THE BUSINESS T IMES News MAY 13-26, 2021
VOLUME 28, ISSUE 9
THE DEFINITIVE SOURCE FOR GRAND JUNCTION BUSINESS NEWS SINCE 1994
THEBUSINESSTIMES.COM
Trends Focused 2 on the why Contributors Opinion 4 Business Briefs 5 Business People Almanac
In this issue n Off the charts
Real estate sales continue to increase in Mesa County, gains one industry executive said were “off the charts.”
n New CMU president committed to serving students — and regional businesses, too. See page 2
n Fruitful efforts
Bruce Talbott, co-owner of a Palisade operation, is the new president of a fruit and vegetable growers organization.
n Starting up
Students in the latest class of the Young Entrepreneurs Academy will showcase their startups at an upcoming event.
n Taxing matters
John Marshall was selected as the next president of Colorado Mesa University. Marshall expects CMU to remain focused on the why of serving students as well as a larger community that includes businesses in the region.
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Sales tax collections, one measure of retail activity in Mesa County, continue to increase on a year-over-year basis.
n Mixed outlook
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An increase in business filings in Colorado bodes well, but some sectors continue to face challenges.
n Emotional labor Keeping feelings in check at work can be more tiring than physical efforts and takes a toll on employees.
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n Departments Almanac Business Briefs Business People Contributors News Opinion Trends
30 28 30 21-25 2-18 26-27 19-20
Photo courtesy Colorado Mesa University
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THE BUSINESS T IMES News The Business Times
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May 13-26, 2021
Real estate Trends transactions The Marshall plan Contributors on the rise Opinion J Business Briefs Business People Almanac New CMU president affirms commitment to serving students — and businesses, too
ohn Marshall expects to draw upon his varied experiences in his latest role as president of Colorado Mesa University. That will include his work in government and politics as well as his service as a vice president at CMU. That also will include his years as a student at the Grand Junction-based institution. “I had an amazing, transformational experience here,” Marshall says, one shaped by people who took an interest in him and his future. It’s part of the culture at CMU — the why, he calls it — Marshall intends to sustain as president. “That’s the commitment I want to see moving forward.” The commitment also extends to businesses that rely on CMU to develop the work force and in an even broader sense to the regional economy to which the university contributes, he says. “That’s a responsibility we take seriously.” The CMU Board of Trustees voted unanimously to enter into negotiations with Marshall to serve as president. He’ll succeed Tim Foster, who plans to retire in June after 17 years. Marshall was one of three finalists for the position along with Abel Chavez, a vice president at Western Colorado University in Gunnison, and Mirta Martin, president of Fairmount State University in West Virginia. In addition to his role as vice president at CMU, Marshall also led the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to bring students back to campus for the 2020-2021 academic year. See MARSHALL page 18
Industry executive: Gains “off the charts” Phil Castle
The Business Times
John Marshall was selected as the next president of Colorado Mesa University. Marshall expects CMU to remain focused on the why of serving students as well as a larger community that includes businesses in the region. (Photo courtesy Colorado Mesa University)
Trustees hail selection as the right one to guide university forward
requires a commitment to Members of the Colorado Mesa University Board of Trustees life-long learning. The board’s hailed the selection of John unanimous support for John Marshall as the next president. Marshall reflects our confidence “John demonstrated during in his ability to place CMU in the interview process and during the center of this conversation.” the on-campus stakeholder forums Suzanne Owens-Ott, a that his vision for CMU is one faculty trustee who served on the that will best guide the university search committee, said Marshall forward to thrive in a changing and Ray Anilionis demonstrated leadership and Alison Griffin S. Owens-Ott articulated a leadership vision. complex world,” Board Chairman “I look forward to engaging him from day one on behalf of Ray Anilionis stated in an announcement from the university. Alison Griffin, a member of both the board and search faculty and will begin the conversation immediately about committee, said higher education and CMU are at crossroads. how faculty can engage the administration and expand the “Today, students are increasingly diverse, the value of a collaborative nature of our relationship.” postsecondary education is in question and our economy F
STORIES BY PHIL CASTLE
Robert Bray keeps a close eye on statistics for the Mesa County real estate market. He just has trouble believing what he’s seeing. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” said Bray, chief executive officer of Bray Real Estate in Grand Junction. “These numbers are off the chart.” Annette Miller, the administrative coordinator at Heritage Robert Bray Title Co. in Grand Junction, was less effusive, but no less upbeat in her assessment. “We’re still growing some in 2021.” Year-over-year increases in real estate transactions and sales volume reflect in part Annette Miller lower numbers in 2020 related to the COVID-19 pandemic. But the increases also reflect growing demand in 2021 that’s surpassed supply and driven up prices. If the pace continues, Bray expects 2021 will be a record-breaking year. Miller said 504 transactions worth a total of $185 million were reported in April in Mesa County. Compared to the same month last year, transactions rose 34.8 percent and dollar volume jumped 58.1 percent. Ten large transactions accounting for a collective $29.6 million bolstered dollar volume, including the sale of 177 acres of vacant land southwest of Community Hospital for $10.32 million and the sale of the West Lake mobile home park for $2.6 million. The building housing PetSmart in Grand Junction sold twice, once for $4.25 million and then for $4.8 million. For the first four months of 2021, 1,837 transactions worth a total of $623 million were reported. Compared to the same span in 2020, transactions increased 25.2 percent and dollar volume rose 38.1 percent. Miller said gains, especially for April, were larger in part because of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions on real estate activity a year ago. For a while, real estate showings and open houses were prohibited. Heritage Title conducted some closings in the parking lot, See REAL ESTATE page 16
May 13-26, 2021
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well-rounded perspective elected president to County role ofnew ag Mesa group board Phil Castle The Business The co-owner of a Times peach and wine grape operation in Palisade has been Frank Whidden brings what he elected president of a statewide growers considers a well-rounded perspective to his association board of directors. new Bruce job as Talbott Mesa County administrator. succeeds Robert Sakata WhiddenFruit worked as Colorado and Vegetable Growers in information Association (CFVGA) board president. technology and aholds “We have great foundation as an aorganization master’s degree that isin relatively young,” computer information Talbott said. “I hope we can build on this systems. also foundationBut andhesuccessfully represent the holds interests aand doctoral concerns of the Colorado degree in applied produce industry.” management The CFVGA and is comprised of more decision making and than 250 members, including growers of all Frank Whidden worked moreofthan sizes andfortypes production throughout 20 yearsas as Whidden has the state wella asminister. representatives of allied worked for large and small organizations industries. in both private and public sectors.sector Thethe fruit and vegetable growing Whidden expects draw on all of his contributes nearly $485tomillion to Colorado experiences in a helping Mesamultiplied County at the farm gate, number that’s commissioners make the and distribution carry out decisions. as it goes through chain. staff and making county MoreValuing than 90,000 acres are inthe fruit and an employer of choice is among the vegetable production in the state. priorities, Whidden said.and So operator is planning Talbott, co-owner of that results in sustainable Talbott’s Mountain Gold, funding has beenanda balanced budgets on a long-term basis. the member of the CFVGA board since Mesa Countyin 2015 will first Meanwhile, slate of members was selected continue to apursue that promote a and served term asefforts secretary. friendly environment and “Brucebusiness is highly respected throughout economic development, said. the CFVGA membershipWhidden and has provided Whidden officially began working as crucial direction to CFVGA since its county administrator at Card, the beginning of inception,” said Adrian a founding the year. He succeeds Fisher, who“We was board member of theTom organization. hired as county manager in Summit are appreciative of his willingness to serve County, Utah. to grow this organization.” and to continue Whidden joined Mesa County in Talbott’s Mountain Gold farms about August as information 550 acres2011 of owned and leasedtechnology land. The director. April its 2014, became as deputy operationInpacks ownhepeaches well county resource fruit for administrator other producersfor in the area. management in a staffing reorganization Talbott’s Mountain Gold also processes that four director fresheliminated apple cider sold under positions. its own label joining County, and Before other private labels.Mesa Bulk juice is Whidden for a company providing supplied worked for repackaging or fermenting information services to and used in its technology hard cider business. colleges universities. that role, by he Wineandgrapes not In processed managed ITsold systems for Talbott’s are to moreand thanservices 25 wineries. institutions in Alabama, Arizona, Illinois Talbott begins his service as president
as well as New England and Canada. Whidden said people who work in information technology aren’t just “geeks,” but offer an important perspective because they’re familiar with nearly every aspect of operations and how work gets done. They also tend to think about new and potentially better ways of doing things in asking and answering “what if ” questions. “They know how to effect change in an organization.” Whidden expects to bring that same approach to his duties as administrator. Whidden said it’s his role to help county commissioners make and then implement decisions. The commissioners in turn represent the residents of the county and express their will, he said. “We work for the people.” Whidden said he also considers himself a liaison between the commissioners and county staff, and one of the priorities is to make employees feel valued. Whidden Brucesure Talbott, co-owner and operator said he hopes not only to improve morale, of Talbott’s Mountain Gold in Palisade, but also take steps that will make has been elected president of the Mesa County an Fruit organization for which people Colorado and Vegetable Growers want to work. Board of Directors. Association Meanwhile, Whidden expects the (Photo courtesy CFVGA) county to continue policies and initiatives thatthesupport local business andheeconomic of CFVGA board at what said is a development. Thereagricultural are additional steps time when Colorado producers that can be taken to make it easierlevel for local are under an unprecedented of businesses to sell products and services to political siege. the county, he added. “The urban/suburban consumer and Mesa willunderstanding keep workingofwith voters haveCounty very little the other of government entities, organizations extent the agricultural infrastructure and and institutions on fostering and an environment what it takes to successfully sustainably that supports existing businesses and produce fruit and vegetables in Colorado, attracts new businesses,orheorganic.” said. he said. whether conventional said and there could be toa “OurWhidden ability to survive thrive is linked opportunities encourage the our success in to communicating andadditional winning development of businesses provide the public’s understanding andthat support for services agricultural industry as well the tools to wethe need to continue operating in as promoteand Mesa as aunnecessary distribution Colorado to County minimize centerregulations for the region. rules, and requirements.” important thing an is opportunity to consider The CFVGA provides issues a well-rounded perspective, for the from industry to gather for educational, Whidden said.and “Wefraternal won’t beopportunities, myopic as we commercial look at things.” he said. ✦ F
May 13-26, 2021
The Business Times
Young entrepreneurs to showcase startups Phil Castle
The Business Times
Braeden Kassaw was hiking with his family on the Colorado National Monument when his mother injured her ankle. They were unprepared at the time to deal with the emergency. But if Kassaw has his way, others won’t be. The sixth grader at Redlands Middle School has developed survival kits to help people more safely enjoy the outdoors in all seasons. “I thought other people don’t have to go through that experience, and maybe I could help them,” said Kassaw, who’s launched a business selling what he’s branded as Bravo Kilo survival kits. Kassaw is among a total of nine middle and high school students enrolled in the Young Entrepreneurs Academy program in Grand Junction. They plan to showcase and sell their products and services at a trade show scheduled for noon to 2 p.m. May 15 in the clock court of Mesa Mall, located at 2424 U.S. Highway 6 & 50 in Grand Junction. Coordinated locally by the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce, the Young Entrepreneurs Academy turns middle and high school students into the chief executive officers of startup ventures. Over the course of the program, students come up with new products and services, write business plans and develop their brands. By the end of the program, they oversee fully functioning enterprises they can continue to operate. They also pitch their ideas to a panel that determines how much to invest in their ventures as well as who will advance to a national competition. Meilyn Recker, chief executive officer of Rezcue, received $1,860 in funding for her startup. She also qualified to participate in the semifinals of the Young Entrepreneurs Academy competition scheduled for June 12 as a virtual event. Recker, a sophomore at Fruita Monument High School, launched an organization to rescue puppies on reservations and provides shelter, food and veterinary care until they’re
sent to permanent homes. Kassaw received $750 to help develop Bravo Kilo survival kits. In addition to Recker and Kassaw, seven other students received funding for their startups: n Miguel Ambriz Jr., an eighth grader at West Middle School, $1,334 for Armadillo Parts. n Charlotte Douglas, a sixth grader at Orchard Mesa Middle School, $575 for Pet’s Program. n Levi Fink, a sixth grader at Mesa Valley Community School, $662 for Youth Yardz. n Caydence Lusher, a freshman at Central High School, $850 for Better Days. n Nikolas Miller, a sixth grader at Caprock Academy, $1,400 for QwikString. n Jace Mizushima, a sixth grader at Holy Family Catholic School, $2,000 for Bee Generous. n Julia Shively, a seventh grader at Caprock Academy, $320 for Jul’s Jewels. Kassaw said his survival kits include first aid gear, emergency blankets, energy bars, multi tools, fire starters, head lamps and paracord. A kit designed for winter also includes gloves, a hat and hand warmers. A kit designed for summer excludes those items, but includes sunscreen and insect repellent. He plans to sell the kits through his website at bksurvivalkit.com. Kassaw said he might operate his company for a couple of years, but he’s looking ahead to college. He hopes to become a paramedic or doctor. For now, he said he’s enjoyed the Young Entrepreneurs Academy and its weekly classes. “It’s fun. In the program, you get to learn so many things.” The Grand Junction chamber is accepting applications for the next class of Young Entrepreneur Academy participants for an academic year that runs from October through April. More information is available on the chamber website located at https://gjchamber.org. Kassaw said he’d recommend the program to anyone interested in starting and running businesses. F
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May 13-26, 2021
Construction firm relocates to Grand Valley Sales tax collections on the rise A construction business founded in Hawaii has relocated its operation to the Grand Valley. The firm — eCo Super Structures — also has been accepted to participate in the Rural Jump-Start tax credit program. “We are really excited to officially welcome eCo Super Structures to the Grand Valley,” said Steve Jozefczyk, deputy director of the Grand Junction Economic Partnership. “There’s a strong appetite in Colorado for green building, and we have a Steve Jozefczyk skilled workforce in the Grand Valley ready to support the industry.” Jozefczyk said eCo Super Structures reached out to GJEP in early 2020 for help with the relocation process, including finding financing opportunities and a facility from which to operate.
