The Business Times Volume 30 Issue 17

In this issue

n Life is great

After working 20 years as a coach and consultant, life is great for Marcus Straub and his Grand Junction firm.

n Lagging behind

Commercial real estate sales in Mesa County continue to lag as a result of higher interest rates and inflationary pressures.

n Disaster loans

Applications are available for disaster loans for small businesses hurt by a road closure in Western Colorado.

n Value ranking

2 4 8

Colorado Mesa University ranks fifth among 10 Colorado institutions ranked in a comparison of best values.

n Holding pattern

Mesa County real estate activity remains in a holding pattern dictated by higher interest rates and lower inventories.

n Constant change

The only constant with Colorado employment law is change, and more is coming in late 2023 and early 2024.

n Departments

Poised for Adventure

Childcare center expected to provide benefits

page 2

Tawny Espinoza, left, chief development officer at Community Hospital, and Jennifer Knott, operator of Adventure Academy, expect a newly constructed early childhood education center will soon open on the hospital campus in Grand Junction. The 7,500-square-foot center is licensed to offer child care services to a total of 113 children ages 6 weeks to 6 years.

Ready for an Adventure

Newly constructed center expected to bring services to Community Hospital employees as well as help address child care shortage

Business Briefs Business People Almanac

Jennifer Knott and Tawny Espinoza lead an impromptu tour through the Adventure Academy. As they point out the features of the new Grand Junction facility, construction crews complete finishing touches and teachers set up classrooms.

The only thing missing for now at the early childhood education center is the children. But that’s an adventure of another sort Knott expects to begin within a couple of weeks.

Knott, the operator of Adventure Academy, and Espinoza, chief development officer at Community Hospital, can barely wait for the benefits they expect the facility and partnership between the hospital and center staff to provide. That includes child care services for employees at the nearby hospital as well as the role the center will play in addressing a child care shortage in Mesa County. That also includes the related contributions to economic development in creating 25 additional jobs and offering yet another attraction to health care professionals and others considering a move to the Grand Valley.

GRAND OPENING SET

A public open house is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 16 as part of a grand opening celebration for the Adventure Academy in Grand Junction. The early childhood education center is located at 2373 Adventure Lane south of Community Hospital. For more information about the center, visit the website at https://adventureacademygj.com.

investment in hospital employees as well as the local workforce. “It’s understanding the entirety of the workforce and their needs.”

Tawny

chief development officer at Community Hospital, and Jennifer Knott, operator of Adventure Academy, expect a newly constructed early childhood education center will soon open on the hospital campus in Grand Junction. The 7,500-square-foot center is licensed to offer child care services to a total of 113 children ages 6 weeks to 6 years.

“It just benefits so many aspects of the community,” Knott says. “It’s just a win-win.”

Espinoza says the center represents an

STORY AND PHOTO BY PHIL CASTLE

After 20 years in business, life great for

Phil Castle

The Business Times

After working 20 years as a coach and consultant, life remains great for Marcus Straub.

He enjoys a growing base of clients and increasing sales while also expanding services. He’s won awards and other recognition. More important to Straub, he helps other business owners and their ventures succeed.

And so his reaction to the 20th anniversary of launching his Grand Junction firm is understandable. “I have a lot of joy. I have a lot of gratitude. There’s also a feeling of triumph.”

Straub is founder and chief executive officer of Life is Great Coaching and Consulting. He offers a range of services to business owners, companies, teams and organizations. Assessments, trainings and leadership

Chris Thomas, president and chief executive officer of Community Hospital, agreed. “We are thrilled to see this project come to fruition,” Thomas states in a news release. “High quality, affordable child care is essential to the well-being of our community, and Community Hospital is proud to champion this effort. We know that a lack of available child care impacts child care, and we are honored to be a part of the solution to help minimize the lack of available child care in Mesa County.”

See ADVENTURE page 18

coach and consultant

he worked on computers to make money to a job in which he works with people to make a difference.

He closed his business as a financial advisor and worked four seasons as a professional whitewater raft guide. While guiding on one five-day trip, he got to know a woman riding in his boat. At the end of the trip, he says she gave him a hug and asked him why he wasn’t helping people.

development assist businesses with nearly every aspect of operations. Specific services address what he considers such key issues as communication and customer service. He also tailors services to individuals whether they seek professional or personal improvement.

Straub says he learns as much from his clients as they learn from him. “Every client I meet teaches me something. I want the knowledge to help people.”

Straub still remembers the day he filed the incorporation papers for his business with the Colorado Secretary of State’s office. That day followed a chain of events and what he says was a change from a job in which

He says he discovered at the moment his purpose in life. “I realized I was here to help people.”

Straub launched Life is Great, but also worked as a yoga instructor. He says he connected with some of his first clients through the studio.

Within a couple of years, though, Straub says his clientele and revenue grew. While he continues to work with clients in the Grand Valley and Western Colorado, he says computer technology enables him to also work with clients across the United States and around the world.

He was nominated three times for International Coach of the Year and in 2011 won the award. See GREAT page 16

Espinoza, left,

Marcus Straub

For Marcus Straub’s latest advice about striking a balance between life and work, see his column on page 22.

Commercial real estate lagging in Mesa County

Phil Castle

The Business Times

Commercial real estates sales in Mesa County continue to lag behind last year in part because of inflation and higher interest rates and in part because 2022 was a comparably strong year.

“Inflation and interest rates definitely have an impact. We’re taking a natural step backwards,” said Brian Bray, managing broker of Bray Commercial based in Grand Junction.

According to the stats Bray Commercial tracks, commercial transactions during the first half of 2023 declined 40 percent compared to the first half of 2022. The combined dollar volume of those transactions decreased 30 percent.

The number of transactions and dollar volume in the first of 2022 was more comparable to the first half of 2021, Bray said.

Several large transactions bolstered dollar volume during the second quarter of 2023, including the sales of the Comfort Inn for more than $6 million, 16 acres of vacant land for $4.7 million and a HarleyDavidson and BMW motorcycle dealership for $4.4 million.

Two hotels and two restaurants were among the largest sales during the second quarter, and properties in the hospitality sector remain an attractive proposition, Bray said.

Bray attributed the overall year-overyear decline in commercial estate sales to higher interest rates that have made financing more expensive. “It tells me interest rates do matter.”

Higher material and labor costs also have made new construction more expensive, he said.

Bray doesn’t expect the situation to change much through the remainder of the

year, although inflation has relented a bit. “I think we’ll see a little bit of the same.”

A presidential election in 2024 likely will add to uncertainty, he said.

Bray said he remains upbeat overall, though, because demand remains strong for development and properties that offer value over the long-term.

Investors have liquidity, but they’re chasing investments with the potential to offer higher returns on a long-term basis. “There’s very good long-term prospects for the Grand Valley.”

In the meantime, inventories of commercial properties in Mesa County remain low with the exception of office buildings. The office sector continues to lag nationally, but wasn’t overbuilt in Mesa County, he said.

Inventories are especially low in the industrial sector, he said,

The multifamily housing sector has surged in Mesa County with the development and construction of thousands of units. That reflects demand for more affordable housing as well as a “turn key” lifestyle without the responsibilities of home ownership, he said.

Coffee shops and car washes remain popular projects as well, Bray said.

Despite the overall decline in sales activity, commercial development and construction continues in Mesa County, he said. That includes big box retailers. Three so-called big box stores opened in Mesa Mall in Grand Junction in new Dillard’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods and HomeGoods.

Bray said he expects development to continue along the 24 Road corridor in Grand Junction.

The Grand Valley remains poised for growth over the long-term in part because of the lifestyle and outdoor recreation the area offers, he said.

That’s attractive to those developing and purchasing commercial real estate, he said. “There’s still a lot of value to be had in the Grand Valley.”

Business Times

North Ave., Suite 5

Junction, CO 81501 (970) 424-5133

Business Times 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 don’t necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, editor or advertisers.

2023 — All rights reserved

Brian Bray

Higher interest rates slowing sales for now, but long-term prospects remain encouraging

Sales tax collections rise in Mesa County

Sales tax collections continue to trend upward in Mesa County, although not for the retail and some other industry categories.

The county collected nearly $4.2 million in sales taxes in August. That was an increase of 1.9 percent over collections for the same month last year.

August collections reflect July sales.

Through the first eight months of 2023, Mesa County collected almost $32.5 million in sales taxes. That’s a 1.8 percent gain over the same span in 2022.

Mesa County collected another $12.3 million through the first eight month of 2023 it distributed back to cities and towns in the county. Grand Junction received nearly $7.2 million, Fruita more than $2.2 million and Palisade almost $1.6 million. Collbran and DeBeque each received $672,310.

The county collected about $2.4 million in taxes on retail sales in August, a drop of two-tenths of a percent from the same month last year. Collections decreased for automotive and home improvements sales, but increased for five other categories. Collections on the sales of general merchandise, the single biggest category, rose 1.3 percent to nearly $700,000.

Sales tax collections totaled almost $1.8 million for other industries in August, a 5 percent increase over August 2022.

Collections increased 27.4 percent on a year-over-year basis in the wholesale

category and 7.8 percent in the hotel and restaurant category, but fell 11 percent in the manufacturing category and 20.9 percent in the construction category.

Through the first eight months of 2023, Mesa County collected nearly $18.9 million in taxes on retail sales. That was a decline of 1.9 percent from the same span in 2022. Collections increased 3.1 percent on the sales of general merchandise, but decreased 4.5 percent for automobiles and 14.4 percent for home improvements.

The county collected a total of more than $13.6 million in sales taxes in other industries during the first eight months of 2023. That was a 7.3 percent gain over the same span in 2022.

Collections increased 12.6 percent in the wholesale category, 7.6 percent in the construction category and 6.2 percent in the hotel and restaurant category. Collections jumped 62.2 percent in the oil and natural gas category.

Use tax collections — nearly all of it from automobiles purchased outside the county, but used in the county — exceeded $361,000 in August. That’s an increase of 9.1 percent over the same month a year ago.

Through the first eight months of 2023, use tax collections totaled nearly $2.9 million, a gain of seven-tenths of a percent over the same span in 2022.

MESA COUNTY TAX COLLECTIONS

Fruita Fall Fest set for Sept. 22 to 24

An annual fall festival is scheduled to return to Fruita with a variety of events, foods and live music.

The Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce will join with Republic Services and the Fruita Thrift Shop to present the Alpine Bank Fruita Fall Festival on Sept. 22 to 24. The theme for the 108th edition of the festival will be “Paint the Town.”

