The 2025 Home Improvement and Remodeling Expo is coming up on March 7-9 and will showcase innovation.
4
n Western Slope perspective for CAHB
Randy Whetzell is now chairman of the board of the Colorado Association of Home Builders’ executive committee.
5
n New owner for home-loan business
Town & Country Finance’s Jenny Walker buys business from her mom, Shelly Smith.
6
n City buys property, targets housing
Funded in part by grants, the City of Grand Junction acquired the 21.78-acre “Salt Flats” property for affordable housing.
n Recycling Facility
The former Halliburton building has been approved for a new recycling facility.
8
More Blinds to See
Ambassador Blind & Shutter will soon open an expanded showroom after the growing business added a next-door unit for more space — See Page 2
Grand Junction, CO 81501
7 Patty Deters, left, and David Deters stand near the entrance to Ambassador Blind N’ Shutter, 1048 Independent Ave., Unit A-111, in Independence Plaza. They recently leased the next-door unit, A-112, which will allow them to install an expanded showroom for the Hunter Douglas blinds they exclusively carry. The extra space also will allow them to add two tables in the showroom for meeting with customers, and Ambassador has another bay for warehouse space. Photo by Tim
Harty.
W Room to grow at the right time
Ambassador Blind N’ Shutter got the space it needed and is expanding its showroom
hen David and Patty Deters decided to finally move their business out of their Grand Junction home and into an actual store, they knew they needed to do it.
The owners of Ambassador Blind N’ Shutter Inc. got by for about 18 years at home, but they couldn’t store all of their Hunter Douglas window coverings there any more. The garage was full. The back porch was full. The side porch was full. Blinds took up residence in the family room, the dining room, the backyard.
So, they found a unit they wanted at 1048 Independent Ave. in a commercial building at Independence Plaza, a next-door neighbor to Sam’s Club. They moved into Unit A-111 on Jan. 1, 2022.
Not only did that give them warehouse space to store blinds, it gave them space to set up a showroom, which they installed in April that year.
It was an exciting time. It also was an uncertain time.
“In the beginning, we had no idea if people were even going to come into the showroom,” Patty Deters said.
Customers quickly figured out where the store was, and Ambassador
SEE THE STORE, OR GET IN TOUCH
Visit Ambassador Blind N’ Shutter at 1048 Independent Ave., Unit A-111.
For more information go online to ambassadorblindsgj.com or ambassadorblindnshutter.com, or call 970-523-4566.
SMART DECISIONS
David and Patty Deters started Ambassador Blind N’ Shutter from their home in 2004, and the business has grown steadily since then in large part due to smart decision-making.
For one, they didn’t get in over their head, which is easy to do with a new business.
“David went to an entrepreneur magazine at Barnes & Noble or something, looked in the back and found Blind Broker Network,” Patty said, adding it’s not in existence anymore. “And that was only like four-thousand dollars, three-thousand dollars to join that and become a dealer. So, Budget Blinds was like maybe 30-40-thousand to buy into that. And we didn’t have that kind of money.”
had one or two people checking out the showroom every day. It proved to be the right move, so much so that three years later they’re ready to double the size of the showroom. When a next-door unit, A-112, was vacated by Community Hospital last fall, the Deters quickly called dibs on it. Their overall footprint increased 1,638 square feet from the previous 2,918 square feet. As a result, there’s more warehouse space, more office space, more room for desks and tables and more room to display blinds.
Now, Ambassador Blind N’ Shutter is just a few days away from the new showroom being installed – it’s scheduled to take place Feb. 20-24 – and it’s just in time.
Two businesses that used to sell blinds – Window-ology Inc. and Gallagher’s Flooring –recently stopped. Instead, they’re referring customers to Ambassador Blind N’ Shutter. Patty Deters said Ambassador has been seeing several more customers per day from those referrals. Pat Smith, co-owner of Gallagher’s Flooring, said it was an easy call to send people to Ambassador. He said Gallagher’s Flooring emphasizes customer service, and he sees that same commitment to customers from Ambassador Blind N’ Shutter.
See BLINDS on Page 10
They went with what they could afford, and they’ve operated Ambassador Blind N’ Shutter that way ever since.
“We don’t operate in debt,” Patty said. “Everything here is paid for. Our vans are paid for. We have a no-debt policy, which absolutely helps us when the economy turns down.”
After about six years of selling a variety of blinds, the Deters decided to commit to one brand: Hunter Douglas.
“We decided we only wanted to sell Hunter Douglas because we believed they were the best quality, the best warranty, the best guarantee,” Patty said. “And you could tell when you were selling multiple brands, they were definitely higher quality.”
CUSTOMER SERVICE WORTH THE PRICE
Selling a higher-quality product like Hunter Douglas means charging a higher price, but Patty Deters said the prices reflect quality and the excellent customer service that Ambassador Blind N’ Shutter is committed to providing.
Patty said some competitors “should be able to beat us, but that service that we give is what makes the difference.”
She added, “What I want our company to be known for more than anything is customer service.”
Ambassador Blind N’ Shutter doesn’t automate its phones, so callers can count on speaking to a person during business hours.
GOODBYE HOME, HELLO STORE
When Ambassador Blind N’ Shutter moved from the Deters’ home to a store in 2022, Patty Deters said it was hard to say goodbye to the convenience of home. Of course, she had to help David operate the business, but she got to be a stay-at-home mom, and that was important to the Deters.
“It was a big change for me, but in a good way,” she said. “You know, it just took some adjusting. But having a location in a place where people can walk in and actually see the product before they buy the product, it’s been really nice.”
Blind N’ Shutter
MORE ABOUT BUDGET BLINDS
the right showroom. fall, the feet from more office showroom
Flooring –Shutter. Patty referrals. send people and he sees
Page 10
Home Expo: A Catalyst for Community Growth
Brandon Leuallen The Business Times
The upcoming 2025 Home Improvement and Remodeling Expo is a showcase of innovations.
It’s also a crucial fundraiser and springboard for the Home Builders Association of Western Colorado, which represents more than 150 home and building companies that employ thousands of local workers on the Western Slope.
The expo, which will take place March 7-9 at the Grand Junction Convention Center, 159 Main St., plays a key role in supporting the Home Builders Association of Western Colorado’s advocacy work.
Funds raised go toward initiatives such as a governmental affairs associate focused on local housing policy, a housing summit to foster collaboration between industry and government, and its Careers in Construction program that partners with School District 51.
These efforts aim to address the local housing crisis by bringing more housing online and growing the local workforce.
“Our vendors and members play a crucial role in this cycle, contributing to our mission of keeping housing attainable,” said Shayna Heiney, executive officer of the Home Builders Association of Western Colorado
Included with the expo ticket, the HBA offers a self-guided builder open house tour, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the construction process. Attendees can explore homes in different stages of development and view potential customization options.
Vendors include a variety of local home improvement companies that provide jobs and offer unique products and services to Mesa County. Among them are the following:
Glass Guru
Joe Miller, owner of Glass Guru, has had a booth at the event for seven years. He recognizes the expo’s value in educating local customers about their unique products, like the in-glass pet door.
“We do a few things that are really unique, and without seeing it most customers don’t even know it exists,” Miller said. “So, it’s a great opportunity for us to get in front of several hundred potential customers and educate them on what we do and how we can help them.”
Miller said the expo is essential for his company, kicking off the year during a slow season and generating more than 100 leads annually. Some customers reach out years later after remembering seeing Glass Guru at the event.
With six employees depending on his company for new business, Miller said the expo is the best marketing opportunity of the year. Glass Guru specializes in remodels and offers services such as replacement windows, home gym mirrors and shower enclosures. The company also focuses on energy-efficient glass technology that can significantly lower energy costs for homeowners.
“Technology in glass has advanced so much that we can now offer energy-efficient solutions at a third of the cost of replacing windows,” Miller said.
Ambassador Blind N’ Shutter
For Patti Deters, co-owner of Ambassador Blind N’ Shutter, this year’s event is especially personal. Her son and his fiancée, who plan to return to Grand Junction to join the family business, will
attend the expo and accompany her, introducing the attendees to all that Ambassador has to offer.
Ambassador is preparing for the upcoming expo with notable additions to their products to offer local homeowners, including a line of patio shades designed to withstand Florida-strength winds and new technologies, such as solarpowered automatic shades that can significantly reduce heating and cooling costs.
