The Business Times Volume 28 Issue 13

THE BUSINESS T IMES News JULY 15-28, 2021

THE DEFINITIVE SOURCE FOR GRAND JUNCTION BUSINESS NEWS SINCE 1994

In this issue

Banking

VOLUME 28, ISSUE 13

THEBUSINESSTIMES.COM

Trends 2 Contributors on service Opinion 4 Business Briefs 5 Business People Almanac

n Average marks The director of a business advocacy group gives the Colorado Legislature average marks for the latest session.

n More confident

Colorado business leaders are more confident about the months ahead, according to the latest results of a survey.

n Contractor sold

A Grand Junction-based defense contractor has been sold and added to a portfolio of firms owned by a California tribe.

n On the Horizon A nearly $138,000 grant will fund a project designed to make biking and walking along Horizon Drive more pleasant.

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n New regional president stresses commitment to customers and communities.

See page 2 Tyler Dahl oversees the operation of five Alpine Bank locations in Mesa County. He brings 14 years of experience to his new position as regional president.

n Real deals surge

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Real estate sales continue to increase in Mesa County, passing the $1 billion milestone in the first half of 2021.

n People operation

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HR departments have evolved over the years into people operations to take on more important roles.

n Departments Almanac Business Briefs Business People Contributors News Opinion Trends

30 28 30 21-25 2-18 26-27 19-20

Business Times photo by Phil Castle

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THE BUSINESS T IMES News The Business Times

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July 15-28, 2021

Average marks for session

Trends Contributors Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac

Colorado director of small business group offers cheers, jeers Phil Castle

The Business Times

Tony Gagliardi gives average marks to the Colorado Legislature and the results of its latest session for small businesses in the state.

“It was a C to a C-minus session,” said Gagliardi, the state director of the National Federation of Independent Business.

A small business advocacy group, the NFIB represents 350,000 members Tony Gagliardi nationwide and about 7,000 in Colorado.

Gagliardi hailed passage of legislation raising the exemption on business personal property tax to $50,000, although he said he still holds out hope the tax eventually will be repealed. “It’s a step in the right direction.”

He said he was relieved another measure that would have expanded the definition of workplace harassment failed. “We were glad to see that bill meet it’s demise.”

At the same time, though, Gagliardi said he’s disappointed legislation was signed into law to create a state-regulated health care plan that requires private insurance companies to cut premiums by 15 percent by 2025. The legislation doesn’t address the cost of health care, he said.

“It’s not an answer.”

He also panned a transportation measure he said imposes new fees and taxes, but won’t improve highways or ease congestion.

Gagliardi reviewed the session during a telephone interview with the Business Times.

He said a “big win” from the session was passage of House Bill 1312, a provision of which increases from $7,900 to $50,000 the exemption for business personal property tax. That’s the taxes businesses pay on such items as desks, computers and other movable equipment. Gagliardi said county assessors have told him it costs more to collect the tax than what’s remitted.

Gagliardi said he was hopeful the business personal property tax would be eliminated — as Colorado Gov. Jared Polis called for in his state of the state address in February. But the legislation that was enacted at least constitutes another step in that direction, Gagliardi said See SESSION page 17

Tyler Dahl oversees the operation of the Alpine Bank location in downtown Grand Junction as well as a total of four other locations in the Mesa County. He brings 14 years of experience to his new position as regional president.

Banking on service New regional president committed to customers and communities

T

yler Dahl enjoys working in the banking industry.

He enjoys even more working for a particular bank, the one he joined after graduating from college and subsequently has served in a succession of positions.

“The biggest thing is the company.”

Dahl doesn’t expect any of that to change in his latest role as regional president of Alpine Bank in Mesa County. That’s because the company values of customer and community service align with his personal values.

“It’s being tied into the community, giving back, helping, being involved,” he says. “Where there’s an Alpine Bank, we hope the community is better for it.”

Dahl oversees operations at a total of five branches in Grand Junction, Clifton and Fruita and a combined staff of more than 50.

He brings to his duties 14 years of experience at the Alpine Bank branch in Montrose, the last four as president. He also managed bank operations in Delta and Ouray counties.

The operations and communities with which he was familiar in his previous position are similar to those in his new position, he says. “There’s a lot in common there.”

Mike Burns, another regional president at Alpine Bank, hailed Dahl’s promotion. “Tyler has been an instrumental part of the success of Alpine Bank Montrose over the past 14 years.

He exhibits a level of experience, determination and customer service that directly benefits our clients,” Burn says.“This is a great opportunity for Tyler and his family as well as the communities that Alpine Bank serves in Mesa County.”

Dahl joined Alpine Bank and its officer training program in 2007 following his graduation from what’s now Colorado Mesa

“It’s being tied into the community, giving back, helping, being involved.

Where there’s an Alpine Bank, we hope the community is better for it.”

Tyler Dahl, regional president University in Grand Junction. He received a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in finance. In 2011, he graduated from the University of Colorado Graduate School of Banking. He says he’s always been interested in numbers and applying them to business operations. “It was kind of a natural fit.”

He grew up in Rangely in northwest Colorado, where his father worked for Chevron and his mother worked for the school district.

Dahl says he’s familiar with the ups and downs of the Western Colorado economy, including the Great Recession that occurred shortly after he joined Alpine Bank.

The COVID-19 pandemic presented a challenge of a different sort, though, and what he says was a lesson in the importance of flexibility. Bank lobbies were closed at first, then opened only by appointment. More transactions shifted to the phone and online.

At the same time, two Alpine Bank locations in Montrose were consolidated into one building that was expanded.

Staff had to adjust, he says, to doing one thing one day knowing that could change the next day.

See BANKING page 18

STORY AND PHOTO BY PHIL CASTLE

July 15-28, 2021

The Business Times

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well-rounded perspective growingly confident to Mesa County role of new Colorado recovery Phil Castle Thebusiness Business leaders Times are more Colorado optimistic about the months ahead and whatFrank they foresee as an economic recovery, Whidden brings what he according atowell-rounded an index based on the results considers perspective to his of a quarterly survey. new job as Mesa County administrator.

Whidden worked The Leeds Business Confidence Index rose in information 2.9 points to 67.3 for technology and holds a master’s degree the in third quarter. In the midst of the COVID-19 computer information pandemic a year ago, systems. But he also the index was 23 points holds a doctoral lower at 44.3. degree in applied management and “The reopening of the economy, increased decision making and Rich Wobbekind Frank Whidden demand and decreasing worked for more than COVID-19 in conjunction withhasa 20 years ascases a minister.

Whidden vaccine for haslarge generated moreorganizations confidence worked and small amongst owners,” said Rich in both thebusiness private and public sectors.

Wobbekind, andallfaculty Whiddensenior expectseconomist to draw on of his director of thein business experiences helpingresearch Mesa division County at the Leeds make Schoolandofcarry Business at the commissioners out decisions.

University of staff Colorado Boulder.

Valuing and at making the county “These results indicateisthat business an employer of choice among the owners believe this said. will So be ais sustained priorities, Whidden planning economic recovery,” Wobbekind said. and that results in sustainable funding The budgets divisiononcalculates index balanced a long-termthe basis. basedMeanwhile, on the resultsMesa of quarterly Countysurveys will of business leadersefforts acrossthat the promote state anda continue to pursue industry sectors.

Readings above 50 reflect friendly business environment and more positive than negative responses. economic development, Whidden said.

All six of officially the metrics the index tracks Whidden began working as increased for the third to levels county administrator at quarter the beginning of wellyear. above the He50. succeeds Tom Fisher, who was in the Colorado hiredConfidence as county manager in economy Summit rose 2.6Utah. points to 70.9 and the highest County, reading among joined the six metrics.

A total of Whidden Mesa County in 74.4 percent business leaders responding August 2011of as information technology to the latest survey predicted a moderate director.

In April 2014, he became deputy or strong administrator increase in the state county for economy, resource while 18 percent change and management in aexpected staffing no reorganization 7.6 percent forecast a moderate or strong that eliminated four director positions. decreases.

Before joining Mesa County, Confidence national providing economy Whidden workedinforthe a company rose 1.8 pointstechnology to 67.5 with services 69.6 percent information to of respondents anticipatingIna that moderate or colleges and universities. role, he strong increase, 18.8 percent change and managed IT systems and noservices for 11.6 percent in a moderate strong decrease. institutions Alabama,orArizona, Illinois

as well as New England and Canada.

Sales expectations rosewho2.1work points Whidden said people in to 69.6 withtechnology 75.6 percent of just respondents information aren’t “geeks,” forecasting moderate perspective or strong increase, but offer anaimportant because 16.4 percent change 8 percent a they’re familiarnowith nearlyand every aspect of moderate strong operationsorand howdecrease. work gets done. They than half of also Wobbekind tend to think said aboutmore new and potentially respondents salesin had either better ways ofreported doing things asking and never decreased already “They returned to answering “what ifor ” questions. know pre-pandemic levels. remaining how to effect change in anThe organization.” respondents to see recovery the Whiddenexpect expects to bring that insame second half of 2021 or into 2022. approach to his duties as administrator.

Profit expectations to Whidden said it’s rose his 2.1 rolepoints to help 65.2 64.4 percent make of respondents countywith commissioners and then predicting moderate The or strong increase, implement adecisions. commissioners 24.8 percent no change 10.8 percent a in turn represent the and residents of the moderate orexpress strong decrease. county and their will, he said. “We workHiring for theexpectations people.” increased the most among the six said metrics — 5.9 points to 67.7.

Whidden he also considers himself While 65.2between percent the of those who responded a liaison commissioners and anticipated moderate increase, county staff,a and one oforthestrong priorities is to 28.8 percent predicted change and make sure employees feel no valued.

Whidden 6said percent a moderate or strong decrease. he hopes not only to improve morale, The majority of that respondents saidMesa they but also take steps will make expect return Countytheir an company’s organizationworkforces for whichtopeople to pre-pandemic want to work. levels sometime between the third quarter ofWhidden 2021 and fourth quarter Meanwhile, expects the of 2022.toAbout 12 policies percent and of those who county continue initiatives responded said theybusiness expect to work that support local andnever economic remotely, downThere from 45 beforesteps the development. arepercent additional pandemic. that can be taken to make it easier for local Expectations for capitaland expenditures businesses to sell products services to rose 2.7 points to 62.6, the lowest reading the county, he added. among the County six metrics.

50.4 percent Mesa will While keep working with of respondents predicted moderate or other government entities,a organizations strong increase,on42.8 percent no and institutions fostering an expected environment change and 6.8 percent forecast a moderate that supports existing businesses and or strongnew decrease. attracts businesses, he said.

Looking the fourth Whiddenahead said tothere couldquarter, be a the overall index slipped 1.9 points opportunities to reading encourage the additional to 65.4. development of businesses that provide Wobbekind said business services to the agricultural industry leaders as well who participated in theas survey cited as promote Mesa County a distribution concerns labor shortages, supply center for about the region. chainThe problems and thing inflation.

Still, about important is to consider 92 percent believe the state issues fromof arespondents well-rounded perspective, economy neutral to positive in Whidden will said.remain “We won’t be myopic as we the quarter. lookfourth at things.”

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The Business Times

July 15-28, 2021

Grant funds project along Horizon Drive Improvements planned along bicycle route A grant of nearly $137,000 will fund a project designed to make biking and walking along Horizon Drive in Grand Junction a safer and more pleasant experience.

The Horizon Drive District received a Revitalizing Main Streets grant for its project along a bike route. The project will install benches with tables, bicycle racks, a bicycle repair station, a stretching station and covered outdoor dining area.

“We are grateful and very excited to be awarded this grant,” said Vara Kusal, executive director of the Horizon Drive District.

“The Horizon Drive District is the gateway to Grand Junction and contains 73 percent of the visitor lodging in the Grand Valley.