The Fruita Fall Fest is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. Sept. 22 with the opening of vendor booths. A mural jam competition set for 3 to 10 p.m. will feature 10 artists painting murals

The beer garden is set to open at 5 p.m., while the traditional outhouse races on Aspen Street will begin at 5:30.

Live music on the Civic Center stage will include performances by Tim and Richard and the Hazel Miller Band.

The Fruita Fall Fest is scheduled to continue Sept. 23 starting at 7:30 a.m. with the Lion’s Club pancake breakfast at Circle Park. A 5-kilometer race is set for 8 a.m. at Snooks Bottom. A farmer’s market will open at 8:30 a.m. at Circle Park. Booths will open at 9 a.m.

A parade is set to begin at 10 a.m. The Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce announced Donna Stratton will serve as grand marshal.

Stratton has been an advocate for arts and culture and supported local artists through her help in events in Fruita that help local artists.

Festivities on Sept. 23 also will include a cornhole tournament, baking and canning contest, cupcake eating contest, pet show and beard rally.

An art walk on South Mulberry Street will begin at 4:30 p.m. and feature the works of a variety of local artists.

Music on the Civic Center Stage will include performances by Sam Wayt, Courtney Greiger, Ragged Union, Liver Down the River and Ryan Chrys and the Rough Cuts.

Additional activities on Sept. 24 will include a banana ball tournament starting at 7 a.m. at Little Salt Wash Park and a Fruita Monument High School Cheer golf tournament starting at 8 a.m. at Adobe Creek Golf Course.

Grand Junction park closed as new uses considered

The City of Grand Junction has closed Whitman Park as part of plans to improve the park and use it for special events.

Notices were posted closing Whitman Park to non-reservation use. City staff notified visitors to the park. Officers with Grand Junction Police Department will offer visitors resources and information about housing and local shelters and service providers.

Whitman Park improvements are among the capital priorities for design and development identified in a parks and recreation open space plan. A design process for the park will begin with public input planned for 2024.

Whitman Park was originally known as Maple Park and part of Grand Junction’s original plat from 1881. Maple Park was one of four original parks in Grand Junction and in the late 1800s, the name was changed to City Park. In 1917, the

name was changed again to Whitman Park to honor Marcus Whitman, a missionary who traveled throughout the West.

Whitman Park was used as a community gathering place. Under what is now a 100-year-old tree canopy, live music was performed from a bandstand built in 1899.

The city has plans to reimagine the park and its use for the broader community. While the park remains closed, the city will review ways other cities have reimagined parks in downtown corridors, including fencing the property and only opening the park through a permitting process for such special events as concerts, festivals and parties.

As the city plans for future potential uses of the park, the public will be invited to participate in the process.

Winery hires sales manager to lead efforts on Front Range

Victoria Roberts has been hired to lead wholesale efforts for Grande River Vineyards on Colorado’s Front Range.

“There is so much potential for growth and building our brand,” Roberts said.

“I see good things on the horizon for Grande River Vineyards. The sky’s the limit.”

Richard Tally — co-owner of Ten Acre Winery, the parent company of Grande River Vineyards — said a more concerted effort was needed to get Grande River wines before consumers.

Tally joined his wife, Jean, and daughter, Anne, in purchasing Grand River Vineyards from founder Stephen Smith in June 2021. The Tallys also own the adjacent Colorado Wine Country Inn in Palisade. The boutique hotel and winery combine to offer guests a wine destination.

“Although we retained the Grande River name, we are a brand new, from scratch, startup company,” Richard Tally said. “Consumers need more accessibility to our wines, and Victoria is the right person to get the job done.”

Roberts brings to her latest role experience as owner of a luxury real estate brokerage as well as knowledge of food and wine. She earned a wine expert rating and designation as an International Wine & Spirits Guild executive wine sommelier.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from Yale University and a master’s of business administration degree.

Robert said she recently retired from her former company and was interested to explore a new role involving wine and food.

“Since we hired Victoria as sales manager, we’ve seen dramatic improvements in our wine sales on the Front Range. And she’s just getting started,” Tally said.

In addition to serving existing accounts, Roberts has worked with Republic National Distributing Co. to get Grande River wines stocked on the shelves of Applejacks, Total Wine and other big box stores, Tally said. Roberts has sold five Grande River varietals for a promotion of Colorado wines by the largest grocery store chain in the state.

F

Victoria Roberts

Now

offering enhanced nationwide workers’ compensation insurance

We go where Colorado business grows

Pinnacol was born in Colorado, and we understand that many businesses rooted here expand and flourish across the country. We now offer enhanced nationwide workers’ comp coverage to meet the needs of Colorado’s businesses as they grow.

Grants aid Colorado businesses with export efforts

A state agency will receive $700,000 to help small businesses in Colorado sell their products and services on a global scale.

The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade is among a total of 49 state and territory agencies that will share $20 million in grants from the U.S. Small Business Administration State Trade Expansion Program (STEP).

“For over 10 years, the SBA’s State Trade Expansion Program has been an important federal and state partnership to get funding directly to small businesses seeking to grow their businesses and our economy with international trade opportunities,” said SBA Administrator

Isabella Casillas Guzman. “And with these funds, small businesses can get trade ready, attend trade shows in foreign markets and grow through global e-commerce.”

Frances Padilla, director of the SBA Colorado District, also praised the program.

“Over two-thirds of the world’s purchasing power resides outside the United States. That makes exporting a critical economic driver for Colorado small businesses that are ready to expand their reach into new and increasingly borderless global markets,” Padilla said. “These STEP awards, in addition to SBA’s export loans and U.S. Export Assistance Centers, make sure that small companies

across the state have the tools, resources and relationships they need to take their businesses global.”

Since its creation in 2010 as part of the Small Business Jobs Act, the STEP program has awarded more than $235 million in grants and directly supported the efforts of more than 13,000 small businesses.

In 2022, every $1 in STEP funding yielded $43 in export sales.

STEP awards help entrepreneurs compete globally by offsetting costs incurred by export=related activities, including participating in foreign trade missions, designing international marketing campaigns, participating in export trade show exhibits and attending training workshops.

For more information about the STEP program, visit www.sba.gov/STEP.

Loans available to help businesses affected by closure of Colorado highway

Applications will be accepted through April 25, 2024 for federal disaster loans offering low-interest financing to small businesses affected by a road closure in Western Colorado.

A sinkhole and subsequent damage closed Colorado Highway 133 between Paonia and Somerset from May 2 to June 19.

The U.S. Small Business Administration declared a disaster primarily for Delta and Garfield counties.

But the declaration also makes assistance available in Chaffee, Eagle, Hindsdale, Gunnison, Mesa, Montrose, Ouray, Pitkin, Rio Blanco, Routt and Saguache counties in Colorado as well as Grand and Uintah counties in Utah.

“Small nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small business engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size may qualify for economic injury disaster loans of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses which could have been met had the disaster not occurred,” said Tanya Garfield, director of the SBA disaster field operations center in the west.

“These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact,” Garfield said. “Disaster loans can provide vital economic assistance to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they’re experiencing.”

Eligibility is based on the financial effects of the disaster. Loans offer terms of up to 30 years with an interest rate of 4 percent for small businesses and 2.375 percent for private nonprofit organizations.

More information is available from the Small Business Development Center located at 145 S. Cascade Ave. in Montrose or by contacting Nancy Murphy at (970) 765-3130 or nancy@region10.net. Information and applications are available online by logging on to https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov. Applicants also may call the SBA customer service center at (800) 659-2955.

Isabella GuzmanFrances Padilla

CMU ranked in analysis of best value institutions

Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction ranks fifth among 10 Colorado institutions evaluated in an annual comparison taking into account tuition, scholarships and other factors.

SmartAsset, a financial technology company that offers advice on personal finance decisions, released the results of its ninth annual Best Value Colleges study.

The study compared universities and colleges across the United States, compiling an overall score based on five factors: tuition, student living costs, scholarship and grant offerings, student retention rate and starting salaries for new graduates.

Tuition and living costs — including room and board, books and personal expenses — were used to assess the cost of attending schools. The study took into account the amount of financing backing institutions offered on a per-student basis, retention rates and the median starting salaries of graduates to asses return on investment.

According to the results of the study, CMU ranked fifth among 10 Colorado institutions with a college education value index score of 48.42.

CMU had a tuition of $10,180, with $18,308 in student living costs and an average offering of $7,208 in scholarships and grants. CMU had a student retention rate of 72 percent. CMU grads earned a median starting salary of $51,800.

The CMU tuition was second lowest among the 10 institutions behind only the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. But the average offering of scholarships and grants was lowest.

The Colorado School of Mines in Golden ranked first among the Colorado institutions evaluated in the study with a score of 87.94. Mines grads earned the highest median starting salary of $79,300. Mines had the second highest student retention rate at 91 percent.

Colorado State University in Fort Collins ranked second overall, followed by the University of Colorado at Boulder and Colorado College in Colorado Springs.

Regis University in Denver and the University of Denver ranked sixth and seventh, respectively, followed by the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley and Colorado Christian University based in Lakewood.

Colorado College charged the highest tuition at $65,455, but also had the highest average offering of scholarships and grants at $43,688. Colorado College also posted the highest student retention rate at 96 percent.

Student living costs were deemed highest at the University of Colorado at Boulder at $21,844. Living costs were deemed lowest at Colorado Christian College at $16,118.

Grant to fund substance use treatment

Nearly $500,000 will be awarded to help fund efforts in Mesa County and three neighboring Western Colorado counties to provide substance use disorder treatments in the wake of an opioid crisis.

The grant was among $2.5 million in new funding the Colorado Opioid Abatement Council awarded to local governments.

The Region 13 Opioid Abatement Council received $487,9000. Partnering with St. Mary’s integrated addiction medicine clinic, the grant will support the construction and outfitting of clinic space to treat people with substance use disorder in Mesa County as well as help youth and families in Delta, Garfield and Montrose counties.

“Communities like mine in Mesa County see how the opioid crisis continues to affect people’s lives and livelihoods,” said Mesa County Commissioner Janet Rowland. “I’m proud to work collaboratively with leaders from across Colorado to ensure this money is awarded in a fiscally responsible way that will be impactful for our communities, improve the well-being of our residents and save lives.”

Colorado Opioid Abatement Council, agreed.

“These funds will be put to work by the people who are working tirelessly to combat a crisis that continues to claim people’s lives and tear families and communities apart,” Weiser said. “After securing more than $700 million in settlements from the companies responsible for the crisis and launching a transparent and fair grant making process, we’re excited to see how this money can be put to use by affected communities.”