WD Yards
Bill Christensen, president of WD Yards, employs 40 local lawn-care professionals, including five certified arborists and a master gardener. He said the show is valuable for generating new leads, but even more so for connecting with long-time customers who attend the event.
“Some of the customers we get to catch up with have been customers for 20 or even 40 years,” he said.
Christensen, who said he has attended the expo longer than any other vendor he knows of, recalls his first show in either 1988 or 1989 when he was just a one-man operation. He noted the expo has grown a lot over the years, and being that his company doesn’t have a showroom, the event remains one of the best ways to showcase WD Yards services to potential customers.
Careers in Construction Program
Introducing attendees to the Careers in Construction program at this year’s event is especially important to Karrie Kuklish, committee chair of Careers in Construction of Western Colorado. Kuklish helped launch the program locally in 2024 at Palisade High School to enhance vocational education in the area, with plans to expand to Fruita and Grand Junction high schools by the fall of 2025.
The program addresses the dual challenges of educational gaps and workforce shortages in the construction industry. The program introduces a nationally recognized curriculum from the Home Builders Institute, offering students practical skills and certifications. Students start with a foundational PAC-10 training class, covering construction math, tool identification and employability skills. They also earn an OSHA 10 certification, which allows them to work on job sites as early as age 15.
As students advance, they can explore nine different trades, including carpentry and plumbing.
The program helps schools by covering teacher stipends, training and student-certification costs. Local businesses support the initiative through donations, ensuring funds directly benefit schools.
The program also offers hands-on learning experiences, such as a construction day at the fairgrounds, where students engage with various trades. Additionally, industry professionals visit classrooms to share expertise and offer mentorship.
Careers in Construction Colorado not only prepares students for immediate employment, it also provides pathways to further education in trade schools, such as Colorado Mesa University Tech.
An information table about the Careers in Construction program will be available at the event for attendees interested in learning more.
In addition to her work with Careers in Construction, Kuklish is the head of business development at Fixture Studio in Grand Junction.
just
WHEN AND WHERE TO ATTEND
The 2025 Home Improvement and Remodeling Expo will take place at Grand Junction Convention Center, 159 Main St., on the following days:
Friday, March 7 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 8 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, March 9 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tickets cost $5 for adults and $3 for seniors. Kids ages 12 and under are free.
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Glass Guru glazier Jake Miller stands beside a newly installed window at a cabin overlooking Ruedi Reservoir. He had
replaced a foggy Insulated Glass Unit (IGU) with a crystal clear IGU, ensuring unobstructed views for the cabin’s residents.
Photo courtesy of Joe Miller.
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wasn’t Whetzell chairman Association committee.
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Western Slope perspective
Non-builder Whetzell new chairman of Colorado’s home-builders board
Tim Harty The Business Times
It wasn’t just a rarity when Randy Whetzell was sworn in Jan. 24 as the chairman of the board of the Colorado Association of Home Builders’ executive committee. Apparently it was a first.
The CAHB couldn’t confirm it, but its CEO, Ted Leighty, believes Whetzell is the first Home Builders Association of Western Colorado member to ascend to the chairmanship of the state organization.
And Whetzell believes that’s probably correct. His ties to the CAHB, which was formed in 1974, go back about 30 years, and Whetzell said no one from Western Colorado has been chairman during those three decades.
Western Slope trailblazer or not, Whetzell knew his day as chairman was coming, because the CAHB is set up for the chairman to serve two years in other positions – second vice chairman and first vice chairman – that lead to the chairmanship, which is for one year. That is followed by a year as the immediate past chair.
“It’s basically a four-year commitment,” said Whetzell, who knows for certain he’s a rarity as a nonbuilder serving as chairman.
Whetzell’s full-time job is market manager for Builders FirstSource in Grand Junction and Montrose. So, he may not be a builder, but he provides builders what they need and knows the business.
“It’s an honor to be able to be selected as a non-builder for this role, because it is a builder’s organization,” he said.
Leighty knows what the CAHB can expect from Whetzell, because he’s seen him in action.
“Randy has been an extraordinarily devoted HBA member and industry leader throughout his career,” Leighty wrote in an email interview. “Our industry depends on selfless volunteers like Randy to provide leadership and guidance, so that our members can provide housing options to meet the needs of Coloradans. Randy has done just that in his professional roles and as a local HBA leader, and we are looking forward to his leadership at the state level.”
Leighty described Whetzell as committed and reliable, and a trait that will serve him well is he encourages alternate viewpoints.
“Randy preaches the most important part of being an HBA member: You get out of your membership what you put into it,” Leighty wrote. “Engagement is key, for the well-being of both our individual members and the health of our industry. He has demonstrated that throughout his years of service.”
Three weeks into his term as chairman, Whetzell said the job “probably consumes some additional 20 hours a week, so it’s a whole other part-time job for sure.”
He also acknowledges he feels compelled to maintain the high standard of his predecessor.
“I’m following a really good man, Aric Jones,” Whetzell said. “It’s been a little daunting stepping into this role, just because the immediate past chair, he did a great job. Very informed, very educated individual, so it’s big shoes to fill for sure.”
He added the woman who will succeed him, Carrie Bartow, also boasts impressive credentials, which shows, “We’ve got a really great group of people on our leadership team.”
As for what the leadership of the CAHB does, Whetzell summed it up with: “We’re an advocacy group for the housing industry,” representing all of the state’s local HBA chapters.
Then, he gave his more detailed answer, explaining the CAHB has its own lobbyists and legislative watch dogs that are looking out for all things housing at every level of government. That’s housing affordability and attainability and all the things that would influence that. It’s building codes and legislative issues and water rights.
That said, Whetzell emphasized the CAHB, while looking out for builders, also is looking out for communities as advocates for smart growth and attainable housing and “doing that the right way and doing it in a realistic manner.”
“We want affordable housing,” he said. “Well, how do we get there? And that’s what we’re there for. Because we’re in the industry we look at the very real challenges and courses of action that are important to being able to create attainable housing. And how do we have the right conversations? And who do those conversations need to be with? And so on.”
Leighty said Whetzell is well-equipped to address the issues at the fore in 2025, and first and foremost is housing affordability and availability.
“Communities across Colorado, including the Western Slope, are struggling to provide housing for their workforce, and that situation is putting the American Dream out of reach for too many Coloradans,” Leighty wrote. “Randy has worked directly on this challenge in his own community and will now bring that experience to the state level as CAHB’s chair.”
Leighty added, “Our industry will also be addressing issues related to water, dredge and fill, labor availability and workforce development, and energy codes — all issues that Randy has firsthand experience with as a longtime leader in the homebuilding industry.”
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Randy Whetzell
Teen Dream Realized
Town & Country Finance’s Walker buys business from her mom
Tim Harty The Business Times
Jenny Smith was a middle-school girl in Fruita with an odd career goal: Work in a home-loan office.
Then she went to college, graduated and ended up a long ways away from that middleschool dream. Like in Guatemala far away and working in an orphanage.
Then, girl met boy. They fell in love and eloped. Bye bye, Guatemala! Back to the States with my Marine hubby! Hi, Mom, can I have a job?
And voila! Jenny’s doing what her middle-school self wanted all along, only now her last name is Walker. And she’s not just “working” at a home-loan office. She owns it. Thanks, Mom!
That really is the story in a nutshell for how Town & Country Finance’s Jenny Walker became the owner of the business where she worked for her mom as a middle-schooler and now has worked the past 10 years.
On Jan. 1, Walker’s mom, Shelly Smith, sold Town & Country Finance Corp, the home-loan business that she started in Fruita 30 years ago, putting it in the capable hands of a daughter who loves this stuff.
“As a middle schooler, you’d need a little extra cash, so that’s what I did,” Walker said. “I kind of helped in the office then, starting in middle school just here and there and just kind of watching my mom, listening to her talk about everything.
Jenny Walker, left, and her mom, Shelly Smith, have worked together at Town & Country Finance for nearly 10 years, providing home loans. On Jan. 1, Walker bought the business from Smith, who started it 30 years ago in Fruita at the Town & Country shopping center, which is why she named it Town & Country Finance. The business location has changed three times since then and now resides at 122 E. Aspen Ave. in Fruita. Smith “retired” from Town & Country, but she hasn’t stopped working. Now, she manages Strayhorn Grill, which is owned by one of her sons, Aaron Smith.
Photo by Tim Harty.
