The Business Times Volume 30 Issue 10

In this issue

n It’s a wrap

Three West Slope lawmakers review what they say is the good, the bad and the ugly of the latest legislative session.

n Recruiting efforts

A Grand Junction-based organization has received a $200,000 grant to fund efforts to recruit new businesses.

n Rec staffing

Two Mesa County companies are among the recipients of grants to help outdoor rec businesses maintain staffing.

n Name change

2 6 6

The largest public accounting firm based on the West Slope has changed its name even as it marks 75 years in business.

n Retreating rate

The unemployment rate dropped in Mesa County in April to its lowest level in more than three years.

n Pillars of success

A few key pillars support a thriving human resource and business culture that benefits organizations.

Finding her voice

n

director eager to lead chorus promoting

THE BUSINESS TIMES Business People

Lawmakers scrutinize good and bad of session

Contributors Business Briefs Almanac

West Slope legislators decry last-minute push to place tax measure on election ballot

Phil Castle The Business Times

Three Western Colorado legislators said they’re pleased with some of what happened during the latest session — including the measures they helped shepherd into law.

But they were also disappointed by what else transpired — including a last-minute push to put a measure on the ballot aimed at reducing property tax rates while also allowing the state to keep and spend revenues above the Taxpayer’s Bill or Rights constitutional cap.

her voice

Brittany Dixon loves nothing more than bringing people to the table to discuss issues affecting Western Colorado.

And she’s got a table. A figurative one in the coalition she oversees as the new executive director, but also literal ones at the events Club 20 hosts across the region. “There’s space for everyone at the table,” she says.

As a nonpartisan group, Club 20 is comprised of a variety of members and considers all sides of an issue before settling on a position, Dixon says. That’s important for an organization that strives to serve as a voice for the Western Slope. “I would argue that we’re stronger because of it.”

Dixon was recently hired to lead Club 20, a Grand Junction-based coalition of businesses, individuals, governments and tribes in the region.

Dixon served as interim director for three months and before that policy and outreach director for nearly three years. She succeeds Christian Reece, who resigned to join the University of Colorado as outreach and engagement regional program manager for Western Colorado.

“As interim director, Brittany has proven to be a leader and influencer with a special talent for public policy and advocacy,” says Brad McCloud, chairman of the Club 20 board of directors. “Alongside the passion that she has for Club 20 and its members, she brings a unique perspective that will elevate and strengthen our ability to promote the region.”

Dixon says she’s pleased with her selection. “I have a lot of passion for this organization.”

Dixon says she’ll oversee day-to-day operations, including membership activities and public affairs. But in a larger sense, she says her role involves representing members as an advocate for their interests and those of the region in promoting economically healthy communities. “It really is magic what we can do in Club 20.”

There’s no shortage of issues affecting the West Slope, Dixon says, including the reintroduction of wolves, tax measures and an ongoing battle between state and local controls. That’s not to mention water use in the midst of what’s been a long-term drought.

One issue frequently has everything to do with other issues, she says. “Everything we talk about comes together.”

Dixon says she hopes to continue to increase the ranks of the nearly 500 members who belong to Club 20 and involve younger generations in the organization.

In many respects, Dixon says her position constitutes a dream job for someone who discovered in college an interest in politics, public policies and advocacy. See VOICE page 18

“It’s such a scam. It really is about raiding TABOR,” said State Sen. Janice Rich, a Republican from Grand Junction.

State Reps. Rick Taggart from Grand Junction and Matt Soper from Delta were among the House Republicans who walked out in protest of tactics that limited consideration and debate of the measure. “Quite honestly, we’d had enough,” Taggart said.

Rich, Taggart and Soper reviewed the recently concluded session of the Colorado General Assembly during a legislative wrap-up lunch hosted by the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce.

The three cited success in the number of measures in which they were involved passed and signed into law. They said they also were successful in efforts to change other measures. Soper said an amendment to provide $1 million in grants for rural hospitals ultimately was included in the state budget.

Meanwhile, another measure that would have implemented what Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and other lawmakers touted as a comprehensive approach to promote affordable housing — but faced opposition for usurping local controls — failed. Rich said a version of the bill could return in the next session.

Yet another measure that would have required retailers and businesses in the hospitality industry to provide written notice of employee work schedules 14 days in advance died in a House committee.

The three local legislators said they were most disappointed, though, by Senate Bill 303 and end-of-session efforts to push through legislation to ask voters this November to forego part of their TABOR refunds in exchange for providing tax relief to property owners.

See SESSION page 16

Brittany Dixon has taken over as the new executive director of Club 20, a coalition of governments, businesses and individuals that advocates on behalf of Western Colorado. Dixon says she hopes to build on the efforts of a nonpartisan organization she says serves as the voice of the Western Slope.

Janice Rich

“It really is magic what we can do in Club 20.”

Brittany Dixon, executive director

Rick Taggart

Matt Soper

Applications open for Ebike to work ownership program

40 bikes will be provided in Grand Junction

Applications are available for a new program that will provide electric bicycles to people who live or work in two business districts in Grand Junction.

The City of Grand Junction will offer th Ebike to Work Ownership Program to provide 40 ebikes to residents who live or work in the Horizon Drive Business Improvement District or within the Downtown Development Authority boundary.

Participants must earn at or below 80 percent of the area median income — $46,050 a year for an individual in Mesa County.

Qualifying applicants will be required to submit address and income verification with their applications. Housing Resources of Western Colorado will assist in reviewing applications.

Once applicants are determined to have met qualifications, ebikes will be presented on a first-come, first-served basis until all 40 have been distributed.

The program will run for one year and include participant surveys at two-, four-, and six-month intervals.

The program will be funded through a $134,000 grant from the Colorado Energy Office Community Access to Electric Bicycles effort.

The grant will fund the purchase of 40 bikes, provide safety and security equipment, offer coordination with a local bicycle retailer and includes the assistance of a team from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

The bike retailer will be selected through a request for proposal process. The city will pay that vendor to supply ebikes, safety and security equipment, rider education and safety trainings as well as basic bike maintenance over the

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

Applications for the Ebike to Work Ownership Program are available online in English and Spanish at www.gjcity.org/ 1358/Ebike-to-Work-OwnershipProgram. Paper applications are available from the Community Development Department at Grand Junction City Hall, 250 N. Fifth St.; Visit Grand Junction, 740 Horizon Drive: the Horizon Drive Business Improvement District office, 2764 Compass Drive; Downtown Development Authority office, 101 S. Third St., Suite 100; and the Western Slope Foodbank of the Rockies, 698 Long Acre Drive.

course of the program.

Through the relationship with the NREL team, detailed trip travel data will be collected without any attached personally identifying information. That will help city staff understand preferred travel routes as well as assess the effectiveness of the program.

The program will be evaluated to determine how effective ebikes are as a regular mode of transportation for program participants, the viability of ebikes as a larger component of transportation in the city and the effects of ebikes on greenhouse gas emissions. The data will also help city staff understand non-vehicle traffic patterns, connections and sectors of interest for ongoing multimodal mobility efforts.

Mesa County receives ballot printer grant

Mesa County is among 25 counties in Colorado to receive grants to help them acquire ballot printers.

Delta and Montrose counties also received grants.

Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold awarded a total of $515,765 as part of the printer grant program.

Counties will use the grants to acquire new printers for use with their Dominion ICX ballot marking devices. These new printers give counties the option to print on ballot cards larger than 14 inches at voter service and polling centers, saving paper and money on printing costs.

The Printer grant program continues state efforts to implement a uniform ballot statewide. The uniform ballot is a ballot printed at voter service and polling centers

that matches mail ballots.

Voters at those centers can use ICX ballot marking devices to fill out a ballot on the machine, print the ballot using the printers funded by these grant awards and then return it to be counted. Each of Colorado’s 62 counties using Dominion Voting Systems software can print the uniform ballot.

“These grant awards will allow counties to modernize their ballot printers and simplify the ballots printed at voting centers so they match mail ballots received by every eligible voter,” Griswold said.

“I’m proud to support the counties with this funding so that we can make voting more accessible while maintaining the highest levels of security.”

Health care network joins in effort to serve Medicare customers

Monument Health to provide services to Cigna customers in two local counties

A Grand Junction-based health care organization has entered into an agreement to provide additional services to Medicare customers in Mesa and Delta counties.

Under the agreement, Monument Health will provide health care services to Cigna Healthcare Medicare Advantage customers in the two counties. Monument Health will provide population health management services as a part of a risk- sharing, value-based agreement.

“We are thrilled to add a well-known and trusted insurance product like Cigna Healthcare’s Medicare business to our network,” said Ashley Thurow, executive director of Monument Health. “When Medicare beneficiaries receive prevention-focused, personalized care, they live healthier lives. Monument Health is excited to support this value-based care effort alongside Cigna.”

Thurow said population health management offers a strategy to help manage the health of patients while focusing on preventive efforts.

Care coordinators with Monument Health will work with members as well as network health care providers to promote early intervention and prevention for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries, Thurow said. Care coordinators will help schedule appointments for such preventive measures as diabetes management, mammograms, nutrition support, smoking cessation classes and weight management.

As the largest clinically integrated network in Western Colorado, Monument Health serves a total of 75,000 patients.

Autumn Zank, market president for Cigna Healthcare’s Medicare business, praised the collaboration. “Adding Monument Health to our Medicare Advantage network is another way we can provide customers access to high-quality, affordable health care in the area,” Zank said. “We share Monument’s commitment to delivering improved health outcomes while helping lower the cost of the care in the region.”

Dr. Brian Davidson, market medical executive for the Mountain States region of Cigna Healthcare’s Medicare business, agreed.

“It has been exciting to watch Monument Health’s track record for quality care since its inception,” said Davidson, who previously served as president of St. Mary’s Medical Center in Grand Junction.

“The provider group continues to manage lives under its care with acumen while realizing improved health outcomes of its members and lowering the cost of the care in the region. It’s only natural that a collaboration with Cigna would be realized.”

Ashley Thurow

Autumn Zank

Brian Davidson

Grant to help fund GJEP recruitment efforts

A Grand Junction-based economic development organization has received a $200,000 grant to fund efforts to bring new businesses to Mesa County.

The Grand Junction Economic Partnership received the grant from the ZOMA Foundation, which promotes community development and other efforts in Colorado and Chile.

“GJEP is committed to making the Grand Junction area a place of opportunities for generations to come by diversifying our economy and bringing primary jobs to our community,” said Curtis Englehart, executive director.

“We are grateful for ZOMA Foundation’s partnership and their shared vision for rural economic development,” he said.

GJEP works to promote employment and capital investment in Mesa County through the attraction, expansion and retention of businesses. The organization provides free development and relocation services as well as connects businesses with local, state and national incentives.

In 2022, GJEP supported the relocation and expansion of a total of seven businesses and helped create 83 jobs with the potential for an additional 333 jobs.

Founded by Ben and Lucy Ana Walton, the ZOMA Foundation promotes the development of thriving communities and solutions to key issues. F

Mesa County outdoor rec companies receive funds

Two Mesa County companies are among the recipients of grants intended to help outdoor recreation businesses and nonprofits hire and retain employees.