The Colorado Opioid Abatement Council accepted applications from state agencies, local governments and regional opioid abatement councils as well as combination of those organizations. Grants are intended to help fund capital improvements and provide operational assistance to communities, particular those in underserved areas.

The council was created through an agreement with local governments to oversee the use of opioid settlement funds and ensure the distribution of those funds complies with the terms of the settlements. More information about the council and grants is available online at coag.gov/opioids.

Work continues to inventory and replace lead water lines

Staff with the City of Grand Junction expects to soon complete a plan to replace lead water service lines.

Under rules implemented by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reduce lead in drinking water, water providers must develop an initial lead service line inventory and a lead service line replacement plan. City staff plan to complete a plan by Oct. 16 to submit to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).

Over the last year, city staff have inspected 1,000 service lines and identified 85 lead service lines on the city side of water meters and 47 lead service lines on the customer side of meters. Based on a draft policy issued by the CDPHE, service lines located on an additional 1,000 property parcels must be inspected.

All service lines within the area between First and 19th Streets and North and South Avenues will be inspected based on the older age of the building construction that has the potential for having lead service lines. In addition, a representative number of service lines outside this area with building construction earlier than 1987 will be inspected using the predictive modeling approach stipulated by CDPHE. In 1986, lead pipes were banned in the United States, and plumbing materials were required to meet federal lead-free specifications. Homes built after 1987 don’t have lead pipes or require inspections.

While the city is only responsible for replacing city-owned service lines between the meter and the main, the city will assist customers with replacement of customer-owned water lines between the meter and buildings. The city has purchased specialized equipment that will enable crews to replace service lines. Where applicable, service line replacements will be scheduled in coordination with water main replacements to minimize disruptions.

The city conducts water quality monitoring throughout its distribution system and issues an annual water quality report. Lead is one of the parameters routinely monitored.

According to the 2022 water quality report, the 90th percentile of all the samples collected was 9.5 parts per billion, below the regulatory action level of 15 parts per billion. The city will continue monitoring for lead to meet regulations.

Phil Weiser, Colorado attorney general and chairman of the

Janet RowlandPhil Weiser

Coming to a tight spot near you

Drawing inspiration from insects, CU engineers develop tiny robot

Coming to a tight spot near you: CLARI, the little, squishable robot that can change its shape to squeeze through narrow gaps — with a bit of inspiration from the world of bugs.

CLARI — an acronym for compliant legged articulated robotic insect — comes from a team of engineers at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

The robot has the potential to aid first responders after major disasters — in an entirely new way.

Several of the robots can easily fit into the palm of a hand, and each weighs less than a ping pong ball. CLARI can transform its shape from square to long and slender when its surroundings become cramped, said Heiko Kabutz, a doctoral student in the department of mechanical engineering.

Kabutz and his colleagues introduced the miniature robot in a study recently published in the journal Advanced Intelligent Systems.

Right now, CLARI has four legs. But the machine’s design allows engineers to mix and match its appendages, potentially giving rise to some wild and wriggly robots.

“It has a modular design, which means it’s very easy to customize and add more legs,” Kabutz said. “Eventually, we’d like to build an eight-legged, spider-style robot that could walk over a web.”

In its most basic form, the robot is shaped like a square with one leg along each of its four sides. Depending on how you squeeze CLARI, however, it can become wider, like a crab, or more elongated, like a cockroach.

In all, the robot can morph from about 1.3 inches wide in its square shape to about eight-tenths of an inch wide in its elongated form.

CLARI is still in its infancy, said Kaushik Jayaram, co-author

of the study and an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at CU Boulder.

The robot is tethered to wires, which supply it with power and send it basic commands. But he hopes that one day these petite machines could crawl independently into spaces where no robot has crawled before — like the insides of jet engines or the rubble of collapsed buildings.

“Most robots today basically look like a cube,” Jayaram said. “Why should they all be the same? Animals come in all shapes and sizes.”

Summit planned to support youth in foster care

A Grand Junction conference is expected to support children and youth in the foster care system.

The Mesa County Department of Human Services and an organizing committee have scheduled the Mesa County Community Summit for 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 25 and 8:30 a.m. to noon Sept. 26 at the Colorado Mesa University Center.

The summit will bring together foster and kinship families, social caseworkers, service providers and others involved in foster care to increase communication and collaboration to support children and families. The event is free, but limited to the first 500 who register. A light breakfast and full lunch will be served on Sept. 25.

The summit will feature keynote speaker Gaelin Elmore, a former foster youth and National Football League athlete. Foster parents, caseworkers and others will present nearly 30 breakout sessions.

For more information, call 241-8480 or visit the website at www.humanservices.mesacounty.us/ child-welfare or the website at www.fosteradoptmesacounty.org.

CLARI, a miniature robot designed by engineers at the University of Colorado at Boulder, can change its shape from square to long and slender or wide like a crab. (Photo courtesy Casey Cass, University of Colorado)

Great

Continued from page 2

Straub says one of his favorite memories from his work as a coach and consultant was having his daughter with him in his car when he received the telephone call informing him he’d won the award.

There are countless memories, he says, of the clients he’s helped turn their businesses around and those who’ve improved their personal lives.

His role, he says, is to listen carefully, ask good questions and then provide pertinent information. In the process, he looks for solutions that help business owners, but also help their teams, customers and the community. Businesses can make the money they need to operate, but also make the world a better place, he says.

Straub says one of the most common problems he encounters is ineffective communication. People more often listen with the intent to reply than the intent to understand. In business, ineffective communication results in disgruntled employees, unsatisfied customers and dysfunctional operations.

People can learn how much they unknowingly sabotage their professional and personal relationships by not listening and become more effective communicators. Business owners and managers who learn to communicate with the intention of understanding and model the techniques

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

For more information about Life is Great Coaching and Consulting, call (970) 208-3150, visit www.ligcoaching.com or email marcus@ligcoaching.com.

lead what in turn become thriving teams, he says.

Customer service constitutes another prevalent issue, he says. Businesses that provide exceptional, caring services to customers fare better and engender more loyalty than businesses that don’t. Like effective communication, providing good customer services starts at the top with leaders, he says.

Still other problems arise when business owners and managers are reluctant to let go of what Straub terms the “bad apples” on their teams — employees who might possess the skills and knowledge to do their jobs, but also come to work with bad attitudes.

Financial mismanagement and poor workplace cultures lead to business failures as well, he says.

Help is available, though, Straub says — to not only address problems, but also discover opportunities.

Straub says he’s happy and grateful to have provided businesses and individuals that help over the past 20 years.

Life, he says, remains great.

Colorado Lottery reports record sales and proceeds

The Colorado Lottery has reported record sales and proceeds distributions for a third consecutive year.

For the 2023 fiscal year, the Colorado Lottery reported nearly $890 million in sales and more than $195 million in distributions.

“As our revenue grows, so does the lottery’s dedication to responsibility,” said Tom Seaver, director of the Colorado Lottery. “Record proceeds also means more support for parks, recreation, open space and wildlife preservation projects. Responsible revenue growth helps us boost our commitment to helping create the places that make Colorado the best place to live.”

Except for 2020, a year affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Colorado Lottery has seen year-over-year record sales for seven straight years.

Two Mega Millions and one Powerball Jackpot that exceeded $1 billion each boosted sales in the 2023 fiscal year with more than $293 million in sales across all jackpot games. Sales for Powerball and Mega Millions alone are $66 million more than the initial goal. Overall, the scratch product segment continues as the largest revenue generator, with sales of nearly $597 million.

Also in fiscal year 2023, the Lottery reached the Great Outdoors Colorado cap early in April 2023, distributing $75.1 million. The Conservation Trust Fund will receive $78 million. Colorado Parks and Wildlife will receive $19.5 million, plus an additional $8.3 million in funding for its Parks/Outdoors Recreation and Wildlife Cash Funds. Building Excellent Schools Today’s spillover revenue is $11.3 million. Additionally, the Outdoor Equity Fund will receive its full allocation of $2.25 million.

Of every dollar spent on Lottery games, 65 cents goes back to winners and 21 cents to 24 cents go to proceeds beneficiaries. Lottery retailers receive an average of more than $19,000 every year selling lottery products. Since 1983, the Colorado Lottery has returned more than $4 billion to outdoor projects.

Tom Seaver

At 7,500 square feet, the new Adventure Academy early childhood education center in Grand Junction includes eight classrooms and a commercial kitchen to prepare food onsite for children and staff. A playground awaits outside. Community Hospital constructed the $5 million facility with the help of $3 million in federal and state grants as well as private donations. The Adventure Academy is licensed to offer services to 113 children, and is fully enrolled. While most of the slots were filled by hospital employees, some slots were made available to others. The new slots also free up slots at other child care facilities in a county with an estimated shortage of 4,000 slots.

(Business Times photos by Phil Castle)

Adventure

Continued from page 2

The Adventure Academy is housed in a 7,500-square-foot building constructed on the Community Hospital campus. The facility includes eight classrooms and a commercial kitchen that will be used to prepare food onsite for children and staff.

The center will provide what Knott describes as a play-based curriculum in which children learn through hands-on experiences.

The center cost about $5 million. Community Hospital received $2 million in federal funding and $1 million in state funding to help pay for the project, Espinoza says. The hospital launched a capital campaign to raise the remainder, so no operational funds were used, she says.

Staff at the center work for the Adventure Academy, not the hospital.

Donations are still sought for the campaign. Under a Colorado program, donors receive a 50 percent state tax credit for their contributions.

The Adventure Academy is licensed to offer care for 113 children and is fully enrolled, Knott says. There’s a waiting list for openings.

Most of the slots were filled by hospital employees. But some slots were made available to the community, she says.

Moreover, the addition of 113 slots at the Adventure Academy frees up slots at other child care facilities, she says.

By one estimate, Mesa County needs 4,000 child care slots to meet the needs of the local work force.

Espinoza says the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the importance of child care — especially for health care providers who didn’t have the option to work remotely.

The Adventure Academy offers hospital employees and others convenience and assurance their children are cared for while they’re working, Espinoza says. At the hospital, that will result in a more focused and productive work force, she says. “It translates into the taking care of our patients and the community.”

Knott says she’s excited for children to start using the early childhood education center and its new facilities. “We’re really proud of it.”

Community makes list of recommended hospitals

Community Hospital in Grand Junction has been included on a list of hospitals patients are most likely to recommend.

Becker’s Healthcare compiled the list using Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

For more information about the Becker’s Healthcare list of recommended hospitals, visit https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/ rankings-and-ratings/the-top-recommendedhospitals-in-every-state.html.

