A union representing workers in Colorado and Wyoming has raised concerns about a proposed grocery merger.
n Slowing activity
Real estate activity slowed on a year-over-year basis in Mesa County even as uncertainty increased.
2 4 5
Two Grand Junction-based firms are among the latest winners of annual awards recognizing Colorado companies.
n GOCO grants
Great Outdoors Colorado awarded a total of more than $151,000 in grants to Mesa County organizations.
n Jobless jump
The unemployment rate seesawed back up in Mesa County as payrolls shrank and more people looked for jobs.
n Handbook review
An employer that hasn’t reviewed and updated its employee handbook could be out of compliance with laws.
n While economic indicators
THE BUSINESS TIMES Business People
THE BUSINESS TIMES News Trends
Puzzling results
Contributors Opinion
While economic indicators signal continued growth, survey says Colorado business leaders still wary
E
ven as economic indicators reflect continued growth, Colorado business leaders remain wary heading into the third quarter, according to the latest results of an index tracking their expectations.
Business Briefs
“While most economic data shows the U.S. remains in a growth cycle, business leaders’ responses signal tempered optimism and caution as we enter the second half of the year,” says Brian Lewandowski, executive director of the business research division of the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Business People Almanac
The Leeds Business Confidence Index retreated 3.1 points between the second and third quarters to 50.6. The latest reading remained above 50 for a second straight quarter. Readings above 50 reflect more positive than negative responses to the survey upon which the index is based.
But looking ahead to the fourth quarter, the reading was slightly lower at 49.9.
All six individual components of the index decreased between the second and third quarters, two of them to below neutral 50.
The business research division of the Leeds School of Business calculates the index based on the results of quarterly surveys of business leaders from across the state and industry sectors.
Out of 201 leaders who responded to the third quarter survey in June, 150 offered open-ended explanations for their outlooks. While 26 percent of those who responded attributed their responses to higher interest rates, 21 percent cited uncertainty over the upcoming election and 17 percent their general sentiments.While 10 percent of respondents expressed optimism for the future, 7 percent expressed pessimism. Assessments of consumer confidence and demand were both positive and negative.
CONFIDENCE INDEX
Expectations for the Colorado economy fell 2.9 points to 51.2. Among the business leaders who responded to the third quarter survey, 31.8 percent expected a moderate increase in the economy. But 21.9 percent anticipated a decrease. Most leaders — 40.8 percent — predicted no change. At either end, 1.5 percent expected a strong increase and 4 percent a strong decrease.
See PUZZLING page 14
Union campaigning against grocery chain merger
Phil Castle The Business Times
Kim Cordova fears what an aquisition that would combine Kroger and Albertsons might mean for the employees of the grocery store chains.
But Cordova said she’s also worried about the implications of further grocery store consolidations for consumers and communities in Colorado.
“It’s bad for the consumer. It’s bad for workers. It’s bad, we believe, for our economy,” said Cordova, five-term president of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union Local 7. Based in Wheat Ridge, UFCW Local 7 represents a total of 23,000 members in Colorado and Wyoming.
Local 7 joined with six other UFCW locals to oppose the merger, In addition, the unions joined with a total of more than 100 national, state and local organizatons in
what’s billed as the Stop the Merger campaign.
Kroger announced in 2022 the proposed acquisition of Albertsons in a $24.6 billion deal that would combine the two largest supermarket chains into a 4,500-store operation. The proposed transaction also would involve the diversiture of 579 stores that would be sold to C&S Wholesale Grocers for $2.9 billion. That would include 91 Albertsons stores in Colorado.
In February, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission sued to block the merger, claiming a lack of competition would lead to higher grocery prices and lower wages for workers.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser filed a lawsuit challenging the merger, alleging it would violate antitrust provisions in state law that prohibit acquisitions that could substantially lessen competition or create a monopoly.
Scott Moses, a partner with Solomon Partners based in New York hired to advise on the proposed acquisition by Kroger Co. of Albertsons, said in a Zoom call with Colorado reporters the merger is necessary for traditional grocers like Kroger and Albertson to remain competitive in a changing market increasingly dominated by such
non-traditional grocers as mass merchants, warehouse clubs and a proliferation of discount stores. Moreover, Moses said the merger would result in lower prices for consumers and higher wages for employees.
In a telephone interview with the Business Times, Cordova disagreed. She said she was fearful further consolidation and the resulting decrease in competition among traditional grocers would result in even higher prices for consumers as well as less security not only for employees of grocery stores, but also those working in the food supply chain.
Cordova said more than 17,000 members of UFCW Local 7 would be affected by the proposed merger. “Our members are really terrified.”
But the implications extend to those working at meat packing plants, warehouses and others suppliers as well as farmers and ranchers, she said.
Increased consolidation and decreased competition make it more difficult for unions to negotiate for wages, benefits and other working conditions, Cordova said.
See MERGER page 12
Kim Cordova
B. Lewandowski
Uncertainty slows real estate activity
Mesa County second-half sales likely to lag as presidential election in November nears
Phil Castle The Business Times
Real estate activity decreased on a year-over-year basis in Mesa County even as uncertainty over interest rates, inflation and an impending presidential election increased.
“There’s all this uncertainty in everything,” said Darah Galvin, director of operations for Bray & Co. Real Estate based in Grand Junction.
The accumulative effects of that uncertainty have left buyers and sellers reluctant to make a move — even during what’s typically a busier season for real estate sales, Galvin said.
The situation isn’t likely to substantially change during the second half of 2024, she said.
Jenn Hardey, marketing director for Fidelity National Title in Colorado, said 322 real estate transactions worth a total of $147.7 million were reported in Mesa County in June. Compared to the same month last year, transactions decreased 25.1 percent and dollar volume fell 24.4 percent.
Hardey said 15 large transactions worth an accumulative $24.6 million bolstered dollar volume, including a retail building on Horizon Drive for more than $5 million, a nearly 6,000-square-foot home off South Broadway and Colorado Highway 340 for $2.9 million and three commercial buildings at the intersection of Patterson and 25 roads for a total of $1.85 million.
For the first half of 2024, Hardey said 1,838 transactions worth a combined $884.7 million were reported. Compared to the first half of 2023, transactions were down 1.9 percent while higher prices drove dollar volume up 9.8 percent.
According to numbers Bray & Co. tracks for the residential market, 230 transactions worth a total of nearly $113.9 million were reported in June. Compared to the same month a year ago, transactions declined 27.9 percent and dollar volume dropped 20 percent.
For the first half of 2024, 1,287 residential transactions worth a total of nearly $582.3 million were reported. Compared to the first half of 2023, transactions decreased 8.4 percent and dollar volume fell 2.7 percent.
Higher interest rates on mortgages continue to curtail real estate activity in not only making financing more expensive for some buyers, but also making homeowners considering selling less reluctant to do so for fear of trading a mortgage with comparatively lower interest rates for a new mortgage with higher rates, Galvin said. Many homeowners opt to remodel rather than look for a different house.
The year-over-year slowing in sales also reflects uncertainty over not only interest rates, but also inflation and the presidential election, she said.
Home prices continue to escalate, however. The median price of homes sold in June rose nearly 4.3 percent to $427,500. The increase in the median price of homes sold during the first half of 2024 was smaller at 3.9 percent to $400,000.
Galvin attributed the increase in part to more sales of higher-priced homes, many of them cash transactions unaffected by higher interest rates.
At the same time, though, Galvin said she was encouraged by an increase in the inventory of existing homes. As of the end of June, there were 504 active listings in Mesa County. That’s up 16.1 percent from the 434 listings at the same time a year ago.
At the current pace of sales, there’s a more than two-month supply. Still, the inventory remains well below the six-month supply indicative of a more balanced market, she said.
Looking ahead to the remainder of the year, Galvin said the pace of real estate transactions could slow more as the election nears, but higher prices will bolster dollar volume.
Meanwhile, property foreclosure activity continues to decline in Mesa County. Hardey said 86 foreclosure filings and 16 sales were reported during the first half of 2024. Compared to the first half of 2023, filings fell 34.4 percent and sales decreased 23.8 percent.
Darah Galvin
Jenn Hardey
JFS and SG Aerospace & Gas were among the latest winners in the Colorado Companies to Watch program. From left, William and Kelly Johnston and Shannon and Mike Sneddon attended a gala awards dinner in Denver at which the winners were announced. (Photo courtesy Colorado Companies to Watch)
Companies to watch: Grand Junction firms among latest winners
Two Grand Junction-based firms are among the latest winners of an annual awards program recognizing fast-growing Colorado companies.
JFS and SG Aerospace & Gas were named 2024 Colorado Companies to Watch winners.
Two more Grand Junction-based firms — In8Sync and Skyhook Solar — were finalists.
The Colorado Companies to Watch program honors so-called second-stage companies for innovative products, unique processes and marketplace performances as well as their philanthropic efforts.
To participate, firms must be privately held, headquartered in Colorado, employ the equivalent of six to 99 full-time employees and generate $750,000 to $50 million in annual sales or working capital.
JFS provides accounting and consulting services to small businesses and organizations as well as hospitals and other health care providers. Kelly Johnson founded the firm in 2016 and subsequently expanded the scope, staff and geographic service area of the operation.
“This honor reflects the JFS team’s dedication to meeting our clients’ needs and delivering essential financial support and education, enabling the success of other businesses and organization within our community,” Johnston said.
Curtis Englehart, executive director of the Grand Junction Economic Partnership, praised the efforts of Johnston and JFS. “Kelly Johnston and her team at JFS are well known and well respected within our community for their active role in supporting
local businesses. We are thrilled to see their accomplishments being celebrated and garnering state-wide recognition as a 2024 winner of Colorado Companies to Watch.”
SG Aerospace & Gas manufactures components for the aerospace, oil and natural gas and industrial markets. The company was awarded contracts to supply components for the Orion spacecraft under development for manned missions into deep space, including Mars. The firm has promoted the aerospace and aviation industry in Mesa County through partnerships with organizations, including the Colorado Space Business Roundutable.
“We are fortunate to live in a community that aspires to diverse economics, and the space program is part of that trend,” said Mike Sneddon, chief executive officer of SG Aerospace & Gas. “We’ve enjoyed growing our business on the Western Slope and are excited the rest of the state is recognizing all we have to offer here.”