QuikrStuff in Grand Junction was awarded a $100,000 grant, while Jet Boat Colorado based in De Beque received a $23,000 grant. Geyser Technologies in Montrose also received a $100,000 grant.

Western Slope SUP in Hotchkiss received a $30,000 grant.

The Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade awarded 24 grants from the Outdoor Recreation Industry Impact Fund.

The fund was in turn created using state and local fiscal recovery funds from the American Rescue Plan Act.

“When the outdoor recreation industry thrives, Coloradans across the state benefit from quality jobs and an unparalleled quality of life,” said Eve Lieberman, executive director of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade.

“These grants will help outdoor recreation employers retain and hire the talented staff that power this important sector of Colorado’s economy,” Lieberman said.

QuikrStuff manufactures bicycle racks. Jet Boat Colorado provides jet boat tours on the Colorado River.

Geyser Technologies manufactures a hot portable shower that uses less than a gallon of water. Western Slope SUP provides stand up paddle board, kayaking, rafting and tubing rentals and trips.

Conor Hall, director of the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office, said the grants target what he said his staff heard during a statewide listening tour was the greatest needs of the industry — hiring and retaining staff in the face of the rising costs of living and housing.

“We’re thrilled to assist employers as they continue their efforts to steward our natural resources while also creating career opportunities in the outdoors,” Hall said.

According to a U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis estimate for 2021, outdoor recreation accounted for 2.7 percent of the Colorado economy and 4.3 percent of employment in the state — 125,244 jobs. That represented a 13.4 percent increase in employment over 2020.

Curtis Englehart

Eve Lieberman

Conor Hall

Accounting firm marks milestone with new name

The largest public accounting firm headquartered in Western Colorado has a new name Dalby, Wendland & Co. changed its name to DWC CPAs and Advisors.

The rebrand occurs as the firm makes its 75th year in business in 2023. In coming months, the firm will unveil an updated logo and colors as well as a new website address at https://dwcadvisors.com.

“Throughout the decades we have seen the needs of our clients evolve as our economies and business climates fluctuate and legislation becomes more convoluted. The continuous changes prompt us to stretch our capabilities and challenge ourselves to help our people, clients and

communities to be better,” said Chris West, chief executive officer of DWC CPAs and Advisors.

“We are proud to continue the hard work, dedication and importance of building deep relationships our firm founders, Walter Dalby and Wes Wendland, ingrained in our organization,” West said. “As we remember our roots, we must also embrace the future and its many opportunities for continued growth and success.”

DWC CPAs and Advisors operates offices in Grand Junction as well as Glenwood Springs and Montose.

DWC CPAs and Advisors ranks among the 300 largest public accounting firms in the United States in an annual list compiled for the Inside Public Accounting national newsletter. DWC CPAs and Advisors has made the list for eight years.

The ranking is based on financial and operational

surveys. DWC CPAs and Advisors ranked 249th in the latest ranking with nearly $17 million in net revenue.

As part of its celebration of 75 years in business, DWC CPAs and Advisors will sponsor a Grand Junction Jackalopes baseball game scheduled for June 23 at Suplizio Field. Admission will be free.

The firm also will serve as title sponsor of the Glenwood Springs Market on Seventh, an event featuring artisans, farmers and other vendors as well as live music and street entertainment planned every Tuesday from June 20 to Sept. 19.

In addition, DWC CPAs and Advisors will serve as title sponsor of Montrose Summer Music Series with concerts scheduled for June 2, July 7, Aug, 4 and Sept. 1 at the Montrose Rotary Amphitheater in Cerise Park. F

St. Mary’s gets accreditations for cancer care

St. Mary’s Medical Center and its cancer and breast care centers in Grand Junction have received accreditation for patient care.

The American Society for Radiation Oncology Accreditation Program for Excellence accredited the radiation oncology program at St. Mary’s Medical Center Cancer Centers of Colorado.

Only 200 facilities nationwide have received the accreditation. St. Mary’s first received the accreditation in 2018 and was reaccredited.

The National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers of the American College of Surgeons accredited the St. Mary’s Breast Care Center at Pavilion Imaging.

In addition, St. Mary’s cancer center offers a Commission on Cancer-accredited program, meaning it meets standards for quality and comprehensive care.

“These accreditations show our commitment to providing comprehensive, high-quality services to deliver care when needed to area residents close to where they live,” said Kevin Dryanski, director of the oncology service line and laboratory services at St. Mary’s. “We truly live our mission of providing comprehensive care close to home.”

The American Society for Radiation Oncology Accreditation Program for Excellence evaluates practices using consensus-based standards. Cancer centers must demonstrate safety and quality processes as well as offered patientcentered care.

To receive accreditation, the St. Mary’s Breast Care Center had to show compliance with program standards on clinical services, community outreach, leadership, quality improvement and professional education. Participating centers undergo site visits every three years.

Patients at accredited breast care centers have access to information on clinical trials and new treatment options as well as genetic counseling. Psychosocial support, rehabilitation and survivorship care services also are offered. F

Chris West

Applicants sought for resiliency committee

Applications will be accepted through June 2 for a steering committee to help the City of Grand Junction develop a resiliency and sustainability plan.

“Members of the community who want to help guide resiliency and sustainability efforts undertaken by the City of Grand Junction are invited to apply for the new steering committee,” said Tamra Allen, community development director. “Community members who have specific experience or expertise in related fields are encouraged to apply as well as those who have a general interest in helping to create the city’s community based plan.”

Applications for the committee are available online in English and Spanish and can also be picked up from the Community Development Department at Grand Junction City Hall, 250 N. Fifth St. More information is available online or by sending an email to sustainability@gjcity.org

After a review process, city staff will prepare a recommended list of steering committee members for consideration by the Grand Junction City Council.

In a 2020 comprehensive plan, Grand Junction residents indicated the importance of creating a sustainability plan. A goal also was established to promote a more resilient community to ensure health, safety and economic strength through what could be more frequent natural disasters and social disturbances.

In April, the city selected Design Workshop and Spirit Environmental to help develop a community driven plan. The planning process is expected to take about a year. The steering committee will work throughout the process to manage the direction of the plan, review project goals and deadlines, research ideas and promote community involvement. Public events and opportunities for community engagement will be available throughout the year to determine the general scope and specific strategies of the plan.

As the city began consideration of developing a sustainability plan in 2022, Lotus Engineering and Sustainability was engaged to conduct greenhouse gas emission inventories to serve as the baseline for a resiliency and sustainability plan. Results from the emission inventories, among other available data, will lay the groundwork for a data-driven approach to developing the community based plan. Those inventories found that buildings accounted for nearly 61 percent of citywide emissions and transportation accounted for more than 37 percent. The largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the city in 2021 were gasoline vehicles, commercial electricity, commercial natural gas and residential electricity.

Local district joins in effort promoting soil health

The Mesa Conservation District based in Grand Junction is among the conservation districts and other organizations joining in an expanding soil health program in Colorado.

A total of 21 conservation districts and seven other organizations have joined the list of administrating entities for the Saving Tomorrow’s Agricultural Resources (STAR) Plus program in the state.

Conservation districts and other organizations joined with the Colorado Department of Agriculture in the farmer and rancher-led initiative that connects producers expanding or implementing new soil health practices with local conservation experts. Launched in 2021, the Colorado STAR soil health program has grown to an estimated 300 producers.

Funding for the expansion comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Climate Smart Commodities grant, which invested a total of $3.1 billion in 141 projects across the country. The Colorado Department of Agriculture was the only state ag department selected as a project lead.

“Local conservation partners are the key to providing regional expertise and onthe-ground support to producers investing in climate smart strategies. Increasing the staffing and capacity in local and regional offices across the state is a key component of CDA’s soil health program,” said Les Owen, conservation services division director at the Colorado Department of Agriculture. “Many Colorado farmers have been using soil health practices for a long time, while others have faced barriers to adoption. The STAR Plus program provides technical assistance and incentives so producers can try different methods to see what works best for them.”

The STAR program offers a free self-implemented practice-based rating system to Colorado producers to evaluate cropping and grazing practices and assign points for soil health practices.

Local partners administer the STAR Plus in cooperation with the Colorado Department of Agriculture, which provides grants to districts and other organizations so they can act as local experts and guides for farmers and ranchers enrolled in the program. Districts and other organizations also administer equipment grants and provide technical assistance to farmers and ranchers as they gain familiarity with new soil health practices.

“The STAR Plus program has proven a useful tool for our farmers and ranchers,” said Vanessa McCracken, manager of the Boulder Valley and Longmont Conservation District. “The funding for soil health practices has encouraged producers to explore new climate smart strategies and helps the district provide any program or technical support they need.”

Food bank joins in effort to provide food to seniors

Food Bank of the Rockies Western Slope has joined in an effort to provide food boxes to seniors age 60 and over.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

For more information about the EverGreen Boxes program, call 464-1138. For more about food assistance, visit the Food Bank of the Rockies website at www.foodbankrockies.org or call 211.

of the emergency SNAP benefits, and we are happy to help our most vulnerable neighbors to provide them with the food they need,” said Sue Ellen Rodwick, director of Food Bank of the Rockies Western Slope.

According to a 2021 study released in April by Feeding America, one out of every 14 seniors ages 60 and older is food insecure. The USDA defines food insecurity as a condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food.

Sue Ellen Rodwick

The Grand Junction-based food bank works with Everyday Eats to provide EverGreen Boxes. The food box program provides non-perishable items from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Commodity Supplemental Food Program, including canned vegetables and fruits, cereal, juice, milk, proteins and grains.

The boxes are available to adults 60 and older who meet income requirements and distributed the third Thursdays of the month from 11 a.m. to noon at the Fruita Community Center and 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Churchof

the Nazarene in Palisade. Seniors in need who don’t qualify for the EverGreen Boxes can still receive food boxes from Food Bank of the Rockies Western Slope.

The effort comes as a COVID-19 pandemic expansion of benefits offered through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ended.

“Older adults have been the most effected by the end

For older adults, food insecurity is caused by a variety of circumstances, including not only income, but also disabilities, isolation and lack of transportation. Older adults with disabilities are more than twice as likely to be food insecure, according to Feeding America.

The results of food insecurity for older adults can including malnutrition and poor health outcomes.

Outdoor enthusiasts urged to take care in and around water

As warmer weather entices more people outdoors, officials with the Colorado Parks and Wildlife urges them to take caution while enjoying sports in and around the water.

“We recommend all boaters and passengers wear a life jacket while on the water,” said Grant Brown, boating safety program manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife. “Regardless of your age or experience level, the data shows that life jackets save lives.”

Brown said life jackets are especially important when boating on cold waters below 70 degrees. “Cold water immersion shock coupled with the lack of a life jacket were contributing factors in the majority of drownings in Colorado in recent seasons. We want people to have fun on the water and not be afraid of it, so we encourage you to bring the proper safety gear so you have a positive outdoor experience.”