Services, the HCAHPS survey is the first national, standardized, publicly reported survey of patients’ perspectives of hospital care. CMS shares 10 HCAHPS star ratings based on publicly reported HCAHPS measures. The recommended hospital star rating is based on patients’ responses to the question “Would you recommend this hospital to your friends and family?” Hospitals must have at least 100 completed HCAHPS surveys in a fourth-quarter period to be eligible for a star rating.

Chris Thomas

“We are extremely proud to have been recognized by Becker’s Healthcare as one of Colorado’s top recommended hospitals,” said Chris Thomas, president and chief executive officer of Community Hospital. “We are steadfast in our commitment to provide outstanding care to our patients and our community.”

Community Hospital is among 20 Colorado hospitals on the list. The Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Grand Junction also made the list.

Community Hospital offers inpatient care as well as a range of outpatient diagnostic services for patients in Western Colorado and Eastern Utah.

According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid

Only hospitals that received five stars for patient recommendations made the Becker’s list of top recommended hospitals in every state. The star rating is based on survey data collected from hospital patients from October 2021 through September 2022. The figures are from CMS’ Provider Data Catalog and were released in July.

INDICATORS AT A GLANCE

n Business filings

s New business filings in Colorado, 54,890 in the second quarter, up 39.1 percent from the second quarter of 2022.

n Confidence

t Consumer Confidence Index 106.1 for August, down 7.9.

t Leeds Business Confidence Index for Colorado, 44.1 for the third quarter, down 1.

t National Federation of Independent Business Small Business Optimism Index 91.3 for August, down 0.6.

n Foreclosures

s Foreclosure filings in Mesa County, 17 in August, up from 11 in August 2022.

t Foreclosure sales in Mesa County, 3 in August, down from 11 in August 2022.

n Indexes

t Conference Board Employment Trends Index, 113.02 for August, down 1.69.

t Conference Board Leading Economic Index 105.8 for July, down 0.4%.

s Institute for Supply Management Purchasing Managers Index for manufacturing, 47.6% for August, up 1.2%.

n Lodging

s Lodging tax collections in Grand Junction, $613,988 for the first quarter, up 6% from the first quarter of 2022.

n Real estate

t Real estate transactions in Mesa County, 334 in August, down 15.7% from August 2022.

t Dollar volume of real estate transactions in Mesa County, $171 million in August, down 12.8% from August 2022.

n Sales

s Sales and use tax collections in Grand Junction, $43.3 million for the first half, up 2.3% from the first half of 2022.

s Sales and use tax collections in Mesa County, $4.6 million for August, up 2.5% from August 2022.

n Unemployment

s Mesa County — 3.8% for July, up 0.1.

s Colorado — 2.9% for July, up 0.1.

s United States — 3.8% for August up 0.3.

Real estate holding pattern

Higher interest rates and lower inventories curb Mesa County sales

Phil Castle The Business Times

Mesa County real estate activity continues to lag behind last year as higher interest rates and lower residential inventories affect sales. The situation isn’t expected to change anytime soon, although home prices could rise further.

Contributors Opinion Business Briefs

month a year ago, transactions declined 9.9 percent and dollar volume retreated 11.1 percent.

Through the first eight months of 2023, 1,873 transactions worth a total of more than $808.6 million were reported. Compared to the same span in 2022, transactions fell 20.5 percent and dollar volume decreased 19.6 percent.

Cruickshank attributed the difference to higher interest rates and lower inventories.

Business People Almanac

“We’re kind of in a holding pattern,” said Stewart Cruickshank, sales manager at Bray & Co. Real Estate based in Grand Junction.

Annette Young, administrative coordinator at Heritage Title Co. in Grand Junction, agreed.

“It looks like we’re kind of holding steady.”

Young said 334 real estate transactions worth a total of $171 million were reported in Mesa County in August. Compared to the same month a year ago, transactions fell 15.7 percent and dollar volume declined 12.8 percent.

Ten transactions worth a total of $33 million bolstered dollar volume, Young said. They included the sale of the 144-unit Racquet Club Apartments for nearly $16 million, the single largest deal so far this year in terms of dollar volume. An office building in downtown Grand Junction sold for $4.6 million, while five units of newly constructed townhomes sold for a combined $2.35 million.

Through the first eight months of 2023, 2,508 transactions worth a collective $1.1 billion were reported, Young said. Compared to the same span in 2022, transactions dropped 28 percent and dollar volume fell 4.9 percent.

Young said higher interest rates on mortgages and low residential inventories have curbed activity. “There haven’t been any changes in those factors.”

According to numbers Bray & Co. tracks for the residential real estate market in Mesa County, 256 transactions worth a combined $111.3 million were reported. Compared to the same

At the end of August, there were 491 active residential listings in Mesa County. That’s down 17.3 percent from the same time a year ago.

New home construction continues to lag as well. Through the first eight months of 2023, 304 building permits for single-family homes were issued in Mesa County. That’s down 45.5 percent from the same span in 2022.

Darah Galvin, director of operations at Bray & Co., said lending for new home construction has tightened even as builders also face shortages of skilled labor.

Meanwhile, homeowners in existing homes with comparative low-interest mortgages remain reluctant to sell their homes for fear of paying higher rates, Galvin said.

Cruickshank and Young said they don’t expect slowing in the Mesa County market to change until interest rates relent. Demand for housing remains strong, however, pushing up home prices in the midst of low supplies.

The median price of homes sold in the first eight months of 2023 rose 1.3 percent on a year-over-year basis to $389,900. For August 2023, 98.5 percent of homes sold received list prices. That’s down only a tenth of a percent from the same month last year.

Cruickshank said some nationwide forecasts for year-end home prices reflect no changes. But other forecasts call for increases of anywhere from 1.8 percent to 6 percent. Potential homebuyers waiting for prices to retreat shouldn’t, he said.

Property foreclosure activity in Mesa County constitutes something of a mixed bag, Young said. Through the first eight months of 2023, 160 foreclosure filings and 31 foreclosure sales were reported. While filings decreased compared to the same span in 2022, sales increased.

F

Small Business Optimism Index retreats

A measure of optimism among small business owners has retreated on less upbeat expectations for economic conditions and persistent concerns about labor shortages and inflation.

The National Federation of Independent Business reported its Small Business Optimism Index fell six-tenths of a point to 91.3 in August. The index has remained below its 48-year average of 98 for 20 straight months.

“With small business owners’ views about future sales growth and business conditions discouraging, owners want to hire and make money now from strong consumer spending. Inflation and the worker shortage continue to be the biggest obstacles for Main Street.” said Bill Dunkelberg, chief economist of the NFIB.

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. Between July and August, five of 10 components of the index fell, three rose and two remained unchanged.

The proportion of NFIB members responding to the survey upon which the August index was based who expect the economy to improve fell seven points. At a net negative 37 percent, the latest reading remains at a recessionary level.

A net 24 percent of members said they plan to increase capital outlays, down three points. A net 6 percent said they consider now a good time to expand, unchanged from July.

The share of members who said they expect increased sales fell two points. At a net negative 14 percent, more anticipated decreased sales.

Expectations for earnings rose five points, but only to a net negative 25 percent. Among those reporting lower profits, 28 percent attributed the trend to lower sales, 24 percent cited rising materials costs and 15 percent blamed higher labor costs.

A net 17 percent of members said they plan to increase staffing, unchanged from a month ago. Meanwhile, 40 percent reported hard-to-fill job openings, down two points.

The proportion of members who said they plan to increase inventories rose two points to a net 0 percent. The share of those who said current inventories were too low fell a point to a net negative 5 percent.

Asked to identify their single most important problem, 24 percent of members cited quality of labor. But inflation came in a close second, garnering 23 percent of responses. A net 27 percent of members reported raising average selling prices. Price hikes were most frequent in the finance, construction and retail sectors.

Bill Dunkelberg

S. Cruickshank

Annette Young

Darah Galvin

Report: U.S. payrolls up, but so’s unemployment Latest index results show consumers less confident

U.S. employers continue to hire, but the unemployment rate moved up as more people looked for jobs.

Nonfarm payrolls increased 187,000 and the jobless rate increased three-tenths of a point to 3.8 percent in August, according to the latest estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The jobless rate climbed to its highest level since February 2022, but reflected an increase of 736,000 people counted among those who began looking for work.

Payroll gains for the previous two months were revised down a total of 110,000 to 157,000 in July and 105,000 for June.

The latest numbers remain below the average monthly payroll gain of 271,000 over the past year.

For August, 6.4 million people were counted among those unsuccessfully looking for work. Of those, 1.3 million have been out of work for 27 weeks or longer, accounting for 20.3 percent of all those unemployed.

Another 4.2 million people were counted among those working part-time because their hours were cut or they were unable to find full-time positions.

The labor participation rate — the proportion of the population either working or looking for work — rose two-tenths of a point to 62.8 percent. That was the first increase in the rate since March, but still below the rate before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. in early 2020.

Payroll gains for August were spread out among industry sectors.

Employment increased 71,000 in health care, most of the gain in ambulatory health care services.

Employment increased another 40,000 in leisure and hospitality, although payrolls in the sector remain below pre-pandemic levels.

Payrolls rose 26,000 in social assistance, 22,000 in construction and 19,000 in professional and business services.

Employment decreased 34,000 in transportation and warehousing and 15,000 in the information sector, most of

Labor index falls

An index tracking labor trends in the United States has declined — signaling continued job gains, but at a slower pace.

The Conference Board reported its Employment Trends Index fell 1.69 points to 113.02 in August.

Selcuk Eren, a senior economist with the New Yorkbased think tank, said the latest reading reflects what’s been a declining trend since March 2022. “The index is still elevated, so job gains may continue over the coming months. But the rate of growth may lessen and eventually will switch to job losses.”

The index aggregates eight employment indicators into a composite reading. For August, six of eight indicators declined.

Eren said the index suggests weakness in the job market will broaden to the rest of the labor market. Efforts by the Federal Reserve to raise its key short-term interest rate likely will trigger job losses in early 2024 that drive up the unemployment rate.

that reflecting strike activity in the motion picture and sound recording industry.

The average workweek for employees on private, nonfarm payrolls edged up a tenth of an hour to 34.4 hours. The manufacturing work week remained unchanged at 40.1 hours for a fifth consecutive month.

Average hourly earnings for employees on private, nonfarm payrolls rose 8 cents to $33.82. Over the past year, average hourly earnings have increased 4.3 percent. F

A measure of consumer confidence has retreated on less upbeat assessments of business and labor conditions.

