The Business Times Volume 28 Issue 5

THE BUSINESS T IMES News MARCH 11-24, 2021

THE DEFINITIVE SOURCE FOR GRAND JUNCTION BUSINESS NEWS SINCE 1994

In this issue n Filling fast

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The Railyard at Rimrock apartment complex in Grand Junction is filling fast — many units have been leased.

n Fresh air

Sensing an Trends opportunity Contributors n Executive envisions a variety of uses for monitoring technology.

See page 2

VOLUME 28, ISSUE 5

THEBUSINESSTIMES.COM

Opinion Business Briefs 5 Business People Almanac

A Grand Junction firm offers air purification systems demonstrated in lab testing to kill the COVID-19 virus.

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n Higher ranking

Mesa County climbed another 24 spots in the latest comparison of how small metropolitan areas fare.

n Instructive effort Brian Hill was selected to become the next superintendent of Mesa County School District 51.

n Good sign

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Steve Whitehurst, chief executive officer of Hayden Data Systems, displays one of the sensors his company has developed to monitor power poles.

The sensors also can be used for a range of other uses.

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Real estate and building activity continues to increase, a trend seen as a good sign for the local market.

n Better by change

17

Leading through change can be difficult, but also necessary for business organizations to get better.

n Departments Almanac Business Briefs Business People Contributors News Opinion Trends

27 24 26 17-21 2-14 22-23 16

Business Times photo by Phil Castle

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THE BUSINESS T IMES News The Business Times

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March 11-24, 2021

Railyard apartment complex filling fast

Trends Contributors Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac

Phil Castle

The Business Times

Gretchen Moss has worked a long time as a property manager, but her experience in Grand Junction has been unique.

“I’ve never seen anything like this before.

It’s just amazing,” said Moss, property manager at the Railyard at Rimrock apartment complex.

Only one of the seven buildings at the complex has opened. Gretchen Moss But at the end of February, 75 of the 196 units that ultimately will be available already had been leased.

“The response has been very overwhelming,” Moss said. “There is such a need for housing.”

Located south of the Rimrock Marketplace, the Railyard at Rimrock will include seven buildings with 28 units each.

The buildings include studio, one-, twoand three-bedroom units. Every unit comes with full-size washers and dryers and other appliances. Some of the units come with attached garages, while a detached garage also is available. Monthly rents range from $875 to $1,575.

A centrally located club includes a business and fitness center A swimming pool and patio and grill area also will be constructed, as will a bicycle storage and repair area.

The first building opened to tenants on March 1. Moss said additional buildings are scheduled to open May 1 and June 1, with the remaining four buildings opening every 45 days afterward. The $33 million project is scheduled for completion Dec. 19.

Moss said tenants are coming from not only elsewhere in Colorado, but also California, Idaho, Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin. “It’s all over the United States.”

Most of the tenants are moving to the area for jobs, she said. Many of the tenants have indicated they’re ultimately interesting in buying homes, but opted to rent in the interim.

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FOR YOUR INFORMATION For additional information about the Railyard at Rimrock, call 432-4109 or visit the website at www.railyardatrimrock.com.

Steve Whitehurst, chief executive officer of Hayden Data Systems, displays one of the sensors his company has developed to monitor power poles for structural failures, fires and other problems. The sensors also can be used for a variety of other uses — from monitoring oil and natural gas wells to collecting weather information.

Sensing opportunity

Executive envisions range of applications for monitoring technology

S

teve Whitehurst envisions a range of applications for the sensors his company has developed — everything from monitoring power poles and natural gas wells to collecting information about weather and earthquakes.

Any one of the applications offers a huge market.

But the cumulative potential is almost overwhelming, says Whitehurst, chief executive officer of Hayden Data Systems.

And it’s not only about business, he says, but also protecting lives and property and addressing problems on a global basis.

“How can we make the blue marble a better place?”

Given interest in the sensors from utility companies and others, Whitehurst says it’s a matter of increasing manufacturing to meet that demand. “It’s really how fast we can scale.”

Mesa County could play a role in that effort, he says.

While the county serves as a location for administrative offices and testing facilities, it also could serve as the home for manufacturing facilities for what Whitehurst expects to become a global exporter of high-tech products.

And that could mean additional benefits for an area in which Whitehurst has long worked and lived.

Whitehurst traces the origin of the company and its sensors to Australia and Iain Puddy, who serves as chief technology officer.

Puddy saw the need for a way to monitor power poles after wildfires in 2009 burned more than 1,700 square miles in Australia, destroyed more than 2,000 homes and caused the death of 173 people. Utilities were found culpable of starting 11 of the 15 fires.

Puddy subsequently developed a device to monitor power poles and detect problems before they failed and caused another fire. Power pole sensor prototypes were built and tested in Australia.

Whitehurst, who’s long worked as a computer programmer and manager, says he became interested in the effort and traveled to Australia to meet with Puddy and the utilities with which he was working.

Whitehurst says he was convinced of the potential for the devices and entered into a business partnership with Puddy.

Hayden Data was incorporated in 2020 and headquartered in Chattanooga, Tenn., to work with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and Tennessee Valley Authority to simultaneously develop production models of the device as well as the standards for using the devices to monitor utility poles.

The TVA offers a good proving ground of sorts for the technology, Whitehurst says, in providing electricity for a total of 10 million people in Tennessee and parts of six other states. By one count, there are 3.8 million power poles in the TVA service area.

Utilities in Australia and the TVA as well as utilities in other countries around the world are interested in using the sensors, Whitehurst says. It’s a question of scaling up manufacturing to provide them.

Manufacturing is under way in four facilities, he says, but isn’t yet nearly enough to meet demand.

See SENSING page 12

STORY AND PHOTO BY PHIL CASTLE

March 11-24, 2021

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well-rounded perspective to new Mesa County role Phil Castle

as well as New England and Canada.

Whidden said people who work in information technology aren’t just “geeks,” Frank Whidden brings what he but offer an important perspective because considers a well-rounded perspective to his they’re familiar with nearly every aspect of new job as Mesa County administrator. operations and how work gets done. They Whidden worked also tend to think about new and potentially in information better ways of doing things in asking and technology and holds answering “what if ” questions. “They know a master’s degree in how to effect change in an organization.” computer information Whidden expects to bring that same systems. But he also approach to his duties as administrator. holds a doctoral Whidden said it’s his role to help degree in applied county commissioners make and then management and implement decisions. The commissioners decision making and Frank Whidden in turn represent the residents of the worked for more than county and express their will, he said. “We 20 years as a minister. Whidden has work for the people.” worked for large and small organizations Whidden said he also considers himself Randy Schwark, left,public and Linda Callahanawork as between chief executive officer andand in both the private and sectors. liaison the commissioners director of sales, respectively, of RCI Environmental Solutions.

The Grand Junction Whidden expects to draw on all of his county staff, and one of the priorities is to firm offers air purification systems that control viruses and bacteria to create experiences in helping Mesa County make sure employees feel valued. Whidden healthier work and home environments. (Business Times photo by Phil Castle) commissioners make and carry out decisions. said he hopes not only to improve morale, Valuing staff and making the county but also take steps that will make Mesa an employer of choice is among the County an organization for which people priorities, Whidden said. So is planning want to work. that results in sustainable funding and Meanwhile, Whidden expects the balanced budgets on a long-term basis. county to continue policies and initiatives Castle County will that support local business and economic Meanwhile,PhilMesa FOR YOUR INFORMATION The Business Times continue to pursue efforts that promote a development. There are additional steps friendly business environment and thatFor canmore be taken to make itabout easier for local information Whiledevelopment, businesses Whidden can wipesaid. down businesses to sell products and services to economic RCI Environmental Solutions, surfaces to slowofficially the spreadbegan of the coronavirus, Whidden working as theincluding county, heaadded. webinar, contact Randy Schwark offers at what considersofa county administrator thehebeginning Mesa Schwark County will keep working Randy at 628-5046 or with better approach: kill theTom virusFisher, in the who air. was other Linda Callahan at (773) 266-0405 the year.

He succeeds government entities, organizations operates RCI Environmental visit https://rcienviro.com. hiredSchwark as county manager in Summit andorinstitutions on fostering an environment Solutions,Utah. a Grand Junction-based company that supports existing businesses and County, that provides thatMesa have demonstrated Whiddensystems joined County in attracts new businesses, he said. in laboratory they can to do just that.

RCI Environmental Solutions August 2011testing as information technology Whidden said there could serves be a The systems also kill other viruses as a supplier for ActiveTek Environmental, director. In April 2014, he became deputy opportunities to encourage the additional and bacteria as well as reduce allergy which manufactures ActivePure county administrator for resource development of businesses thatsystems. provide symptoms andin odors.

The systems come services The Aerus & Cleanindustry portableas model management a staffing reorganization to the Pure agricultural well in a eliminated variety of sizes configurations tested atMesa a biosafety laboratory that four and director positions. for was as promote Countylevel as a 4distribution businesses as homes.

Food and Drug Administration Beforeas well joining Mesa County, using centerU.S. for the region.

Businesses see a return on their protocols.

The system was istested on live Whidden worked for a company providing The important thing to consider investments in reducing employee sickness COVID-19 and killed 99.96 percent of information technology services to issues from a well-rounded perspective, and absenteeism or, in the case childrole, care he or airborne three be minutes. colleges and universities.

