n Economic update
A Colorado Mesa University professor offered an update on a variety of local indicators during an economic summit.
4
n Cyber warfare
A cybersecurity executive reviewed an escalating war that threatens businesses as well as crucial infrastructure.
5
n Awarding efforts
n After 20 years, having fun remains serious business at Grand Junction park.
See page 2
6
The Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce bestowed awards to businesses, individuals and volunteers at its annual banquet.
n Taxing matters
County sales tax collections, one measure of retail activity, continued to trend upward on a year-over-year basis.
n Labor gains
Following two months of increases, the Mesa County jobless rate has retreated with an uptick in seasonal hiring.
n Past and future
A conference will provide participants an opportunity to review compliance with labor laws as well as look ahead.
n Laboring to help
Heather Nara has worked with businesses in a variety of roles over her career, nurturing relationships and helping firms and their employees succeed. She brings those experiences to her latest role as director of the Mesa County Workforce Center. 2
Chris Burns counts the ways the fun park he opened in Grand Junction has affected his customers and the community over the past 20 years.
There are the thousands of birthday parties that have been celebrated there. The thousands of high school and college students he’s hired, for many of them their first experiences with employment. And the millions of dollars he’s invested in expanding and renovating the park — spending money, Burns says, to make money.
Then there’s this statistic: 54 raccoons captured, relocated and released during one record-breaking summer.
Burns says it’s taken a lot of work to turn what he always believed was a great concept into a successful operation. Fun, as it turns out, constitutes a serious business. But the effort has been rewarding, he says. And made all the more special by the upcoming 20th anniversary of the opening of Bananas Fun Park. “I’m proud of it. I’m proud of what we accomplished.”
A celebration is scheduled for April 29 to May 5 at the park and will offer a week of specials and giveaways, including t-shirts, drinks and birthday cake. Moreover, the park will feature a number of upgrades, including a renovated bumper boat bay, laser tag arena and 19th hole on the mini golf course. The Coconut Cove water attraction is set to reopen for the season in mid-May.
Bananas Fun Park opened May 4, 2004, the entrepreneurial evolution of what started out for Burns as a part-time venture renting inflatable play structures for parties and other events.
He purchased a 6-acre site along what’s now the Riverside Parkway and constructed an 18-hole miniature golf course, bumper boat lagoon, go kart track and batting cages. A central building also was constructed to house an arcade, cafe and offices.
Burns has always believed, though, in the axiom if he built it, customers would come.
See BANANAS page 18
Chris Burns oversees Bananas, the fun park he opened in Grand Junction in 2004. Burns has continually expanded and upgraded the operation over the years — spending money on new attractions and renovations he says makes money from his entertained customers.
Heather Nara has been hired as director of the Mesa County Workforce Center in Grand Junction. Nara brings to her new duties nearly 18 years of experience in various positions with the Mesa County Public Health Department.
(Business Times photo by Phil Castle)
Heather Nara has worked with businesses in a variety of roles over her career.
Nara started out as a health inspector and then became a supervisor of inspection programs. She subsequently managed early childhood services programs. Whether working with restaurants or day care centers, she said her priority was to nurture relationships and help businesses and their employees succeed.
Nara said she brings those experiences and priorities to her latest role in working with businesses — as director of the Mesa County Workforce Center in Grand Junction. “I’m very excited to continue this work.”
Nara oversees what she considers a one-stop of sorts that offers a range
of services to businesses looking for employees as well as people looking for employment. That also includes connecting people with other programs and resources to help them overcome whatever barriers they face.
The goal, she said, is to help individuals and families achieve not only meaningful employment, but also safety and stability. “We can help people in all those areas.”
Nara joined the Mesa County Workforce Center after working for nearly 18 years with Mesa County Public Health.
She worked more than 13 years with the environmental health program as a health inspector and then supervisor of inspection programs. She worked another four years as manager of early childhood services programs. She holds a degree in environmental science from the University of Denver.
Phil Castle The Business Times
Population growth and higher living standards bode well, but housing costs pose challengesPhil Castle The Business Times
A growing population and higher standards of living bode well for Mesa County. But rising housing prices pose challenges, according to a professor who tracks economic indicators in western Colorado.
Nathan Perry, an associate professor of economics at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, shared his latest information during a breakfast keynote presentation at the Western Colorado Economic Summit.
The Mesa County population is projected to continue to grow in the coming decades, Perry said, from what was nearly 156,000 in 2020 to 174,827 in 2030 and nearly 200,000 in 2040.
Migration from the Front Range of Colorado and other areas of the United States is expected to drive that growth, he said. Mesa County has become a popular place for retirees, whose steady incomes stabilize the economy.
Meanwhile, the median household income in Mesa County continues to trend upward — to $69,000 in 2022. Poverty rates continue to decline, Perry said. “We’ve seen really big progress on standard of living.”
The Mesa County labor market remains tight, he said, but employment growth has slowed.
According to the latest estimates
from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, Mesa County payrolls decreased 763 over the past year as the number of people counted among those unsuccessfully looking for work increased 657. The seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate stood at 4.3 percent in March.
Given the regional health care hub that’s developed in Mesa County, Perry said it’s not surprising the health care sector has become the largest employer with the biggest job gains. Other top sectors include retail trades and construction.
The outlook is less encouraging for the Mesa County real estate market, he said. “It’s bad. Next slide.”
Higher interest rates on mortgages combined with higher prices have made homes less affordable, he said.
Housing inventories remain low in part because homeowners with mortgages with comparatively lower interest rates are reluctant to sell for fear they’ll have to pay higher interest rates on new mortgages.
While Mesa County home prices remain lower than those in Denver, they’re higher than in other areas of the United States, he said. That affects the number of people relocating to Mesa County.
Perry said he’s concerned that even if mortgage interest rates retreat, strong demand for homes and low inventories will push prices higher.
As for the national economy, Perry said growth has been “pretty solid.” But persistent inflation and signs of consumer weakness indicate slowing, although not to a recessionary level. “I’m not concerned about recession yet.”
A Grand Junction manufacturer and an insurance and banking executive were the latest winners of annual awards presented by the Grand Junction Economic Partnership.
SG Aerospace & Gas received the Spirit of Economic Development Award honoring a business that demonstrates a strong sense of community awareness and involvement while seeking opportunities to improve the economic vitality of Mesa County.
Jamie Hamilton, the chairman and chief executive officer of Home Loan Insurance and Home Loan State Bank, received the Joseph C. Prinster Award honoring an individual who’s made notable contributions to economic development.
GJEP presented the awards during its Western Colorado Economic Summit in Grand Junction.
SG Aerospace & Gas manufactures components for the aerospace, oil and natural gas and industrial markets. The company was awarded contracts to supply components for the Orion spacecraft under development for manned missions to deep space, including Mars.
In addition to overseeing Home Loan Insurance and Home Loan State Bank, Hamilton long has been involved in a variety of organizations. That includes GJEP and the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce. He serves as tournament chairman of the National Junior College Baseball World Series played each year in Grand Junction.
An escalating war of cyber attacks threaten not only businesses, but also critical infrastructure, according to the executive of a cybersecurity firm.
“This scenario is pretty bad,” said Kurtis Minder, the co-founder and chief executive officer of GroupSense.
Minder delivered the keynote presentation at the Western Colorado Economic Summit in Grand Junction, detailing a war he said is waged on a worldwide level, but many people aren’t yet aware exists.
GroupSense is a leading provider of digital risk services that protect some of the largest business and government organizations. Minder has negotiated some of the largest data breach, extortion and ransomware cases worldwide. “I have a weird job,” he said. “I negotiate with the bad guys.”
Those bad guys often break into computer systems, steal data, encrypt and lock files and then hold that data for ransom, he said. Businesses of all sizes have become targets for cyber attacks.
The police are often notified, but usually can’t offer any assistance other than to suggest victims contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation or other authorities.
Minder said he he’s involved in efforts to establish a digital crime investigative unit in Colorado to help local law enforcement respond to cyber attacks.
Businesses can implement some basic and inexpensive practices — including what Minder termed cyber hygiene — to prevent cyber attacks. Business owners and managers need not be experts, he said. “You don’t have to be a doctor to learn how not to die.”
In addition to businesses, though, cyber attacks also threaten such critical infrastructure as municipal water treatment facilities and other utilities.
In 2023, Minder partnered with a local cohort that included the Grand Junction Economic Partnership and Colorado Mesa University to apply for what’s known as a tech hub designation for the Grand Junction area. While the application didn’t result in a designation, Minder said the work revealed the need to protect infrastructure through cybersecurity measures.
That includes management of the Colorado River and the water that supplies eight western states, he said. That water is currently managed manually, but could be managed more effectively with technology — if protections are put in place. Minder said he’s working with local and regional organizations to launch a program based in Grand Junction to do just that — an effort that could bring jobs and recognition to the area. “It’s a huge win for the Western Slope.”
A Grand Junction-based coalition has received a grant of up to $625,000 to improve cyber security for environmental and national security infrastructure, starting with the Colorado River.
The Resilient & Adaptive Cyber Protection of Industrial Control Devices & Systems (RAPIDS) was among three recipients of Colorado technology hub development grants announced by the business funding and incentives division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade.
The RAPIDS consortium plans to develop a series of initiatives to enable the secure and efficient management of water resources along the Colorado River that will serve as a model for river management nationwide. The effort also will include the development of college-level curriculum to support the next generation
of cybersecurity professionals and enhance the cybersecurity workforce.
John Marshall, president of Colorado Mesa University based in Grand Junction, hailed the effort. “We’re thrilled to be a part of such a diverse coalition focused on diversifying our economy and protecting our most critical infrastructure. This investment will help us continue our efforts to protect critical water resources right here in Mesa County.”
The Colorado CleanRange Coalition based in the Denver area, received a grant of up to $625,000 to support the adoption of clean energy technologies.
The Securing Space Assets Coalition in Colorado Springs received a grant of up to $750,000 to improve Colorado’s competitive edge in aerospace, defense and cybersecurity.
Community Hospital and a business offering a unique facility for other businesses were among the latest winners of annual awards presented by the Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Fruita chamber presented the awards as part of its annual banquet April 13 at the Absolute Prestige Ranch in Loma.
Community Hospital was named member business of the year for its efforts to promote physical and economic health, including the opening of a regional cancer center and child care facility. Moreover, the hospital supported local businesses — 97 percent of the $60 million in construction costs on the cancer center went to local contractors and vendors.