The Conference Board reported its Consumer Confidence Index dropped 7.9 points to 106.1 in August. Measures of current conditions and short-term expectations both fell.

“August’s disappointing headline number reflected dips in both the current conditions and expectations indexes. Write-in responses showed that consumers were once again preoccupied with rising prices in general and for groceries and gasoline in particular,” said Dana Peterson, chief economist of the Conference Board.

The New York-based think tank bases the index on the results of monthly household surveys. Economists monitor the results because consumer spending accounts for more than two-thirds of economic activity.

Peterson said the August survey results reflected a pullback in confidence among all age groups and was most notable for consumers with annual household incomes below $50,000 and above $100,000.

The proportion of consumers who said they believe a recession is somewhat or very likely decreased, but remained elevated at 69 percent, she said. The Conference Board continues to forecast a recession, likely before the end of the year.

Plans to purchase automobiles and appliances continued to trend upward. But plans to purchase homes trended downward as a result of rising interest rates on mortgages. Consumers still plan to go on vacation, especially abroad.

Less optimistic assessments of current business and labor conditions pulled down the present situation component of the index 8.2 points to 144.8.

The portion of consumers who responded to the survey upon which the August index was based who called business conditions “good” remained unchanged from July at 20.7 percent. But the share of those who called conditions “bad” rose a point to 17.2 percent.

The proportion of consumers who said jobs were “plentiful” fell 3.4 points to 40.3 percent. The share of those who said jobs were “hard to get” rose 2.8 points to 14.1 percent.

Less upbeat outlooks pulled down the expectations component of the index 7.8 points between July and August. At 80.2, the latest reading is just above the level that historically signals a recession within the next year.

“Consumers may be hearing more bad news about corporate earnings, while job openings are narrowing and interest rates continue to rise — making big-ticket items more expensive,” Peterson said.

The share of consumers who said they expect business conditions to improve over the next six months fell a point to 16.2 percent. The proportion of those who anticipated worsening conditions rose 2.3 points to 16.8 percent.

The share of consumers who said they expect more jobs to become available in coming months edged up a tenth of a point to 16.7 percent. But the share of those who forecasted fewer jobs rose more — 2.4 points to 18 percent.

Asked to assess their family financial situations, the proportion of respondents who said their situations were “good” decreased while the share of those who said their conditions were “bad” increased. A measure of expected family finances in six months also softened.

Dana Peterson

Selcuk Eren

COMING ATTRACTIONS

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

A presentation on using Microsoft Excel to prepare cash flow budgets for small business startups is set for noon to 1 p.m. Sept. 19 at the center, located at 2591 Legacy Way.

The next Leading Edge business planning and management course is set for 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays Sept. 20 to Dec. 6. The 11-week course will teach participants how to start or grow a business based on a business plan. In addition to classroom instruction and written materials, the course will include three hours of individual consulting. Admission is $275, $100 for each additional participant from the same business.

A presentation on government contracting opportunities is set for 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sept. 26. Admission is $10.

A bookkeeping bootcamp is set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 28. Participants will learn how to set up and track accounting records and what balance sheets, cash flow projections and income statements tell them about their operations. Admission is $75.

The next monthly maker meetup is set for 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 2 at the GJ Makerspace at the center. The event is free.

The next small business startup workshop is set for 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 5. The workshop will cover the business planning process, including financing, legal structures, licensing requirements and state registration. Admission is $55.

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

n The next Coffee Club meeting is set for 9 to 10 a.m. Sept. 15 at FWorks, located in the Fruita Civic Center at 325 E. Aspen Ave. The free business networking and educational event will include a presentation by Dalida Bollig, chief executive officer of the Business Incubator Center. No registration is required.

n The Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce has scheduled its next quarterly membership luncheon meeting for noon to 1:30 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Doubletree by HIlton, 743 Horizon Drive. The meeting will include a forum for candidates running for election to the Mesa County School District 51 Board of Education. Admission is $25 for chamber members, $30 for others.

For more information about upcoming chamber events, visit https://gjchamber.org or call 242-3214.

n The Western Colorado Human Resource Association has scheduled its next monthly membership luncheon meeting for 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 20 at the Mesa County Workforce Center, 512 29 1/2 Road in Grand Junction. The event will include a presentation on leadership development on the Western Slope. WCHRA members may attend at no additional charge. Guests pay $20. To register or obtain more information, visit https://wchra.org.

Legal changes constant

Colorado employers face new labor laws and requirements

Late 2023 and early 2024 will bring several changes to Colorado employment laws. While most employers remain focused on the new Protecting Opportunities and Workers’ Rights Act (POWR), other changes have flown under the radar.

n Senate Bill 23-105, the Ensure Equal Pay for Equal Work Act (EEPEWA), was signed into law on June 5 and will go into effect on Jan. 1. The EEPEWA clarifies and expands coverage of the 2019 Equal Pay for Equal Work Act (EPEWA). The EPEWA allowed the Division of Labor Standards and Statistics within the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment to create and administer a process to accept and mediate wage complaints and promulgate rules. The EEPEWA requires the division to create and administer a complaint mediation process by July 1, 2024.

The EPEEWA also requires the division to investigate complaints or other leads concerning employer violations of wage inequity; upon finding a violation, order compliance and relief; and promulgate rules to enforce the act.

In addition, EPEEWA replaces the EPEWA “opportunities for promotion” subject to job posting requirements with the new term “job opportunity” defined as “a current or anticipated vacancy for which the employer is considering a candidate or candidates or interviewing a candidate or candidates or that the employer externally posts.”

The EEPEWA not only expanded the jobs for which posting is required, but also imposes new posting requirements. Within 30 days after a candidate is selected to fill a job opportunity, the employer must post or otherwise disclose to employees with whom the selected candidate is intended to regularly work, at a minimum:

The name of the candidate selected for the job opportunity; the selected candidate’s former job title if selected while already employed by the employer; the selected candidate’s new job title; and information on how many employees may demonstrate interest in similar job opportunities in the future, including identifying individuals or departments to whom the employees can express interest in similar job opportunities.

n Senate Bill 23-058, the Job Application Fairness Act (JAFA), will prohibit starting July 1, 2024 employers from seeking information related to prospective employees’ ages in initial job applications. This will include not only dates of birth, but also such other inquiries that would disclose ages as dates of attendance at or graduation from educational institutions.

n Senate Bill 23-017 expands the acceptable uses of paid sick leave under the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA). This law is already in force. In addition to using paid sick leave to obtain medical care or legal services in certain situations, employees may use sick leave to take time off to grieve, attend funeral services or memorials, or handle financial and legal matters that arise after the death of a family member; and care for a family member when that family member’s school or place of care has been closed or to evacuate an employee’s place of residence in certain situations. These situations include inclement weather, loss of power, loss of heating, loss of water or other unexpected occurrences.

n Senate Bill 23-111, the Protection for Public

The

Job

Application Fairness

Contributors Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac

Act will prohibit employers from seeking information related to prospective employees’ ages in initial job applications. This will include not only dates of birth, but also such other inquiries that would disclose ages as dates of attendance at or graduation from educational institutions.

Workers Act (PPWA), establishes job protections for public employees like those already guaranteed to private employees under the National Labor Relations and Colorado Labor Peace acts. Public employees are protected from discrimination, interference or retaliation when they engage in protected workplace activities, including:

Discussing or expressing views regarding public employee representation, workplace issues or their rights.

Engaging in protected concerted activity for the purpose of mutual aid or protection.

Fully participating in the political process while off duty and not in uniform, including speaking with members of the public employer’s governing body on terms and conditions of employment and any matter of public concern and engaging in other political activities in the same manner as other citizens.

Organizing, forming, joining or assisting an employee organization or refraining from organizing, forming, joining or assisting an employee organization.

The PPWA allows a public employer that has a nonpartisan role to limit the right of an employee to fully participate in the political process while off duty and not in uniform to the extent necessary to maintain the nonpartisan role of the employer.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis recognized the possibility the PPWA’s broad coverage could hinder public entities from carrying out their missions. Polis issued a statement when he signed the PPWA into law that directs the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment to adopt rules clarifying the public employer’s right to manage and discipline employees.

The PPWA tasks the Division of Labor Standards and Statistics with enforcing the PPWA. Effective July 1, 2024, the PPWA grants the division the authority to adjudicate unfair labor practice charges and issue decisions pursuant to the Colorado Labor Peace Act.

The Employers Council makes available to its members resources on how to comply with these and other legal changes. Enterprise and consulting members may contact Employers Council human relations professionals and attorneys directly to discuss legal obligations and best practices for meeting them.

Dean Harris is the Western Slope area managing attorney for the Employers Council. The Employers Council counsels, represents and trains member employers in all phases of employment relationships. For more information, contact Harris at (970) 852-0190 or dharris@employerscouncil.org.

Dean Harris

Avoid end-of-life regret by creating balance

As I reflect on my youngest daughter’s high school graduation, I remember the excitement in the eyes of the 240 young people dressed in caps and gowns. Some were ready for school to be over, while others were looking forward to the next phases of their educations.

Whatever path those young people choose, some will become consumed by work and business. Others will strike a balance between life and work either intentionally or accidentally. This second group likely will experience more happiness and success throughout their lives and less regret as well. Perhaps the changing demands of this younger generation are reflective of this.

The No. 2 regret of people at the end of their life: “I wish I hadn’t worked so much.”

Given all the things people could regret looking back at the lives they lived, this is an extraordinarily powerful and telling statement. This potential reality from the end of life points toward the wisdom in taking a different and more mindful approach to work and business no matter what your age.

The people who expressed this deep-seated regret acknowledged spending too much time on the treadmill of work while sacrificing valuable time with their spouses, children, extended family, friends and even themselves. They also allowed their dreams and adventures outside of success to pass them by. The profound truth is that these moments and experiences, once gone, can never be recaptured.

There’s a common mantra in business about making as much money as you possibly can, about becoming successful at all costs. There’s no doubt being

as profitable as you can and standing tall above your competitors is a primary aim in business. The question is: At what cost?

A business owner who focuses on making as much money as possible typically believes their team members should have the same focus. By forgetting these people also have lives, hopes, dreams and desires, owners demand more and more from them. The reason is simple: When the focus is solely on success and the accumulation of wealth, people and their happiness and well-being are discounted and forgotten.

The thought of becoming wildly successful financially — and the accolades, praise and recognition that come with it — can be addicting because it feeds the ego. As with any addiction, it can take over, blinding us to the bigger picture of life and all it has to offer. When this happens, it creates a situation where we’re out of balance, ultimately limiting the happiness and success for which we strive.