Many visitors are here specifically to take advantage of the amazing outdoor recreational opportunities this valley offers.”

Kusal said visitors as well as the 2,300 people who work along Horizon Drive will use the improvements.

Brian Burford, the owner of Zarlingo’s Automotive on Horizon Drive and a member of the district board, agreed. “These improvements will really bring the commuity together and encourage people to get outside and enjoy the scenery as well as access the local businesses. As a local business owner, I’m looking forward to seeing everyone enjoy these future amenities.”

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis also praised the grant and project.

“Investments like this go beyond just making the Horizon Drive District a more beautiful place to spend an afternoon biking. They help our economy and businesses. I’m thrilled to see this state grant award further transform the Grand Junction area into a more cyclist friendly recreational destination.”

The latest grants bring to 106 the number of projects across Colorado receiving funding under the Revitalizing Main Streets program. The program helps improve roadways and infrastructure while also promoting safety and economic activity.

The program began in 2020 as a way to counter the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions. In March 2021, the Colorado Legislature allocated $30 million to continue and expand the effort. Communities can apply for grants of up to $150,000 on a rolling basis.

Shoshana Lew, executive director of the Colorado Department of Transportation, said she’s eaget to see how the project will improve connectivity. “Making this commuity main street safer and more accessible through innovative transportation solutions will lead to a vibrant and active Horizon Drive District into the future.”

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Vara Kusal

Brian Burford

Jared Polis

Shoshana Lew

Defense contractor sold A Grand Junction-based defense contractor has been purchased and added to a portfolio of companies owned by a Native American tribe in California.

Capco was sold to Chumash Capital Investments, a wholly owned investment entity of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.

“We are excited about this new Cordell Bennigson relationship with the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians,” said Cordell Bennigson, chief executive officer of Capco.

“Like our entire team, the Chumash take great pride in the important work Capco does everyday. They are committed to maintaining the culture and quality reputation Capco has built while supporting new opportunities for growth, expansion

and modernization,” Bennigson said.

Capco designs, engineers and sells a range of products to the U.S. Department of Defense as well as law enforcement agencies and international customers.

Those products include fin assemblies for bombs dropped from Air Force, Marine and Navy aircraft as well as impulse cartridges used to eject flares and chaff from aircraft and lightweight machine gun tripods.

As Capco has landed large government contracts, the company has expanded its operations. Capco added a 35,000-footbuilding to its operation and invested more than $5 million in the building and manufacturing facilities there.

Chumash Capital Investments directs economic development investments for the Chumash Tribe and maintains a portfolio of enterprises to provide economic security for tribal members.

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July 15-28, 2021

West Slope Startup Week runs through July 16 West Slope Startup Week, a free regional business conference, is scheduled to continue through July 16 with presentations on a variety of subjects.

“This is the event I look forward to all year,” said Kayleen Cohen, founder of Mountain Dog Media and an event organizer. “West Slope Startup Week offers an unprecedented opportunity Kayleen Cohen to connect with entrepreneurs from all over Western Colorado. I leave every year’s event bursting with inspiration and energy to pursue new projects and partnerships.”

In addition to virtual presentations, West Slope

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

For more information about West Slope Startup Week, including a schedule of presentations, visit https://westslopestartupweek.com.

Startup Week includes more than 20 in-person sessions, most of them in Grand Junction.

Program tracks offer presentations related to capital, communications, makers, people and technology. What are billed as “toolbox” sessions address fundamental topics and skills building. A fun track offers social events and outdoor activities.

Participants include entrepreneurs and other business

owners, as well as designers, developers and makers.

Presentations scheduled for July 15 will cover such topics as acquisitions, branding, content, culture, human resources, storytelling and sustainability.

Presentations scheduled for July 16 will cover internet security, planning for growth, performance reviews, personal promoting, women in the technology sector and working from home, A presentation on the Rural Entrepreneurial Policy Coalition is set for 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The Greater Colorado Pitch Series is set for noon to 2 p.m. Four providers will offer a total of more than $1.3 million in capital for companies in various stages of startup and development.

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Mesa County tax collections trend upward

Tax collections, a measure of sales activity, continue to increase in Mesa County.

The county collected nearly $3.9 million in sales taxes in June, a 21 percent increase over the same month last year.

The county collected almost $400,000 in use taxes — nearly all of that on automobiles purchased outside the county, but used in the county. That’s a 94 percent increase over a year ago.

June collections reflect May sales.

As of press deadline, the City of Grand Junction hadn’t yet posted on its website its reports for sales, use and lodging tax collections for June.

For Mesa County, combined sales and use tax collections in June were up more than $863,000 and 25.4 percent over the same month a year ago.

Tax collections on retail sales reached nearly $1.3 million, a 13.9 percent increase over a year ago. Collections rose in every retail category, including a 112.7 percent increase in clothing, a 27 percent increase in health and personal care and 5.8 percent increase in internet sales.

Collections also rose on a year-overyear basis 62.1 percent on restaurant meals and hotel stays and 22.1 percent on home improvements. Collections slipped 2 percent on automobile sales and 2.3 percent in the oil and natural gas sector.

For the first half of 2021, Mesa County collected a total of more than $23 million in sales and use taxes. That’s an increase of nearly $4.5 million and 24 percent over the same span in 2020. Sales tax collections rose 22.1 percent, while use tax collections climbed 49.6 percent.

County tax collections on retail sales totaled nearly $7.7 million during the first half of 2021. Tax collections on internet sales rose 43.3 percent to nearly $1.5 million.

Sales tax collections rose 36.8 percent on home improvements, 31.9 percent on restaurant meals and hotel stays and 23.8 percent on automobile sales.

Collections declined 55.3 percent in the oil and natural gas sector.

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July 15-28, 2021

The Business Times

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July 15-28, 2021

Presidency changes for Colorado Cattlemen’s Association Steve Wooten, a rancher from Southeast Colorado, has started his term as president of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association.

Wooten succeeds Janie VanWinkle, a rancher from Fruita who was only the third woman over the course of 150 years to serve in the position.

“It was an honor to serve as the president of this association and all the Steve Wooten great men, women and families that represent our industry,” VanWinkle said. “The membership stepped up to the challenge of engaging outside our industry and connecting with new audiences. I am proud of how our association has advanced the legacy of our industry. And I hope as we face new challenges, each and every member

continues this mission for generations to come.”

The CCA represents ranchers and others working in the beef industry across the state and advocates on their behalf.

Wooten and his wife, daughter and son-in-law operate Beatty Canyon Ranch in Las Animas County near Kim. Wooten has served on the CCA Janie VanWinkle board of directors for more than 10 years, including a term as president in 2019 and 2020. He serves on other boards and committees on local, state and national levels. Wooten and his family were selected as the regional winner of an environmental stewardship award presented by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

Wooten said he’s looking forward to new opportunities to promote engagement and collaboration in the cattle industry to address such issues as consumer awareness and climate change. He said he’s learned to address challenges with not only an open mind, but also loyalty for his fellow producers.

“In the coming year I am looking forward to serving the members of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association as their president and working on issues of importance as we promote and protect the longevity of the beef industry in Colorado,” he said.

The board of directors also includes Philip Anderson of Walden, president-elect; Robert Farnam of Brush, first vice president; Tom Harrington of Carbondale, second vice president; and Brett Datteri of Greeley, treasurer.

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Meetings planned to consider rules for ag workers

The Colorado Department of Agriculture has scheduled three virtual meetings to gather comments on new rules and regulations for workers in the agriculture industry.

Stakeholder meetings are scheduled for 9 to 10:30 a.m. July 22 and Aug. 12 and 26 to discuss and draft rules, then review proposed and final versions of the rules.

On June 25, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed into law Senate Bill 87, which requires the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment to set up new rules and regulations for workers in the ag industry.

In addition, the law requires the Colorado Department of Agriculture to promulgate specific rules related to hand weeding and hand thinning of crops.

The CDA must establish a procedure for agricultural employers to seek a certificate of variance to allow for more than occasional or intermittent hand weeding of agricultural or horticultural products. The CDA must promulgate a rule to establish an allowance on limitations of hand weeding and hand thinning for an agricultural employer actively engaged in the transition to certified organic agriculture.

Rules must be proposed by Oct. 31 and promulgated by Jan 31.

In addition to participating in the virtual meetings, people can submit comments through online forms. Other forms will be created once rules have been drafted.

Information about the meetings and online forms is available through the CDA website at https://ag.colorado.gov.

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July 15-28, 2021

Applications sought for Colorado arts grants Applications are being accepted for funding offered through a program fostering cross-sector work in the arts in Colorado.

Grants of $5,000 to $35,000 will be available through the Arts in Society program to nonprofit organizations, individual artists and activities to fund projects planned for January 2022 through January 2024. Margaret Hunt “As Colorado’s creative economy continues to come back post-pandemic, these funds provide crucial funding to address civic and social challenges through the arts,” said Margaret Hunt, director of Colorado Creative Industries.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

For more information about the Arts in Society grant program, visit the website located at www.redlineart.org/arts-in-society.

Over the past five years, the Arts in Society program has provided more than $2.5 million to projects that engage arts organization and artists to address civic and social challenges.

A selection panel will determine grants to fund projects that demonstrate cross-sector work, exhibit cultural relevance, foster community engagement and broaden the understanding of the role arts play in society.

The Redline Contemporary Art Center in Denver administers the Arts in Society program. The center engages resident artists in programs that offer arts education to youth and offers a network for artists experiencing homelessness.

The center has scheduled an informational webinar on the Arts in Society program for noon Aug. 16.

The Arts in Society program is funded by the BonfilsStanton Foundation, Colorado Creative Industries, Colorado Health Foundation, Denver Arts & Venues, Hemera Foundation and Scientific and Cultural Facilities District. Colorado Creative Industries is a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Grade F

Work under way on I-70 wrong-way detection systems

Work has begun on installing wrongway detection systems at 87 off-ramp locations along Interstate Highway 70 through Colorado.

The project started at Exit 205 at Silverthorne and will move west. The project will end at Exit 2 in Rabbit Valley in Mesa County.

The Colorado Department of Transportation and Colorado Barricade will install wrong-way detection systems and signs to help prevent motorists from entering the interstate from the wrong direction. New signs and pavement markings will help prevent fatalities caused by driving the wrong direction onto non-signalized highways.

Work is expected to continue through October. Normal working hours will be Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists can expect lane closures in work zones.

For more information, visit the website at www.codot.gov.

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Grand Junction men named to state boards

Tim Hayashi of Grand Junction has been reappointed to the Colorado Board of Licensure for Architects, Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors.

Scott Braden of Grand Junction has been appointed to the State Board of Land Commissioners.

Hayashi, principal at TH Engineering in Grand Junction, serves on the board as a professional member.

The board regulates the practices of architects, engineers and surveyors, including licensing and licensing renwwals.

Braden, director of the Colorado Wildlands Project in Grand Junction, serves on the board as an unaffiliated member with experience in natural resource conservation.

The board oversees and serves as a trustee of state trust land development and the use of their natural resources.

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July 15-28, 2021

The Business Times

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The Business Times

Applicants sought for city advisory committee

Applications will be accepted through July 30 from people interested in serving on an advisory committee that will consider how best to use about $10.4 million allocated to the City of Grand Junction through the American Rescue Plan Act. The U.S. Department of the Treasury allocated funds to states, counties and local governments to provide support in responding to the economic and public health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Funds can be used for everything from addressing economic effects and supporting a public health response to providing premium pay for essential workers and replacing public sector revenue loss. Funds also can be spent on broadband, sewer and water infrastructure.

Within each of these broad categories, the Department of Treasury has provided list of potential eligible spending uses to offer flexibility in addressing community needs.