“And really, even back then I loved it. And I knew I loved it. So I always wanted to do it then, which sounds kind of silly as a middle-schooler that that’s what you want to do, but I did.
“But then I also had another dream to work at an orphanage. That was something I always wanted to do.”
After college, Walker went to Guatemala and worked at an orphanage for three-and-a-half years “and just loved it,” she said.
And she might have stayed there, but after a trip home to Fruita for Thanksgiving in 2014, she ran into former high school classmate Cody Walker, a Marine home on leave. That led to long-distance dating, an April marriage proposal by Cody, a June 6 flight by Jenny back to the States, a drive by Jenny and Cody to Las Vegas and an elopement on June 7.
WHERE TO FIND THEM AND WHY
They were married, but Cody was still in the Marines and had to go back to California, so Jenny went back to Colorado.
“I think it was just a week later that I started working at Town & Country,” Jenny said. “I came to work for my mom again and this time, though, as a loan processor and just loved it. I loved working with all the customers and being back in Fruita, and working alongside my mom was so special.”
After working as a loan processor for a couple years, she graduated to loan originator, Shelly Smith’s longtime role.
“Everything just moved perfectly, really,” Jenny said. “I mean, we have just been very blessed at Town & Country, and I’ve been so fortunate to learn from my mom, who is extremely savvy in the mortgage world. But also more than anything just – I mean, I don’t know if you know my mom, but everyone, everyone she meets loves her. She’s an amazing lady and no better person to learn from, really.
“And now here I am, and she retired ... I’m very, very blessed and grateful and excited for this new journey.”
Being the owner will bring additional responsibilities, but in a small office with three full-time staffers and one part-timer, everyone knows what’s happening.
“I have been kind of doing some of the responsibilities of an owner in the past couple of years, so it’s not too different, I guess, which is kind of nice,” Jenny said. “I think (Smith) definitely taught me well. ... Shelly and I have kind of the past 10 years been more of a partnership – not partnership, a team, I guess you could say.”
Smith knows exactly what Jenny means. Being able to team up with her daughter “made it a lot more fun and really was a boon, a boost to me, because she brought with it her younger knowledge of the new technology and just a different aspect of just the youth and energy,” she said.
Being able to sell her business to Jenny means a lot to Smith. She started Town & Country Finance shortly after giving birth to twin boys – Nos. 5 and 6 of what eventually would be seven children – and her business was like another child that she nurtured.
“What I love is that it’s going to go on now to the next generation,” Smith said. “My clients have been one generation – even two really, because some of their children have come in – and now Jenny gets to carry it on to yet another generation, which is really neat.”
MORE ABOUT TOWN & COUNTRY FINANCE
Town & Country Finance Corp., 122 E. Aspen Ave. in Fruita, does residential home loans, home refinances and reverse mortgages.
Worth noting: Jenny Walker speaks fluent Spanish. Find Town & Country Finance online at tcfinance. net, or call the office at 970-858-4752.
CAREER CHANGE AT 70
Suggesting former Town & Country Finance owner Shelly Smith has retired earns a laugh from the woman who will turn 70 this year, as she said, “Except I’m not really retired. I’m working at my son’s restaurant.”
The son is Aaron Smith, who owns Strayhorn Grill, 456 Kokopelli Dr. in Fruita. And Shelly is now the manager, which is a full-time gig.
“Just a new dream, a new adventure, that’s all. I guess it tells you that even at 70, you’re just never too old to try new things,” Shelly said.
She added, “It’s a different kind of work, a differ-
ent stress. It’s just different. I get to instead of sitting down and be behind the desk all day, I’m up visiting with customers. ... It’s visiting the people that I already know from being in Fruita for so many years. That’s the enjoyable part of it. I still get to see all my customers.”
A PLACE WITH A FACE
The continuation of Town & Country Finance Corp. under Walker’s ownership proves a small homeloan business can survive and thrive in an age when mortgages can be done online without the customer ever sitting across a desk from the loan officer.
“I would have thought the small broker might be gone by now, but it’s not, it’s still here,” Shelly Smith said. “And the thing that I think separates Town & Country from obviously the online Rocket Mortgages and those is that you still have a face to your loan. You still walk in our door, sit down, and you sit across the table from us to help you with your loan. If you have questions, you walk in the door, you sit down, and we’re right here.”
That led Smith to share Town & Country Finance’s two mission statements:
One is: Town & Country, where our customers become our friends. The other is: Town & Country Finance will go out of our way for you.
“And that just to me is a very Fruita motto,” Smith said. “If we have a senior citizen that needs their loan papers delivered to them, boom, we’re on it, Jenny will run them right to their door. If the senior citizen needs us to come to their house for the closing, we’ll arrange a mobile notary and go to their house for the closing.”
NOTHING GETS DONE WITHOUT HER
Not to be forgotten in the ownership shuffle is the stellar work Amanda Ottman does for Town & Country Finance as its loan processor.
“She’s been with Town & Country for seven years now, and she has stayed a constant for us,” Walker said. “And we could not do it without her. She’s just wonderful.”
was still in California, later that I Country,” Jenny mom again processor with all Fruita, and special.” processor to loan role. perfectly, just been I’ve been mom, who is world. But mean, I don’t everyone, an amazing from, really. retired ... and excited additional with three everyone some of the past couple I guess, said. “I think ... Shelly been more a team, I daughter “made her younger energy,” she said. & Country would be seven
“My clients come in – and
GJ acquires Salt Flats property, targets it for affordable housing
Brandon Leuallen The Business Times
Funded in part by grants, the City of Grand Junction acquired the 21.78-acre “Salt Flats” property. In a news release from the city, the acquisition is called a “significant step in addressing the community’s critical need for affordable housing.”
Abram Herman
The city received a Proposition 123 grant from the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority Land Banking Program. Additionally, the city provided a $1 million match to secure the CHFA grant.
The city also received a $2 million More Housing Now grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs to fund public infrastructure improvements on the site. According to the news release, the infrastructure investments will further reduce development costs and help ensure affordability.
According to the city, the Salt Flats project will provide between 324 and 500 housing units, offering a mix of rental and homeownership opportunities with a primary focus on affordable and attainable housing. Considerations for mixed-use, commercial, and market-rate housing may also be included. The City will partner with nonprofit and for-profit housing developers
to construct the housing units.
“With a housing shortage impacting our workforce and families, this site will play a crucial role in providing more affordable and attainable housing options to ensure long-term stability and economic resilience” Grand Junction Mayor Abram Herman said.
This initiative addresses the housing shortage identified in the city’s housing strategy, which highlights an “urgent need for over 2,000 additional units for households earning under approximately $100,000, with an acute need for those earning under approximately $56,000.”
According to the news release, included in the city’s adopted strategy is “direction of the city to consider allocating city-owned land or acquisition of land for housing development and investing in infrastructure to support increasing the supply of housing affordable to a greater number of city residents than the market is currently providing.”
The city released a Request for Letters of Interest seeking qualified and experienced developers to design and build housing units on the site. Interested developers can access the documents on the city website or by calling 970-244-1545. Responses are due Feb. 21 before 2 p.m.
More details about the city’s housing strategies and this project can be found online at gjcity.org or by emailing housing@gjcity.org.
‘Inspire Impact’ breakfast celebrates nonprofits
The Community Impact Council’s annual breakfast event that honors Mesa County nonprofits – and businesses and individuals who support them – will take place March 4 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at Colorado Mesa University’s ballroom.
Johanna van Waveren
The Community Impact Council is a coalition of 80-plus local nonprofits and their supporters. Members of the public are invited to attend. Individual tickets are available for $30, and tables of eight can also be purchased for $200 online at www.communityimpactcouncil.org.
Outstanding local nonprofit leadership, community volunteers and exceptional philanthropic contributions will be recognized during the program, which has “Cultivating Young Leaders: Empowering the Next Generation” as its theme.
This year’s keynote speaker is Johanna van Waveren, executive director of the nonprofit Colorado National Monument Association. Van Waveren joined CNMA in 2016, after working as a seasonal park guide for the National Park Service at Colorado National Monument.
CIC’s top honor – the Living Legacy award – will be presented this year to Alpine Bank, in honor of its ongoing, widespread and impactful philanthropic efforts on the Western Slope, and across the state, over the past 52 years. In a 2023 ranking of philanthropy compiled by the Denver Business Journal, Alpine Bank ranked second for cash contributions to charities among Colorado-based businesses and ranked fifth among all companies.