Inofthat Whiddenvirus said.within “We won’t myopic as we senior living the health managed ITfacilities, systemspromoting and services for lookActivePure at things.” systems combine an of those who use the facilities, Schwark says. ultraviolet light with a✦ specially coated matrix institutions in Alabama, Arizona, Illinois “The ROI comes rather quickly.”

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Mesa County climbs higher in small metro area ranking Mesa County climbed another 24 spots in the latest comparison of how small metropolitan areas fare for job and wage growth as well as high-tech output.

Mesa County ranked 57th in the Milken Institute Best-Peforming Cities Index for 2021, up from 81st in 2020.

The Milken Institute, a California think tank, ranks 200 large metropolitan ares and 201 small metro areas in the annual index. The index takes into account job and wage growth as well as technology output. In response to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, the latest rankings also take into account housing costs and internet access.

Mesa County has ranked as high as third among small metro areas during what was at the time a natural gas development boom in Western Colorado, but fared less well in the aftermath of downturns in the energy sector and overall economy. Since falling to 187th, however, Mesa County since has jumped 130 spots.

For the 2021 index, Mesa County ranked 12th among small metro areas for job growth over the past 12 months, 57th for job growth in 2018 and 2019 and 80th for job growth from 2014 to 2019.

Mesa County ranked 37th among small metro areas for wage growth in 2018 and 2019 and 90th for wage growth from 2014 to 2019.

BEST CITIES AT A GLANCE Here’s a look at the top large and small metropolitan areas, along with Colorado areas, in the 2021 Milken Institute Best-Performing Cities Index: n Large areas 1. Provo-Orem, Utah 2. Palm Bay, Fla. 3. Austin, Texas 4. Salt Lake City 5. Raleigh-Cary, N.C. 11. Denver-Aurora-Lakewood 12. Fort Collins 17. Colorado Springs 43. Greeley 44. Boulder n Small areas 1. Idaho Falls, Idaho 2. Logan, Utah 3. The Villages, Fla. 4. St. George, Utah 5. Daphne, Ala. 52. Pueblo 57. Grand Junction

Mesa County ranked 59th for growth in gross domestic product from the hightech sector in 2018 and 2019 and 160th for high-tech GDP growth from 2014 to 2019.

See RANKING page 14

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News, views New leader and advice picked for you can use District 51

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An educator who’s worked nearly two years as assistant superintendent of Mesa County School District 51 has been selected to lead the district.

The Mesa County School Board announced Brian Hill will become the next superintendent.

Hill will succeed Diana Sirko when she retires next year.

Hill was hired in Brian Hill July 2019 as assistance superintendent.

Before joining Mesa County School District 51, Hill worked a total of 11 years as a teacher, supervisor, principal and special assistant to the superintendent in the 80,000-student Austin Independent School District in Texas.

He was named Austin Independent School District Teacher of Promise his first year, Campus Teacher of the Year in 20102011 and Region XIII Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association Member of the Year in 2019.

He holds a bachelor’s degree from East Texas Baptist University and both master’s and doctoral degrees in education from the University of Texas at Austin.

Sirko isn’t expected to retire until June 2022, but the school board opted to name a successor to retain talent in the district.

Sirko joined Mesa County School District 51 in 2018 as interim superintendent and became permanent superintendent.

When she retires, she’ll complete a 46-year career in public education.

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Animal shelter offers services in Delta

The Roice-Hurst Humane Society in Grand Junction has expanded its operations to provide services for stray and impounded pets in Delta.

The Roice-Hurst animal shelter and resource center joined with the City of Delta and Delta County to renovate the city owned shelter at 720 W. Fourth St. in Delta.

The shelter houses stray dogs, dogs and cats impounded for bite quarantines and pets involved in legal cases on evidence holds.

Pets that aren’t reclaimed by owners may enter the Roice-Hurst adoption program. The Delta facility also will provide pet food and other supplies to qualifying residents.

“We are very excited to be in Delta and are looking forward to getting to know our Delta neighbors and their pets,” said Anna Stout, chief executive officer of the RoiceHurst Humane Society.

For more information about the RoiceHurst Humane Society, visit the website at https://rhhumanesociety.org.

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Edesia — a benefit event showcasing food, wine and spirits — will return and also offer a celebration of Hollywood.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, Edesia will feature this year three, smaller chef’s table dinners scheduled for April 11, 18 and 25 at the Wine Country Inn, located at 777 Grande River Drive in Palisade.

The dinners will be limited to up to 10 guests in each of two club rooms in the Vitner’s House. People can place bids in an online auction to participate. Bidding opens at $1,500 per group.

An online auction also will include Hollywood star caricatures, film memorabilia, vacations, books, movies, wine and other merchandise.

Bidding for the dinners closes at midnight March 31. Bidding for merchandise closes at midnight April 30.

For bidding or more information, visit https://edesiapalisade.com/.

Edesia raises funds for MarillacHealth, which provides a range of health care services to uninsured and under-insured Mesa County residents. Since its inception a decade ago, Edesia has raised $212,000 — $38,000 when the last event was conducted in 2019.

“We are grateful for all the work Wine Country Inn is doing to host Edesia again in a safe manner and also offer a creative night out for an exclusive gourmet event,” said Kay Ramachandran, chief executive officer of the MarillacHealth.

Edesia’s Hooray For Holiday will be presented by FCI Constructors along with Alpine Bank, Peach Street Distillers and St. Mary’s Medical Center.

Each dinner will feature different fare as well as Hollywood-themed activities.

On April 11, Bridget Zlab, food and beverage director and chef at the Wine Country Inn, will recreate dishes from popular Hollywood bistros.

The event also will include a screening of “Long Live the King,” a documentary about “King Kong;” a remote question and answer session with filmmakers Frank Dietz and Tricia Geiger; and live remote interview with Victoria Riskin, daughter of “King Kong” star Fay Wray.

On April 18, Chad Griffith, executive chef of the Palisade Café and Wine Bar, will prepare cuisine paired with local wines.

The event will include a screening of “Roman Holiday,” a movie featuring the Oscar-winning work of screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, who was from Grand Junction.

On April 25, Wayne Smith, a culinary arts instructor at Western Colorado Community College, will recreate fare from the first Academy Awards dinner.

The event will include a screening of the 92nd Academy Awards presentations.

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County tax collections on the rise

A key measure of sales activity continues to increase in Mesa County.

The county reported collecting a total of nearly $3.17 million in sales and use taxes in February, an increase of more than $352,000 and 12.5 percent from the same month last year.

Sales tax collections rose 11.8 percent.

Use tax collections — nearly all of it on automobiles purchased outside the county, but used in the county — rose 21.1 percent.

February tax collections reflect January sales.

February tax collections on retail sales exceeded $1 million, a gain of 18 percent over the same month last year.

Tax collections on internet sales rose 48 percent to nearly $219,000. Collections also increased on sales of clothing, sporting goods and health and personal care items.

Collections rose 36.3 percent on home improvements and 2.2 percent on restaurant meals and hotel stays. Collections also increased for the manufacturing and telecommunications industries, but fell for the oil and natural gas industry.

The February numbers bring county sales and use tax collections so far for 2012 to more than $7 million. That’s an increase of more than $607,000 and 7.6 percent over the same span in 2020. Year-to-date sales tax collections increased 8.7 percent, while use tax collections rose 18.7 percent.

Year-to-date tax collections on retail sales topped $2.6 million, an increase of 18 percent. Collections on internet sales accounted for 39.3 percent of that amount.

Tax collections rose 29.5 percent on home improvements and 6.2 percent for automobiles, but fell 5.7 percent for restaurant meals and hotel stays.

Collections increased 10.4 percent in the manufacturing industry, but fell 34.6 percent in the telecommunications industry and 63.8 percent in the oil and natural gas sector.

For the 2020 calendar year, Mesa County reported collecting a total of more than $40 million in sales and use taxes.

That was an increase of $1.6 million and 4.2 percent over 2019.

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In midst of pandemic, there’s trouble brewing More than 30 Colorado-based breweries closed over the last year, while remaining breweries reported declining or flat sales in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and related restrictions.

“The ability to sell beer in a community style taproom was a pillar of success for many of Colorado’s breweries, and they’ve had a challenging year navigating the changing landscape,” said Shawnee Adelson, executive director of the Colorado Brewers Guild.

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Sensing

Continued from page 2 The sensors are housed in a compact metal housing equipped with solar panels and batteries.

The devices can communicate seven different ways, Whitehurst says, and can transmit routine signals on a varying schedule.

But the devices transmit signals in a matter of seconds if some sort of triggering event occurs — a fire has started or a car crashed into a pole, for example. At that point, cameras on the devices can be activated to offer visual assessments.

The devices offer a way for utilities to monitor power poles even in remote locations to detect fires and other problems and prevent them from becoming worse, he says. That’s important in areas like Australia and California, where power lines have trigged wildfires.

The devices also offer a way to monitor power poles and other infrastructure that requires scheduled inspections.

The savings comes from not only preventing catastrophes, but also lowering maintenance costs, he says.

To install sensors on millions of power poles, Hayden Data is developing drones and technology. Using drones, a two-man crew could install sensors on up to 180 poles a day, he says.

While the sensors were initially developed for power poles, the devices also can equipped for a variety of other uses — monitoring bridges, buildings and other infrastructure. The devices also can monitor emissions from oil and natural gas wells to ensure regulatory compliance.

In addition, the devices can monitor wind, rain, air pressure and relative humidity as well as seismic activity.