The American Rescue Plan Advisory Committee will make recommendations to the Grand Junction City Council on potential uses of the funds.

The 12-member advisory committee may include

business owners and residents as well as elected officials and representatives of community organizations.

The council plans to seek a diverse group whose members offer knowledge and experience in business and economics, health, housing, infrastructure, neighborhood organizations, public housing and social services.

The council also is looking for millennials and seniors to serve on the council as well as those from disadvantaged and underserved communities.

The council will appointed the committee after reviewing applications. Committee members should anticipate several meetings over the course of a few months.

Those interested in serving on the committee should submit letters stating their interests, education and experience as well as other information to consider. They also should include their names, mail and email addresses and telephone numbers For additional information, contact Scott Rust at 256-4025 or scottr@gjcity.org.

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July 15-28, 2021

Redistricting public hearings under way

A series of public hearings is under way to gather comments about proposed new maps for congressional and state legislative districts in Colorado.

A hearing is set for 7 p.m. July 30 in the Meyer Ballroom at the Colorado Mesa University Student Center in Grand Junction.

Elsewhere in Western Colorado, hearings are set for July 23 in Steamboat Springs, July 24 in Craig, July 30 in Montrose, July 31 in Carbondale, Aug. 6 in Alamosa and Aug. 7 in Ignacio.

The Colorado Independent Redistricting Commission is in the process of drawing maps for eight congressional districts, 35 state senate districts and 65 state house districts in the state.

“This roadshow of public hearings is an important piece of this work and is an opportunity for Coloradans to have their voices heard,” said JulieMarie Shepherd Macklin, a member of the commission.

“Residents are the experts of their own communities and, as these plans come together, we need public input and involvement to ensure that the maps best represent the Colorado of today,” she said.

Additional information — including information about how to comment at the hearings in person or while attending virtually — is available online at the website at www.redistricting.colorado.gov.

Written comments also will be accepted through the public hearing process.

After the hearings conclude, staff will refine maps and present revisions for the commission to consider and approve. The Colorado Supreme Court also must review and approve the maps.

The Colorado Constitution requires independent commissions to redraw congressional and state legislative districts following federal censuses every 10 years.

Congressional districts must have equal populations, be composed of contiguous geographic areas and preserve whole communities of interest and political subdivisions.

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July 15-28, 2021

Online open house adds to in-person sessions to comment on wolf plans Grand Junction event scheduled for July 28 An online open house and comment form are now available to gather comments about wolf restoration and management in Colorado.

The online open house and comment form offer the same information, questions and opportunity to submit feedback that will be available at in-person public listening sessions scheduled throughout the state this summer.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Keystone Policy Center have scheduled 14 of the sessions across the state. In Grand Junction, the session is set for 5 to 8 p.m.

July 28 at the Mesa County Fairgrounds community building, 2785 U.S. Highway 50.

Sessions also are planned for Craig, Durango, Glenwood Springs, Gunnison, Montrose and Steamboat Springs.

“Whether attending an open house in person or reviewing information and providing feedback online, we want to hear the public’s input about the wolf restoration and management plan,” said Julie Shapiro, director of the natural resources program at the Keystone Policy Center. “The online open house includes posters and video presentations providing the same information offered at in-person meetings, effectively creating a virtual learning and listening session for everyone to participate in at their own convenience.”

Those attending the open houses will be able to visit stations at their own pace to

FOR YOUR INFORMATION For more information about wolf restoration and management plans in Coloado, log on to www.wolfengagementco.org. provide comments on wolf planning topics.

Participants will also be able to provide written comments through a detailed online comment form either during the open house or at a later time. Paper forms will be available for use during the open houses.

The open house public listening sessions are a component of the more than 40 meetings planned for July and August.

In addition to the open houses, CPW and Keystone will convene 17 invitational geographic-based focus groups in Western Colorado, 10 invitational interest-based focus groups and tribal consultation meetings.

Wolf restoration and management plans follow the passage of a ballot measure in 2020 directing CPW to introduce gray wolves to designated areas of Western Colorado by the end of 2023.

The measure also authorizes the use of state funds to assist livestock producers in preventing conflicts with gray wolves and pay for livestock losses.

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Colorado among top states in CNBC business analysis Colorado continues to rank among the top 10 states for business in the latest results of an annual analysis that takes into account 85 measures of competitiveness.

Colorado ranked eighth overall in the latest list of America’s Top States for Business compiled for the CNBC cable television network. That’s up one position from the 2019 ranking.

To determine the rankings, each state was scored on a total of 85 measures of competitiveness in 10 categories. The categories then were weighted based on how frequently they were used as selling points in economic development marketing.

Colorado scored 1,440 points out of a possible 2,500.

The state ranked second for work force; sixth for technology and innovation; ninth for economy; 14th for life, health and inclusion; 16th for access to capital; and 22nd for infrastructure.

Colorado fared less well in other categories, though, at 29th for business frendliness, 30th for education, 34th for cost of living and 38th for cost of business.

Colorado reported 7.9 percent growth in gross domestic product for the first quarter of 2021 and an unemployment rate of 6.2 percent in May. Colorado imposes top individual and corporate tax rates of 4.55 percent and a gasoline tax of 22 cents a gallon.

Virginia remained America’s top state for business with 1,587 points and a No. 2 ranking for work force and No. 3 ranking education.

North Carolina came in second overall with the fourth-best economy and sixth-best workforce. Utah rnaked third, Texas fourth and Tennessee fifth. Georgia, Minnesota, Washington and Ohio rounded out the top 10.

Alaska ranked as the worst state for business in the 2021 analysis with the 49th ranking for infrastructure 48th ranking for cost of doing business and 47th ranking for both economy and education.

Hawaii placed 49th overall, followed

by Maine, West Virginia and Rhode Island.

Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Vermont and Kentucky rounded out the bottom 10.

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The Business Times

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The Business Times

July 15-28, 2021

Gear library promotes access to outdoor rec A new partnership among national, state and local entities addresses barriers to accessing outdoor recreational opportunities in Western Colorado.

The Outdoor Recreation Industry Office and Outdoor Recreation Roundtable joined in efforts to open what’s dubbed as a gear library in Glenwood Springs to provide free gear and information.

“Colorado’s majestic outdoors belongs to us all, and we are pleased to join local officials and our industry partners to foster inclusive participation,” said Nathan Fey, director of the Outdoor Industry Office. “This gear library helps open up the Roaring Fork Valley’s great outdoors for everyone to enjoy the wide-ranging benefits of Colorado’s outdoors.”

The gear library was born out of a Recreation Economy for Rural Communities workshop and a planning assistance program offered through a partnership among the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Forest Service and Northern Border Regional Commission. The program helps communities develop strategies and an action plan to revitalize business districts through outdoor recreation.

Through participation in Glenwood Springs in the workshop, staff, stakeholders and community members agreed outdoor recreation should be inclusive, accessible and enjoyed by all. Participants then discussed barriers to access, including the lack of points of entry into typical outdoor recreation activities, the high cost of equipment to participate in activities and for some, a sense of unwelcomeness and unawareness due to language barriers.

To address these issues, the Glenwood Springs Parks and Recreation Department created a low cost and free equipment rental opportunity at the community center that allows members of the community who might not be able to afford or aren’t ready to financially commit to the high cost of equipment a chance to use the equipment and discover new outdoor recreation activities. Instructions for

“We hope this new program will contribute to a more welcoming environment where everyone has the opportunity to enjoy their outdoor experiences to the fullest.”

Gloria Schock, executive director VF Foundation

use, waivers and other written materials are available in English and Spanish.

The library offers gear for all seasons, including fishing gear, kayaks, mountain bikes and standup paddleboards as well as cross-country skies and snowshoes. Helmets and life jackets in adult and youth sizes also are available.

Whenever possible, gear was purchased from Colorado companies or sourced from Colorado retailers, further supporting the outdoor recreation industry in the state.

“The City of Glenwood Springs is very excited to offer a gear library to our community to enable those who may not otherwise be able to afford to participate or haven’t found the right avenue to participate an opportunity to experience the vast array of outdoor recreation activities we have available,” said Karstin Moser, parks and recreation administrator.

“We’re also working to keep the entire program very Colorado-centric by purchasing the equipment for the library from outdoor recreation businesses based in Colorado.”

To help support the gear library, the Outdoor Recreation Industry Office partnered with SmartWool and the VF Foundation to provide funding for the acquisition of equipment and technical support, ensuring the library offers a variety of equipment sizes and options.

“At Smartwool, we aspire to build an outdoor community for all,” said Jen McLaren, brand president at Smartwool. “We want to ensure that everyone has equitable access to get outside and are committed to breaking down barriers that exist for some communities.

Access to outdoor gear is one of those barriers, which is why we are excited to support the Glenwood gear library.”

“The VF Foundation believes in the power of community based partnerships that support a more equitable and sustainable world,” said Gloria Schoch, executive director of the VF Foundation. “We’re excited to join our Smartwool brand in supporting OREC’s resourceful, circular and inclusive approach to encouraging greater outdoor participation in our very own backyard in Colorado. We hope this new program will contribute to a more welcoming environment where everyone has the opportunity to enjoy their outdoor experiences to the fullest.”

The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, a leading coalition of outdoor recreation trade associations working to promote the growth of the outdoor recreation economy, facilitated the partnership between funding partners and identified Glenwood Springs as an opportunity for local investment.

“A lot of time and energy within the outdoor industry goes into securing and ensuring access to the outdoors for all Americans though fighting for new infrastructures like campgrounds, marinas, trails and more as well as working to designate new and protect existing monuments, parks and wilderness areas,” said Jessica Turner, executive director of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable. “Yet, we want to do more as an industry to make sure other barriers such as access to outdoor gear and expertise are equally available to everyone. This is why we are so proud to support Glenwood Springs’ gear library and hope to be involved with more of them across the nation.”

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July 15-28, 2021

Session

Continued from page 2 Gagliardi said he considers the defeat of Senate Bill 176 another win.

Another other provisions, the bill would have expanded the definition of workplace harassment, added protections for workers facing discrimination and extended the timeline for when claims against employers could be filed.

Gagliardi said the bill defined a hostile work environment as anything that undermines a person’s sense of well-being.

Moreover, the measure would have eliminated the requirement to prove a hostile behavior is pervasive or severe. Those broad definitions would have created too many opportunities for unreasonable grievances that would wasted time and resources for employers and employees, he said.

Gagliardi said he’s wary of another measure that was enacted in House Bill 1232.

The legislation requires a 15 percent reduction in health care insurance premiums in three years. Otherwise, the Colorado commissioner of insurance will set health care prices to push premiums down. Moreover, the state would create a health care plan for the individual and small group markets that would be offered by private insurers across Colorado.

Gagliardi said he’s worried the measure turns the commissioner of insurance, an appointee, into one of the most powerful officials in the state. In addition, the legislation doesn’t address what causes higher health care costs.

While rising health insurance premiums remain an issue for small business owners, annual increases have become smaller, he said. “I don’t get the calls like I used to.”

The NFIB also opposed passage of Senate Bill 260 — a measure the group dubbed the green new deal on wheels.

The bill implements a $5.4 billion, 10-year plan to construct roads and bridges, create more electric vehicle charging stations, increase mass transit and reduce air pollution. Among other provisions, the measure imposes fees on everything from gasoline and diesel to deliveries and Uber and Lyft rides. In addition, the measure requires the Colorado Department of Transportation take greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals into account when planning projects as well as earmarks funding for electric vehicles and mass transit.

“NFIB strongly opposed the bill as it was discovered the bill had very little to do with improving our highways and easing our highway congestion,” Gagliardi said.