CIC became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity in 2014 to provide a collective voice and forum for advocacy and education of nonprofits in Mesa County. Its membership represents a wide range of charitable organizations, including those in human services, animal welfare, the environment, and the arts.
Wright wins art contest for this year’s Winefest
“Blissfully Satisfied” by Erin Wright was voted the winner by the public to represent the 34th Annual Colorado Mountain Winefest presented by Fisher’s Liquor Barn. Second place went to “Colorado Dancin’” by Wendy Videlock, and “Harvest” by Marilyn Wilcox placed third.
Wright said she was thrilled when she found out she was one of the finalists for the Colorado Winefest Art Contest, so winning it was an even bigger thrill.
“This is the first art contest that I have ever entered, so this is new territory for me,” she said. “I am a bit of a gypsy with an art and education background. Previously, I taught in Alaska, and now here in the Grand Valley. I am looking forward to working with CAVE (Colorado Association for Viticulture & Enology) this year and am so honored that my artwork has been
chosen to represent the winefest.”
Wright will receive a cash prize of $700 and “Blissfully Satisfied” will be featured on wine totes, T-shirts, and posters, as well as local and nationwide print and digital marketing for this year’s Colorado Mountain Winefest. Prints of “Blissfully Satisfied” will also be available for purchase online at www. WineColorado.org and in the CAVE Office later this spring.
For more information or to be included in the Call for Art in the future, email info@ coloradowinefest.com.
Colorado Mountain Winefest presented by Fisher’s Liquor Barn takes place Sept. 20 in Palisade. Early Bird Tickets to Colorado Mountain Winefest are available for purchase at www.ColoradoWinefest.com.
Former Halliburton building approved for recycling facility
Brandon Leuallen
The Business Times
A new Bruin Waste Management recyclingcollection facility received approval for a specialuse permit to operate in a former Halliburton office and warehouse building on D Road.
The 58,275-square-foot building, which once symbolized the rise, then fall of oil and gas on the Western Slope after Halliburton laid off 178 employees in 2019, is now poised for a fresh start.
The Grand Junction Planning Commission approved a conditional-use permit for the facility during its Feb. 11 meeting.
Naturita-based Bruin Waste, which has a Clifton location, 460 32 Road, and a Western Slope service area, will sort recyclable materials, including paper, plastics and metals, before shipping them to manufacturers for reuse while helping the Western Slope send less waste to local landfills.
The recycling-sorting operation will bring new purpose to the location.
The transition from a vacant Halliburton site to a recycling hub is seen as a positive development by the Planning Commission, particularly because it aligns with the city’s comprehensive-plan priority of repurposing existing sites.
“I just can’t see a downside with this particular usage,” Planning Commissioner Shanon Secrest said.
The site, located at 3199 D Road with an additional entrance off 32 Road, was annexed to the city in 2006 and is zoned for lightindustrial use. The new facility will utilize the existing infrastructure, including a warehouse and office space, to conduct its operations. The recycling center will operate from 7 a.m. to 4 or potentially 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, employing six to eight people.
The Planning Commission approved the facility with conditions to ensure its operations do not disrupt road traffic or the residential neighborhood to the north on the other side of D Road. These conditions include restrictions on outdoor storage and requirements that all operations be confined to the existing building, minimizing potential noise and traffic impacts on D Road or 32 Road to the east.
According to representatives from Bruin Waste, the site will be mostly automated and will not produce recycling waste itself because it ships all recyclables out on trucks to other parts of the country for processing.
Bruin Waste collects recyclables from Mesa, Delta, Garfield, Montrose, San Miguel, Ouray, San Juan, Dolores, Montezuma and Archuleta counties.
With the new sorting facility, Bruin Waste can sort recyclables on the Western Slope instead of trucking them to Salt Lake City for sorting.
The company’s website says, “We collect a wide range of recyclable materials, including paper, cardboard, plastics and metals, helping to reduce landfill waste and conserve natural resources.”
Erin Wright’s “Blissfully Satisfied”
Blinds
Continued from Page 2
“I wanted to leave it in good hands, know that (customers) are going to be well taken care of,” Smith said. “I’ve always in our business focused on quality and service, and I felt like they were very much the same. It is very, very important to me to provide great service, and I felt like they did that for their customers as well.”
It’s not lost on the Deters that things have kind of fallen into their lap in recent years.
The business has grown, and the staff has grown with it. From going 12 years with no employees to hiring Charles Gonzalez as the first employee in 2016 – and he’s still there – to now having 13 employees, they needed more room for desks. They needed more space for tables to sit down with customers.
They knew they needed more room than their current store had, but they weren’t going to relocate. They had an alternate approach in mind, but then the unit next door became available.
“When (Community Hospital) said they were moving out, that was the answer,” Patty said, “because it gave us more warehouse space, and we could make the showroom bigger.”
Now, there’s a conference room with a large table. The showroom will have two more tables for sales staff and customers to meet, and Patty Deters said that’s important, “so that we could meet with more people and get our showroom person in the actual showroom, so she’s right there to greet you when you walk in.
“We’re starting to meet with more builders and designers and customers building homes. This gives us this new showroom, gives us these tables to sit down with them and go over their design with them ... so this gives us the ability to reach more people.”
The showroom person, Judith Maynes, speaks Spanish in addition to English.
Now, Ambassador Blind N’ Shutter
STAFF, MEET DALE CARNEGIE
In the run-up to installing the new, larger showroom, Ambassador Blind N’ Shutter co-owner Patty Deters said all of the staff members just completed the Dale Carnegie Course.
“Three days, eight hours a day,” Patty said, “and that is all about communication, improving communication, like remembering a person’s name, overcoming stress. It’s a good course.
“We’re just constantly training and seeing what else we can do to make them better individuals.”
BENEFIT OF GALLAGHER’S FLOORING FOCUS
Gallagher’s Flooring, 1100 Pitkin Ave., installed new flooring at Ambassador Blind N’ Shutter in November, and that’s when Patty Deters learned Gallagher’s is no longer selling window coverings.
Ambassador Blind N’ Shutter’s lead residential installer, Zach Gagliano, sits at his desk, which he now has because Ambassador leased the next-door commercial unit that became available in the fall. The need for additional space and more desks is the result of the business growing. Ambassador Blind N’ Shutter co-owner Patty Deters said after the COVID pandemic hit in 2020, the business got busier than ever, because many people turned to home renovations when they had to spend more time at home and weren’t spending money on things like vacations. Ambassador Blind N’ Shutter continues to grow, as Deters said, “We’re seeing about 18 percent growth per year.” Photo by Tim Harty.
can take on more work.
The business has accrued five vans over the years, three install vans and two sales vans. Patty said they are about to buy a third sales van.
The business is taking on more expenses, but “we’ve been able to cover that and still grow,” she said.
And that continued growth means there’s no talk of retirement for David and Patty. There’s a lot more work to do, and they have the room to do it.
Instead, Gallagher’s is referring those customers to Ambassador.
Gallagher’s Flooring co-owner Pat Smith said the decision to stop selling blinds was a matter of narrowing his company’s focus to flooring, kitchen and bath.
“Our focus,” Smith said, “really was flooring, right? But there was such a need for blinds as far as like when we’re in the home and the customers are like, ‘Man, I really want to remodel my house. I want a new carpet, I want new hardwood,’ and then: ‘Do you guys do blinds?’
“And I have done blinds since I was a kid, and so it was just that I’ve always done it. But really our focus needed to be flooring, and now like we are really focused on kitchen and bath and flooring, just those. I didn’t want to be spread too thin.”
lead resGagliano, sits at because next-door comavailable in the space and business N’ Shutafter the the busibecause many renovations when home and things like N’ Shutter said, “We’re growth per
What student-athlete employee issue may mean for employers
I am certain most people reading this column do not employ college athletes, but bear with me.
The college football season recently ended, but the business of college sports grinds on.
During the previous presidential administration, efforts to have student athletes classified as employees both for the payment of wages under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and for collective bargaining under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) gathered steam. Some advocacy groups already have withdrawn efforts as the new administration is shaping a new National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and Department of Labor (DOL).
But a current court case on the classification of student athletes as employees continues to wind through the courts. This case illustrates the questions all employers should ask when determining whether workers are employees or independent contractors and how the rules governing those questions may soon change.