Three drownings already have occurred in Colorado in 2023. There were 42 water-related fatalities in Colorado in 2022, which was up from 22 in 2021 and 34 in 2020. In 2022, the majority of fatalities occurred from people swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking or using an inflatable of some kind. Most victims weren’t wearing life jackets.

Before heading out on the water, Colorado Parks and Wildlife advises the following boating safety tips:

n Wear a life jacket.

n Take a boating safety class.

n Carry required safety gear.

n Get a safety inspection of your vessel.

n Review navigation techniques.

n Boat sober. Alcohol use is a leading contributing factor in recreational boating deaths.

It’s important, too, for boaters to take into account the risks weather can present while recreating on the water. Strong and unpredictable wind gusts can knock a paddle boarder or kayaker into the water. Cold water temperatures persist year-round in Colorado.

For more information on boating safety, visit cpw.state.co.us.

Continued from page 2

Senate Bill 303 would ask voters this November for permission to raise what’s called the Referendum C cap by 1 percent and keep that additional revenue for 10 years. What’s expected would be about $167 million a year in revenue would go to local governments to compensate for reductions in property tax revenue.

Proposition HH would reduce the residential assessment rate from 7.15 percent to 6.7 percent as well as reduce the taxable value of homes by $40,000 in 2023 and 2023 if passed.

Soper described the plan as a slight reduction in property taxes, but also a smaller refund of revenues the state collects above the constitutional limits imposed by the Taxpayer’s Bill or Rights.

Rich said: “It’s all about getting rid of TABOR.”

The three legislators said Senate Bill 303 was introduced in the closing days of the session and they encountered difficulty obtaining the bill to read it and find out what the measure entailed. Then debate on the bill was limited.

Asked what measures they’d pass if they could, Taggart said legislation is needed to provided dedicated helicopters for search and rescue operations in Colorado.

Rich said more work is needed to maintain and improve highways. “That affects everything we do in Colorado.”

Soper said he’d undo attacks on the oil and natural gas industry in Colorado and make Colorado a more business-friendly state.

Less moderation expected

An official with the Colorado Chamber of Commerce and former newspaper reporter expects debates in the State Legislature to become less moderate, not more so.

“The next session will make this session look calm,” said Ed Sealover, vice president of strategic initiatives with the Colorado Chamber of Commerce and editor of The Sum & Substance, a news site that focuses on policies that affect businesses. He covered the Colorado Legislature for 20 years as a newspaper reporter.

“I don’t think there’s a Kumbaya solution out there,” Sealover said during a legislative wrap-up lunch hosted by the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce.

Democrats hold one of the largest majorities in the Colorado Legislature in history. Gov. Jared Polis is also a Democrat, although he’s shown a willingness to buck the party, Sealover said.

There are still opportunities to play defense, he said, especially when groups collaborate and lobby together on issues.

And legislation that benefits businesses still gets enacted, he said.

As for the latest session, Sealover said: “Overall, there were a lot of things that could be, frankly, a lot worse.”

Ceramics artist selected for library residency

A Grand Junction ceramic artist has been selected as the latest Mesa County Libraries artist in residence.

Hannah Martin has scheduled weekly meet and greet events through Aug. 1 and also will lead programs for adults, teen-agers and children during her residency.

Martin said she was inspire to pursue an art career after watching a behind-the-scenes documentary about the film “Lord of the Rings.” She learned about Weta Workshop, a creative concept design and manufacturing company, and all of the artwork they included in the movies.

Martin started working with clay in 2014 and in 2019 received a bachelor’s in fine arts degree from Colorado Mesa University with a concentration in ceramics. She graduate with honors in art and design under professor KyoungHwa Oh.

Since then, Martin has made artwork for the 2022 Mesa County Libraries Comic Con and sells her work at local art markets. Her work explores nostalgia and language through the lens of pop culture and whimsy.

“Books, graphic novels, web comics, cartoons, movies, memes, and video games are all different forms of pop culture

19 students to graduate from library programs

A total of 19 students were scheduled to graduate from two high-school education programs offered through Mesa County Libraries.

Four graduates will receive diplomas they earned through the Career Online High School, a program designed for adults who want to advance their education and pursue career training. Fifteen other graduates completed the General Educational Development preparation program through Mesa County Libraries and passed the GED test.

Mesa County Libraries began offering the Career Online High School program in 2017 and GED preparation in 2018.

that I learned about and grew up with, It is through this lens that I connect to the world around me,” Martin said.

“I chose to work with clay because I always wanted to work in the dirt as a kid,” she said. “I imagined digging up old artifacts because of movies like ‘Jurassic Park,’ ‘Indiana Jones,’ ‘Star Wars,’ and ‘Lord of the Rings.’ Ceramics are cool, and I get to live out my dream by creating the artifacts myself. These artifacts — ceramics — now house the nostalgia of films, pop culture, and puns contributing to the ever-evolving language we use.”

Meet and greet sessions with Martin are scheduled for 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Aug. 1 at the Mesa County Libraries 970West Studio at 502 Ouray Ave. in Grand Junction.

Clay surface design classes are set for 10 a.m. June 10 at the Palisade Branch, 119 W. Third St.; 5:30 p.m. June 22 at the Fruita Branch, 324 N. Coulson St.; and 5:30 p.m. July 6 at the Central Library at 443 N. Sixth St. in Grand Junction.

A sketchbook keeping class is set for 5:30 p.m. July 13 at the Central Library.

For more information, visit https://mesacountylibraries.org.

Career Online High School offers students the opportunity to earn an accredited high school diploma and credentialed career certificate. The course of study prepares students for entry into post-secondary career education or the work force.

The GED program is designed for students who benefit from a structured program that offers the ability to work with a teacher and peers in an in-class setting. The GED program also offers online options for students who can’t attend classes in person.

Mesa County residents interested in completing high school using either the COHS or GED option should call the Mesa County Libraries Adult Learning Center at (970) 683-2443. Enrollment for fall 2023 classes will take place in June and July.

Prospective students must be at least 16 years old, residents of Mesa County, and have a library card from Mesa County Libraries. F

Pancake Day event scheduled for June 10

The Grand Junction Kiwanis Club has scheduled its annual Pancake Day and Funfest for June 10.

The event is set for 8 a.m. to noon at the Mesa County Fairgrounds, located at 2785 U.S. Highway 50.

The event will include an all-youcan-eat breakfast of pacnakes, eggs, coffee and juice; games for children; live entertainment and a silent auction.

Admission is $6. Children under 12 may attend at no charge. Tickets are available at Express Employment, located at 725 Pitkin Ave. in Grand Junction, and at the event.

Proceeds from the event are donated to nonprofit organizations that help children. Past recipients have included the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Special Olympics and Western Slope Center for Children.

Voice

Continued from page 2

Dixon grew up in Fargo, N.D. She says she was active in a variety of high school activities, including sports, drama and clubs.

She says she decided to attend Colorado Mesa University in part to compete in diving and in part to enjoy the mostly sunny climate in the Grand Valley. She also liked what she says was a culture in which students can have conversations with their professors.

She says she initially studied biology and Spanish, but discovered her interest in politics and public policy. “I realized that was my true passion.”

She changed majors and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in political science and government with a minor in business administration. She served in student government at CMU, two years a senator. She also served as director of external affairs, promoting student engagement.

She joined Club 20 shortly after graduating in 2020 to work as policy and outreach director. She says she handled a range of duties, from arranging sponsorships to assisting the various committees of the organization.

As executive director, Dixon says she works as a collaborator and convener in fulfilling a mission of providing advocacy, education and support to members to promote economically healthy communities.

Club 20 develops policies on key issues through a process involving standing member committees on agriculture, business affairs, education and workforce development, energy, health care, public lands and natural resources, telecommunications, tourism and outdoor recreation, transportation and water. The 10 committees recommend policies to a board of directors, which in turns votes on positions.

As a nonpartisan organization, Club 20 considers all sides of an issue with respect for differing opinions, Dixon says. There are many issues to consider, she says.

Club 20 recently called on Colorado Gov. Polis to sign into

CLUB 20 COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Club 20 has scheduled summer policy committee meetings in Pagosa Springs and Walden.

n Meetings in Pagosa Springs are set for July 13 and 14 and will include the education and work force, health care, telecommunications and tourism and outdoor recreation committees.

n Meetings in Walden are set for July 27 and 28 and will include the agriculture, business affairs, energy, public lands and natural resources and water committees.

Both meetings also will include federal updates and networking receptions.

a law a state measure that would have delayed reintroduction of gray wolves in Colorado until the U.S. Department of Interior issues a final determination on a ruling that would have provided more flexibility in managing wolves. Polis vetoed the measure.

Another state measure would have implemented what Polis and some state lawmakers hailed as a more comprehensive approach to promote affordable housing, but faced opposition for the prospect of usurpring local controls. That measure failed in the latest legislative session. Dixon says a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work in unique Western Colorado communities.

Dixon expects Club 20 to also take a position on a proposed ballot measure aimed at reducing property tax rates while also allowing the state to keep and spend revenues above the Taxpayer’s Bill or Rights constitutional cap.

The use of water in Colorado as well as other Colorado River basin states remains another important issue in the midst of a long-term dought, she says.

Dixon says she’s eager to involve younger generations of members in Club 20 and its efforts

But for now, Dixon says the table awaits for people who want to discuss issues affecting Western Colorado.

BLM council plans Kremmling meeting

An advisory council of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management has scheduled a field tour and meeting in Kremmling.

The Northwest Resource Advisory Council will conduct a field tour starting at 10 a.m. June 21 at the BLM field office in Kremmling. Participants will tour the Upper Colorado River Recreational Management Area and return about 4 p.m. Members of the public are welcome on field tours but must provide their own transportation and meals. Individuals who plan to attend must RSVP no later than June 7 to the BLM Upper Colorado River District Office in Grand Junction. They can call 244-300 or email glarson@blm.gov.

The Northwest Resource Advisory Council also has scheduled a meeting for 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 22 at the West Grand K-8 Boardroom in Kremmling. Planned agenda items include an overview of field office updates, a discussion on the Upper Colorado River Special Recreation Management Area, a presentation on river recreation, a Gunnison River fee proposal and public comment period.

“The Northwest Colorado Resource Advisory Council and its members are valuable partners with the BLM who provide recommendations that help guide our management of public lands,” said Greg Larson, manager of the Upper Colorado River District.

