Fourth and Fifth Streets, and the planned Seventh Street pilot projects continue to cause concern and hassles.
n Birthing Center
Local collective brings together professionals from many specialties to bring services to mothers
The Grand Junction Kiwanis Club recently allocated the proceeds from their annual Pancake Day.
n Palliative Care
November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month. HopeWest strives to bring awareness.
2 2 6
n Fraudulent ballots
Bobbie Gross explains how three fraudulent ballots got through the mail-in voting process in Mesa County.
Is the signal turning red?
n The pilot projects in place in 4th and 5th Streets, and the planned one for 7th Street continue to cause concern and hassles for businesses and citizens.
When it comes to the pilot projects on 4th and 5th Streets, and the plan in the works for another on 7th Street, the citizens of Grand Junction and Mesa County
intersection. Photo by Craig Hall.
Is the signal turning red?
Your place of birth
Local collective brings together professionals from many specialties to bring services to mothers
Craig Hall The Business Times
When Alaina Marquez went to her first meeting of the Grand Junction Birth Collective she was just two months from her due date with her third child. Little did she know the opportunity that was about to present itself to the expectant mother.
“I went because I was a certified doula since 2020 and I needed to work after Covid 19 settled down,” said Marquez, “I thought I’d work a few hours per month if the match was good to help make ends meet by doing what I love in providing affordable, need services for moms who were expecting. Little did I know that was the meeting where the current owner was announcing her intention to step aside and was asking collective members if anyone was interested in taking over.”
“And God told me to raise my hand,” said Marquez. That was in 2022 and turning the calendar two years later and the Grand Junction Birth Collective has been renamed the Colorado Birth Collective and enjoying its new location at 600 Rood Avenue, in Downtown Grand Junction and already looking to expand its footprint in the newly remodeled building. “We looked to buy
a building of our own, but when we saw this space and the owner’s willingness to do a full buildout for not only the collective, but our other business—Drop Anchor Productions—this was too good an opportunity to pass up,” said Marquez.
In addition to now having her doula services inside the collective’s office space, Drop Anchor (which is in the basement of the same building) also does photography, marketing and community outreach for the collective and its members. “What’s most important is the work we’ve done with so many amazing professionals to create a space that is welcoming and comforting to moms at a very important time in their lives of motherhood,” said Marquez.
“What the collective strives to do is offer support to moms through the entire birth process from pregnancy services through postpartum needs—which can last up to four years after delivery,” said Marquez, “And we work to give women these services at the lowest price given it can be difficult to afford what we do, since all our services are self-pay.” Marquez points to possibly becoming a non-profit to offer even more utilizing the benefits of that business status.
See BIRTH page 12
The pilot projects in place in 4th and 5th Streets, and the planned one for 7th Street continue to cause concern and hassles for businesses and citizens.
When it comes to the pilot projects on 4th and 5th Streets, and the plan in the works for another on 7th Street, the citizens of Grand Junction and Mesa County appear to be hitting the brakes at a red light while some members of the city council see nothing but green lights ahead.
City Councilman, and former Grand Junction police officer, Cody Kennedy spent an entire day interviewing Main Street businesses and told the Business Times perhaps only five or six out of the 60-plus businesses he asked were supportive of the changes being made by the City Council. Mayor Pro Tem, Abe Herman, countered Kennedy’s claim, responding, “There’s certainly a mixed reaction, but I’ve heard a lot of positives as well. And you know, I think sometimes folks can get caught in an echo chamber.”
“The thing I’d start with is, ‘What’s the purpose of this configuration?’ Is the purpose how it affects business, which I think it is to some extent, and I’ve discussed that publicly before. But the bigger thing is safety,” said Herman. “We have robust data around downtown and that can tell us whether it’s positively or negatively affecting the downtown. For a number of years, when you went to downtown Grand Junction, you could park in front of the business that you wanted to go to. You could just get out of your car and go there, and that’s no longer a reality, and that’s not something the city has caused.”
See RED page 2
STORY BY CRAIG HALL AND BRANDON LEUALLEN
4th Street and White Avenue intersection near the Grand Junction Post Office. Photo by Craig Hall.
A mom breastfeeds her baby at the new location of the Colorado Birth Collective. Photo provided by Drop Anchor Productions.
Red
Continued from page 2
Kennedy explained it would be a much safer plan to put bike lanes on 3rd and 6th Streets because those streets have much less traffic already. “Can we just use the design from the 2022 study and raise all the crosswalks making them substantial speedbumps?” Kennedy asked. “This, incorporated with a change in timing of the traffic signals would make it much more likely that vehicles coming into the downtown area from Orchard Mesa or North Avenue will need to stop or substantially lower their speeds. Better yet, let’s provide some outstanding bike lanes on 3rd and 6th Streets while keeping 4th and 5th Streets intact for motor vehicles to effectively utilize the Safe System Approach in separating road users in space to enhance safety for all.”
Kennedy stated he had not seen numbers from the city related to bike usage on 4th and 5th Streets prior to the pilot program being put into place although he stated a local bike group was going to start using those thoroughfares to make the numbers in the pilot program data to show increased usage.
“What we’re going to be looking at going forward is the data around those things like transportation engineering, which is what this is. It’s a data driven process, not an anecdotal process. And so throughout this pilot project, what they’ve been looking at is traffic speeds and whether it’s positively or negatively affecting that number of accidents,” said Herman, “certainly you know, both for automobile accidents, pedestrians or bicyclists who are injured, all of those kinds of things.” Herman continued, “So I think the changes are largely positive, but if the data comes out and it tells us that something’s wrong, the data is the data, there’s no arguing with that. So if we see an increase in accidents, or if we see more unsafe conditions, then that would certainly change how we look at the project, because there’s no ideology here. There’s no, you know, being stuck in a cer-
tain mindset. If the data tells us something different about this project, that’s where we go with it.” Herman indicated initial data would hopefully become available by the year’s end or early to Spring of 2025.
A request to the Grand Junction Police Department about traffic incident reports on 4th Street between Ute and North for July 3rd through October 8th of 2024 (the first three months of the pilot project) showed 6 incidents, matching the number of incidents for the same time frame in 2023. However, one of the 2024 incidents involved was a car/bicycle incident at 4th and Ute. Additionally, the police reports showed no traffic incidents on 4th Street involving pedestrians or bicycles for all of 2023.
Replying to a screenshot from a planning commission meeting concerning what actions the city is taking which prolong the predominance of cars Herman noted, “Well, when you take it out of context, you can mean whatever you want it to mean. And what happened with that? It was sent out by a planning commission member who was in a workshop. The planning commissioner has his own certain ideology, and he chose to take it out of context and turn it into something it wasn’t, said Herman, “So when you’re engaging in discussions that planning commission members or council members do that are philosophical conversations about larger infrastructure, the cost of extending infrastructure, but are the type of growth that you want to develop, you’re going to ask a lot of questions. That doesn’t mean that that’s the ideology of the organization. It means that you’re having a philosophical consideration about what is the right direction. And those are the people in the room who are crafting that.”
Kennedy responded it appeared to him there may be some activists in the planning process who want to push people out of driving cars. Kennedy noted that in the 123 pages of the city’s Ped and Bike plan the current pilot project’s design was nowhere to be found. “You may or may not
be surprised to learn that there were many examples of how streets should be designed, but none of them represented what we see implemented on 4th and 5th Street. The parallel parking on the right-hand side is simply not found in the plan. So why are we not following the plan? Where’s the simple barricade to protect the bike lane?” Kennedy said.