One aspect of my work with business owners is to help them see the bigger picture — to discover what they value and whether what they sacrifice in their pursuit of success is acceptable to them.

Once my clients develop skills in balancing life and work, they begin making different choices in how they allocate their time. Through this fundamental change,

they come to experience a more profound form of success — one that still includes financial gain, often more than ever before, but isn’t a driving force in their lives. In turn, there’s a trickle-down effect on their team members as their life and work balance is encouraged and supported.

It’s important to understand that once your children have grown, your youth has faded and your health has deteriorated, the dreams you abandoned in the pursuit of success and money can’t be realized. That time has passed forever. We all know people who worked their whole lives to make enough money to travel and enjoy the many pleasures of life only to discover that by the time they “arrived,” they were unable to do so because they waited too long.

Your life is happening right now. And there’s room within it for everything you desire — including making money and also enjoying the multitude of other things that bring you pleasure and happiness.

Once you’re mindful about life and work and possess the skills to strike a balance, you won’t have to work so hard to experience the happiness and success you desire. And at the end of your life, you won’t regret having worked too much.

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

Marcus Straub

One aspect of my work with business owners is to help them see the bigger picture — to discover what they value and whether what they sacrifice in their pursuit of success is acceptable to them.

Apprenticeships offer many benefits

People entering the job market, re-entering the workforce or considering a career change can often benefit from an apprenticeship. Properly planned, structured and implemented, apprenticeships provide advantages to participants as well as their employers.

If you decide to explore the possibility of offering an apprenticeship, Apprenticeship Colorado offers an excellent place to start looking for information and support.

According to a recent State of Colorado employer newsletter, Apprenticeship Colorado is now recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor as a state apprenticeship agency (SAA).

Apprenticeship is an industry driven, highquality career pathway in which employers develop future workforces and individuals obtain paid work experience and classroom instruction as well as portable, nationally recognized credentials.

Why participate in or offer an apprenticeship program? Consider this statement from the Apprenticeship Colorado web page. In an economy transformed by technological advances — including automation, artificial intelligence and digitalization — the need for on-the-job learning has become critical. Apprenticeships help workers gain skills and education while earning a paycheck and employers need a reliable workforce pipeline to ensure long-term success.

The SAA has a state apprenticeship council with two committees:

n The Committee for Apprenticeship in the Building and Construction Trades, which advises the SAA on the building and construction trades.

n The Committee for Apprenticeship in New and Emerging Industries, which advises the SAA on all other industries.

Many of the skills needed to excel in the construction and building trades are best gained through on-the-job experience and training. The same considerations apply to many other industries, especially in such rapidly emerging or expanding fields as artificial

intelligence, automation, cybersecurity and digitalization.

To maintain consistency and value, the Colorado SAA was created to oversee apprenticeship programs, including registration and required standards for compliance, certification, quality assurance, provision of administrative and technical assistance and record-keeping. Knowing the rules and requirements to develop and maintain a qualified apprenticeship program helps in recruiting qualified, eager-to-learn candidates while also meeting state and federal requirements.

For more information, check out the SAA/Apprenticeship Colorado web page located at https://apprenticeship.colorado.gov/ about-apprenticeship-colorado.

A few more considerations:

n Apprentices aren’t volunteers. They expect and deserve to be paid a reasonable proportion of fully trained employees.

n Apprenticeship programs should include assigned mentors, evaluations, individual development plans, job descriptions and milestones so apprentices and employers know their responsibilities and intended outcomes.

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

Janet Arrowood

Knowing the rules and requirements to develop and maintain a qualified apprenticeship program helps in recruiting qualified, eager-to-learn candidates.

Will AI take the human out of human resources?

Artificial intelligence (AI) has made its way workplaces nationwide, changing how organizations operate and make decisions. In some cases, employees could use AI tools without their employers’ permission or knowledge.

While this technology presents opportunities for organizations, including improved operations, work flows and customer experiences, AI comes with limitations and exposures employers should consider. Implementing policies ensure employers understand the potential business, legal and reputational risks associated with using AI tools and protect against them. Now is the time for employers to start considering how best to create and enforce policies that address the use of AI technology in the workplace.

By the way, the above was written by artificial intelligence.

What is artificial intelligence? The simple definition: It’s a field of science concerned with leveraging and building computers and machines to mimic the problemsolving and decision-making capabilities of the human mind to reason, learn and act in ways that would normally require human intelligence.

Examples of AI in everyday life include Alexa, ChatGPT, Echo, Siri and face detection on phones.

The advantages of AI include automating repetitive tasks, saving time and streamlining. The disadvantages include breaches of confidentiality, costly implementation, lack of emotional creativity, plagiarism and potential human job losses.

AI also changes human resource departments and could offer a useful tool. AI can improve onboarding, payroll, records management, recruitment and performance

management. But, will AI take the human out of human resources?

Recruitment and talent acquisition constitute some of the first areas in which HR has used AI to improve efficiency. Automating manual tasks reduces time spent recruiting new employees. AI has proven a powerful tool in sourcing technical talent and providing insights into employee performance and candidate outreach. In addition, AI has been used to facilitate customized sequences of messages and communications for candidates, assisting in engagement and response rates. Programmatic job advertising platforms as well as interview question generation and question answering has made these processes more efficient.

AI can streamline the onboarding process and actually increase personalization by providing guidance through the process, answering questions and providing information and prompts. This prevents a candidate from being ghosted, which is beneficial for a company’s image and essential in today’s competitive market.

Employee behavior, engagement and performance can be monitored through analysis of such data as chats, emails, disengagement, work patterns and even misconduct. This helps HR monitor work flow and address performance issues before they escalate. Further, AI can help create personalized training to maximize employee career development.

The overall benefits to HR departments include better

decision-making and efficiency along with reduced costs.

It’s important, though, to remember AI can’t offer a complete picture of any situation, cybersecurity should remain robust, due diligence is required before purchasing products and tools and implementation and enforcement of policies is crucial.

Before implementing AI in the workplace, determine if AI offers the best solution to achieve defined goals, identify potential risks, assess compatibility with existing technology, maintain legal compliance and establish policies and cybersecurity measures

Without oversight, AI algorithms can unintentionally perpetuate and amplify existing biases. Policies ensure organizations address and mitigate biases and promote fairness. Policies should include a clear description of tasks for which AI will be used, guidelines for frequency of use and protocols to follow if tools do not work.

Present all employees with the policy and ensure they understand it. Consider ways to support employees through the transition of AI introduction. Some employees could believe their jobs are threatened. Communication and training are imperative.

As AI changes the employment landscape, HR departments will adopt AI to benefit humans. However, AI will never replace the human touch in employee relations. There will always be a need to strike a balance between technology and human involvement for an organization to operate a successful workplace.

Pamela Drake works at Lighthouse HR Support as an HR business partner. The Grand Junction firm offers a range of human resource management services to small and medium-sized businesses. For more information, call 243-7789 or log on to www.lighthousehrs.net.

Pamela Drake

Now is the time for employers to start considering how best to create and enforce policies that address the use of AI technology in the workplace.

Rental property could pay for college dreams

For many, the beginning of another school year brings to mind the looming reality of college costs. Whether a child has just entered first grade or is starting senior year, the financial burden of higher education can feel overwhelming One solution could be to invest in a rental property.

Economic inconsistencies are growing across the United States. The top 20 percent of households receive a greater share of income than the middle 60 percent combined. If you’re part of the bottom 40 percent, things look even worse than they did 20 years ago.

One way to break free from this cycle is a college education. Over the years, earnings for full-time workers with college degrees have skyrocketed compared to those with high school diplomas. The gap in earnings almost doubled from 49 percent in 1979 to 89 percent in 1994. Each year of schooling post-high school potentially adds between 5 percent to 15 percent to annual earnings later in life. There’s a catch, though. College costs are rising. At

a minimum, people can expect to pay $15,000 per year for an in-state college education — tuition, books, room and board included. Only 40 percent of students graduate within four years instead of five.

Given a 5 percent annual increase, total costs grow to $95,721 in five years, $122,167 in 10 and $155,919 in 15 years.

People could pay out of pocket. But remember to add 25 percent to 30 percent for taxes. Students can work, but that typically means longer times to graduation and higher dropout rates. Student loans constitute a ticket to starting adult life buried in debt.

.By purchasing a rental property with a 15-year loan when their children are young, parents can create a pathway toward covering future college costs.

A $150,000 rental property with a 20 percent down payment of $30,000 and a loan for the remaining amount amortized over 15 years provides increased equity. With no increase in property value, equity reaches $58,789 in five years and $97,621 in 10 years, eventually becoming $150,000 in 15 years.

If you factor in 5 percent annual appreciation, equity could increase to $311,839 in 15 years.

If your kid is already in college, don’t panic. Buying an investment property could still work wonders. Your child could live there, significantly reducing living expenses. Roommates could help pay the mortgage.

Work with a qualified real estate agent who can offer you personalized insights and guidance no matter the circumstances for this step in safeguarding your child’s future and yours.

Buying a property isn’t just a financial decision, but also an emotional one. An agent can help you through all the bumps.

The return on investment from purchasing a rental property today could offer financial stability amidst the ever-widening economic disparities and continuously increasing college costs.

This school year, don’t push worry down the line. It’s been said the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.

Stewart Cruickshank is sales manager for Bray & Co. Real Estate based in Grand Junction. Reach him at stewart@brayandco.com or call (970) 242-3647. F

Employers can play a role in reducing West Nile Virus cases

A wet winter delivered a year of reprieve from water shortages, but also created the perfect conditions for exploding mosquito populations.

Mosquitoes are annoying pests that can spread disease. In Mesa County, the most notable disease transmitted by mosquitoes is West Nile virus.

Most people who contract West Nile Virus won’t experience any symptoms. But one in five people develop symptoms that include fever, headache, muscle and joint aches and rash.

Sometimes, the fatigue and weakness associated with West Nile Virus can last for weeks or months.

Tragically, about one in 150 people that contract West Nile will develop a more serious neuroinvasive form of the disease. These individuals could be hospitalized with life-threatening swelling of the brain and central nervous system.

People of all ages face the same risk of contracting

the disease, although incidence of severe disease increases with age.

In Colorado, there have been 193 cases of West Nile virus so far in 2023. About 106 people have required hospitalization and 13 have died. In Mesa County, seven people have tested positive for West Nile virus.

More cases are anticipated in September, typically the month for the highest number of West Nile Virus cases.