In Johnson v. National Collegiate Athletic Association, several college athletes brought claims for unpaid wages under the FLSA and several state wage and hour laws. The District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania analyzed the students’ claims largely under the test for distinguishing between unpaid interns and employees. The District Court determined the students derived less benefits from their relationship with the school than did the schools. Therefore, the student athletes are employees of their respective schools.
Of course, the NCAA and member schools appealed this decision to the Third Circuit Court. In a decision published on July 11, 2024, the Third Circuit rejected the NCAA’s assertion that the “revered tradition of amateurism” in NCAA Division I athletics justified treating Division I student athletes as non-employees. The Third Circuit held that college and university athletes could be employees under FLSA, but it rejected the District Courts use of the test for determining whether interns should be treated as employees.
The Third Circuit remanded the case to the District Court, where it remains at this time.
The Third Circuit applied the basic “economic realities” common law test used to determine whether workers are employees to provide direction to the District Court. College athletes, as well as any workers, may be employees when they (1) perform services for another party, (2) necessarily and primarily for the other party’s benefit, (3) under that party’s control or right of control, and (4) in return for express or implied compensation or in-kind benefits.
Courts across the country have long applied some version of this test.
The Tenth Circuit, in which we reside, considers six factors when determining employee or independent contractor status:
1. The degree of control exerted by the alleged employer over the worker.
2. The worker’s opportunity for profit or loss.
3. The worker’s investment in the business.
4. The permanence of the working relationship.
5. The degree of skill required to perform the work.
6. The extent to which the work is an integral part of the alleged employer’s business.
For purposes of unemployment and workers’ compensation insurance, Colorado law applies numerous factors, best enunciated in the Colorado Supreme Court case of Industrial Claim Appeals Office v. Softrock Geological Services Inc., to answer two basic questions:
• Is the worker free from the control and direction of the employer?
• And is the worker customarily engaged in an independent trade, occupation, profession or
business related to the service performed?
The employment status of student athletes will almost certainly end up in the U.S. Supreme Court unless Congress intervenes by prohibiting student athletes from being considered an employee. In the last session of Congress, House Resolution 8534 would have done so. With the new composition of the current Congress, it is highly likely this resolution will be revived.
It is also highly likely the DOL and NLRB will relax standards defining independent contractors, but that Colorado state agencies will continue to apply stringent standards that favor designating workers as employees.
All employers should regularly examine their relationship with workers who they treat as independent contractors.
All courts and agencies examine the degree of control an employer exerts over a worker. The more an employer treats contractors like its regular employees, the more likely it is that the worker is an employee.
Does the employer control the manner in which the contractor performs their work? Does the employer require the worker to work a specific schedule or follow the employee handbook? Does the worker’s “supervisor” attempt to discipline the contractor as it would an employee?
The Colorado Division of Labor and Employment examines whether the worker engages in a business or trade separate from that of the employer, as do most courts applying the economic realities test.
Does the worker provide services under a trade name? Does the worker have the freedom to offer their services to other entities, even if the worker chooses to do so? Does the entity pay its contractors on a set fee for the completion of a defined project, or does it pay its contractors to perform work similar to what the entity’s employers perform?
Colorado courts even look to factors as seemingly insignificant as whether the employer issues the purported contractor business cards in the name of the employer.
I advise employers to compare their contractors to how they engage service providers. When the heating system goes out, the entity calls someone with HVAC expertise because the entity is not in the business of repairing heating systems. The HVAC company sends out an individual on its schedule. It pays the HVAC company a set amount to complete the repairs even though the amount may vary depending on how much time and how many parts the company needs to repair the system. And the company does not tell the HVAC service person how to repair the heating system. The HVAC company applies its own expertise.
Of course, this comparison is not perfect, but the closer the entity treats workers like it does service providers as opposed to its employees, the more likely it is that government agencies and courts will agree the worker is an independent contractor.
Misclassifying employees as independent contractors is expensive and timeconsuming. The Employers Council makes available to its members resources on properly classifying its workers. And Employers Council consulting and enterprise level members may speak directly with our human resources professionals and employment attorneys at any time for advice on properly classifying its workers.
Dean Harris is Western Slope area managing attorney for the Employers Council. The Employers Council counsels, represents and trains member employers in all phases of employment relationships. Contact Harris at dharris@employerscouncil.org or (970) 852-0190.
Dean Harris
Give yourself a break from professional stressors
In a previous column, I shared several negative side effects associated with bringing personal baggage to work. I described how even long-term top performers can stumble and fall when they’re unable to effectively manage their personal issues in the workplace.
I also elaborated on the domino effect these uncontrolled issues can have on the workplace culture, fellow team members, customers and the business.
In this column, let’s consider the other side of this situation.
When people bring their professional baggage home their personal lives are affected in real ways, too. The ripple effect can be felt far and wide by family and friends. The adverse effects of this situation can damage and even destroy marriages, alienate children and cause others to avoid these unhappy, frustrated, negative and often angry people altogether.
Perhaps you know a spouse, child or friend of someone who’s unable — or simply lacks the tools — to manage their professional life effectively.
Carrying an excessive amount of professional pressure can lead to a whole host of self-sabotaging behaviors that also affect one’s personal life. Excessive consumption of alcohol, prescription medication or illicit drugs are common in this situation. When an individual is unhappy at work they tend to not sleep well, stop exercising, they may eat poorly, not at all or overindulge and in general neglect their overall well-being.
As these factors pile up one on top of another and despair sets in, they may become visibly depressed and withdrawn. If unable or unwilling to get the assistance they need, the overwhelming and negative effects become an unavoidable consequence.
This doesn’t have to be the case, however.
Just as with personal challenges, professional challenges belong solely to the person experiencing them. They alone have the power to choose, or not, to effectively address the professional stressors they are dealing with.
Let me be clear. I’m not suggesting you shouldn’t talk to your loved ones and friends about the troubling and frustrating situations you face at work. In fact, trusted, caring and honest family and friends can prove invaluable in choosing to effectively cope with or address professional issues.
What I am suggesting — even urging — is that those who love you don’t deserve to
It’s a profound and life-changing choice to leave your professional issues at the office and use your time with family and friends as a healthy “timeout” during which you can relax, refresh and recharge.
Realizing that life is not all about your work — that work is only a part of your life — will help you strike a successful life/work balance that leads to greater levels of happiness and success on and off the job.
When you go home, truly go home by leaving work where it belongs, at work. This mindset will serve you, and those around you, well.
In some cases, a different career path or another type of change is in order. Over the past 21 years as a coach and consultant, I’ve worked with many business owners and team members who were unfulfilled and unhappy in their professional reality. Their work simply didn’t align with their personal motivations, purpose, behaviors and competencies.
These very same people also felt trapped by fear of the unknown, finances and a host of other self-imposed limitations. With guidance, they overcame their limitations and went on to create professional lives they now enjoy.
Even with the help of family, friends and a qualified coach, there will be days that don’t go well and take you to the limits of being able to self-regulate your thoughts, actions, words and emotions effectively. Maintaining your balance in both your personal and professional life comes down to using self-awareness, self-regulation and new-found tools to rise above your issues.
You might think the personal and professional aspects of your life aren’t connected, but they are. In fact, they have profound effects on each other, and you want those effects to be positive, not negative. Choosing to leave your professional baggage at work, so you can truly enjoy your personal life constitutes a wise choice indeed.
If you find yourself struggling to be happy at work, at home or both, take the empowering step of seeking out a qualified coach who can help you understand your situation and how to make necessary changes.
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
Naloxone kiosks available in Mesa County
There is a new resource available in Mesa County to share with your employees. Kiosks are located throughout the community that provide free and easy access to naloxone.
Paige Hauptmann
It is a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose.
“We have strategically placed these resources throughout Mesa County so that everyone can have access. Our ultimate goal is to save lives and support harm reduction in our community,” said Chhavi Attri, community health planner at Mesa County Public Health.
According to the Community Health Needs Assessment that Mesa County Public Health released last year, the opioid overdose rate in Mesa County that resulted in an emergency department visit was 38.2 per 100,000 people between 2020 and 2022.
Statewide during this same timeframe it was 42.2 per 100,000. Another notable result of the Community Health Needs Assessment shows that from 2020 to 2022, Mesa County’s overdose death rate was 26.1 per 100,000. Statewide during that same time period the rate was 29.6 per 100,000.
Of those overdose deaths from 2020 to 2022, 82 percent were unintentional.