INDICATORS AT A GLANCE

n Business filings

s New business filings in Colorado, 55,787 in the first quarter, up 27.6 percent from the first quarter of 2022.

n Confidence

t Consumer Confidence Index 101.3 for April, down 2.7.

s Leeds Business Confidence Index for Colorado, 45.1 for the second quarter, up 5.3.

t National Federation of Independent Business Small Business Optimism Index 89 for April, down 1.1.

n Foreclosures

t Foreclosure filings in Mesa County, 23 in April, down from 24 in April 2022.

s Foreclosure sales in Mesa County, 6 in April, up from 0 in April 2022.

n Indexes

s Conference Board Employment Trends Index, 116.18 for April, up 0.67.

t Conference Board Leading Economic Index 107.5 for April, down 0.6%.

s Institute for Supply Management Purchasing Managers Index for manufacturing, 47.1% for April, up 0.8%.

n Lodging

s Lodging tax collections in Grand Junction, $254,659 for December, up 16% from December 2021.

n Real estate

t Real estate transactions in Mesa County, 320 in April, down 31.6% from April 2022.

t Dollar volume of real estate transactions in Mesa County, $143 million in April, down 27.4% from April 2022.

n Sales

s Sales and use tax collections in Grand Junction, $6 million for December, up 7.4% from December 2021.

s Sales and use tax collections in Mesa County, $4.5 million for April, up 0.7% from April 2022.

n Unemployment

t Mesa County — 2.6% for April, down 0.5.

n Colorado — 2.8% for April, unchanged.

t United States — 3.4% for April, down 0.1.

Jobless rate nears record low

But tight labor market poses challenges for Mesa County employers

Phil Castle

The Business Times

The monthly unemployment rate has dropped in Mesa County to its lowest level in more than three years as business openings and expansions put more people to work.

AREA JOBLESS RATES

Contributors Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac

But the near record-low jobless rate constitutes a proverbial double-edged sword in also making it more challenging for businesses to recruit and retain employees.

“We’re seeing a lot going on in the economy right now,” said Lindsay Bullock, director of the Mesa County Workforce Center in Grand Junction.

The seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate retreated a half point between March and April to 2.6 percent, according to the latest estimates from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.

That’s the lowest level since the rate fell to 2.5 percent in September 2019, the rock bottom in Mesa County for county level statistics in Colorado going back to 1990. At this time in 2022, the rate was higher at 3.2 percent.

For April 2023, Mesa County payrolls actually edged down 68 to 74,743. But the number of people counted among those unsuccessfully looking for work decreased more — 372 to 2,025. The labor force, which includes the employed and unemployed, shrank 440 to 76,768.

Over the past year, payrolls rose 502 — nearly seven-tenths of a percent. The ranks of the unemployed fell 444. The labor force edged up 58.

The monthly jobless rate has dropped in Mesa County more than a point since February, a decline Bullock attributes in part to new business openings and expansions as well as seasonal hiring.

One measure of labor demand — the number of job orders posted at the Mesa County Workforce Center — increased 744 between March and April, Bullock said.

A total of 2,928 orders were posted, with demand strongest for positions in the health care and retail sectors, she said.

Through the first four months of 2023, 7,092 orders were posted. That’s still down almost 19.3 percent from the 8,787 orders posted for the same span in 2022.

Employers face not only a low jobless rate, but also competition for staff within their industries, Bullock said. “It really makes it a little more difficult for them.”

The situation makes it crucial to offer not only competitive wages to recruit and retain employees, but also attractive benefits, she said. Those benefits should match what employees say they most need.

Bullock expects what’s traditionally a June jump in the jobless rate as high school and college students enter the work force in search of summer jobs. But that will offer opportunities for employers to tap into a different portion of the labor force.

While the recession many expect to begin in 2023 could exert local effects, Bullock said she doesn’t foresee large swings in the jobless rate. “We’ve kind of leveled off now, and it hopefully will stay that way.”

Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates also dropped in neighboring Western Colorado counties in April — down six-tenths of a point to 3 percent in Delta County and 2.3 percent in Rio Blanco County, four-tenths of a point to 2.2 percent in Garfield County and three-tenths of a point to 2.6 percent in Montrose County.

The statewide seasonally adjusted jobless rate remained unchanged between March and April at 2.8 percent. The state jobless rate has stayed below 3 percent for a full year.

Nonfarm payrolls increased 7,200 between March and April with gains in the leisure and hospitality, professional and business services and construction sectors.

Over the past year, nonfarm payrolls increased 22,300. Gains in the leisure and hospitality, professional and business services and educational and health services sectors more than offset losses in the financial services and information sectors as well as the trade, transportation and utilities sector. At 0.8 percent, state job growth lags behind the 2.6 percent gain for the United States.

Since April 2022, the average workweek for Colorado employees on private, nonfarm payrolls lengthened two-tenths of an hour to 33.5 hours. Average hourly earnings rose $1.55 to $35.79.

Mesa County sales tax collections hold steady

Overall sales tax collections held steady in Mesa County in April compared to a year ago.

The county collected more than $4.1 million in April, $792 more than what was collected during the same month a year ago. April collections reflect March sales.

Collections on retail sales neared $2.4 million, a decrease of nearly $116,000 and 4.7 percent from a year ago. Year-over-year declines in collections on the sales of automobiles, clothing, health and personal care products and home improvements more than offset gains in four other categories. Collections on the sales of general merchandise, the largest single category, rose 3 percent to top $704,000.

Collections on sales in other industries advanced 7.2 percent with gains in nine sectors more than offsetting losses in six sectors. Collections increased in the manufacturing, hotel and restaurant and wholesale sectors, but decreased in finance, medical and oil and natural gas sectors.

Use tax collections — nearly all of them imposed on automobiles purchased outside the county, but used in the county — totaled nearly $414,000 in April. That’s an increase of more than $31,000 and 8.1 percent from the same month a year ago.

Through the first four months of 2023, Mesa County collected a total of more than $15.5 million in sales taxes. That’s an increase

of more than $415,000 and 2.8 percent over the same span in 2022.

The county also collected a total of nearly $5.9 million in sales taxes it distributed to five municipalities in the county, including more than $3.4 million to Grand Junction.

Year-to-date collections on retail sales totaled nearly $9.2 million, a decrease of more than $140,000 and 1.5 percent from 2022. Declines in collections on the sales of automobiles, health and personal care wares and home improvements more than offset gains in other categories.

Year-to-date collections on sales in other industries increased 9.6 percent with the biggest gains in the construction, hotel and restaurant and utilities industries.

Year-to-date use tax collections topped $1.4 million, a 2 percent increase.

Lindsay Bullock

Leading index signals economic slowing in U.S.

A monthly index forecasting economic conditions in the United States continues to decline, signaling a worsening outlook.

The Conference Board reported its Leading Economic Index declined six-tenths of a percent to 107.5 in April. The index has retreated for 13 consecutive months.

A separate measure of current conditions increased, while a measure of past performance slipped

“The LEI continues to warn of an economic downturn this year,” said Justyna Zabinska-La Monica, senior manager of business cycle indicators at the Conference Board.

The New York-based think tank forecast economic

slowing starting in the second quarter leading to a mild recession by the middle of this year.

The Leading Economic Index dropped 4.4 percent over the past six months, a bigger decline than the 3.8 percent drop over the previous six-month span.

Gross domestic product, the broad measures of goods and services produced in the country, grew at an annual rate of 1.1 percent in the first quarter after increasing 2.6 percent in the fourth quarter.

For April, six of 10 indicators of the Leading Economic Index retreated, including building permits, consumer expectations for business conditions, interest rate spread and leading credit and new orders indexes. An increase in initial claims for unemployment benefits also pulled down the index. New orders for both capital and consumer goods increased, as did stock prices.

The average manufacturing work week held steady.

The Coincident Economic Index rose three-tenths of a percent to 110.2. The index increased seven-tenths of a percent over the past six months.

For April, all four indicators advanced — industrial production, nonfarm payrolls, personal income and sales.

The Lagging Economic Index edged down a tenth of a percent to 118.3. The index held steady over the past three months.

For April, three of seven components of the index declined, including the costs of labor and services. An increase in the average duration of unemployment also pulled down the index. The average prime rate charged by banks increased. Consumer credit, commercial and industrial financing and inventories all held steady. F

Justyna ZabinskaLa Monica

COMING ATTRACTIONS

n A variety of presentations are scheduled at the Business Incubator Center in Grand Junction.

The next small business startup workshop is planned for 2 to 4 p.m. June 1 at the center, 2591 Legacy Way.

The workshop will cover the business planning process, including financing, legal structures, licensing requirements and state registration. Admission is $55.

A monthly maker meetup is set for 6 to 8 p.m. June 5 at the GJ Makerspace at the center. The event will offer participants an opportunity to meet other makers, talk about ideas and show off projects.

A bookkeeping boot camp is set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 22. Participants will learn how to set up and use accounting records and what balance sheets, cash flow projections and income statements indicate about operations. Admission is $75, which includes lunch.

To register for or obtain more information about events, programs and services at the Business Incubator Center, call 243-5242 or visit https://gjincubator.org.

n The Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce has scheduled its next quarterly membership meeting for noon to 1:30 p.m. June 12 at the Colorado Mesa University Center south ballroom.

The meeting will include a presentation by Chris Brown, vice president of policy and research for the Common Sense Institute. Admission is $25 in advance and $30 at the door.

To register or obtain more information, visit https://gjchamber.org or call 242-3214.

n The next Coffee Club free networking meeting is set for 9 to 10 a.m. June 16 at the F Works conference room, 325 E. Aspen Ave. in Fruita. For more information, call 858-3894 or visit https://fruitachamber.org.

n The Young Professionals Network of Mesa County has scheduled a lunch conversation with Curtis Englehart, executive director of the Grand Junction Economic Partnership. The event is set for noon June 21 at the GJEP offices at 122 N. Sixth St. To register or obtain more information, visit www.ypnmc.org.

Pillars support success HR

plays a ley role in nurturing a positive business culture

In a highly competitive business landscape, the role of human resources in shaping and maintaining a positive organizational culture can’t be understated. A strong HR department plays a pivotal role in fostering an environment that nurtures employee engagement, productivity and overall satisfaction.

Contributors Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac

Key pillars support a thriving HR and business culture that brings benefits to an organization:

n Clear communication and transparency: A culture of open communication and transparency is essential for any successful HR and business environment. By establishing clear lines of communication, organizations foster trust and encourage employees to express their ideas and concerns openly. Transparent policies and processes — including those involving decision-making criteria, performance evaluations and promotions — build credibility and promote a sense of fairness and accountability.

n Employee engagement and empowerment: A positive HR and business culture emphasizes employee engagement and empowerment. Engaged employees are more likely to be motivated, productive and loyal to the organization. HR promotes this by offering opportunities for skill development, recognizing and rewarding exceptional performance and encouraging a healthy work-life balance. Empowering employees by involving them in decisionmaking processes and providing autonomy in their roles leads to increased job satisfaction and a sense of ownership.

n Diversity and inclusion: Promoting diversity and inclusion is crucial for fostering collaboration, creativity and innovation. HR plays a pivotal role in creating policies and initiatives that promote diversity in hiring practices and leadership as well as sensitivity to different backgrounds and perspectives. By cultivating an environment where every individual feels valued and respected, the HR and business culture harnesses the power of diverse talents and experiences, leading to improved decision making and problem solving.

n Continuous learning and development: A thriving HR and business culture recognizes the importance of continuous learning and development. HR should facilitate opportunities for employees to acquire new skills,

enhance existing ones and keep pace with industry trends. Implementing training programs, mentorship initiatives and knowledge-sharing platforms promotes personal and professional growth, in turn boosting employee morale and performance. This commitment to learning also ensures the organization remains competitive in a rapidly evolving business landscape.

n Work-life balance and well-being: Employee well-being is a fundamental aspect of a positive HR and business culture. Striking a balance between work and life reduces stress, improves job satisfaction and enhances productivity. HR should advocate for policies that support work-life balance — including flexible work hours, remote work options and wellness programs. Regularly assessing and addressing employee concerns and providing such resources as counseling and health benefits demonstrate a commitment to a supportive work environment.

n Recognition and rewards: Recognizing employees efforts and achievements is vital for fostering a positive HR and business culture. HR can implement effective recognition and reward programs to acknowledge outstanding performance, teamwork and innovation. Publicly recognizing employees’ contributions not only boosts their motivation, but also reinforces desired behaviors and values within the organization. Such initiatives cultivate a sense of camaraderie and create a positive feedback loop that encourages continuous improvement.