The Fruita Arts and Recreation Market was named new business of the year for opening a facility in downtown
Fruita that provides spaces for an eclectic mix of tenants, many of them chamber members. FARM — an acronym the reflects a facility designed to accommodate arts and recreation tenants as well as the agricultural heritage of Fruita — houses in a 13,000-square-foot space studios and retail locations.
Tim Navin, owner of the Sparks Fly Studio metal fabrication and art business, was named citizen of the year. Navin was recognized for bringing to Fruita his innovation and imagination, including the hours he donated to complete a new sign for the Fruita chamber.
Joel Kincaid, founder of the Merge2Media print and design business and former Fruita mayor, received the lifetime achievement award. Kincaid was recognized for his efforts to promote the city and economic prosperity as well as a culture of inclusivity.
Laura Smith, a vice president and treasury management sales officer with Vectra Bank Colorado in Grand Junction, was named chamber ambassador of the year. Smith was honored for her involved in ribbon cutting events and other chamber events and programs.
Western Slope Food Bank of the Rockies was named nonprofit of the year. Over the past year alone, the food bank distributed 11.6 million pounds of food — the equivalent of 9.4 millions and more than 24,000 meals a day. The food bank works with such local agricultural producers as Black Bear Orchards, Talbott’s, Triple JD Meats and VanWinkle Ranch to serve local foods across the region.
The Genova family received the volunteer of the year award. The family was recognized for its efforts to assist with events and rally support for donations. F
Janice Rich and Lois Dunn of Grand Junction were among the latest recipients of annual awards bestowed by Club 20 during its spring conference.
Rich, a Republican state senator from Grand Junction who represents the Seventh District, received the Dan Noble Award presented to elected officials for their public service to western Colorado.
State Rep. Marc Catlin, a Republican from Montrose, also received the award.
Dunn, a Grand Junction Realtor, received the Lyman Thomas Award in recognition of her service as a member of Club 20.
The other award recipients were:
n Ray Beck, a former Moffat County Commissioner and Craig mayor, received the John Vanderhoof Award.
n Merrit Linke, a Grand County commissioner, received the Preston Walker Award.
n Julie McCluskie, speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives, and Russell George, former speaker of the house, received the Johnson-Theos Bridge Builder Award.
n Ron Velarder, retired manager of the Colorado Parks and Wildlife northwest region, received the chairman’s award.
n Mary Jo Coulehan, the executive director of the Pagosa Springs Chamber of Commerce, received the director’s award.
n Bonnie Brown-Eddy, executive director of the Colorado Wool Growers Association, received the new member of the year award.
n James and Laverne Lambert, both long-time Club 20 members, received the emeritus award.
Sales tax collections, one measure of retail activity, continue to increase on a year-over-year basis in Mesa County.
The county collected nearly $3.6 million in sales taxes in March, an increase of $185,047 and 5.4 percent over the same month a year ago. March tax collections reflect February sales.
Mesa County collected more than $2 million in taxes on retail sales in March, a 5.1 percent increase over a year ago. Tax collections increased on a year-over-year basis in each of eight categories, including a $28,000 gain in collections on the sale of general merchandise.
The county collected almost $1.5 milllion in taxes on sales in other industry categories, up 5.9 percent from a year ago. Gains in the auto repair, hotel and restaurant and manufacturing categories more than offset declines in the oil and natural gas,
March 2023 March 2024
Sales taxes $3,406,968 $3,592,015 s 5.4%
Use taxes $331,861 $405,807 s 22.3%
Total $3,738,829 $3,997,823 s 6.9%
telecommunications and wholesale categories.
Through the first first of 2024, Mesa County collected nearly $11.8 million in sales taxes, a 3.1 percent increase over the first quarter of 2023.
Mesa County collected nearly $4.5 million in additional sales taxes distributed back to cities and towns in the county, including almost $2.6 million to Grand Junction, nearly $811,000 to Fruita and more than $567,000 to Palisade.
Tax collections on retail sales rose 2.8 percent to almost $7 million with the biggest year-over-year gains in the home improvement, general merchandise and clothing categories.
Tax collections for other industries rose 3.7 percent to nearly $4.8 million. The biggest year-over-year gains occurred in the hotel and restaurant, rentals and wholesale categories.
Use tax collections — nearly all of them on automobiles purchased outside the county, but used in the county — totaled $405,807 in March. That’s a 22.3 percent gain over the same month a year ago.
For the first quarter of 2024, Mesa County collected more than $1.1 million in use taxes. That’s an increase of 19.2 percent over the first quarter 2023. F
The City of Grand Junction has joined an online portal designed to simplify the collection and remittance of sales taxes for businesses.
The city joined Colorado’s Sales and Use Tax System (SUTS) online portal.
The SUTS portal enables Colorado businesses to file sales tax returns for participating home rule jurisdictions as well as the state and state-administered jurisdictions from one online portal at https://colorado.munirevs.com.
The portal also includes a geographic information system tax rate lookup tool that enables businesses to find the tax rate of any jurisdiction simply by entering an address.
Other features of the portal include: n Taxability and exemption matrix. n Ability to calculate tax rates on items with differing tax rates in the same jurisdiction.
n A record of the history of any changes.
Colorado includes 223 tax jurisdictions, 70 of them home rule self-collecting tax jurisdictions. These jurisdictions can establish their own tax bases, requiring businesses to file and remit taxes directly to the municipality or county.
For more information, log on to https://tax.colorado.gov/SUTS-info.
A monthly index tracking the economy in rural areas of Colorado and nine other states remained in negative territory for an eighth straight month.
The overall reading for the Rural Mainstreet Index rose 7.8 points. But at 45.8, the latest reading remained below growth-neutral 50.
The overall reading for Colorado rose 5.9 points and at 74.2 was the second highest among the 10 states, behind only Missouri at 75.8. Overall readings increased in each of the 10 states between March and April.
“Higher interest rates, weaker agriculture commodity prices and higher grain storage costs pushed the overall
reading below growth-neutral 50 for the eighth straight month,” said Ernie Goss, an economics professor at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., who compiles the Rural Mainstreet Index. He bases the index on the results of monthly surveys of bank executives in rural areas of the 10-state region.
In Colorado, the new hiring component of the index rose 4.2 points to 65.2 and the farm and ranch land price component rose a half point to 63.4.
Goss said year-to-date exports of agricultural goods and livestock from Colorado in 2024 were up 99.5 percent from the same period in 2023.
Across the region, a component of the index tracking confidence rose 1.5 points, but at 37.5 reflected pessimistic outlooks about economic growth over the next six months, Goss said.
A new hiring component rose 4.6 points to 56.8 as 13.6 percent of bankers reported an increase in hiring over March levels.
The home component dropped 6.9 points to 34.8 as higher interest rates on mortgages and lower inventories curbed home sales, Goss said. The retail sales component rose 1.7 points to 41.3.
The loan volume component increased 6.2 points to a record high 85.4. Readings for certificates of deposit and other saving instruments fell 1.2 points to 71.7.
The component for farming and ranching land prices edged up a half point to 56.5.
The component for farm equipment sales jumped 17.3 points, but at 47.7 remained below growth-neutral 50 for the 10th time in the last 11 months.
A grant of more than $430,000 will fund efforts to help northwest Colorado transition away from an economy based on coal-mining and coal-fired electrical generation.
The Office of Just Transition within the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment announced a grant award of $430,145 to fund the operations of the Northwest Colorado Development Council for two years. The office previously awarded the council nearly $73,000 as a partial match for a grant provided by the Colorado Department of Local Affairs.
The NWCDC is a collaborative effort formed through an intergovernmental agreement to address challenges arising from the regional transition away from coal and promote economic diversification. In addition to Moffat, Rio Blanco and Routt counties, the agreement includes the cities of Craig and Steamboat Springs as well as the towns of Hayden, Meeker, Oak Creek, Rangely and Yampa. Routt County serves as fiscal sponsor for the organization and will receive and manage the grant.
“The NWCDC has shown the power of regional collaboration around coal transition projects. We are pleased to be able to support these efforts and to reinforce the State of Colorado’s commitment to communities and workers grappling with this difficult economic transition,” said Wade Buchanan, director of the Office of Just Transition.
Tim Redmond, a Routt County commissioner who serves as chairman of the NWCDC, called the grant a game changer. “OJT’s funding allows the Northwest Colorado Development Council to continue working together as a coal-transition region to diversify the regional economy in order to create new industries and new jobs. Nearly 2,800 families in northwest Colorado could lose their livelihoods in the coal transition. With the support from Governor Polis and the Office of Just Transition, we can give hope to these families that better days are ahead of us.”
Walnart, Sam’s Club and other donors have joined with the Food Bank of the Rockies to address growing food insecurity in western Colorado.
Donors provide surplus food that in turn provides meals for those who rely on the food bank.
“We have a tremendous partnership with Walmart and Sam’s Club. They’re our biggest food rescue partner,” said Sue Ellen Rodwick, Western Slope director for Food Bank of the Rockies. “Annually, they donate over 2.5 million pounds of food for our Western Slope service area, the equivalent of 1.6 million meals that we’re able to capture and redistribute to our hunger relief partners.”
The Food Rescue Program network of donors on the
Western Slope includes more than 180 retail locations. The process works in several ways. Hunger relief partners pick up surplus food directly from retail locations. Donations from partners across the food supply chain also are either trucked to Food Bank of the Rockies distribution center or picked up by food rescue program drivers and made available for hunger relief partners to order.
Walmart and Sam’s Club are giving shoppers in Colorado and across the country the opportunity to lend support to those experiencing food insecurity through the Fight Hunger Spark Change campaign running through April 29.
Shoppers can donate at checkout, purchase select products in stores or online or donate to the campaign online through the websites located at FeedingAmerica.org/Walmart or FeedingAmerican/SamsClub.
Now in its 11th year, the campaign has secured millions of meals for Colorado residents experiencing hunger.
“The food rescue program is vitally important. It represents 55 percent of all the food that the Food Bank of the Rockies distributes,” Rodwick said.
Trica Ricca, a manager at a Sam’s Club store, said the program offers a win-win opportunity.
“It allows my friends, my family and my neighbors to be able to go to a food pantry and get the food they need — that we have donated — to sustain their families,” Ricca said.