Now that the legislative session has ended, Gagliardi said attention has shifted in part to the use of federal stimulus funds distributed in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said he’s hopeful Gov. Polis will earmark funding to backfill the Colorado unemployment insurance trust fund. The alternative could be higher premiums for small businesses to replenish a fund depleted by high unemployment during the pandemic.

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Page 18

The Business Times

July 15-28, 2021

Tyler Dahl’s position as regional president in Mesa County is his latest in a 14-year career with Alpine Bank.

(Business Times photo by Phil Castle)

Banking

Continued from page 2 “It was tough,” Dahl says. “But I love and have so much admiration for my staff.”

Alpine Bank played an important role in helping other businesses get through the pandemic, Dahl says. The bank issued a total of 6,132 loans worth a collective $471 million through two rounds of the federal Paycheck Protection Program.

The pandemic exerted other effects in accelerating the relocation of people to Western Colorado, he says.

The pandemic made people realize they could work remotely and live anywhere — and many of them chose Grand Junction, Montrose and other communities in the region for the lifestyles and outdoor recreation they offer. “Their dreams became a reality.”

But rising demand for housing — and along with it, prices — has made lack of affordable housing an increasingly pressing issue to address, he says.

In his new position in Mesa County, Dahl says he’ll oversee operations and lending as well as work with staff to develop and implement a vision.

As only the third leader of Alpine Bank operations in Mesa County in 30 years, he says a good framework has long been in place.

Moreover, the staff in Mesa County brings to their duties longevity and commitment. “We have a great staff in Mesa County that continues to take care of customers.”

Customer and community service remain priorities, he says, both for staff and himself.

He says he’s excited about his new leadership role as well as the opportunities it affords to continue working in the banking industry — and for Alpine Bank.

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News Trends $1Contributors billion and counting Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac

July 15-28, 2021

The Business Times

Page 19

INDICATORS AT A GLANCE

n Business filings s New business filings in Colorado, 44,740 in the first quarter, up 32.2% from the first quarter of 2020.

First-half surge in real estate sales expected to continue in Mesa County

s Consumer Confidence Index 127.3 in June, up 7.3. s Leeds Business Confidence Index for Colorado, 67.3 for the third quarter, up 2.9. s National Federation of Independent Business Small Business Optimism Index 102.5 for June, up 2.9.

Real estate activity continues to increase in Mesa County, topping $1 billion in sales in the first half of 2021.

Robert Bray, for one, expects the trend to continue in the second half. “I still feel good about the remainder of the year,” said Bray, chief executive officer of Bray Real Estate in Grand Junction.

Residential inventories remain low, but new construction has picked up. Large Robert Bray commercial transactions boost dollar volume.

Annette Miller, administrative coordinator at Heritage Title Co. in Grand Junction, said 676 real estate transactions worth a total of $255 million were reported in Mesa County in June. Compared to the same month last year, transactions increased 23.1 percent and dollar volume rose 60.4 percent.

Sixteen transactions accounted for a total of $39.4 million in dollar volume, Miller said.

That included the sale of 1,460 acres of vacant Annette Miller land on Glade Park for $5.3 million, the Mesa Pointe Mall in Clifton for $5.2 million and a motel complex on Horizon Drive in Grand Junction for $3.95 million.

For the first half of 2021, 3,062 real estate transactions worth a total of more than $1 billion were reported, Miller said. Compared to the first half of 2020, transactions increased 29.6 percent and dollar volume rose 48.3 percent The year-over-year increases are larger in part because of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions on real estate sales in 2020, she said.

According to numbers Bray Real Estate tracks for the residential market, 404 transactions worth a total of $152 million were reported

n Confidence

n Foreclosures n Foreclosure filings in Mesa County, 3 in June, unchanged from June 2020. t Foreclosure sales in Mesa County, 1 in June, down from 3 in June 2020.

n Indexes

s Conference Board Employment Trends Index, 109.84 for June, up 1.14. s Conference Board Leading Economic Index 114.5 for May, up 1.5%. t Institute for Supply Management Purchasing Managers Index for manufacturing, 60.6% for June, down 0.6%.

n Lodging

s Lodging tax collections in Grand Junction, $142,536 for May, up 189.8% from May 2020.

n Real estate

s Real estate transactions in Mesa County, 676 in June, up 23.1% from June 2020. s Dollar volume of real estate transactions in Mesa County, $255 million in June, up 60.4% from June 2020.

n Sales

s Sales and use tax collections in Grand Junction, $5.83 million for May, up 57.7% from May 2020. s Sales and use tax collections in Mesa County, $4.26 million for June, up 25.4% from June 2020.

n Unemployment t Mesa County — 6.0% for May, down 0.7. t Colorado — 6.2% for May, down 0.2. s United States — 5.9% for June, up 0.1.

Phil Castle

The Business Times

in June. Compared to the same month last year, transactions edged down 1.2 percent even as dollar volume increased 22.6 percent.

Through the first half of 2021, 1,995 residential transactions worth a collective $713 million were reported. Compared to the first half of 2020, transactions rose 13.7 percent and dollar volume jumped 37.1 percent.

Bray said the numbers would be bigger if residential inventories were more plentiful.

At the end of June 2021, there were 293 active listings, down nearly 41 percent from the same time a year ago. Bray said an average of more than 400 homes were listed in each of the last three months, but were quickly purchased.

Low supplies and high demands have pushed prices upward, he said. The median price of homes sold during the first half of 2021 increased 19.5 percent to $325,000.

Still, that’s less than statewide and nationwide median prices reported by the National Association of Realtors, he said.

The pace of home construction has increased, Bray said.

For June, 104 building permits for single-family homes were issued in Mesa County. That’s up 70 percent from the same month a year ago. For the first half of 2021, 513 permits were issued.

That’s a nearly 51 percent increase over the first half of 2020.

Looking ahead to second half of 2021, Bray said he expects real estate activity and home construction to continue to increase, perhaps to record levels. “It’ll still be a good, strong, real estate year.”

Meanwhile, property foreclosure activity continues to decrease in Mesa County. Miller said 11 foreclosure filings and 13 foreclosure sales were reported during the first half of 2021.

Compared to first half of 2020, filings dropped 84.1 percent and sales dropped 31.6 percent.

The four resales of foreclosed properties during the first half of 2021 constituted less than 1 percent of all transactions, a fraction of the 10 percent threshold Miller considers indicative of a healthy market.

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Small Business Optimism Index rises A measure of optimism among small business owners has increased, although concerns over labor shortages persist.

The National Federation of Independent Business reported its Small Business Optimism Index rose 2.9 points to 102.5 in June. It’s the first time the index has topped 100 since November. The average reading fo the 47-year-old index is 98.

“Small business optimism is rising as the economy opens up, yet a record number of employers continue to report that there are few or no qualified applicatants for Bill Dunkelberg open positions,” said Bill Dunkelberg, chief economist of the NFIB. “Owners are also having a hard time keeping their inventory stocks up with strong sales and supply chain problems,” Dunkelberg said.

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, seven of 10 components of the index advanced and three retreated.

The proportion of those who responded to the survey upon which the June index was based who said they expect the economy to improve jumped 14 points from May. But at a net negative 12

percent, more respondents indicated they still expect worsening conditions.

A record 11 percent of respondents said they plan to increase inventories, up five points. Meanwhile, a net 11 percent said current inventories are too low, up three points.

A net 25 percent reported plans to make capital outlays, down two points. A net 15 percent said they consider now a good time to expand, up two points.

A net 7 percent said they expect higher sales, up five points.

The proportion of those reporting higher earnings rose six points. But a net negative 5 percent, more reported lower earnings.

Among those reporting higher earnings, 66 percent credited increased sales and 9 percent cited higher prices. Among those reporting lower earnings, 35 percent blamed lower sales and 25 percent cited increased materials costs.

A net 28 percent of those who responded to the survey reported plans to increase employment, up a point.

At the same time, though, a net 46 percent reported unfilled job openings, off two points from the record set in May. Asked to identify their single most important business problem, 26 percent cited labor quality and 8 percent cited labor costs.

A record-high 39 percent of respondents reported raising compensation, and 26 percent said they plan to raise compensation in the next three months.

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The Business Times

Payrolls swell as jobless rate edges up U.S. payrolls swelled in June, with the biggest gain in the leisure and hospitality sector. The unemployment rate edged up, however, as workers voluntarily left positions.

Nonfarm payrolls increased 850,000 and the jobless rate rose a tenth of a point to 5.9 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.

Estimated payroll gains for May and April were revised upward 15,000 to a total of 852,000.

Payrolls have grown 15.6 million since April 2020, but remain 6.8 million below the pre-pandemic level in February 2020.

For June, 9.5 million people were counted among those unsuccessfully looking for work. Of those, 4 million have been out of work 27 weeks or longer. Another 4.6 million people were counted among those working part-time because their hours were reduced or they were unable to find full-time positions.

The labor participation rate was unchanged at 61.6 percent,

although 942,000 people quit their previous jobs in June and began looking for new employment.

Employment increased 343,000 in the leisure and hospitality sector as pandemic restrictions eased in restaurants and bars. Still, employment in the secttor remains 2.2 million below the February 2020 level.

Payrolls increased 155,000 in local government education, 72,000 in professional and business services, 67,000 in retail trade and 15,000 in manufacturing. Payrolls contracted 7,000 in construction as job losses among nonresidential contractors and in heavy and civil engineering construction more than offset gains for residential contractors.

The average work week slipped a tenth of an hour to 34.7 hours.

The manufacturing work week shortened two-tenths of an hour to 40.2 hours. Average hourly earnings increased 10 cents to $30.40.

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July 15-28, 2021

Labor index rises

An index tracking labor trends continue to increase, signaling job growth in the United States.

The Conference Board reported its Employment Trends Index rose 1.14 points to 109.84 in June. The index has increased 28.2 percent over the past year.

Gad Levanon, head of the Conference Board Labor Markets Institute, said the index suggests strong job growth will continue to summer even as the U.S. labor market remains tight.

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Trends Contributors Opinion It’s people operations now Business Briefs Business People Almanac The Business Times

July 15-28, 2021

Page 21

COMING ATTRACTIONS

n The Business Incubator Center in Grand Junction has scheduled workshops offering information about startups.

Business startup workshops are set for 9 to 11:30 a.m. July 20 and Aug. 10 at the center, located at 2591 Legacy Way. The workshops will cover the business planning process, including financing options, licensing requirements, legal structures, trade name searches and state registration. Admission is $55.

Completion of the workshop affords access to the Fast Trac program at the center and rotating classes that delve deeper into startup topics.

For more information about upcoming events, services and programs offered at the center, call 243-5242 or visit the website at https://gjincubator.org. n A mid-summer job fair is set for 9 a.m. to noon July 29 at the Mesa County Workforce Center, 512 29 1/2 Road in Grand Junction.

The event is free for participating employers, although booth availability is limited.

For more information, call 248-7560 or send an email to jobservice@mesacounty.us. n The Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce has scheduled its annual banquet for 5:30 to 10 p.m. July 31 at the Fruita Community Center, located at 324 N. Coulson St. Individual tickets for chamber members sell for $50. Sponsored tables for eight sell for $500.

To register for or obtain more information about chamber events, call 858-3894 or visit https://fruitachamber.org.

Human resources evolves to take on an increasingly important role Right after congratulating me on my new position overseeing the human resources department at Hilltop Community Resources, an employee told me, “I hope I never find myself in your office.”

To her, HR is the workplace equivalent of the principal’s office.

After I conducted an informal poll and endured a few “uh-oh, HR is here” remarks when I walked in the room, I realized she wasn’t alone in her thinking. This got me wondering: What caused this perception of HR? How can we change it?

To answer these questions, let’s start with a little stroll through history. Following the second industrial revolution in the early 1900s, factories were suddenly filled with thousands of workers. Personnel departments were created Rebecca to help businesses comply with emerging labor Weitzel laws, increase safety and efficiency, process employee grievances and negotiate with labor unions. Workers were parts of a system to be managed.