Englehart said SG Aerospace & Gas also was awarded the GJEP Spirit of Economic Development Award earlier this year for its involvement in efforts to improve the economic vitality of Mesa County. “Having them now recognized as a Colorado Company to Watch speaks volumes about their accomplishments within the industry.”
In8Sync provides administration, automation, consulting, customization and integration services for companies using NetSuite software. Skyhook Solar manufactures solar stations that charge electric vehicles and bicycles as well as serve other purposes.
GOCO awards $151,000 for Mesa County efforts
A total of more than $151,000 in grants were awarded to support natural resources stewardship and land conservation in Mesa County as well as construct a dark sky facility at Highline State Park.
Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) announced the grants, the latest proceeds from the Colorado Lottery to fund parks, recreation, conservation and open space projects across the state.
GOCO awarded a $54,983 grant through its stewardship impact program to Colorado Canyon Association. The association will use the grant for West Slope Outdoor Volunteers and an effort to promote natural resource restoration and stewardship in Mesa, Delta and Montrose counties.
West Slope Outdoor Volunteers will lead stewardship projects, training sessions and collaborative initiatives to
address habitat degradation and invasive species.
“This stewardship impact grant is a huge win for all three counties, and we are excited to see how this will allow us to further our collaboration amongst conservationfocused nonprofit partners through West Slope Outdoor Volunteers,” said Morgan Rossway, volunteer and outreach coordinator at Colorado Canyons Association.
GOGO awarded two grant sthrough its Keep it Colorado transaction cost assistance program to the Colorado West Land Trust based in Grand Junction. The grants help cover the costs associated with conservation easements.
With a $50,100 grant, the Colorado West Land Trust will protect a total of 22.83 acres of orchards on four parcels near Palisade. The orchards produce peaches, apricots, cherries, pears and plums. The parcels also include a u-pick business and roadside fruit stand. With a $25,000 grant, the
land trust will conserve Bookcliff Vineyard and its tasting room as well as 20 acres of vineyards near Palisade.
A $20,948 grant to Colorado Parks and Wildlife will fund a dark sky viewing location and amphitheater at Highline State Park north of Loma. The New Horizons Amphitheater will host astronomy events as well as environmental programs, outdoor meetings and school field trips.
The grant was awarded through a collaboration between GOCO and Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
To date, GOCO has awarded more than $49 million in grants for projects in Mesa County and participated in projects to conserve 18,283 acres of land. GOCO funding supported the Colorado Riverfront Trail, Las Colonias Park in Grand Junction and Riverbend Park in Palisade.
Grand Junction among “gems” as startup spot
Grand Junction is included among 100 United States cities dubbed “hidden gems” for business startups.
Grand Junction ranked 12th based on the results of a survey conducted by MarketBeat.com, on online platform with real-time financial data, market analysis and news. Loveland ranked 39th.
MarketBeat.com conducted an online survey among 3,000 business executives to identify cities they considered hidden gems for launching ventures.
“As the startup landscape evolves, it’s essential for entrepreneurs to consider diverse locations that offer unique advantages,” said Matt Paulson, founder and chief executive officer of MarketBeat.com. “Our survey highlights cities that not only provide cost-effective solutions, but also foster supportive environments for innovation and growth. These hidden gems are proving that you don’t need to be in a traditional startup hub to achieve success.”
Grand Junction was praised as an emerging hub for startups in the outdoor recreation and health care sectors. The survey also cited the Business Incubator Center in Grand Junction for its support of entrepreneurs with coaching, funding and low-cost shared space.
In addition, Grand Junction was lauded for its natural surroundings and comparatively lower cost of living.
Sebring, Fla., ranked first in the survey results for offering a supportive ecosystem for entrepreneurs, including startups in the tourism and manufacturing sectors. Flagstaff, Ariz., came in second, followed by Monroe, La., in third, Scranton, Pa., in fourth and Round Rock, Texas, in fifth.
The top 10 cities also included San Luis Obispo, Calif.; Akron, Ohio; Anderson, S.C.; San Angelo, Texas; and Florence, S.C..
Matt Paulson
City launches pilot project to slow traffic on two streets
The City of Grand Junction has launched a pilot project intended to slow the speed of traffic along Fourth and Fifth streets.
Between Ute Avenue and North Avenue, Fourth and Fifth streets will become one-lane, one-direction streets.
The first phase of the project includes curb work, chip seal and restriping.
During the pilot project, vehicle traffic will be narrowed to one lane and one way.
A bike lane protected by parallel parking will constructed on the right side of the streets. Diagonal parking will remain on the left side of the streets.
“One of the project goals is to increase safety for those traveling through downtown regardless of whether you are in a car, on a bike or on foot,” said Trent Prall, engineering and transportation director for the City of Grand Junction.
“We heard from the community that Fourth and Fifth streets could be improved for pedestrians and cyclists, but that parking remains a key concern for downtown businesses,” Prall added. “This pilot phase provides community members with an opportunity to experience both two-way or one-way lanes as options and share input about their preferences with the city.”
Brandon Stam, executive director of the Downtown Development Authority, said he was excited about efforts to improve traffic flow, safey and economic viability along Fourth and Fifth streets.
“The original 1981 downtown plan of development and the 2018 vibrant together master plan both highlighted the importance of improving these streets,” Stam said.
“With the new residential units and new businesses in Colorado Avenue, this is an opportunity to enhance the vibrancy of the downtown core while also providing better connectivity to nearby neighborhoods,” he added.
The design is the result of comments provided on a feasibility study of Fourth and Fifth streets conducted in 2022 with additional comments from residents and business owners in 2023.
People can submit comments about the project later in July through the website at EngageGJ.org.
Trent Prall
Brandon Stam
Western Colorado rancher assumes CCA presidency
A Carbondale rancher has stepped into his new role as president of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association (CCA).
Tom Harrington began his one-year term at the CCA annual convention in Colorado Springs.
Harrington has served on the CCA board of directors since 2015 and also has been involved in local, state and national cattlemen’s associations.
Harrington said he looks forward to engaging with producers, industry stakeholders and consumers to persuade political and social change to benefit the beef industry and agriculture. “As we look to the year ahead, I am looking forward to serving the members of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association as their president. It will take the collective voices and efforts of our industry to affect positive change, but I am confident that our membership and association is prepared to work on issues of importance on behalf of all of Colorado’s beef producers and the broader industry.”
Harrington and his wife, Ginny, live in Carbondale, where they manage the Crystal River Ranch, a cow and calf operation and their own commercial operation.
Harrington is a graduate of Colorado State University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in animal science and master’s degree in animal reproduction and management systems.
Harrington succeeds Robert Farnam, a rancher from Brush who’s now outgoing CCA president.
“It has been an honor to serve as the president of this association and all the great men, women and families that represent our industry.” Farnam said. “From my statewide travels, I have seen firsthand our association and its members’ commitments to bettering our industry. We are an industry and organization that pays it forward, and this is one of the reasons why we have stayed strong for 157 years.”
The 2024 CCA board of directors also includes: Curt Russell, Sugar City, president elect; Mark LeValley, Hotchkiss, first vice president; Jim Magnuson, Eaton, second vice president; John Michal, Sterling, treasurer; Billy Schmitz, Johnstown, and Jim Santomaso, Sterling, northeast quarter representatives; Mike Camblin, Maybell, and John Raftopoulos, Craig; northwest quarter representatives; Sean Martin, Collbran, and Pete Stagner, Moffat, southwest quarter representatives: and R.J. Jolly, Kit Carson, and Nate Turner, Yoder, southeast quarter representatives. F
Tom Harrington
Coffee with interim city manager July 16
An upcoming event will offer participants an opportunity to talk with Andrea Phillips, interim manager of the City of Grand Junction.
The event is set for 7:30 a.m. July 16 at Colorado Q & Baker’s Boutique, located at 449 Main St. in downtown Grand Junction. The event also will include Grand Junction Police Chief Matt Smith.
The monthly coffee meetings offer residents an opportunity to join the interim city manager and other city officials for coffee and conversation to discuss recent projects and initiatives.
Merger
Continued from page 2
Kroger has a history, Cordova said, of fighting union and organizing efforts. “Kroger is not a union-friendly company.”
That leaves UFCW members worried about their wages as well as health care benefits and pensions, she said.
The results of a survey conducted in 2022 revealed that many Kroger employees are already struggling, she said. Of the employees who responded to the survey, 63 percent said they earned too little to cover basic expenses, 75 percent said they were food insecure and 14 percent said they were homeless. “You shouldn’t be homeless and hungry.”
Cordova said she’s also concerned about the divestiture plan in which C&S Wholesale Groceries would purchase 579 stores, including 91 Albertsons stores in Colorado.
C&S operates a wholesale supply business for grocers, but only a handful of stores. She said she’s concerned C&S will be unable to compete and ultimately could be forced to close stores.
When Albertsons merged with Safeway in 2015, Albertsons sold more than 100 stores to Haggen. But Haggen went bankrupt less than a year after the sale, closed stores and laid off thousands of workers, she said.
Cordova disputed the prospect an acquisition combining Kroger and Albertsons would result in lower prices. Grocery prices have remained high in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic as result of what she said is corporate greed, not unresolved supply chain issues.
In addition, Cordova said she’s concerned the merger would leave rural communities in Colorado with only one grocery store. And if stores close, even those sources of food could disappear, worsening conditions in some areas that are already food deserts.
The issue is an important one, she said. “We’re talking about the food supply chain, resources to live. It’s a big deal.”
Grant helps food bank buy trailer
Food Bank of the Rockies has purchased a refrigerated trailer to distribute food thanks to a grant from the Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation.
“This new trailer allows us to increase our capacity and provide more fresh produce to our neighbors across the Western Slope,” said Sue Ellen Rodwick, director of the Food Bank of the Rockies Western Slope.
“We’re grateful for the Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation for supporting our mission, especially at a time when more individuals and families are turning to us and our network of hunger relief partners for help.”
The 53-foot-long trailer hauls thousands of pounds of food from the Food Bank of the Rockies Western Slope Elkin Family Distribution Center in Grand Junction to hunger relief partners and mobile pantries in 13 counties.
Rodwick said that from December 2023 to February 2024, where was a 190 percent increase in mobile pantry attendance compared to the same period the previous year.
Since 2020, the Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation has provided funding to Food Bank of the Rockies that’s enabled the purchase and distribution of more than 1 million pounds of fresh produce.