Across the Western Slope, attendance at Food Bank of the Rockies mobile pantries has increased 190 percent compared to a year ago. By one estimate, one in 11 people faces food insecurity, including one in nine children.
The Housing and Building Association of Western Colorado has scheduled its annual home improvement and remodeling expo.
The expo is set for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 26 and 27 and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 28 at the Grand Junction Convention Center, 159 Main St.
Tickets sell for $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 13 to 18 and seniors. Children 12 and under will be admitted at no charge.
“If you’re in the market to remodel or build or you just loving seeing new design trends, the expo is for you,” said Shayna Heiney, executive director of the Housing and Building Association of Western Colorado.
“We have a full slate of vendors who are eager to share their talents. It’s a perfect opportunity to research and compare products and talk to the experts. It’s truly one-stop researching,” Heiney said.
The expo also will include a selfguided tour of 12 custom-built homes from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 26 and 27 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 28.
A tour map and home descriptions will appear in the official expo program. Tour participants need only show their expo tickets.
“This is a great bonus to the expo,” Heiney said. “It’s a fun wy to see some of the trends and designs from the expo brought to life and showcased in each home.”
For more information about the expo and home tour, call (970) 245-0253 or log on to www.hbaevents.com.
A Grand Junction-based organization has scheduled an event designed to promote collaboration among medical and behavioral health care and social services providers across Colorado.
The Quality Health Network will host the Healthier Together 2024 Summit from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
April 25 at the Colorado Mesa University Center ballroom in Grand Junction. More than 200 participants are expected to attend.
“We are excited for a day full of valuable information and collaboration,” said Marc Lassaux, executive director and chief executive officer of the Quality Health Network. “Even though our roles in community wellness vary, we all are very much connected in the work that we do. It’s important that we all have similar priorities and we are moving in the same direction to achieve the goals of the communities we serve. We truly are better together.”
Keynote speakers at the summit are scheduled to include Kim Bimestefer, executive director of the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing, and Craig Zablocki, a motivational speaker.
Hot topic sessions will explore the connections between health care and child care, the potential for the
use of artificial intelligence in health care and determining priorities on a county level.
A resource fair will feature 30 organizations from across Colorado showcasing their services and educating summit participants about how the organizations can meet public needs.
“New resources for the public pop up every day. This is essentially one-stop education for our participants,” Lassaux said. “We’re bringing all these resources under one roof. It’s important that the people serving our most vulnerable community members know what’s available and how to best utilize these services. The resource fair is a great way to highlight these entities for our summit participants.”
The 2024 summit will coincide with the 20th anniversary of the Quality Health Network. Lassaux and others will discuss what the next 20 years will hold for the organization.
The Quality Health Network serves as a health information exchange for all the hospitals and 90 percent of providers in a region spreading across 30,000 square miles. In 2020, the organization launched a community resource network, a social information exchange to better coordinate services among nearly 600 organizations.
For more information, visit the website located at www.qualityhealthnetwork.org.
Seven nurses from Community Hospital in Grand Junction were among the local honorees of the Nightingale Award.
Sarah Rauch, Kylie Winn, Tabitha Boies, Jamie Tennyson, Stephanie Marsicovetere, Kaycee Macdonald, and Brittanee McGhgy were honored at an April 6 event at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Grand Junction. The nurses were nominated by their peers and leaders for the Nightingale Award.
“Our nurses work tirelessly each and every day to ensure the highest quality care possible for our patients,” said Joe Gerardi, chief operating officer and chief nursing officer at Community Hospital. “These remarkable nurses exemplify professional engagement and community involvement. We are extremely proud of their commitment to excellence in the profession of nursing.”
Marsciocovetere and Winn were selected as 2024 Luminary Award recipients for the Colorado Western Region
in their respective categories. Both were selected out of 42 total nominees for the Nightingale Luminary Award. Marsciocovetere and Winn will join 14 other finalists from western Colorado at the statewide Nightingale Luminary Awards Gala in Denver. There, 16 nurses will be selected for the Colorado Nightingale Nurse of the Year Award.
The 2024 Nightingale awards recognize nurses in nine categories with additional subcategories including: acute care clinical practice, clinical advanced practice, long-term care, rehabilitation, community nursing, nurseled teams, nursing administration, research and quality improvement, health care policy, nursing education and excellence in nursing eminence.
The Nightingale Award for Excellence in Human Caring was founded in 1985 to honor nurses who best exemplify the philosophy and practice of Florence Nightingale, a 19th century nursing pioneer.
An upcoming event in Palisade will offer participants a chance to learn about hunting, fishing and a variety of other outdoor activities.
The 16th annual Outdoor Heritage Day Festival is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 27 at Riverbend Park. This event is free and open to the public.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the Town of Palisade, Moose 92.3, Cabela’s, Orchard Mesa Gun Club and other local organizations and businesses will offer demonstrations and prizes.
“Colorado has something to offer any outdoor adventurer,” said Jace Zundel, district wildlife manager with Colorado Parks and Wildlife. “With so many options for those new to outdoor recreation or those looking to try a new sport, a quick introduction to these fun activities is all they need to get started. That is why we created this event.”
The festival will include demonstrations of hunting and search and rescue dogs, wildfire safety, fishing and how responsible camping.
Youth 15 years and younger, will receive a free fishing pole while supplies last by going through a series of stations to learn about laws and regulations, casting techniques, fish identification and habitat. Afterward, they can head over to the pond and use their rods to fish for trout. Anyone 16 and older planning to fish will need a valid fishing license.
Attendees will also have an opportunity to see some of Colorado’s fish up close in a portable fish tank, thanks to the Rifle Falls Hatchery.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife organized Outdoor Heritage Day in 2007 as a way to encourage participation in outdoor activities, especially among the younger generations. Working with its many partners with similar goals, the event has grown in scope and attendance.
“Colorado is known for having a wide variety of amenities, but our natural resources are among the most treasured,” Zundel said. “If people do not learn about our state’s great outdoors, including the importance of conservation of wildlife and habitat, we risk losing a very valuable and important part of Colorado’s heritage.”
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Nara said the roles reinforced the effects of regulations on businesses and the importance of helping businesses comply while also succeeding.
Nara said she loved her work, but the opportunity to serve as director of the Mesa County Workforce Center afforded an opportunity to continue to work with businesses on an even larger scale. “That just really lit a fire in me,” she said. “It was just that next step.”
Nara started the position April 1 and said she’s since been meeting with members of what she said was an “amazing” staff to learn more about operations as well ways to overcome barriers in providing services in the most efficient and effective manner. She said she cares about staff as not only employees, but also individuals, and wants them to succeed. “I really enjoy seeing the potential in people.”
For businesses looking for employees, Nara said the center posts job openings and hosts hiring events. The center also can help write job descriptions and screen applicants.
For those looking for employment, the center offers help with job searches, completing resumes and preparing for interviews. Classes help participants pass the General Educational Development Test. Help also is available in earning commercial drivers licenses. That’s not to mention assistance with child care and other resources.
Additional assistance is available to employers and job seekers with internships and on-the-job training.
Most services are available at no charge.
The center works with Mesa County School District 51, Colorado Mesa University and CMU Tech to help graduates find employment and keep talent in the Grand Valley, she said
In addition, the center works with the Grand Junction Economic Partnership, Business Incubator Center and local chambers of commerce to develop the workforce, bridge gaps in skills and training and meet the needs of businesses.
Nara said it’s important the center offers a place in which people can tell their stories just once, then receive the resources they need. Then it’s matter of matching those needs with the appropriate resources.
“We’re always trying to understand what our county needs and use resources to the best of our ability.”
The Mesa County Workforce Center is located at 512 29 1/2 Road in Grand Junction. For more information about services and resources for employers and those seeking employment, call (970) 248-7560 or visit the website located at mcwfc.us.
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To that end, Burns has continually added and updated attractions at Bananas Fun Park.
Two years after opening the park, he added a laser tag arena and has twice renovated the facility. The latest update features the latest guns and arena interactivity.
What initially was a special events pavilion — a bright green and yellow fabric structure that stands more than 40 feet tall — opened in 2009. The 10,000-square-foot pavilion now houses what Burns calls an inflatapark with an obstacle course, slides and other features.
Burns made the biggest splash of all at Bananas in 2017 in opening Coconut Cove, the largest water attraction in the region. The aqua play center towers more than 50 feet high and includes more than 50 features, among them slides, splash pads and arching jets. A 10,000-gallon bucket at the top tips to drench the structure and those playing on it.
The bumper boat bay recently was renovated and fitted with 15 watersquirting palm trees. A new island at the center of the lagoon comes complete with a wood chest full of pirate treasure as well as volleyball that looks suspiciously like Wilson from the movie “Cast Away.” New lighting was installed around the lagoon to provide evening illumination.
The 19th hole on the miniature golf course was replaced with a feature that includes rocks and a waterfall.
The arcade features 70 games Burns says he changes to offer the most popular games and latest technology. Games featuring virtual reality have become increasingly in demand, including a new Godzilla game he expects to soon install.
“I’m not afraid to spend money,” Burns says. “You’ve got to continually get better.”
Burns also insists on offering a spotlessly clean facility and customer service that fosters a friendly and welcoming experience for families. Burns plants the flowers that festoon the landscaping himself.
The strategy has worked. Even as other entertainment venues in the Grand Valley have come and gone over the past
Bananas Fun Park is located at 2469 Riverside Parkway in Grand Junction. For more information about hours, pricing and special events, visit the website located at https://bananasfunpark.com.
20 years, Bananas Fun Park has remained in business and grown. “We get busier every year,” Burns says.
He doesn’t plan on resting on any laurels anytime soon, however.
Still more renovations are planned for later this year to update the interior of the building that houses the arcade and adjacent cafe.
Burns is among the first people to come to work each morning to water flowers and other plants and make sure everything is in order before the park opens.
Even after 20 years he says he remains passionate about the business. “I still love coming here.”
And so the counting will continue for Burns — the birthday parties, the employment and the capital investments. Even the raccoons.
But another number remains at the top of his mind as the anniversary of the opening of Bananas Fun park nears. “Twenty years is pretty special.”
A 10,000-square-foot pavilion at Bananas Fun Park in Grand Junction houses what’s called an inflatapark with an obstacle course, slides and other features. At left, the renovated bumper boat bay now features an island complete with a treasure chest and a volleyball that looks like Wilson from the movie “Cast Away.” A week-long event set for April 29 to May 5 will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the opening of the park.