The company opened its doors at 1101 Winters Ave. in downtown Grand Junction. The firm employs seven people, but is hiring to accommodate growth. The company uses advancements in composite technologies to offer strength and energy efficiency unmatched by other building systems. Adopting production line and quality control methods developed in factories, the firm manufactures structures in a controlled, indoor environment. Once preassembled wall panels, roof trusses and sub-floor assemblies have been delivered to a job site, they can be erected in a matter of days. Jozefczyk said eCo Super Structures is the second green builder in Mesa County to participate in the Rural Jump-Start program. Phoenix Haus, a carbon-neutral builder from Detroit, joined in 2017. F
Sales tax collections, a measure of retail activity, continue to increase in Mesa County. Sales tax collections for April jumped 42.2 percent over the same month last year. Collections through the first four months of 2020 were up 17.2 percent. April collections reflect March sales. The county reported collecting a total of nearly $4.3 million in sales and use taxes in April. Use taxes — most of them collected on automobiles purchased outside the county, but used in the county — nearly doubled on a yearover-year basis to $395,454. County tax collections on retail sales approached $1.4 million in April, a 43.7 percent increase over the same month last year. Taxes on internet sales totaled $262,758, a 62.6 percent increase. Collections rose 91.2 percent in the construction industry, 88.7 percent in the hotel and restaurant sector and 81.7 percent on auto sales. Collections fell 71.7 percent in the oil and natural gas sector. For the first five months of 2021, Mesa County reported collecting a total of more than $14.5 million in sales and use taxes. Use tax collections increased 27.9 percent on a year-over-year basis to more than $1.2 million. The county collected more than $5 million in taxes on retail sales during the four-month span and more than $1 million of that on internet sales. Tax collections rose 38.9 percent on home improvements, 38.5 percent in the construction sector, 25.8 percent on automobiles and 13.9 percent for the hotel and restaurant sector. Tax collections fell 63.9 percent in the oil and gas sector. F
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May 13-26, 2021
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New airline begins service to Southern California A new airline has launched service between Grand Junction and Southern California. Avelo Airlines conducted the inaugural flight on May 9 of a route scheduled to offer four flights a week between Grand Junction Regional Airport and Hollywood Burbank Airport. “We are elated to welcome Angela Padalecki Avelo to Grand Junction Regional Airport,”said Angela Padalecki, director of the airport. “Grand Junction is a destination surrounded by destinations, much like Burbank. This service addition will make the connection between our regions even stronger.” Andrew Levy, chairman and chief executive officer
of Avelo Airlines, agreed. “Grand Junction is the jumping-off point for the exhilarating outdoor adventures this region has to offer, and the new route will help stimulate demand and inspire customers to explore Grand Mesa, Colorado National Monument, downtown Grand Junction and beyond.” Derek Wagner, vice president of intergovernmental and community Andrew Levy affairs at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, said the service will improve connectivity for students and others. “People want to work, study and play in Grand Junction, and this flight is fantastic news for our entire region.” Avelo has scheduled flights between Grand Junction
and Burbank for Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The airline serves the route with a 189-seat Boeing 737-800. Introductory one-way fares start at $19. In addition to Grand Junction, Avelo serves a total of 10 more destinations in Arizona, California, Montana, Oregon, Utah and Washington. The destinations offer outdoor recreation and nearby national parks as well as serve a growing population of remote workers. Later this year, the airline plans to offer additional service from an East Coast base in Tweed New Haven Airport in Connecticut. The flights to Burbank add to the commercial air service available at Grand Junction Regional Airport with flights to Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix and Salt Lake City as well as Mesa, Ariz., and Santa Ana, Calif. F
Grand Junction real estate firm names president
Ryan Brown has been appointed president of Conklin & Co., a Grand Junction-based real estate business. Todd Conklin, founder and former chief executive officer of the firm, will continue to serve in a leadership role as chairman. Conklin & Co. operates Coldwell Banker Distinctive Ryan Brown Properties as well as Coldwell Banker Commercial Prime Properties. “Being part of this team has been fantastic, and I can’t wait to help collectively contribute to where we go from Todd Conklin here,” Brown said. Brown brings to his latest responsibilities more than 15 years of experience in real estate and asset management, including developing, leasing and managing agricultural interests, commercial office spaces, industrial parks and rural residential properties. He’s belt several companies to more than 400 employees. Brown also has worked in the aerospace, agriculture and finance industries, including roles as senior vice president at Bank of America Private Bank, wealth management and institutional advisor at New York Life and chief executive officer at EarthX. He was named one of LA’s 30 under 30 and received the Global Green CEO of the Year Award. Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties serves a total of nine markets in Colorado, Idaho and Montana. The company has ranked for six straight years among the top real estate brokerages in the United States in the annual REAL Trends 500 report. Coldwell Banker Commercial Prime Properties serves the Grand Valley and surrouding areas. F
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News, views Landowners and advice consolidate you can use conservation
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districts
Landowners in five Western Colorado counties voted to consolidate two conservation districts. Landowners in the San Miguel Basin Conservation District and Shavano Conservation District voted in a special election to consolidate the districts, located in Delta, Gunnison, Montrose, Ouray and San Miguel Counties. The consolidated district will be called the Shavano Conservation District. Conservation districts are political subdivisions of state government that represent local landowner interests for developing conservation priorities. The Colorado Department of Agriculture State Conservation Board administers funding and offers leadership and statutory guidance to help districts serve as local governments. According to state statute, supervisors from the original boards will work as an organizational board to identify a new five-member board for the consolidated district. This decision will be made within six months. “The two districts have historically worked together or on very similar conservation projects and educational programs through the years and understand the need of farmers, ranchers and small acreage owners in the area,” said Nikki Brinson, operations manager with the Colorado State Conservation Board. “All of the supervisors are committed to improving the opportunities and programs available to their constituents through this consolidation.” The creation of the new conservation district will increase landowners’ conservation options in a variety of ways, including: n Bringing more resources to address area-wide conservation problems. n Improving consistency of programs offered by one conservation district. n Increasing the ability to leverage local, state and federal resources for conservation implementation and technical assistance “The (conservation) districts perform a valuable service, and the consolidation will allow the new Shavano Conservation District to strengthen existing partnerships and develop new ones in order to improve natural resource conservation practices in Montrose, Ouray and San Miguel counties and a small area in southern Delta County and southwestern Gunnison County,” Brinson said. For more information on the 75 conservation districts in Colorado and their services, visit https://ag.colorado. gov/conservation/cscb. For more about the Shavano Conservation District, visit the website at https://www.shavanocd.org/. F
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May 13-26, 2021
Toni Heiden-Moran, center, owner and broker of Weichert Realtors-Heiden Homes Realty in Grand Junction, celebrates with Anthony Heiden, left, and Anthony Fiske after their induction into the Grand Junction Area Realtors Association. (Photo courtesy Weichert Realtors-Heiden Homes Realty)
Grand Junction business recognizes new Realtors
Weichert Realtors-Heiden Homes Realty in Grand Junction recognized two broker associates for their induction into the Grand Junction Area Realtors Association. Anthony Heiden and Anthony Fiske were inducted at a quarterly luncheon and earned the Realtors designation. Heiden brings to the position a passion for real estate he developed growing up with his grandmother, Toni Heiden-Moran, owner and broker of the firm. Born and raised in the Grand Valley, Anthony Heiden volunteers for Catholic Outreach, the Kiwanis Club of Colorado and Mutual Aid Partners. A Western Colorado native, Fiske served in the Army, including a tour of duty in Afghanistan. He also worked in the oil and natural gas industry in North Dakota for more than three years. F
Outdoor Heritage Day festivities to return May 15 to Palisade park An event planned for Palisade will show children and their families some of the activities they can enjoy outside. The Outdoor Heritage Day Festival is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 15 at Riverbend Park. “We’re excited to be back at Riverbend Park after having to cancel last year’s festivities due to the pandemic,” said Bob Morris, a Colorado Parks and Wildlife district wildlife manager organizing the event. “We hope to see everyone that’s been out to this festival before, and we hope they bring a friend or two.” Businesses, state and federal agencies and organizations — will demonstrate outdoor activities, including how to use a bow or shoot a rifle responsibly, watch wildlife, camp and fish. The pond at the park was stocked with fish, and participants are encouraged to bring their fishing poles to this free event. Anglers who catch tagged fish will receive prizes. Children 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.