Council members elected to board
Anna Stout, a member of the Grand Junction City Council, has been re-elected to the Colorado Municipal League executive board.
Stout represents a large population category from 60,000 to 249,000. Her term expires in June 2025.
Dave Frank, mayor pro tem of Montrose, also was elected to the board to represent a medium population category from 8,000 to 59,000.
The Colorado Municipal League executive board is comprised of 21 municipal elected offices and staff members elected during the CML annual business meeting
The Colorado Municipal League represents the interests of a total of 270 cities and towns in the state.
Sue Ellen Rodwick
Puzzling
Continued from page 2
Expectations for the national economy fell 3.2 points to 46.8, the lowest reading among the six components of the index for the third quarter. While 25.4 percent of business leaders anticipated moderate or strong increases in the national economy, 35.8 percent expected moderate or strong decreases. Most leaders — 38.8 percent — believed there’ll be no change.
Expectations for sales fell 3.2 points, but at 54.7 was the highest of the third quarter readings. While 40.8 percent of leaders expected moderate or strong increases in sales, 22.4 percent anticipated moderate or strong decreases and 36.8 percent forecast no change.
Expectations for profits fell 4.6 points to 52, with 32.4 percent of leaders anticipating moderate or strong increases, 24.9 percent moderate or strong decreases and 42.8 percent no change.
Expectations for hiring fell 2.1 points to 48 with 25.9 percent of leaders forecasting moderate or strong increases in staffing, 29.4 percent moderate or strong layoffs and 44.8 percent no change.
Expectations for capital expenditures fell 1.3 points — the smallest decline between the second and third quarters among the components — to 50.9. While 27.4 percent of leaders expected moderate or strong increases in spending, 22.4 percent anticipated moderate or strong decreases and 50.2 percent forecast no change.
Gross domestic product increased in Colorado at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 2.3 percent during the first quarter. Personal income in Colorado rose 4.8 percent year-over-year in the first quarter. Nonfarm payrolls increased 55,400 between May 2023 and May 2024. Inflation for the Denver, Aurora and Lakewood area rose at an annual rate of 2.3 percent for the first quarter.
Small business outlook mixed
A measure of optimism among small business owners has climbed to its highest level of this year, but remains below its historical average.
The National Federation of Independent Business reported its Small Business Optimism Index rose a point between May and June to 91.5.
That’s the highest level since the index stood at 91.9 in December. However, the index has remained below its 50-year average of 98 for 30 consecutive months.
“Main Street remains pessimistic about the economy for the balance of the year,” said Bill Dunkelberg, chief economist of the NFIB. “Increasing compensation costs has led to higher prices all around. Meanwhile, no relief from inflation is in sight for small business owners as they prepare for the uncertain months ahead.”
The NFIB bases the index on the results of monthly surveys of members of the small business advocacy group, most of them small business owners.
For June, four of 10 components of the index advanced, one retreated and five remained unchanged.
The proportion of NFIB members responding to the survey upon which the June index was based who expected the economy to improve rose five points between May and June. But at a net negative 25 percent, more members anticipated worsening conditions.
A net 23 percent of members planned capital outlays over the next six months, unchanged from a month ago. A net 4 percent said they consider now a
good time to expand, also unchanged from May.
The share of members who expected increased sales held steady. But at a net negative 13 percent, more members anticipated decreased sales.
The proportion of members who anticipated increased earnings rose a point. But at a net negative 29 percent, more expected decreased earnings.
Among those reporting lower profits, 34 percent reported weaker sales, 17 percent cited higher material costs and 12 percent blamed increased labor costs. Among those reporting higher profits, 37 percent credited increased sales and 20 percent cited higher selling prices.
A net 15 percent of members reported plans to increase staffing, unchanged from a month ago. A net 37 percent reported hard-to-fill job openings, down five points. Of the 60 percent of members hiring or trying to hire in June, 85 percent reported few or no qualified applicants for the positions for which they trying to fill.
The share of members who planned to increase inventories rose four points. But at a net negative 2 percent, more planned to decrease inventories. A net negative 2 percent said current inventories were too low.
Asked to identify their single most important problem, 21 percent cited inflation and 19 percent the quality of labor. Another 14 percent cited taxes and 11 percent the cost of labor.
A net 27 percent of members reported increasing average selling pries. Price hikes were most frequent in the construction, retail and wholesale sectors. A net 38 percent of members reported raising compensation, while another 22 percent expected to do so in the next three months.
Bill Dunkelberg
INDICATORS AT A GLANCE
n Business filings
t New business filings in Colorado, 45,150 in the first quarter, down 19.2% from the first quarter of 2023.
n Confidence
t Consumer Confidence Index 100.4 in June, down 0.9.
t Leeds Business Confidence Index for Colorado, 50.6 for the third quarter, down 3.1.
s National Federation of Independent Business Small Business Optimism Index 91.5 for June, up 1.
News Trends Contributors
Jobless rate seesaws up
Mesa County labor market reflects in part the effects of skills gaps
Phil Castle The Business Times
Opinion
After two months of declines, the unemployment rate seesawed back up in Mesa County as payrolls decreased and the number of people unsuccessfully looking for work increased.
AREA JOBLESS RATES
May April
s Delta County 3.9 3.5
s Garfield County 3.6 2.8
s Mesa County 4.1 3.6
s Montrose County 3.7 3.3
s Rio Blanco County 4.0 3.5
Business Briefs Business People Almanac
n Foreclosures
t Foreclosure filings in Mesa County, 13 in June, down from 18 in June 2023.
t Foreclosure sales in Mesa County, 2 in June, down from 4 in June 2023.
n Indexes
t Conference Board Employment Trends Index, 110.27 for June, down 0.77.
t Conference Board Leading Economic Index 101.2 for May, down 0.5%.
t Institute for Supply Management Purchasing Managers Index for manufacturing, 48.5% for June, down 0.2%.
t Institute for Supply Management Purchasing Managers Index for services, 48.8% for June, down 5%.
n Real estate
t Real estate transactions in Mesa County, 322 in June, down 25.1 percent from June 2023.
t Dollar volume of real estate transactions in Mesa County, $147.7 million in June, down 24.4% from June 2023.
n Sales
s Sales and use tax collections in Mesa County, $4.6 million for May, up 3.9% from April 2023.
n Unemployment
s Mesa County — 4.1% for May, up 0.5.
s Colorado — 3.8% for May, up 0.1.
s United States — 4.1% for June, up 0.1.
The market reflects in part a gap between the skills employers want in new hires and those applicants offer, said Tabi Britt, employment services supervisor at the Mesa County Workforce Center in Grand Junction. “This creates difficulty on both sides of the employment equation. Employers struggle to find qualified applicants and job seekers struggle to keep up with qualifications.”
The situation isn’t unique to Mesa County, Britt said, but rather national in scope.
The seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate rose a half point between April and May to 4.1 percent. The rate had retreated a total of 1.1 points in March and April. At this time last year, the rate was a full point lower at 3.1 percent.
Between April and May 2024, Mesa County payrolls decreased 679 to 72,727. The number of people counted among those unsuccessfully looking for work increased 352 to 3,072. The labor force, which includes the employed and unemployed, shrank 327 to 75,799.
Over the past year, payrolls decreased 1,293 while the ranks of the unemployed increased 695. The labor force declined 598.
Britt said unemployment rates typically dip in Mesa County near the end of the first quarter, and the drop could have occurred earlier this year.
Labor demand persists, though, as measured by the number of job orders posted at the Mesa County Workforce Center. Britt said 842 job orders were posted in May, up 2.8 percent from the same month a year ago. A total of 4,531 orders were posted through the first five months of 2024, up nearly 21 percent from the same span in 2023 as a result of a strong start in January and February of this year.
As for addressing skills gaps, Britt said some employers are turning to a skills-based hiring approach rather than relying on traditional recruitment criteria. The Mesa County Workforce Center offers programs to help job seekers gain the skills and experience they need.
Looking ahead to the second half of 2024, Britt said there’s insufficient information to offer any specific indicators of what’s ahead.
Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates similarly increased in neighboring western Colorado counties in June — up four-tenths of a point to 3.9 percent in Delta County and 3.7 percent in Montrose County, up a half point to 4 percent in Rio Blanco County and eight-tenths of a point to 3.6 percent in Garfield County.
The statewide seasonally adjusted jobless rate edged up a tenth of a point to 3.8 percent.
According to the latest results of household surveys, the number of employed people in Colorado fell 6,300 while the number of people counted among those unsuccessfully looking for work increased 3,400. The labor participation rate — the proportion of the population employed or looking for work — slipped a tenth of a point to 67.9 percent.
According to the results of separate business surveys, nonfarm payrolls grew 9,800 between April and May. Employment increased 3,700 in professional and business services, 2,100 in leisure and hospitality and 1,300 in construction. Government payrolls increased 1,900.
Over the past year, nonfarm payrolls grew 55,400, Employment increased 16,300 in educational and health services, 9,300 in professional and business services and 6,600 in leisure and hospitality. Those gains more than offset a decline of 6,000 jobs in the trade, transportation and utilities sector as well as 2,300 fewer jobs in both the construction and information sectors.
The average workweek for Colorado employees on private, nonfarm payrolls lengthened over the past year six-tenths of an hour to 33.5 hours. Average hourly earnings rose $2.31 to $37.77. F
Consumer Confidence Index retreats
A measure of consumer confidence retreated on less upbeat expectations for business and labor conditions.
The Conference Board reported its Consumer Confidence Index fell nine-tenths of a point to 100.4 in June. A component of the index based on assessments of current conditions increased. But a component based on short-term expectations decreased.
Dana Peterson
“Confidence pulled back in June, but remained within the same narrow range that’s held throughout the past two years as strength in current labor market views continued to outweigh concerns about the future,” said Dana Peterson, chief economist of the Conference Board. “However, if material weaknesses in the labor market appear, confidence could weaken as the year progresses.”
The New York-based think tank bases the Consumer Confidence Index on the results of monthly household surveys. Economists monitor the index because consumer spending accounts for more than two-thirds of economic activity.
For June, more upbeat assessments of current business and labor conditions pushed up the present situation component of the index seven-tenths of a point to 141.5.