Building and maintaining a positive HR and business culture requires a concerted effort from all levels of an organization. By prioritizing clear communication, employee engagement, diversity, inclusion, continuous learning, work-life balance and recognition, HR can help create an environment that attracts and retains top talent. A positive culture not only leads to higher employee satisfaction and productivity, but also enhances the organization’s reputation and competitiveness. By investing in these key pillars, organizations can cultivate a thriving HR and business culture that drives long-term success.

Jenny Kelly is human resources director at SummitWest Care in Grand Junction as well as director of public relations and marketing for the Western Colorado Human Resource Association. For more information about the organization, visit www.wchra.org.

Jenny Kelly

Truly care about your customers and thrive

Companies that make it their business to foster happiness in their customers are the most enlightened and successful of all. Business operations are, first and foremost, about serving people and ensuring their satisfaction.

These companies know increasing the pleasure, satisfaction and happiness of the patrons who support them with their hard-earned dollars will build a base of loyal and referring customers.

A wise goal for any business that wishes to be adored by its customers and achieve lasting success is to place a priority on satisfying every customer’s wants and needs. All customers come through your doors for a reason. Understanding what they truly want and then fulfilling it leads to customer satisfaction. In return, they’ll come back for more and tell others about their wonderful experiences.

One of the biggest differences between creating raving fans of your customers or not is getting the multitude of little things right on a consistent basis. Just a moment of reflection on your experiences will reveal your favorite businesses — those you frequent often and tell others about with great enthusiasm — consistently go the extra mile to provide you with a happy and satisfied feeling.

The greeting your customers receive is vitally important because it creates a lasting impression each time they engage your business. If the greeting they receive is non-existent or lackadaisical — lacking in enthusiasm, genuineness, smiles and caring attitudes — your customers will be turned off from the start. Conversely, if they’re acknowledged quickly by a smiling, happy person who’s receptive and caring, customers will be open

to your business and what it has to offer. Greetings offer an opportunity to set the stage for success every time a customer chooses to do business with you.

I’ve yet to meet a person who didn’t want to be heard. Yet all too often, customers aren’t heard by the businesses serving them. When this occurs, they aren’t being served at all. They’re neglected and undervalued. And they know it. This feeling won’t endear them to your business. But when you truly listen to your customers — and train your team to do the same — they feel acknowledged, cared for and valued. The result is greater trust, rapport, satisfaction and loyalty.

When you and your team members truly listen to your customers, you’ll more accurately comprehend their wants and needs. Asking key questions will help you fully understand their desires. Paying attention to their answers will position you to offer the appropriate high-quality solutions. With this type of solid communication in place, your business meets and even exceeds your customers’ wants and needed.

The ways in which mistakes are handled constitute another important distinction between poor and exceptional businesses. Mistakes should never become the responsibility of your customers. This is a sure-fire way to damage your reputation and lose business. It’s far wiser and more honorable to own any missteps made by you or your team and do all you can, within reason, to correct the situation. The impression you leave them with will be a lasting one.

In exceptional companies, owners and team members want their customers to leave feeling not only satisfied, but also better than when they arrived. Ultimately, it’s the feelings you give your customers that matter most. When people leave your business feeling better, you’ve added value to their life — and the value of a quality experience, not just a good price, is what they seek.

If all of this seems overwhelming, engaging the assistance of a professional coach or consultant offers a highly effective means to uncovering your weaknesses and turning them into strengths.

Make it a priority to satisfy and even exceed your customers’ wants and needs. Commit to operating a business that consistently delivers on the basics. Do it with care, gratitude and integrity. Because without satisfied customers, the success and happiness you desire will prove elusive.

All of us have our favorite places to do business, and the reasons are obvious. These companies are the exception to the rule and have set themselves apart by going above and beyond in satisfying us. They truly care about their products, services and the people who make their success possible. Be a business that truly cares about your customers’ experiences and thrive.

Marcus Straub owns Life is Great Coaching in Grand Junction. His personalized coaching and consulting services help individuals, business owners, executives and companies build teams, organizations and lives filled with happiness and success. Straub is winner of the International Coach of the Year Award and author of “Is It Fun Being You?” He’s available for free consultations regarding coaching, speaking and trainings. Reach Straub at (970) 208-3150, marcus@ligcoaching.com or through the website located at www.ligcoaching.com.

Marcus Straub

I’ve yet to meet a person who didn’t want to be heard. Yet all too often, customers aren’t heard by the businesses serving them.

Business succession raises questions

Are you nearing retirement? Thinking about what to do with the business you worked so hard to build?

If so, you face some important questions:

n Does anyone in your family want to take over the business? Are they qualified in terms of capabilities or licenses?

n Should you sell to a third party?

n Should you let business taper off and fade away?

Janet Arrowood

It’s important to answer these questions at least two or three years before retirement. The more planning you do, the smoother the handover or fade away will be.

In answering the first question, you might have a number of children, siblings or other relatives interested in taking over your business — particularly if it won’t cost them any money up front. Hopefully, they’re already involved in the day-to-day operations and financial aspects of the business. If they aren’t yet involved, it’s prudent to remedy that situation.

Simply selling or handing over your business to someone could cause problems with relatives who feel shortchanged. If your successor hasn’t invested time and money in the business, how interested will he or she be in guiding the operation through challenging economic and market conditions?

It’s possible no one in your family wants or is qualified to take over the business. Then what? You could sell to a qualified third party or let business wind down. Alternately, you could do some serious succession planning and keep your options open.

In answering the second question, a qualified outsider often constitutes the purchaser of choice — and perhaps only option — for many professional practices. This outsider could already be working for or even be a partner in the business.

There’s an entire area of business services and planning devoted to arranging this type of sale or transfer. To be fair to your heirs

and deal with potential tax issues, consider working with a business valuation consultant and possibly an insurance advisor. You’ll also want to involve a business succession planning attorney.

In answering the third question, letting business fade away could offer the most viable approach. If you’re a self-employed contractor, you could be the business. Your clients might be unwilling to deal with someone else. If you decide to wind down your business, let your clients know and offer to refer them to other businesses, consultants or contractors to ensure their needs will continue to be met.

There are other elements involved in planning the ultimate fate of your business. Some of these elements include estate planning, funded succession planning, purchase funding and valuation.

The U.S. Small Business Administration developed a course titled Selling a Small Business and Succession Planning for Small Business. Here’s a link to the free participant guide: www.sba.gov/ sites/default/files/files/PARTICIPANT_GUIDE_SELLING_ SUCCESSION_PLANNING.pdf

Note: This column isn’t intended as legal, tax or other advice. Always consult the appropriate professional advisors for this and any other type of insurance, legal, planning or tax situation.

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

It’s possible no one in your family wants or is qualified to take over the business. Then what? You could sell to a qualified third party or let business wind down.

Immigration could ease labor pains

Even as the United States grapples with internal divisions over allowing more foreign workers into the country, global rivals take proactive measures by lowering immigration barriers to address labor shortages. Actions taken by several wealthy nations to open their borders wider in response to shifting labor dynamics directly affects economic development.

The immediate catalyst for this trend can be traced back to the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted labor markets and economies worldwide. In the aftermath of the pandemic, many affluent countries find themselves facing record-low unemployment rates and a significant number of job vacancies. As demographics shift and the retirement of baby boomers shrinks the labor force, several countries actively seek foreign workers to address these pressing challenges.

Among the countries implementing substantial changes to their immigration laws, Germany stands out. Officials there are rewriting immigration laws to create a points-based system that welcomes both college graduates and blue collar workers. The system awards points based on such factors as age, with preference given to younger individuals and those with educational qualifications, work experience and German language competency.

Canada announced plans last year to accept nearly 1.5 million more migrants by 2025. And in South Korea, there are plans to admit 110,000 low-skilled foreign workers this year, a significant increase from the quota for the previous year.

Even counties historically skeptical of immigration, including Japan, are opening new visa paths for high-skilled foreign workers and extending opportunities for blue collar workers to stay and bring their families.

Germany’s revamped immigration system acknowledges the need for both skilled and unskilled labor, ensuring a balanced approach to addressing labor shortages. Canada’s ambitious migration plan demonstrates a commitment to bolstering its work force to drive economic growth. South Korea’s decision to increase the number of low-skilled foreign workers recognizes the vital role they play in such industries as agriculture and manufacturing. Japan’s shift towards welcoming blue collar workers reflects a change in mindset and a recognition of the contributions such workers make to the economy. These countries anticipate positive economic effects through increased labor force participation and reduced job vacancies.

Despite its role as one of the largest recipients of immigrants, the U.S. hasn’t undertaken substantial immigration reforms since 1990. Through legal immigration programs, nearly 300,000 Ukrainian refugees have entered the U.S. through the Biden

administration program called Uniting for Ukraine. Although this number surpasses the total number of refugees admitted through legal channels over the previous seven years, it remains inadequate to meet growing work force needs.

Some states are taking proactive measures. North Dakota has tapped Ukrainian workers to fill positions in the Bakken oil fields by creating collaborative initiatives to recruit refugee workers from Ukraine through humanitarian sponsorships of legal immigrants in partnership with firms specializing in immigration. Regardless of political viewpoints, there’s no doubt about how changing demographics and declining populations affect our cities and forever change the work force. Demographers, economists and other industry professionals talk about the age and skill gaps in the existing work force and the inevitability of future measures opening paths for legal immigration.

Migrant refugee workers primarily from Afghanistan, Latin America and Ukraine who entered the U.S. legally in 2021 and 2022 under temporary government protections have helped address labor shortages in such industries such as construction, food services and manufacturing, filling about a quarter of the total job openings in those sectors. That’s according to a recent report by FWD.us, a pro-immigration think tank.

As global rivals actively embrace immigration to alleviate labor shortages, the U.S. remains divided on this matter. While some progress has been made in welcoming refugee workers, broader immigration reforms are still needed to establish clear legal pathways.

Striking the right balance between economic needs and public sentiment remains a complex challenge. The experiences of such countries as Germany, Canada, South Korea and Japan in tailoring immigration policies to address labor shortages can help determine the path in the U.S.