Against the backdrop of the humanist era, personnel departments evolved in the 1960s into human resources departments.

Workers were seen as valuable resources that could be trained and motivated to perform at high levels. HR departments performed assessments, developed trainings, created policies and managed employee relations. With a transactional approach to people, HR departments performed administrative duties behind the scenes to enforce policies and ensure people were paid and trained.

This iteration of HR persisted until the early 2000s. As the information era sprinted forward — and replaced factory jobs with knowledge jobs that required people to create, innovate, exercise good judgement and learn quickly — high-performing HR departments transformed again. Informed by research that showed people are motivated by more than extrinsic rewards and driven by a wholistic view of people, these departments worked to unlock and leverage employee creativity and discretionary effort and recognized their people were their competitive advantage.

Fast forward to today. HR has burst onto the scene as one of the key players in organizations. HR focuses on results. It nurtures organizational change. It sees around corners and plans for the future. It develops targeted interventions that improve employee experiences. It taps into workers’ intrinsic motivations by communicating a compelling sense of shared purpose, fostering autonomy and providing development opportunities that help people achieve a sense of mastery.

If this new version of HR doesn’t yet have a voice in every C-suite, it soon will. As more businesses shift from viewing their people as interchangeable parts to elevating them as drivers of value, they’ll shift from viewing their HR departments as the principal’s

office to elevating them as strategic business consultants.

Many organizations already do this. Hilltop recently rebranded its human resources department as people operations to reflect these changes. Our team still oversees compliance, compensation and employee relations. But it also consults with managers and offers insights that guide direction and strategy. It works to operationalize the company’s mission and values. It seeks to align programs with organizational goals. It promotes employee well-being and engagement. It regularly collects data about the employee experience through surveys and interviews. Its business partners help managers solve problems and achieve desired outcomes.

How are we making this shift? To start, our business partners conducted “recontracting” meetings with every operations manager to uncover their beliefs about HR, understand their biggest pain points and talk about their business goals. We identified the services each manager valued most and noted specific areas on which we could work.

Next, we worked through the stages of our own team development: forming, storming, norming and performing.

In forming, we each completed an assessment to identify and discuss our individual strengths. We also studied a book that helped us commit to new and healthy ways of interacting and serving internal customers.

In storming, we reorganized our structure and engaged in candid conversations.

In norming, we developed a team mission statement and set objectives and key results.

Now in the performing stage, we’ve established several crossfunctional teams of people from different departments to help build new processes and practices for recruitment, performance management and learning and development. By avoiding the traditional “bake and ship” method of rolling out new programs, we’re creating the sense in the organization we’re on their team and share their goals.

I haven’t seen that Hilltop employee since she made that comment. But I sense if she stops by any time soon, she’ll find a team that truly cares about her and every other Hilltopper. We’re the people operations team now, and we truly put people first.

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

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SBA event designed to connect entrepreneurs to early stage funding The U.S. Small Business Administration has scheduled National Small Business Innovation Research Week for July 19 to 23.

The virtual event will connect entrepreneurs working on advanced technology to the country’s largest source of early stage funding — the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology John Williams Transfer programs.

“The $4 billion in federal non-dilutive funding offered through SBA’s SBIR/STTR programs is often a critical milestone in moving an entrepreneur’s research idea from concept to commercial product/services,” said

FOR YOUR INFORMATION For more information about National Small Business Innovation Research Week, including the schedule and participating agencies, visit https://www.sbirroadtour.com.

John Williams, director of innovation and technology for the Office of Investment and Innovation within the SBA. “This national conference will enable entrepreneurs across the country to engage virtually with the federal program managers that oversee more than 7,000 awards annually.”

Williams said the SBA is committed to making sure innovators — particularly women, minorities and those

located in states with less access to federal or private funding to advance their ideas — are aware of the SBIR and STTR programs and gain a higher percentage of that funding moving forward.

SBIR Week will feature complimentary events from organizations involved in supporting entrepreneurs across the country, including the Minority Business Development Agency and Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer. The MBDA InVision Tour is set for July 21.

Throughout the week, program managers from participating federal agencies will conduct virtual oneon-one meetings with small businesses, participate in live targeted panels, discuss technology areas and share insights into how agencies make funding decisions.

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July 15-28, 2021

In seeking success, give credit where it’s due Business leaders focused on moving their companies to ever higher levels of efficiency, effectiveness, profitability and success are always looking for ways to improve. Achieving this objective requires a discerning awareness of what is — and isn’t — working.

There’s a potential pitfall here, however, if leaders focus only on what they deem is wrong. This approach might lead to some improvements and short-term results, but could over time damage other vital aspects of the business. Given their singular focus and accompanying astigmatism, these leaders will fail to see all that’s been achieved, the solid effort team members put forth and just how far Marcus the business has progressed.

Straub With their abundance of criticism and lack of praise, these leaders will squash the morale of their team members. Team members will in turn grow less excited about being a part of and furthering the company mission. Top performers will likely move on. This will damage the very efficiency, effectiveness, profitability and success that’s desired.

Conversely, when leaders offer well-deserved and genuine recognition to team members while also working to enhance how the company operates, a solid culture is built and the benefits ripple throughout the business. Why? Because when people feel good — even great — about the positive steps they’re taking and work they’re doing, they’re encouraged to stay the course. To test this, consider how great and motivating it feels when you receive praise for your efforts.

Most people thrive on praise and enjoy some form of recognition. When a person is praised for a job well done,

When leaders offer well-deserved and genuine recognition to team members while also working to enhance how the company operates, a solid culture is built and the benefits ripple throughout the business. Why? Because when people feel good about the positive steps they’re taking and work they’re doing, they’re encouraged to stay the course.

they feel good, valued and inspired to keep up the good work. They light up and get excited, which is apparent in their body language. When this happens repeatedly, they grow more self-confident, take on challenges with greater initiative and passion and become more adept at whatever they’re doing. In other words, they’re motivated to learn, grow and become more.

When a person truly gives their best and is met with only criticism in the form of what they did wrong and what they should have done better, they feel defeated, inadequate and undervalued. If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of a situation like this, you know how unpleasant this experience is and how that’s compounded when the behavior is repeated. This is called negative conditioning, and it commonly leads to diminished self-confidence, negative self-perception, resentment, disengagement, lower performance and turnover.

The desire to feel good about ourselves and the efforts

we put forth is a very real human need. As a leader, it’s wise to get a firm grasp on this fact and change your perspective and behavior to consistently offer the praise and recognition your team members appreciate and need to continue advancing. Positive reinforcement offers a far more effective leadership strategy than negative conditioning.

As I coach leaders how to lead from a position of composure and with a balanced perspective, they work with their teams in new, dynamic and more effective ways.

They build empowered teams that produce the results they want to achieve.

When the team members in any business are supported in constructive ways — both for jobs well done and in those areas in which they’re in the process of improvement — they’ll typically perform at higher levels simply because they feel valued and encouraged in their efforts to do their best. When you give others what they want, they’re more likely to give you what you want, and everyone is happier.

In your pursuit of a finely tuned business and success, don’t forget to consistently give the well-deserved and genuine praise and recognition your team members need to learn, grow and become top performers.

Marcus Straub owns Life is Great Coaching in Grand Junction. His personalized coaching and consulting services help individuals, business owners, executives and companies build teams, organizations and lives filled with happiness and success. Straub is winner of the International Coach of the Year Award and author of “Is It Fun Being You?” He’s available for free consultations regarding coaching, speaking and trainings.

Reach Straub at 208-3150, marcus@ligcoaching.com or through the website located at www.ligcoaching.com.

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July 15-28, 2021

The Business Times

Why business ethics matter

What is ethics? According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary: “Ethics is a set of moral principles; a theory or system of moral values.”

What does this definition mean when applied in a business setting? When you hear or read the phrase business ethics, what comes to mind?

You’ve probably heard about someone or a company following the “letter of the law” but not the “spirit.” In my experience, the difference in those two appellations is often the difference between legal and legal and ethical.

People want to do business with Janet companies and employees with a reputation Arrowood for both ethical and legal operations. Ideally, your business operates in both legal and ethical manners.

What about the other three permutations? Can an action or behavior be ethical but illegal? Legal but unethical? Unethical and illegal?

Consider the unethical and illegal option. Most of the time, this option is pretty obvious and easily avoided. If you sell a product you know is defective or likely to cause an injury, that action is probably illegal and certainly unethical. The same applies to a service such as insurance. When you or your client conceals a health situation from an insurance company to obtain a more favorable rate, that’s probably illegal and certainly unethical.

What about an action that’s legal, but not ethical? Here’s an example. You have someone looking for a car and they tell you they need a four-door, all-wheel-drive, small SUV that’s no more than 5 years old. You have an SUV that meets the first two criteria, but it is large and 8 years old. You really want to get that vehicle out of your facility. So, you tell the customer you can get them a

People want to do business with companies and employees with a reputation for both ethical and legal operations.

great deal on this large, older SUV. They balk. You keep pushing.

Eventually, the customer walks out. Was your approach legal?

Sure? Ethical? Not so much.

The final permutation— ethical but illegal — is an interesting one. Years ago, presenting an ethics training to a group of city employees, we were trying to come up with an example of something that was ethical but not legal. A police office in attendance came up with an excellent example. Someone is backcountry skiing. They get lost. Night is closing in. Ahead looms a cabin. The skier knocks, but no one answers. They break into the cabin, start a fire, eat some food from the pantry, spend the night, clean up, pack up their trash, leave some money on the table (along with their contact information) and leave.

Ethical? Probably, since it was a matter of survival. Legal?

Probably not.

Please take note — these are my experience and opinions, not legal or other recommendations or advice.

It all comes down to your bottom line. What reputation do you want to have in the community?

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 additional information, log on to www.TheWriteSourceInc.com.

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The Business Times

July 15-28, 2021

Use it or lose it? Court rules on plans

The Colorado Supreme Court recently issued perhaps the mostawaited employment decision in years. In Nieto v. Clark’s Market, the court ruled that “use it or lose it” vacation policies are illegal under the Colorado Wage Claim Act (CWCA), which requires employers to pay all wages due at the time of termination, including vacation pay “earned and determinable in accordance with the terms of any agreement between the employer and employee.” Consequently, once an employee has “earned” vacation, it can’t be forfeited.

Clark’s Market had an interesting vacation policy stating, “Vacation time is earned during the anniversary year previous to [when] it is taken.”

The policy provided that vacation time did not carry over from year to year. Upon termination, the employee would receive pay for “vacation benefits earned as of your last anniversary date, but not taken by the date of separation.”

Nieto sued Clark’s Market when it didn’t pay her for 136 hours of accrued, but unused, vacation leave when her employment was Dean terminated. The trial court dismissed her case Harris because her vacation pay had not vested — or yet earned. The Colorado Court of Appeals agreed and rejected Nieto’s appeal. The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) responded by passing an emergency rule that equated the terms “accrued” and “earned,” although the CWCA doesn’t define the term “earned.”

The Colorado Supreme Court overturned the Court of Appeals decision. The Supreme Court held that once vacation is earned, it can’t be forfeited. So-called “use it or lose it” vacation policies that take away vacation already accrued but not used within a specific time period violates the CWCA. The Supreme Court held it wasn’t required to give deference to the CDLE interpretation of the CWCA, but adopted the CDLE rationale in holding “any vacation pay Nieto accrued prior to her termination was “for work [she] already performed” and, thus, ‘earned.’”

However, the Supreme Court addressed a narrow issue and left unaddressed some issues on which employers and employment attorneys hoped the court would provide guidance. In one sense, the court kicked the can down the road by equating “accrued” and “earned.” I can already hear the gears turning as employers and employment lawyers ponder vacation plans in which vacation is made available, but does not “accrue.”