Rather than sell sensors, Hayden Data can provide information on a subscription basis. That allows for the capability of selling more than one subscription for a sensor — to a utility and weather service, for example.

Whitehurst says the sensors can help address problems associated with the vulnerability of power grids. But there’s also the potential to address climate resilience and other problems on a global basis.

He says he’s excited about the possibilities to not only succeed in business, but also make the world a better place “We want it to be positive.”

That fuels his passion for work. “I’m at Disneyland every day.”

The devices have been tested and demonstrated to work, Whitehurst says.

It’s a matter now of manufacturing them.

“We’ve made the point. How do we get them across the globe?”

Those benefits also extend to the proverbial backyard. Whitehurst says he also hopes sensors will be installed in Western Colorado to improve safety and efficiency in the region.

Although many calculations will go into the decisions, Whitehurst says there’s also possibility manufacturing could take place in Mesa County.

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Ranking

Continued from page 5 Mesa County fared better in ranking 32nd for broadband internet access in 2019.

Mesa County came in 156th for housing affordability in 2019 and 158th from 2014 to 2018.

Pueblo, the only other small metro area in Colorado, climbed 47 spots to 52nd in the 2021 ranking.

Among large metro areas, five Colorado cities ranked in the top 50. The Denver, Aurora and Lakewood area moved up seven spots to 11th. Fort Collins rose nine spots to 12th. Colorado Springs advanced 19 places to 17th. Greeley

March 11-24, 2021

dropped 23 spots to 43rd. Boulder fell 16 places to 44th.

Nationwide, Idaho Falls, Idaho, rose six spots to the top ranking among small metro areas. Logan, Utah, moved up a place to second. The Villages in Florida rose two spots to third, while St. George, Utah, was fourth.

The Provo and Orem area of Utah moved up one spot to rank first among large metro areas. The Palm Springs, Melbourne and Titusville area of Florida ranked second.

The Austin, Round Rock and Georgetown area of Texas remained third. Sale Lake City came in fourth.

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Fresh

Continued from page 4 to produce hydroperoxides and negatively charged ions to kill viruses and bacteria as well as remove particles in the air, Schwark said.

The same technology is used to scrub air in the International Space Station.

Different systems accommodate different settings and uses, Schwark said.

Systems can be installed in heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems.

Portable models also are available, as are even smaller models that plug directly into a wall socket.

Some systems can treat up to 15,000 square feet, others 3,000 square and some a single room, he said.

While the ultraviolet lights must be replaced annually, the overall maintenance cost of the systems remains low at about 4 cents a square foot a year, Schwark said. The electricity required to power the systems is nearly negligible.

Schwark said he’s provided systems over the years to a variety of customers in the Grand Valley, including child care and senior living facilities, retail outlets and doctor and dentist offices. Mesa County School District 51 also has used systems in various schools.

The anecdotal evidence Schwark said he’s collected from customer testimonials indicate the systems work in reducing illness as well as allergy symptoms and odors. “I don’t believe I have one unhappy customer.”

Linda Callahan said she joined RCI Environmental Solutions in January as sales director and was immediately impressed with the systems. “I fully believe in this.”

The use of the systems take on added importance, though, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic and protecting employees, customers — as well as family members — from a potentially deadly disease, Schwark said.

Unlike other disinfecting techniques, ActivePure systems kill COVID-19 on an ongoing basis, he said.

Moreover, the ActivePure systems are different than other air filtration systems, he added. “Filters catch, this kills.”

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March 11-24, 2021

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News Trends Good sign Contributors for real estate Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac The Business Times

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March 11-24, 2021

INDICATORS AT A GLANCE

Sales and construction activity continue to increase in Mesa County Phil Castle

The Business Times

Real estate and building activity continue to increase in Mesa County, a trend industry executives characterize as a good start for the year they attribute to strong demand for housing.

“I think this is a really good sign in our marketplace,” said Robert Bray, chief executive officer of Bray Real Estate in Grand Junction.

Annette Miller, administrative coordinator at Heritage Title Co. in Grand Junction, agreed.

“I think it’s going to be a strong year.”

Miller said 384 real estate transactions worth a combined $122 million were reported in Mesa County in February.

Compared to the same month last year, Robert Bray transactions increased 18.2 percent and dollar volume rose 11.9 percent.

Ten transactions worth a total of $16 million bolstered dollar volume, Miller said, including the sale of 470 acres of agricultural property near Mack for $4.5 million and the building housing the Dairy Queen on Orchard Mesa for $1.6 million.

For the first two months of 2021, 775 transactions worth a collective $238 million were reported. Compared to the same span in Annette Miller 2020, transactions increased 20.3 percent and dollar volume rose 12.3 percent.

According to numbers Bray Real Estate tracks, 247 residential real estate transactions worth a combined $79.5 million were reported in Mesa County in February.

Compared to the same month last year, transactions increased 6 percent. Dollar volume rose 13.6 percent in part because of higher sales prices.

For the first two months of 2021, 494 transactions worth a total of $163 million were reported. Transactions rose 2.9 percent, while dollar volume increased 19 percent.

REAL ESTATE INDICATORS

s Transactions s Dollar volume s Median home price s Building permits t Foreclosure sales

Feb. 2021 384 $122 million $295,000 121 5

Feb. 2020 325 $109 million $268,000 70 6

Bray said transactions would have been higher were it not for low inventories.

As of the end of February, there were 213 active listings for the market, less than half the 520 listings for the same time last year.

The combination of low supplies and continued demand continues to push up prices, Bray said. The median sales price of homes sold in February climbed to $295,000, up 10 percent from a year ago.

Bray said he’s encouraged, though, by an increase in new home construction activity.

For February, 121 building permits for single-family homes were issued in Mesa County, nearly double the 70 permits issued the same month last year.

So far in 2021, 172 permits have been issued. That’s an increase of 64.7 percent from the same span in 2020.

There’s also been an increase in construction of multi-family housing, Bray said.

New construction not only will help meet demand for housing, but also reflects confidence in the local market, he said.

While property foreclosure activity could increase as moratoriums on foreclosures end, Miller said activity continues to decrease for now in Mesa County.

Through the first two months of 2021, two foreclosure filings and five foreclosure sales were reported, Miller said. In the same span in 2020, 44 filings and 11 sales were reported.

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Small Business Optimism Index edges up A measure of optimism among small business owners has edged up even as owners contend with the effects of inclement weather and the coronavirus pandemic.

The National Federation of Independent Business reported its Small Business Optimism Index rose eight-tenths to 95.8 in February. The index remains below its 47-year average of 98.

“Small business owners worked hard in February to overcome unexpected weather conditions along with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” said Bill Dunkelberg, chief economist of the NFIB. “Capital spending has been strong, but Bill Dunkelberg not on Main Street. The economic recovery remains uneven for small businesses, especially those still managing state and local regulations and restrictions,” Dunkelberg said. “Congress and the Biden administration must keep small businesses a priority as they plan future policy legislation.”

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

For February, five of 10 components of the index advanced, four retreated and one remained unchanged from January.

The proportion of those who responded to the survey upon

which the February index was based who expect the economy to improve over the next six months rose four points. But at a net negative 19 percent, more respondents said they expected worsening conditions.

A net 23 percent of those who responded reports plans to make capital outlays, up a point. A net 6 percent said they considered now a good time to expand, down two points.

A net 18 percent of respondents reported plans to increase staffing, up a point. A net 40 percent reported hard-to-fill job openings, up seven points.

Asked to name their single most important business problem, 24 percent cited the quality of labor, ahead of taxes and regulatory costs.

The share of survey respondents reporting higher earnings rose five points. But at net negative 11 percent, more respondents reported lower than higher earnings. Among those reporting higher profits, 65 percent cited increased sales volume, 17 percent cited seasonal changes and 7 percent cited higher prices.

The proportion of those expecting higher sales over the next three months fell two points to a net negative 8 percent.

A net 2 percent of respondents reported plans to increase inventories, down two points. A net 5 percent said current inventories were too low, unchanged.

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n Business filings

s New business filings in Colorado, 34,630 in the fourth quarter, up 22.1% from the fourth quarter of 2019.

n Confidence

s Consumer Confidence Index 91.3 in February, up 2.4. n Leeds Business Confidence Index for Colorado, 47.9 for the first quarter, unchanged. s National Federation of Independent Business Small Business Optimism Index 95.8 for February, up 0.8.

n Foreclosures

t Foreclosure filings in Mesa County, 2 in February, down from 19 in February 2020. t Foreclosure sales in Mesa County, 5 in February, down from 6 in February 2020.

n Indexes

s Conference Board Employment Trends Index, 101.01 for February, up 0.32. s Conference Board Leading Economic Index 110.3 for January, up 0.5%. s Institute for Supply Management Purchasing Managers Index for manufacturing, 60.8% for February, up 2.1%.

n Lodging

t Lodging tax collections in Grand Junction, $73,043 for January, down 24.9% from January 2020.

n Real estate

s Real estate transactions in Mesa County, 384 in February, up 18.2% from February 2020. s Dollar volume of real estate transactions in Mesa County, $122 million in February, up 11.9% from February 2020.

n Sales

s Sales and use tax collections in Grand Junction, $6 million for January, up 0.7% from January 2020. s Sales and use tax collections in Mesa County, $3.17 million for February, up 12.5% from February 2020.

n Unemployment s Mesa County — 8.2% for December, up 2.1. s Colorado — 8.4% for December, up 2.0. t United States — 6.2% for February, down 0.1.