People working outdoors or participating in outdoor activities should take precautions to prevent mosquito bites. Mosquitoes are most active from dusk to dawn.

Employers can help employees with prevention practices:

n Use an insect repellent. Look for one that contains DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, 2- undecanone or oil of lemon eucalyptus.

n Wear loose-fitting clothing that covers arms and legs.

n Drain and remove sources of standing water on business property.

n Regularly check window screens to ensure they’re properly placed and intact to avoid mosquitoes getting indoors.

Grand River Mosquito Control District (GRMCD) and Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) work to prevent cases of West Nile Virus.

GRMCD provides the essential services of surveillance, inspections and implementing control measures to reduce the spread of mosquito-transmitted diseases. MCPH interviews residents who’ve contracted West Nile to determine where individuals might have contracted the virus, focus surveillance and control measures, inform the public and prevent further illness.

Information is available from the GRMCD and MCPH websites. The GRMCD website at www.grmcd.org includes an interactive map of mosquito traps and corresponding data. The MCPH website located at https://health.mesacounty.us includes a “What’s Going Around” page with information about seasonal illnesses and how to prevent them.

Masie McElroy is a disease surveillance specialist for Mesa County Public Health. For additional information, visit the website located at https://health.mesacounty.us or call (970) 248-6900.

Masie McElroy

Stewart Cruickshank

Government interference with free market forces real reason for gas prices

Gasoline prices continue to rise across the United States. Travelers to Denver have reported prices approaching $5 a gallon, while California residents have reported paying between $7 a gallon and $9 a gallon. Consumers are understandably concerned.

Statistica, a leading provider for market and consumer data, reported U.S. gas prices were at the lowest annual average of $2.19 a gallon in 2020. In 2021, the average cost of gas per gallon was $3.01. In 2022, the average cost was $3.95 a gallon. Prices affect consumers, but what affects prices?

Eric Dennis, a senior fellow at the Center for Industrial Progress, calls prices the “language of the economy.” Prices convey knowledge that enables individuals to decide what to produce and how best to produce it. Market prices reveal two conditions: the amount of a given commodity available and how much customers value that commodity in relation to other goods. In other words, supply and demand.

According to “Free Market Revolution” written by Yaron Brook and Don Watkins, gasoline prices illustrate the forces of supply and demand. “In an economy where prices are determined by the market, no one has to force customers to use less gasoline or force producers to make more gasoline. Those decisions are made voluntarily.” In a free market, people can satisfy their own interests and modify their behaviors based on the facts of supply and demand conveyed to them through prices.

But what happens when the free market isn’t allowed to function? What happens when government edicts prevent suppliers from producing? How does the market respond when restrictions are placed on the use of products? The results of these interventions lead to the destruction of a free-market economy and government picking winners and losers. This is evident in producing and marketing fossil fuels.

After the Joe Biden administration took office in January 2021, new oil and natural gas lease sales were suspended. The principle of supply and demand was on full display. Gas prices rose. Reuters reported on Aug. 11, 2021, the U.S. government begged the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to boost oil output to counter rising gasoline prices. CNN’s Alex Marquardt reported on Oct. 5, 2022, that OPEC made even more cuts to production. Increasing gasoline prices posed a political risk for an administration in “panic mode.” The administration called the OPEC cuts in production unnecessary,

Digging into jobs reports unearths key information about U.S. labor trends

The media and assorted experts are notorious for running with the topline numbers from the monthly employment report. But more often than not, the jobs report requires at least a little bit of digging. That’s definitely the case with the August employment report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The topline information that will get widely reported is nonfarm payroll employment increased 188,000 between July and August as the unemployment rate rose from 3.5 percent to 3.8 percent. The reasons for this seemingly contradictory information largely will be ignored, never mind exploring why the unemployment rate increased.

So, let’s dig a little.

a “total disaster” taken as a “hostile act.”

The Strategic Petroleum Reserve is designed to reduce the effects of disruptions in supplies of petroleum products. This reserve was tapped to lower prices at the pump before the mid-term elections. Reserves still haven’t been replenished.

It’s ironic when America, with vast reserves of oil and natural gas, is governed by ideologues who deem fossil fuel production off limits, yet beg other countries to supply our demand for oil. Policies to limit domestic oil and gas production are virtue signaling at best. The demand for fossil fuels is huge considering there’s no reliable, cost-effective substitute. In addition to becoming the laughingstock of the world, these not-in-my-backyard policies enrich the coffers of other countries.

According to the American Petroleum Institute, the largest oil and gas fields average 5.5 years from discovery to first production. Policies restricting production discourage companies from investing in fossil fuel development, limiting supplies demanded by American consumers.

Politicians blame the RussianUkrainian war for escalating gasoline prices. Before that, oil and gas companies were accused of price gouging. Never have politicians acknowledged their constant interference in the market is responsible. Banning products, establishing unrealistic criteria and choosing winners and losers are responsible for the shortages and high prices of fossil fuels.

The law of supply and demand holds true even with government interference. Consumers will continue to pay the price for meaningless government disruptions created in the marketplace because they have no choice.

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. Reach Hunsinger at phyllis@ free-dom.us.com. For more information about the FREE Foundation, log on to the website located at www.free-dom.us.com.

The increase in nonfarm payroll employment, which comes from the establishment survey of businesses, of 188,000 was respectable. But it doesn’t really tell us much more than the increase in employment among larger and more established businesses.

The unemployment rate, derived from a separate household survey, requires further exploration. It always does because the jobless rate can be misleading in terms of what’s actually happening with the underlying numbers that truly matter.

In August, unemployment actually rose by a substantial 514,000. But employment also increased 222,000. Why was that? Because the labor force jumped 736,000.

While the unemployment rate increased, the rise reflected welcome underlying labor market trends. The labor force increased as people moved off the sidelines and into the workforce, either getting jobs or seeking work. At the same time, employment increased.

So, the labor force participation rate increased from 62.6 percent in July to 62.8 percent in August. That’s the highest level since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States in February 2020, but still short of where we were before the pandemic.

At the same time, though, the labor force participation rate among the those in the key working age category of 25 to 54 years old registered 83.5 percent in August. That exceeds the pre-pandemic level of 83.1 percent hit in January 2020 and the immediate pre-Great Recession high mark of 83.4 percent in January 2007.

While still short of its all-time high of 84.6 percent hit in January 1999, this participation rate among 25 to 54 year olds, when put alongside the overall labor force participation rate, is another signal U.S. population stagnation is a real and significant issue.

What’s needed? The U.S. requires a dramatic shift in immigration policies so that we, once again, become a welcoming nation to those who wish to come here to work and build businesses. By the way, immigrants have a much higher rate of entrepreneurship than do the native born. People from around the globe want to come here to pursue their dreams. It’s a good idea to welcome them and appreciate their efforts.

Raymond Keating is chief economist for the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy and research organization. He’s also the author of “The Weekly Economist: 52 Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist.” Reach Keating through the website at www.sbecouncil.org.

Raymond Keating

Phyllis Hunsinger

It’s ironic when America, with vast reserves of oil and natural gas, is governed by ideologues who’ve deemed fossil fuel production off limits, yet embarrassingly beg other countries to supply our demand for oil.

The unemployment rate requires further exploration. It always does because the jobless rate can be misleading in terms of what’s actually happening with the underlying numbers that truly matter.

n PALISADE WINERIES AMONG LATEST WINNERS OF COLORADO WINE INDUSTRY COMPETITION

Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac

Three Palisade wineries were among the latest winners of the Governor’s Cup Collection, an annual competition honoring 12 wines produced by the Colorado wine industry.

“Here in Colorado, we are so proud of our growing wine industry. And this competition is an exciting chance to enjoy wines crafted from top Colorado wineries,” said Colorado Gov. Jared Polis. “These 12 wines reflect the innovative and creative work taking place in Colorado’s thriving wine industry, and I congratulate the winners of the Governor’s Cup wine collection, with each wine shocasing local Colorado ingredients.”

Sauvage Spectrum Winery received double gold awards for its 2022 malbec and 2022 teroldego wines. Peachfork Orchards and Vineyards received a double gold award for its pear apple wine. Restoration Vineyards received a gold award for its 2022 sauvignon blanc.

The Storm Cellar in Hotchkiss and Alfred Eames Cellars in Paonia also submitted winning wines. Most of the wines were made with grapes grown in the Grand Valley.

A total of 12 wines were selected for the 2023 Governor’s Cup Collection. The winner of the best of show award will be announced during the Colorado Uncorked event set for Nov. 3 at the History Colorado Center in Denver. All 12 wines will be served at the event and paired with small bites prepared by Colorado chefs.

A panel of 15 wine industry members conducted a blind tasting event to evaluate a total of 286 submissions from 48 Colorado wineries. The Colorado Wine Industry Development Board organizes the annual competition.

“The Colorado wine industry continues to produce interesting and innovative wines, and both new wineries and previous Governor’s Collection winners submitted very strong contenders,” said Kyle Schlachter, executive director of the Colorado Wine Industry Development Board. “The submissions to the competition this year showed an outstanding array of styles and varieties and, as always, extremely high quality.”

The Colorado Wine Industry Development Board will use the 12 winning wines of the Governor’s Cup Collection to promote the state’s wine industry through marketing opportunities around the world.

n BREAKFAST AND BUSINESS CHALLENGE SCHEDULED FOR GRAND VALLEY BIKE MONTH

A free breakfast and business challenge are planned as part of Grand Valley Bike Month in September.

Mesa County and the City of Grand Junction will host Bike to Work Day on Sept. 14. Participants can pedal to Grand Junction City Hall at 250 N. Fifth St. for a free breakfast set for 7 to 9 a.m.

Local businesses and organizations can participate in the annual bike month challenge. Employers encourage employees to try bicycle commuting at least once during the week of Sept. 10 to 16, then log participation online. The top four groups will receive traveling trophies to display in their workplaces for a year.

For more information about Grand Valley Bike Month, visit https://healthymesacounty.org/bike-month-2023.

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

n AUTO DETAILING BUSINESS ANNOUNCES RELOCATION TO UPGRADED FACILITY

ColorAuto Detailing will move into a new, state-of-the-art facility in Grand Junction.

The business plans to relocate in September from 592 25 Road to 562 S. Westgate Drive.

Paul Heckman, owner of ColorAuto Detailing, said the move will enable the company to expand operations and provide beter services to customers.

“We are thrilled to announce our move to this facility,” Heckman said. “This move represents a significant investment in our business and demonstrates our commitment to providing the best results and customer experience.”