“We’re trying to provide people the liberty to move around the city and the way that works best for them, and it may, but it also can include other forms of transportation,” said Herman. And when asked how will the city move forward once data is available? “So that’s ultimately going to be up to council as to how it’s budgeted. We don’t have the 2025 budget finalized, but it has come up as a topic of conversation. We have at least one council member who wanted to move forward quickly, and then in the budget, while a number of us have pushed back and said we need to get the data. We don’t need to rush the process” said Herman, “So I’d say, you know, at the very earliest, Council could put it in a 2026 budget. We’ll get the data, there will be a policy discussion, there will probably be more public outreach at that point, and then there are decisions to be made about, is this working? Is it safer? Is it having the desired effect? And do we want to start moving forward with parts of it? Are there other changes that need to happen? There’s just a lot to be talked about there, because it is a big change.”
Kennedy also noted one council member’s desire to move quickly to implement the changes even though he personally has not seen any data on which to make decisions on any part of the project. Kennedy suggested, “It’s possible that council member would like to get it finalized now in case there is a change in council in this next election. New council members would have a much harder time reversing it.”
Ask your financial professional about the advantages of donating your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) to HopeWest. HopeWestCO.org • (970) 257-2367 HopeWest is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN: 84-1207388
Grand Junction Kiwanis Club allocates funding to local non-profit agencies benefiting children in our community.
At a recent luncheon, the Grand Junction Kiwanis Club allocated $53,000 raised from their 56th annual Pancake Day to local nonprofit agencies dedicated to helping children and families.
Many Children in our community are victims of child abuse, poverty, hunger, physical and mental delays and are experiencing family economic and emotional stresses. Kiwanis is dedicated to raising funds to support these agencies in the valley whose sole mission is to help these children and families.
The 56th annual Pancake Day was held on June 8th at the Mesa County Fairgrounds. Just a few of the recipients are: CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), Partners, Colorado Discover Ability, Marillac Clinic’s Big Little Teeth program, Homeward Bound’s Pathways Family Shelter.
For more information, please contact Kiwanis President Tim Haggerty at (610) 737-0496 info@timothyhaggerty.com or Allocations Chair Stacey WakefieldMascarenas at (970) 250-7525 staceybmascarenas@gmail.com.
HopeWest raises awareness for Hospice and Palliative Care month
November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month—a time to highlight the importance of comfort for those facing serious illness and to celebrate the compassionate care provided by HopeWest teams. Our dedicated professionals ensure that patients and their families receive the highest standard of care. By informing families about the benefits of hospice and palliative care, we help them discover new strength, confidence, and reassurance during otherwise challenging times.
It’s important to recognize that these programs offer months of support throughout the stages of illness, not just in the final days of life. Understanding the basics of both programs will help you decide if hospice or palliative care might benefit you or a loved one.
Both programs prioritize managing pain and symptoms through care management and relieving the burden of serious illness. They also address physical, emotional,
and spiritual needs through the support of a dedicated care team to ultimately improve the quality of life for patients while supporting their families, too.
One of the most basic differences between these programs is that hospice provides care to patients facing terminal illness who no longer seek curative treatment and whose doctors believe they have a prognosis of six months or less to live. In contrast, palliative care is for anyone with a serious illness at any stage and can be provided while actively pursuing curative treatment.
Hospice and palliative care teams provide care to patients wherever they reside, including at home, assisted living facilities or nursing homes, and hospitals. However, only HopeWest hospice patients can access the Ferris Care Center, the only inpatient hospice care facility in western Colorado.
Sometimes, patients and families approach hospice and palliative care with hesitation, apprehensive of what’s
to come, or worried they might be “giving up.” Guided by caregivers like Gabby Maldonado, a HopeWest hospice nurse, families have open conversations to get a better picture of what to expect from hospice or palliative care.
“I want to provide education and support my patients and their families through this journey—a relationship built on a foundation of honesty and compassion,” said Gabby. “Seeing families change their views about hospice or palliative care and empowering them to care for their loved one confidently is so beautiful.”
While our caregivers are specially trained in end-of-life care and know what to expect, they recognize this is often an unfamiliar experience for families. That’s why education, listening, and responding to concerns are so valued.
To learn more about HopeWest, Hospice and Palliative Care month, visit HopeWestCO.org.
How three fraudulent ballots got through the mail-in voting process in Mesa County
Even with several tiers of signature auditing in place, the volume of mail in votes leaves Colorado’s system open to fraud and mistakes while putting the onus on individuals.
Craig Hall and Brandon Leuallen The Business Times
According to Mesa County Clerk Bobbie Gross, the 12 fraudulent ballots under current investigation were all set aside for the envelope signatures not matching by the automated equipment used by the county. “And while that’s all part of the process, the fact is our equipment sets aside about 50% of early ballot envelopes due to signatures not matching. Unless it’s an exact, or almost exact, match, the equipment kicks the envelope out,” said Gross, “And not all counties in Colorado even have the automated equipment needed for the first step in the authorization process.”
The Business Times estimates as many as 35,000 ballots have been progressed to individual, tier one judges as of this report.
According to the Colorado Secretary of State’s website, these are the steps which follow the machine-based rejections.
The first step for an envelope set aside by the equipment is its going before a single election judge for the judge to determine if the signature match passes to move the envelope to be opened and saved and the ballot into the queue to be counted.
Gross indicated she doesn’t like this particular tier
in the process. Ballots cannot be retrieved once separated from the voter’s signature envelope.
If the signature cannot be verified by the single judge, the envelope then goes to a bi-partisan set of two judges to determine if the signature passes or if they agree it does not pass, the ballot does not progress to be counted and the system begins the next step of writing a letter to the voter for in-person curing.
Unlike the initial judge, the bi-partisan judges have access to more signatures than ones from just the previous election. It should be noted at this point, both judges do not have to agree on the signature passing in order for the envelope to be progressed, separated and counted.
“They don’t have to agree, if one says yes, it passes,” said Gross, “Although I have never seen the judges not agree. If one is uncomfortable with the signature they have always just rejected it because the voter will still have the opportunity to cure. That is how we train the judges.”
Gross also noted a tier one judge cannot be part of the tier two process on a ballot they progressed.
“Both tiers are audited periodically during the voting process by the county,” added Gross in saying audits are required by state law.
Even with these tier levels in place, 3 envelopes/ballots were progressed through the system where the ballots are set to be counted.
• Building Code Board of Appeals
• Clifton Community Center Citizen Advisory Committee
• Colorado State University Extension
Tri River Area Advisory Board
• De Beque Community Center Citizen Advisory Committee
• Fair Board
• Noxious Weed Advisory Board
• Upper Grand Valley Pest Control District WE ARE LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS
For more information on Commissioner-appointed volunteer opportunities, or to apply, please visit https://www.mesacounty.us/departments-andservices/commissioners/volunteer-opportunities
The Business Times cannot confirm if any of those ballots were ones from the citizens who went to the county in person with concerns.
“The Secretary of State did have a few things incorrect concerning the three ballots that were accepted. Our equipment did kick them out for signature verification and unfortunately one election judge accepted the three when they shouldn’t have,” said Gross.
The judge who approved those ballots has been reassigned.
“I respect our judges and the difficult work they do,” said Gross, “Unfortunately, in these cases they made a mistake while doing their best. And with all that said, Colorado law prohibits us from overturning a judge’s decision. If our audit sees something which shouldn’t have been accepted or rejected, the only thing we can do is go over the training again and have a conversation. If the judge continues to accept or reject when they shouldn’t have, we can take them off that process and reassign them or let them go if needed.”