There’s an opportunity to preserve the character of our regions while promoting economic growth. There’s still a chance to ensure a brighter future for the country by working together to find solutions that make our communities whole.

Dalida Sassoon Bollig, chief executive officer of the Business Incubator Center in Grand Junction, is an experienced strategist with demonstrated work in international affairs. She brings to her duties experience in economic development, entrepreneurship, leadership, partnerships, public policy and trade. The Business Incubator Center hosts seven programs: The Grand Junction Small Business Development Center, Business Loan Fund of Mesa County, F-Works, Mesa County Enterprise Zone, GJ MakerSpace and two incubator programs. For additional information, visit https://gjincubator.org or call 243-5232.

Funding for filing fee relief running out

Funding for a program that’s saved Colorado business owners a total of more than $8.4 million in filing fees is expected to run out before the end of the state fiscal year.

As a result, registration fees will return to $50 for the formation of a limited liability corporation and $20 for the registration of a trade name.

“It is fantastic that this fee relief has been utilized by so many Colorado business owners and entrepreneurs. It has kept money in the pockets of hardworking Coloradans,” said Secretary of State Jena Griswold. “I will always work to cut costs and red tape for Colorado businesses that are the backbone of our communities.”

The Colorado Business Fee Relief Act required the state treasurer to transfer $8.435 million from the general fund to the Department of State to implement a fee credit program. With this funding, business owners and entrepreneurs across the state received a $49 credit for the formation of a new LLC and $19 credit for registering a new trade name. The credits brought the filing fees down to $1.

Since the fee relief went into effect on July 1, 2022, more than 155,000 new LLCs and 39,000 new trade names have been registered with the Colorado Department of State.

Dalida Bollig

F

Jena Griswold

Should leaders change their leadership styles?

Leadership constitutes such an important topic I’ve split this column into two parts. This month I’ll examine whether or not leaders should change their leadership styles. Next month I’ll conclude with my take on situational ethics.

The question of whether or not leaders should change their leadership styles is a rhetorical one. The answer is a resounding yes. All leaders should remain willing and even eager to change their leadership styles. Some contend your style is your style and there’s no changing. I disagree. My consulting firm helps leaders change their styles in ways that promote short- and long-term success.

Tim Haggerty

More questions arise. Is changing your leadership style easy or hard? Do you understand the benefits of change?

In an article written in 2013 for Techwell.com, Anuj Magazine asks: How easy is it for leaders to change their leadership styles? “Leading people and situations is not a one-size-fits-all game. Leadership styles evolve, and different situations demand the demonstration of different styles,” Magazine stated.

Think of prominent leaders — from George Washington to Abraham Lincoln, Mahatma Gandhi to Winston Churchill,

Eleanor Roosevelt to Oprah Winfrey, Steve Jobs to Bill Gates, Corazon Aquino to Coco Chanel. Heck, even Mike Shanahan to Gary Kubiak. They’re all different leaders with different backgrounds, passions, philosophies and visions. They all started somewhere and, I’d submit, had to refine and perhaps even redefine their leadership styles. Was that redefinition, in part, situational? Did these men and women bend with the times or modify their leaderships styles in response to the circumstances they faced?

In a more sarcastic point in my life many years ago, I looked upon leaders who changed to fit the circumstances as prostituting their values. It was one of those times when I believed I knew everything about anything. In fact, I knew little about only a few things. I would derisively call it situational ethics as if I really understood what that meant. Without roaming too far afield and away from the point of this column, let me review a few definitions.

Situational ethics is the position that moral decisionmaking is contextual or dependent on a set of circumstances. Situational ethics holds that moral judgments must be made within the context of the entirety of a situation and all normative features of a situation must be viewed as a whole.

Situational ethics takes into account the particular context of an act when evaluating it ethically rather than judging it according to absolute moral standards. In situational ethics, within each context, it’s not a universal

law that’s to be followed, but the law of love. A Greek word used to in the Bible to describe love is “agape.”

Is any of this relevant in today’s marketplace?

I contend it’s not only relevant, but also critical to the long-term success of any organization. By the end of the 2020s, the employment landscape will be radically different from the one in which we began this century. Automation, demographics and inequality have the potential to dramatically reshape our world. Studies point to a collision of forces that could trigger economic disruption far greater than we’ve experienced over the past 60 years.

As the saying goes, preparation is half the battle. Leader preparation will be key to future success.

Tim Haggerty and his wife, Bernadette, operate a consulting firm based in Grand Junction that helps clients transition from command and control to servant leadership and change the view of wages and benefits from expenses to investments. Haggerty brings to the venture more than 40 years of experience in operations management and a record of decreasing costs while increasing productivity and revenue. He also serves as vice president of the Grand Junction Kiwanis Club. Reach him at info@timothyhaggerty.com, (610) 737-0496 or www.timothyhaggerty.com

What’s your fitness personality? Find exercises that match

Understanding your unique personality helps you enjoy success in your career, your relationships and even your fitness. Physical activity is an expression of personal choices and comfort. Health and fitness goals are easier to achieve when they fall into your natural style.

Identifying activities you enjoy makes it easier to reach fitness goals.

Performing activities you don’t enjoy or match your style are difficult, if not impossible, to do long term.

According to the American Council on Exercise, fitness personality types can be sorted into four groups: planner, go-getter, social butterfly and adventurer.

n The planner: This personality type leans towards what’s familiar. You know if you’re a morning person or evening person. You plan your exercise routine around not only time, but also what you know. Attending the same group exercise class, for example. You’re often more reserved about the way you approach fitness. Handling change doesn’t come easy. You also might enjoy being left alone when you go to the gym. You have a favorite cardio machine, listen to your music

and complete the same workout day after day.

n The go-getter: If you fall into this category, you welcome change and are first in line to try something new. You might compete with others. But most of all, you compete with yourself. You’re disciplined and highly motivated. You thrive on personal improvement. Those taking high-intensity group exercise classes or working out with a personal trainer would fall into this group.

n The social butterfly: The social butterfly is just that — social. You want to be around friends, visit and have fun. Exercise is part of your life. Your gym activities would definitely include group exercise and perhaps small group training. You’re an extrovert who radiates positive energy to those around you.

n The adventurer: You’re willing to try anything at least once. You take group exercise classes for everything from kickboxing to Zumba. Signing up for challenge events and obstacle courses wouldn’t be out of the question. If you’re an adventurer, you have confidence in yourself. This fitness personality doesn’t mind change, loves variety and thinks outside the box.

Another personality trait type that wasn’t mentioned is the true introvert. If you’re an introvert, you might be hesitant to go to a health club. Stepping out of your comfort zone doesn’t come easily. You could have a difficult time

asking for assistance, motivation and instruction. If this fits you, find a true, passionate health club with professionals to help you at your pace to discover exercises that fit your personality.

Did one of these fitness personalities strike home?

Limiting the complexities of personalities to only a few categories is a bit constrictive. Many people actually fall into more than one type. You might feel a little more social or adventuresome some days than others. Age, lifestyle changes, time of year and many other factors all play a role in determining our feelings and fitness personalities. Overall natural tendencies don’t change, however.

Find fitness that fits for you. Taking into consideration your personality makes fitness and health goals more achievable. Doing activities you enjoy and fit into your lifestyle is key to long-term enjoyment and, in turn, your ultimate success.

Paula and Dale Reece own Crossroads Fitness Centers in Grand Junction with a downtown location at 225 N. Fifth St. and north location at 2768 Compass Drive. For more information, call 242-8746 or visit the website located at www.crossroadsfitness.com.

Paula Reece

Business Briefs

A new year affords a new opportunity to meet local needs

Latest budget report offers more bad news

If you’re concerned about government spending and the size of the federal government — and you should be — then the information from a recent budget review report from the Congressional Budget Office ranks as downright distressing.

A new year almost always brings an opportunity for a fresh start and renewed ambition to do things better.

The report offers a look at the federal budget halfway through 2023 fiscal year 2023 — that is, from October 2022 through March. Here are three important points:

In business, that usually boils down to providing customers better products and services faster and at lower cost than competitors. Part of the process must include listening to customers to determine what they actually need and then meeting that need. After all, it does little good to offer the latest and greatest if nobody actually wants what you’re selling.

Just like the businesses that belong to the group, the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce invariably starts out the new year with a reassessment of the services and resources it provides and how well they match with members needs. Jeff Franklin, the new chairman of the chamber board of directors, personifies this approach in describing what he considers his role for the coming year: listen to members, determine their needs and then meet those needs. It’s a role with which Franklin is familiar as market president of Bank of Colorado.

n Through the first half of the fiscal year, federal receipts were down 3 percent compared to the same period last year. That includes an 8 percent decline in individual income tax revenues. While tax refunds offset revenue growth, that growth was still fairly weak. Keep in mind a growing economy generates growing revenues for government.

n Federal spending has skyrocketed. During these first six months, federal outlays (with timing adjustments) grew at 12 percent versus the same period last year. This astounding increase came even as major reductions occurred in various pandemic-related spending. Among the areas seeing major increases were Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. With rising interest rates, net outlays for interest on public debt also increased.

The process will take on a more structured approach in what the chamber plans as the resumption of a program aptly called Listening to Business. Under the program, business owners participate in in-depth interviews to identify barriers to growth and other problems they encounter.

Bold predictions for 2015 more like not-so-bold repeats

nothing

Business People Almanac

I never watched all of “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure.” But for you high school graduates, they got it right. Since I’ll never get asked, here’s what I’d say in a speech to grads.

It’s that time of year when resolutions and prognostications abound. My favorite saying applied to New Year’s resolutions is in saying they’re basically a bunch of promises to break the first week of January. And while I won’t predict a whole lot, I can pretty much accurately nail a few things that without question will make the news. You will see these are pretty, well, predictable:

I graduated from Monroe High School in 1979 with absolutely no clue what life was gonna throw at me. Case in point, I thought if I could make $15,000 a year at “Fords” — no one called it Ford Motor Company where I grew up, we just said Fords, or GM, Chrysler, AMC (YES! American Motors Corporation, there was such a thing) or Jeep (which was its own deal way back when) — I’d be set for life.

world’s dismay. Let’s just say it’s been an interesting path in which I let the world control me instead of me taking whatever reins were in front of me at any given time.

That’s not to claim I can control anything and everything like all too many today. I can’t. Nor do I want to. But that’s another path to discuss in another column.

Craig Hall

The new year offers a good time to join the proverbial club.

As an advertiser or reader, what do you need from the Business Times?

While business journals traditionally gather and report the relevant news to readers, communication isn’t necessarily a one-way street. That’s especially true as Web sites and e-mail make the dialogue more convenient than ever.

Good publications don’t exist in a vacuum. They respond to the needs of advertisers and readers. They provide what’s needed.

n The combination of major increases in spending with a decline in revenues resulted in a larger federal budget deficit. The CBO reported the federal budget deficit was $1.1 trillion in the first half of fiscal year 2023, which was $430 billion more than the shortfall recorded during the same period last year.

So what do you need?

Is there additional news coverage that would help keep you informed about local business developments? Are there features that would be interesting or useful? Is there advice that would make your jobs a little easier?