“Colorado has so much to offer outdoor adventurers, especially in the western part of the state,” Morris said. “But we know there are many people that have very limited experience when it comes to outdoor activities, and that is where we come in. For many, a quick introduction to these fun activities is all they need to get started.” 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 partners with similar goals, the event has grown in scope and attendance. The event drew approximately 100 people in its inaugural year. In recent years, attendance at the day-long festival has increased to about 2,000 people. “Colorado is known for having a wide variety of amenities, but our natural resources are among the most treasured,” Morris 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.” F
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New film explores employee ownership
A virtual event is planned to show a documentary about employee ownership efforts at five Colorado companies. A virtual watch party is scheduled for 7:20 p.m. May 20. The event is free and open to the public. Viewers can watch the documentary on cable television on the Public Broadcast System, on the PBS website located at https://www.pbs12.org/livestream or through the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/ channel/UC_TXkdPgl4Ih-FO6iNmt11w. The documentary will be available on the YouTube page for future viewing and sharing. To register for the virtual watch party, visit https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/ register/WNhAmPpBt9QIeftw86BVIQtg. Following the premiere, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis will join the event to share his experiences with employee ownership. A 60-minute panel discussion will follow moderated by Dominic Dezzutti, host of “Colorado Inside Out.” The Colorado Employee Ownership Office collaborated with the Colorado Office of Film, Television and Media to develop the documentary, titled “Own It: A Colorado Story.” The 26-minute film follows employee ownership at five companies: Community Language Cooperative, Dojo4, Palmer Flowers, StoneAge and Merrick & Co. GritHouse, an independent film studio that produced the documentary, is considering an employee ownership structure. “Filming this documentary was an insightful experience for us at gritHouse,” said Justin Lewis, owner and director. “As we heard the many inspiring stories about the benefits of employee ownership, we began to discuss how we’d like to pursue employee ownership within our company. At gritHouse, we value equity, and employee ownership allows us to create a fair and equitable environment for everyone.” The Colorado Employee Ownership Office established a network of technical support and service providers for businesses considering employee ownership structures. Glenn Plagens, director of business support and rural prosperity at the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, said the documentary shares stories of how employee ownership works for different companies. “The consistent theme in employee-owned companies is happy people, more engaged employee owners, a higher quality of life and a positive company culture that people want to be a part of.” F
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Real estate
Continued from page 2 passing documents through car windows, she said. At the same time, gains also reflect accelerated real estate activity this year, Miller said. “You’re stretching that across both issues.” According to numbers Bray Real Estate tracks for the residential market, 316 transactions worth a total of nearly $113.3 million were reported in April in Mesa County. Compared to the same month last year, transactions rose 14.1 percent and dollar volume increased 32.1 percent. Through the first four months of 2021, 1,200 residential transactions worth a total of almost $416 million were reported. Compared to the same span in 2020, transactions rose 11.4 percent and dollar volume jumped 29.7 percent. Increasing sales activity defies decreasing residential inventories. At the end of April, there were just 166 active listings, down 72.6 percent from a year ago. Bray said homes that come onto the market sell quickly, often with sellers choosing between multiple offers. Other homes are sold before they’re listed. The combination of increased demand and decreased supply has pushed up prices. The median price of homes sold in April rose 14.6 percent to $329,000. The median price of homes sold during the first four months of 2021 rose 14.5 percent to $315,000. Meanwhile, the pace of new home construction continues to increase. A total of 84 building permits for single-family homes were issued in Mesa County during April, up 57.7 percent from the same month a year ago, For the first four months of 2021, 358 permits were issued. That’s a 58.4 percent increase over the same span in 2020. “I’ve never seen it,” Bray said. “This is incredible.” Looking ahead to the remainder of the year, Bray said 2021 could set records for real estate transactions and median residential prices. Miller said she hopes more homes come onto the market. While new construction has increased, it’s not enough to satisfy demand. Additional affordable housing is needed as well, she said. Meanwhile, property foreclosure activity remains nearly nonexistent in Mesa County. Miller said four foreclosure filings and four foreclosure sales were reported for April. Six foreclosure filings and 11 sales were reported during the first four months of 2021. By comparison, 62 filings and 16 sales reported for the same span in 2020. F
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Marshall
Continued from page 2 “It’s pretty rare what we’ve pulled off,” Marshall says of the in-person instruction and college life offered at CMU in the midst of a pandemic. He previously served as vice president for student services and director of development as well as a political science instructor. Before joining CMU in 2007, he worked as an assistant director at the Colorado Department of Natural Resources and policy advisor to then Colorado Gov. Bill Owens. Marshall also managed gubernatorial and congressional election campaigns for Bob Beauprez and Greg Walcher, respectively. Marshall holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from CMU and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Colorado at Denver. He’s served on the board of directors of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce and Business Incubator Center as well as a co-chair of the United Way of Mesa County fund-raising campaign. As president at CMU, Marshall says he intends to remain focused on the why — why the university provides the kind of experiences he enjoyed as a student. That means maintaining both an educational and nuturing environment. He also sees his role as helping others at CMU excel in their jobs by providing direction, resources and encouragement. The university boasts remarkable faculty and staff, but they direct their individual talents to a collective effort to help students, he says. “There’s not a lot of ego here.” Financial resources likely will remain an ongoing challenge for CMU and other public universities and colleges in Colorado, especially given diminishing state support, Marshall says. But CMU can take advantage of what he says is its more entrepreneurial approach and partnerships. He cites as one example the Hotel Maverick, a boutique hotel constructed on the Grand Junction campus that meets a need and produces revenue, but also serves as a teaching facility for students in the hospitality management program. While student enrollment in colleges has declined in the aftermath of a pandemic,
May 13-26, 2021
“I am coming into this amazing opportunity standing on the shoulders of some people who’ve done some amazing things.” John Marshall CMU president he says CMU is well-positioned to change that trend — but not just to attract more students. “It’s not growth for growth sake. It’s growth for a purpose.” CMU remains flexible in offering instruction and degree programs that prepare students not only for current workplace needs, but also the careers of the future, he says. A new health sciences center is scheduled to open this fall at CMU to house degree programs in the physician assistant studies and occupational and physical therapy. A master of social work degree program will help in meeting the mental health needs of Western Colorado, he says. In an even larger sense, CMU has become an increasingly important economic driver in the region, he says. According to the latest results of a regional impact study, the economic effects of CMU in a 14-county region of Western Colorado grew to $539 million for the 2019-2020 fiscal year. Nearly $129 million in spending by students accounted for almost half of all direct spending. Without CMU, there wouldn’t have been the largest urban development between Denver and Salt Lake City or the programs and activities that have diversified the economy, he says. Maintaining that role as a substantial economic driver constitutes yet another priority, Marshall says. CMU is poised for continued success and growth, he says, because of the efforts of Tim Foster and others. “I am coming into this amazing opportunity standing on the shoulders of some people who’ve done some amazing things.” F
News Trends Contributors Mixed economic outlook Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac
May 13-26, 2021
The Business Times
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INDICATORS AT A GLANCE
n Business filings s New business filings in Colorado, 44,740 in the first quarter, up 32.2% from the first quarter of 2020.
n Confidence
s Consumer Confidence Index 121.7 in April, up 12.7. s Leeds Business Confidence Index for Colorado, 64.4 for the second quarter, up 16.5. s National Federation of Independent Business Small Business Optimism Index 99.8 for April, up 1.6.
n Foreclosures s Foreclosure filings in Mesa County, 4 in April, up from 2 in April 2020. s Foreclosure sales in Mesa County, 4 in April, up from 1 in April 2020.
n Indexes
s Conference Board Employment Trends Index, 105.44 for April, up 2.79. s Conference Board Leading Economic Index 111.6 for March, up 0.6%. t Institute for Supply Management Purchasing Managers Index for manufacturing, 60.7% for April, down 4%.
n Lodging
t Lodging tax collections in Grand Junction, $71,929 for March, down 8.9% from March 2020.
n Real estate
s Real estate transactions in Mesa County, 504 in April, up 34.8% from April 2020. s Dollar volume of real estate transactions in Mesa County, $185 million in April, up 58.1% from April 2020.
n Sales
s Sales and use tax collections in Grand Junction, $4.4 million for March, up 12% from March 2020. s Sales and use tax collections in Mesa County, $4.29 million for April, up 46% from April 2020.
n Unemployment t Mesa County — 7.2% for March, down 0.4. n Colorado — 6.4% for March, unchanged. s United States — 6.1% for April, up 0.1.
Colorado business filings increase, but some sectors face challenges An increase in business filings in Colorado bodes fell for improving economic conditions in the aftermath of a pandemic, but some industry sectors continue to face challenges. “Colorado is poised to make a full job recovery from the recession by 2022. But many Coloradans still are struggling from job loss due to COVID-19,” said Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold. “The state’s economy is building momentum, and I am hopeful that will continue.” Brian Lewandowski, executive director of the businesses research division of the Jena Griswold Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado at Boulder, offered a similarly mixed assessment. “This growth trend in the labor force could lead to a full jobs recovery from the recession in 2022,” Lewandowski said. “But there are other statistics that show Colorado still has some progress to make in economic recovery.” According to a report compiled by the businesses research division of the Leeds B. Lewandowski School of Business based on statistics from the Colorado Secretary of State’s office, initial filings of new companies, corporations and nonprofit organizations rose during the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same quarter in 2020. A total of 44,740 new entity filings were recorded during the first quarter of 2021, a 32.2 percent year-over-year increase. New filings for domestic corporations rose 38.9 percent, while new filings for domestic limited liability companies rose 35.4 percent. New entity filings tend to increase in the first quarter, but the latest gain exceeded the long-term trend. For the 12-months ending with the first quarter of 2021, a total of 149,271 new entity filings were recorded, an increase of 19.3 percent over the previous 12-month period. New entity filings offer a leading indicator of business and job growth. A total of 173,970 renewals for existing entities were recorded
THE REPORT AT A GLANCE
s New entity filings s Existing entity renewals s Dissolution filings s Entities in good standing
1Q 2021 44,740 173,970 10,658 812,704
1Q 2020 33,837 172,230 10,362 744,380
during the first quarter of 2021, up 1 percent from a year ago. Renewals increased for domestic limited liability companies, but decreased for domestic corporations. For the 12 months ending in the first quarter, 624,811 renewals for existing entities were reported, up 7.2 percent compared to the previous 12-month period. Dissolution filings also increased in the first quarter of 2021, however, climbing 2.9 percent over the past year to a record 10,658. For the 12 months ending in the first quarter, 37,820 dissolution filings were recorded. That’s an increase of 6.2 percent. A spike in dissolutions also followed the official end of the recession in 2011. The overall number of companies, corporations and other entities in operation continues to increase in Colorado. For the first quarter of 2021, there were 812,704 entities in good standing. That’s a 9.2 percent increase over the same quarter in 2020. Lewandowski said the business research division projects the addition of 90,000 jobs in Colorado in 2021 with continued growth in 2022. The state ranks first in the country for labor force growth and 10th for per capita personal income of $63,123. However, the latest monthly seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 6.4 percent ranks 34th. And growth in average hourly wages ranks 46th. The leisure and hospitality sector, which accounts for nearly half the 133,900 jobs lost over the last year, continues to face challenges. The number of oil and natural gas drilling rigs in operation in Colorado increased from an average of seven in December to 10 in April. Still, that’s only a third of the average of 30 rigs in operation in the state in 2019. F
Small business Optimism Index increases A measure of optimism among small business owners has increased despite concerns over unfilled jobs. The National Federation of Independent Businesses reported its Small Business Optimism Index rose 1.6 points to 99.8 in April. “Small business owners are seeing a growth in sales, but are stunted by not having enough workers,” said Bill Dunkelberg, chief economist of the NFIB. “Finding qualified employees remains the biggest challenge for small businesses and is slowing economic Bill Dunkelberg growth.” The NFIB bases the index on the results of monthly surveys of members of the small business advocacy group, most of them small business owners. For April, eight of 10 components of the index advanced and two retreated. The proportion of those who responded to the survey upon which the April index was based who expect the economy to improve actually dropped seven points. At a net negative 15 percent, more respondents said they expected worsening conditions. Other components reflected more upbeat expectations, however. A net 27 percent of those who responded reported plans to
increase capital outlays, up seven points. A net 14 percent said they consider now a good time to expand, up three points. The share of respondents reporting higher earnings rose eight points. But at a net negative 7 percent, more reported lower earnings. Among those reporting lower earnings, 39 percent blamed weaker sales, 16 percent seasonal changes and 14 percent higher materials costs. A net 1 percent said they expect higher sales over the next three months, up a point. A net 5 percent reported plans to increase inventories, up a point. A net 7 percent said they consider current inventories too low, up four points. A net 21 percent of respondents reported plans to increase staffing, down a point. A net 44 percent reported unfilled job openings, up two points to a record-high reading. Asked to name their single most important business problem, 24 percent cited quality of labor. A net 31 percent of those who responded reported increasing compensation, while a net 20 percent reported plans to raise compensation over the next three months. “Owners are raising compensation, offering businesses and benefits to attract the right employees,” Dunkelberg said. F
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U.S. job growth continues, but slows Job growth continues in the United States, although at a slower pace. Nonfarm payrolls increased 266,000, and the unemployment rate edged up a tenth of a point to 6.1 percent in April, according to the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. What was initially estimated as a gain of 916,000 jobs in March was revised downward to 770,000. The increase for February was revised upward to 536,000. Nonfarm employment is down 8.2 million, about 5.4 percent, from its pre-pandemic peak in February 2020. For April, 9.8 million people were counted among those unsuccessfully looking for work. Of those, 4.2 million have been unemployed 27 weeks or longer. Another 5.2 million people were counted among those working part-time because their hours were cut or they were unable to find full-time positions. The labor participation rate edged up two-tenths of a point to 61.7 percent.