Trends Contributors Opinion Better by change Business Briefs Business People Almanac

March 11-24, 2021

The Business Times

Page 17

COMING ATTRACTIONS

n The Business Incubator Center in Grand Junction has scheduled events offering information about startups, valuations and bookkeeping.

The next sessions of a business startup workshop are set for 9 to 11:30 a.m. March 23 and 1 to 3:30 p.m. April 28 at the center, located at 2591 Legacy Way. The next session of a startup webinar is set for 1 to 2:30 p.m.

April 6 and 7.

The workshops and webinar will cover the business planning process, including financing options, licensing requirements and legal structures. Admission is $55, which also includes admission to Fast Trac classes at the center.

A free business valuation workshop is set for 9 to 10:30 a.m. March 31.

Participants will learn about the roles of market analysis and business evaluation in developing a realistic business worth assessment.

A bookkeeping boot camp is set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 4.

Participants will learn how to set up and track accounting records and gain better control of their business by learning how balance sheets, income statements and cash flow projections are prepared and what they indicate about operations. Admission is $75, which includes lunch.

For more information about upcoming events, services and programs offered at the center, call 243-5242 or visit the website at www.gjincubator.org. n The Western Colorado Human Resource Association has scheduled a luncheon presentation on re-energizing organizations.

The monthly program is set for 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 17 at Warehouse 2565, located at 2565 American Way in Grand Junction. A virtual presentation also is planned.

Lindsay Powers, HR director of Strive in Grand Junction, will help participants assess organizational cultures and plan how to develop positive cultural shifts.

WCHRA members may attend at no additional charge. Guests pay $10 and students pay $5. To register or obtain more information, visit www.wchra.org. n The Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Women in Business networking group has scheduled a conference offering information about wellness, marketing and entrepreneurship.

The Conference in the Country is set for 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 22 at the Absolute Prestige Ranch at 1351 Q Road in Loma.

The conference will include presentations and panel discussions on mental and physical wellness, marketing, entrepreneurship and creativity. Robin Brown, executive director of the Grand Junction Economic Partnership, will deliver the keynote luncheon address.

Admission is $35 for chamber and Women in Business members, $40 for others. For tickets or more information, log on to the website at https://fruitachamber.org.

Leading change can be difficult, but also necessary to succeed Author and entrepreneur Jim Rohn once said, “Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change.”

The same could be said for organizations.

We can look at a list of timehonored companies to realize this is true. Apple, Cadbury, Lego and McDonald’s all embraced change as the engine of their ongoing success.

We can also look at the wasteland of companies that failed to change, among them Blockbuster, Kodak, RadioShack and Yahoo. Why do some companies foresee the need for change and adapt while others don’t?

Rebecca To understand the connection Weitzel between change and success, it’s helpful to define change. In a broad sense, change is a reorientation from a current to a new state. This reorientation comes in different shapes based on its size and level of anticipation. Naming the change we’re dealing with helps lead it effectively. These types of change include: n Tuning: Incremental and anticipated, these are small tweaks we make to continually improve. They include upgrading software or teaching an employee a new skill. n Adaptation: Incremental and unplanned, these are small course corrections we make in response to an unplanned event. Examples include adding a new product feature to satisfy a customer request or hiring another employee to meet increased demand. n Reorientation: Big and anticipated, these are strategic projects that are contiguous, align with established values and rolled out over time. Such changes include organizational restructures and system changes — like a move to a new payroll system. n Re-creation: Big and unplanned, these changes are radical and disruptive. They’re thrust upon an organization by outside or unforeseen forces and often threaten the existence of the organization. Such changes include a pandemic or the introduction of a disruptive technology like video streaming.

Since all change involves people, leaders committed to putting people first must accurately name the change and prepare for the level of disruption, emotional fallout and human effects that follow.

If, for example, you upgrade to the next version of Microsoft Office, that would be a tuning change. This can be planned and handled quickly and easily. You might craft a few communications, notify people of the timeline and send out video tutorials that teach people about new features.

In contrast, if your CEO steps down with no warning, this would be a re-creation change. You would need to brace for significant effects and allow plenty of space

and time to help people recalibrate to the wide range of emotional, structural and systemic changes that follow.

Instead of emailing an announcement, you might hold a series of town hall-style meetings where people can express their concerns. You might assemble a crossfunctional team to build out a year-long re-organization and communication strategy. You might offer mental health coaching to help people cope with uncertainty. You might adjust accountabilities as priorities shift. Above all, you might tap into the grapevine chatter, send surveys and hold focus groups to track culture and morale. This will allow you to implement targeted interventions on the fly should things go awry.

Effectively diagnosing and leading change is no small feat. There’s a reason most big changes fail. These changes require high levels of intellectual, emotional and behavioral leadership skills. These skills are required now more than ever as such drivers of change as culture, the economy, employee mindsets, environment, marketplace, politics, regulations and technology outpace any other time in history.

To ensure our skills are sharp, we must honestly assess whether they need refining. Ask yourself and your boss, peers and team members the following: n Can I synthesize information well, zero in on what’s most important and make well-reasoned decisions based on facts? n Do I know how to convey a sense of urgency and meaning to help people connect emotionally to change? n Can I articulate a clear vision of the future? n Do I communicate verbally, in writing and through body language clearly and consistently? n Do I celebrate small wins to give people a sense of progress during long change processes? n Do I model the behaviors and attitudes I expect to see in my team members?

If any person answers no to any of these questions, consider enrolling in executive coaching, reading current leadership books or finding a mentor. If we don’t get better by chance, but by change, there’s no better place to start than with ourselves.

Rebecca Weitzel is president and co-founder of Good Life Wellness Solutions, which provides workplace well-being programs and an online wellness platform tailored to small businesses. She also serves as director of employee success at Hilltop Community Resources. With a master’s degree in organizational psychology and training in behavior design, she helps people and organizations thrive. Contact Weitzel at rebecca@goodlifewellnesssolutions.com or rebeccaw@htop.org or visit the website located at www.GoodLifeWellnessSolutions.com.

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Registration under way for employment law conference Registration is under way for an upcoming employment law conference in Grand Junction.

The Western Colorado Human Resource Association and Bechtel, Santo & Severn law firm have scheduled the 2021 Legislative Conference for 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 21 at the Colorado Mesa University Center ballroom. A virtual presentation of the event also is planned.

The event will offer updates on legislative changes

that affect employment laws. Various presentations will address other employment law issues. A vendor expo also is planned.

Early registration is $299 for WCHRA members and $349 for others. Students and special guests pay $99.

To register or obtain more information, visit the website at www.wchra.org.

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Page 18

The Business Times

March 11-25, 2021

Strike a balance to achieve success and happiness A lot of time and energy go into running a business.

With everything there is to do, it’s easy for those who own businesses to sacrifice many aspects — if not the entirety — of their personal lives in the pursuit of success.

Your business is only one aspect of your life, though. You also have important relationships with family and friends, your health, hobbies and other interests. When you choose or unconsciously allow yourself to become consumed by business and neglect these other aspects of your life, your well-being and happiness fade away.

There’s no real benefit to working Marcus yourself into the ground. When you Straub become fatigued, your business suffers because you don’t possess the energy, composure and mental clarity necessary to lead or achieve success at the levels you desire. What’s more, you’re unhappy.

Conversely, there’s tremendous benefit to everyone involved — business owners, team members, customers and families — in creating and maintaining balance between business and personal lives.

The more out of balance and unhappy you are, the less your financial success will ultimately mean to you because of the tremendous price you paid and what you sacrificed along the way. You can’t go back and recapture those magical times in life after your children are grown.

After a divorce, it’s impossible to make up for neglecting a marriage. When your health fails, it can be difficult — if not impossible — to get it back.

The interesting thing about creating balance between life and business is that in addition to improving the quality

When you make time to care for yourself and engage the other aspects of your life, you recharge mentally, emotionally and physically. You have more to give.

In other words, you increase your own potential and, therefore, the potential of your business.

of your life, you also become a more productive, creative and effective business owner. When you make time to care for yourself and engage the other aspects of your life, you recharge mentally, emotionally and physically. You have more to give. In other words, you increase your own potential and, therefore, the potential of your business.

When you’re in balance with your life and business, you tend to treat the people in your personal and professional lives better because your perspective is clearer. Your attitude is more pleasant. You’re more patient. And you’re happier.

When you treat people better, they have the tendency to do the same, and all your relationships improve as a result.

When you vacation with your significant other or ski with your kids, be fully present with them. When you attend a family function, spend time with friends, go for a bike ride, read a book in a hammock, take a swim or anything else you decide to do, enjoy the moment for all it’s worth.

Taking your spouse out for your regular date night, spending quality time with your kids, pursuing your passions and going on vacation aren’t synonymous with working and doing business. While it’s true you can take your work with you on vacation, the reality is that neither

will be the best they can be as long as your attention is divided between them. One must give way to the other.

A working vacation isn’t a vacation, it’s just working in a different location.

The secret to all of this is truly stepping away from your business when you leave the office and engage in the rest of your life. Turn off your phone and computer and leave your business thoughts and concerns behind as much as you can — and you can much more than you realize.

When you choose to do so, all the moments of your life will take on a greater meaning for you and for everyone involved.

As a business owner, you’re the foundation of your enterprise. The more energized, inspired — and balanced — you are, the stronger your company will perform. When the quality of your life begins to diminish, take notice and take action.