This combination raises major questions about the economy now –again, the decline in federal revenues – and in coming months and years as higher federal spending and debt drain resources from the private sector. That’s not to mention the threat of future tax increases.

It’s equally important to ask what you don’t need. With limited time to produce content and limited space in which to publish it, would time and space be better devoted to something else?

What’s good? What isn’t? What’s needed? What isn’t?

Let us know. Send us an e-mail. Comment online on the Business Times Web site at www.thebusinesstimes.com. You could even write an old-fashioned letter to the editor if you’d like. Your feedback, both positive and negative, is valued and will be carefully considered.

Finally, it must be noted that President Joe Biden’s proposed budget for the 2024 fiscal year would see federal outlays running between 24.6 percent to 25 percent of gross domestic product for the foreseeable future. If that were to occur, it would mark the highest level of federal spending as a share of the broad measure of goods and services produced in the county during an extended peacetime period in U.S. history.

Good publications are the result of not only the efforts of their staffs, but also collaborative efforts involving advertisers and readers.

That would serve as a major drag on the U.S. economy, with government siphoning resources away from productive private sector enterprises.

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

It’s a new year. Please help us to do so.

Raymond Keating is chief economist for the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy and research organization. Reach Keating through the website at www.sbecouncil.org.

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 — All rights reserved.

Craig Hall

Or I could get a job at a tier one supplier, the folks who made seats, dashboards and literally every device or part needed the auto industry didn’t make in their factories. In my area of Southeastern Michigan, they were plentiful. Or maybe even a job at one of the new steel mills. That’s right. When I was a teen-age, they were still building steel mills in the good ol’ US of A.

Even if that didn’t work out, I could always get a job at one of the new power plants, nuclear or otherwise, that were always under some level of construction.

■ Prediction one: There will be some sort of weather event, natural disaster or heinous occurrence where someone will be interviewed and say the following: “I’ve never seen anything like that in my lifetime.” It’s as if this person is a required attendee at every news reporting event. While I understand most people’s perspective can indeed be limited by, or contained within, their own personal experiences, it is too much to ask to consult some historical perspective before saying such a thing? Yes, this response can apply to some events. But when it comes to weather and natural disasters, I’m pretty sure this is simply history repeating itself. Same as it has for millions and millions of years. More important, the planet made it! What didn’t were certain species. How’s that for perspective?

I didn’t. Instead, I went on Craigy’s Not So Excellent Adventure. It’s been both bogus and beautiful.

Many of you might be thinking, “If only that half-wit would have just stayed in school, none of this would have happened.” Perhaps to some degree you’d be correct. But I didn’t stay in school. I took what many now refer to as a gap year. Truth be told, I just didn’t want to go to college. Frankly, I never should have even after that year. Although I did, I used little to none of it in any job I’ve ever had. College isn’t for everyone, so make a good choice there.

■ Prediction two: When it comes to a crime or something that occurs between humans, the other required attendee at all news reporting events is the person who says this: “They we’re just the nicest people, and in no way did I see something like this coming.” Exactly. No one does most of the time when it comes to neighbors and acquaintances. People should be surprised at what goes on from time to time in their neighborhoods, towns and with people they know because people are good. And for the times that they shouldn’t be shocked — like with politicians, repeat offenders and terrorists — where’s the interview that says, “This doesn’t surprise me in the least.”

I probably would have been better off taking one of those nepotism-laden, special hirings at the aforementioned factories, mills and plants. I really would have. Old friends of mine who did just that are now entering retirement. And I’m sure they are retiring with a good pension and a cottage “up North” as we Mittenheads — that’s a Michigander from the lower peninsula, I’m sure no one learned that out here until today — like to say. Outside of some slight envy, I’d say good for them.

But the further truth is neither the college route nor the factory route was for me. No, I had to find my own way. Much to my parents’ and many others in the

■ Prediction three: Something good will happen economically, and the government will take credit for it. The most recent example is gas prices, where people ask me why I won’t credit the president for low gas prices. My answer is simple: Government never makes the price of something go down and simply takes credit for good news. Gas pricing is subject to many global factors. Now there are government answers to addressing some of them to keep prices stable for Americans, but our government has none of them in place. The only things it has in place in the

Life finally taught me you’d better wake up, because sleeping through it doesn’t work.

My advice would be to be ready, to keep your eyes wide open and, as I like to tell my girls, stay curious.

long run always hurt consumers. Another fact is that unemployment reaches a certain level based on the economy. And while the government might brag the number is low, it’s more than likely the government did something to cause that number being low — and not in a good way. Conversely, when business picks up, it’s because the people who need to buy widgets who were not buying widgets because the economy was contracting due to natural (or unnatural, government caused) reasons, decided we better buy some widgets. The government had nothing to do with this.

Before I knew it, most of my friends had moved away to college. Some commuted, most didn’t. A lot of them got married within a couple of years after high school. Some went into the military, moved to other towns for work or just lost contact. I guess my point here is simple: All the folks you’re used to seeing every day? They’re pretty much gone. There’s the world’s first haymaker on your chin. My advice? Embrace new roles with new friends and acquaintances and hold on tight to the old friends you keep with all your heart.

It won’t get any easier. Just like in high school, college or your job will have you working with a bunch of folks you don’t like or wish to associate with. Get used to it, you got 50 or more years of this coming.

■ Prediction four: In keeping with things the government does, I predict the government will manipulate the numbers to make the claim the economy is getting better because of how hard it is working to help all of us “working Americans.” Now you might say, “Craig, you always say this about President Obama because you don’t like him.” You’re right in a sense. I don’t know the man, but what I know of him and his thinking, I don’t like it or him one iota. Before you go off, however, I didn’t like President Bush and his bailouts, stimulus and his abandoning the free market to save the free market. And I don’t know him either. What the government does, and the only thing it can do, is hurt the economy. Unless it does nothing or put criminals in jail instead of partnering with them, nothing the government does will help. Always look at it this way, whatever the government says it is doing, whatever the name of the law it is passing, or whatever the name or goal of the bureaucracy it is presenting to the people, expect the polar opposite to occur.

My advice for college? Go to learn higher levels for things useful in natural law or society you can apply to a job to benefit you, your family and society. Everything else is simply crap to mold you into something the folks in control can use you for to get what they want.

I guess what I’m saying is that perhaps it’s time to get out of our own perspective. There’s plenty of history books and historical research out there to begin to understand that all of this has happened before. And it will again, whether the topic is people or government.

As for work, learn to love the parts of the job while enjoying others who have the same work ethic as you do. Avoid those with a worthless work ethic. You can always find them with the college grads doing the bidding of self-appointed, community and political leaders later on.

Whether you’re one of the fortunate ones who gets to follow a single path or like me, who took all too many roads less traveled, life’s coming at you.

The best recommendation is to find some books or try that whole Google thing. There’s a lot of information on the Great Depression. The truth is it wasn’t even a good one until the government got involved. There’s also plenty of research on the medieval warm period when the planet was much warmer than today with a whole lot less people (and warmer well before man was here at all). And yep, people have been killing other surprised people since history was first written.

Here’s the CliffsNotes version: Follow your passion, cause no harm, stay out of other people’s lives unless it’s literally life or death and at all costs avoid the government. And absolutely embrace every second of it because it’s all beautiful. Live fully and love completely wherever life takes you.

In other words: “Be excellent to each other.”

Maybe some research will help stop all of these trends. Otherwise, we’ll be saying we’ve never seen anything like it in our lives. And not in a good way.

Craig Hall is owner and publisher of the Business Times. Reach him at 424-5133 or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com.

The only true wisdom consists in knowing that you know

Raymond Keating

This combination raises major questions about the economy now and in coming months and years as higher federal spending and debt drain resources from the private sector.

Literally a big problem: Growing language abuse makes my head explode

I loathe the imprecise use of words. My head literally explodes at the mere thought of it.

I’m exaggerating, of course, to make a point. But no less so than what appears to me to be the growing number of people who use literally when they mean figuratively.

I admit I’m a grammar curmudgeon whose knickers twist over matters important only to English teachers and certain newspaper editors. Confusion over there, their and they’re. Subject-verb disagreement. Incorrect capitalization. Don’t even get me started on Oxford commas. I loathe them, too.

But what does this column have to do with business? Why does it matter literally or otherwise? Fair question.

Lest my latest lament go unheeded as yet another screed from a supercilious word nerd, consider the impressions people make with words spoken and written whether in professional or personal exchanges. I’m not foolish enough to judge people by the ways in which they talk and write. I’ve made that mistake before and vowed never again. I contend nonetheless there are benefits to precise communication. If nothing else, it increases the likelihood of getting what you ask for — whether that’s an order for goods or services or a bank loan to finance an expansion. Or a date on a Friday night, for that matter.

And that brings me back to what’s literally the most misused word.

By strict definition, literally means in a literal manner or sense. But literally also has come to serve as a replacement for figuratively as well as an intensifier intended to add force to another word.

Given trends in popular culture, it’s understandable to believe the misuse of literally constitutes a recent compulsion. But literally has been used in a figurative sense for hundreds of years.

Even famous authors used literally when they meant figuratively. Take a scene from “Little Women” in which Louisa May Alcott described an outdoor supper in a land literally flowing with milk and honey. Really? Wouldn’t that make it difficult to eat, not to mention awfully sticky? Or a line from “The Great Gatsby” in which F. Scott Fitzgerald

wrote his eponymous protagonist was literally glowing. From what? Exposure to radiation on Long Island? Even Mark Twain had Tom Sawyer literally rolling in wealth after duping a group of boys to pay him for the privilege of whitewashing Aunt Polly’s fence. Better wealth than something else, I suppose.

In comparison to such literary luminaries, who am I to question the uses of literally in some of the best novels ever written? A persnickety wordsmith. That’s who. One who remains unconvinced. I’m more like another famous author, Ambrose Bierce, who decried: “It is bad enough to exaggerate, but to affirm the truth of the exaggeration is intolerable.”

I confess. I’ve given in on occasion to the temptation to use literally. I’m particularly fond of what I deem a well-turned phrase about someone who literally wrote the book on the subject. But only if it’s true in a literal sense. The person actually wrote a book and wasn’t just an authority in an idiomatic sense.

What annoys me is the more widespread misuse of literally with such disregard as to render the word meaningless and those who do so almost comic. Think of the Chris Traeger character portrayed by Rob Lowe in the “Parks and Recreation” sitcom. There’s a famous montage on YouTube, by the way, in which Traeger literally says the word literally 38 times. It’s ridiculous and hilarious at the same time.

Here’s the thing about English, though. If a word is used incorrectly often enough for long enough, it gains acceptance and new meaning. By some estimates, literally has entered the third or fourth stage of a five-stage scale. In the first stage, mistakes are widely rejected. By the time a word reaches the fifth stage, its misuse has become so ubiquitous only people derided as eccentrics reject it.

Count me among the eccentrics.

It’s impossible for people to claim their heads literally exploded. Even if they swallowed the dynamite that caused the blasts.