(Business Times photos by Phil Castle)
t New business filings in Colorado, 40,987 in the fourth quarter, down 16 percent from the fourth quarter of 2022.
t Consumer Confidence Index 104.7 for March, down 0.1.
s Leeds Business Confidence Index for Colorado, 53.7 for the second quarter, up 8.4.
t National Federation of Independent Business Small Business Optimism Index 88.5 for March, down 0.9.
t Foreclosure filings in Mesa County, 13 in March, down from 19 in March 2023.
s Foreclosure sales in Mesa County, 4 in March, up from 1 in March 2023.
s Conference Board Employment Trends Index, 112.84 for March, up 0.99.
t Conference Board Leading Economic Index 102.4 for March, down 0.3%.
s Institute for Supply Management Purchasing Managers Index for manufacturing, 50.3% for March, up 2.5%.
t Institute for Supply Management Purchasing Managers Index for services, 51.4% for March, down 1.2%.
t Real estate transactions in Mesa County, 281 in March, down 14.3 percent from March 2023.
s Dollar volume of real estate transactions in Mesa County, $164 million in March, up 20.6% from March 2023.
s Sales and use tax collections in Mesa County, $4 million for March, up 6.9% from March 2023.
t Mesa County — 4.3% for March, down 0.4.
s Colorado — 3.7 % for March, up 0.2.
t United States — 3.8% for March, down 0.1.
After starting the year with two months of increases, the unemployment rate has retreated in Mesa County with more seasonal hiring.
March Feb.
t Delta County 4.6 5.1
t Garfield County 3.4 3.7
t Mesa County 4.3 4.7
t Montrose County 4.0 4.6
and February of this year, she said. “We typically see a strong increase in March after a slower start to the quarter, but the number of jobs posted in 2024 has been at a consistent high.”
While the latest rate remains higher than a year ago, job growth should continue, said Tabi Britt, employment services supervisor at the Mesa County Workforce Center in Grand Junction. “I anticipate continued growth moving into the next quarter of 2024.”
t Rio Blanco County 4.2 4.6
Labor demand was strongest in the construction, food services, health care and retail sectors, she said.
Looking ahead, Britt said she expects the typical labor trends to continue in Mesa County with increased hiring in the spring and summer.
The seasonally unadjusted jobless rate in Mesa County fell four-tenths of a point to 4.3 percent in March, according to estimates from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. The rate stood at 3.4 percent at this time last year.
Between February and March 2024, Mesa County payrolls increased 117 to 72,955. The number of people counted among those unsuccessfully looking for work decreased 297 to 3,264. The labor force, which includes the employed and unemployed, edged down 180 to 76,219.
Over the past year, payrolls decreased 763. The ranks of the unemployed increased 657. The labor force slipped 106.
Britt said unemployment rates typically spike in January because of post-holiday layoffs and what’s usually inclement winter weather that slows hiring for outdoor work. But jobless rates then trend downward in spring and summer. “One factor that contributes to this trend is an increase in hiring for seasonal industries. Springtime brings warmer weather and typically ramps up hiring in industries like construction.”
Labor demand as measured by the number of job orders posted at the Mesa County Workforce Center remains consistent, Britt said.
The 876 orders posted in March were only three less than the orders posted for the same month last year. A total of 2,761 orders were posted in the first quarter of 2024. That was a 26.4 percent gain over the first quarter of 2023 driven by more postings in January
Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates also declined in neighboring western Colorado counties in March — six-tenths of a point to 4 percent in Montrose County, a half point to 4.6 percent in Delta County, four-tenths of a point to 3.4 percent in Garfield County and 4.2 percent in Rio Blanco County.
The statewide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose two-tenths of a point to 3.7 percent.
According to the latest results of household surveys, the number of employed people in Colorado decreased 4,000 between February and March even as the number of unemployed people increased 3,700.
The labor participation rate — the proportion of the population working or looking for work — edged down a tenth of a point. But at 68 percent, the Colorado rate still outpaced the national rate of 62.7 percent.
According to the results of separate business surveys, nonfarm payrolls increased 5,300 as private sector employment increased 2,700 and government employment rose 2,600.
Over the past year, nonfarm payrolls increased 61,200. Employment increased 17,400 in educational and health services, 11,100 in business and professional services and 6,900 in leisure and hospitality. Government payrolls increased 27,700. Those gains more than offset employment declines of 2,400 in construction and 2,100 in information. The trade, transportation and utilities sector shed 3,700 jobs.
The average workweek for Colorado employees on private, nonfarm payrolls shortened four-tenths of an hour over the last year to 32.7 hours. Average hourly earnings increased $2.63 to $37.77.
A measure of optimism among small business owners has retreated to its lowest level in more than a decade as expectations for increased sales dropped.
The National Federation of Independent Business reported its Small Business Optimism Index fell nine-tenths of a point to 88.5 in March. That’s the lowest level since 2012 and stretches to 27 the consecutive months the index has remained below it’s 50-year average of 98.
Bill Dunkelberg
“Small business optimism has reached the lowest level since 2012 as owners continue to manage numerous economic headwinds,” said Bill Dunkelberg, chief economist of the NFIB. “Inflation has once again been reported as the top business problem on Main Street, and the labor market has only eased slightly.”
The NFIB bases the index on monthly surveys of members of the small business advocacy group, most of them small business owners. Between February and March, six of 10 components of the index decreased, two increased and two remained unchanged.
The proportion of NFIB members who responded to the survey upon which the March index was based who expected the
economy to improve increased three points. But at net negative 36 percent, more owners anticipated worsening conditions ahead.
A net 20 percent of owners reported plans for capital outlays, down a point from February. A net 4 percent said they consider now a good time to expand, also down a point.
The share of owners who expected increased sales dropped eight points to a net negative 18 percent.
Expectations for increased earnings rose two points. But at a net negative 29 percent, more owners anticipated decreased earnings. Among owners reporting lower profits, 29 percent blamed weaker sales and 17 percent cited higher costs for materials.
A net 11 percent of owners reported plans to increase staffing, down a point. A net 37 percent reported hard-to-fill job openings, unchanged from a month ago.
The proportion of owners reporting plans to increase inventories remained unchanged at a net negative 7 percent. The share of those who said existing inventories were too low fell a point to a net negative 5 percent.
Asked to identify their single most important business problem, 25 percent of owners cited inflation, while 18 percent cited the quality of labor and 14 percent cited taxes.
Employment continued to increase in the United States in March even as the unemployment rate edged down.
Nonfarm increased 303,000, and the jobless rate slipped a tenth of a point to 3.8 percent, according to the latest estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Initial estimates for payroll gains the previous two months were revised upward a total of 22,000 as an upward revision of 27,000 to 256,000 in January more than offset a downward revision of 5,000 to 270,000 for February.
The latest numbers for the last three months all exceeded an average monthly gain of 231,000 over the past year.
For March, 6.4 million people were counted among those unsuccessfully looking for work. Of those, 1.2 million have been out of work 27 weeks or longer. Another 4.3 million people were counted among those working part-time because their hours were cut or they were unable to find full-time positions.
The labor participation rate — the proportion of the population working or looking for work — rose two-tenths of a percent to 62.7 percent.
Payroll gains in March were spread out among industry sectors. Employment increased 72,000 in health care, 49,000 in
An index tracking labor conditions in the United States increased in March, forecasting employment growth.
The Conference Board reported its Employment Trends Index rose nearly a point to 112.84. Five of eight components advanced.
“For the moment, employment will likely continue to grow or, at worse, flatten,” said Will Baltrust, associate economist at the Conference Board.
F
leisure and hospitality and 39,000 in construction. Government payrolls grew 71,000.
The average workweek lengthened a tenth of an hour to 34.4 hours. The average manufacturing work week held steady at 40 hours.
Average hourly earnings increased 12 cents to $34.69. Over the past year, hourly earnings rose 4.1 percent.
F
A monthly index forecasting economic conditions in the United States has retreated, signaling what could be slowing in the months ahead.
The Conference Board reported its Leading Economic Index fell three-tenths of a percent to 102.4 in March. A separate measure of current conditions increased. A measure of past conditions held steady.
Justyna
ZabinskaLa Monica,senior manager of business cycle indicators at the Conference Board, said the leading index reflects the negative effects of several factors.
“Overall, the index points to a fragile — even if not recessionary — outlook for the U.S. economy.” she said. “Indeed, rising consumer debt, elevated interest rates and persistent inflation pressures continue to pose risks to economic activity in 2024.”
The leading index fell 2.2 percent over the previous six months after contracting 3.4 percent over the six months before that. Weakness among leading indicators has become more widespread.
Gross domestic product, the broad measure of goods and services produced in the country, expanded at an annual rate of 3.4 percent in the fourth quarter of 2023 after growing 4.9 percent in the third quarter.
The Conference Board forecast slowing in GDP growth over the second and third quarters of 2024.
For March, five of 10 indicators of the leading index declined, including building permits, consumer expectations for business conditions, interest rate spread and a new orders index. An increase in average weekly initial claims for unemployment insurance also pulled down the index. The other five indicators of the index advanced — average weekly manufacturing hours, a leading credit index, new orders for both capital and consumer goods and stock prices.
The Coincident Economic Index rose three-tenths of a percent to 112. The index rose six-tenths of percent over the previous six months. For March, all four components increased — industrial production, nonfarm payrolls, personal income and sales.
The Lagging Economic Index remained unchanged at 119. The index rose nine-tenths of a percent over the past three months. For March, four of seven components decreased, including commercial and industrial financing, labor costs and inventories. An increase in the average duration of unemployment also pulled down the index. A change in the price for services boosted the index. The average prime rate charged by banks and consumer credit held steady.
n The Business Incubator Center has scheduled a business startup workshop.
The workshop is set for 2 to 4 p.m. May 2 at the center, located at 259 Legacy Way in Grand Junction. The workshop will cover financing options, licensing requirements, legal structures, planning strategies and trade name searches.
Admission is $55.
A free maker meetup is set for 6 to 8 p.m. May 6 at the GJmakerspace at the center. Participating makers can meet, talk about ideas and show off their projects. Refreshments will be provided.