In the end, each of us is left with the sum of the moments of our life. We’ll either be pleased with the lives we lived or we won’t. Live your life with the intention of creating balance among its different aspects and you’ll not only be successful, but also — and perhaps more important — happy.

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.

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March 11-24, 2021

The Business Times

Page 19

Consider options to fund buy-sell agreements Once you’ve completed your business valuation; consulted your tax, legal and financial advisors; and created a written buy-sell agreement, it’s time to decide how to fund the resulting financial and other obligations.

First, your buy-sell agreement is probably a binding legal document.

You don’t want to be left out there with unfunded or underfunded financial responsibilities.

Second, arranging funding takes time. The best time to start is right away.

Third, the options available are fairly limited and confusing to many business owners since the options involve techniques often outside their Janet areas of expertise.

Arrowood How do you fund your buy-sell agreement? The two most common options are a sinking fund and life insurance. n A sinking fund —or reserves — is cash or cash equivalent you build up over time. The plan is to have the funds obligated under the buy-sell agreement fully available before a triggering event takes place. The problem? The bestlaid plans often go awry — lack of time to accumulate needed funds, failing to start the fund or borrowing from the sinking funds for other reasons. A major advantage of a sinking fund is the potential availability of cash to meet such triggering events as retirement or asset division in the case of a divorce. n The most frequently used option is some form of life insurance to fund the buy-sell agreement. If the life insurance has cash value, that value may be used to deal with such triggering events as disability, divorce or retirement of the insured person. Even better, the amount of the insurance itself is immediately available in the event of death of the insured to buy out their business interest or

shares and keep their heirs out of the business.

The most common types of life insurance for funding a buy-sell agreement are traditional permanent life insurance (usually whole or variable); first-, second- or last-to-die life insurance; and term life insurance. n Permanent life insurance is just that. As long as premiums are paid on-time and in full, the policy performs as predicted and the insurance should be around as long as needed. In addition, the policy builds a cash value — subject to interest rates and underlying investment performance — that can be accessed by the policy owner in the form of a loan and used to fund obligations in case of retirement, divorce, disability or other triggering events.

There are three main types of permanent life insurance: whole, universal or adjustable and variable.

Whole life offers a guaranteed rate of return so the cash value at a given point in time is certain, as is the death benefit.

Universal and adjustable life insurance offer both an interest rate guarantee and option to let the interest rate on the cash value float. This float can increase the cash value and/or death benefit, but could also reduce policy values or require additional premiums in a falling or low interest rate environment.

With variable life insurance, the cash value is invested in equities (rather than interest-bearing options). While there’s significant upside in terms of cash value, there’s a major downside if equities fail to perform over the midto long-term. If the intent is to tap the policy value to fund (non-death) triggering events, this option offers the greatest potential return if the risks are acceptable. n First-, second-, or last-to-die life insurance policies might allow your business to insure multiple lives with fewer life insurance policies. If you have four owners and purchase life insurance policies on each of them, you’ll

need either 12 policies (each person owns three policies) for a cross-purchase agreement or four policies (the business owns four policies — one for each person) for an entity/stock redemption agreement.

First-to-die policies insure two or more people on one policy, paying a benefit when the first person dies. This can provide an important cash influx at a time the business needs it the most and keep heirs out of the business by paying them cash. Second- and last-to-die policies pay when the last insured dies. If family members are the business owners, this type of insurance can work since the benefit is probably needed mainly for estate purposes. n Term life insurance is a relatively inexpensive way to insure multiple people, as in a cross-purchase agreement. There are two main disadvantages: The term might not be long enough, and the cost of policies for older or less healthy owners is high and unfair to younger or healthier owners who have to pay for those policies.

I’ll provide additional information about each type of life insurance in future columns.

Disclaimer: This column does not offer financial, legal, tax or other advice. Policy performance and needs may vary greatly from the preceding. Policies offered by insurance companies are often combinations of several policy types, so the pros and cons could vary. Consult professional advisors before making any financial, legal, insurance, tax or other decisions or purchases.

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

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Page 20

The Business Times

March 11-24, 2021

How to respond to unemployment insurance fraud The coronavirus pandemic has presented numerous challenges for business owners and irreversibly changed the workplace. Unfortunately, every crisis brings with it people who see misfortune as an opportunity to profit.

Over the past year, many employers and their employees have been victims of fraudulent unemployment insurance (UI) claims or know a colleague who’s a victim.

UI fraud respects neither rank nor position. One member of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE), which includes the Division of Unemployment Insurance, was a victim. Several Employers Council Dean employees also were victims of UI Harris fraud, including yours truly.

What’s the scope of UI fraud, how do you know if you or your employees have been victimized and what steps should employers take to address fraud?

First, this is not only a Colorado issue. Fraud has been reported in every state. By October, the U.S. Postal Service had opened investigations in 40 states for misuse of the mails to commit UI fraud. While the sources of information used to commit UI fraud aren’t known, the CDLE believes Colorado frauds are largely the result of a massive Experian data breach. In addition, Equifax reported a data breach in 2017 that affected up to 174.9 million consumers worldwide.

Colorado had six UI fraud investigators before 2020.

The CDLE investigated only 86 instances of fraud in 2019.

From 2020 to the present, the CDLE has flagged more than 1 million applications for unemployment benefits as potentially fraudulent, more than six times the 150,000 persons validly receiving UI benefits in Colorado at the end of January 2021.

From 2020 to the present, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment has flagged more than 1 million applications for unemployment benefits as potentially fraudulent.

Second, victims could experience a variety of fraud schemes. Some victims have received a Reliacard — a U.S. Bank Visa debit card used to access UI benefits — in someone else’s name. Victims also could receive unexpected correspondence from the CDLE Division of Unemployment Insurance. Letters might be addressed to the victim or another name at the victim’s address. Some victims have reported unauthorized withdrawals from their bank accounts. Some victims might not know they’re the subject of UI fraud until they receive a Form 1099-G reporting unemployment insurance income they didn’t receive. Finally, some victims might discover fraud only when they discover a 2020 tax return was filed in their name by someone else.

How should employers and employees respond to suspected fraud? Here are seven suggestions: n Do NOT respond to telephone calls or emails purporting to be from the CDLE ordering repayment and directing victims to send wires, gift cards or checks. The CDLE corresponds by mail. n Employers should check each request for job separation information it receives to make sure it’s valid.

Don’t delay in opening correspondence from the CDLE so you and the agency can investigate suspected fraud as soon as possible.

n Because the Division of Unemployment Insurance is processing thousands of claims right now, the division recommends continuing to respond to requests for job separation even for claims that could be fraudulent — when the employer questions the amount of wages reported by the division or potential benefits for which the employer could be liable. Reporting a possible fraud doesn’t relieve the employer from responding to claims in a timely manner. n Employees who receive fraudulent Reliacards must notify U.S. Bank directly to cancel fraudulent debit cards. n Employees should monitor reports from the three consumer credit bureaus and put a fraud alert on their names and Social Security numbers. n Employees should monitor their bank accounts for unauthorized withdrawals. n Victims should report UI fraud at the CDLE website.

Should employers wish to do so, they may report frauds on behalf of their employees. The online reporting tool has a drop-down menu to indicate who’s filing the report.

There is one faint ray of sunshine here. The CDLE has put together an excellent webpage on UI fraud at https://cdle.colorado.gov/fraud-prevention. The webpage provides information on responding to fraud claims and links to accomplish each of the tasks recommended above.

Of course, Employers Council members may call the Employers Council any time for assistance in handling UI matters, including responding to claims, UI hearings and appealing decisions.

Dean Harris is an attorney and Western Slope Area Manager 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 712-0610.

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The Business Times

March 11-24, 2021

Page 21

Preventive care can help curb COVID-19 effects As I lay here with an aching body — but a grateful heart — after my second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, I can’t help but reflect on the past year.

A virus hit the United States.

Businesses and schools closed. And a general fear of the unknown overtook our households and consumed our thoughts. How long would this last?

How virulent was this virus? How many would die? Would life ever go back to normal?

Fast forward to March 2021.

Collectively, we’ve weathered so much this past year. While we can Ashley look back to some bright spots, Thurow the staggering death toll from the pandemic overshadows all. We just flew our flags at half mast in mourning 500,000 lives lost in the past year in the United States due to COVID-19.

It’s a sobering figure that represents a 15 percent increase in the national death toll, the highest increase since 1918, when the U.S. was hit simultaneously by the Spanish Flu and World War II. The death toll from COVID-19 in the U.S. is equivalent of losing one person per minute over the course of a year — or the entire population of Atlanta.

Personally, the pandemic has inspired feelings of helplessness. How can I help? Staying home, wearing a mask and helping my neighbors somehow hasn’t felt like enough. I’ve watched with curiosity and awe at the accomplishments of Operation Warp Speed getting vaccines developed and into the market. For me, the efforts of Operation Warp Speed have shown if we rally around big problems, we can provide meaningful solutions quickly. Wouldn’t it be amazing to have that level of passion and engagement with health care.

One thing we now know to be true about COVID-19: Preexisting conditions contribute to the severity of illness. And many preexisting conditions are preventable It’s estimated almost two-thirds of hospitalizations for COVID-19 were due to obesity, diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. We know good preventive care — seeing your doctor annually, doing routine blood work and incorporating healthy foods and regular physical activity into your lifestyle — helps in avoiding preexisting conditions.