A significant issue that was not before the court was how paid time off (PTO) is treated under the CWCA. The Court of Appeals decision left an opening for the Supreme Court to address this issue by citing PTO cases from other states as persuasive authority on whether conditional payment provisions pertaining to vacation pay are enforceable. But the Supreme Court didn’t take the bait — reasonably so, since addressing the PTO issue wasn’t necessary to decide the case before the court.

In recent years, many employers have moved from traditional leave plans that award separate sick and vacation leaves to PTO plans that can be used for a wide variety of absences, including sickness, vacation and personal needs. While an employee may

Once an employee has “earned” vacation time, it can’t be forfeited. use all of their PTO balance for vacation, it’s equally true an employer could use all their PTO balances for sickness or injury and none for vacation. If the employee can use any or all of their PTO balance for vacation, is an employer required to pay all accrued but unused PTO leave upon termination as it must for vacation balances? Or may an employer pay out only a portion of PTO it calculates was awarded for vacation rather than sickness or other personal needs?

Many employers simply take the conservative approach to managing financial risk and pay all earned but unused PTO upon termination, just as they would do if they offered traditional vacation benefits. But on the other end of the spectrum, it’s difficult to imagine a Colorado court would allow an employer to escape all liability for payment of PTO simply by eliminating a vacation plan and renaming it a PTO plan.

In the Nieto ruling, the court reinforced the longstanding rule an employer isn’t obligated to offer vacation at all, and the agreements between employers and employees may address how and when employees earn vacations. An employer with a PTO plan could conceivably state PTO leave is available for vacation, sickness, injury or other personal absences, but explain how the employer allocates PTO for each circumstance. The employer would then pay out upon termination that percentage of amount of leave awarded to allow for vacations. An employer considering this type of plan to reduce unfunded liabilities should contact legal counsel before implementing such a plan since this approach is untested in Colorado.

Whether an employer offers vacation or PTO, the best way to avoid large unfunded liabilities is to never create them in the first place. An employer must pay accrued but unused vacation upon termination, but employers may limit the amount of vacation employees are permitted to accrue and how employees use vacation.

Employers may impose a cap on how much vacation an employee may accrue and restrict employees who hit that cap from accruing more leave until the employee falls below the allowable accrual limit. Where staffing allows, an employer can require employees to use vacation time to draw down balances. This is particularly effective for industries that experience seasonal fluctuations.

Attorneys at the Employers Council are glad to discuss vacation and other leave policies with Employers Council members and help draft effective policies that make financial sense for employers while promoting employee satisfaction.

Dean Harris is an attorney and Western Slope Area Manager for the Employers Council. The Employers Council counsels, represents and trains member employers in all phases of employment relationships. Contact Harris at 852-0190 or dharris@employerscouncil.org.

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July 15-28, 2021

The Business Times

Page 25

Back to school plans should include vaccinations For many, 2020 constituted a trying year of remote working and learning, one forced on the workforce and students because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nearly 18 months later, most people are back in their regular work spaces and most children completed the school year in person. Things are getting back to normal.

While it might feel as though we’re in the celebration phase, we’re actually in the final push before the end of a long race. It’s the hardest part — when you’re tired, but also know you can push through and finish Amanda strong.

Mayle Variants of the COVID-19 virus, most notably the Delta variant, persist in Mesa County. We must continue efforts to slow the spread of this disease so illness levels remain manageable for our health care system.

As we enter the 2021-2022 school year, we can all agree we don’t want a repeat of 2020.

To ensure students stay in the classroom and their parents and guardians keep working with limited distractions, we have to keep pushing forward and protecting our kids as best we can.

Colorado law requires all students attending schools and licensed childcare facilities to be vaccinated against certain diseases unless an exemption is filed.

Children entering child care are required to get the following vaccines: n Hepatitis B. n Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTap). n Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib). n Inactivated poliovirus (IPV).

As we enter the 2021-2022 school year, we can all agree we don’t want a repeat of 2020. To ensure students stay in the classroom and their parents and guardians keep working with limited distractions, we have to keep pushing forward and protecting our kids as best we can.

n Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13) or polysaccharide (PPSV23) n Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR). n Varicella (chickenpox).

Children entering school in kindergarten through 12th grade are required to get the following vaccines: n Hepatitis B. n Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTap). n Inactivated poliovirus (IPV). n Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR). n Varicella (chickenpox). n Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap).

Students age 4 through 6 are required to get their final doses of DTaP, IPV, MMR and varicella prior to kindergarten entry.

Students are required to have Tdap prior to entry into sixth grade, and one dose of Tdap is required for sixth through 12th grades.

The Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) Clinic, located at 510 29 1/2 Road in Grand Junction administers

all required vaccines as well as optional COVID-19 vaccines for students age 12 to 17.

If you aren’t sure which immunizations your child needs, have questions about the safety or effectiveness of vaccines or are behind on required vaccinations, MCPH staff can help.

To make an appointment to talk about back to school vaccines, call 248-6900. Cost is not a barrier. The MCPH clinic serves all residents regardless of ability to pay.

You also can contact your local health care provider for vaccination guidance.

If you don’t want your child to be vaccinated with the required vaccines, parents and guardians must fill out a non-medical exemption form (immunization exemptions for personal beliefs or religious reasons). The COVID-19 vaccine is not required. No exemption is needed.

Exemption forms must be submitted every year in accordance with state law. Those with a medical exemption need submit an exemption form only once. Medical and non-medical exemption forms are available on the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment website. MCPH staff members can’t sign non-medical exemption forms.

Immunizations protect you and our community.

Certain populations — including very young children and those with underlying medical conditions — can’t receive immunizations. Consequently, it’s important the people around them are immunized.

Amanda Mayle is communication and marketing manager for Mesa County Public Health. Connect with Mesa County Public Health on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MesaCountyPublicHealth or on Twitter @MC_PublicHealth.

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Contributors Opinion Bold predictions for 2015 The lost art of the followup question A new sir, year affords Please may I have more Business Briefs like not-so-bold repeats more news releases? a new opportunity Business People Almanac to meet local needs THE he BUSINESS usiness T T Times IMES

PAGE age 26 22

It’s time to revisit a favorite subject of mine: news releases.

More specifically, it’s time to beg again for local news releases and the opportunity they afford to share more information with readers. I swear, there are occasions when I feel like less like a newspaper editor and more like the orphan Oliver TwistAinnew the eponymous by brings CharlesanDicken.

Pleasefor sir, aI want more. year almostbook always opportunity fresh some start and Not thebetter. hundreds of news releases that fill my email renewed ambition to do things every day fromtosources across the nation andproducts frequently In business, thatinbox usually boils down providing customers better around the world.

Rather, I’m talking news releases and services faster and at lower cost than competitors.

Partabout of the process must from businesses right here in the Valley include listening to customers to determine what theyGrand actually needand andWestern then Colorado. meeting that need. After all, it does little good to offer the latest and greatest if Frequent nobody actually wants what you’rereaders selling.will no doubt recall my past pleas. It’s a sore subject.

What topic to Junction the forefront Just like the businesses that belongbrings to the this group, theback Grand Areawas a news releasestarts I received about California company thatof Chamber of Commerce invariably out the newayear with a reassessment distributes news releases. ironic,with isn’tmembers it? the services and resources it provides and howSomewhat well they match The company an onlineboard platform for entrepreneurs needs. Jeff Franklin, the new chairmanprovides of the chamber of directors, and businesses to write and releases what personifies this approach in describing what hesend considers hisfor role forare thetermed coming Phil Castle affordable rates.

The company also provides information to a year: listen to members, determine their needs and then meet those needs. It’s businesses aboutas who openspresident their news role with which Franklin is familiar market ofreleases.

Bank of Colorado.

Let me makewill something I have nothingapproach against companies make The process take onclear: a more structured in what thethat chamber it theirasbusiness to distribute releases. consider myself to blesssed, in fact, to the plans the resumption of a news program aptly Icalled Listening Business.

Under work with marketing firms that send me news releases.

It’s a privilege to work with program, business owners participate in in-depth interviews to identify barriers to professionals who realize the value of sharing news about their clients with the local growth and other problems they encounter. business anything, I encourage them send me more The journal. new yearIfoffers a good time to join thetoproverbial club.news releases.

Now, me get to point: Thedo Business Times news releases As an let advertiser or the reader, what you need fromwelcomes the Business Times? aboutWhile local business businesses and business people.

Thatand includes releasesnews aboutto journals traditionally gather reportnews the relevant changes in products or services, expansions, new hires and promotions.

There’s readers, communication isn’t necessarily a one-way street. That’s especially true as neversites a charge to include in the print or online editions. Never.

Web and e-mail makethis theinformation dialogue more convenient than ever.

Many publications of the local news in sections titled — of Good don’t releases exist in aI receive vacuum.appear They respond to the needs appropriately —They Business Briefs andneeded.

Business People. But some of those advertisers andenough readers. provide what’s newsSo releases also to longer news stories and some of those become features what do youlead need? promoted with cover photographs.

Is there additional news coverage that would help keep you informed about I want more news features releases,that andwould it’s a simple one: I want localThere’s businessa reason developments?

Are there be interesting or to share more news.

The more the merrier.

I’d bejobs delighted I had to expand the useful?

Is there advice that would make your a little if easier?

Business Briefs important and Business People to need. accomodate more news.

It’s equally to ask whatsections you don’t With limited time to I’d welcome the problem of finding sufficient space in the paper to shoehorn in be produce content and limited space in which to publish it, would time and space one more good story. better devoted to something else?

In a perfect universe, I’d enjoy unlimited to report news, to talk What’s good?

What isn’t?

What’s needed?resources What isn’t? withLet more owners their operations.

Unfortunately, that’sTimes an Web us business know. Send us anabout e-mail.

Comment online on the Business economic impossibility for even theYou largest Alternatively, I have site at www.thebusinesstimes.com. couldpublications. even write an old-fashioned lettertoto rely on businesses to contact me to share their news — and that most often the editor if you’d like. Your feedback, both positive and negative, is valued takes and the of the news release. willform be carefully considered.

It’s simple.

Cover the — the who, what, and whybut — and Good publications are basics the result of not only the when, effortswhere of their staffs, also send me an email. a news release through the Business Times website. collaborative effortsSubmit involving advertisers and readers.

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

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

THE BUSINESS TIMES

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

Publisher/Owner: Craig R. Hall

Editor: Phil Castle

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

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

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

Is it just me, or have members of the mainstream media — read Democratic party spokespeople — become mouthpieces spouting talking word for word as It’s that timepoints of year when they’re told?and prognostications abound. resolutions I know we all applied to New Year’s My favorite saying know MSMisleans resolutions in saying they’re basically a well thepromises left, but to it’sbreak the first week bunchtoof become the And Mortimer of January. while I won’t predict a Snerd Charlie whole to lot,the I can pretty much accurately McCarthy Democrats. nail a few things that without question Iwill didn’t saythe Edgar make news. You will see these are Bergen, because were pretty, well, predictable: not sure just who’sone: ■ Prediction pulling the be strings There will someof these sort ofdummies. weather event, Craig Hall Let’s start inorthe natural disaster tropical turned heinous paradise occurrence gulag 1960will we all know as Cuba. On whereabout someone the same day thousands, be interviewed and say if not hundreds of thousands, marched the following: “I’vein the streets across the island shouting their desire for freedom, let’s never seen anything have a looksie like that in myat ol’ Mort and Chaz.

The Biden declared it was lifetime.”

It’s asbrain-deads if this aperson rally for of vaccinesCraig and the Hall U.S. is alack required needed help ASAP, (Wait, I thought attendeetoatsend every news Cuba had event. the greatest medicinemost reporting Whilesocial I understand program on the planet) Miss people’s perspective canaccording indeed betolimited Circleback.