To register or obtain more information about events, programs and services at the Business Incubator Center, call (970) 243-5242 or visit the website at https://gjincubator.org.
n The Colorado HR Connection has scheduled a free webinar for 11 a.m. to noon April 30. The webinar will cover the differences between exempt and nonexempt status and salaried positions for both. For more information, contact Kelly Murphy at (970) 243-7789 or kelly@lhrs.net.
n The Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce has scheduled its annual state of the valley presentation for noon to 2 p.m. May 8 at Colorado Mesa University. A panel of local government officials will address various issues. Admission is $25 for chamber members, $35 for others.
To register for or obtain more information about chamber events, call (970) 242-3214 or visit https://gjchamber.org.
After four years of sweeping human resource legislation in Colorado, employers could be wondering — and worried — about what will happen during the 2024 legislative session.
Rest assured the Colorado Legislature remains engaged in creating new HR laws in addition to those enacted over the last four years.
But that legislation also appears less landscape-altering than in the recent past.
Since 2020, Colorado employers have seen passage of the Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, Colorado Overtime and Minimum Pay Standards Act, Public Health Emergency Whistleblower Act and Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. That’s not to mention FAMLI, POWR and wage protection laws and termination notification requirements.
It’s like an alphabet soup of HR and employment laws. And employers have had to work overtime to figure out how these laws apply to their workplaces.
The smaller slate of bills at the Colorado Legislature this session offers employers an opportunity to look back to take a step forward by ensuring their compliance is up to date and they provide the correct information to employees.
It also gives employers an opportunity to look ahead to coming changes in the HR field, particularly with respect to artificial intelligence.
The Western Colorado Human Resource Association has scheduled its annual spring employment law and HR conference for May 22 at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction.
Bechtel & Santo, a Grand Junction law firm that advises employers on day-to-day employment and human resource issues, will present the conference and offer sessions on a variety of topics.
The conference will include lunch as well as opportunities for participants to ask lawyers questions.
This event will include the following presentations:
n Family and Medical Leave Insurance Act: This voter-passed legislation created Colorado’s first extended, state-provided paid leave and provides most employees the opportunity to take 12 weeks of paid leave for various medical issues.
This presentation will address a number of issues, including how employers have prepared for employees requesting leave, what the state requires employers to undertake and how employers should draft policies to address FAMLI. The presentation also will cover the information employers can provide to employees on
The Western Colorado Human Resource Association has scheduled its annual spring employment and HR conference for 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. May 22 at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction. Admission is $249 for WCHRA members and $300 for others. To register or obtain information, visit www.wchra.org.
how to make signing up for FAMLI more efficient.
n Accommodations and the interactive process: Although Americans with Disabilities Act and religious accommodation requests are nothing new, the way courts have ruled on how employers should engage in the interactive process has changed over the years.
This presentation will offer a look at how courts historically reviewed the interactive process as well as the recent shift in reasoning. The discussion will include a decision in which the standard for reasonable accommodation in religious accommodation requests was modified and other rulings indicating more obligations on employers in the ADA interactive process.
n Changes to wage laws: Within the next few weeks, the federal government is expected to announce the first big changes to wage laws in the past 20 years. These changes are expected to focus on requirements for salaried workers and alter which employees are required to receive overtime.
To prepare for these changes, this presentation will focus on policies employers must develop and which employees could require reclassification to receive overtime. Considering the growing number of class-action lawsuits based on wage issues, federal changes could affect Colorado employers.
n AI is coming to a workplace near you: Generative artificial intelligence platforms are revolutionizing the way employers do business.
This presentation will provide information about new tools and technologies, how AI could transform operations and potential ethical pitfalls in using AI for hiring and other employment decisions.
n HR legislative update: The conference is scheduled to include a session offering a legislative and case law update. This update will include a discussion of recent and potential changes to federal and state law, including a number of measures under consideration at the Colorado Legislature. Federal- and state-level measures deal with workers’ compensation benefits, discussions of See FUTURE page 24
Business owners and managers frequently ask me, “How do you teach people to think?” It’s a powerful question that can lead to significant improvements in results.
The answer: by learning to become a mentor and effective communicator and consistently encouraging team members to think for themselves.
There’s a tendency among some business owners and managers to simply supply answers rather than invest time with team members to help them find the answers. There’s a prevailing belief this saves time. That might be accurate in the short term. But this approach costs more time in the long run, weakens businesses and adds to the responsibilities of owners and managers as team members remain dependent on them for solutions.
Thinking is the process of evaluating a situation and then exploring possible actions that will lead to the desired solution or outcome. If you want your company to operate at the highest levels, your team members must be taught it’s acceptable — and then continually encouraged — to think their way through situations rather than relying on you and others for answers or guessing at solutions.
How do you use effective communication to encourage people to think for themselves? Begin by creating a safe environment for team members to ask questions. This is accomplished through composure — not becoming angry, condescending, demeaning, disappointed, frustrated or judgmental as you work together to find a viable solution. Build a constructive learning environment where team members are safe to expose what they don’t know as they work with and learn from you.
Rather than simply telling team members the correct answers, take time to work with them in exploring the situation.
It’s important to understand people who don’t feel safe asking questions will often guess as to what action is best to take or take no action at all. This leads to errors that can ripple through business operations. Accounts aren’t handled effectively, time and resources are wasted, customers become disgruntled and business suffers. This in turn will result in more time and resources spent addressing both errors and relationships with customers.
Encourage team members to come to you with questions rather than guessing about the correct course of action. Help them realize there’s strength in tapping available resources to create understanding, learning and successful solutions.
Here’s a critical component to your success: Rather than simply telling team members the correct answers, take time to work with them in exploring the situation. Ask them open-ended questions about the situation with which they’re dealing. This will allow everyone involved to develop greater clarity as you work together for a solution.
Ask team members what possible solutions they see. Continue asking open-ended questions to fully draw out their perspectives. If their perspectives aren’t accurate, ask further questions to help them deduce the best possible solution or send them in the direction of information that holds the solution.
Finally, have them teach you what they learned. This will let you know whether or not more work is needed and
also help them to further ingrain what they’ve learned.
Over time, you’ll identify how best to mentor each individual, and team members will learn they can collaborate with you to improve their abilities to make sound decisions. This creates a strong bond between you and your team. In addition, your team will become more competent, fewer errors will be made and the company will deliver a far greater experience to customers.
Keep in mind most people have been conditioned to rely on others for answers rather than learn to think on their own. A lifetime of experiences have told them who to be, what to do and how to think. When this conditioning is understood and overcome, individuals access more of their potential and perform at higher levels.
You have a choice to make about the development of team members: You can either increase their dependency on you for solutions or empower them to look for and find answers on their own.
When you invest in your team members and their ability to think their way through a given situation, you help them to empower themselves. This grows their abilities, lessens their dependence on you for answers, strengthens your business from within and improves company performance.
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 (970) 208-3150, marcus@ligcoaching.com or through the website located at www.ligcoaching.com.
If your business has 50 or fewer employees, there’s no penalty for not offering a group health insurance plan. But there are many bottom-line benefits that come with group insurance. Together, these benefits can make providing group health insurance more than worth the cost.
According to a recent survey conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation, group health insurance plans are directly linked to fewer sick days, reduced turnover, productivity gains and higher job satisfaction.
Your company might qualify for a Small Business Health Care Tax Credit — log on to https://www.healthcare.gov for more — that could be worth up to 50 percent of what you pay for employees premiums — 35 percent for non-profit employers.
To qualify for this credit, you must enroll in a Small Business Health Options Program
In addition, all of the following must apply:
n You have fewer than 25 full-time equivalent employees.
n Your average employee salary is about $56,000 a year or less.
n You pay at least 50 percent of your full-time employee premium costs.
n You offer SHOP coverage to all full-time employees. You don’t have to offer coverage to employees working fewer than 30 hours a week or dependents .
The tax credit is highest for companies with fewer than 10 employees who are paid an average of $27,000 or less. The smaller the business, the bigger the credit.
What are the most common group health plans for small groups?
n Health maintenance organization plans: These plans work exclusively with contracted providers. With HMOs, employees must use in-network care to be covered — with some rare and emergency exceptions. If your employee goes outside the HMO, the costs could be the responsibility of the employee. This limitation
Group health insurance plans are directly linked to fewer sick days, reduced turnover, productivity gains and higher job satisfaction.
could pose a serious problem if your employees travel out of the HMO provider area.
n Preferred provider organization plans: These plans combine a network of contracted “preferred” providers that accept agreed network reimbursement rates. At the same time, there are options to use out-of-network care. Out-of-network often costs significantly more. But overall, the PPO option isn’t as restrictive as HMOs.
n Point of service plans: These plans combine elements of both HMOs and PPOs and require the use of a primary care doctor for all referrals. Since there’s no “network,” referrals don’t incur out-of-network costs. But self-referrals could.
How expensive is group health insurance?
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, annual premiums for employer-sponsored family health coverage reached $23,968 in 2023, with workers on average paying $6,575 toward the cost of their coverage. The average deductible among covered workers in a plan with a general annual deductible was $1,735 for single coverage.
Consult benefits and tax advisors when opting into or out of employer-sponsored health insurance plans.
Janet Arrowood is founder and managing director of the Write Source, a Grand Junction firm offering a range of services, including grant and proposal writing, instruction and technical writing. Reach her at janet.arrowood@thewritesourceinc.com. For more information, log on to www.TheWriteSourceInc.com.
Leading the Business Incubator Center in Grand Junction has afforded me a front-row seat to the diverse challenges and triumphs companies experience in seeking funding. Whether it’s a startup or established company, the key lies in clearly defining financial goals.
Dalida Bollig
Articulating goals through storytelling lies at the heart of securing investment.
Capturing an investor’s interest requires more than just facts and figure. It involves painting a picture of a future in which your business thrives. Successful entrepreneurs articulate their visions with passion and precision, making sure to highlight how their unique approaches solve real and relevant problems.
Valuing a business correctly and deciding how much equity to offer constitute crucial discussions that can determine the future of your venture. Startups must focus on their potential for growth and their initial traction, using these as leverage in negotiations. Established companies should use their track record and existing market dominance as evidence of their long-term viability.
But investment is just the starting point. The real challenge is fostering lasting relationships with financiers. Frequent communication, being open about setbacks and celebrating milestones help in building trust. These actions transform investors from contributors to committed partners who share your vision.