Preventive care is our passion here at Monument Health, and my dream would be for all Americans to share this passion with the common goal of improving health outcomes while reducing costs. We work with local employers, doctors and health insurance companies to better coordinate patient care across a system that is, in many ways, fundamentally broken and expensive.

On the topic of cost reduction in health care, it’s hard to fathom how much COVID-19 has cost businesses. Hundreds of thousands of small businesses have closed forever. Others have sent employees home and spent millions on new technology — Zoom Video Communications stock surged 382 percent this year. Such new labor laws such as the Families First Coronavirus Response Act requires paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave. Employees have been out because of illness, quarantine or caring for children out of school.

Employers are absolutely critical to our health care system, and there are many reasons employers should engage in preventive care work. There are the obvious incentives to keep employees healthy to promote attendance, reduce costs associated with disability and workers’ compensation and avoid spreading diseases within the workplace.

Could employers play a greater role and should they?

Bringing this back within the context of COVID-19, the answer is a resounding yes. Employers have an important role to play in work force health. Imagine if more employers invested in preventive care and wellness for their employees as well as their spouses and dependents covered by the same employer-sponsored health plan.

Monument Health engages with many Grand Valley employers to facilitate such activity — with great results.

Employees and dependents covered by Monument Health enjoy guaranteed access to primary care, followup calls after a trip to the emergency room or hospital to ensure they’re getting back into their primary care homes, biometric screenings for risk factors for chronic diseases and ongoing support in managing chronic illnesses.

A continued focus and commitment to these types of wellness activities will not only lead to cost savings on health insurance premiums, but also help prevent the severity of COVID-19 by staving off chronic illnesses and conditions that exacerbate COVID-19 in the first place.

When we prioritize efforts to live healthier lives, we see immediate, positive effects for business owners, employees, individuals and communities.

Monument Health is committed to doing just that because preventive care is our passion.

Ashley Thurow is executive director of Monument Health, a clinically integrated network based in Grand Junction.

She’s passionate about improving health care through collaboration and industry disruption and brings to her duties more a decade of experience in value-based care models. A certified public accountant, Thurow holds business degrees from the University of Arizona and George Washington University. Contact her by email at Ashley.Thurow@monumenthealth.net.

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With precautions, we can spring forward Spring. Longer days, warmer weather and a fresh start. Often, the word spring also is paired with break, travel or events.

With the presence of COVID-19 in our community for more than a year, we know the virus changes the way seasonal events look. In 2021, change and adapting is the name of the game, By now, we’re masters of finding new ways to operate and celebrate.

Just as spring was about to begin last year, a stay-at-home order was announced in Colorado. Students in Mesa County School District 51 didn’t return to classrooms after spring break.

Many people had to adapt to working in new ways. Offices transitioned to remote work, resulting in the postponement of annual conferences. Virtual options were implemented with success. A new way of doing business emerged. Video conferencing Amanda and the phrase “you need to unmute” became Mayle catchphrases in exchanges.

As another spring returns, we’ve made major strides in controlling the coronavirus pandemic. Illness levels are reduced from peaks in November and December. A mass vaccination site is administering on average 1,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine a day. Other clinics across our community offer shots in arms, too.

The more COVID-19 vaccine doses our community receives, the closer we are to a return to the Western Colorado we all know and love — including spring events.

Mesa County Public Health has been working with local businesses as well as agencies and institutions in offering best practices and guidance for our community and economy to reopen.

Baseball is back. The announcement the Junior College World Series will return to Suplizio Field constitutes welcome news for our community and economy.

There are other reasons to look forward to spring. In Western

If we continue to wear our masks, remain socially distanced and wash our hands as well as protect each other through vaccination, the summer looks to be filled with more traditional fun. If we continue to work as one community, we can have a summer to remember — one we all long to enjoy.

Colorado, we’re able to get outdoors and enjoy a diverse offering of activities and amenities.

Mesa County Public Health recommends you stay close to home and far apart from those who aren’t in your immediate household. To best protect yourself and those around you, traveling and gathering in large groups in close proximity indoors is still not advised.

We need each member of our community to remain dedicated to getting rid of COVID-19. If we continue to wear our masks, remain socially distanced and wash our hands as well as protect each other through vaccination, the summer looks to be filled with more traditional fun.

If we continue to work as one community, we can have a summer to remember — one we all long to enjoy.

Amanda Mayle is communication and marketing manager for Mesa County Public Health. Connect with the health department through social media on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ MesaCountyPublicHealth and Twitter @WeAreHealthyMC. For information about COVID-19, visit https://health.mesacounty.us/ covid19/vaccine/.

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What’s needed?

What isn’t? n purestSend treasure afford online is spotless reputation.”

Let“The us know. us anmortal e-mail.times Comment on the Business Times Web The at line from “Richard II” asserts the maintaining a good letter to site www.thebusinesstimes.com.

Youimportance could evenof write an old-fashioned reputation, a time when customers can and so quickly sully one onand social the editor ifespecially you’d like.atYour feedback, both positive negative, is valued media. will be carefully considered. n “Brevity is the soul of wit.” in “Hamlet,” less really is Good publications are the resultAsofPolonius not only asserts the efforts of their staffs, but also more. That’s true of running meeting, giving a speech or writing a newspaper collaborative efforts involvinga advertisers and readers. column. said.

LikeEnough any other good business, we want to listen to our customers, find out what they need and then meet those needs.

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

THE BUSINESS TIMES

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

Publisher/Owner: Craig R. Hall

Editor: Phil Castle

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

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

Copyright © 2015 — AllCopyright rights reserved. © 2021 — All rights reserved.

Oh, you’ve never heardwhen about the Grand It’s that time of year Valley Task Force?

Well, please allow me to resolutions and prognostications abound. give you a couple of biased My favorite saying appliedopinions to Newabout Year’sit.

I’ll start withisitsinown fromthey’re Facebook: resolutions saying basically a “Our mission: to break the first week bunch of promises Finding justAnd and while I won’t predict a of January. equitable for much accurately whole lot,solutions I can pretty all shining a light nailbya few things that without question on explicit willimplicit, make the news. You will see these are and systemic bias in pretty, well, predictable: our community.”

■ Prediction one: Now There willtobemany, somethis pablum will sound sort of weather event, like some folks or getting natural disaster together to do good heinous occurrence Craig Hall in our community. where someone will Then again, many be interviewed and say would also be the same folks who believe the following: “I’ve everyone white is a systemic racist. never seenwho’s anything So likelet’s thatbegin in mywith that word.

Systemic is possibly lifetime.”

It’s as if this the most Hall devastating word to come Craig out of what person is a required should beata every movement attendee newsto eliminate racism to the greatest degree possible.

I say greatest reporting event.

While I understand most degree for one reason: will people’spossible perspective can indeedThere be limited always be racism.within, Especially we label by, or contained theirifown personal everyone a racist the word systemic. experiences, it isusing too much to ask to Butsome what historical systemic also does is give consult perspective before this tasksuch forcea the ability do the most can saying thing?

Yes,tothis response dangerous thing: find bias and apply to some events.

Butanywhere when it comes everywhere it chooses on itsI’m biased to weather and naturalbased disasters, pretty definitions what bias is. Because bias, sure this isof simply history repeating itself. like it or is afor naturally humanof Same as not, it has millionsexisting and millions condition.

I would arguethe the planet know-it-alls years. More important, made on it! this task forcewere rely certain on that.species.

After all,How’s what What didn’t good is aperspective? task force to rid the world of its that for self-determined, perceived evilsto if ait ■ Predictionbiased, two: When it comes turned outsomething the world that just occurs isn’t allbetween that evil? crime or Howthe about implicit andattendee explicitatbias humans, other required all that’s drawn theevents attention of person the select news reporting is the who do-gooders you ask? two more says this: “They we’reThey’re just thejust nicest gadgets in the toolbox people, and in all-seeing, no way didbiased, I see something of task force. So even though likethe this coming.”

Exactly.

No oneyou does don’t explicitly “tasktoforcemost of the timeshow whenyour it comes determined, unfair bias” the group can neighbors and acquaintances.

People should claim you’reatimplicitly hiding yourtime biasto be surprised what goes on from — which is only apparent to towns them. Joseph time in their neighborhoods, and McCarthy embarrassed in his people grave. are with peopleisthey know because even biasthey is naturally good.Worse, And for thethough times that shouldn’t occurring every on the planet, the be shockedin— likehuman with politicians, repeat task force and — and only the forcethe — can offenders terrorists —task where’s call out your or you as a person interview thatbusiness says, “This doesn’t surprise (I if it will have the same marketing mewonder in the least.” campaign with thethree: local “daily” likegood the ■ Prediction Something 5-star program to promote just will happen economically, and which the businesses care about and governmentand willpeople take credit for it.others The most which recent don’t), exampletellis you gas what’s prices, wrong where based peoplein the of president how you’re ask group’s me whybiased I won’topinions credit the for living and then tell howisyou must fix it low gas prices.

My you answer simple: to be acceptednever by the enlightened Government makes the pricefew of in our society.

Because onlyand thesimply select few something go down takeshave credit the abilitynews. to know everyone should for good Gashow pricing is subject to think act.factors.

And as Now bad asthere this are is, it’s not many and global the worst partanswers of the task force. government to addressing some of the worst is this basically a themNo, to keep pricespart stable forisAmericans, government-sanctioned And in if any but our government has program. none of them entity planet hasitproven can’tinhelp place. on Thethe only things has in itplace the

March 15-28, 11-24, 2015 2021 JANUARY

any condition while making said longhuman run always hurt consumers.