Gross also noted the county is going through all of the ballots it has received thus far and have found no additional fraudulent envelopes/ballots. “So far, We’ve gone through about 60% of the 30,000 ballots we’ve received.”
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of those the county incorrect Our equipand unwhen they been reasthey do,” they made that said, judge’s deshouldn’t have do is go conversation. If the shouldn’t reassign them through all of found no far, We’ve we’ve re-
Birth
Continued from page 2
The Colorado Birth Collective has services including doulas, midwives, lactation consultants, chiropractic, basic ultrasound, massage and nutrition.
Like Marquez’s doula business, Sunshine Birth Services, the idea behind the new space is a shared concept as many providers share office space with others in the same profession. Additionally, the shared concept of the Birth Collective has 5 members in Gunnison and 4 members in Delta in similar-styled locations, both with more looking to join.
“One collective concept I love in the new office space is the open area we call “The Womb” which is large enough to make patients feel welcome, host event and bring their children along with them to appointments,” said Marquez, “We’re not set up like a doctor’s office. We wanted a place where moms who are breastfeeding can feel safe and secure at an event about their needs and concerns while also having just a place to meet for coffee and more social events.”
“Ultimately these events will be fee or donation based to help fund a scholarship program for the collective for moms who need financial assistance with our services,” said Marquez, “And given the success of our satellites already, we envision a pretty big need across all of Colorado.”
“Eventually I can envision providing services all the way through menopause for our clients,” said Marquez, “And even expanding into services for siblings and husbands as their lives are affected during all of the stages of motherhood as well.”
“The best part is I can live and work my passion while being surrounded by my kids. My daughters have been to live births either in my arms or crawling around,” says Marquez, “What better way to normalize birth and what it means to be a mother, father and family unit.”
Alaina Marquez FOR
F
Collective has serlactation ultrasound, nutrition. Marquez’s douSunshine Services, the the new shared conproviders space with same proAdditionally, concept Collecmembers in 4 memlocations, love in the area we call enough to make and bring appointset up like place where feel safe needs and place to events.” be fee or scholarship moms who services,” success of our pretty big providing menopause for even exand husduring all of work my my kids. births either says Marnormalize birth father and
n Business filings
t New business filings in Colorado, 41,622 in the third quarter, down 5.3% from the third quarter of 2023.
n Foreclosures
t Foreclosure filings in Mesa County, 19 in September, down from 32 in September 2023.
s Foreclosure sales in Mesa County, 4 in September, up from 3 in September 2023.
n Real estate
t Real estate transactions in Mesa County, 284 in September, down 5 percent from September 2023.
s Dollar volume of real estate transactions in Mesa County, $156.5 million in September, up 29.3% from September 2023.
n Sales
s Sales and use tax collections in Mesa County, $4.74 million for September, up .8% from September 2023
n Unemployment
t Grand Junction Unemployment 4.2% for September, down .2%
n Colorado Unemployment 4.0% for September, unchanged
t Mesa County Unemployment 4.2% for September, down .2% t United States — 4.1% for September, down 0.1.
Employers should prepare for seasonal issues
Last month, we discussed how to properly pay employees during the holidays. This month, we’ll look at practical issues that arise around holiday parties and snow days. Are we exposing our organization to legal liability by serving alcohol at holiday parties?
Generally, if the party is organized properly, the answer is no. Colorado’s “dram shop” law, C.R.S. § 44-3-801, states that a social host is not legally liable for the actions of a guest served alcohol unless the guest is a minor. Most employers hold holiday parties at restaurants or venues with trained staff to monitor over-consumption, transferring responsibility to professionals. Under Colorado’s dram law, alcohol vendors—not social hosts—are liable if they knowingly and willfully serve alcohol to visibly intoxicated individuals.
However, no employer wants to risk an incident. If your organization hosts a party where alcohol is available, consider these tips to discourage over-consumption: F Avoid an open bar. Opt for a cash bar or provide a limited number of drink tickets.
F Limit drinks to wine and beer rather than hard liquor, and ensure a selection of non-alcoholic drinks.
F Stop serving alcohol at least one hour before the party ends, and serve coffee, desserts, and plenty of water or non-alcoholic beverages during this time.
F Arrange safe transportation home by offering free rideshare services or enlisting designated drivers. What should employers do on “snow days”?
The answer depends on whether the organization is closed and if the employee is classified as non-exempt or exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
For non-exempt employees, the FLSA only requires pay for hours worked. Some employers provide paid leave when the office is closed, but it’s not mandatory. If the office is open and employees can’t make it in, employers can let them use accrued paid time off.
For exempt employees, the situation is more nuanced. If the office is closed, employers must pay exempt employees for the day, even for closures due to weather or power outages. If an exempt employee chooses to stay home due to weather, they must still be paid for the day if they perform any work. However, the employer can require them to use paid time off for hours not worked, as in normal circumstances when an exempt employee takes time off.
If the office remains open and an exempt employee
chooses not to work or work from home, employers aren’t required to pay them for that day. The FLSA allows pay deductions for full days not worked for personal reasons (unrelated to sickness or injury).
Remote work and snow days
With the rise of remote work, snow days may affect fewer employees. Remote employees can typically continue working, and many who normally commute are now equipped to work from home. However, if the office is closed and remote employees run out of work due to the closure, employers are still obligated to pay them for the full day. This is because the lack of work results from the employer’s needs, not the employee’s choice.
Prepare now to enjoy a safe holiday season. Employers Council offers resources for members on these and other seasonal employment topics, and members with consulting or enterprise-level services can reach out to our HR professionals and employment attorneys anytime.
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 the emplo(970)852-0190 or email him at dharris@ employerscouncil.org.
Local partnerships aim to prevent youth tobacco use
Preventing youth tobacco use is a priority in Mesa County, and community members, including local businesses, play an important role. Public health resources are available to help reduce youth tobacco use, and one of the main goals is to equip youth, parents, and other trusted adults with the knowledge and resources to refuse nicotine or successfully quit.
To prevent young people from starting, Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) provides anti-vape education at community events such as the recent Trunk or Treat event in Clifton. Many youths mistakenly believe e-cigarettes and vapes contain only water vapor and flavoring. To address this misconception, outreach efforts highlight the harmful chemicals found in vapes, such as acrolein, a herbicide that can cause serious lung damage when inhaled.
MCPH is also collaborating with the Western Colorado Area Health Education Center and the Juvenile Diversion and Lighthouse Program on a youth-led anti-
vaping presentation for middle and high school students. This program allows students from across the valley to work together on presentations they deliver to their peers, leveraging the idea that students are often more receptive to messages about vaping from their peers than from adults.
“This outreach and education are especially important for youth because there is so much misinformation about vaping out there,” said Darcy Weir, MCPH Community Health Planner. “By providing this education at the middle and high school levels, we can prevent nicotine addiction, protect students’ mental and physical health, and empower them to resist targeted marketing from tobacco companies.”
To support those already dealing with nicotine addiction, MCPH promotes several free cessation resources, including My Life, My Quit, QuitLine Colorado, and Baby and Me Tobacco-Free. These programs offer information, activities, and personalized counseling to help individuals quit.
According to the 2023 Youth Tobacco Use and Attitudes Special Report, the top three reasons students try vaping are peer or family influence, availability of flavors, and perceptions
that vaping is less harmful than other forms of tobacco. Notably,inMesaCounty,therateofstudentswhotrytobacco before age 13 is nearly double the statewide average, with 12 percent of students in the county reporting tobacco use before that age.