Both startups and established businesses must be adaptable, ready to quickly adjust their strategies in response to new data and market trends. The more flexible the business is, the more that will help in sustaining growth and keeping customers and investors engaged.
A business with a strong team can leverage that to attract funding. Investors and funders are as interested in the people behind the business than the business itself. Successful businesses highlight their teams’ expertise, commitment and ability to think
Thoughtful preparation and strategic engagement with the right people can secure the investments a business needs to thrive and expand.
on their feet. They invest in their teams as an extension of their investment in their companies.
Finally, successful ventures focus on long-term strategic planning. This is an area that will attract continuation and success with funders, investors and clients alike. Planning ensures businesses stay ahead of the curve, providing ample time to test ideas and avoid pitfalls. Investors need to know entrepreneurs have plans not just for immediate growth, but also for sustaining and scaling their ventures. Showing knowledge and ideas about future markets, potential product lines and innovations keep businesses competitive.
Thoughtful preparation and strategic engagement with the right people can secure the investments a business needs to thrive and expand.
My colleagues and I at the Business Incubator Center are dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and small businesses navigate these complexities. We provide tailored support to refine and develop robust growth strategies.
Dalida Sassoon Bollig, chief executive officer of the Business Incubator Center in Grand Junction, is an experienced strategist with demonstrated work in international affairs. She brings to her duties experience in economic development, entrepreneurship, leadership, partnerships, public policy and trade. For additional information about programs and services offered at the center, call 243-5232 or visit https://gjincubator.org. Reach Bollig by email at dbollig@gjincubator.org.
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political and legislative issues at work, how general contractors could be liable for the wage claims filed against their subcontractors and how health care employers will be required to develop policies and committees regarding violence in the workplace.
The session also will cover significant changes coming in a new Colorado measure enabling employers to receive reimbursement for training provided to employees.
n Handbook policy changes: With so many new laws coming into effect, it’s critical policies are up to date and reflect current laws and trends. This presentation will focus on what employers must undertake to ensure compliance.
Michael Santo is partner and co-founder of Bechtel & Santo, a Grand Junction law firm that advises employers on day-to-day employment and human resource issues. For more information, visit the website at https://bechtelsanto.com. His column was provided by the Western Colorado Human Resource Association. For more information, visit www.wchra.org.
While diet and exercise constitute key components of a healthy lifestyle, don’t underestimate the importance of sleep. You’re already a sleep expert. You have been since you were born. Yet, quality sleep could elude you in a fastpaced society that fills every moment of your day with work, activities and screen time.
Paula Reece
Quality sleep is vital for overall good health and well-being. Research shows people who don’t get enough sleep or good quality sleep are at a higher risk for health problems, including diabetes, heart disease and stroke. That’s not to mention such mental health issues as anxiety and depression.
The benefits of good quality rest are bountiful. Getting enough sleep strengthens your immune system and enables your body to fight illness. Sleep also has a direct link to maintaining a healthy weight and is good for your heart by lowering blood pressure while you sleep. Good sleep can eliminate fatigue, leaving you more productive, creative and happier. Sleep is a big deal.
How much sleep is enough? Most adults need between 7 hours and 9 hours of sleep. “Some people need less than seven hours, while others might need more,” said Eric Zhou with the Division of Sleep Medicine at
Harvard Medical School. “Instead of focusing exclusively on the number of hours we sleep per night, we should also consider our sleep quality.”
Sleep quality is how well you sleep, whether you slept through the night or woke up numerous times. The key is to wake up refreshed and have energy for the day.
Many factors lead to sleep difficulties. It might be such health issues as high blood pressure or sleep apnea. Another factor is the environment in which you sleep. Temperature, noise and light all affect sleep quality.
There are many things you can avoid to help you sleep better. Try the 10, three, two, one and zero rule for sleep. Avoid caffeine 10 hours before bed. Avoid large meals and alcohol at least 3 hours before bed. Stop working 2 hours before bed. Reduce screen time 1 hour before bed, and hit the snooze button zero times.
Now, here are some things to do to improve sleep:
n Remain active and get some exercise during the day. Try not to exercise within 2 hours of going to bed.
n Create a sleep routine. This can include things such as putting on pajamas, washing your face, brushing and flossing your teeth, turning down the bed and lowering the lights. You’re telling your body rest is near.
n Maintain a consistent waking time, especially on weekends.
n If you like to nap, only sleep for 20 minutes to 30 minutes and at least 6 hours before bed.
Relax and unwind? If you’re like me, your mind is the busiest when you lay down to sleep. There are techniques that might help quiet your mind, relax and fall asleep. If your to-do list keeps popping up in your head, keep a notepad by your bed to write down those items you don’t want to forget. That way, you can write it down and let it go. Try a visualization technique in which you imagine a chalkboard and erase everything on it.
Meditation is the best medicine when it comes to relaxing your body through controlled breathing. Try the four, seven, eight breathing technique. Breathe in for 4 seconds, hold your breath for 7 seconds and exhale for 8 seconds. This regulates your breathing, reduces anxiety and helps you fall asleep. Try a meditation app on your phone in which you listen to guided meditation. Yet another technique is to tighten and release each body part starting with your toes and working your way to your head.
Focus on sleep quality. Expecting perfect sleep every night isn’t realistic. Keep a sleep diary to help you evaluate your sleep patterns and what works for your best night of sleep.
Paula and Dale Reece own Crossroads Fitness Centers in Grand Junction with a downtown location at 225 N. Fifth St. and north location at 2768 Compass Drive. For more information, call 242-8746 or visit the website located at www.crossroadsfitness.com.
The answers to the following questions can go a long way to determine whether an individual is emotionally secure as a leader — or not.
n Do you trust you’ll be OK no matter what challenges come your way? Emotionally secure people know life can be difficult and accept hardships. They maintain a deep sense of gratitude for what’s important, helping them through the rough patches.
n Can you express negative emotions respectfully? Here, we’re dealing with communicating your feelings in a respectful way that focuses on your internal experience. Often, this is reflected by using such I statements as I feel or I think rather than blaming others for your circumstances.
n Can you set healthy boundaries? Your emotional security is associated with knowing yourself and setting limits based on your values. You’re more emotionally secure when you can articulate how you’d prefer to be treated and set guidelines for how you’ll respond when those boundaries aren’t respected.
n Can you accept criticism from others? Do you
accept constructive feedback without rejecting it or lashing out? This means you have a strong sense of self that takes into consideration other people’s perspectives and opinions about your approach to things.
n Do you know your core values and beliefs? Emotionally secure leaders communicate their perspectives in respectful ways, even when others disagree. In this context, emotional security deals with being authentic, knowing one’s values and acting in a way that’s consistent in all situations.
n Can you listen to perspectives with which you disagree? Studies continue to support you’re more emotionally secure when you’re able to hear other points of view without reacting to them aggressively or defensively. Rather than going to battle, you incorporate a more flexible, empathic and non-judgmental exploration of the person’s reality – even during times of conflict and disagreement. This is literally, figuratively and emotionally walking in the other person’s shoes.
n Do you strive to change and grow? The most emotionally secure people appreciate the journey of life and the process of evolving over time. They’re not afraid to embrace change. They find joy and satisfaction in the idea of learning and becoming the best version of themselves.
n Can you admit when you’re wrong? It’s safe to say all of us are wrong sometimes. Emotionally secure
people acknowledge their mistakes, take responsibility and apologize for their actions.
n Can you stop yourself from reacting impulsively?
I’m talking about choosing responses to difficult situations. This calls for a pragmatic approach in controlling your reactions and impulses in your relationships. You consistently demonstrate the ability to articulate yourself clearly, even when angered or upset.
What type of person — what type of leader – are you?
Are you emotionally secure or an emotional train wreck? Whatever way you trend is the way your employees, and dare I say your business, will trend.
Timothy Haggerty and his wife, Bernadette, operate a consulting firm based in Grand Junction that helps clients transition from command and control to servant leadership and change the view of wages and benefits from expenses to investments. Haggerty brings to the venture more than 40 years of experience in operations management and a record of decreasing costs while increasing productivity and revenue. He also serves as president-elect of the Grand Junction Kiwanis Club. Reach him at info@timothyhaggerty.com, (610) 737-0496 or www.timothyhaggerty.com
One of the many advantages of working at one business journal for as long as I have is the opportunity to watch enterprises start and develop into operations that grow. To see that remarkable evolution occur over time.
It’s beginning to feel like this headline has become the tagline for the City of Grand Junction and its “we’re better than you and we know it” (apologies to GloboGym) leaders.
A new year almost always brings an opportunity for a fresh start and renewed ambition to do things better.
In business, that usually boils down to providing customers better products and services faster and at lower cost than competitors. Part of the process must include listening to customers to determine what they actually need and then meeting that need. After all, it does little good to offer the latest and greatest if nobody actually wants what you’re selling.
I’ve enjoyed this opportunity on a number of occasions with a number of businesses, most recently in reporting about the 20th anniversary of the opening of Bananas Fun Park in Grand Junction. Wow. Twenty years. Don’t they go by in a blink?
I recall sitting down with Chris Burns and looking over his plans to construct an amusement park, one with a miniature golf course, go kart track, bumper boat lagoon, arcade and batting cages. Fast forward 20 years, and I talked with Chris once again about all that’s happened at Bananas over the past two decades.
It’s been a lot for a guy who believes if he builds it, customers will come. And they have. In droves.
Just like the businesses that belong to the group, the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce invariably starts out the new year with a reassessment of the services and resources it provides and how well they match with members needs. Jeff Franklin, the new chairman of the chamber board of directors, personifies this approach in describing what he considers his role for the coming year: listen to members, determine their needs and then meet those needs. It’s a role with which Franklin is familiar as market president of Bank of Colorado.
Shortly after opening Bananas in 2004, Chris constructed and opened a laser tag arena. In 2009, Chris constructed the 40-foot-tall green and yellow pavilion that now houses what he calls an inflatapark. He made the biggest splash of all in 2017, though, in opening Coconut Cove and the largest water attraction in the region.
The process will take on a more structured approach in what the chamber plans as the resumption of a program aptly called Listening to Business. Under the program, business owners participate in in-depth interviews to identify barriers to growth and other problems they encounter.
At the same time, Chris has continually updated and renovated the park. This year, that included renovations to the laser tag arena and bumper boat bay as well as a new 19th hole on the miniature golf course. That’s not to mention the arcade games he brings in to offer the newest and most popular technology.