The podium princess on by, or contained within, their ownwent personal to state Cubans their experiences, it iswere too exercising much to ask to right to protest the government.

These claims consult some historical perspective before were reported and then some. can sayingdutifully such a thing?

Yes, this response To double down on theBut lie of the day, the apply to some events. when it comes Basement useddisasters, a high-ranking to weatherRegime and natural I’m pretty official as the State repeating Department’s sure thisknown is simply history itself. acting assistant secretary forand the millions Bureau of Same as it has for millions of Western Hemisphere Affairs (the what?) years. More important, the planet made it! who are exercising their Whatstated, didn’t“Cubans were certain species. How’s right to peaceful assembly to express that for perspective? concern about rising COVID ■ Prediction two: When itcases/deaths comes to a and medicine shortages.” crime or something that occurs between Tripling downrequired later wasattendee President humans, the other at all Hairy Legs, butevents with aisstunning admission. news reporting the person who The was against thethe Communist says protest this: “They we’re just nicest regime of Cuba suffered people, the andpeople in no way did Ihave see something under since leftist Exactly. t-shirt hero like this coming.”

No Che one and does Premier Trudeau’s (notitthe new to one, the most of the time when comes old one) wife’s baby daddy took overshould neighbors and acquaintances.

People and started their murderous Oh,to be surprised at what goes onregime. from time Cubans also have no right to towns protest.and time in their neighborhoods, all ofthey thisknow misinformation (hello,are with Yet people because people fact-checkers?) could havethat been avoided good. And for the times they shouldn’t if few simple have repeat been beashocked — questions like with would politicians, asked regarding what all — of us were seeing offenders and terrorists where’s the with our own about, “Why are interview thateyes. says,How “This doesn’t surprise they American flags and yelling for me inwaving the least.” freedom?”

Or perhaps to Something the New York Times, ■ Prediction three: good “Why are you calling shoutsand forthe freedom will happen economically, ‘anti-government slogans’?”

Or, it.

“Don’t the government will take credit for The most banners reading is ‘anti-communist’ tell people you recent example gas prices, where this might beIabout Or for ask me why won’tsomething credit the else?” president perhaps reports fromismyriad low gas Google prices. My answer simple:sources from all over never South makes Floridathe from newspeople Government price of with direct connections Cuba? takes Oh, Cubans something go down andtosimply credit also havenews. no right to pricing protest. is subject to for good Gas goingfactors. with just lazy.there Plus,are those pesky manyI’m global Now questions takeanswers away access to the puppeteer. government to addressing some of we have thefor “onAmericans, the lam themNationally, to keep prices stable legislators” from Texas sneaking to prevent but our government has none ofout them in election security voted on inin what place. The only laws thingsbeing it has in place the

July 15-28, 15-28, 2015 2021 JANUARY

some might describe as a filibuster without the fililbustering. Only to fly to Washington, D.C. to be heralded by Democrats and joining them in seeking to end the filibuster long run always hurt consumers.

Another so could shove through factDemocrats is that unemployment reachesbad a certain election law.on Mortimer was onAnd the bandwagon level based the economy. while the championing these brave souls. government might brag the number is low, Not that wouldthe have mattered. But it’s more thanitlikely government did did anyone to in the press ask what something cause thateven number beingthe low Texas state that’s such a threat — andelection not in alaws good way.

Conversely, when to voting?picks I know get thethe stock answer business up,they’d it’s because people of, laws are racist prevent who“Well, need these to buy widgets whoand were not people voting.”

Yet,the more people voted buyingfrom widgets because economy was in the last election millions new contracting due toby natural (or and unnatural, laws ask simply to prove you’re you in we a government caused) reasons, decided way cansome verify.

That brings me to my betterwebuy widgets.

The government next question.to“Why is anyone had nothing do with this. against that since■election integrity allow with for no Prediction four:would In keeping challenges as to who won?” the easiest things the government does,And I predict the question: “Where in the hell were your masks government will manipulate the numbers to on your to Washington?” make theprivate claimflight the economy is getting going with there were noworking questionsto betterI’m because of how hard it is because want to report the answers. help all they of usdon’t “working Americans.”

Now Let’s take IDyou onealways step further you might say, voter “Craig, say this with and his you under the aboutPresident PresidentBasement Obama because don’t portico, arms-crossed, like him.”

You’re right waiting-in-the-wings in a sense. I don’t successor.

According to our president, know the man, but what I know of him and minorities don’t know how tohim get on his thinking, I don’t like it or onethe iota.

Internet to get According to President Before you goan off,ID. however, I didn’t like of Vice Harris, arebailouts, no copy stimulus shops in President Bushthere and his the to copythe one’s (Oh, so andheartland his abandoning freeID market to they save do them because thehave free market.

And I you don’tknow, knowyou himneed one forWhat literally prove you’re either. theeverything) governmenttodoes, and the you onlyalong thing with it canyour do, ballot. is hurt the economy.

Yetitnot onenothing question “You need Unless does or like, put criminals in an ID everything in life, including jailfor instead of partnering with them,attending nothing athe bad teleprompter butchering the Icelook government does will help.by Always Cream people have them, no?” says at it thisMan, way,so whatever the government Or about, “Just about everyone theit it ishow doing, whatever the name of theinlaw country hasora computer, printer phone is passing, whatever the nameororcell goal of that can scan or create an image to of the their ID, the bureaucracy it is presenting one doesn’t need Office to Max now, people, expect theaccess polar to opposite occur. do they?”

Orwhat the easiest: “Whyisdo you find I guess I’m saying that minorities everyday people so incapable perhaps it’sand time to get out of our own of the simplest tasks in life?”of history perspective.

There’s plenty Instead, intrepid, insulated books and historical research mouthpieces out there to nod with begin to understanding. understand thatWe allunderstand of this haswhy.

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So doway. we. our would lives. And not in a good Craig Craig Hall Hall isis owner ownerand andpublisher publisherofofthe the Business Business Times.

Times. Reach Reachhim himatat424-5133 424-5133or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com. or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com.

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The Business Times

July 15-28, 2021

Page 27

administration policies Real pain of inflation Biden threaten to restrain recovery felt in the pocketbook

“If you want to get someone’s attention, hit them in their pocketbook.”

This saying has been around a long time, but the truth becomes blatantly obvious as gas prices rise between fillups, groceries cost more each time they’re purchased and utilities and housing costs skyrocket.

Inflation receives the bulk of the blame, but exactly what does that mean?

As it pertains to economics, inflation is defined as a general increase in prices accompanied by a decrease in the purchasing power of money. The rate of inflation is commonly measured by the Consumer Price Index.

This rate is computed by taking a weighted average of price increases in the products a typical consumer purchases.

The products are weighted because consumers buy some items in larger quantities, affecting them more than items bought in smaller quantities. The CPI also takes into Phyllis consideration the price of a product. A 10 percent increase in Hunsinger the price of a car exerts a much bigger effect than a 10 percent increase in the cost of a candy bar.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics includes the following categories in its representative consumer products: housing (41 percent), transportation (17 percent), food and beverages (16 percent), medical care (6 percent), recreation (6 percent), apparel (4 percent) and other (4 percent).

The principle of supply and demand applies to inflation. If the money supply increases by a larger percentage than production, prices rise.

Inflation exerts a negative effect on all consumers. The effects on lower income earners are magnified, however, Since these earners pay a larger proportion of their incomes for daily living expenses, health care and education, inflation makes it even more difficult for these earners to afford necessities.

Savings suffer because money saved for future use will have less value.

Investments aren’t as attractive when inflation rises because any profit anticipated must factor in the added cost of inflation. A decrease in investing harms the wealth of the nation. Inflation harms the economy.

The government is culpable. The government spends money it doesn’t have. The government has no way to acquire money unless it confiscates it from citizens through taxation or prints money. The government has been printing a lot of money lately and promises to raise taxes as well.

Inflation is a boon to the government because the government has borrowed huge numbers of dollars it will pay back with devalued dollars. Inflation also raises nominal wages and pushes people into higher tax brackets, resulting in more tax dollars for the government. The main beneficiary of inflation is the government.

Despite inflation being useful to governments, history is replete with examples of excessive inflation in which currency becomes worthless. Economies tend to break down whenever this happens.

The Federal Reserve seeks to control inflation by influencing interest rates.

When inflation is high, the Federal Reserve raises interest rates to slow the economy and bring down the rate of inflation. If inflation is low, the Federal Reserve lowers interest rates to stimulate the economy and raise the inflation rate.

The work of the Federal Reserve is not an exact science.

As the government continues to spend money it doesn’t have, the value of the money consumers spend will continue to decrease in value through inflation.

The pain has just begun.

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. For more information, visit www.free-dom.us.com.

A former teacher, principal and superintendent, Hunsinger wrote “Down and Dirty: A ‘How To’ Math Book” Contact her by email at phyllis@free-dom.us.com.

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

Americans are a resilient bunch — including entrepreneurs and their employees and investors.

According to the latest numbers reported by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, gross domestic product growth accelerated in the first quarter as the climb out of the deep economic hole dug during the COVID-19 Raymond pandemic continues.

Keating Yet, President Joe Biden serves up a series of policy measures that will only serve to restrain the recovery.

GDP, the broad measure of goods and services produced in the country, grew at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.4 percent in the first quarter. That was faster than the 4.3 percent growth rate in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Even after a 33.4 percent jump in the third quarter of 2020, the massive declines in the first two quarters mean GDP remains below pre-pandemic levels.

For the first quarter of 2021, personal consumption expenditures rose 10.7 percent as a result of business reopenings and government aid. Looking ahead, it’s critical consumer spending is rooted in expanding business investment and jobs, not assorted government aid programs. Government aid amounts to redistributing resources — with real costs now and in the future — and not wealth creation.

While gross private domestic investment declined 5 percent in the first quarter, that largely was about a transient drop in retail inventories. Nonresidential investments increased 16.7 percent for equipment and 10.1 percent for intellectual property products. Residential investment grew 10.8 percent, a reflection of the hot housing market.

Unfortunately, the recovery in trade stalled. Real exports declined 1.1 percent in the first quarter. Growth in imports continued for the third consecutive quarter, but at a slower pace than the previous two quarters.

It’s important to note where key areas of GDP stand compared to the pre-pandemic fourth quarter of 2019.

As of the first quarter 2021, real business investment, residential investment, exports and imports rebounded to higher levels than the fourth quarter of 2019. In terms of the private sector, only personal consumption expenditures in the first quarter 2021 were below the fourth quarter 2019 level.

If strong growth continues, overall GDP could fully recover by mid-2021 with the economy then shifting to an expansion mode. Of course, that would still leave a considerable amount of lost growth in the economy to make up for, and much work would remain in terms of

job creation, which is a lagging measure.

The need to foster the best possible environment in which the entrepreneurship and private investment that drive economic, income and employment growth can flourish should be apparent to all. Unfortunately, President Biden’s policy push would restrain or even derail recovery. Growth would be undermined by plans to: n Increase personal income taxes on upper-income earners. n Increase capital gains taxes. n Increase corporate income taxes. n Expand the regulatory burdens of the federal government. n Vastly expand federal spending in a variety of arenas — trillions of dollars in new spending on top of trillions of dollars already being spent. n Engage the federal government in industrial policy.

President Biden is trying to ride the wave of vaccines working to stop this pandemic and the economy reopening to impose a breathtaking expansion of government seemingly in all corners of life. But Biden can’t repeal the laws of economics.

A vast expansion of government means draining resources away from more productive enterprises and endeavors in the private sector. Whether financed by more debt or taxes, more government spending crowds out the private sector. Higher taxes reduce incentives and resources for starting up, expanding and investing in businesses.