The proportion of consumers responding to the survey upon which the June index was based who said business conditions were good fell 1.2 points to 19.6 percent. But the share of those who said conditions were bad fell seven-tenths of a point to 17.7 percent
The proportion of consumers who said jobs were plentiful rose 1.1 points to 38.1 percent. The share of those who said jobs were hard to get slipped two-tenths of a point to 14.1 percent.
Consumers were less confident about the future, pulling down the expectations component of the index 1.9 points to 73. The index has remained below 80 for five straight months, a level that usually signals an impending recession.
The share of consumers who expected business conditions to improve over the next six months fell 1.2 points to 12.5 percent. The proportion of those who anticipated worsening conditions slipped two-tenths of a point to 16.7 percent.
The share of consumers who expected more jobs to become available fell a half point to 12.6 percent. The proportion of those who anticipated fewer jobs fell more — 1.5 points to 17.3 percent.
While 15.2 percent of consumers expected their incomes to increase — down 2.5 points from May — the share of those who anticipated decreased incomes edged up two-tenths of a point to 11.7 percent.
Tabi Britt
U.S. payrolls, jobless rate both increase
Employment continued to trend upward in the United States even as the unemployment rate inched up to its highest level in more than a year and a half.
Nonfarm payrolls increased 206,000 in June and the jobless rate edged up a tenth of a point to 4.1 percent, according to the latest estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Payroll estimates and the unemployment rate are based on separate surveys of businesses and households, respectively.
Initial estimates for payroll gains for the previous two months were revised downward a total of 111,000 to 218,000 for May and 108,000 for April.
Based on the latest numbers, payrolls have increased an average of 220,000 a month over the past year.
For June, 6.8 million people were counted among those unsuccessfully looking for work. Of those, 1.5 million have been out of work 27 weeks or longer.
Another 4.2 million people were counted among those working part-time because their hours were cut or they were unable to find full-time positions.
The labor participation rate — the proportion of the population working or looking for work — edged up a tenth of a point to 62.6 percent. The rate has shown little change over the past year.
Payroll gains for June were spread out among industry
Employment index declines
A monthly index tracking labor trends has declined, signaling what could be slowing job growth in the United States.
The Conference Board reported its Employment Trends Index fell nearly eight-tenths of a point to 110.27 in June with declines in four of eight components of the index.
“While June’s ETI suggest an aggregate reduction in employment ahead, we anticipate the labor market will only cool modestly,” said Will Baltrus, an associate economist at the Conference Board.
sectors. Employment increased 49,000 in health care, 34,000 in social assistance and 27,000 in construction. Government payrolls increased 70,000.
The average workweek held steady for a third straight month at 34.3 hours. The average manufacturing workweek was uncahnged at 40.2 hours.
Average hourly earnings increased 10 cents to $35. Over the past year, earnings increased 3.9 percent.
Leading Index signals slowing, not recession
A monthly index forecasting economic conditions in the United States continues to decline — signaling slowing, but not recession.
J. ZabinskaLa Monica
The Conference Board reported its Leading Economic Index (LEI) fell a half of a percent to 101.2 in May. A separate measure of current conditions increased. A measure of past conditions decreased.
Justyna ZabinskaLa Monica, senior manager of business cycle indicators at the Conference Board, said the LEI retreated on declines in building permits as well as consumer concerns about business conditions.
“While the index’s six-month growth rate remained firmly negative, the LEI doesn’t currently signal a recession.”
The Conference Board projects gross domestic product, the broad measure of goods and services produced in the country, to slow to an annual rate of under 1 percent over the second and third quarters.
For the past six months, the LEI fell 2 percent, less than the 3.4 percent decline over the six months before that. By comparison, GDP grew at an annual rate of 1.3 percent in the first quarter of 2024 and 3.4 percent in the fourth quarter of 2023.
For May, five of 10 indicators of the LEI advanced, including average weekly manufacturing hours, a leading credit index, new orders for consumer and capital goods and stock prices. Building permits, consumer expectations, interest rate spread and a new orders index retreated. An increase in average weekly initial claims for unemployment benefits also pulled down the index.
The Coincident Economic Index rose four-tenths of a percent to 112.4. The index increased six-tenths of a point over the past six months.
For May, all four indicators of the index advanced: industrial production, nonfarm payrolls, personal income and sales.
The Lagging Economic Index edged down a tenth of a percent to 119.4. The index increased three-tenths of a percent over the past three months.
For May, three indicators of the index declined, including labor and service costs. An increase in the average duration of unemployment also pulled down the index. Commercial and industrial financing and consumer credit advanced. The average prime rate charged by banks and inventories held steady.
F
COMING ATTRACTIONS
n The Business Incubator Center in Grand Junction has scheduled a business startup workshop and introductory class for entrepreneurs about using artificial intelligence.
The next business startup workshop is set for 2 to 3:30 p.m. July 11 at the center, located at 2591 Legacy Way. The workshop will cover business planning, financing options, legal structures, licensing requirements and trade names searches. Admission is $55.
Contributors Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac
A free introductory class for entrepreneurs about using artificial intelligence and ChatGPT is set for 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. July 25 at the FWorks coworking space at 325 E. Aspen Ave. in Fruita.
To register for or obtain more information about events, services and programs at the Business Incubator Center, call (970) 243-5242 or log on to https://gjincubator.org.
n The Grand Valley BizMix event for members of the Fruita, Grand Junction, Palisade and Western Colorado Latino chambers of commerce and Young Professionals Network of Mesa County is set for 5:30 to 7 p.m. July 16 at Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza & Taproom, 3225 Interstate 70 Business Loop in Clifton. Admission is $10. To register or obtain more information, visit https://gjchamber.org or call (970) 242-3214.
n The Western Colorado Human Resource Association has scheduled its next membership meeting for 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 17 at the Mesa County Workforce Center, 512 29 1/2 Road in Grand Junction. The meeting will include a presentation by Brigitte Sundermann, vice president for community college affairs at Colorado Mesa University about workforce readiness and opportunities for collaboration with CMU Tech. WCHRA members may attend at no additional charge. Others pay $20. To register or obtain more information, visit www.wchra.org.
n The next Coffee Club free networking meeting is set for 9 to 10 a.m. July 19 at FWorks. The meeting will include a presentation by Sam Fresher, founder of a law firm that provides services related to business law, estate planing and real estate. Fresher will detail how business owners can maintain limited liability protection in life and death. For information, visit https://gjincubator.org or https://fruitachamber.org.
Handbook reviews
Regulatory and legislative changes make updates necessary
A recent National Labor Relations Board ruling struck down policies requiring respectful communication in the workplace because enforcement of the policies chills employee rights to discuss the terms and conditions of employment.
Consequently, employers should review their handbooks, workplace rules and other policies on workplace conduct and speech, social media, and use of employee communication systems to ensure their rules are crafted to meet business needs while not chilling employees rights to engage in concerted activities to address the terms and conditions of their employment. In fact, it’s a good time for Colorado employers to review their entire handbooks.
An employer who hasn’t reviewed and updated its employee handbook in the past year could be be out of compliance with Colorado laws. Here are some other policies that could require review and revision:
n Medical leave policies. Many employees may now take leave under the Colorado Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program. FAMLI leave and federal Family and Medical Leave Act leave should run concurrently. Make sure your organization’s FAMLI policy requires the employee to inform the employer when the employee applies for FAMLI leave. Unfortunately, neither FAMLI nor the FMLA require an employee to apply for FAMLI leave when requesting FMLA leave. While it’s questionable whether an employer can enforce a rule requiring the employee to apply for FAMLI leave when requesting FMLA leave, policies should explain carefully what wage replacement is either available or required during FMLA leave and encourage the use of FAMLI to replace income lost during FMLA leave. For more information on coordinating FAMLI with other leave programs, see the FAMLI coordination of benefits rule at https://famli.colorado.gov/proposed/adopted-rules. n Sick leave. The Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA) allows employees to use accrued sick leave or paid time off (PTO) if the employee uses a PTO plan to meet the requirements of the HFWA for three new reasons: grieve, attend funeral services or a memorial, or deal with financial and legal matters that arise after a family member’s death; provide care for a family member whose school or place of care has been closed due to an unexpected event that leads to the closure of the school or place of care, including inclement weather and loss of power, heating or
water; and evacuate the employee’s place of residence due to an unexpected event that leads to the need to evacuate, including inclement weather and loss of power, heating or water. Don’t forget to review related policies, too. An employer with a bereavement policy should make sure it’s consistent with the sick or PTO leave policy.
n Discrimination, harassment and equal opportunity policies. The Protecting Opportunities and Workers’ Rights (POWR) Act defines harassment as unwelcome conduct directed at an individual or group of individuals in, or perceived to be in, a protected class, which conduct is subjectively offensive to the individual alleging harassment and objectively offensive to members of the same protected class as the individual alleging harassment. A complainant no longer needs to prove harassment is either severe or pervasive. However, “petty slights, minor annoyances and lack of good manners do not constitute harassment” unless under the totality of the circumstances, these behaviors meet the definition of harassment. And the totality of the circumstances includes examination of the duration and type of conduct to which the complainant is exposed.
This change won’t affect most employers’ policies directly. But the POWR Act requires employers to maintain personnel and employment records for at least five years and maintain records related to complaints of discriminatory or unfair employment practices in a designated repository. To defend against a harassment claim, an employer must show it’s established a program reasonably designed to prevent harassment, deter future harassers and protect employees from harassment and the employer has communicated the existence and details of the program to supervisory and nonsupervisory employees. Therefore, employers should ensure harassment and discrimination reporting policies contain clear directions on how to report harassment and don’t contain requirements discouraging an employee from doing so.
The Employers Council provides employee handbook reviews to consulting and enterprise members as part of membership as well as numerous online resources and templates to all members. Consulting and enterprise members may discuss handbook and policy issues with the council’s human resource professionals and employment attorneys.
Dean Harris is Western Slope area managing attorney for the Employers Council. The Employers Council counsels, represents and trains member employers in all phases of employment relationships. Contact Harris at dharris@employerscouncil.org or (970) 852-0190.
Grand Junction Tech District collaborates with Toastmasters
The Grand Junction Tech District has launched a partnership with Toastmasters International, a communications and leadership training organization.
Members of Grand Junction Toastmasters meet from noon to 1 p.m. Thursdays in the Lunch Loop conference room at the Grand Junction Tech District, 734 Main St. Participants in the meetings develop skills through prepared speeches, improvisational conversations and feedback sessions.