The new year offers a good time to join the proverbial club.
As an advertiser or reader, what do you need from the Business Times?
It’s that time of year when resolutions and prognostications abound. My favorite saying applied to New Year’s resolutions is in saying they’re basically a bunch of promises to break the first week of January. And while I won’t predict a whole lot, I can pretty much accurately nail a few things that without question will make the news. You will see these are pretty, well, predictable:
And if we dive into what they’re doing in going beyond telling and into providing, they sure are “giving” it to us citizens. Especially the ones who keep voting no — who for a long time were the majority, but have since faded into minority status — at the ballot box of goodies we vote on seemingly every year.
dollars into upgrading parks no one goes to between the two busiest one-way streets on the business loop bypass with no parking available to either? The only better solution? Let’s add a skate park to one of them.
While business journals traditionally gather and report the relevant news to readers, communication isn’t necessarily a one-way street. That’s especially true as Web sites and e-mail make the dialogue more convenient than ever.
The strategy has worked. Even as other entertainment venues in the Grand Valley have come and gone over the past two decades, Bananas Fun Park has remained in business and grown.
Good publications don’t exist in a vacuum. They respond to the needs of advertisers and readers. They provide what’s needed.
So what do you need?
Whenever I interview the owners of businesses that have withstood the sometimes brutal tests of time, I ask them about what they consider the prerequisites of longevity. Every business and business owner is unique, of course. But some common themes emerge. Among them is a passion for the business and serving customers.
Is there additional news coverage that would help keep you informed about local business developments? Are there features that would be interesting or useful? Is there advice that would make your jobs a little easier?
It’s equally important to ask what you don’t need. With limited time to produce content and limited space in which to publish it, would time and space be better devoted to something else?
What’s good? What isn’t? What’s needed? What isn’t?
Chris told me he still enjoys coming to work. Even after 20 years. He still enjoys planting the flowers that festoon the landscape at the park and caring for them like it was part of his personal botanical gardens. He insists on maintaining a scrupulously clean facility and offering friendly services to the families who frequent the park. He takes pride in providing what he considers the newest and best fun at his fun park.
Bananas Fun Park isn’t the only local operation to have stayed in business for so long, of course. The Grand Valley is full of them, in fact. Stayed tuned for a story about Western Slope Iron & Supply, which is celebrating 50 years in operation.
Let us know. Send us an e-mail. Comment online on the Business Times Web site at www.thebusinesstimes.com. You could even write an old-fashioned letter to the editor if you’d like. Your feedback, both positive and negative, is valued and will be carefully considered.
Good publications are the result of not only the efforts of their staffs, but also collaborative efforts involving advertisers and readers.
We’re all fortunate to enjoy the benefits and stability, not to mention jobs, long-term business operations bring to the economy.
And I’m fortunate to observe and report on these incredible ventures.
Like any other good business, we want to listen to our customers, find out what they need and then meet those needs.
It’s a new year. Please help us to do so. ✦
Phil Castle is editor of the Business Times. Reach him at (970) 424-5133 or phil@thebusinesstimes.com.
■ Prediction one: There will be some sort of weather event, natural disaster or heinous occurrence where someone will be interviewed and say the following: “I’ve never seen anything like that in my lifetime.” It’s as if this person is a required attendee at every news reporting event. While I understand most people’s perspective can indeed be limited by, or contained within, their own personal experiences, it is too much to ask to consult some historical perspective before saying such a thing? Yes, this response can apply to some events. But when it comes to weather and natural disasters, I’m pretty sure this is simply history repeating itself. Same as it has for millions and millions of years. More important, the planet made it! What didn’t were certain species. How’s that for perspective?
As one of those no citizens, I can assure you I’m really getting more than I vote for every time. Worse, the folks voting yes are getting more than they voted for as well. And the worst vote isn’t just some silly program — although those are boondoggles of epic proportions —it’s also who we vote into office who then love to tell us what we need and give us more. And the wheels on the bus go round and round.
So let’s scoot into the first example I didn’t know citizens were (not) demanding: scooters. Who else knew it would become a mobile version of Art on the Corner, given the odd, off the beaten or paved path, random abandonment of these tired, two-wheeled, NS-3 (sorry, U.S. Robotics) looking units you literally run into anytime and anywhere? Heck, I walked past two on the sidewalk in my neighborhood just the other day. Can’t wait for another summer of mini Hell’s Angels on wheels on our city streets once the outsiders hit town.
■ Prediction two: When it comes to a crime or something that occurs between humans, the other required attendee at all news reporting events is the person who says this: “They we’re just the nicest people, and in no way did I see something like this coming.” Exactly. No one does most of the time when it comes to neighbors and acquaintances. People should be surprised at what goes on from time to time in their neighborhoods, towns and with people they know because people are good. And for the times that they shouldn’t be shocked — like with politicians, repeat offenders and terrorists — where’s the interview that says, “This doesn’t surprise me in the least.”
Speaking of things parked in our neighborhoods getting in the way. How about those mini-homes and “RV” permits the city is looking to provide for our homeless population? Oh, they’re gonna have a “listening session” or two to let us no voters think we have some say in what they’ve already decided to do. But like their idols in the state and federal governments, it’s just a dog and pony show for us know-nothings brought to us by the know-it-alls. It seems to me we could address the homeless situation more directly, discreetly and diligently to reduce our numbers instead of creating an atmosphere to attract more by adopting programs that have failed in larger cities.
Speaking of the homeless problem, after our fair city leaders dispersed it to make it harder, more expensive and only something for government to handle (maybe because they knew they were gonna implement the project above?) how about our city providing not one, but two city park plans on the south side? Who knew one of the cures for what ails Grand Junction was putting tax
■ Prediction three: Something good will happen economically, and the government will take credit for it. The most recent example is gas prices, where people ask me why I won’t credit the president for low gas prices. My answer is simple: Government never makes the price of something go down and simply takes credit for good news. Gas pricing is subject to many global factors. Now there are government answers to addressing some of them to keep prices stable for Americans, but our government has none of them in place. The only things it has in place in the
long run always hurt consumers. Another fact is that unemployment reaches a certain level based on the economy. And while the government might brag the number is low, it’s more than likely the government did something to cause that number being low — and not in a good way. Conversely, when business picks up, it’s because the people who need to buy widgets who were not buying widgets because the economy was contracting due to natural (or unnatural, government caused) reasons, decided we better buy some widgets. The government had nothing to do with this.
Obviously, the wait times at our other skate parks are comparable to the Avatar ride at Disney. Speaking of wait times, how long will it take us to exit onto 24 Road from the interstate once the taxpayer subsidized private entrance to Costco begins construction?
If that’s not enough, perhaps you’d like to spin your way into an electric bike of your dreams by filling out the questionnaire and meeting the government qualifications. Just gotta promise to ride it to work come rain, or snow or sleet. Oh wait, that last part is from another government agency bailing on us —something I’d prefer government provide locally. Where’s the fight from council? Too busy with a monumental task on the Delores I suppose. After all, seven to 10 days to get your letter across town has kind of become the norm since the government shutdown — of us, not it — from the pandemic.
What about ballot initiatives where we get more, or cost more, than we voted for? Two words: Avalon Theater. What an HVACuum that became. But let’s stay current.
■ Prediction four: In keeping with things the government does, I predict the government will manipulate the numbers to make the claim the economy is getting better because of how hard it is working to help all of us “working Americans.” Now you might say, “Craig, you always say this about President Obama because you don’t like him.” You’re right in a sense. I don’t know the man, but what I know of him and his thinking, I don’t like it or him one iota. Before you go off, however, I didn’t like President Bush and his bailouts, stimulus and his abandoning the free market to save the free market. And I don’t know him either. What the government does, and the only thing it can do, is hurt the economy. Unless it does nothing or put criminals in jail instead of partnering with them, nothing the government does will help. Always look at it this way, whatever the government says it is doing, whatever the name of the law it is passing, or whatever the name or goal of the bureaucracy it is presenting to the people, expect the polar opposite to occur.
I guess what I’m saying is that perhaps it’s time to get out of our own perspective. There’s plenty of history books and historical research out there to begin to understand that all of this has happened before. And it will again, whether the topic is people or government.
How about that new rehabilitation clinic in our finally passed boondoggle known as the community recreation center? Anyone vote for that? Once again, the city is giving us more than we voted for by offering to host and provide equipment and space and clientele to the highest bidder for naming rights to the new pool and, oh yes, while providing a money maker for the winner. It’s the same for pot shops, which voters still think will be taxed for roads and schools. Just another pay to play. Give Caesar tribute before your lucky ping-pong ball pops out and you too could get into the green selling some greens. How long before one of those sprouts up in the new rec center? That’ll be some joint to work out what ails you.
The best recommendation is to find some books or try that whole Google thing. There’s a lot of information on the Great Depression. The truth is it wasn’t even a good one until the government got involved. There’s also plenty of research on the medieval warm period when the planet was much warmer than today with a whole lot less people (and warmer well before man was here at all). And yep, people have been killing other surprised people since history was first written.
Simply put, government is in the business of picking winners and losers. The problem is, it’s also the greatest discriminator on the planet by nature. It’s always benefiting one group while hurting many others. And no, I don’t blame the takers in any way. They have to play by the rules put in place by government after the vote to access the Department of Largess. After all, it runs the Bread and Circuses Division.
Maybe some research will help stop all of these trends. Otherwise, we’ll be saying we’ve never seen anything like it in our lives. And not in a good way.
Oliver has had enough of your afterthe-vote twists. And we don’t want more. Craig
Craig Hall is owner and publisher of the Business
n PERSONAL INJURY LAW FIRM ANNOUNCES
Doehling Law has become Veritas Law Group, a change intended to emphasize truth and integrity in legal advocacy for the clients of the western Colorado personal injury law firm.
“We are excited to embark on this new chapter as Veritas, where our commitment to truth and integrity remains at the forefront of everything we do,” said Keller Caubarreaux, managing partner of Veritas Law Group.
“Our clients can trust that we will continue to advocate for them with the same dedication and compassion that has defined our firm for years.”
Veritas Law Group builds on the foundation laid by Doeling Law and a legacy of excellence and community engagement, Caubarreaux said, while prioritizing the well-being and recovery of its clients.
The change includes a new website focusing on the user experience, updated messaging and materials and enhanced client communication channels.