Another condition worse thanabefore fact is thatexponentially unemployment reaches certain itlevel got based involved, it’seconomy. the government.

Thethe on the And while Grand Valleymight Task Force comes withisthe government brag the number low, implied — which actually brings it’s moreconsent than likely the government did “force” intotothe name task force — of the something cause that number being low City of Grand Don’t believe me?

— and not in aJunction. good way.

Conversely, when Here’s thepicks answer the email sent business up, from it’s because theI people asking howtothey to be (and who who need buycame widgets who were notthey are — let’s just say I’m not but buying widgets because theimpressed, economy was rather alarmed, the names I saw): contracting duewith to natural (or unnatural, “The group was reasons, spearheaded initially government caused) decided we by a group of people, which better buy some widgets.

Theincluded government representatives from thethis.

City of Grand had nothing to do with Junction (City Council, Grand Junction ■ Prediction four: In keeping with Police anddoes, high-level citythe things Department, the government I predict staff), Black will citizens and friends, MC2 to government manipulate the numbers 4Justice, community make thechurches claim theand economy is getting members, among others.

Those membersto better because of how hard it is working met to discuss a vision forNow the helpinformally all of us “working Americans.” group and bring in a diverse group say of people you might say, “Craig, you always this from and groups throughout the aboutinstitutions President Obama because you don’t community to then establish the structure, like him.” You’re right in a sense.

I don’t mission focus the task force, which know theand man, butofwhat I know of him and took place over a matter months.” his thinking, I don’t like of it or him one iota.

Sound likeoff, a gang withI“just Before you go however, didn’tand like equitable solutions” in bailouts, spite of its President Bush and his stimulus “high-level” (bias much?) and his abandoning the freemembers? market to save They’ve been meeting overhim a year the free market.

And I don’tfor know creating this enemies list, er, mission.

If Ithe either. What the government does, and wasn’t on the list,do, I amisnow. curious and only thing it can hurt Get the economy. look forityourself into theorgroups and people Unless does nothing put criminals in associated the task force. notnothing saying jail insteadwith of partnering withI’m them, their biases are good bad.help.

I would gather the government doesorwill Always look most of their idealsthe aregovernment the same assays at it this way,initial whatever yours and mine.

But beyond theof precursory it is doing, whatever the name the law it look, do their match Folks, is passing, or biases whatever theyours? name or goal of today, there’s a group in Grand Junction the bureaucracy it is presenting to the that’s going say, “Your thinking is wrong,” based people,toexpect the polar opposite to occur. on their biaseswhat — which shouldisbethat scaring I guess I’m saying the hell out every perhaps it’softime to one get of outus.of our own I don’t know what it’s of likehistory to wake perspective.

There’s plenty up eachand dayhistorical and see “bad” bias books research out(orthere to racism, or insert begin tosexism understand that your all of“ism” this has here) everywhere.

Nor itdowill I want to. But happened before. And again, Iwhether see thisthe clearly theormeaning topicbecause is people government. of bias gone from “an inclination of Thehas best recommendation is to find temperament outlook” to “prejudice some books orortry that whole Google in favor or against thing, person thing.

There’s a lotone of information onorthe group compared with Great Depression.

Theanother, truth is usually it wasn’t considered be unfair” “bias is a got even a goodtoone until thetogovernment disproportionate in favor of or involved. There’sweight also plenty of research against an idea orwarm thing,period usually in a the way on the medieval when that is close-minded, prejudicial or unfair. planet was much warmer than today with Biases innate or learned.” a wholecan lotbe less people (and warmer well Innate learned, before manor was here atpick all).your Andpoison. yep, The Grand Task Force find people haveValley been killing othercan surprised “systemic, innate bias” eachwritten. one of us. people since history wasinfirst And Maybe too many folks will bewill okey-dokey some research help stop with the Otherwise, light shineswe’ll on them. all ofthat. theseUntil trends. be Mywe’ve bias says this group saying neverdisband seen anything like it in forthwith. our lives. And not in a good way.

Craig Craig Hall Hall isis owner ownerand andpublisher publisherofofthe the Business Business Times.

Times. Reach Reach him him at at 424-5133 424-5133or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com. or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com.

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March 11-24, 2021

The Business Times

Energy industry latest crony capitalism loser Between 2016 and 2019, the United States economy rebounded with a surge of new manufacturing and the growth of small businesses. The unemployment rate dropped. Onerous government regulations were reduced, encouraging businesses to expand and hire more employees. The U.S. became energy independent for the first time, leading to lower fuel prices benefiting business and citizens.

Then in 2020, the coronavirus pandemic and related restrictions dealt a terrific blow to the economy and freedom of citizens to conduct business.

But even as vaccinations have reduced the virus Phyllis risk, the free market Hunsinger has been attacked again. This time by government overreach. By canceling the permit for the Keystone XL oil pipeline and implementing a moratorium on new oil and gas leasing on federal lands, the government is regulating the energy sector out of business.

Add proposed mandates for higher minimum wages and measures facilitating illegal immigration, and a tsunami of regulations threatens to inundate the free market.

A free market is associated with capitalism, which is defined as a system of economics in which capital is invested by individuals to further ideas and enterprises investors believe will offer a return on money invested. Business owners and investors face risks. But if the enterprise succeeds, owners and investors win.

There’s also an insidious form of capitalism that has nothing to do with free markets: crony capitalism. Crony capitalism describes an economy in which success in business depends on close relationships among business people and government officials. Permits, grants, tax breaks and policies favor one industry over another.

Crony capitalism marries private interests with government. The playing field for

business becomes unlevel when government inserts itself into the mix. Crony capitalism uses government power through regulated interests to squelch competition.

The government acquires money in two ways: prints it or confiscates it from citizens through taxes. When government is intertwined with business, the money for such activities comes directly from taxpayers.

The government faces no risk nor is under any urgency to make the business succeed.

Any business in a partnership with some government entity is not playing by the same economic rules as a private business alone.

A private business is held accountable for decisions. There’s no accountability when the government is involved.

The government can pick winners and losers based on policies enacted. Favoring wind and solar over fossil fuels and nuclear energy is one of the most egregious examples of crony capitalism in 2021.

In contrast, a free market economy allows competition to develop the most reliable, economical and environmentally friendly forms of energy. The ingenuity, adaptation and use of technology can make viable all forms of energy, provided the government doesn’t eliminate one form over another.

Historically, the purpose of development was to improve the human environment.

Our quality of life today is a result of the discoveries, developments and use of our natural resources. These discoveries can be attributed to a free market economy unfettered by government interference.

Phyllis Hunsinger is founder of the Freedom & Responsibility Education Enterprise Foundation in Grand Junction.

The foundation provides resources to students and teachers in Western Colorado to promote the understanding of economics, financial literacy and free enterprise. For more information, visit www.free-dom.us.com. A former teacher, principal and superintendent, Hunsinger wrote “Down and Dirty: A ‘How To’ Math Book” Contact Hunsinger by email at phyllis@free-dom.us.com.

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Check out proposed changes in Patterson Road traffic plan

To the editor: The City of Grand Junction is in the process of planning for future transportation flow along Patterson Road. Ninety percent of this plan is good and well thought out. However, there appears to be a lack of public knowledge of this plan.

A good majority of the plan will create medians, Letter to preventing either all left-hand turns off Patterson or left the editor hand-turns onto Patterson. Many access points will become right in and right out only.

Additionally, the few remaining larger parcels that could be developed will be expected to provide connections to other roads to reduce congestion at access points to Patterson. These other connections could become onerous and financially cumbersome to potential development.

In order to provide new residential developments, costs to build a minor collector type of street will ultimately be passed onto the purchasers of the new homes. As they should be. My concern is more of how to keep the costs low enough that the average wage earner in Grand Junction can still afford to purchase a home.

According to this plan, there will not be any changes made unless one of three things happen: n Number of accidents increase at or because of an access point. n Development of a property adjacent to Patterson Road. n Change of use of the property.

Let’s look at where the accidents happen to see where there might honestly be changes made.

At the time the report was written, the largest majority of accidents occurred between intersections in the area of 24 1/2 Road to 25 Road However, the significant accidents with severe loss are already at signalized lights. (See pages 16-18 of the study at https://gjspeaks.org/issues/101) Which causes me to ask: Is this plan the correct response to avoid the most future accidents? Increasing traffic at signalized intersections might not have the desired effect.

Due to the fact that property owners within the 1,000-foot buffer were notified, I personally am concerned that many commercial tenants along Patterson Road might not have been notified. Residents that live along Patterson Road, yet fall outside the notification area, need to know how this plan will affect them.

I highly encourage you to read the access control study at https://gjspeaks.org/ issues/101. Then, make a comment on it to the city planning commission and city council.

Virgina Brown Grand Junction F

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

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Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac

n WEST STAR AVIATION AUTHORIZED TO INSTALL ELECTRONICS UPGRADES ON CHALLENGERS

West Star Aviation is authorized to install Pro Line Fusion systems in Challenger 604 aircraft. The electronics upgrade is available at the company’s full-service facilities in Grand Junction as well as those in Illinois, Missouri and Tennessee.

The Pro Line system is designed to keep Challenger 604 aircraft in compliance with domestic and international mandates, said Walt Marcy, avionics technical sales manager Walt Marcy at West Star Aviation in Grand Junction.