“We welcome Toastmasters to the Grand Junction Tech District,” said Sean McCartney, operations manager. “Organizations such as Toastmasters provide invaluable
services to the community by developing critical skills and are in sync with our objective to make Grand Junction a leading tech zone. We believe that our environment is more than just a place to work or meet. Great environments inspire innovation and faster meaningful connections.”
Debbie Kemp, vice president of public relations for the Grand Junction Toastmasters, welcomed the collaboration. “Being a part of the Grand Junction Tech District amplifies our ability to develop communication and leadership skills in a variety of settings, including inperson, hybrid and virtual environments.”
Toastmasters also meets at 6:45 a.m. Tuesdays at
Four Winds Coffee and Tea, 1235 Bookcliff Ave. in Grand Junction and 7:30 a.m. Fridays at the Center for Spiritual Life at 658 Howard St. in Delta. Meetings are open to the public. People may join the group at any time.
The Grand Junction Tech District offers flexible and scalable office spaces for individuals, businesses and organizations. The facility offers electric vehicle charging stations, secure bicycle parking and proximity to downtown restaurants and shops. Tenants also participate in monthly networking events. For more information, call (970) 234-7449.
Dean Harris
Hire intelligently, develop your team and thrive
Are you interested in greater efficiency and productivity? Want to reduce costly turnover? Would you like your business to operate with fewer errors and less interruptions to the flow of operations? Do you want your business to be more successful? Does deriving more joy from owning and running your business appeal to you?
Marcus Straub
If you want your experience as a business owner to be more enjoyable and rewarding — and your company more successful — it’s imperative you build and maintain a dynamic and empowered team. This is accomplished by putting motivated and skilled individuals with positive attitudes in place and then assisting them in developing and using more of their potential.
The first step and most effective way to build a competent, motivated and engaged team is to hire intelligently. Unfortunately, the usual process of hiring people is filled with biased or incorrect information and involves guesswork and assumptions. This too often leads to poor hires.
Assembling a team of skilled, solution-oriented and motivated people is made far more difficult without reliable data. This is where accurate and proven candidate assessments come in. When this approach is used, productivity rises by an astonishing 30 percent and retention goes up by a welcome 50 percent. Productivity rises because a team member’s behaviors, core values, emotional intelligence and competencies align with the duties, responsibilities and rewards of the job. Retention increases because there’s symmetry among the new hire, job and company values. How effective is your hiring process?
The second component of building and maintaining
You have a wonderful opportunity to help your team members find and develop their strengths and to come alive as active and engaged players in your business.
a powerful team requires that you provide professional development opportunities. Like the first step, this is best accomplished with the help of a trained professional who will work with you, your managers and team members to develop top performers. The objective is to help everyone become empowered players so they, your clients and your business will experience more success, fulfillment and happiness. Are you providing team members with the development they need to become their best?
People thrive when praised for a job well done. Recognizing solid efforts and working with team members in positive and constructive ways to reach for higher levels of excellence builds self-esteem, competency and confidence and in turn results in greater levels of performance and job satisfaction. When people believe in themselves, it’s amazing what they can accomplish. How are you doing with this third component of building and maintaining a powerful team? Many owners and managers fall short here.
One of the surest ways to damage a business from within is to hire ineffectively, not encourage and support continued learning and undermine team members and their efforts. This last aspect comes about through unconstructive criticism, blame, lack of follow through, ineffective communication and simply not appreciating those individuals who make up the company. These behaviors undermine self-worth, self-confidence and
self-esteem in team members as well as the culture of the company and credibility of leadership.
Empowering owners, managers and team members to become top performers offers an effective solution to many of the common problems experienced in business. As team members develop their unique skills, the business runs more efficiently and effectively, the work atmosphere grows more positive, turnover goes down, attendance and engagement goes up, client satisfaction increases and the bottom line improves. Does this sound like the type of business you want to own?
If you find yourself at a loss for how to do this, explore your options and choose the coach or consultant best suited for you. There’s strength in engaging quality professional help. By doing so, you’ll sidestep costly and time consuming errors and set a powerful example for your team members. You have a wonderful opportunity to help your team members find and develop their strengths and to come alive as active and engaged players in your business. Hire a qualified professional coach or consultant who uses high-quality candidate assessments. Then consistently offer quality professional development opportunities and well-deserved recognition. Work with your people to become top performers, and your team will help you reach new heights of success.
Marcus Straub owns Life is Great Coaching in Grand Junction. His personalized coaching and consulting services help individuals, business owners, executives and companies build teams, organizations and lives filled with happiness and success. Straub is winner of the International Coach of the Year Award and author of “Is It Fun Being You?” He’s available for free consultations regarding coaching, speaking and trainings. Reach Straub at (970) 208-3150, marcus@ligcoaching.com or through the website located at www.ligcoaching.com.
10 ways to support small businesses
According to a 2023 report from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, there are more than 31 million entrepreneurs in the United States. That accounts for about 16 percent of the workforce.
According to a 2018 report by the U.S. Small Business Administration, about 20 percent of businesses don’t make it through their first year of operations. By yet another estimate, only 50 percent of startups remain in operation after five years.
What can be done to improve those proportions, even if you don’t own a small business?
Here are 10 ways to support small businesses and their owners:
n Show interest in them and their ventures, but in non-threatening, non-intrusive ways. Try asking what parts of their businesses or projects really motivate or excite them. Their responses could open channels for you to potentially offer ideas or other assistance.
n Offer an introduction to a person or resource you believe might benefit their businesses. Maybe you’re familiar with the resources available at the Business Incubator Center in Grand Junction or perhaps the local chambers of commerce and economic development organizations. Referrals offer by far one of the best ways to build and grow businesses. You also might mention a list of professional and business contacts you’re assembling and ask if they’d like a copy or would like to be included on the list.
n Help business owners get interviewed by and featured in local and trade publications.
n Ask about their mentors and their inspiration for their businesses.
n Shop at small businesses — retail, restaurants, events and more — everyday. Make it a point to shop small and local during small business week events and restaurant week, for example.
Starting and growing a new business is a lonely, thankless job. It also can be frightening and overwhelming. Sometimes a friendly face, helping hand and willingness to listen can be just what’s most needed.
n Be a friend. Write a note of encouragement. Celebrate their successes and listen when they want to talk about their failures. Strive to be helpful, but not critical.
n Refer a friend. Word of mouth, social media posts, emails and text messages all offer great ways to get the word out about new businesses.
n Offer to help out with occasional tasks. New business owners are often overwhelmed.
n Invite business owners to networking events and then introduce them to everyone you know there. Starting small businesses takes so much time, owners sometimes forget to get out and find the connections to help grow their ventures.
n Explain what an “elevator speech” is and then help business owners craft and refine theirs.
Starting and growing a new business is a lonely, thankless job. It also can be frightening and overwhelming. Sometimes a friendly face, helping hand and willingness to listen can be just what’s most needed.
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.
Janet Arrowood
Internships a win-win for interns and employers
Internship programs have evolved well beyond any stereotypical notions of interns running errands and making copies.
Kelly Murphy
Modern internship programs offer valuable opportunities for both interns and employers, providing on-the-job training as well as a potential workforce pipeline. By designing and implementing well-structured internship programs, organizations benefit from fresh perspectives, learn about innovative technologies and ideas, test potential employees and burnish corporate images.
Internships connect academic learning and professional work, enabling students and recent graduates to gain practical experience in their chosen fields. Unlike part-time jobs, internships are specifically designed to provide educational value, allowing interns to apply classroom knowledge to realworld situations and build work experience. This hands-on exposure helps interns develop skills, expand professional networks and refine career goals. Additionally, internships help interns determine if a particular field is right for them based on practical experience rather than what they learned through education.
For employers, interns bring new ideas and energy. Often familiar with the latest trends and technologies, interns provide fresh perspectives on existing processes if organizations remain open to their suggestions. Moreover, internships offer a low-risk way to evaluate potential permanent employees. Companies observe performance, work ethic and cultural fit over an extended period, reducing the risk associated with new hires.
One of the perplexing decisions in designing an internship program is whether to offer paid or unpaid internships. The U.S. Department of Labor provides guidelines to determine whether or not an internship can be unpaid. The primary beneficiary test assesses who benefits more from internships — interns or employers — and bases the determination on seven factors:
n The extent to which the intern and employer understand there’s no expectation of compensation. Any promise of compensation, express or implied, suggests the intern is an employee.
n The extent to which an internship offers training similar to what’s provided in an educational environment, including clinical and other hands-on training provided by educational institutions.
n The extent to which the internship is tied to the intern’s formal education program.
n The extent to which the internship accommodates the intern’s academic commitments by corresponding to the academic calendar.
n The extent to which the internship’s duration is limited to the period in which the internship provides the intern with beneficial learning.
n The extent to which the intern’s work complements, rather than displaces, the work of paid employees while providing significant educational benefits to the intern.
n The extent to which the intern and employer understand the internship is conducted without entitlement to a paid job at the conclusion of the internship.
If the intern is the primary beneficiary, the internship can be unpaid provided it meets such specific criteria as offering educational value through and not displacing regular employees. If companies fail to comply with regulations, they face penalties and possibly even lawsuits.
Offering paid internships despite educational ties can be beneficial for several reasons. Paid internships attract a broader pool of candidates, including those who can’t afford to work for free. Additionally, paid internships improve satisfaction and performance, as interns are likely to feel more valued and motivated. Companies must comply with federal and state labor laws, ensuring interns receive at least the minimum wage and, where applicable, overtime pay.
Effective internship programs require careful planning and clear objectives. Keep the following in mind:
n Determine the goal of the program: What does your company want to achieve? Are you trying to identify potential future employees or accomplish specific projects while offering learning opportunities for new professionals? Establishing goals will guide the process and provide a clear understanding of what’s expected.
n Define the scope of work: Interns should be given tasks that are valuable and educational that prepares them for the future and not just tasks specific to one company. Avoid assigning menial tasks that don’t contribute to the intern’s learning or the company’s objectives. Instead, involve interns in projects that allow them to develop skills and gain relevant experience.
n Provide supervision and feedback: Assign a supervisor or mentor to each intern. This person will be responsible for providing guidance, answering questions and offering feedback. Weekly meetings track progress and promptly address issues. This individual will also report back to the educational entity as necessary.
n Develop a training plan: Ensure interns receive
adequate training to perform their tasks effectively to provide a positive experience for interns and meaningful outcomes for employers. This might include an initial orientation, ongoing training sessions and access to such resources as training manuals or videos. Training should cover both job-specific skills, industry specific knowledge and general workplace procedures as available.
n Evaluate and improve: At the end of the internship, conduct exit interviews to gather comments from interns. This feedback can provide valuable insights into what worked well and what could be improved. Use this information to refine internship programs for future cohorts.