“Access to naloxone saves lives. By placing kiosks throughout Mesa County, we’re taking a bold step toward combating the opioid crisis and giving our community the tools to prevent unnecessary tragedies. Together, we can turn the tide and prioritize second chances” said Lyndall Young, Western Colorado Area Health Education Center outreach and education coordinator.
The kiosks are regularly maintained and restocked to ensure availability. Each kiosk includes the naloxone and bilingual instructions to guide you in assisting someone experiencing an overdose.
There are signs to watch for to know if someone is experiencing an opioid overdose: The person may be unconscious or unable
to wake up; have slow or shallow breathing; or have difficulty breathing. Other possible symptoms include discolored skin, limp arms and legs and constricted pupils.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Visit the Mesa County Public Health website at mesacounty.us/public-health to learn how to administer naloxone and for information about substance-use prevention and treatment.
WCAHEC provides free training about recognizing overdoses and administering naloxone. For more information, email Lyndall Young at lyoung@wcahec.org.
Paige Hauptmann is a multimedia communication intern for Mesa County Public Health. For more information call (970)2486900 or visit mesacounty.us/public-health.
KIOSK LOCATIONS
Mesa County Public Health, 510 29 1/2 Road.
Mesa County Criminal Justice Services, 636 South Ave.
Mesa County Criminal Justice Services Treatment Center, 436 S. Seventh St.
Colorado Health Network, 1001 Wellington Ave.
CMU, University Center, 1455 N. 12th St.
Western Colorado Area Health Education Center, 2938B North Ave.
Mesa County Libraries Clifton Branch, 3270 D 1/2 Road, Building A.
Mesa County Sheriff’s Office Detention Lobby, 215 Rice St.
Lifespan Psychiatry of CO, 2140 N. 12th St.
HomewardBound of the Grand Valley North Avenue Shelter, 2853 North Ave.
2565 American Way, GJ CO 81501 warehouse2565.com 970-628-4321 *Lesser value entrée is 1/2 off / Offer valid through February 28, 2025
Two Years of Progress: A Vision for Mesa County’s Future
Reflecting on my first two years as a Mesa County Commissioner, I am proud of our strides in advancing practical solutions that support our residents, businesses and economy. These years have been defined by a steadfast commitment to protecting water resources, strengthening agriculture, promoting economic development, safeguarding individual rights and ensuring efficient governance.
As we move into 2025, my focus remains on building upon these achievements and driving forward initiatives that will secure a prosperous future for Mesa County.
Water continues to be a top priority, particularly in the Grand Valley, where access to Colorado River water is essential for agriculture, tourism, ecology and our broader economy.
That’s why we invested $1 million in the Shoshone Water Rights Preservation initiative, an effort I am committed to seeing through to completion. At the same time, we are addressing the invasive species of zebra mussels by collaborating with local, state and federal partners to prevent their spread and protect critical water infrastructure.
Agriculture is not just an economic driver in Mesa County. It’s part of our identity. Yet invasive species pose a significant risk to our crops and exports. That’s why we launched the Japanese Beetle Spray Program, which completed its second year and led to an 86 percent reduction in these pests.
We will continue taking proactive, data-driven steps to safeguard food production and protect our agricultural economy. Our partnership with AgriWest and our Respect the Rural initiatives also impact rural-urban collaboration and foster innovative solutions that sustain our agricultural heritage while driving economic growth.
Over the past two years, we have enhanced the fairgrounds with improved facilities, a new sound system and fresh paint, while increasing support for the Fair Board. Looking ahead, we are conducting a market study to evaluate the feasibility of an event center and indoor arena, which could provide a major boost to our local economy. Additionally, we are updating the Fairgrounds Master Plan to align with the evolving needs of our community.
Public safety has been another major area of focus. To ensure our law enforcement agencies are equipped to keep our communities safe, we increased Mesa County Sheriff’s Department wages by 23 percent and added over 18 new deputies. Meanwhile, the Justice Center renovations, set for completion in 2025, will provide expanded space for justice services. We just completed a full renovation of the former City Market warehouse building for probation services.
Attainable housing and a strong workforce are not just economic priorities, they are the foundation of the American dream and a pathway to financial stability, growth, and independence for families in Mesa County. Over the past two years, we have taken meaningful steps to make homeownership more accessible by investing $10 million in private activity bonds to support first-time homebuyers.
At the same time, we have worked to eliminate unnecessary barriers by streamlining planning and building processes, keeping fees low, and reducing permit timelines. By leveraging technological advancements, such as Starlink-equipped building department vehicles and same-day permits, we have modernized our approach, making construction more efficient and homeownership a reality for more families.
These efforts reflect our commitment to ensuring that hardworking residents have the opportunity to build a future in the community they call home.
Providing financial relief to Mesa County residents has been a priority as well. By cutting property taxes with lowering the county mill levy and issuing $11.5 million in TABOR refunds, we have helped families keep more of their hard-earned money. We
also reduced landfill fees for individuals and businesses, ensuring essential services remain affordable while driving down costs for households and employers.
Mesa County’s Election Office has made meaningful and innovative adjustments in the past two years. We supported funding new printers in voting locations, so now every Mesa County voter receives a paper ballot, and cast ballots are available online for public review, eliminating costly CORA requests. Residents can conduct their own hand counts or audits. Additionally, the Mesa County Clerk’s Office upgraded security cameras, improved public viewing areas, increased open houses and judge training, and reinforced measures to enhance voter confidence.
Energy policy also been an area of focus, and our approach has been balanced and forward-thinking. Recognizing the need for strategic growth, we enacted a six-month moratorium on new utility-scale solar installations to revise land-use regulations. Just four months later, we introduced a new solar code. Within the new code, we supported agrivoltaic systems, allowing farmers to generate solar energy while maintaining agricultural production.
Mesa County was among the first in Colorado to integrate agrivoltaics into its code. We also incentivized solar development in commercial and industrial areas while protecting agricultural land and respecting private-property rights. In 2025, we plan to update our Energy Master Plan to further align with community needs.
Expanding behavioral health services has been another area of progress. By enhancing multi-agency collaboration teams (MAC) and co-response units, we have reduced jail populations, saving tax dollars, improved public safety and strengthened workforce stability. In the coming year, we will build upon this success by implementing software that tracks even more measurable outcomes, ensuring taxpayer dollars are being used effectively and tied to tangible results.
Transparency and fiscal responsibility remain core principles of our governance. Over the past two years, we have significantly expanded town halls, newsletters and Inside Mesa County classes to keep residents informed. Our Sunshine List has grown by more than 800 percent, offering greater transparency on public meetings and decision making. You can sign up for both at www.mesacounty.us.
Our Unfunded Mandate Tracker Tool now quantifies the financial impact of state mandates, reinforcing our commitment to responsible budgeting and fiscal transparency As the state budget faces growing uncertainty, it is critical to clarify who truly bears the financial burden – whether it’s the state, county, or federal government – and how these policies impact taxpayers.
Shifting costs to counties, which are legally required to balance their budgets, forces difficult trade-offs, often resulting in reduced funding for essential services. The State of Colorado cannot balance its budget on the backs of counties; if lawmakers create new mandates, they must also provide the funding to support them. Fiscal responsibility must extend beyond policy decisions. It requires ensuring that the financial obligations created by the state are met without jeopardizing the services our residents rely on.
Anyone can access our budget anytime with ease by visiting OpenGov Workforce development continues to be a priority, and I am especially proud of the advancements made at the Mesa County Workforce Center. By expanding initiatives and strengthening partnerships with organizations like the Business Incubator, we have provided valuable mentorship and workforce training opportunities. The Tell Your Story Once initiative development within our Department of Human Services and Workforce Center has been a game-changer, ensuring that residents seeking assistance – whether for job training, resume building, certifications or GED programs – can access all necessary resources in one place, making economic self-sufficiency more attainable.
As we enter 2025, my commitment to advancing pragmatic, results-driven policies remains stronger than ever. Whether it’s protecting our water, supporting agriculture, lowering taxes, removing red tape, strengthening public safety or driving economic growth, my focus is on delivering real solutions that enhance the quality of life for Mesa County residents.
Over the past two years, we have made significant progress in key areas that directly impact our community. While this is not an exhaustive list of our accomplishments, these highlights reflect the priorities I set when I first ran for office: Ensuring government works for the people it serves. One of my biggest commitments has been to invite our neighbors into local government, not only to keep residents informed, but to empower them to engage, provide input and help shape the future of our community.