“We look forward to providing our Challenger 604 customers the very highest aircraft value with the most comprehensive avionics upgrade available,” Marcy said. “This upgrade and its options truly puts the 604 fully back into international conformity, where it was designed to be.”

West Star Aviation provides a range of maintenance, repair and overhaul services at its facilities in Grand Junction, Aspen and Denver as well as in Arizona, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas. The company has ranked for seven consecutive years as the top MRO services provider in a survey conducted for Professional Pilot magazine. For more information, call (800) 922-2421 or visit www.weststaraviation.com. n VETERINARY PRACTICES JOIN IN EFFORT TO OFFER SPAY AND NEUTER DISCOUNTS

Grand Valley veterinary practices have joined with Mesa County Animal Services to offer spay or neuter procedures at a reduced price.

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

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

Participating veterinarians have been issued a limited number of vouchers for the program. Vouchers are offered at the discretion of the veterinarians and are valid through Sept. 30.

Pet owners are required to provide proof of rabies vaccinations to use the vouchers. Pet owners also could be asked to support they have financial needs or communicate why they face unique circumstances.

The Business Times

March 11-24, 2021

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NOTEWORTHY

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

The Home Builders Association of Western Colorado has scheduled its spring show at a new location and with more exhibitors.

The Western Colorado Home & Garden Expo is set for May 1 and 2 at the Mesa County Fairgrounds, 2785 U.S. Highway 50 in Grand Junction.

“We decided it was time to expand our spring show to add more exhibitors, demonstrations, include more outdoor exhibit spaces, a new location and a slightly different time of year,” said Randy Whetzell, president of the HBA of Western Colorado. “More than ever, we need to connect our community with local businesses, and the expo will be a great opportunity for that.”

Moving the show to the fairgrounds will accommodate more exhibitors that focus on outdoor lifestyle, Whetzell said.

“We will have a bigger focus than ever on landscapers, patio elements, hot tubs and more.”

Exhibitors also will showcase inside spaces, though, from flooring to complete renovations, he said.

Information about tickets and vendors soon will be available from the HBA of Western Colorado Facebook page. Businesses interested in exhibiting at the show should email office@hbawesternco.com.

n PROSTAR LAUNCHES DEALER PROGRAM FOR POINTMAN MOBILE MAPPING SOFTWARE ProStar has launched a dealer program to market and sell its PointMan mobile mapping software.

“Our goal of the PointMan dealer program is to create a powerful consortium between ProStar, the equipment manufacturers and their dealer networks around the world,” said Page Tucker, founder and chief executive officer of ProStar based in Grand Junction.

The launch follows what Tucker said was Page Tucker a successful pilot program with United States dealers of Trimble equipment. The California-based company supplies positioning software and equipment. Trimble technology integrates with the PointMan application running on smartphones and tablets using Trimble Global Navigation Satellite System receivers.

ProStar provides mobile and cloud precision mapping solutions designed to locate, map and manage underground utilities and pipelines. For more information, visit www.prostarcorp.com. n GRAND VALLEY TRANSIT LAUNCHES BUS TRACKING MOBILE APPLICATION Grand Valley Transit has launched a mobile application designed to help riders track buses on their smartphones or through the GVT website.

The RouteShout 2.0 app can be downloaded to iPhone and Android devices at no cost from the Apple Sore or Google Play.

Riders can use the app to see how far buses are from bus stops.

They also can locate the closest bus stops as well as view notification about route changes, weather conditions or emergencies that affect service. For more information, visit https://gvt.mesacounty.us.

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March 11-24, 2021

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BusinessBriefs Briefs Business BusinessPeople People Almanac Business Almanac The Business Times

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

Dustin Wells

Jennifer Landini

Paul Burdett

n FAMILY HEALTH WEST ANNOUNCES BOARD OFFICERS AND MEMBERS Dustin Wells, Jennifer Landini and Paul Burdett have been elected officers of the Family Health West Board of Trustees. Ken Palmer and Jerry Hamilton return to the board.

Wells was elected board chairman.

He serves as president of the Grand Valley Bank branch in Fruita. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Colorado Mesa Ken Palmer University in Grand Junction.

A fourth-generation native of Fruita, Wells said Family Health West has cared for his family for decades.

“We are truly lucky to have such a broad spectrum of health care facilities all right here in Fruita,” he said. “I look forward to ensuring it remains an integral part of our community for generations to come.”

Landini was elected vice chair Jerry Hamilton of the board. She serves as regional president for the Bank of the San Juans, overseeing branches in the Grand Valley as well as Craig, Oak Creek, Meeker, Rangely and Steamboat Springs.

Landini said her husband’s grandfather helped haul bricks to build the original hospital back in the 1940s. “I am so honored and grateful to be part of the Family Health West organization and its long-standing roots,” she said Burdgett was elected treasurer. He serves as vice president of operations of Mays Concrete. He holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental geology from CMU and a master’s degree in engineering management from the University of Colorado.

Burdgett said his grandfather’s construction company came from Arizona to build the original Family Health West nursing home. “Family Health West has always been a part of my life,” he said.

Palmer, a certified public accountant, owns Palmer, Brady & Co. as well as Quantum Business Valuations and Keystone Cost Segregations.

Hamilton has worked for Home Loan Insurance and Home Loan State Bank since 1998.

Family Health West operates the Colorado Canyons Hospital and Medical Center in Fruita as well as provides a range of health care services through other practices and facilities. For more information, call 858-3900 or visit www.fhw.org.

n WESTERN COLORADO SISTERS AMONG COLORADO AG INDUSTRY HONOREES Janie VanWinkle, a Fruita rancher who serves as president of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, is among the latest honorees in an annual awards program recognizing leaders in the Colorado agriculture industry.

VanWinkle is one of two Trailblazer Award winners in the 2021 Who’s Who in Agriculture program conducted by the Denver Business Janie VanWinkle Journal and Colorado Farm Bureau.

Her sister, Callie Hendrickson, executive director of the White River and Douglas Creek conservation districts in Rio Blanco County, also received a Trailblazer Award.

VanWinkle, Hendrickson and the other winners will be honored during a virtual event scheduled for March 18.

VanWinkle and her family operate a cow-calf operation that supplies beef Callie Hendrickson to feedlots. She also serves on the boards of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce and Grand Valley Power.

Hendrickson has served as director of the conservation districts based in Meeker since 2010. She also serves on the Colorado Farm Bureau Board of Directors. n GRAND VALLEY FARMER REAPPOINTED TO WATER QUALITY CONTROL COMMISSION Troy Waters of Fruita has been reappointed to the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis reappointed Waters to the commission for a three-year term.

Waters owns and operates a row crop farm outside of Fruita.

He brings to his duties on the commission more than 35 years of farming experience as well as his work with salinity projects on his farm. He taught agricultural machinery classes at Western Colorado Community College in Grand Junction. He served 15 years on the Fruita Consumers Cooperative board. He’s a member of the Grand Valley Water Users Association and serves on the Mesa County Agricultural Advisory Panel.

The Water Quality Control Commission develops water quality policies and adopts water quality classifications, standards and regulations for surface and groundwaters in the state.

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March 11-24, 2021

March 11 n Grand Junction Master Networks referrals group Zoom meeting, 9 a.m. March 11 and 18.

New members welcome, but just one per profession.

216-7723 n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Welcome Thursday Friends networking lunch, noon, Strayhorn Grill, 456 Kokopelli Drive, 858-3894 or https://fruitachamber.org n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce business after hours, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Adobe Creek Golf Course, 876 18 1/2 Road. Admission $5 for chamber members, $10- for others. Reservations required. 858-3894 or https://fruitachamber.org March 16 n Networking at Noon free gathering for members of the Fruita and Palisade chambers of commerce, noon March 16 and 23, KAFM Radio Room, 1310 Ute Ave., Grand Junction. Email reservations required. membership@fruitachamber.org March 17 n Western Colorado Human Resource Association lunch presentation on re-energizing organizations, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Warehouse 2565, 2565 American Way, Grand Junction. Virtual presentation also available. WCHRA members attend at no additional charge, guests pay $10 and students pay $5. Registration required. www.wchra.org n Palisade Chamber of Commerce business after hours, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Nana’s Fruit & Jam Shack, 237 S. Main St. Admission $6. Registration required. https://palisadecoc.com or 464-7458 March 18 n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Welcome Thursday Friends networking lunch, noon, Fiesta Guadalajara, 103 U.S. Highway 50.

858-3894 or https://fruitachamber.org n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Women in Business, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Rocky Mountain Gun Club, 545 31 Road, Grand Junction. Admission $22.

Reservations required. https://fruitachamber.org or 858-3894 March 23 n Business startup workshop, 9 to 11:30 a.m., Business Incubator Center, 2591 Legacy Way, Grand Junction. Admission $55 243-5242 or https://gjincubator.org Upcoming n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Women in Business networking luncheon, noon March 25, JXN Station coworking space, 571 25 Road, Grand Junction. Participants should bring a soup, salad of side dish to share. Reservations required.

858-3894 or https://fruitachamber.org n Young Professionals Network of Mesa County lunch conversation with Mesa County Coroner Victory Yahn, noon to 1 p.m. March 31, Mesa County Coroner Building, 831 Noland Ave., Grand Junction. Reservations required. www.ypnmc.org F

March 11-24, 2021

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March 11-24, 2021