Additionally, while 62 percent of Mesa County youth believe smoking one or more packs of cigarettes daily poses a high risk, only one-third see daily vaping as similarly risky, contributing to a higher rate of vaping compared to smoking among students.
Ongoing prevention efforts aim to change these perceptions and reduce the appeal and use of electronic vapor products.
For more information on youth vaping prevention, visit the Mesa County Public Health website at mesacounty.us/ public-health.
Sarah Gray is a communication specialist with Mesa County Public Health. For additional information, call (970) 248-6900 or visit mesacounty.us/public-health. F
Dean Harris
Sarah Gray
The critical role of business planning
In an era where markets evolve rapidly and competition is fierce, strategic business planning is essential for companies and individuals seeking stability and growth. Whether the aim is to establish a foothold or looking to expand, a well-crafted business plan serves as a strategic guide. It is the foundation upon which decisions are made, resources are allocated, and goals are achieved.
At its core, a business plan is a blueprint that charts the course for the future. It defines the objectives, strategies, and anticipated challenges, offering a roadmap for achieving success.
The first step to this blueprint is to set direction and focus, an alignment around goals and objectives. Next, is informed decision-making by evaluating options based on data, projected outcomes, and risk assessments rather than on gut feelings alone. Thirdly, attracting investors and securing funding. Investors, lenders, and stakeholders want to see a clear plan with financial projections, market research, and strategic initiatives that justify their investment. And lastly, identifying risks and preparing for contingencies, this is not an if, but a when.
A successful business plan is comprehensive yet flexible, covering every facet of while allowing room for adjustments. However, there are some critical elements to consider and focus on when developing the plan.
Your vision and mission statement lay the foundation. A vision statement describes the “what”, while the mission statement explains the “why”. Clear mission and vision statements help to create an understanding of the objectives, alignment, and motivation.
Market research and competitive analysis is essential
By focusing on vision, market research, goal setting, financial forecasting, marketing strategies, and risk management, companies can navigate uncertainty and position themselves for long-term success.
to identifying opportunities and making informed decisions. Market research includes both quantitative and qualitative data that reveals trends, needs, and growth opportunities, as well as insights into competitors’ strengths and weaknesses. An effective competitive analysis might include market size and growth potential, which helps to forecast demand and identify new market segments. Customer personas represent the ideal customer – detailing demographics, needs, and preferences. The competitive landscape provides insight into competitors’ positioning, pricing, and customer loyalty. By knowing the market and competition, you can how to differentiate your products or services.
Setting clear and measurable objectives is crucial to moving a business forward. A good way to do this is to follow the SMART criteria – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This ensures goals are actionable and can be tracked over time.
Financial planning is the backbone of any business plan. Investors, in particular, look for realistic financial projections to gauge the viability of a business. Key financial elements to include are forecasts, budgets, cash-flow statements, and a break-even analysis. A solid financial plan gives businesses the foresight to anticipate funding needs and adjust stay on track.
A robust marketing and sales strategy is also essential for attracting and retaining customers. This outlines how the company intends to reach its target audience, differentiate itself from competitors, and drive revenue. Focusing on factors like target audience, varying marketing channels, and sales process.
Conducting a SWOT analysis is one of the most effective and eye-opening exercises you can do for your business. The SWOT will identify the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats and offers a clear understanding of internal capabilities with the strengths and opportunities and external challenges thorough the weaknesses and threats.
This analysis helps companies make informed strategic decisions and anticipate potential obstacles. By understanding these factors, businesses can better leverage their strengths, address weaknesses, capitalize on opportunities, and mitigate threats.
Effective business planning is more than a one-time task—it’s an ongoing process that allows you to adapt, grow, and overcome challenges. By focusing on vision, market research, goal setting, financial forecasting, marketing strategies, and risk management, companies can navigate uncertainty and position themselves for long-term success.
As markets continue to evolve, businesses that invest time and resources into strategic planning can better weather disruptions, seize new opportunities, and deliver value to their customers and stakeholders. In a competitive landscape, a well-crafted business plan isn’t just a tool for growth; it’s a roadmap to resilience and sustainability.
Stewart Cruickshank is sales manager of Bray & Company Real Estate in Grand Junction, located at 1015 N. 7th St. in Grand Junction. To reach out to Stewart Cruickshank, call (970) 242-3647.
Stewart Cruickshank
Let’s take a look at employee burnout
In 2019, job-related burnout was officially recognized as a mental health concern by the World Health Organization.
Although it is not classified as a medical condition, burnout is defined in the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) as an occupational phenomenon resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by three primary dimensions: Feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion, increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job and reduced professional efficacy
Employers have invested unprecedented resources in employee mental health and well-being, especially since the onset of COVID-19. Yet, burnout is at an all-time high. What is the reason?
Many companies offer various wellness benefits such as yoga, meditation, app subscriptions, personal wellbeing days, and self-help training opportunities. However, as commendable as these benefits may be, they focus on individual well-being, while the root causes of employee burnout often lie in unresolved workplace issues. Problems like frequent on-call work, feelings of unfair treatment, unreasonable workloads, micromanagement, and lack of socialization are not addressed through wellness initiatives. Without a systemic approach to tackle adverse workplace factors, organizations may witness a rise in toxic behavior, leading to increased turnover, absenteeism, decreased engagement, and low productivity.
Addressing the Disconnect
A company’s workforce is its most valuable resource,
and prioritizing employee health and well-being is essential for fostering motivation, engagement, and productivity. However, neglecting these priorities can lead to staff burnout.
Common symptoms of employee burnout include cynical and critical behavior, employees dragging themselves to work, lack of motivation upon arrival, irritability and impatience, decreased energy and productivity, lack of satisfaction from work achievements, disillusionment with one’s job, increased reliance on food, drugs, or alcohol for comfort, changes in sleep habits, unexplained physical complaints, frequent tardiness or absences and decreased quality of work.
What Causes Employee Burnout?
Employee burnout occurs when individuals are physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausted. Various workplace stressors can contribute to burnout, including ineffective leadership, inadequate communication from supervisors, lack of control over work schedules, workload, and assignments, insufficient resources to complete tasks effectively, unreasonable, unclear, or impossible expectations, dysfunctional workplace dynamics, including bullying or micromanagement, misalignment of values between employers and employees, poor job fit, isolation and lack of social support, insufficient support for work-life balance,and inadequate recognition for exceptional performance
Preventing Burnout
To mitigate the risks of burnout, employers can take several proactive steps:
F Identify Strengths and Weaknesses: Ensure employees are in roles suited to their skills and interests, promoting motivation and productivity.
F Reward and Support: Foster a supportive environment, avoiding gossip, cliques, or other destructive behaviors.
F Assign Realistic Tasks: Delegate challenging yet manageable work.
F Engage in Clear Communication: Clearly communicate job expectations and ensure employees understand their roles within the organization.
F Emphasize the Positive: Regularly acknowledge employees’ contributions and express gratitude.
F Support Work-Life Balance: Recognize the importance of employee vacations and personal interests, and show flexibility in managing their professional and personal lives.
F Build Team Morale: Facilitate team meetings and bonding activities to strengthen relationships and foster unity.
F Provide Educational Opportunities: Offer training and development opportunities to enhance employees’ skills, confidence, and creativity.
F Foster Trust, Rapport, and Transparency: Actively listen to employees, encourage feedback, and create an open environment for discussion. Use employee input to make strategic adjustments and demonstrate its value to the organization.