Sharing these accomplishments isn’t just about recognizing progress. It’s about strengthening the partnership between elected officials and the citizens we serve. With continued collaboration, we will ensure Mesa County remains a solutions-oriented community.
It is an honor to serve as your commissioner, and I look forward to another year of working alongside you to build a strong and prosperous future.
Bobbie Daniel is a Mesa County Commissioner, representing District 2.
Bobbie Daniel
Future
And the survey says: We’re older,
and we’re
growing
That’s right, every so often I get the silly idea it’s time to take a survey to find out who my reader is. And while it’s always a good idea to have a set of demographics on hand for our advertisers, it’s also a lot of fun (well, relative fun anyways) to read the responses from our readers. Especially the answers to questions which allow for reader input. But let’s start with the boxes and the most painful answer, courtesy of line #1. How old are you? The cold, hard truth? Old. Well, older, for sure. It appears The Business Times’ “fan base” has aged right along with newspaper readers across the country, with a good chunk of our readership over the age of 50. When I first started as publisher of The Business Times, most readers were above 40.
I could take that as bad news, but I just don’t see the reasons to. After all, the 50-plus generation across the Grand Valley are some of the most active, impressive, caring, giving and serving folks you’ll find anywhere on this planet. They deserve to have their stories told and know the facts about what is going on in our business and civic communities. That goes double for having reports on the actions of self-proclaimed “community leaders”; who seem to cover all age demographics while knowing what everyone wants and needs and thinking only they can provide them. According to our survey, the readers of The Business Times desire to keep up on all of it. And they want more.
The Business Times is working hard to adjust to this new era in newspapers by doubling its publication schedule, covering more and more civic news and covering the stories and in-depth information our readers have been asking for, especially in recent years. After all, community leaders and news always provides plenty of material for stories, and more important, fodder for this column.
One area that has changed a little is we’re more of a boy’s club when it comes to readers than previous surveys. In those surveys, our women’s side of the readership had been making gains all the way up to the last having basically a 50/50 split male to female readership. This one? It’s more 60/40 men to women. Given our survey isn’t the most scientific, that number may have some larger plus or minus margin given the number of stories we write where the main subject is a woman or a couple and their businesses. Even more, many of our community stories reflect a much closer ratio of men to women reporting.
So I’d say business and community women are doing just fine in the Grand
Valley based on what people see and read in The Business Times. Which leads us to the next set of boxes and The Business Times bucking the trends once again.
Nearly all of our readers are married. They also own their own homes, with many in their retirement years. And nearly to a one, they give back to their community. I’d say that’s a rare combination for a news periodical nowadays. Our readers are still very active in their communities, which is the most important point next to the fact our readers still make a lot of money, whether retired or not. Advertisers seem to put that high on their list of the many things they like about The Business Times. I suppose it’s why we buck one other major trend for a newspaper—our volume of quality advertisers, which continues to grow.
And yes, we have younger readers as well. A number we fully expect to grow with our weekly format because we know they are just as interested in what’s going on in the business and community world of the Grand Valley. The fact is, we’re getting more and more press releases from this demographic because like national trends, young adults are more involved in these arenas and they need a great source for accurate information. And no publication in the Grand Valley has been a better source for business and community news than The Business Times.
What’s the point of the survey, you ask? It’s good to know where one’s product hits in the marketplace. But to me, it’s better to know where we’re not. If we’re being honest, how else can we grow? Isn’t growing the way to get older without growing old? Which our readers seem to have been doing seamlessly throughout my “publishing” career. After all, many have been with me for decades now, not missing an issue (I know, they probably have but it’s nice to hear) and even more peculiar, they like to read my column. Well, there’s always a few who don’t; and to those I always reply after reading their diatribe or listening to their sermons on the phone, “Thanks for reading!”
Because that’s what it’s all about. The Business Times asking questions and printing answers for folks to read. We do it proudly and most importantly, freely. And now we’re doing it every week for your reading pleasure. And yes, in time, that’ll bring readers in every demographic around. And for those of you who took the time to add some spice to your surveys where lines were provided for your answers instead of boxes.
Thanks for reading. It’s an honor to write for you.
Craig Hall is owner and publisher of the Business Times. Reach him at (970) 424-5133 or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com.
Supply Meets Demand, But Who Supplies?
The law of supply and demand is a basic economic principle. The law posits that the greater the supply, the lower the prices. If the supply is limited and the demand remains strong, prices will increase.
The law of supply and demand is demonstrated in the marketplace. Look what happens whenever a disaster strikes the source of a product or its supply chain. The prices of products soar following crops destroyed by a drought, flood or freezing temperatures. During COVID, disruptions in the supply chain created repercussions still evident today.
Shortages and delays in delivery for any product are frustrating, but what happens if the product is a life-saving drug? The demand is constant, but how dependable are the suppliers?
Andrew Heritage on Jan. 1, 2023, writing for the Coalition for a Prosperous America, said the U.S. pharmaceutical imports have skyrocketed in the last ten years with imports from China, India and Mexico leading the surge.
He noted India and China are increasingly the leading U.S. source for generic pharmaceuticals, which account for 90 percent of all prescriptions written in the U.S. China now accounts for 95 percent of imports of ibuprofen, 91 percent of imports of hydrocortisone, 70 percent of imports of acetaminophen, and 40 to 45 percent of imports of penicillin.
Despite leading the world in biomedical research and drug development, the U.S. is no longer the leading manufacturer of pharmaceuticals.
The Food and Drug Administration addressed this fact in a 2019 article titled “Safeguarding Pharmaceutical Supply Chains in a Global Economy.” China has lower electricity, coal and water costs. Chinese firms are embedded in a network of raw materials and intermediary suppliers, and so it has lower shipping and transaction costs for raw materials. It also faces fewer environmental regulations regarding buying, handling and disposing of toxic chemicals, leading to lower direct costs for these firms.
“We Must Break Our Dangerous Dependency on Medication from China,” written by Dr. Brad Wenstrup on July 31, 2023, said millions of Americans rely every day on name brand and generic medications, from antibiotics, blood pressure medicines, cancer drugs and blood thinners originating in China.
He said over a period of decades, China has been able to push competitors out of the global market through a system
of exploiting China’s cheap labor and selling pharmaceuticals below market cost due to subsidies provided by the Chinese government. As soon as China effectively eliminated its competitors, the price increased for those medications.
The growing dependence on foreign countries for pharmaceuticals poses a risk to patient safety and national security. After a decade of losing the pharmaceutical manufacturing capability in the U.S., it will be a challenge and require a concerted effort to revive it.
Dan Liljenquist submitted a report on April 25, 2024, titled “A Proven Model to Combat U.S. Drug Shortages,” to the Harvard Business Review. Acknowledging drug shortages have been a chronic problem in the U.S. for more than a decade, Liljenquist said more than 300 essential medications are in short supply.
The good news is the Civica Model is proving this problem has solutions. Its elements include bypassing intermediaries that may contribute to price and supply instability by creating a supplier whose mission is to serve health systems, having hospitals enter into long-term purchase and supply contracts with that entity, and pricing drugs on a cost-plus model.
Liljenquist said Civica Rx is a nonprofit, nonstock organization based in Utah and now includes 55 health systems, which account for one-third of licensed hospital beds in the U.S. Civica Rx was founded to provide older but frequently used generic drugs in short supply. Its member health systems have taken steps to mitigate the risk of shortages by changing the way they purchase essential drugs.
This model, Liljenquist said, offers other hospitals or health systems a guide to how they, too, could create and implement a strategy to prevent shortages.
The Civica model has already demonstrated benefits, according to Liljenquist. Twenty of the top 25 drugs Civica manufactures or distributes are currently in shortage nationally, but Civica is able to provide supply without interruption.
There may be other business models available to improve the reliability of our nation’s drug supply. Finding a way to address manufacturing and the supply chain is an important effort. The U.S. demand for pharmaceuticals will remain constant or grow. Securing the supply is the challenge.
Phyllis Hunsinger is founder of the Freedom & Responsibility Education Enterprise Foundation in Grand Junction. 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.
Craig Hall
Phyllis Hunsinger
n CMU WATER CENTER AWARDED $300K GRANT
Colorado Mesa University’s Ruth Powell Hutchins Water Center received a $300,000 grant from the Colorado River District to expand its impact as a leader in water policy, research and education on the Western Slope. CMU will match the grant with an additional $300,000 investment.