Another crucial question is where to find interns. Start the recruitment process at least two to three months before the internship start date.
Create a detailed internship description that includes:
n A summary of the organization.
n Intern tasks and project assignments.
n Length of assignment.
n Pre-requisites, including abilities, knowledge, skills and other characteristics.
n Opportunities for training and development to further education and work history.
n Details of compensation — whether paid or unpaid, including statutory benefits.
n Application process and deadlines.
Advertise the internship through various channels, including Handshake, university career centers such as the one at Colorado Mesa University, job boards and social media. Ensure your recruitment process complies with local, state and federal laws.
Implementing a well-organized internship program demands planning and dedication to delivering a valuable educational experience. This approach enables companies to attract talented young professionals, gain new insights and enhance their corporate images. Regardless of whether the internships are paid or unpaid, they should be structured to benefit both the intern and organization, creating a mutually beneficial relationship that continues beyond the internship period.
Kelly Murphy works as a senior human resources business partner with Lighthouse HR Support in Grand Junction. The Grand Junction firm offers a range of human resource management services to small and medium-sized businesses. For additional information, call (970) 243-7789 or log on to www.lighthousehrs.net. F
Colorado legislation poses changes for landlords
Newly enacted state legislature has resulted in significant changes for Colorado landlords and how they manage tenant relationships.
Amy Donegon
Among the new laws putting more rights into the hands of tenants, House Bill 24-1098 states landlords can’t evict without cause or refuse to renew a lease for tenants. There are a few exceptions, including sale of properties, significant repairs or renovations and moving the landlord’s family into the property.
The laws for pet rent were updated, limiting landlords to how much extra they can charge for pet rent. The refundable pet deposit is capped at $300 a household. Laws related to emotional support or service animals remain the same: Landlords can’t charge a deposit or additional rent. Insurance companies can no longer deny owner coverage for specific dog breads, resulting in landlords no longer being able to deny a dog based on breed. Aiming to curb housing affordability issues, Colorado introduced measures to control rent increases. Landlords can increase rents only once during a 12-month period, and only up to 5 percent plus the rate of inflation. This limit also applies to tenants on month-to-month leases. Landlords must give tenants who receive rental assistance through a government program a 60-day notice before any rent increase.
Landlords are required to return security deposits within 30 days of a tenant’s move-out date, unless specified otherwise within the lease, not to exceed 60 days. Additionally, landlords must provide a detailed itemized list of any deductions from the security deposit for damages or unpaid rent, along with receipts or estimates for repairs. Failure to comply can result in penalties, including the requirement to pay up to three times the amount of the held security deposit.
Landlords are obligated to maintain rental units in good repair, promptly addressing such issues as electrical systems, heating, plumbing and pest control. The law also includes provisions for tenants to withhold rent if repairs aren’t made within a reasonable timeframe after proper notification has been given to the landlord, but they must use the withheld rent to pay for the repairs themselves.
New laws also reinforce anti-discrimination protections. Landlords can’t discriminate against tenants based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, disability or source of income. This includes refusing to rent to individuals who use housing vouchers or other government assistance programs. Violations can result in legal action and severe penalties.
Tenant privacy rights continue to require landlords to provide at least 24 hours notice before entering a rental unit for inspections, repairs or showings. Emergency situations are exempt from this requirement.
To address disputes between landlords and tenants, Colorado now encourages mediation as a first step before
legal proceedings. For tenants that receive rental assistance from government programs, mediation is mandatory before proceeding with eviction. Mediation aims to resolve conflicts amicably and cost-effectively, benefiting both parties. Landlords should familiarize themselves with local mediation services and consider this option to address disputes.
Current tenant rights laws represent a significant shift toward more protections for tenants and more responsibilities for landlords. By understanding and adhering to these changes, landlords can ensure compliance and foster positive tenant relationships. Staying informed and proactive benefits both landlords and tenants while promoting a stable and equitable housing environment in Colorado.
As new laws take effect, landlords should seek legal advice and other resources to navigate changes. Maintaining open lines of communication with tenants and addressing their concerns promptly builds trust and cooperation, essential elements for successful property management in an evolving legal landscape.
Amy Donegon is director of property with Bray Property Management at 1015 N. Seventh St. in Grand Junction. Reach her at (970) 242-8450. Bray & Co. also operates residential and commercial brokerages as well as construction and maintenance and development divisions. For more information, call (970) 242-3267 or visit www.brayandco.com. F
Assessment identifies issues affecting community health
The team at Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) knows health starts outside the doctor’s office.
Health is affected by the social, economic and physical conditions in which we live. Child care, access to trails and connections to others play major roles in our health. MCPH works to improve each of those factors in our community and ensure everyone has access to good health.
Every three years, MCPH collaborates with local hospitals to produce a comprehensive report called the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). The report presents information and analysis on the health status of Mesa County and identifies areas of concern.
“We identify opportunities for community driven solutions,” said Xavier Crockett, executive director of MCPH. “Our collaborative approach is rooted in the belief that community driven solutions lead to resilient residents, businesses, schools and neighborhoods.”
For local employers, concerns identified in the CHNA, affect many of their employees’ lives as well as business.
One of the focus areas within the CHNA is neighborhoods and built communities within Mesa County. Housing affects many aspects of life and health, including safety, stability and social connections.
Nearly a third of households pay 30 percent or more of their incomes for housing, a cost burden that can limit families’ ability to direct resources to other essential expenses. The cost of purchasing a home in Mesa County has increased significantly in recent years. Combined with high mortgage interest rates, this makes purchasing a starter home more challenging than it’s been since the 1980s. The CHNA shows rental costs also have increased, although at a slower pace than starter homes.
Meanwhile, the median income for the Grand Junction urban area hasn’t kept pace with increasing housing costs, making housing a burden for a larger share of households.
Another focus in the CHNA is education, which includes early education and child care for young children. As of April, Mesa County is still considered a child care desert. Any geographic area with more than three children
under the age of 5 per licensed child care slot is considered a child care desert. In Mesa County, there are 3.5 children per available child care slot.
Since parents must access child care near their homes and workplaces, it’s important slots are geographically distributed where children and jobs are located. While many child care providers closed over the past four years, several large facilities operated by major employers opened, which increased access in many parts of the county. Child care shortages persist in more rural areas of the county.
These are just some of the highlights of the 2024-2026 CHNA. The entire report will be available on the website at mesacounty.us/public-health.
MCPH works to support good health for all members of our community. By addressing economic, social and educational concerns, we can work together to create a vibrant, caring and connected community.
Sarah Gray is a communication specialist with Mesa County Public Health. For additional information, call (970) 248-6900 or visit mesacounty.us/public-health. F
Sarah Gray
A new year affords a new opportunity to meet local needs
Business sentiment also a key indicator
It’s not exactly rocket science. If you want to know what business leaders and owners think about the economy, just ask them. Based on what they’re seeing in running their operations, their opinions could contradict some of the other indicators tracking business conditions.
A new year almost always brings an opportunity for a fresh start and renewed ambition to do things better.
Contributors Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac
To a degree, that’s the situation with the latest results of the Leeds Business Confidence Index, which tracks the expectations of business leaders across Colorado and industry sectors. Despite economic indicators signaling continued growth, business leaders remain wary heading into the third quarter.
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.
The index dropped 3.1 points between the second and third quarters to 50.6, barely above the level that reflects more positive than negative responses to the survey upon which the index is based. Looking ahead to the fourth quarter, the reading was slightly lower at 49.9.
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.
Phil Castle
Of the business leaders who responded to the third quarter survey and provided explanations, 26 percent attributed their expectations to higher interest rates, 21 percent blamed uncertainty over the upcoming election and 17 percent cited their more general sentiments.
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.
According to other indicators, the Colorado economy continues to grow. Gross domestic product, the broad measure of goods and services produced in the state, grew at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 2.3 percent during the first quarter. Nonfarm payrolls increased 55,400 between May 2023 and May 2024. Inflation for the Denver, Aurora and Lakewood area dropped below 3 percent in May.
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?
Here in Mesa County, the seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate rose a half point between April and May to 4.1 percent as payrolls decreased and the number of people counted among those unsuccessfully looking for work increased.
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.
Real estate sales, yet another important economic indicator, continue to lag behind last year. For June, transactions were down 25.1 percent and dollar volume fell 24.4 percent compared to the same month last year. Higher interest rates on mortgages continue to affect the market. So does uncertainty over those rates, inflation and the impending election.
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?
On a national level, small business owners remain more pessimistic than optimistic, according to an index based on monthly surveys of members of the National Federation of Independent Business.
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?
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index climbed to highest level of the year in June. But at 91.5, the index remained well below its 50-year average of 98 for a 30th consecutive month.
What’s good? What isn’t? What’s needed? What isn’t?
Asked to identify their single most important problem, 21 percent of NFIB members who responded to the June survey cited inflation, 19 percent the quality of labor and 11 percent the cost of labor.
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.
There’s also some good news, though. MarketBeat conducted an online survey of 3,000 business executives to identify the cities they considered hidden gems for business startups. Grand Junction ranked 12th.
Good publications are the result of not only the efforts of their staffs, but also collaborative efforts involving advertisers and readers.
Like any other good business, we want to listen to our customers, find out what they need and then meet those needs.
It’s a new year. Please help us to do so. ✦
Phil Castle is editor of the Business Times. Reach him at (970) 424-5133 or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com. F
THE BUSINESS TIMES
609 North Ave., Suite 2, Grand Junction, CO 81501 TEL (970) 424-5133 • FAX (970) 424-5134
Publisher/Owner: Craig R. Hall Editor: Phil Castle
Bold predictions for 2015 more like not-so-bold repeats
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:
If you followed my columns the past few editions, you probably noticed my steadfast opposition to JJ Fletcher challenging Mesa County Commissioner Janet Rowland in the primary based on the principle the Republican Party supports incumbents in elections.