Taking Action Against Burnout
The magnitude of the burnout problem and its negative effects cannot be ignored. Burnout can lead to long-term health issues and adversely impact workplace culture. It is imperative to remain vigilant about this issue and take immediate action when necessary, as your workforce is your company’s most important asset.
Pamela Drake has an extensive 35+ years in unemployment and human resources and works with Lighthouse HR Support, a Grand Junction firm offering human resource services for small and medium-sized businesses. For more information, call (970) 243-7789 or log on to www.lighthousehrs.net.
Pamela Drake
Are You Passionate About Your Business?
What were the reasons you started your business? If you’re like most entrepreneurs, your intention was to create a situation where you have greater control over your destiny. Perhaps you wanted to build something meaningful that could be sold for a profit or passed down to your children. You may have also sought more freedom, financial abundance, and the ability to travel frequently. Maybe you wanted to make a difference or genuinely enjoy what you do for a living.
How often are you so excited about your business that you can’t wait to engage with your day? Conversely, how often do you dread even the thought of working on or in your business? Be honest: Does it feel like a burden, or are you inspired and energized by your work?
When you love what you do, there is no sense of burden or drudgery—only enthusiasm, passion, and joy. You will often feel better when you are “working” than when you are not. You will constantly seek to improve yourself and your business; ideas will flow readily, and it will be fun to be you in your business.
More often than not, people start a business based on what they know—what they are good at and comfortable doing—not necessarily what they are passionate about. Sometimes, entrepreneurs choose a product or service they believe will make them rich, but they don’t genuinely believe in it or would even use it themselves. This creates a disconnect that even riches cannot compensate for. If you sell useless, low-quality, or defective goods and services— and you know it—your lack of integrity will eventually catch up to you, potentially destroying your business and
Effective leaders provide a consistently empowering example, utilize the best tools for hiring true talent, and invest in the development of their team members. They aren’t perfect or infallible. They are human, authentic, and strive to be their best while supporting others in doing the same.
any professional satisfaction you once felt.
Believing in the products and services you provide is a necessary ingredient in enjoying business ownership. Integrity not only feels good, but it also attracts and retains talented team members and increases the number of loyal customers you serve. Integrity enhances the fun, pleasure, and success you experience in running your business.
Another key ingredient in the satisfaction you derive from your business is your leadership style and ability. If you don’t like to be a leader, don’t understand what effective leadership entails, or don’t know how to perform this responsibility well, your enjoyment of your business will suffer tremendously. Ineffective leadership is one of the major pitfalls to happiness and success in business.
Effective leaders provide a consistently empowering example, utilize the best tools for hiring true talent, and invest in the development of their team members. They aren’t perfect or infallible. They are human, authentic, and strive to be their best while supporting others in doing the same. This behavior results in greater job satisfaction, increased productivity, loyalty and retention, exceptional customer service, and improved sales. Becoming a good leader takes time and effort, but as you develop your leadership skills, your business will run more smoothly,
become more successful, and your enjoyment will increase exponentially.
The quality of your team is also essential to your happiness and success. All business owners understand the unending stress and challenges that poor-quality team members bring to the business culture. This is a situation worth avoiding at all costs.
The more qualified, well-trained, happy, and committed your team members are, the better it is for everyone involved. People who enjoy their work perform at much higher levels than those who do not. Hiring talented individuals is a science, and a qualified professional can provide proven strategies that will dramatically improve your success rate.
Through my work as a professional development coach and consultant, I have met many business owners who are financially successful yet not thriving. Financial success is only one aspect of your business.
When you are passionate about your business—when you truly love and believe in what you do—and are an effective leader who has built a capable, happy, and loyal team that offers exceptional products and services, greater financial rewards and enjoyment will follow.
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
State Tax Incentives For Small Business Owners
THE ENTERPRISE ZONE PROGRAM (EZ) was created by the Colorado Legislature (C.R.S. Title 39, Article 30) in 1986 to promote business development in economically distressed areas by offering state income tax credits to private businesses and to taxpayers who contribute to certified nonprofit organizations. The EZ is managed by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), and the Mesa County Enterprise Zone is administered locally by the Business Incubator Center. Private businesses, located within the geographical boundaries of the EZ, are eligible to receive the following tax credits:
1. Investment Tax Credit: 3% of business personal property
2. Job Training Tax Credit: 12% of the eligible job training investment
3. New Employee Credit: $1,100 per net new job
4. Employer Sponsored Health Insurance Credit: $1,000 per net new job
5. Research and Development Tax Credit: 3% of the qualified expenditures
6. Vacant Commercial Building Rehabilitation Tax Credit: 25% of eligible rehabilitation costs
7. Commercial Vehicle Tax Credit:1.5% of the qualifying investment
8. Manufacturing and Mining Sale and Use Tax Exemption
To claim tax credits, businesses MUST pre-certify online. Businesses can pre-certify up to 90 days before the start of the tax year.
Pre-Certify your business today by visiting https://oedit.colorado.gov/enterprise-zoneprogram and select “Apply for Tax Credits”. Without an approved pre-certification, businesses lose the opportunity to claim the EZ tax credits at the end of the tax year.
IT’S TIME TO PRE-CERTIFY YOUR BUSINESS! The Business Incubator Center 2591 Legacy Way • Grand Junction, CO 81503 970.243.5242 • GJIncubator.org
On the other side, EZ Contribution Projects are nonprofit and/or government entity projects that have been approved by the Colorado Economic Development Commission. These projects support local economic development goals and promote job creation and retention in our county. Colorado taxpayers can receive 25% state income tax credit for monetary contributions and 12.5% for eligible in-kind donations to these certified projects.
For a list of all current Contribution Projects in Mesa County, visit the Business Incubator Center’s website at gjincubator.org/mesa-county-enterprise-zone/.
For more information, or if you have any questions, please feel free to call us: 970-2435242, or email Antonia directly at mcezadmin@gjincubator.org
Antonia Saucedo is part of the team at the Business Incubator Center, she is the Program Administrator for the Mesa County Enterprise Zone and Loan Associate for the Business Loan Fund of Mesa County. She holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Colorado Mesa University.
Since its founding in 1986, the Business Incubator Center has been a key pillar of economic and business development, actively building entrepreneurial ecosystems in Mesa County and the surrounding region. It is the oldest business incubator in continuous operation in Colorado and home to eleven programs: the Grand Junction Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Business Loan Fund of Mesa County, Mesa County Enterprise Zone, two world-class incubator programs, F-Works and the Grand Junction Makerspace, AgriWest, Colorado Circular Economy Center (CEDC), Strategic Training for Nonprofits and the Workforce Innovation Project. The Business Incubator Center is an invaluable resource for small businesses in the region.
What’s in a name? In this case, the chance to get it right
Why else are we in the newspaper business, if not to report stories where we get things right?
For me, it didn’t take even one edition as chief cook and bottle washer at this publication—a publication I’m proud to own and bring to the citizens of the Grand Valley. And you know what? I’m OK with those little mistakes, even though many might say these errors ruin my credibility. It’s hard to destroy credibility built over 25 years when those “grave errors” come down to getting a couple of names wrong.
To me, these errors actually solidify the Business Times’ reputation in another way: Admitting when we’ve screwed up is what our readers deserve. It’s also what the two people whose names we messed up deserve. As I told my old editor Phil Castle in the interview he did with me a few editions back, I believe in perfecting, not perfection. Phil came as close to perfection over 25 years as anyone I’ve seen in our media market. I can count the number of retractions on one hand and the number of misspellings and (funny) headline errors on the other.