Payroll gains were spread out among a number of industry sectors. Employment increased 331,000 in the leisure and hospitality sector as pandemic restrictions eased and restaurants brought back staff. Still, employment in the sector is down 2.8 million, or about 16.8 percent, from February 2020. Payrolls rose 44,000 in other services, 31,000 in local government education, 23,000 in social assistance and 19,000 in financial activities. Temporary help services cut 111,0000 jobs, while courier help lost 77,000 jobs and manufacturing payrolls declined 18,000. Retail trade employment dropped 15,000. The average workweek edged up a tenth of an hour to 35 hours. The manufacturing workweek held steady at 40.5 hours. Average hourly earnings increased 21 cents to $30.17. F
May 13-26, 2021
Labor index rises
A measure of labor conditions in the United States continues to increase, signaling job growth. The Conference Board reported its Employment Trends Index rose 2.79 points to 105.44 in April. The index has increased 45.7 percent from a year ago. Gad Levanon, head of the Conference Board Labor Markets Institute. said a labor shortage could slow job growth. “In the coming months we expect job creation to continue, but at a possibly slower pace.” F
Trends Contributors Opinion labor tiring Emotional Business Briefs Business People Almanac
May 13-26, 2021
The Business Times
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COMING ATTRACTIONS
n The Business Incubator Center in Grand Junction has scheduled events offering information about startups and valuations. Business startup workshops are set for 9 to 11:30 a.m. May 18, 6 to 8:30 p.m. June 8 and 9 to 11:30 a.m. June 15 at the center, 2591 Legacy Way. The workshops will cover the business planning process, including financing options, licensing requirements and legal structures. Admission is $55, which also includes admission to Fast Trac classes at the center. A free business valuation presentation is set for 2 to 3:30 p.m. June 29 at the center. The presentation will cover listing prices, acquisition financing and selling within an industry. For more information about upcoming events, services and programs offered at the center, call 243-5242 or visit the website at https://gjincubator.org. n The Western Colorado Human Resource Association has scheduled its next monthly membership meeting and a presentation on the Mesa County Youth Collaborative Initiative. The event is set for 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 19 and will be offered virtually as well as in person at Warehouse 25Sixty-Five, located at 2565 American Way in Grand Junction. WCHRA members attend at no additional charge. Guests pay $10 for the virtual presentation, $22 for the in-person event. For more information, visit www.wchra.org. n The Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce has scheduled its annual membership appreciation picnic for May 26. The event is set for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the lawn outside the chamber office at 425 E. Aspen Ave. Lunch and root beer floats will be served to chamber members as thank-you gifts. To register for or obtain more information about chamber events, call 858-3894 or visit https://fruitachamber.org. n The Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce has scheduled its annual banquet for 6 to 11:30 p.m. June 11 at the Grand Junction Convention Center, 159 Main St. Individual tickets sell for $85 before May 24 and $95 afterward. Corporate tables for 10 are available for $950. To register for or obtain more information about chamber events, call 242-3214 or visit https://gjchamber.org.
Keeping feelings in check at work takes a toll on employees When I was growing up, my father had two main jobs: teaching math during the school year and working for a pest control company in the summers. I noticed he often appeared more exhausted after a day spent in the classroom dealing with students than a day spent in the hot sun doing manual labor. How could this be? Teaching simply involved standing and talking. It didn’t involve heavy lifting or climbing ladders all day. Like my childhood observations of my dad’s summer job, it’s easy to see how physical labor taxes people. Yet, another kind of labor can be equally draining — emotional labor. That’s the kind of labor my dad performed every day during the school year for Rebecca more than 30 years. Emotional labor, a term coined by Weitzel sociologist Arlie Hochschild, involves the energy you expend managing your emotions — or the way you express them — to meet the expectations of your job. In other words, it’s the effort it takes to maintain your professional game face. While tree worms and aphids didn’t mind my dad’s frequent expressions of irritation during the summer, his students and fellow teachers at school certainly would have. And if he were alive today, I’m guessing he would say the latter elicited these feelings much more regularly. Yet, every day he held back his real emotions and showed only those expected of him. This kind of emotional work can be insidious. It’s hard to see on the surface. But underneath, it erodes well-being and contributes to burnout and turnover. Until employee well-being is elevated to the same level of awareness and regulation as workplace safety, how can we protect workers and businesses from the negative effects of emotional labor? One way is to teach team members about the difference between surface acting and deep acting. Think about the last time you watched a terrible movie. Chances are it involved poor acting — the kind that makes you aware the performers are just acting, robbing you of the pleasure of suspending disbelief and enjoying the story. Researchers have found a similar sort of surface acting — modifying facial expressions and voice to meet the expectations of your job while feeling differently inside — leads to problems in the workplace, too. Customers and co-workers usually detect our painted-on smiles. Studies like one published in the Journal of Vocational Behavior have shown wearing fake smiles regularly leads to burnout. This holds true independently of
the number of interactions workers have with other people. The level of stress in a service job is more a function of an employee’s ability to perform deep acting than simply attending to people’s needs. Deep acting happens when people regulate their emotions in a way that allows them to sync how they really feel inside with their outward expressions. Shifting from surface acting to deep acting starts with cultivating cognitive empathy. Cognitive empathy is the ability to recognize when another person views the mountain from another side and doing your best to place yourself there. This kind of perspective-taking helps us tap into a level of understanding that enables us to genuinely align our emotional response with our external expressions. We can cultivate this kind of empathy by implementing such practices as: n Active listening. Express interest in what other people say. Ensure they feel heard by reflecting back what you heard, asking follow-up questions and displaying affirmative body language. Avoid mentally filling in story gaps with your own ideas about a person’s character. Our stories are often terribly wrong. n Shared identity. Think of things you have in common with other people. Even seemingly minor commonalities — you work for the same company or you’re parents — allow you to respond with more empathy. n Face reading. Facial expressions provide information about how other people really feel and guide you to respond effectively. If someone appears disinterested, wrap up the conversation. If someone appears frustrated, stop talking and just listen. By the way, if you wonder how good you are at reading faces, take an online quiz on the website located at https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/quizzes/ei_quiz. Since most of us don’t enjoy the advantage of interacting with tree worms all day, it might be time to assess to what degree our people-centric workplaces produce bad movies with poor acting. With a little deep acting practice and cognitive empathy, we can reduce the toll of emotional labor on our employees and roll out a blockbuster business. Rebecca Weitzel is president and co-founder of Good Life Wellness Solutions, which provides workplace well-being programs and an online wellness platform tailored to small businesses. She also serves as director of people operations at Hilltop Community Resources. With a master’s degree in organizational psychology and training in behavior design, she helps people and organizations thrive. Contact Weitzel at rebecca@goodlifewellnesssolutions.com or rebeccaw@htop.org or visit the website located at www.GoodLifeWellnessSolutions.com. F
New Colorado loan fund to provide up to $250 million to small businesses A new loan fund will provide up to $250 million in working capital through 2023 to small businesses in Colorado. The Colorado Department of the Treasury, Colorado Housing and Finance Authority and Office of Economic Development and International Trade launched the Colorado Loans for Increasing Mainstreet Business and Economic Recovery (CLIMBER) fund. “At this critical moment in our economic recovery efforts, the CLIMBER fund will provide tools to the small businesses at the heart of our communities,” said Colorado State Treasurer Dave Young. “A CLIMBER loan could be
the crucial lifeline for a business who thought they may not make it through the pandemic. I’m thrilled to announce that these loans are accessible and available now.” With loans of up to $500,000, the fund is designed to catalyze borrowing that might not otherwise be available. Below-market interest rates and favorable terms provide a secure recovery option. Special consideration is given to small businesses in rural, distressed and underserved areas, including communities with low to moderate incomes. Small business owners interested in applying for loans must work with a participating lender, a list of which
appears on the website at https://climber-colorado.com. Financial institutions interested in offering CLIMBER loans can find more information on the website as well. “The CLIMBER loan fund is an important resource for businesses statewide affected by the pandemic, providing assistance to help them thrive and support jobs. CHFA is proud to collaborate with CLIMBER’s leading agencies and participating lenders to offer this opportunity to the business community,” said Cris White, director and chief executive officer of the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority. F
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May 13-26, 2021
How balanced is your approach to business? Truly successful businesses aren’t merely money making machines. They actually represent a tremendous opportunity to make life more pleasant and the world a better place if they’re operated for such a noble cause. There’s a commonly held belief business success is the result of selling as many products or services as possible to as many consumers as possible at the highest price possible while paying the lowest possible wage and raw material costs to make as much money as possible. This is a limited perspective that leaves those involved feeling taken advantage of; vastly undervalued; and, most Marcus important, unhappy. Straub Truly successful businesses reflect a more comprehensive and inclusive perspective. Their approaches benefit the many and not the few and create as much happiness and success as possible for customers, team members, owners and the community while generating a profit in the process. This balanced approach to success takes all players into account, spreading the fruits of everyone’s labor far and wide for the betterment of the whole. This comprehensive approach begins with the lifeblood of any successful business — its customers. If they’re not happy with the products and services provided to them in exchange for their hard-earned money, they won’t return and likely will talk about your company in unsavory ways. When you think about your customer base, it’s important to see them as human beings who’ve chosen to do business with you and not merely dollar signs adding to your bottom line. When customers are valued and treated with respect, integrity and care, they become over time raving fans of you, your team and your business. The
When you operate from the mindset others want to be just as happy and successful as you do, you’ll see and treat people differently.
happiness and success of everyone increases. The same principle applies to your team members. Without them, your company wouldn’t function. Without their dedication, it would be impossible to operate a high-quality business. Their agreements to exchange large portions of their lives to earn a living shouldn’t be taken for granted. Like you, team members have dreams of happiness and success. Their families depend on them just as yours depend on you. Your team members are the conduit between your business and your customers. They’re not cogs in the wheel of your business. They’re human beings. The more you care for your team members, the more likely they are to care for you. When you value and treat them with dignity, they’ll give their best to you and your customers. The happier and more fulfilled they are, the stronger your business will be and the more success everyone will enjoy. When you operate from the mindset others want to be just as happy and successful as you do, you’ll see and treat people differently. Through this larger perspective, team members and customers cease to be objects to achieve your financial dreams. Instead, they become vital links in a chain that creates happiness and success throughout the process of doing business. It’s true you can’t please everyone. Some team members and customers will never be satisfied with even exceptional efforts. In the pursuit of greater happiness and success, you will need to let certain team members and customers go.