Veritas Law Group operates offices at 114 N. Spruce St., Suite 100, in Grand Junction as well as offices in Aspen, Glenwood Springs, Montrose and Telluride.
For more information, log on to www.veritasattorneys.com or call (970) 292-7171.
The Garage Dispensary is open for business in downtown Grand Junction.
Located at 545 Colorado Ave., the Garage offers recreational cannabis products as well as what the owners said is a knowledgeable, safe and welcoming setting.
The Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commece joined in a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening.
“We are pleased to have the Garage as a chamber member,” said Candace Carnahan, president and chief executive officer of the chamber. “We are grateful for businesses like this that keep our community moving forward and our economy strong.”
The Garage is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
The Business Times welcomes submissions for free publication in Business Briefs. Email items to phil@thebusinesstimes.com or submit a news release online at www.thebusinesstimes.com.
ERA Real Estate has announced its affiliation with Ronin Real Estate Professionals ERA Powered in Grand Junction.
“We constantly aim to move the ball forward. And now, by adding ERA Real Estate’s robust infrastructure to our own, we’ll be able to do more on a scale that our company has never seen before,” said Mark Wingerter, co-owner and managing broker of Ronin Real Estate Professionals ERA Powered.
Wingerter founded the brokerage in 2020, bringing to the venture his experience in sales and management in the retail and automotive industry. His wife, Trisha Wingerter, joined the operation in 2021 as co-owner and director of operations. She brought to the venture her experience in the retail industry.
“With our newly reinforced brand recognition and brand reputation, we hope to not only double down on our pursuit of future business opportunity, but also our future philanthropic goals,” Trisha Wingerter said.
The ERA Real Estate network includes a total of more than 43,000 affiliated brokers and independent associates as well as a total of 2,400 offices in the United States and 36 other countries. The ERA Powered branding option allows companies to leverage their local brand identities while also benefitting from educational, marketing and servicing resources from ERA Real Estate.
Ronin Real Estate Professionals ERA Powered operates offices at 715 Horizon Drive, No. 380. For additional information, call (970) 549-1052 or visit www.ronin-rep.com. F
A Grand Junction-based pet care industry brokerage and advisory firm was involved in more than $16.6 million in transactions during the first quarter.
That followed more than $70 million in client sales in 2023 for PET|VET M&A Sales & Advisory.
“PET|VET is exceedingly optimistic about the substantial M&A activity witnessed in the pet care sector during the first quarter of 2024,” said Teija Heikkilä, founder, chief executive officer and principal broker of PET|VET M&A, Sales & Advisory. “Building upon the momentum of an exceptional year in 2023, where we shattered records and surpassed existing
multipliers, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our clients for their trust in us with the most important financial decision of their lives.”
PET|VET M&A Sales & Advisory focuses on sales and consulting for pet resorts and veterinary practices.
Best Friends Pet Care, a play and stay pet destination with nearly 50 locations nationwide, recently purchased companies from three PET|VET clients — Fit N Fury in California, Wagbnb in Texas and the Hipster Hound in Georgia. A fourth client, All American Pet Resort in Michigan, was purchased by a private buyer. Heikkilä said she’s confident about the potential for the pet care industry for the rest of 2024 and beyond.
For more information about PET|VET M&A, Sales & Advisory, visit www.petvetsales.com.
Community Hospital in Grand Junction has received recognition for its Western Orthopedics and Sports Medicine and Western Colorado Spine practices.
The Joint Commission bestowed its Gold Seal of Approval, a designation a health care organization complies with performance standards for safe and quality patient care.
“We are extremely proud to have earned the prestigious Center of Excellence certification from the Joint Commission for our orthopedics and spine program,” said Chris Thomas, president and chief executive officer of Community Hospital. “Being an orthopedics and spine care Center of Excellence underscores our steadfast commitment to ensuring high-quality care and safety for our patients.”
During an on-site review in March, the Joint Commission evaluated compliance with four orthopedics and spine programs, including total joint replacement surgery for hips, knees and shoulders as well as spine surgery. The review included environment of care, infection prevention and medication management.
“The Joint Commission helps drive improvement while maintaining accountability through our leading survey methods and standards. We commend Community Hospital for its commitment to advance safety, quality, equity and compassion for all patients,” said Ken Grubbs, executive vice president of accreditation and certification operations for the Joint Commission.
For more information about Community Hospital, log on to YourCommunityHospital.com.
Angela Johnson and Doug May have joined Ashton Thomas Private Wealth as part of the Confluence Team based in Grand Junction.
The team had about $300 million in assets under management while at their prior firm, WealthSource.
“The decision to join Ashton Thomas Private Wealth was the result of a lengthy due diligence process during which we explored many options for our wealth management business,” Johnson said. “Ashton Thomas offers a supportive environment with experienced professionals who approach wealth advice like we do. In the end, we made the decision because we believed this was the right choice for the clients we have served for so long.”
Johnson brings to her duties two years of experience with WealthSource and 14 years with Wells Fargo. May worked with WealthSource for 10 years and operated his own registered investment adviser firm prior to that.
In addition to Johnson and May, the Confluence Team will include Denise Cook, senior associate; Nic Hansen, associate wealth advisor; Jared Hadin, an associate and investment portfolio analyst; and Lisa Mauser, an associate with private wealth client services.
Daniel Barry, chief growth officer for Ashton Thomas, said Johnson and May are part of the firm’s second team and third office location in Colorado. “They are upstanding citizens and financial professionals who have diligently served clients for decades in the Western Slope region. We are delighted to welcome them to Ashton Thomas and support their growth from this point forward.”
Ashton Thomas Private Wealth, an Arax Investment Partners firm, offers a range of services, including fee-based financial planning and investment portfolio management, retirement plan counseling, securities brokerage, life and health insurance and income tax preparation. For more information, visit https://advisors.ashtonthomaspw.com/confluenceteam.
Lloyd Quesenberry, a lawyer with the Rider & Quesenberry law firm in Grand Junction, has been appointed to the Colorado Bar Association executive council.
Quesenberry will serve as vice president in representing a district with 12 western Colorado counties.“It is an honor and privilege to be chosen to serve in this role,” he said.
Quesenberry moved to Grand Junction in 2003 and joined with Kirk Rider to form Rider & Quesenberry in 2008. Quesenberry operates a general business practice that includes business transactions, real estate, probate and estate planning.
For more information about Rider & Quesenberry, visit https://gjbusinesslaw.com.
The Business Times welcomes submissions for free publication in Business People and the Almanac calendar of events. Submissions may be emailed to phil@thebusinesstimes.com or submitted online at the website at www.thebusinesstimes.com.
Cynthia Castaneda and Mike Moran were honored as the best-selling agents for March at Heiden Homes Realty in Grand Junction.
Castaneda posted the most closed transactions, while Moran had the highest dollar volume in sales.
Castaneda has worked in real estate since 2007 and brings to her duties experience in selling manufactured homes. A registered nurse, Castaneda also has cared for a disabled person for years.
Moran has worked in real estate for 12 years following 30 years in media. He also serves as an adjunct speech instructor at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction.
Heiden Homes Realty operates offices at 735 Rood Ave. For more information, including homes for sale and rent, call (970) 245-7777 or visit the website located at www.heidenhomes.com.
n
Four bank executives have been appointed to the Alpine Bank board of directors.
Eric Gardey, Rachael Gerlach, Andrew Karow and Jack Rickstrew were named to the board. They suceed retiring board members John Cooper, Stan Kornasiewicz, Bruce Robinson and Dave Scruby.
“The changes to the board support the vision of Alpine Bank as we continue to operate a forward-thinking, independent, community focused Colorado bank,” said Glen Jammaron, president of Alpine Bank. “This group of leaders will ensure continued success and stability for years to come.”
Gardey has been chief financial officer of Alpine Bank since 2014 and in 2021 was elevated to a position on the senior executive team. Gerlac was named chief credit officer in 2021. Karow has served as chief operations officer since 2022. Rickstrew was promoted in 2022 to chief retail officer.
April 25
n Welcome Thursday Friends free networking group, noon to 1 p.m., El Mescal Family Mexican Restaurant, 439 U.S. Highway 6, Fruita. 858-3894 or https://fruitachamber.org
n Young Professionals Network business after hours, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Mama Ree's Pizza + Brewhouse, 664 North Ave., Grand Junction. www.ypnmc.org
April 30
n Colorado HR Connection free webinar on the difference among salaried, exempt status and non-exempt status positions, 11 a.m. to noon. 243-7789 or kelly@lhrs.net
n Palisade Chamber of Commerce free new member orientation, noon to 1 p.m. 464-7458 or https://palisadecoc.com
May 1
n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce member appreciation social, 3:30 to 5 p.m., 432 E. Aspen Ave. 858-3894 or https://fruitachamber.org
May 2
n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Women in Business caffeinated connections networking event, 9 to 10 a.m., Aspen Street Coffee, 136 E. Aspen Ave. https://fruitachamber.org or 858-3894
n Colorado Mesa University Entrepreneurship Day Luncheon and keynote presentation, noon, University Center Meyer Ballroom. Admission $65 per person, $650 for a table sponsorship. https://engage.supportingcmu.org/event/ 2024-entrepreneurship-day/e557904.
n Business startup workshop, 2 to 4 p.m., Business Incubator Center, 2591 Legacy Way, Grand Junction. Admission $55. https://gjincubator.org or 243-5242
May 6
n GJmakerspace free maker meetup, 6 to 8 p.m., Business Incubator Center. https://gjincubator.org or 243-5242
May 8
n Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce state of the valley presentation, noon to 2 p.m., Colorado Mesa University. Admission $25 for chamber members, $35 for others. 242-3214 or https://gjchamber.org
Upcomimg
n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce business after hours, 5:30 to 7 p.m. May 9, Western Colorado Pediatrics, 456 Kokopelli Drive. Admission $5 for chamber members, $15 for others. 858-3894 or https://fruitachamber.org
n Mesa County Women's Network luncheon meeting, noon to 1 p.m. May 14, Octillo at Redlands Mesa, 2325 West Ridges Blvd, Grand Junction. www.mcwn.us
n Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce networking at noon, noon to 1 p.m. May 15, Be Sweet Cafe & Bakeshop, 150 W. Main St., Suite C. Admission $20 for chamber members, $25 for others https://gjchamber.org or 242-3214