Just like you should admit when you don’t know the answer, you should also admit when you make a mistake. As I had to with the people whose names I got wrong. I’m no Harry Truman, but the buck stops at my increasingly occupied desk. What better way to perfect what a small group of citizen journalists are striving to do at the Business Times?
Mistake one involved an organization close to my heart, HopeWest. The director of its PACE program is Dr. Heidi Marlin—not Martin. Somehow we were autocorrected from Marlin to Martin in the editing process. Lesson learned: Double-check names for autocorrection. Thanks, HopeWest, for your email. Your Marlin was swimming on our website within minutes.
Mistake number two is entirely on me. This alert came via what you (or an old game show) might call “phone a friend”—though it certainly didn’t cost me a million dollars. A friend called not to tell me I’d gotten her name wrong in the story I wrote on her new gallery, but rather her husband’s. I’ve known my friend Carlee for years. And I was so focused on spelling her name correctly (it’s not Carly) that I put her husband’s name as Lee. Too bad his name is Terry. So, my desire to get one thing right got another thing wrong.
And unless our editor is personal friends with Carlee and Terry, there’s no correction coming. Thanks for the call, Carlee, and for not letting me tarry on updating Terry’s name on the website.
In keeping with the Business Times’ duty to be transparent, I’ll make one more admission: I fully expect mistakes as we work to bring you news. We’re doing it our way, as citizen journalists. That’s right—other than osmosis from swallowing water when I was thrown into the deep end in 2000, we’re not professional journalists. Just a bunch of regular folks serving regular folks the best way we can, openly and honestly, while improving as we go.
Keep reading. We think you’ll enjoy it. More importantly, you’ll probably learn something new or different from what the professionals are telling you. We’ve always done it with profile stories, and now you can enjoy it with some investigative ones, too.
Sure, we may need to tweak things as we go, but you’ll be getting the whole story as we do.
No matter the outcome, for better or worse, it’ll be
Let’s just be honest, if President Trump wins, the Democrats will be apoplectic, and we’ll probably have a repeat of the 2016 election aftermath, but to a greater degree. After all, how else can people react to the election of Satan’s top minion and all the Democrats are claiming he’ll do once in office. Demonstrations are planned, and signs are being printed.
After all, the claims are worthy of an insurrection or worse. Some of the worse has already happened, including the Democrats version of insurrection just four years ago. And they’ve kept up the violence towards President Trump ever since. Why wouldn’t we expect more and worse if Trump wins?
If Vice President Harris wins, we can expect Joe Biden II (or Barack Obama IV), also known as Kamala’s second coming since she’s part and parcel of Biden I. You remember, the follies, problems and insanity foisted on the country for the past four years. So, what to expect there? How about a lot more of the crazed mainstream media reporting and lies about Republicans who are working to stop the leftist agenda being forced on the citizens of our country? If I had to guess, I’d say they’ll make redress of government illegal.
It’s hard to believe, but the Democrats have made a man who should never be president or in authority again from his Covid 19 response, Operation Warp Speed and 15 days to slow the spread look like a vastly superior candidate who should be president again.
At least Trump governed well leading up the Covid 19 debacle. His mistake at that time was putting bureaucrats in charge instead of medical professionals. Let’s just say self-interested people put policy in place to benefit their self-interests. Did you honestly think someone representing vaccine and drug manufacturers wasn’t going to have a vaccine or special drug as the solutions to get back to normal from Covid 19?
And then note, we aren’t anywhere near back to normal. Literally everything under government control since Covid 19 (which is, pretty much everything) is decidedly worse.
I would hope in this election, Trump wins in a landslide so there’s no number of vans full of ballots in the middle of the night which can be tabulated at a 90 percent Democrat rate to overturn things by the next morning. Then again, that’s just another Democrat side benefit of mail in voting—so expect something like it. Not that it will stop Democrats from trying. With the Jena Griswold’s of the country in charge of all too many elections in left-leaning and swing states, expect havoc.
worse
I mean, you still don’t believe a guy hiding in his basement got the highest number of votes in American history, do you? I suppose some still do, even after understanding Biden dropped out of two other presidential campaigns with zero support and his Vice President couldn’t even survive to the first debate in her only run--not to mention how Joe was trying to be rid of Kamala before Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama gave him the hook. How anyone can vote for our Vice President after she just claimed in her commercial Americans have lost so many rights over the past few years—when she and Joe were in charge! Obviously, Kamala fully understands the paradox she and Joe were in charge as Americans have lost those rights while also knowing darned-well she and Joe aren’t and haven’t been in charge one iota. They are simply props (supporting actors, at best) in a larger play being directed by the Democrat Party. Don’t you think so? Name anything President Biden has done since he got removed from running for president by his own party? How about in the year before? So what does the Wednesday after election day bring most Americans? Same as it always has. The people try to live the best we can while working around the government. After all, Trump can’t turn around the Democrat damage in a day, month, a year or even four years and if Harris is in charge I would hope there’s a Republican House and Senate preventing the further destruction of our country. But I doubt we’ll get anything more than the game most of them play to get rich and get votes. For me and millions of Americans, it isn’t a game. What we do isn’t about money or power (although making a few bucks is nice, but then, there are those darned taxes) it’s about creating a better life for the ones we love.
Wouldn’t this be a good idea for our elected betters? To simply get government out of the way and let us live our best lives within the law while not violating the rights of others? Sadly, we don’t elect leaders who believe individual freedom is the solution. Instead, we elect people who believe problems are solved with vaccine technology which has never worked, or PVC pipe and paint makes roads safer or somehow get elected because you want a higher salary and it’s time, or worst of all, claim their opponent is Hitler.
For those of us who love freedom, it’ll be business as usual come the first Wednesday of November. We have little choice—in life or elections.
We’ll just have to make our way through four more years of worse.
Craig Hall is owner and publisher of the Business Times. Reach him at 424-5133 or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com F
Craig Hall
Is America still the land of the free?
Phyllis Hunsinger
During the War of 1812, Dr. William Beanes, a friend of Francis Scott Key, was taken prisoner by the British. According to History.com, Key traveled to Baltimore, located the ship where Beanes was held, and, despite a negotiated release, the two men were not allowed to leave until after the British bombardment of Fort McHenry. Key watched the bombardment from aboard a ship. After a full day and evening of fighting, the British were unable to destroy the fort and gave up. Key was relieved to see the American flag still flying over Fort McHenry at “dawn’s early light.” He quickly penned the lines to a poem, “The Defense of Fort McHenry.” The poem was printed in newspapers and later set to music, becoming a fixture at official events at the request of President Woodrow Wilson. The song was adopted as the national anthem on March 3, 1931.
An often-quoted line of the song is “the land of the free.” American freedoms are defined and enumerated in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. These freedoms are to be valued and defended. Is America today still the land of the free?
President Ronald Reagan said, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”
Overruled by Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch and Janie Nitze explores the loss of freedom because of excessive regulations. Gorsuch and Nitze recognize that some law is essential to our lives and freedoms. However, they also acknowledge that too much law can place those freedoms at risk and even undermine respect for the law itself. With every piece of enacted legislation, citizens lose economic, social, and personal freedoms, a loss most acutely felt by those without wealth, power, or status.
To demonstrate the loss of economic freedom, look no further than the 2024 Index of Economic Freedom, published annually by the Heritage Foundation, which ranks countries from “free” to “repressed.” The U.S. barely earned the “mostly free” category. The U.S. score has declined steadily to 70.1, ranking 25th, while Singapore ranked first with a score of 83.5.