That, in turns, means further restraint on innovation, productivity, income and job growth. For good measure, elected officials and their appointees don’t possess the knowledge or incentives to guide or direct investment and industries.

The Biden administration also is absent in unwinding the protectionism of the Trump years and returning the U.S. to a leadership role in advancing free trade.

As almost any small business owner will tell you, the regulatory costs of government are just as real and burdensome as taxes. Gearing up the federal regulatory machine means inflicting serious harm on businesses of all types and sizes.

The tax, spending and regulatory policies emerging from the Biden administration are anti-growth. Let’s hope Congress possesses the wisdom to say “no” to such misguided measures and instead focuses on reducing government burdens on the true sources of growth — entrepreneurship and investment.

Raymond Keating is chief economist for the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council. The nonpartisan, nonprofit advocacy, education and research organization works to protect small business and promote entrepreneurship.

For additional information, log on to the website at www.sbecouncil.org.

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n FAMILY HEALTH WEST SCHEDULES FREE PHYSICALS FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Family Health West in Fruita has scheduled a clinic offering free physicals for high school athletes.

The clinic is set for 4 to 6 p.m. July 21 and 22 in the physical therapy gym at Colorado Canyons Hospital and Medical Center at 300 W. Ottley Ave. Western Valley Family Practice will join with the hospital and physical therapy department to present the clinic.

Students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to complete physicals. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, only one parent or guardian may accompany each student. Everyone must wear masks.

Students also may obtain COVID-19 vaccinations during the clinic. Students must bring insurance cards and photo identifications to obtain vaccinations, although they will be provided at no charge.

In addition, parents of participating students can indicate their interest in concussion analysis and knee injury prevention screenings.

To register online, visit FHWcare.org/sports. n EQUINE ASSISTED LEARNING CENTER PURCHASES MOON FARM IN FRUITA The Grand Valley Equine Assisted Learning Center has purchased the Moon Farm in Fruita.

The center provides a range of horse-based therapies to promote healing, growth and learning in clients of all ages.

Moon Farm remains open for family visits, although hours could change to accomodate clients and their privacy. Two vacation rentals will continue to be rented.

The Grand Valley Equine Assisted Learning Center plans to make improvements to the facility at 1860 18 1/2 Road, including a new barn and indoor arena.

For additional information about the center and its services, visit www.gvequineassistedlearningcenter.org.

SHARE YOUR NEWS

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

n PROSTAR ENGAGES FIRMS TO PROVIDE MARKETING AND MARKET-MAKING SERVICES ProStar has retained Hybrid Financial and Integral Wealth Securities to provide marketing and market-making services.

ProStar, a mobile mapping software company headquartered in Grand Junction, is listed on the Frankfurt and Toronto stock exchanges.

“The Hybrid engagement adds valuable marketing and communications capabilities Page Tucker to our investment community strategy,” said Page Tucker, chief executive officer of ProStar. “With our recent announcement of our listing on the DTC, the engagement with Hybrid also also provide us with tremendous exposure to U.S. investors.”

Hybrid Financial connects clients to the investment community in the United States and Canada. ProStar engaged the company for an initial term of six months at a monthly fee of $15,000.

Integral Wealth Securities will trade shares of ProStar on the Toronto exchange to maintain an orderly market and improve the liquidity of those shares. ProStar engaged the company for an initial term of six months at a monthly fee of $6,000.

ProStar provides mobile and cloud precision mapping software designed to locate, map and manage underground utilities and pipelines as well as roads, railways and other infrastructure.

For more information, visit www.prostarcorp.com.

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At Freddy’s, key lime pie concrete back on the menu Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has brought back its key lime pie concrete.

The menu item will be available at restaurants through late August or while supplies last.

The key lime pie concrete combines frozen vanilla custard with a slice of key lime pie and is topped with whipped cream and graham cracker crumbs.

“The key lime pie concrete is a perfect blend of cool and tangy that makes for a tasty summer treat,” said Scott Redler, cofounder and chief operating officer of Freddy’s. “We hope guests of all ages will enjoy this seasonal favorite.”

Founded in 2002 in Wichita, Kan., Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has grown to a total of more than 400 locations in 32 states.

In Grand Junction, restaurants are located at 737 Horizon Drive and 2489 U.S. Highway 6 & 50.

For more information, visit the website at www.freddysusa.com.

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Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has brought back its key lime pie concrete. (Photo courtesy Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers)

July 15-28, 2021

NOTEWORTHY

A-1 Collection Agency in Grand Junction has been selected as one of the best places to work in collections.

A-1 Collection Agency is a subsidiary of Healthcare Management, a Grand Junctionbased company that provides billing and Angelina Salazar collection services for community and rural hospitals, large health systems, physician groups and skilled nursing facilities.

“We are thrilled to be selected for this award,” said Angelina Salazar, chief executive officer of Healthcare Management. “The A-1 Collection Agency team demonstrates compassionate care to our customers and clients. Our leadership team knows that it all starts with our employees and how we care for them.”

InsideARM, a news and information provider for the collections industry, established the survey and awards program.

Best Companies Group, which conducts more than 60 best places programs a year, administers the program.

The two-part process includes evaluations of nominated companies’ demographics, philosophies, practices and systems followed by surveys to assess employee experiences. Combined scores determine rankings. This year, 56 companies met the standards for selection.

A-1 Collection Agency ranked 14th among small companies with 15 to 49 employees.

A total of 21 rural hospitals and health care organizatons in Colorado and Utah own and manage Healthcare Management. For more information, visit the website at https://www.hcmcolorado.com.

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n ORGANIZATION FIRM ANNOUNCES OPENING OF GRAND JUNCTION FRANCHISE

Alyson Rhoads and Erica Zajaczkowski have opened a 2B Organized franchise in Grand Junction.

Rhoads and Zajaczkowski offer assistance in organizing professional and personal spaces to help their clients enjoy more functional and stress-free lives.

Rhoads and Zajaczkowski bring to the venture 15 years of experience Alyson Rhoads as a hair stylist and graphic artist, respectively.

2B Organized provides services to organize everything from offices to attics, bedrooms and garages. Services also include move management, senior transitions and downsizing, home styling and event planning.

Founded in Missouri, 2B Organized franchises also are located in Arkansas, California, Nebraska and Erica Zajaczkowski Texas. The franchise in Grand Junction is the first for the firm in Colorado.

For more information about 2B Organized in Grand Junction, email westernco@2b-organized.com or visit the website at https://2b-organized.com/western-colorado. n VECTRA BANK EXECUTIVE RECEIVES TREASURY PROFESSONAL DESIGNATION Laura Smith, a vice president and treasury management sales consultant with Vectra Bank Colorado in Grand Junction, has received the Certified Treasury Professional designation.

The Association for Financial Professionals launched the certification program in 1986 to define standards in the corporate treasury and cash management Laura Smith profession.

The organization of finance executives confers the designation to recognize treasury and cash management professionals who demonstrate the knowledge and skills required of their duties.

In addition to passing a certfication exam and meeting education and experience requirements, those awarded the CTP designation must complete a minimum of 36 hours of continuing professional education in corporate treasury, finance or accounting every three years to remain certified.

Smith serves as a treasury management officer supporting Vectra Bank Colorado operations in the Grand Valley as well as in the Four Corners, Roaring Fork Valley and Steamboat Springs markets.

Part of the Zions Bancorporation, Vectra Bank serves small, middle market and corporate business clients at 35 locations throughout Colorado. In Grand Junction, the bank operates locations at 499 28 1/4 Road and 2394 Patterson Road. For additional information, visit the website located at www.vectrabank.com.

The Business Times

SHARE YOUR NEWS The Business Times welcomes submissions for free publication in Business People and the Almanac calendar of events. Email submissions to phil@thebusinesstimes.com or submit a news release online at www.thebusinesstimes.com. n GRAND JUNCTION REAL ESTATE FIRM HONORS BEST-SELLING AGENTS FOR JUNE Toni Heiden-Moran and Kathy Tompkins were honored as the bestselling agents for June at Weichert, Realtors-Heiden Homes Realty in Grand Junction.

Heiden-Moran posted the highest dollar volume in sales. Tomkins posted the most closed transactions for the month.

Heiden-Moran, the owner and Toni Heiden-Moran managing broker of the firm, has worked in the Western Colorado real estate market for 43 years. She holds emeritus status from the National Associatio of Realtors.

In addition to her work as a real estate agent, Tompkins previously owned a heavy eqipment construction company and mobile home supply business.

Weichert, Realtors-Heiden Homes Kathy Tompkins Realty operates offices at 735 Rood Ave. For additional information, including properties for sale and rent, visit www.heidenhomes.com or call 245-7777. n COLDWELL BANKER AGENTS AND TEAMS MAKE LIST OF TOP REAL ESTATE PROS Agents and teams with Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties based in Grand Junction were among those recognized by RealTrends and Tom Ferry International in a list of the top 1.5 percent of real estate professionals in the United States. The listing is based on 2020 sales.

“To be ranked among the best real Ryan Brown estate professionals in the nation is an incredible honor and a testament to these agents’ dedication of providing exceptional service to their clients,” said Ryan Brown, president of Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties. “We’re proud to recognize these agents and their huge amount of effort that went towards this achievement.”

In Colorado, Jim Jennings and Erik Fallenius in Telluride made the list. So did Team Yazbeck in Steamboat Springs and the Summit Mountain Group in Summit County.

Coldwell Banker operates offices in Colorado as well as Idaho and Montana. For more information, visit the website at www.cbcdistinctive.com.

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July 15-28, 2021

July 15 n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Welcome Thursday Friends networking lunch, noon, Fiesta Guadalajara, 103 U.S. Highway 50. https://fruitachamber.org or 858-3894 July 20 n Business startup workshop, 9 to 11:30 a.m., Business Incubator Center, 2591 Legacy Way, Grand Junction. Admission $55. 243-5242 or https://gjincubator.org n Networking at Noon free gathering for members of the Fruita and Palisade chambers of commerce, noon July 20 and 27, KAFM Radio Room, 1310 Ute Ave., Grand Junction. Email reservations required. membership@fruitachamber.org July 21 n Palisade Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Spun, 237 S Bower Ave. Admission $6. Registraton required. 464-7458 or www.palisadecoc.com July 22 n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Welcome Thursday Friends networking lunch, noon, Suds Brothers Brewery, 127 E Aspen Ave., https://fruitachamber.org or 858-3894 July 28 n Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce presentation about the benefits of membership, noon to 1 p.m., chamber offices, 360 Grand Ave. and online on Zoom. http://gjchamber.org or 242-3214 Upcoming n Mid-summer job fair, 9 a.m. to noon July 29, Mesa County Workforce Center, 512 29 1/2 Road, Grand Junction. 248-7560 n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Welcome Thursday Friends networking lunch, noon July 29, Karma Kitchen, 229 E. Aspen Ave., 858-3894 or https://fruitachamber.org n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce annual banquet, 5:30 to 10 p.m. July 31, Fruita Community Center, 324 N. Coulson St. Individual tickets sell for $50 for chamber members. Sponsored tables for eight sell for $500. https://fruitachamber.org or 858-3894 n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Women in Business networking lunch, noon to 1 p.m. Aug. 5, JXN Station co-working space, 575 21 Road, Grand Junction. Participants should bring a soup, salad or side dish to share. https://fruitachamber.org or 858-3894 n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce business after hours event, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Aug. 12, Imondi Wake Zone, 1583 Cipolla Road. Admission $5 for chamber members, $10 for others. 858-3894 or https://fruitachamber.org n Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce health care summit, 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 20, DoubleTree by Hilton, 743 Horizon Drive.

Admission $55. http://gjchamber.org or 242-3214 F

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