After all, the Republican Party supports incumbent presidents, senators, congresspeople — even someone undeserving, like Lauren Boebert — all the way down to local elections for county commissioners, mayors and probably even dog catchers.
■ 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?
Craig Hall
So, you should ask: Just what did Janet Rowland do to draw the ire and lose the support of the Mesa County Republican Party? Well, it’s because the “Cling-ons” who really run the Mesa County Republicans wanted Janet gone because Janet had the temerity to go after their lord and savior — Jeff Kuhr. The man who they ruled the county through, especially during and after Jeff’s implementing all the COVID-19 mandates of Colorado’s “Polis Bureau.” I’ll also note Jeff’s efforts extended to trying to bring every human activity in the county under the control of the Mesa County department of health. Jeff was busy buying his way into that from the day he got the job. Then again, that’s why he could garner all that local, Republican support at department of health meetings. And in that sense, Jeff was the man for the local mainstream press, local progressives, community “leaders,” Republicans, Democrats and all those who seek to rule over the serfs.
■ 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.”
Given that, you should still ask why Janet investigated Jeff. And you should really pay attention to the answer. First and foremost, it was her job. The fact is Jeff did this to himself and it all stemmed from an offhand comment at a county commissioner’s meeting when someone brought up the name of a contracted employee of the health department no one knew about, A contract employee making $10,000 a month. And it was the latter fact that brought about the audit — requested by the board of health as well — into Jeff’s activities and spending, which became the main reasons for his downfall. Did you read the audit? It’s devastating in the misappropriation of funds and abuse in his ignoring of county policies.
because they’re acting like spoiled children not getting their way and losing elections.
But Janet had another problem. Her seat couldn’t be lost in the general election. It was easy to decide to primary her.
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.
Now you might ask why Jeff didn’t run against Janet. The first reason is obvious. Janet knows what Jeff did wrong and he couldn’t survive a two-minute questionand-answer session against her. It’s easier to run the guy who doesn’t have to answer questions. And that’s how you get JJ Fletcher, who’s running as the surrogate for Jeff, the daily paper, local progressives and out-ofpower Republicans all because they desired the same thing. Get Janet out of office. You should also note Jeff has an approved petition to run in case JJ gets out of line.
How do I know the behind-the-scenes players? Easy as well. Just look at local media coverage of JJ during the primary. Literally every glowing story had JJ talking platitudes without answering — or even being asked — any questions about what he’d do as commissioner, presenting new ideas and making statements showing he never read the audit of the department of health- — although he did speak to Jeff and Jeff said it was OK to hire the honey pot. Also included in those same stories were reminders of previous hit pieces written against Janet. As for local progressives’ support, exactly where did JJ set up a meet and greet? In the living room of a top progressive in town, that’s where.
And the Mesa County Republican Party’s silence in not calling out JJ on any of this was deafening except in one area they were very loud: The Dominion voting machine debacle brought to you by another local Republican, Tina Peters. The lies the party spread about it are beyond the pale.
■ 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
Little of that mattered to the folks who lust to rule over the county. It’s an influential group that used to be comprised of mostly Democrats, mainly because they act like spoiled children not getting their way and always lose elections in Mesa County. But now more Republicans are becoming members of this elite, select group. Ironically,
Fact is, Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswald decommissioned Mesa County’s machines and mandated they be replaced. Because of that, the county commissioners had to make a tough decision. They did so at NO COST to the county using certified and approved Dominion equipment. That’s not what you heard, was it? Nope. You only heard the Tina Peters/Appleton Dumpling Gang version because it’s about power. Just think of the monuments to self our elite betters can build when they can misappropriate monies and abuse power more unfettered than Jeff — which will dwarf the ones of the city and school district.
Given how effective the Dominion lies were in defeating Janet, perhaps I should have headlined this column “Mesa County Republican Party Peters out after 2024 primary.” I hope Bobbie Daniel is listening. I get the feeling she’s next.
■ Prediction four: In keeping with things the government does, I predict the government will manipulate the numbers to make the claim the economy is getting better because of how hard it is working to help all of us “working Americans.” Now you might say, “Craig, you always say this about President Obama because you don’t like him.” You’re right in a sense. I don’t know the man, but what I know of him and his thinking, I don’t like it or him one iota. Before you go off, however, I didn’t like President Bush and his bailouts, stimulus and his abandoning the free market to save the free market. And I don’t know him either. What the government does, and the only thing it can do, is hurt the economy. Unless it does nothing or put criminals in jail instead of partnering with them, nothing the government does will help. Always look at it this way, whatever the government says it is doing, whatever the name of the law it is passing, or whatever the name or goal of the bureaucracy it is presenting to the people, expect the polar opposite to occur. I guess what I’m saying is that perhaps it’s time to get out of our own perspective. There’s plenty of history books and historical research out there to begin to understand that all of this has happened before. And it will again, whether the topic is people or government. 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. 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 (970) 424-5133 or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com.
Craig Hall is owner and publisher of the Business Times. Reach him at 424-5133 or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com.
Craig Hall
The unintended results of banning fossil fuels serious and far-reaching
The law of unintended consequences is defined as the actions of people and especially governments leading to unanticipated or unintended effects. These unintended consequences fall into one of three categories: unexpected benefits, unexpected drawbacks and perverse results in which intended solutions make things worse. Regulations enacted to solve a perceived problem often create more problems. Restricting logging in America’s national forests to protect the habitat of the spotted owl offers a classic example. Without logging operations to clear deadfall and undergrowth, forest fires routinely rage each year. Ironically, even more animal habitats are destroyed.
Banning the insecticide DDT has led to more deaths from malaria than ever throughout the world. Malaria remains a global health crisis. Writing for ONE, a global organization founded by Bono to end poverty and preventable diseases, Arielle Witter reported in April more than 240 million people were infected with malaria in 2022, resulting in 608,000 malaria deaths. DDT was most effective in eradicating mosquitos that cause malaria. In 1972, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency banned DDT because of its adverse environmental effects. This is a perverse result in which the solution worsened the situation.
There are innumerable examples of government policies instituted with good intentions that caused greater problems. One looming policy fraught with unintended consequences is the effort by the administrative state to ban fossil fuels. Exactly what would the world look like without fossil fuels? This question was asked of Samantha Gross, director of the energy security and climate initiative at the Brookings Institute and reported in the Washington Post on Sept. 30, 2023. Gross said: “Oh, dear God, I don’t even know where to start.”
Petrochemicals are derived from fossil fuels. The U.S. Department of Energy acknowledges petrochemicals make possible the manufacturing of more than 6,000 everyday products and high-tech devices. The standard of living and quality of life enjoyed in the world today are linked to these products. Start with our homes: flooring, window coverings, upholstery, paints, heating and cooling and every plastic item ever used from toothbrushes and hair dryers to most kitchen items. Cosmetic products used by men and women alike are made with petrochemicals. The production of modern
office equipment — including computers, printers, scanners and telephones — depends on petrochemicals. Fertilizers used to beautify our yards and grow our foods are products of fossil fuels.
Health care facilities rely on fossil fuel products that allow one-use items to reduce the chance of infection, including plastic bags, tubes and jars. Replacement joints are manufactured from petrochemicals.
It’s common to hear drivers complain about potholes. Imagine roads without asphalt, which would be unavailable if fossil fuels were banned. Consider the tires on your car. The inside structure years ago was made of cotton and the tires were natural rubber. The demand for tires exceeded the supply of natural rubber. Now tires have a nylon carcass with a manufactured rubber like product — all thanks to the use of fossil fuels. What about the PVC pipes so necessary to transport water around the country and into our homes? Without fossil fuels, this product goes away.
Consider national security. Aircraft carriers might run on nuclear fuel, but the airplanes, tanks and heavy equipment needed for defense run on fossil fuels. Think of the amount of lubrication alone it takes to keep equipment operating. The military can’t operate without oil products, and there’s currently no viable alternative.
The American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers’ website details the role the industry plays in our daily lives. Plastics contribute to the essential electrical insulators, pipes, valves, fittings, lubrication and plastic covered electrical wire needed to produce wind and solar energy.
Fossil fuels and their products continue to revolutionize the lives of humanity. Banning fossil fuels by an administrative edict would result in real-world consequences affecting every single human being. Know the ramifications of banning fossil fuels before casting your vote.
A dictatorial government arbitrarily banning products used in every American household governs against its citizens’ own best interests. A fossil fuel ban would constitute an example of the intended solution making things worse.
Phyllis Hunsinger is founder of the Freedom & Responsibility Education Enterprise Foundation in Grand Junction. The FREE Foundation provides resources to students and teachers in Western Colorado to promote the understanding of economics, financial literacy and free enterprise. A former teacher, principal and superintendent, Hunsinger wrote “Down and Dirty: A ‘How To’ Math Book.” Reach Hunsinger by email at phyllis@free-dom.us.com. For more information about the FREE Foundation, log on to www.free-dom.us.com. F
Phyllis Hunsinger
n PALISADE REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE JOINS BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS NETWORK
Opinion Business Briefs Business People
A Palisade brokerage joined the Better Homes and Gardens lifestyle real estate brand.
Celebrating it’s 20th year in business this year, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Fruit & Wine works with clients on commercial, farm, land, luxury and residential transactions throughout Mesa County.
“Throughout my 20 years in real estate, I’ve always relied on the little engine that could approach. I value our identify as a small, family run business that won’t shy away from outworking the competition to provide a more personalized experience than anyone else,” said Tammy Craig, owner and broker of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Fruit & Wine.
“That being said, I also recognize that the industry is evolving,” Craig added. “Our philosophy hasn’t changed. But the tools at our disposal need to. In order to provide our community with the real estate services they deserve, it means teaming up with a brand that has a more robust suite of services for us to tap into and aligns with our strong company value.”
The Better Homes and Garden Real Estate network includes a total of 12,400 independent sales associates in more than 400 offices.
Ginger Wilcox, president of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, hailed the collaboration with Craig. “Tammy has established a strong presence in her market. With her agents’ extensive experience across all real estate segments and the support of a trusted and respected brand that resonates in this lifestyle market, they are poised to engage more consumers, expand their reach and built their business.”
Thomas Craig, a member of the leadership team at Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Fruit & Wine who will eventually take over the brokerage from his mother, also praised the change. “I love meeting and helping people, and every person at this brokerage has become an extension of my family. Now, I want to help that family grow even larger and touch the lives of more people than we ever have before with the added support of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate.”
