRAND JUNCTION BUSINESS NEWS SINCE 1994 THEBUSINESSTIMES.COM THE BUSINESS TIMESNews 2 Trends Contributors Opinion Business BriefsBusiness People Almanac JANUARY 20-FEBRUARY 2, 2022 VOLUME 29, ISSUE 2 4 5 15 In this issuen Initiating event A conference set up to offer convenience and affordability to participants is set to return in February to Grand Junction.n Collective effortSt. Mary’s Hospital plans to turn over its blood collection operations to an independent services provider. A new director has been named to lead state efforts to promote the outdoor recreation industry in Colorado.n More upbeat Colorado business leaders are more upbeat heading into a new year, according to the latest quarterly survey.n Review reviewsThis year, refocus and flip performance reviews to better understand what employees need and want.n Peak experienceWhat does it take to endure uphill climbs? An accomplished climber offer tips from the death zone.23 17 n Rec director

Safer spaces n Construction firm helps customers with unique needs. Page 2 Lori Siegesmund, left, and Sue Hayes at SafeSpace Builders help people with disabilities as well as seniors stay in their homes.

Almanac 26Business Briefs 24Business People 26Contributors 17-21News 2-14Opinion 22-23Trends 15-16 n Departments PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 67 The Business Times 609 North Ave., Suite 5 Grand Junction, CO 81501 Business Times photo by Phil Castle