The U.S. scored slightly higher than Singapore in protecting property rights and judicial effectiveness. However, the U.S. ranked low in government integrity, tax burden, and government spending, which significantly impacted its standing. Singapore, Switzerland, Ireland, and Taiwan scored in the top four “free” countries.
Let’s examine the three areas where the U.S. ranked low enough to barely qualify as “mostly free”:
Let’s examine where the U.S. struggled:
F Government Integrity: A government whose agencies have demonstrated a willingness to deceive American citizens will not score well on integrity.
F Tax Burden: A government that takes from the productive to give to the unproductive leads to lower productivity, economic stagnation, and declining prosperity.
F Government Spending: A government that refuses to balance its budget, choosing instead to spend and print trillions of dollars, is not fiscally sound.
Excessive government interference in economic activity harms society as a whole. Justice Gorsuch, in Overruled, warned that when every aspect of our lives is regulated and controlled by government, our freedoms are threatened by criminal prosecution if we do not comply with every dictate. The Index of Economic Freedom illustrates what the loss of economic freedom means.
On July 4, 2024, Emily Ekins wrote in her article, “New Poll: 74 percent Worry Americans Could Lose Our Freedoms If We’re Not Careful,” that a recent survey by the Cato Institute found 76 percent of Americans have a favorable opinion of the founding of the United States. About threefourths of Americans worry that if we’re not careful, we could lose the freedoms we have in this country. “A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take away everything you have.” This anonymous quote is profound and thought-provoking.
Is America still considered the land of the free?
Phyllis Hunsinger is founder of the Freedom & Responsibility Education Enterprise Foundation in Grand Junction. The FREE Foundation provides resources to students and teachers in Western Colorado to promote the understanding of economics, financial literacy and free enterprise. A former teacher, principal and superintendent, Hunsinger wrote “Down and Dirty: A ‘How To’ Math Book.” Reach Hunsinger by email at phyllis@free-dom.us.com. For more information about the FREE Foundation, log on to www.free-dom.us.com.
Take our reader survey. We haven’t talked in a while!
Since 1994, it has been the mission of the Business Times to be the definitive source of Western Slope business news. It has been our honor to serve our readers twice monthly with interesting, local, original stories about the businesses, people and your friends and neighbors while creating a preeminent vehicle for our advertisers.
As 2025 approaches, we’d like to do more. If we’ve learned anything the past 30 years, it’s that all news affects business. And that’s across all spectrums of business, commerce and government. So we’re coming to you with a brief survey to update our readership profile and ask what you’d like to see more of in addition to our great business stories as we move forward. After all, you’re going to be seeing more of us!
Demographic Information
How old are you?
o 19 or under o 20-29 o 30-39 o 40-49 o 50-59 o 60-69 o 70 or over
Which are you? o Male o Female o Prefer not to answer
Marital Status Education Level
o Single o Married o High School o Associate degree
o Divorced o Widowed o Bachelor’s degree o Masters and above
o Single Parent
Income
o $0-$29,999 o $30,000-$59,999 o $60,000-$89,999
o $90,000-$119,999 o $120,000+ o Prefer not to say
Do you currently own or rent your home? o Rent o Own
Employment
o Full-time o Part-time o Contract or temporary o Retired
o Unemployed o Unable to work o Prefer not to say
o Other (please specify)________________________________
Employement Level
o Entry Level o Managerial Level o Business Owner
Do you give back to the community?
o Charity o Church o Volunteer o Prefer not to say how o Do not give back
Important Readership Information
How often do you read The Business Times?
o Every edition (twice monthly) o Once a month o Occasionally o Online
What interests you the most about the current paper? (can choose more than one)
o Business Profile Stories
o Contributors
o Business Briefs
o Local Business Announcements o Ads
o Opinion
o Business People SHARE YOUR OPINION
The Business Times welcomes submissions for publication in the opinion section. Email submissions to publisher@thebusinesstimes.com Please include full contact information with submission.
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o Yes o No o Would consider it
Please fill out the survey and mail to: The Business Times
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Completed surveys will be entered in a random drawing to possibly win one of four $50 local restaurant gift certificates or receive one of 10 free subscriptions for The Business Times for 2025 (If you already subscribe, your renewal is free).
n ENSTROM CANDIES TO CELEBRATE 15TH ANNIVERSARY AT CORNER SQUARE LOCATION WITH COMMUNITY FESTIVITIES
Enstrom Candies invites the Grand Junction community to celebrate the 15th anniversary of its Corner Square location. Join Enstrom for a day filled with festivities on Thursday, Nov. 7, featuring a special ribbon-cutting ceremony from 11 to 11:30 a.m. to commemorate this milestone.
The event will be held at 120 Park Drive, Grand Junction, and will continue throughout the day, offering guests the chance to enjoy tasting our famous toffee. To show our appreciation for 15 years of community support, each in-store purchase of $15 or more will enter customers into a drawing for a gift basket filled with Enstrom treats.
“We’re not only celebrating the past 15 years but reaffirming our dedication to quality, family, and community — values that have been central to Enstrom Candies since our founder, Chester K. ‘Chet’ Enstrom, opened our doors in 1960,” said the Enstrom family.
Enstrom Candies has a proud history of crafting the world’s finest almond toffee using fresh, sustainably sourced ingredients. Chet Enstrom’s story of resilience and creativity has laid a foundation for a business that has become a beloved local treasure, and his legacy continues to thrive through the commitment of our family and team.
For more information about Enstrom Candies and its 15th anniversary celebration, please contact Baily Manuppella at (970) 683-2492 or baily@enstrom.com.
n DWC CPAs AND ADVISORS MAKES TOP 200 PRIVATE COLORADO COMPANIES LIST
DWC CPAs and Advisors has once again earned a spot on ColoradoBiz’s Top 200 Private Companies list. This year’s honor marks the eleventh consecutive year DWC has appeared on the list, which ranks companies headquartered in Colorado by annual revenue. Fewer than ten companies on the list are based in Western Colorado, highlighting DWC’s unique standing in the region. Since its founding over 75 years ago, DWC has consistently upheld a tradition of service and growth across the state.
“We are honored to be recognized by ColoradoBiz for more than a decade as a top private company in Colorado,” said Chris West, CEO of DWC CPAs and Advisors. “As one of the oldest companies on this list, our success reflects the commitment of our clients, employees, and community partners. Their support has been instrumental in helping us reach this milestone.”
DWC CPAs and Advisors is the largest public accounting firm headquartered in Western Colorado. Ranked as a top 300 accounting and consulting firm in the nation, the firm has main offices in Glenwood Springs, Grand Junction, and Montrose, catering to a diverse clientele across Colorado and beyond.
Offering an extensive array of services, including audit, tax, accounting, business advisory, and wealth management, DWC is committed to empowering clients to achieve their financial goals with confidence and expertise. DWC CPAs and Advisors— investing in our people, clients, and communities.
n TIMBERLINE BANK HOSTS NO SHAVE NOVEMBER CHALLENGE
Timberline Bank, a leading community bank on the Western Slope, is launching its first No Shave November Challenge, a monthlong initiative aimed at raising awareness and funds for men’s cancer research and other vital health programs. Timberline Bank invites the community to participate and help make a difference.
The Timberline Bank No Shave November Challenge emphasizes local impact, with all proceeds supporting men’s cancer research in the Western Slope community. Funds raised will be donated to Grand Valley Oncology at Community Hospital, directly benefiting those affected by cancer in the Grand Valley.