For additional information about Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Fruit & Wine, call (970) 464-5100 or visit the website at https://fruitandwine.net.
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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.
n LEITNER-POMA OF AMERICA OPENS MANUFACTURING FACILITY IN UTAH
Leitner-Poma of America, a Grand Junctionbased manufacturer of cable transport systems, opened a new facility in Utah.
Leitner-Poma opened the campus in Tooele close to Salt Lake City as the manufacturer base for Skytrac, a subsidiary that focuses on the design, production, installation and service of fixed-grip ski lifts. At 130,000 square feet, the $27 million facility is the largest for LeitnerPoma in the United States. The new facility is expected to enable the company to increase production as well as expand staffing to up to 120 employees.
“The demand for this new facility is a reflection of the growth in the resort industry as well as the growing interest of urban planners to seek out new, alternative forms of clean transportation,” said Daren Cole, president and chief executive officer of LeitnerPoma. “This new facility represents a significant investment in the state of Utah, our industry and the talented people who’ll be manufacturing our products.”
In a video presentation, Utah Lt. Gov. Diedre Henderson hailed the new facility as well as efforts to develop the workforce. “A key partnership with nearby Tooele Technical College is already starting, intended to create hands-on learning opportunities for students,” Henderson said. “This partnership promises to help generate a regional manufacturing workforce to put Utah at the forefront of building safe, efficient and sustainable transportation solutions.”
The new facility also includes a 162-foot-tall wind turbine capable of generating 250 kilowatts of electricity — enough to meet the needs of the operation. The wind turbine was developed by Leitwind, an affiliate company of Leitner-Poma.
In addition to the new campus, Leitner-Poma also operates a nearly 100,000-square-foot facility in Grand Junction and recently purchased an additional 5 acres to expand operations there.
“These will be made in America products by hard-working local professionals,” Cole said. “We are doubling down on making 85 percent to 90 percent of our equipment right here in Utah and next door in Grand Junction.” F
Pet spay and neuter clinic coming to Grand Junction Aug. 8 to 11
A Denver-based nonprofit organization plans to bring its dog and cat spaying and neuter clinic to Grand Junction.
The Bergen Spay & Neuter Alliance has scheduled a four-day clinic for Aug. 8 to 11 at the Mesa County Fairgrounds, located at 2785 U.S. Highway 50. Fees range from free to $145 depending on the income level of clients and sponsorships and donations.
Since its founding in June 2019, Bergen has provided veterinary services to a total of more than 12,000 dogs and cats in 22 Colorado communities.
“Our mobile surgical unit enables us to work directly in the highest-need communities in Colorado,” said Kristin Des Marais, founder and executive director. “Our mission is to make spay and neuter affordable and accessible to everyone.”
For more information or an appointment at the Grand Junction clinic, visit https://bergenspayandneuter.org. To provide sponsorships and donations to help defray costs, contact Elaine Johnson at (970) 986-5819. F
NOTEWORTHY
The Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce, Western Colorado Area Health Education Center and Mesa County Workforce Center in Grand Junction are among the organizations and institutions selected to participate in a new effort to promote apprenticeship programs in Colorado.
The chamber and Western Colorado Area Health Education Center were among 14 industry intermediaries selected for the effort. The workforce center was among nine talent intermediaries.
Apprenticeship Colorado announced the selection of 35 inaugural qualified apprenticeships intermediaries that will be eligible for funding and other benefits to accelerate apprenticeship programs and attract new talent to in-demand occupations. The organizations were selected through a competitive application process.
“Colorado leads the way in recognizing the pivotal role of qualified apprenticeship intermediaries, which is pivotal in bridging industry needs with apprentice success,” said Denise MIller, director of Apprenticeship Colorado. “This innovative strategy makes a significant stride towards enhancing our state’s apprenticeship ecosystem, fostering opportunities that benefit both employers and career seekers alike.”
Industry apprenticeship intermediaries focus on addressing employer needs by providing services, reducing administrative burdens and supporting apprenticeships. Talent apprenticeship intermediaries focus on the needs of apprentices and career seekers, especially those facing barriers to employment.
For more information about Apprenticeship Colorado and apprenticeship efforts, log on to the website located at https://apprenticeship.colorado.gov.
Tammy Craig
Ginger Wilcox
Thomas Craig Daren Cole
Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac
Business Briefs Business People Almanac
n UNITED WAY OF MESA COUNTY APPOINTS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Faith Rodriguez was appointed executive director of United Way of Mesa County.
Rogriquez joined the agency in January 2023 as corporate engagement manager and led several initiatives, including the 365 Small Business Circle and United in Change Committee. She brings to her latest duties experience in nonprofit and health care management.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to lead United Way of Mesa County,” she said. “I look forward to working closely with our dedicated staff, volunteers and community partners to further our mission and make a lasting difference in our community. Together, we can achieve great things and improve the quality of life for everyone in Mesa County.”
Darrel Allen, vice president of the United Way of Mesa County board of directors, praised the appointment. “Faith’s commitment to our community and her proven track record in nonprofit engagement make her an excellent choice for executive director. We are confident that under her leadership, UWMC will continue to grow and make a positive impact on the lives of individuals and families in Mesa County.”
For more information about United Way of Mesa County, visit www.unitedwaymesacounty.org.
n BLM ANNOUNCES NEW MANAGER OF GRAND JUNCTION FIELD OFFICE
Stacey Colón has been named manager of the Grand Junction field office of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.
Colón will oversee a staff of 35 permanent employees and the management of more than 1.2 million acres of public land.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead the Grand Junction field office team and to work with our partners and the public to meet the challenges of multiple use on our public lands on the Western Slope,” she said. Colón joined the BLM in 2020 and has served in various leadership roles, including acting manager of the Grand Junction field office.
Prior to joining the BLM, she served 20 years in the Marine Corps, starting out as a pilot and project manager. After earning a master’s degree in environmental policy and management, she served as director of environmental, safety and facilities departments on two Marine Corps installations.
Greg Larson, manager of the BLM Upper Colorado River District, hailed the selection. “We are thrilled Stacey was selected for her new position and will remain part of BLM Colorado. A proven leader with diverse management skills and more than 23 years of public service, she is a true asset to our organization and role model for her team.”
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The Business Times welcomes submissions for free publication in Business People and the Almanac calendar of events. Submissions may be emailed to phil@thebusinesstimes.com or submitted online at the website at www.thebusinesstimes.com.
n COLORADO NATIONAL MONUMENT RANGER RECEIVES RIVER STUDIES CERTIFICATE
Amber Martin, a mental health resiliency ranger at the Colorado National Monument in Grand Junction, was awarded the River Studies and Leadership Certificate from the River Management Society.
Martin, an alumna of Colorado Mesa University, was among nine certificate recipients who completed coursework and field-based studies in river-related conservation, education, policy, science and recreation. The program provides knowledge and experience to pursue careers in river-related fields.
“The knowledge and experience I have gained about conservation work, climate change, environmental politics and policy, river culture and outdoor therapies truly cannot be matched,” Martin said. “I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to be part of this incredible training program and know that I will use this knowledge throughout my career and personal river pursuits for the rest of my life.”
Risa Shimoda, director of the River Management Society, praised the efforts of Martin and the other recipients. “As veteran river professionals working in the private and public sectors transition into retirement and rivers continue to grapple with escalating usage and climate change, these emerging professionals bring fresh perspectives and skills that are critical for the future health of our river systems.”
n GRAND VALLEY POWER AWARDS ELECTRIC LINEWORKER SCHOLARSHIP
Landon Smith has received the 2024 electric lineworker scholarship. Smith, a 2023 graduate of Steamboat Springs High School, will participate this fall in the electric lineworker program at Colorado Mesa University Tech in Grand Junction and pursue a technical certificate.
Grand Valley Power, an electric cooperative based in Grand Junction that serves 19,000 meters in Mesa County and surrounding areas, awards the scholarship. Since 1996, Grand Valley Power has awarded more than $296,000 to students continuing their educations.
For more information about Grand Valley Power, visit https://gvp.org.
July 11
n Business startup workshop, 2 to 3:30 p.m., Business Incubator Center, 2591 Legacy Way, Grand Junction. Admission $55. 243-5242 or https://gjincubator.org
n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Women in Business outing, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., JetBoat Colorado, 2237 Roan Creek Road, De Beque. Admission $30 for members, $50 for others. 858-3894 or https://fruitachamber.org
July 16
n Grand Valley BizMix event for members of the Fruita, Grand Junction, Palisade and Western Colorado Latino chambers of commerce and Young Professionals Network of Mesa County, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza & Taproom, 3225 Interstate 70 Business Loop, Clifton. Admission $10 https://gjchamber.org or 242-3214
July 17
n Western Colorado Human Resource Association monthly membership meeting and program on workforce readiness, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Mesa County Workforce Center, 512 29 1/2 Road, Grand Junction. https://wchra.org
July 19
n Coffee Club free networking meeting and presentation on limited liability protections for business owners, 9 to 10 a.m., FWorks, 325 E. Aspen Ave., Fruita. https://gjincubator.org or https://fruitachamber.org
Upcoming
n Welcome Thursday Friends networking group, noon to 1 p.m. July 25, Qdoba, 401 Jurassic Ave., Fruita. https://fruitachamber.org or 858-3894
n Introductory class for entrepreneurs on using artificial intelligence and ChatGPT, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. July 25, FWorks. https://gjincubator.org
n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce coffee & community connections event, 8 to 10:30 a.m. July 31, Timberline Bank, 649 Market St., Grand Junction. Event free for chamber members, $20 for others. 858-3894 or https://fruitachamber.org
n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Women in Business networking lunch, noon to 1 p.m. Aug. 1, Base Camp Provisions, 155 N Mulberry St., Fruita. Event free for members, $10 for others. 858-3894 or https://fruitachamber.org
n Mesa County Women’s Network workshop on navigating internal and external conflicts, 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 13, Abstract & Title Co. 2464 Patterson Road, Grand Junction. Admission $35 for non-member drop-ins. www.mcwn.us
n Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce energy summit, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Aug. 14, Colorado Mesa University. Admission $65 for members, $75 for others. https://gjchamber.org or 242-3214
n Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce members only business after hours event, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Aug. 27, Abstract & Title Co. Admission $10 in advance, $12 at the door. https://gjchamber.org F