Companies that operate from a win-win-win perspective in which happy customers, team members and owners succeed are the most rewarding companies to do business with, work for and run. That’s because these businesses give as well as receive. There’s more to business success than power, prestige, profits and status. When business is conducted in ways that honor and support everyone who contributes their time and resources to its well-being, the business is positioned to serve the greater purpose of creating happiness and success in the world. Its mission becomes a more encompassing endeavor, one not solely focused on creating wealth for owners and investors. In my work with companies over the years, I’ve repeatedly witnessed the dramatic differences between businesses that truly care about their team members, customers and community and those what don’t. In truth, your customers, team members, community and you are all in business together. It’s a symbiotic relationship. When you operate from a balanced perspective — one that includes the best interests of everyone involved, not just yours —– your business will produce happiness, well-being and even more success. Marcus Straub owns Life is Great Coaching in Grand Junction. His personalized coaching and consulting services help individuals, business owners, executives and companies build teams, organizations and lives filled with happiness and success. Straub is winner of the International Coach of the Year Award and author of “Is It Fun Being You?” He’s available for free consultations regarding coaching, speaking and trainings. Reach Straub at 208-3150, marcus@ligcoaching.com or through the website located at www.ligcoaching.com. F
May 13-26, 2021
The Business Times
Claim process curbs unemployment fraud
Identity theft and fraudulent unemployment claims pose a growing problem in Colorado as well as the rest of the United States. Why is there so much fraud associated with making a claim for unemployment? According to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE), fraudulent data came from massve breaches of Facebook, First American Financial Corp., Marriott, Yahoo and others over the past 10 years in which billions of identities were compromised. To safeguard the integrity of the unemployment program, the CDLE has turned to ID.me, a federally certified identity Janet provider which specializes in digital identity Arrowood protection. The provider helps CDLE make sure people are who they say they are before granting access to sensitive claim information or issuing benefits. The ID.me program affects all applicants for unemployment insurance benefits since April. If you’re already receiving benefits, complete the verification immediately to prevent your benefits from ending abruptly or to start them in the first place. The process is simple and easy: 1. Go to the website at https://hosted-pages.id.me/coloradodle-identity-proofing. Make sure you use the email address associated with your Colorado UI+ account. 2. Select “Verify with ID.me.” 3. Create an ID.me account. 4. Secure your account. 5. Verify your identity. You’ll need either two primary identification documents or one primary and two secondary identification documents. Military ID
cards, employer ID cards and temporary forms of ID aren’t accepted. You’ll need to prove your identity during the online ID.me session. Proving your identity requires uploading a photo of your government ID and taking a selfie. The selfie is used to create a biometric file to ensure only the unemployment insurance account holder can access the account and apply for benefits. What’s the actual process to complete the ID.me requirements? The next actions assume you use primary, rather than secondary, forms of identification. While you are logged in to your account, complete the following steps: 1. Indicate what form of primary identification you’ll use. 2. Either upload existing photos from your desktop or type in the number of a cell phone that can take pictures. If you choose to take pictures with your phone, ID.me will text you a secure link that will open your phone camera. 3. Follow the provided instructions to take pictures of your chosen ID (front and back). 4. Follow the instructions to take a video selfie. 5. Enter your Social Security number. Once you’ve completed these steps, follow the prompts to accept the conditions and finish the process. The ID.me website has a “help” box you can use if you’re having problems or don’t have a cell phone or computer. If you prefer speaking to a person, call the CDLE at (303) 318-8000, but expect long wait times. Janet Arrowood is founder and managing director of the Write Source, a Grand Junction-based firm that offers a range of services, including grant and proposal writing, instruction and technical writing. Reach her at janet.arrowood@thewritesourceinc.com. For more information, visit www.TheWriteSourceInc.com. F
IDENTIFY YOURSELF: ACCEPTED PRIMARY AND SECONDARY DOCUMENTS n Primary idenfication documents U.S. driver’s license or learner’s permit. U.S. passport or passport card. State-issued photo ID. Foreign passport. HSPD 12 PIV card. U.S. permanent resident card (I-551). USCIS-issued employment authorization card (I-766) Veteran’s health ID card. TSA ID card. DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI). Canadian driver’s license. Certification of naturalization (Form N-550 or N-570). Federally recognized, tribal-issued photo ID.
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n Secondary identifcation documents U.S. health insurance card. Social Security card. DD 214 or NGB Form 22. U.S. birth certificate. Current college student photo ID. Proof of U.S. voter registration. U.S. citizen ID card. W-2 form (or W-2C, W-2G, etc.). SSA-1099 form (or 1099-SM, 1099-R-OP, etc.). Non SSA-1099 form (or 1099-DIV, 1099-MISC, etc.). Current utility or medical bill or bank statement. Current pay stub.
RentaSpace.DiegoCorp.com
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May 13-26, 2021
These races hold implications for employers To borrow a metaphor from the Triple Crown horse racing season, Colorado legislators have rounded the curve and are headed into the home stretch. The outcome of the latest race has implications for employers. The 2021 legislative session started late because of the COVID-19 pandemic and is scheduled to adjourn on June 12. There will be a late charge this year. Because appropriations bills were delayed, several bills are just getting out of the gate. The 2020 legislative session was eventful for Colorado employers. But several employment-related bills introduced in 2021 could approach Dean the effects of employment measures Harris enacted last year. What bills affecting employers have legislators introduced in 2021, and what are the odds of the measures finishing the race? This column will consider a few of those measures. The front-runners: n House Bill 21-1108 protecting gender identity and gender expression. This measure provides a wide range of protections against discrimination because of gender identity and expression, including in employment and housing. This bill passed the House and Senate and awaits the governor’s signature. A U.S. Supreme Court decision in 2020 held sexual orientation and gender identity were included in protections because of sex. Gender identity is already included in the Colorado Antidiscrimination Act, so this bill won’t really change things for employers. n Senate Bill 21-039 eliminating the subminimum wage. The bill phases out the subminimum wage allowing employers that hold a special certificate from the U.S. Department of Labor to pay less than the minimum wage to employees whose earning capacity is impaired by age, physical or mental disability or injury. This bill passed its third reading unanimously and is in the Appropriations Committee. While the goals are laudable, it’s possible the bill actually could decrease the number of opportunities for affected employees. Running with the pack: n SB21-176 imposing new requirements on employers and providing new protections for employees against discrimination. As introduced, this bill would have brought sweeping changes to Colorado discrimination laws and probably would have been the most significant bill for
employers in some time. Provisions included: Including independent contractors and subcontractors in the definition of protected employees. Allowing parties to file civil actions in court without waiting for the Colorado Civil Rights Division or U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to investigate the claim so long as the claimant filed a charge of discrimination with the CCRD or served a written demand upon the employer. Defining hostile work environment harassment to include behavior that “offends, humiliates, distresses or intrudes upon the individual or otherwise interferes with and undermines the individual’s personal sense of wellbeing or safety.” Limiting medical examinations and inquiries related to disabilities. Specifying that failure to initiate an investigation or take appropriate remedial action promptly is a discriminatory practice. A Judicial Committee hearing at which Employers Council attorney Chad Trulli testified resulted in a flurry of amendments. The committee removed the provision allowing claimants to bypass the CCRD investigation and go straight to court. This will help prevent the filing of lawsuits with little merit only to force settlement. But the committee kept independent contractors in the definition of “employee.” One provision that remains in the bill allows an employer to defend a harassment claim by showing evidence of an anti-harassment program if the employer has not received a complaint of retaliation in the previous six years. Any retaliation complaint, regardless of its merit, can deny an employer a valid defense to harassment claims. There’s no objective standard in the law to determine when behavior intrudes upon another or undermines a person’s sense of well-being. While this bill awaits action by the full Senate, it’s likely the measure will pass in some form. n HB21-1290 authorizing additional funding for just transition. This bill makes general fund transfers of $8 million to the just transition cash fund and $7 million to a newly created coal transition worker assistance program account to assist workers and communities in transitioning from coal production. Two Western Slope legislators joined the majority leaders of both the House and Senate to jointly sponsor the measure. While the bill sits in committee now, it’s likely to pass the Legislature with bipartisan support. n SB21-087 concerning agricultural workers’ rights.
This bill provides sweeping protections to agricultural workers, including the right to overtime, meal and break periods; authorizes agricultural employees to organize and join labor unions, engage in protected, concerted activity; engage in collective bargaining; and removes the exemption of agricultural labor from state and local minimum wage laws. As with the subminimum wage bill, the protective goals of this bill are laudable. But as written, the measure likely will make it more expensive and difficult to produce agricutural goods. While it remains to be seen whether or not this bill will pass in its current form, it probably will pass in some form. At the back of the pack: n HB21-1191 prohibiting discrimination against persons who refuse to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The bill prohibits an employer, including a licensed health facility, from taking adverse action against an employee or applicant for employment based on the employee’s or applicant’s COVID-19 immunization status. Additionally, the bill specifies the COVID-19 vaccine is not mandatory. As discussed in my last column in April, current law allows employers to mandate vaccination in most cases under the theory COVID-19 presents a direct threat in the workplace. This bill was assigned to the Health & Insurance Committee, but is unlikely to pass even if it makes it out of committee. Pulled up lame: n HB21-1049 prohibiting discrimination against employees based on labor union participation. This bill with Western Slope sponsorship would have prohibited an employer from requiring union membership or payment of union dues as a condition of employment. This bill was postponed indefinitely in committee and remains unlikely to pass. Most of these bills are scheduled to be heard in committee during the first half of May. As the race heats up, some bills will drop away and others will surge forward. The Employers Council Employment Law Update is set for June 17 and 18 and will review these measures and other legal developments affecting the workplace. To register or obtain more information, visit the website at www.employerscouncil.org. Dean Harris is an attorney and Western Slope Area Manager for the Employers Council. The Employers Council counsels, represents and trains member employers in all phases of employment relationships. Contact Harris at dharris@employerscouncil.org or 852-0190. F
Paid time off available to get and recover from vaccinations COVID-19 vaccinations rolled out with a phased approach. Front-line health care workers most likely to be exposed to the virus were the first to get shots, followed by older people and those with high-risk health conditions who’d experience the most severe outcomes if they contracted the disease. By mid-April, enough supplies became available to allow everyone age 16 and older to get vaccinated. Age 16 is also a typical age for people Amanda to get their first jobs, and most don’t Mayle leave the work force until they’re nearly 70. That means most people getting COVID-19 vaccinations are in the work force. Among COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy factors, one of the largest is fear of becoming sick, missing work and losing potential wages. COVID-19 vaccinations will help protect you from getting the virus, but you could experience some side effects. These are normal signs your body is building protection. Side effects could include chills, fever,
Colorado employees can rest assured if they do feel sick, they won’t miss out on pay. headaches and tiredness that affect your ability to complete daily activities, including work. Side effects should go away in a few days. Feeling sick after vaccination is an uncertainty. Not everyone experiences side effects. But Colorado employees can rest assured if they do feel sick, they won’t miss out on pay. Under the Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, all regular full-time and part-time employees in the state are eligible to receive paid time off for health and safety needs. Getting and recovering from COVID-19 vaccinations qualifies. Under the law, Colorado residents can take four hours of paid time or sick leave for a vaccination appointment if scheduled during work hours or use paid time off while recovering from vaccinations. Employees who experience difficulty trying to take time off to get vaccinated or recover should call the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment Division
of Labor Standards and Statistics at (303) 318-8441 to ask questions or voice complaints. In Mesa County, the community vaccination site changed operations to include evening and weekend hours. Mesa County Public Health wants to make getting a COVID-19 vaccination as convenient as possible with as few disruptions as possible. If you’re interested in getting a COVID-19 vaccination, immediate scheduling and next-day appointments are available. Businesses are encouraged to post vaccination information in break rooms or other employee areas. A vaccine-protected work force means less worry of outbreaks. Those unable to complete scheduling online should call 248-6900 and press option 7. Those more comfortable communicating in Spanish should call the Mesa County Public Health Spanish language line at 255-3700. Amanda Mayle is communication and marketing manager for Mesa County Public Health. Connect with Mesa County Public Health on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MesaCountyPublicHealth or on Twitter @MC_PublicHealth. F