Throughout November, Timberline Bank encourages individuals and teams to join the cause. Participants can register with a $150 donation per person or $500 for a team of four. Timberline Bank invites everyone to shave one last time before Nov. 1, then set aside the razor until Nov. 30. Whether you’re a seasoned beard enthusiast or a first-timer, everyone is welcome to join. Families, women, and children can also show support by donating to Grand Valley Oncology and sharing their support on social media.
To make a meaningful impact in the community, individuals and teams were encouraged to sign up for the Timberline Bank No Shave November Challenge by Nov. 5 and can get more information at info.timberlinebank.com/no-shave-november.
Timberline Bank (Member FDIC) is a full-service, independent, and locally owned bank, chartered in October 2004 by employees and local investors from Grand Junction, Aspen, and Montrose. Each Timberline Bank market has its own leadership and president, allowing decisions to be made locally to better serve the community. For more information, visit TimberlineBank.com.
n D51 FOUNDATION RECEIVES LARGEST INKIND DONATION FROM ENSTROMS CANDIES
Thanks to a generous donation from Enstrom Candies, the D51 Foundation kicked off the holiday season by distributing thousands of boxes of Enstrom toffee to teachers and staff in School District 51. Delivered on pallets and carefully packed into boxes, this sweet treat reached every school and support building with the dedicated help of the D51 Foundation Ambassadors. Their support turned this major effort into a festive success. This donation marks the largest in-kind gift the D51 Foundation has ever received.
“We hope this small gesture brings a smile to the faces of those who dedicate themselves to our students every day,” said Doug Simons Jr., co-owner of Enstrom Candies.
“We want to sincerely thank Enstrom for their very generous donation of 3,500 one-pound boxes of their delicious toffee for teachers and staff members across School District 51,” said Angela Christensen, executive director of the D51 Foundation. “Anyone who knows the Simons family knows how generous they have been to the children and teachers in our community for years and years. Doug Simons Jr. served on our Board of Directors for the past six years, and now his wife Shannon has joined our board. They are true champions for the D51 Foundation.”
For more information contact Angela Christensen, Executive Director, District 51 Foundation at (970) 210-4120 and angela. christensen@d51schools.org or Baily Manuppella, Media Coordinator, Enstrom Toffee & Confectionery at (970) 683-2492 and baily@ enstrom.com.
NOTEWORTHY
n VIB: Veterans in the workplace
Join the Fruita Chamber of Commerce for an insightful panel discussion focused on “Veterans in the Workplace,” featuring distinguished speakers who will be announced soon. This is a no-cost event exclusive to veterans in the workforce and their dependents. It will take place on November 13th at Western Region One Source from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm. The discussion will be moderated by Sheriff Todd Rowell, a veteran himself.
F Expert Panel: Gain valuable insights from a panel of seasoned professionals and veterans who will share their experiences and knowledge.
F Moderated by Sheriff Todd Rowell: Benefit from the expertise and leadership of Sheriff Rowell as he guides the discussion on key issues and opportunities for veterans in the workforce.
F Networking Opportunity: Connect with fellow veterans, business owners, and professionals to build your network and share experiences. This event is part of National Veteran Small Business Week, highlighting the contributions and significance of veteran-owned businesses. Learn about the unique challenges and opportunities for veterans in the workplace and discover resources to support veteran-owned businesses.
For more information about this event or to register, call the Fruita Chamber of Commerce at (970) 8583894 or visit fruitachamber.org.
SHARE YOUR NEWS
The Business Times welcomes submissions for free publication in Business Briefs.
Email stories and headshots to publisher@thebusinesstimes.com or submit a news release online at www.thebusinesstimes.com
Chris West
Todd Rowell
n MESA VIEW ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL NAMED RECIPIENT OF TERREL H. BELL AWARD
Mesa View Elementary
Principal Stacey Cohen has been named one of nine recipients nationwide of the prestigious 2024 Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding School Leadership, as announced today by U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. Principal Cohen, along with the other honorees from this year’s cohort of National Blue Ribbon Schools, will be recognized during the National Blue Ribbon Schools awards ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024.
The Terrel H. Bell Award recognizes exceptional school leaders like Cohen who are committed to creating lasting, positive change in education. As part of the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, the award honors principals nominated by their school communities during the final stages of the application process. Cohen is the only honoree representing Colorado.
“Principal Cohen’s recognition as a Bell Award recipient is a tremendous and well-earned honor,” said Dr. Brian Hill, superintendent of District 51. “Her leadership, passion, and unwavering belief in the potential of every student have truly transformed Mesa View Elementary, inspiring both students and staff alike. Her dedication to fostering a school culture where all students can thrive speaks volumes about her commitment to excellence in education. We couldn’t be more proud of her accomplishments.”
The U.S. Department of Education, in partnership with the National Association of Elementary School Principals, the Association for Middle Level Education, and the National Association of Secondary School Principals, presents the Bell Awards to recognize the vital role principals like Cohen play in guiding their schools and students to success, often in the face of significant challenges.
n NETWORKS UNLIMITED WELCOMES NEW TEAM MEMBERS
Networks Unlimited has expanded its business by hiring two new business development officers, Robert Burkey and Jeff Koperek.
Burkey, returning to Networks Unlimited for a second time, holds a bachelor’s degree from Colorado Mesa University. With nearly 25 years of experience in various technology fields, he has provided solutions in audio/video, IT, print, and more. A Grand Junction native, Burkey has deep family ties to the Western Slope of Colorado.
Koperek, a graduate of the University of Wyoming, has traveled extensively through the western United States. After settling in the Eastern Sierras for many years, he has gained diverse experience, from retail sales at a climbing shop to working as a certified arborist and remote tech sales.
Headquartered in Grand Junction, Networks Unlimited also has a location in Montrose, Colo. The company employs over 30 people and actively recruits new team members. As a managed services provider, Networks Unlimited has served more than 2,000 clients across 39 states, with many clients located in Colorado’s Western Slope.
For more information about Networks Unlimited, visit www.networksunlimited.com or call 970-243-3311.
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Nov. 7
Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce women in business networking lunch, noon to 1 p.m. Be Sweet Bakery, 150 W. Main St., Grand Junction. Members attend at no charge. Others pay $10. (970) 858-3894 or fruitachamber.org
Nov. 12
Mesa County Women’s Network networking lunch 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Enzo’s Ristorante Italiano, 707 Horizon Dr. Grand Junction. Members attend at no additional charge. Non-member drop in $30. mcwn.us/events
Nov. 13
Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce Networking at Noon 12p.m. to 1 p.m. Devil’s Kitchen. 840 Kennedy Ave., Grand Junction. $20 for members, $25 for non-members. (970) 263-2912 or gjchamber.org
Palisade Chamber of Commerce Lunch and Learn Noon to 1 p.m. Carboy Winery at Garfield Estates. 3572 G Road, Palisade Members are free, $5 nonmembers. (970) 464-7458 or palisadecoc.org/events.
Nov. 14
Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce business after hours, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. ImageNet Consulting, 2297 Tall Grass Dr., Unit B&C, Grand Junction. Admission $5 chamber members, $15 for others. (970) 858-3894 or fruitachamber.org
Nov. 19
Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Entrepreneurship Luncheon 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dinosaur Journey Museum, 550 Jurassic Court, Fruita. Members $40, non-members $60 (970) 858-3894 or fruitachamber.org
Nov. 21
WTF Networking Lunch 12 p.m.-1 p.m. Dragon Treasure. 576 Kokopelli Blvd., Fruita. (970) 858-3894 or fruitachamber.org F