ColorAuto Detailing has served the Grand Junction area since 2014. The business provides detailing as well as ceramic coatings, paint corrections and window protections and tinting.

“Our mission has always been to go above and beyond for our customers,” Heckman said. “Quality is our priority, and I think our customers would say it shows in the end results. We look forward to offering our same great customer service and quality, just in a new and improved location.”

For more information about ColorAuto Detailing, log on to the website at https://colorautodetailing.com.

n FREDDY’S ADDS TO FAST-FOOD MENU WITH GRILLED CHEESE AND PUMPKIN PIE FARE

Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has added grilled cheese steakburgers and pumpkin pie shakes to its menu as well as brought back pumpkin pie concretes.

The limited-time fare will be available through Oct. 31 at participating locations.

“Our new grilled cheese steakburger is the perfect combination of two favorites: steakburgers and grilled cheese,” said Laura Rueckel, chief marketing officer at Freddy’s.

The sandwich is made with two steakburger patties grilled with American and Swiss cheese and served with bacon on Texas toast.

The pumpkin pie shake and concrete feature a vanilla custard base mixed with pieces of pumpkin pie and spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. “They’re a celebration of autumn’s finest ingredients blended into an irresistible and craveable dessert,” Rueckel said.

Founded in 2002, Freddy’s has grown to a total of more than 490 locations in 36 states. Freddy’s restaurants are located at 2489 U.S. Highway 6 & 50 and 737 Horizon Drive in Grand Junction as well as 3232 Interstate 70 Business Loop in Clifton. For more information, visit the website at www.freddyusa.com.

Alpine Bank has been recognized for a 16th straight year as a gold-level member of the Colorado Green Business Network.

The voluntary program encourages, supports and rewards businesses that comply with environmental regulations and move toward operational sustainability.

“We are thrilled to receive this recognition from the Colorado Green Business Network,” said Glen Jammaron, chairman of Alpine Bank. “We are committed to being a responsible corporate citizen and doing our part to protect the environment. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our employees.”

Alpine Bank has long been a gold-level member of the Colorado Green Business Network and its predecessor, the Environmental Leadership Program.

The program uses a rating system divided into three levels that recognize efforts in energy, policies, purchasing, transportation, water and waste. The gold level recognizes businesses that have implemented changes to achieve sustainable operations within their industry sectors.

For more information about the program and Alpine Bank, visit the GreenBiz tracker at https://search.greenbiztracker.org/ business/apline-bank-glenwoodsprings.

A $6.5 billion employeeowned organization headquartered in Glenwood Springs, Alpine Bank operates locations across Colorado. The bank employs 890 people and provides a range of services to 170,000 customers. For more information, log on to www.alpinebank.com.

Paul Heckman

G. Jammaron

Jared Polis

Kyle Schlachter

Laura Rueckel

Business Briefs Business People Almanac Business Briefs Business People

n WEST STATE AVIATION NAMES NEW CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Allen McReynolds has been named chief operating officer of West Star Aviation, an aircraft repair and maintenance company whose operations include facilities in Grand Junction.

McReynolds expects his primary role will be to support employees while also improving safety and performance.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to continue my aviation career with West Star,” he said. “I see them as a progressive company that clearly values the importance of their employees, customers and vendors. This includes the current and future expansions of several facilities to better accommodate their valued customers while also providing additional jobs and contributing to the local communities.”

Jim Rankin, chief executive officer of West Star Aviation, praised McReynolds. “Allen will be an outstanding addition to West Star as his extensive aviation experience will play a pivotal and key role as we continue to grow and evolve to meet our customers’ maintenance needs.”

McReynolds brings to his latest role experience as managing partner at SeaTec Consulting, where he spent more than seven years bringing process and technology solutions to airlines and other industry sectors. He previously served as vice president of global sales at Textron Aviation and executive vice president of Hawker Beechcraft Service Centers.

He holds a bachelor’s degree from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University as well as a master’s of business administration degree from Robert Morris University. He’s also a licensed aircraft mechanic.

West Star Aviation offers a range of services that include the maintenance and repair of airframes, engines and avionics as well as painting and interior refurbishments. In addition to its facilities at the Grand Junction Regional Airport, West Star Aviation operates facilities in Aspen and Denver as well as in Arizona, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas. For more information, visit www.weststaraviation.com.

n GRAND JUNCTION WOMAN APPOINTED TO STATE TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

Barb Bowman of Grand Junction has been appointed to the Transportation Commission of Colorado.

Bowman serves as a representative of the Seventh Transportation District on the commission.

The commission formulates policies for the Colorado Department of Transportation, including those related to the construction, maintenance and management of public highways and other transportation systems in the state.

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 PALISADE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EXEC JOINS IN COLORADO TOURISM PROGRAM

Jessica Burford, president and chief executive officer of the Palisade Chamber of Commerce, has been selected to participate in a year-long program designed to develop leaders in the Colorado tourism industry.

Burford will join the 2024 class of the Colorado Tourism Leadership Journey. The program began in August and will conclude at the Colorado Governor’s Tourism Conference in September 2024.

“I am honored to be a part of this program and look forward to furthering my leadership traits and values with such a wonderful group of tourism industry and business leaders from across the state,” Burford said. “I’m most looking forward to practically applying the knowledge gained not just for our organization, but for the entire community.”

A program of the Colorado Tourism Office, the Colorado Tourism Leadership Journey helps participants build leadership skills, increase knowledge of the tourism industry, develop relationships within the industry and engage with an alumni group after the program concludes.

The program includes required readings, meetings with small groups and mentors, five experiential learning opportunities and completion of an action learning project.

Burford became president and CEO of the Palisade Chamber of Commerce in June 2022. She also has worked as co-owner of Zarlingo’s Automotive Service Center, community relations manager of Mosaic and sales manager for Stonebridge Companies.

For more information about the Palisade chamber, call 464-7459 or visit www.palisadecoc.com

n GRAND JUNCTION REAL ESTATE FIRM HONORS BEST-SELLING AGENT FOR AUGUST

Kathy Tomkins was honored as the best performing agent for August at Heiden Homes Realty in Grand Junction. Tomkins posted the highest dollar volume in sales and most closed transactions for the month. Heiden Homes Realty operates offices at 735 Rood Ave. For more information, including properties for sale and rent, call 245-7777 or visit the website at www.heidenhomes.com.

Sept. 14

n Trade and export summit, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Two Rivers Convention Center, 159 Main St., Grand Junction. Admission $25, which includes lunch and dinner. https://gjchamber.org or 242-3214

Sept. 15

n Free Coffee Club meeting and presentation by Dalida Bollig, chief executive officer of the Business Incubator Center,, 9 to 10 a.m., FWorks, 325 E. Aspen Ave., Fruita. https://fruitachamber.org or 858-3894

Sept. 18

n Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce quarterly luncheon meeting and candidate forum, noon to 1:30 p.m., DoubleTree by Hilton, 743 Horizon Drive. Admission $25 for chamber members, $30 for others. https://gjchamber.org or 242-3214

Sept. 19

n Presentation on cash flows for small business startups, noon to 1 p.m., Business Incubator Center, 2591 Legacy Way, Grand Junction. 243-5242 or https://gjincubator.org

Sept. 20

n Western Colorado Human Resource Association monthly meeting and presentation on leadership development, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Mesa County Workforce Center, 512 29 1/2 Road, Grand Junction. Members free. Guests pay $20. https://wchra.org

n Young Professionals Network of Mesa County lunch conversation, noon to 1 p.m., Business Incubator Center. www.ypnmc.org

n Palisade Chamber of Commerce business after hours event, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Spoke and Vine Motel, 424 W. Eighth St. Admission for chamber members $5 in advance and $6 at the door. Others pay $8 in advance and $10 at the door. https://palisadecoc.com or 464-7458

n Leading Edge business planning and management course, 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 20 to Dec. 6, Business Incubator Center. Admission $275, $100 for each additional participants from the same business. https://gjincubator.org or 243-5242

Sept. 26

n Presentation on Western Slope government contracting opportunities, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Business Incubator Center. Admission $10. https://gjincubator.org or 243-5242

Sept. 27

n Palisade Chamber of Commerce community over coffee event, 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., location to be announced. https://palisadecoc.com or 464-7458

Upcoming

n Bookkeeping bootcamp, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 28, Business Incubator Center. Admission $75, which includes lunch. 243-5242 or https://gjincubator.org

n Welcome Thursday Friends networking group, noon to 1 p.m., Sept. 28, Ale House, 2531 N. 12th St., Grand Junction. https://fruitachamber.org

See ALMANAC page 31

Jessica Burford

Kathy Tomkins

Allen McReynolds

Barb Bowman

Almanac

Continued from page 30

Upcoming

n Young Professionals Network of Mesa County after hours event, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 28, Fruita Arts Recreation Marketplace, 160 S. Park Square. www.ypnmc.org

n Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce members only business after hours event, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Sept. 28, Mama Ree’s Pizza & Brewhouse, 644 North Ave. Admission $10 in advance, $12 at the door. 242-3214 or https://gjchamber.org

n Free monthly maker meetup, 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 2, GJ Makerspace at the Business Incubator Center. 243-5242 or https://gjincubator.org

n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Women in Business monthly networking luncheon, noon to 1 p.m. Oct 5, location to be announced. Admission $15 for

chamber members, $25 for others. https://fruitachamber.org or 858-3894

n Business startup workshop, 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 5, Business Incubator Center. Admission $55. 243-5242 or https://gjincubator.org

n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce business toolbox presentation on business planning, noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 10, FWorks. Admission $5 for chamber members, $10 for others. https://fruitachamber.org or 858-3894

n Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce networking at noon, noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 11, Dos Hombres, 3245 Interstate 70 Business Loop, Clifton. Admission $20 for chamber members, $25 for others. https://gjchamber.org or 242-3214

n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce business after hours event, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 12, Absolute Prestige

Limousine Service, 1676 13 Road, Loma. Admission $5 for chamber members, $10 for others. 858-3894 or https://fruitachamber.org

n Palisade Chamber of Commerce business after hours event, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 18, Palisade Fire Department, 371 W. Seventh St. Admission for chamber members $5 in advance and $6 at the door. Others pay $8 in advance and $10 at the door. https://palisadecoc.com or 464-7458 n Free Coffee Club meeting, 9 to 10 a.m. Oct. 20, FWorks. https://fruitachamber.org or 858-3894

n Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce members only business after hours event, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 24, Smokin’ Oak Wood Fired Pizza and Taproom, 2478 U.S. Highway 6 & 50, Unit B. Admission $10. 242-3214 or https://gjchamber.org