May 13-26, 2021
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Changes should improve health care, not just cut costs It’s no secret the cost of health care is astronomical and often outweighs perceived benefits. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has made lower health care spending a priority for his administration and has presented a number of policy solutions. The latest is House Bill 21-1232, also known as the Colorado public option. The initial version required health insurance premiums in 2024 to drop 20 percent below where they were in 2021 or the state would create an insurance plan. A newly introduced Ashley amendment moves away from a public Thurow option and requires private insurance companies to offer highly regulated, standardized plans with cost reductions over three years. Regardless of the amendments, Colorado would benefit from adopting a more cooperative approach in state-led initiatives. We should seek to improve health care outcomes alongside cost reduction and not treat them as mutually exclusive goals. The Colorado health care industry opposed the original version of the public option due to the inherent revenue implications. Another valid concern is the public option essentially penalizes — or fails to recognize — organizations that already have made strides in reducing premiums and improving quality, mainly through cooperative arrangements with health care providers. Cooperation is paramount to cost reduction not only for the public option, but also across the board in health care. Again, we should seek to both improve health care outcomes and reduce costs. The best way to achieve cooperative behaviors is to incentivize health care providers to have “skin in the
game.” In other words, adjust their reimbursement in such a way to reward strong performance and penalize weak performance. The mechanism to accomplish these goals is to align financial incentives between providers and insurance companies to encourage both to work toward achieving the triple aim — lower costs, better care and improved patient experiences. If costs are reduced and quality improves, the hospital or doctor receives more pay. Ultimately, the best paid health care providers will be the best providers — those that provide proactive, preventive care in the right setting at the appropriate level. Cooperative agreements allow all parties in the health care industry to align incentives based on doing right by the patient. Organizations like Monument Health, known as a clinically integrated network, sit in the middle of these cooperative, “value-based” agreements. We bring providers and insurers together to create aligned financial incentives; share clinical best practices; and implement a robust, predictive model dataset that, in turn, drives higher quality outcomes across a broad population. Through our partnership with Rocky Mountain Health Plans, for example, we’ve reduced premiums for insurance plans sold on the Connect for Colorado Exchange by an average of 10 percent in the past year. That’s the biggest reduction to an exchange product seen this year in Colorado. Clinically integrated networks and value-based agreements should continue to grow until they represent a sizable portion of health care provider revenue. Today, value-based payment represents a third or less of a hospital’s total reimbursement, a step in the right direction. CINs help shift the reimbursement model from pay for volume to pay for value as defined as the triple aim. Providers are paid based on the quality of care they
give and positive outcomes of their patients rather than the impersonal, turnstile model in which they’re paid based on the number of patients they see. It’s a structure that promotes wellness and early intervention. Medicare has begun to leverage the work of CINs for Medicare cost reduction as well. In 2019, Medicare reported $1.9 billion of savings generated by CINs that participated in value-based agreements with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The work of these networks is effective regardless of whether insurance is publicly or privately funded. Washington’s CascadeCare, Maryland’s Health Services Cost Review Commission’s all-payer rate setting structure, Massachusetts’ MassHealth and other state-imposed health care options have all recognized the critical need for cooperative arrangements and have included a number of value-based components in reimbursement design to providers. Colorado would benefit from adopting a more cooperative approach as it considers state-led health care initiatives. We should shift our mindset to elevate as our ultimate goal better health care outcomes, which includes lower cost as a critical component. By encouraging cooperative arrangements with providers and insurers, Colorado can achieve better health outcomes for patients and promote lower costs, better care and improved patient experiences. Ashley Thurow is executive director of Monument Health, a clinically integrated network based in Grand Junction. She’s passionate about improving health care through collaboration and industry disruption. She brings more than a decade of experience with value-based care models to Monument Health. Reach Thurow by email at Ashley.Thurow@monumenthealth.net. For more about Monument Health, visit https://monumenthealth.net. F
Contributors Opinion Bold predictions for 2015 It’ll work this time ... once New CMU president taking A new year Business affords more Briefs not-so-bold repeats finally spent enough first steps in right direction we’velike a new opportunity Business People Almanac to meet local needs THE he BUSINESS usiness T T Times IMES
PAGE age 26 22
John Marshall has some proverbially big shoes to fill as the new president of Colorado Mesa University. But he’s taking his first steps are in the right direction. Marshall will succeed Tim Foster, who in his 17-year tenure oversaw remarkable growth at CMU by nearly every measure. Between 2004 and 2019, student enrollment grew 63 percent to 9,373. The A number of certificates, associate, and graduate degrees conferred a new year almost always brings bachelor’s an opportunity for a fresh start and year moreambition than doubled 1,939. The Grand Junction campus itself has expanded renewed to do to things better. withIn thebusiness, construction of new classroom student housing and products other that usually boils downbuildings, to providing customers better facilities. Even the name the institution changed fromPart college university. and services faster and atof lower cost than competitors. of thetoprocess must To use yet another idiom, that’s a tough act to follow. Marshallneed is well-positioned include listening to customers to determine what they actually and then to perform well, though. at CMU since 2007,the firstlatest as director of meeting that need. AfterHe’s all, worked it does little good to offer and greatest if development, thenwants vice president for student nobody actually what you’re selling.services. Add to that the considerable responsibilities involved in leading the response to the COVID-19 and Just like the businesses that belong to the group, the Grand pandemic Junction Area bringing back toinvariably campus forstarts in-person instruction. is thoroughlyof Chamberstudents of Commerce out the new yearMarshall with a reassessment familiar withand the varied efforts that go into the services resources it provides andoperating how wellCMU. they match with members Marshall is familiar withchairman CMU in yet another wayboard as a student who received needs. Jeff Franklin, the new of the chamber of directors, apersonifies bachelor’sthis degree there in political science. His experiences as a student, he approach in describing what he considers his role for the coming says, were transformational, one shaped by people who took an interest in him year: listen to members, determine their needs and then meet those needs. It’s a and role his withfuture. which Franklin is familiar as market president of Bank of Colorado. In interview Times, Marshall asserted commitment Theanprocess willwith takethe on Business a more structured approach in whathisthe chamber to sustainasthat an environment once Listening educationally invigorating, plans the culture, resumption of a programthat’s aptlyatcalled to Business. Underbut the also nurturing. program, business owners participate in in-depth interviews to identify barriers to Students should come first, course. But Marshall also realizes the important growth and other problems theyofencounter. role CMU plays in offers developing thetime work andproverbial driving theclub. regional economy. The new year a good to force join the By one CMUorcontributes nearly $540need million to theTimes? economy of a As estimate an advertiser reader, what do you fromannually the Business 14-county of Western Colorado. It’s a gather responsibility CMU and Marshall Whilearea business journals traditionally and report the— relevant news to— must take seriously. readers, communication isn’t necessarily a one-way street. That’s especially true as some big shoes to fill. But it appears CMU will be in good hands. WebMarshall sites andhas e-mail make the dialogue more convenient than ever. F 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? Is there additional news coverage that would help keep you informed about if restaurants and otherAre businesses struggling to survive the pandemic localAs business developments? there features that would be interesting or needed another obstacle to overcome, theyjobs facea alittle measure under consideration useful? yet Is there advice that would make your easier? in theIt’sColorado Legislaturetotoask ban plastic foam takeout containers. equally important what youbags don’tand need. With limited time to The content measure, which hasspace passed House, would it, require produce and limited inthe which to publish wouldretail timefood and space be businesses andtogeneral storeselse? to stop using single-use plastic carryout bags as of better devoted something Sept.What’s 1, 2022, exempting existing inventory. But thatisn’t? inventory would have to be good? What isn’t? What’s needed? What usedLet up by MarchSend 1, 2023. After that,Comment businesses couldonsell us know. us an e-mail. online thesingle-use Business bags Timesfor Web 10 each, with 6 cents going toYou local governments. measure would banto sitecents at www.thebusinesstimes.com. could even writeThe an old-fashioned letter polystyrene of Sept.both 1, 2022. the editor if food you’dcontainers like. Your as feedback, positive and negative, is valued and Alternatively, another measure would impose fees on plastic food packaging will be carefully considered. to fund a grant programare to incentivize programs. Good publications the result ofnew not and onlyexpanded the effortsrecycling of their staffs, but also It’s difficult to argue aboutadvertisers the mounting collaborative efforts involving and problems readers. posed by ubiquitous plastic bags. it’s abusiness, question we of how to address problems. Like anyRather, other good wantbest to listen to ourthose customers, find out The better solution for now would be to avoid further burdening already what they need and then meet those needs. beleaguered restaurants andhelp other It’s a new year. Please usbusinesses to do so. while promoting programs to recycle plastic to keep it out of landfills and, more ✦ generally, the environment. F
Plastic recycling better than bans
THE BUSINESS TIMES
609 North Ave., Suite 2, Grand Junction, CO 81501 TEL (970) 424-5133 • FAX (970) 424-5134
Publisher/Owner: Craig R. Hall
Editor: Phil Castle
Reach advertising at: publisher@thebusinesstimes.com Reach the editor at: phil@thebusinesstimes.com.
Subscribe or submit press releases online at www.thebusinesstimes.com The Grand Valley Business Times, a subsidiary of Hall Media Group LLC, is published twice monthly and distributed throughout Grand Junction, Fruita and Palisade. Advertising rates and deadlines are available upon request. Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, editor, staff or advertisers. Copyright © 2015 — AllCopyright rights reserved. © 2021 — All rights reserved.
Has theretime everof been a more It’s that year whenoverused word in government than “underfunded?” resolutions and prognostications abound. Social Security? Underfunded, Medicare My favorite saying applied to New Year’s and Medicaid? Underfunded. Education? resolutions is in saying they’re basically a Underfunded. Infrastructure? bunch of promises to break Underfunded. the first week Welfare? Underfunded. Underfunded. of January. And while IRS? I won’t predict a Postal whole Service? lot, I canUnderfunded. pretty much accurately nail aPick fewyour things that without question federal government will make the news. You will see these are agency? Underfunded. pretty, well, predictable: Defense ...? Wait a one: ■ Prediction tick. The ONLY one There will be some OVERFUNDED is sort of weather event, the onlydisaster one that’s natural or constitutional. heinous occurrence But that’s how where someone will socialists roll. and say be interviewed Take the current the following: “I’ve one in seen the White House. Craig Hall never anything Does our in puppet-inlike that my chief have It’s anyas plan anywhere that isn’t a few lifetime.” if this Hall trillion a few trillionCraig there to “help” person here is a or required the people. tells me two things: I know attendee atThis every news where all this COVID money is coming reporting event. Whilerelief I understand most from and perspective I sure know can where it’s not people’s indeed begoing. limited The people. Why?within, Because money at by, or contained their owntaken personal the barrel of aitgun frommuch the people experiences, is too to askyou to claim to help never those people. And the consult somehelps historical perspective before demise of everything listedthis above is yourcan saying such a thing?IYes, response proof. Justsome ask yourself anywhen service you’ve apply to events. if But it comes received hasand improved gotten worse to weather naturalordisasters, I’m over pretty the you sayhistory yes, it’srepeating no wonderitself. you sureyears? this isIfsimply voted thehas guyfor in millions his basement you of Same for as it and and millions approve of running the printing presses 24/7. years. More important, the planet made it! course, underfunding isn’t justHow’s limited WhatOfdidn’t were certain species. to thefor federal government. States have been that perspective? doing■itPrediction for ages as two: well. When Yes, even states to a it comes with budgetthat amendments in their crimebalanced or something occurs between constitutions. As always, lookattendee to California humans, the other required at all as the reporting leader in anything has the news events isbad the(boy person who meaning the phrase ugly since, “As says this:of“They we’returned just the nicest California goes, so way goes did America.”) in terms of people, and in no I see something government policy spending. I recall like this coming.” Exactly. No one writing does years thetime onlywhen reasonitCalifornia most ago of the comes tohasn’t left the union to its anti-Americanism is neighbors anddue acquaintances. People should because in theatend it will need fedstime to bail be surprised what goes onthe from to it out.inHere weneighborhoods, are now. time their towns and Jersey, Illinois with Worse, peopleNew theyYork, knowNew because people are and Michigan, name a few, good. And forto the times thathave theyjumped shouldn’t on bandwagon. it ain’t duerepeat to be the shocked — likeAnd withno, politicians, COVID-19. These folks were broke well offenders and terrorists — where’s the before theirthat governors madedoesn’t things even worse interview says, “This surprise by their tax base and destroying meshuttering in the least.” homes, businesses and lives. But they good also ■ Prediction three: Something knew one other thing (even worse considering will happen economically, and the what they didwill withtake COVID their government credittofor it.survival). The most Once inprices, charge where of Washington, recentDemocrats example isgot gas people help would the way. of youfor ask me whybeI on won’t creditFor thethose president who voteprices. Democrat, that would be the help low gas My answer is simple: that isn’t coming to you as promised Government never makes the priceby of President you off with somethingMumbles. go downHe andbought simply takes credit afor grand so. Then theisplan is to give goodornews. Gasagain, pricing subject to crumbs to the factors. masses while many global Now extorting there are them to scream “taxanswers the rich,” hatingsome othersof government to while addressing better offkeep so theprices feds can confiscate, print and them to stable for Americans, spend money. has none of them in but ourmore government working hardintoplace join this place.Colorado The onlyisthings it has in the