But I don’t believe it’s an exaggeration at all to complain I loathe the imprecise use of words. I do.

Literally.

Phil Castle is editor of the Business Times. Reach him at 424-5133 or phil@thebusinesstimes.com.

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

Phil Castle

n AUDIOLOGIST MARKS BETTER HEARING MONTH BY URGING PEOPLE TO SEEK OUT CARE

Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac

A Grand Junction-based audiologist is observing Better Hearing and Speech Month in May by encouraging people to remain aware of signs of hearing loss and seek care.

“Our hearing is key to so many aspects of our lives. But it’s something many people undervalue until we are having severe hearing difficulties,” said Jennifer Bebee of Western Colorado Hearing & Balance. “Even then, some of us typically wait years to receive treatment, if ever. This is despite the fact that audiologists can help people in many ways.”

Bebee said signs of hearing loss in adults include difficulty following conversations and hearing in noisy environments, muffled hearing and failure to respond to spoken words as well as beeping, ringing or roaring in one or both ears.

Those concerned about hearing loss for themselves or loved ones should seek an evaluation by a certified audiologist, Bebee said. In addition to hearing aids, audiologists can identify other ways to improve listening and communication skills.

For an appointment or more information about Western Colorado Hearing & Balance, visit www.wchearingclinic.com or call (970) 549-4660.

n LIBRARIES ANNOUNCE HOLIDAY CLOSURES, SUMMER SCHEDULE AND READING PROGRAMS

Mesa County Libraries locations will be closed May 27 to 29 for the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

Library patrons can access the library through its website to renew materials, place holds or use online resources.

The Central Library at 443 N. Sixth St. in Grand Junction will shift to its summer operating schedule, meaning it will be closed on Sundays until after Labor Day.

Summer reading programs are scheduled to begin May 30. Free programs are open to participants of all ages. People can sign up at library locations or online.

For more information about library locations and hours, available services and summer reading programs, visit the library website at https://mesacountylibraries.org.

Lloyd Quesenberry, right, receives an award from Colorado Supreme Court Justice Monica Marquez. Rider & Quesenberry, a Grand Junction law firm, received the Pro Bono Achievement Award for a 13th consecutive year. The award recognizes lawyers and law firms for completing at least 50 hours of pro bono legal services per attorney per year. Marquez is a 1987 graduate of Grand Junction High School. (Photo courtesy Rider & Quesenberry)

SHARE YOUR NEWS

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

Variety of classes planned for Grand Valley Yoga Fest

An annual event will offer a variety of yoga classes as well as a keynote presentation, panel discussions and live music.

The Grand Valley Yoga Fest is set for June 2 to 4 at Palisade High School, located at 3679 G Road.

“We are honored to have so many guest speakers and teachers in the Grand Valley Yoga Fest lineup this year,” said Elizabeth Whitt, a local yoga teacher and co-founder along with Lori Raper of the event. “To be able to offer the opportunity to deepen an existing yoga practice or simply explore yoga for the first time, this is truly a community effort and celebration of all the benefits of yoga.”

Tickets and information are available from the website located at www.grandvalleyyogafest.com. Information also is available on social media at www.facebook.com/grandvalleyyogafest as well as www.instagram.com/grandvalleyyogafest.

Discounted tickets are available for youth as well as first responders and those in the military. Proceeds from the festival will go to mental health and suicide prevention programs in the Grand Valley.

The Grand Valley Yoga Fest will offer a range of yoga classes, including acro, slackline and stand up paddleboard yoga. Classes also will be offered in dance, kirtan and meditation. A sound ceremony and live music are planned. Participants can tailor their schedule based on their interests.

NOTEWORTHY

St. Mary’s Hospital and Medical Center in Grand Junction has once again received an A for its efforts to ensure patient safety.

The medical center, part of Intermountain Healthcare, received an A rating from the Leapfrog Group in its spring 2023 hospital grades report. St. Mary’s has received 12 consecutive A grades in Leapfrog Group assessments.

“This is a reflection of our caregivers, who consistently put the well-being of our patients first,” said Bryan Johnson, president of St. Mary’s. “As an organization, we recognize how vital it is that we empower people to seek opportunities to improve the safety of our patents, caregivers and visitors.”

A nonprofit watchdog organization, the Leapfrog Group has assigned A, B, C, D and F letter grades to general hospitals in the United States since 2012. The rating takes into account more than 30 measures of publicly available information to determine a single grade. The assessment considers such factors as accidents, infections, injuries and medical errors.

For the spring 2023 report, 29 percent of the 3,000 hospitals evaluated received an A, 26 percent a B, 39 percent a C and 6 percent a D. Less than 1 percent received an F. Colorado was among the top 10 states with the highest proportion of hospitals receiving A grades in the latest assessment.

For more information about St. Mary’s Medical Center, visit www.sclhealth.org/locations/ st-marys-medical-center. For more information about Leapfrog grades, log on to the website at www.hospitalsafetygrade.org.

Jennifer Bebee

Bryan Johnson

Elizabeth Whitt

Business People Almanac Business Briefs Business People

n GRAND JUNCTION REAL ESTATE FIRM HONORS BEST-SELLING AGENTS FOR APRIL

Toni Heiden and Kathy Tomkins were honored as the best-selling agents for April at Heiden Homes Realty in Grand Junction.

Heiden posted the highest dollar volume in sales for the month and tied with Tomkins for the most closings.

Heiden, the owner broker of the firm, brings to her duties 45 years of experience in the Western Colorado real estate market. She holds the emeritus designation from the National Association of Realtors.

Tomkins brings to her duties experience in construction, heavy equipment and mobile home sales and parts businesses.

Heiden Homes Realty is located at 735 Rood Ave. For more information, including properties for sale and rent, visit www.heidenhomes.com.

n GRAND JUNCTION KIWANIS CLUB HONORS ITS CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

Janet Hokanson was honored as the Kiwanis Club of Grand Junction Citizen of the Year.

Hokanson was recognized for her more than 20 years of work as a teacher at Fruitvale Elementary School as well as her volunteer efforts with Catholic Outreach and Heirlooms for Hospice. She’s also known for her attention to helping troubled youth.

The club recognizes a resident who demonstrates a commitment to helping local youth. For additional information about the Grand Junction Kiwanis Club, visit the website at www.kiwanis-gj.org or call (970) 270-6162.

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.

n CMU NAMES PERMANENT ACADEMIC HEAD OF DAVIS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

Carlos Baldo has been appointed permanent academic head of the Davis School of Business at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction.

Baldo has served as interim academic head since last year. He said he expects to continue efforts to improve the learning experiences of students, including those involving internships, clubs and study abroad opportunities.

Baldo has worked at the Davis School of Business for six years and helped develop international business and management programs. He also brings to his latest duties experience at different universities and leadership and technical positions with business organizations.

A peer review team from the Association to Advance College Schools of Business is scheduled to visit the Davis School of Business in November. The AACSB is an accrediting agency for business schools worldwide.

n TWO WITH COLORADO STATE PATROL AMONG LAW ENFORCEMENT CHAMPIONS

Ben Carnes and Alicia Bourdon-Goure with the Colorado State Patrol in Grand Junction were among the winners of Law Enforcement Champion awards for efforts to reduce impaired driving and speeding and increase the use of seat belts.

Carnes received the 2023 award for impaired driving enforcement. Bourdon-Goure was named outstanding victim advocate.

Hospitality industry veteran returns to Hotel Colorado

Larry MacDonald has returned to the Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs to work as general manager of the 130-year-old hotel.

“Hotel Colorado and Glenwood Springs have played a distinctive part in my career and my family’s lives. It’s an exciting time to be involved with this exclusive property” MacDonald said. “The Melville family has invested heavily in key infrastructure, guest rooms and meeting space. This has greatly enhanced the overall guest experience and elevated the culinary and special event dynamics within the hotel.”

MacDonald brings to his duties more than 40 years of

experience, including a previous stint as general manager of Hotel Colorado from 2002 to 2008. Prior to returning to Glenwood Springs, he served as executive director of Solstice Senior Living in Washington. He worked 14 years with Providence Hospitality Partners, including positions as general manager of the Four Points by Sheraton in Bellingham, Wash., and Plains Hotel in Cheyenne, Wyo.

Craig Melville, a spokesman for his family, welcomed MacDonald back to the Hotel Colorado. “His experience here and with other historic and luxury properties will help lead us in the next chapter of this magnificent property’s story, which includes continued investments in renovations.”

The Hotel Colorado will celebrate its 130th anniversary in June.

May 25

n Welcome Thursday Friends free networking, noon to 1 p.m., Strayhorn, 456 Kokopelli Drive, Fruita. 858-3894 or https://fruitachamber.org

n Young Professionals Network of Mesa County after hours event, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Boston’s, 2404 Patterson Road, Grand Junction. www.ypnmc.org

May 31

n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce member appreciation picnic, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., 432 E. Aspen Ave. Free to chamber members. registration required. https://fruitachamber.org or 858-3894

June 1

n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Women in Business networking lunch, noon to 1 p.m., Business Incubator Center, 2591 Legacy Way, Grand Junction. Admission $15 for members, $25 for others. https://fruitachamber.org or 858-3894

n How to start a business workshop, 2 to 4 p.m. June 1, Business Incubator Center. Admission $55. 243-5242 or https://gjincubator.org

June 5

n Free monthly maker meetup, 6 to 8 p.m., GJ Makerspace at the Business Incubator Center. https://gjincubator.org or 243-5242

Upcoming

n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce business after hours, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. June 8, Business Incubator Center. Admission $5 for chamber members, $10 for others. https://fruitachamber.org or 858-3894

n Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce quarterly membership meeting and presentation by the Common Sense Intiative, noon to 1:30 p.m., June 12, Colorado Mesa University Center ballroom. Admission $25 in advance for chamber members, $30 at the door. https://gjchamber.org or 242-3214

n Young Professonals Network of Mesa County before hours, 7 to 8 a.m. June 14, Octopus Coffee, 759 Horizon Drive, Grand Junction. www.ypnmc.org

n Palisade Chamber of Commerce Power Hour with Luke Clayton, area manager of BBSI, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 14, 120 W. Park Drive, Suite 108, Grand Junction. Chamber members attend for free. Others pay $5. Lunch included. 4 64-7458 or http://palisadecoc.com

n Open Coffee Club free networking, 9 to 10 a.m. June 16, F Works, 325 E. Aspen Ave., Fruita. 858-3894 or https://fruitachamber.org

n Young Professonals Network of Mesa County lunch conversation with Curtis Englehart, executive director of the Grand Junction Economic Partnership, noon to 1 p.m. June 21, GJEP offices, 122 N. Sixth St. www.ypnmc.org

n Palisade Chamber of Commerce business after hours, 5:30 to 7 p.m. June 21, Colterris Collections, 3208 G Road. Members pay $5 in advance and $6 at the door. Others pay $8 in advance and $10 at the door. http://palisadecoc.com or 464-7458

Janet Hokanson

Carlos Baldo

Larry MacDonald

Toni Heiden

Kathy Tomkins