This investment will support the growth of the Water Center over the next three years, including hiring an executive director and developing a long-term strategic vision for the organization.
“At CMU, we take pride in being a voice for Western Colorado, and we see the Water Center as central to that mission,” Colorado Mesa University President John Marshall said. “With this investment from the Colorado River District – matched by CMU – we are establishing a strong, foundational hub for water research and policy rooted in Western Slope expertise, helping students and professionals drive solutions for our region’s water future.”
“Supporting the CMU Water Center is an investment in the expertise and leadership needed to secure Western Colorado’s water future,” Colorado River District General Manager Andy Mueller said. “CMU has long been a trusted leader in West Slope education and datainformed research. This partnership empowers local knowledge and innovation to shape durable water solutions for generations to come.”
For more information on CMU’s commitment to water research and sustainability, visit www.coloradomesa.edu/water-center.
n BRAY HIRES NEW AGENT PARKER
Bray Real Estate announced Matthew Parker joined its team of real-estate professionals.
Born and raised in the Grand Valley, Parker brings in-depth understanding of the local market and a strong connection to the Western Slope community. Parker’s background is rooted in real estate and business analytics, and he is pursuing a graduate degree at Colorado Mesa University, furthering his expertise in computer information systems, business analytics and real estate.
“His knowledge of the Grand Valley, paired with his dedication to technology and business analytics, will bring a fresh perspective to our clients and the real estate market,” said Stewart Cruickshank, sales manager at Bray Real Estate.
For more information or to connect with Matthew Parker, contact Bray Real Estate at 970-242-3647 or visit www.brayandco.com.
n ANIMAL SERVICES NEEDS NEWSPAPERS
Rather than throw away your old newspapers, Mesa County Animal Services, 971A Coffman Road, hopes you will take the time to give it those newspapers to help improve the lives of local shelter animals.
Animal Services has an ongoing demand for papers to line crates and catch waste from puppies, who still need to learn good
habits, and provide comfort and cleanliness for the animals.
“Before you throw away a newspaper, please remember it can help fill a big need at the shelter,” Animal Services Manager Doug Frye said. “Anyone willing to donate old newspapers can drop them off at our office.” Animal Services is open Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
n CHEFS GET CREATIVE WITH GIRL SCOUT COOKIES FOR FUNDRAISER
The Give a Chef a Cookie fundraiser for Girl Scouts of Colorado will take place Feb. 21 from 6-8 p.m. at Orchard River View, 3926 Highway 6&24 in Palisade.
The event celebrates the creativity of local chefs as they transform everyone’s favorite Girl Scout Cookies into innovative savory dishes. This year chefs are presenting dishes such as DoSi-Do Furikake Cookie Tapas, Chicken Lemon-Up Empanadas and Trefoil Biscuits and Gravy.
Chefs from Feisty Pint, Blade and Bone, Bookcliff Country Club and more will participate.
Proceeds from Give a Chef a Cookie directly benefit Girl Scouts of Colorado, an organization dedicated to building girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place.
Individual tickets for Give a Chef a Cookie are available at secure. qgiv.com/for/giveachefacookie/event/giveachefacookie2025.
For information about joining Girls Scouts of Colorado, volunteering, reconnecting or donating, visit girlscoutsofcolorado.org.
n WOMEN’S NETWORK EVENT OFFERS HEADSHOT PHOTOS
The Mesa County Women’s Network is hosting an evening for local women Feb. 23 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Basecamp Beer Works, 2575 US 6&50, Unit C, in Grand Junction. This event will allow women to relax, collaborate and network, and headshot photos will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Early arrival is encouraged.
Headshot sessions are optional for attendees and cost $80 for 5-10 digitally retouched photo files. The networking mixer is open to all. You do not need to get a headshot to join the event, but everyone needs to register. Tickets to the mixer are $15 or free for current members. Register at mcwn.us.
n SEND-OFF FOR FORMER HOPEWEST CEO
The HopeWest board of directors will host an open house Feb. 25 from 4 to 6 p.m. for former CEO Cassie Mitchell before she heads back to Kentucky. Drinks and light hors d’oeuvres will be served, and a brief presentation will be made at 5:15 p.m. The event will take place at the Herb & Laura May Bacon Center for Living your Best, 2754 Compass Drive, west entrance, in Grand Junction. RSVP by Feb. 21 to Cindy Copp by emailing her at ccopp@hopewest.org, or call 970-257-2362.
NOTEWORTHY
CONFLUENCE CENTER BREAKS GROUND FEB.
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The Confluence Center of Colorado board of directors and participating nonprofits will gather Feb. 26 from 11:30 a.m to 1 p.m. at 2600 Dos Rios Drive to break ground for the Confluence Center of Colorado building.
The event marks the start of construction for a one-of-a-kind facility designed to unite six key nonprofit organizations: RiversEdge West; EUREKA! McConnell Science Museum; One Riverfront; Colorado National Monument Association; Colorado West Land Trust; and Colorado Canyons Association.
Attendees will have the opportunity to speak with staff, explore educational materials and learn more about the building’s design, its impact on the community and how to support its mission through the ongoing capital campaign.
The Confluence Center aims to provide a collaborative hub for education, environmental stewardship, and community services. Located near the confluence of the Colorado and Gunnison Rivers, the facility will include a STREAM (Science, Technology, Rivers, Engineering, Arts and Math) preschool as well as shared workspaces, meeting areas and event spaces designed to enhance efficiency and impact for partner organizations while addressing critical needs in the region.
The groundbreaking also serves as a call to community members and organizations to support the Confluence Center’s capital campaign. To date, 62 percent of the $7.5 million goal has been raised.
Thanks to a generous matching fund, all donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $750,000, doubling the impact of every contribution. Contributions will directly fund the construction, initial operations and sustainability of the center. F
Matthew Parker
Cassie Mitchell
John Marshall
5th Annual Women in Business Conference: C.O.N.N.E.C.T
The Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce announces the 5th Annual Timberline Bank Women in Business Conference: C.O.N.N.E.C.T. 2025: Elevate Your Impact, taking place on Wednesday, March 12 at the Colorado Mesa University Ballroom. This year’s conference promises to be an empowering day filled with inspiration, education, and networking opportunities for women at all stages of their careers.
The conference will kick-off with a robust discussion on finances — Down & Dirty with Money - Join a dynamic panel focused on empowering women to navigate financial conversations and take control of their finances.
The conference will include a keynote address by Jayelle Dolan, a renowned speaker, author, and leadership expert. With over 25 years of experience, Jayelle’s unique blend of humor, storytelling, and practical advice will leave you feeling motivated and equipped to step into your power and lead with confidence.
Attendees can choose from a variety of engaging breakout sessions offered in three rounds:
Personal Development: Explore topics like reframing fear into fuel for action, embracing the season you’re in and presenting yourself with more confidence.
Professional Development: Gain valuable insights on developing community partnerships, facilitating psychological safety within teams and ways to combat burnout.
Business Tools: Learn about the latest technologies and strategies to streamline your operations, boost your marketing efforts, and achieve your business goals.
The Fruita Area Chamber is proud to once again partner with Timberline Bank as title sponsor for C.O.N.N.E.C.T. 2025. Their generous support allows the Chamber to offer this valuable event to the community. This year also marks the 3rd year of collaboration with Colorado Mesa University in hosting the conference while opening doors for students seeking professional development opportunities - details are available through CMU Career Services.
The conference concludes with a Happy Hour reception, providing a relaxed atmosphere to connect with fellow attendees, build relationships, and celebrate your achievements.
Do you know an incredible woman who deserves to be celebrated for her leadership, impact, and dedication? Nominate her for one of our Women in Business Awards at bit.ly/wibaward
The C.O.N.N.E.C.T. Impact Award Recognizing a woman who exemplifies Collaboration, Optimization, Networking, Nurturing, Empowerment, Communication, and Transformation to make a lasting difference in our community.
Legacy Leader Our Local She-Ro – Honoring a woman who has dedicated her life to serving, mentoring, and leading our community with excellence.
She Leads Next Our Budding Badass – Celebrating a rising star who is driven, ambitious.
Submissions for the awards are open until February 24 at 5:00 PM. Winners will be recognized at the Women in Business Conference. The full agenda, schedule, speaker bios, and registration details are available at fruitachamber.org/wibconference