May 15-28, 13-26, 2015 2021 JANUARY
elite of teat-suckers. After all, we’ve longgroup run always hurt consumers. Another elected an economically illiterate, fact is that unemployment reachestyrant a certain as governor andthe have Democrats level based on economy. Andrunning while the everything the state level. course, governmentatmight brag the Of number is low, in welikely have the thatgovernment pesky balanced it’sColorado more than did budget law,to socause the Politburo (formally something that number beingknown low as Assembly) needs to —the andColorado not in a General good way. Conversely, when do a lot ofpicks workarounds like exponential fee business up, it’s because the people raising, gastotaxes raisewho EXISTING who need buy that widgets were nottax levels not creating a new and passing buyingbywidgets because thetax economy was whatever they want to bring(or about their contracting due to natural unnatural, delusional socialist utopia. government caused) reasons, decided we course, biggestThe boondoggle right betterOfbuy somethe widgets. government now (don’t worry, newthis. one is coming had nothing to do awith tomorrow) is aboutfour: roadsInand infrastructure. ■ Prediction keeping with Hence “gas tax”does, theyIsay isn’t athe tax. things the new government predict Fact is, there will was manipulate a time whenthe 10 numbers percent ofto government the state to roads, make thebudget claim automatically the economy went is getting but thatbecause was eliminated yearsitago. Truth is,to better of how hard is working our betters budgetAmericans.” little for roads. helpelected all of us “working Now That way they’ll alwaysyou needalways more. say Andthis you might say, “Craig, while ongoing finagling might work to about their President Obama because you don’t extort monies, their plans will. That’s like him.” You’re right in never a sense. I don’t because only is Itoknow confiscate and know thetheir man, butplan what of him and spend more money. his thinking, I don’t like it or him one iota. Closer our mostI underfunded Before you to gohome, off, however, didn’t like entity is known School District stimulus 51. President Bush as and his bailouts, Iand honestly don’t knowthe what say other than his abandoning freetomarket to save this: It’llmarket. never have and it the free Andenough I don’tmoney, know him will come to the year after year either. What the trough government does, andwith the it’s “Ifisyou don’t this, you onlyrallying thing itcry canof,do, hurt the do economy. hate kids.” I mean, whoor builds a high school Unless it does nothing put criminals in (or school) with a life with expectancy of 50 jailany instead of partnering them, nothing years? And worse, spends next 50 years the government does will the help. Always look bitching outwhatever of date while literally doing at it this it’s way, the government says nothing budget-wise it is doing, whateverto thereplace name itofexcept the law it ballot measure after ballot is passing, or whatever themeasure name ortugging goal of on only answer? theheartstrings bureaucracyasitthe is presenting to You the got it. District 51. And special to education people, expect the look polarfor opposite occur. and needs to be theI’m latestsaying ploy. is that I guess what I grew in atotown in size to perhaps it’sup time get similar out of our own Grand Junction. Around 1974,ofithistory was time perspective. There’s plenty for a new school to be built.out Money books andhigh historical research therewas to allocated to build the school. a year, begin to understand that allFor of this hasthe 8-9 school before. and highAnd school shared a building happened it will again, on half days. Sacrifices were made and the whether the topic is people or government. building in spring of 1975is—toFULLY Theopened best recommendation find PAID. I don’t or know (or why) school some books try how that whole Google budgets have changed then, but on I dothe thing. There’s a lot ofsince information know 51 budgets aboutis1 itpercent Great District Depression. The truth wasn’t of its taxpayer confiscation buildings and even a good one until thetogovernment got maintenance. I say also that last part of because that involved. There’s plenty research old highmedieval school I shared a year backthe in on the warm for period when the day was is still in service as Monroe Middle planet much warmer than today with School though it was(and builtwarmer in the 1920s. a wholeeven lot less people well Here’s on the examples before man my wasthoughts here at all). And yep, above: thekilling damned budgeting people Where’s have been other surprised and planning? Problem withwritten. the people since history wasis,first taxing power, weaponry, Maybe some researchprinting will help stop presses and trends. dividingOtherwise, abilities ofwe’ll thosebe all of these in charge, there’s noseen incentive for fiscal saying we’ve never anything like it in responsibility. trough is always our lives. And The not in a good way. open. Craig publisher of the Craig Hall Hallisisowner ownerand and publisher of the Business 424-5133 or BusinessTimes. Times.Reach Reachhim himatat 424-5133 publisher@thebusinesstimes.com. or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com. F ✦
May 13-26, 2021
The Business Times
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40 years after graduation, What does job loss mean? my journey still takes me Real stories tell about all to rewarding destinations the struggles and effects On a clear morning 40 years ago, I wedged along with two friends into a Triumph TR7, zipped through Fort Collins to Hughes Stadium and graduated from Colorado State University. It was at once the end of one journey and the beginning of another. A journey that ultimately led to the Grand Valley and Business Times. Passing round number milestones tends to dredge up recollections long buried at the bottom of my brain. Perhaps it’s a welcome excuse for those of us who reach a certain age — nearly fossilized in my case — to wander Phil Castle down memory lane. I believe it’s useful, nonetheless, for everyone to take stock from time to time. That holds true for business owners and managers as much as business journal editors. Circumstances are unique, of course. But generalities apply. It’s difficult to tell where you’re going without considering where you’ve been. It’s important to review what’s changed over the years, but also what’s remained the same. The day after the 1981 commencement at CSU, I packed my belongings into my car and drove over Cameron Pass to Walden and my first job as managing editor of the Jackson County Star. Along with low pay and long hours, the position came with a cramped apartment behind the newspaper office. The scenery, however, was priceless — mountains in every direction as far as the eye could see. Weekly trips to Craig to print the paper at the Daily Press acquainted me with the staff there, one I was fortunate to join. Eventually, I became managing editor and oversaw efforts to produce what was at the time was one of the smallest circulation daily newspapers in Colorado, but one I’d contend punched well above it’s weight. More important for me personally, I met, fell in love with and married a young woman as brilliant as she was beautiful. I followed her to the Grand Valley when she attended what’s now Colorado Mesa University and then moved with her again to Oregon when she studied at the Willamette University College of Law. That afforded me opportunities to work for two more newspapers, covering sports for a daily and what we used to joke were cows and plows for a regional agricultural weekly. Just months after my wife received her law degree and passed the bar exam, we were back in the Grand Valley. We had two bright young sons in tow. Shortly afterward, I began working for the Business Times, first as a freelancer
and then editor. That was nearly 23 years ago. Don’t they go by in a blink? Like so many other sectors, the newspaper industry has experienced profound changes over the past 40 years. While I never wore a fedora with a press card tucked into the band, I used to pound out copy on a typewriter. I also assembled newspaper pages by pasting together long strips of text trimmed with X-Acto knives and waxed on the back. Computer technology and the internet changed not only newspaper production, but also the ways in which information is gathered and disseminated. The old days spent hunched over government records and peering at microfilm to conduct research were anything but good, especially compared to the speed and ease of using Google. Newspapers still reach readers in print, but increasingly in digital formats through websites and smartphones. Some newspapers have transitioned entirely to digital publication. Call me an anachronistic relic, but I still savor a printed newspaper with a cup of coffee. It’s a sensory experience I’m reluctant to give up. For that matter, I prefer printed books over their digital counterparts. I also acknowledge that when I’m in a hurry, I turn to my computer. My tale is in part a cautionary one in that businesses face a constant choice between evolution and extinction. The old dogs that work for them either learn new tricks or ... well, imagine your own idioms. The more things change, though, the more they stay the same. Even in the midst of technological revolution, core functions and missions go on. Although I’m responsible for many functions, the core of what I do is tell stories. The tools and techniques have changed, but I still gather information, interview people and tell stories. It’s the same as when I covered the school board in Walden and city council in Craig. It’s the same as when I wrote about high school wrestling in the Grand Valley and wine production in the Willamette Valley. And it’s the same today when I tell the stories of the remarkable entrepreneurs I’m privileged to meet. Wandering back down memory lane, I remember well the day I graduated from CSU — and most of the days I’ve lived since then. They’ve offered the usual mix of good, bad and occasionally downright ugly. But I’ve been blessed with mostly good. Moreover, I remain excited about the journey and where it will lead next. Phil Castle is editor of the Business Times. Reach him at phil@thebusinesstimes.com or 424-5133. F
“U.S. Economy Lost 140,000 Jobs in December;” “Keystone XL Pipeline Cancellation, Thousands of Jobs Lost;” “Impact of Illegal Immigration Disproportionately Affects Adult Black Males;” “$15 Minimum Wage Could Cost 1.4 Million Jobs;” “Plan to Raise Corporate Taxes Would Reduce GDP by 0.8 percent and Eliminate 159,000 Jobs.” These are some of the headlines reflecting the effects of COVID-19 closures and a change in the presidential administration. Most people recognize these headlines also reflect economic problems. But how many really understand what’s lost? What is the effect from the loss of a job? These aren’t just statistics. Behind every single job is a person, a life and a story to be told. In massive layoffs, entire communities are forever changed. Economically, the loss of a job can be devastating. According to the Scholars Strategy Network, studies of job loss over the past several decades found the earnings of displaced workers fell by 30 percent to 60 percent in the year immediately after a job loss. Five or more years later, the earnings of displaced workers remain depressed by 13 percent Phyllis to 32 percent. Long term, those who experience job loss in the Hunsinger two prior decades have 8 percent less wealth than comparable workers who didn’t experience job loss. Time out of the workplace can rarely be recovered. Of course, jobs are more than simply a way to pay the bills. Work is a huge part of our identity. Losing a job can constitute one of the most stressful experiences in life. Jobs influence the way we view ourselves and increase self-confidence by underscoring trust in abilities and qualities. Jobs give purpose, structure and meaning to our lives. Work is recognized in society as an essential responsibility to provide for the needs of oneself and one’s family. There’s dignity and pride in work. Dignity is defined as the personal quality of being worthy of honor. The dignity of a person is lived out in society by the fulfillment of personal responsibilities. There is dignity in having a job, in supporting ourselves and contributing to society. Work is associated with a plethora of non-economic outcomes. Studies show there are lower incidences of crime and drug abuse, greater social engagement, stronger families and measurably better health when individuals work. The sense of belonging gives workers a purpose that doesn’t generally exist with the unemployed. Results of studies quoted in Scholars Strategy Network showed middle-aged long-employed workers who lose their jobs in mass layoffs experience death rates in the following few years that are 50 percent to 100 percent higher than similar workers who aren’t displaced. Displaced workers report increased stress and anxiety and worse mental health in the years after job loss. In the years just after employment cessation for a family breadwinner, children are more likely to repeat a grade, indicating academic difficulties accompanying job loss. The disruption of the family unit is a major effect of job loss. Headlines are written and read with interest. The real stories lie behind the headlines. Presidential executive orders, thoughtless policy legislation and governors’ edicts can have unintended consequences, not the least of which are the economic and social destruction left behind. Connie Wanberg, a professor at the University of Minnesota known for her work on unemployment, put it this way: “Work provides us time structure, identity, purpose and social interactions. When you lose all that, it creates lots of difficulties for people.” Phyllis Hunsinger is founder of the Freedom & Responsibility Education Enterprise Foundation in Grand Junction. The foundation provides resources to students and teachers in Western Colorado to promote the understanding of economics, financial literacy and free enterprise. For more information, visit www.free-dom.us.com. A former teacher, principal and superintendent, Hunsinger wrote “Down and Dirty: A ‘How To’ Math Book” Contact Hunsinger by email at phyllis@free-dom.us.com. F
SHARE YOUR VIEWS The Business Times welcomes letters to the editor and guest columns on issues affecting businesses in Western Colorado. Submissions should be emailed to phil@thebusinesstimes.com and include names and telephone numbers for verification.
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n WEST STAR AVIATION RETAINS TOP RANKING IN LATEST RESULTS OF MAGAZINE SURVEY
An aviation company with operations in Grand Junction remains the top-ranked maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services provider in the latest results of an annual magazine survey. West Star Aviation ranked first among most-preferred MROs in the 2021 survey conducted by Professional Pilot magazine. The company has ranked first since the magazine Debi Cunningham added the category to the survey in 2014. “This award is very special to us because it is a testament of our reputation with our customers while offering the highest quality of workmanship and outstanding customer service,” said Debi Cunningham, vice president of marketing. “This year the award means so much more. With an unprecedented pandemic, we still came together and adapted as needed to accomplish the essential work for our customers and made sure all their needs were met. Thank you to all our amazing customers and hard-working team members for this outstanding recognition eight years in a row.” The rankings are based on the results of surveys of magazine subscribers, including pilots, aircraft maintenance professionals and other industry professionals. West Star Aviation offers a range of services that include the maintenance and repair of airframes, engines and avionics as well as painting and interior refurbishments. At the Grand Junction Regional Airport, West Star Aviation operates a total of more than 280,000 square feet of hangars, shops and office space. The company also serves as what’s called a fixed-base operator in providing such services and facilities as fueling, parking and hangars. West Star also operates facilities in Aspen and Denver as well as in Arizona, Illinois, Minneapolis, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas. For more information, visit www.weststaraviation.com. n ONLINE REGISTRATION UNDER WAY FOR GOLF TOURNAMENT AND MUSICAL EVENT
Registration is under way for a benefit golf tournament and musical event in Fruita. The Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce and KAFM community radio have joined with Atlasta Solar to present the Music & Mulligans Golf Tournament. The tournament is set for June 4 with a 9 a.m. shotgun start at the Adobe Creek National Golf Course at 876 18 1/2 Road. The tournament will include a hole-in-one contest, prizes, lunch by Jimmy John’s and a silent auction. The event also will include live music by El Javi, Feeding Giants, the Glenfinnan Highlanders Scottish Bagpipes, Gunny Sons and Tune Weavers as well as the headliner group Dubious Bros. Teams of four players must register and pay in advance. Register online at https://fruitachamber.org or www.kafmradio.org. For more information about sponsorships or silent auction donations, send an email to events@fruitachamber.org or call 858-3894. Proceeds from the Music & Mulligans Golf Tournament will benefit the Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce and KAFM radio station in Grand Junction. Both nonprofit organizations, the chamber and station support businesses and the communithy through a variety of activities, networking events and other resources.
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May 13-26, 2021
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Community Hospital in Grand Junction has once again received a 5-star rating in a nationwide evaluation based on seven areas of quality. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services awarded Community Hospital the maximum 5-star rating in 2020 and again in 2021. “Our entire staff has worked tirelessly to achieve a 5-star quality rating from CMS for the second year in a row,” said Chris Thomas Chris Thomas, president and chief executive officer of Community Hospital. “To recive a CMS 5-star quality rating for a single year is a huge accomplishment. But receiving it two years in a row underscores our unwavering commtment to providing outstanding care to our patients and our community,” Thomas said. “Providing high-quality health care for the best value in the market remains a top priority for Community Hospital.” Community Hospital is one of only 455 hospitals nationwide to receive a 5-star rating, including 16 in Colorado and three on the Western Slope. The evaluation is based on data in the areas of patient experience, timely and effective care, unplanned hospital visits, payment and value of care. The measures reflect common conditions hospitals treat. Scores are based on recognized national standards for environmental safety, quality improvement and patient safety. Community Hospital met or exceeded standards in each of the core areas. For additional information about Community Hospital, log on to the website located at www.YourCommunityHospital.com.
n COLDWELL BANKER DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES RANKS AMONG TOP 500 BROKERAGES IN U.S. Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties ranks for a sixth consecutive year among the top real estate brokerages in the United States in an annual industry report. The Grand Junction-based firm ranked among the top 500 brokerages for sales volume and transaction sides in the REAL Trends 500. The firm also ranked among the firms with the largest increases in sales volume. “With over 106,000 brokerages in the Todd Conklin nation, being named one of the largest and fastest growing is a tremendous honor,” said Todd Conklin, chairman of Conklin & Co., which operates Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties as well as Coldwell Banker Commercial Prime Properties. “Our agents work incredibly hard to provide exceptional service and help their clients achieve their real estate goals,” Conklin said. “These rankings reflect that commitment to excellence.” Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties ranked 263rd among the 500 largest brokerages for closed sales volume in 2020. The firm ranked 339th for most closed transaction sides. Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties ranked 23rd among the 50 firms with the largest increases in closed sales volume between 2019 and 2020 and 29th for the largest increase in closed sales volume between 2016 and 2020. Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties ranked 20th out of the 138 Coldwell Banker affiliates in the latest REAL Trends 500 report. Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties serves a total of nine markets in Colorado, Idaho and Montana. For more information, visit www.cbcdistinctive.com. n HANDBAG DONATIONS SOUGHT THROUGH MAY 28 FOR ST. MARY’S PROGRAM FUND-RAISER Donations will be accepted through May 28 for an upcoming fund-raiser selling new and gently used handbags. The Friends of St. Mary’s Hospital and St.Mary’s Foundation have scheduled the Highballs & Handbags event for 4 to 7:30 p.m. June 12 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 743 Horizon Drive in Grand Junction. The vintage 1950s girls night out will offer name brand handbags for purchase as well as bidding in a silent auction. The event also will include cocktails, appetizers and a raffle. Donations will be accepted at Bank of Colorado, 200 Grand Ave., Crossroads Finess at 2768 Compass Drive, and Hormone Health and Wellness at 1190 Bookcliff Ave., No. 202, in Grand Junction as well as Rivers End Dental at 532 Raptor Road in Fruita. Tickets to Highballs & Handbags sell for $40 and are available online at https://smhf.cbo.io. Proceeds will go to the Sister Michel Patient Compassion Fund, which helps St. Mary’s Hospital patients with transportation, prescription medications, equipment and other needs. F
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n KELLER WILLIAMS COLORADO WEST REALTY NAMES NEW TEAM LEADER AND CEO Branden Lowder has joined Keller Williams Colorado West Realty as team leader and chief executive officer of the Grand Junction-based real estate business. Lowder brings to his latest role more than 27 years of experience in the industry. He worked the past 12 years in Los Angeles. He’s won Branden Lowder multiple awards recognizing his leadership abilities. Lowder said he was born in Colorado Springs and moved with his family to Arizona. He said he began his real estate career in a community similar to Grand Junction. Lowder said he joined Keller Williams seven years ago, left briefly in 2018 and then returned. “The grass is definitely not always greener. I came back because KW was the better brokerage to be associated it, and it offers everything we need to be successful.” In Grand Junction, Lowder said he expects to double the agent count and production at Keller Williams Colorado West Realty by 2022. He also introduced an in-housing marketing team and added staff to the support team. “I’m looking forward to making the Colorado West Realty market center a place where agents who truly want to build their business, brand and fine-tune their sales skills and learn new ways to lead generate can all come together and feel supported by our team and staff.” Keller Williams Colorado West Realty operates offices in Grand Junction as well as Glenwood Springs and Montrose as well as teams in Crested Butte and Telluride. For more information, visit www.kwgrandjunction.com or call 256-9100. n MARKET MANAGER FOR POWER JOINS KLJ ENGINEERING ON WESTERN SLOPE Jason Audette has joined KLJ Engineering as a market manager for power. Audette will work out of the new KLJ office in Grand Junction and help expand the company’s market presence in Western Colorado. Audette brings to his new role 21 years of experience overseeing Jason Audette business development in electrical transmission and distribution, power generation and mining industries. He holds a bachelor’s degree in construction management from Northern Michigan University. Headquartered in Bismark, N.D., KLJ Engineering operates a total of 24 offices in seven states in serving markets nationwide. The company provides a range of services, including designing, planning and supporting the construction of everything from parks and pipelines to roads and runways. For more information about KLJ Engineering, visit www.kljeng.com.
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SHARE YOUR NEWS The Business Times welcomes submissions for free publication in Business People and the Almanac calendar of events. Email submissions to phil@thebusinesstimes.com or submit a news release online at www.thebusinesstimes.com.
Kathy Tomkins
C. Castaneda
Mary Kruse
n GRAND JUNCTION REAL ESTATE BUSINESS HONORS BEST-SELLING AGENTS FOR APRIL Toni Heiden-Moran, Kathy Tomkins, Cynthia Castaneda and Mary Kruse were honored as the top-performing agents for April at Weichert Realtors-Heiden Homes Realty in Grand Junction. Heiden-Moran, the owner and broker of the firm, posted the highest dollar volume in sales for the month. Tomkins had the most T. Heiden-Moran closed transactions. Heiden-Moran, Castaneda and Kruse tied for the most new listings. Weichert Realtors-Heiden Homes Realty operates offices at 735 Rood Ave. For additional information, including listings for homes for sale or rent, call 245-7777 or visit www.heidenhomes.com n BROKER ASSOCIATE RECEIVES REALTOR INSTITUTE DESIGNATION Irma Gutierrez, a broker associate with Hummel Real Estate in Grand Junction, has received the Graduate Realtor Institute designation. Gutierrez completed more than 60 hours of instruction as well as examinations covering such subjects as contracts, financing, marketing, professional standards, risk reduction Irma Gutierrez and sales. The GRI designation indicates to the public an educational foundation upon which Realtors base their services. Only Realtors may receive the GRI designation. Gutierrez is a member of the Grand Junction Area Realtors Association. Hummel Real Estate operates offices at 316 Main St. For more information, visit www.hummelrealestate.com or call 986-1897. F
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May 13 n Grand Junction Master Networks referrals group Zoom meeting, 9 a.m. May 13 and 20. New members welcome, but only one member from a profession. 216-7723 n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Welcome Thursday Friends networking lunch, noon, Munchies Pizza & Deli, 550 Kokopelli Drive 858-3894 or https://fruitachamber.org n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce business after hours event, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Circle Park, 125 E. Aspen Ave. Admission $5 for members, $10 for others. 858-3894 or https://fruitachamber.org May 18 n Business startup workshop, 9 to 11:30 a.m., Business Incubator Center, 2591 Legacy Way, Grand Junction. Admission $55. 243-5242 or https://gjincubator.org n Networking at Noon free gathering for members of the Fruita and Palisade chambers of commerce, noon May 18 and 25, KAFM Radio Room, 1310 Ute Ave., Grand Junction. Email reservations required. membership@fruitachamber.org May 19 n Western Colorado Human Resource Association monthly meeting and presentation on the Mesa County Youth Collaborative Initiative, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., virtual and in-person at Warehouse 25Sixty-Five, 2565 American Way, Grand Junction. WCHRA members attend at no additional charge. Guests pay $10 for the virtual presentation, $22 for the in-person event. www.wchra.org n Palisade Chamber of Commerce business after hours event, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Centennial Canoe, 255 E. Second St. Admission $6. Registration required. www.palisadecoc.com or 464-7458 May 20 n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Welcome Thursday Friends networking lunch, noon, Rib City Grill, 455 Kokopelli Drive, Unit E. 858-3894 or https://fruitachamber.org May 26 n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce member appreciation picnic, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., chamber office, 432 E. Aspen Ave. Registration requested. 858-3894 or https://fruitachamber.org Upcoming n Business startup workshop, 6 to 8:30 p.m. June 8, Business Incubator Center. Admission $55. 243-5242 or https://gjincubator.org n Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce networking at noon, 11:45 a.m. June 9, Warehouse 25Sixty-Five. Admission $18 for chamber members, $23 for others. https://gjchamber.org or 242-3214 n Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce annual banquet, 6 to 11:30 p.m. June 11, Grand Junction Convention Center, 159 Main St. Individual tickets $85. Corporate tables $950. https://gjchamber.org or 242-3214 F
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