The City of GJ will soon claim one-third of a Grand Junction couple’s property to widen 25 Road.
n Camino al Exito
The Grand Junction Business Incubator expands with Spanishspeaking resources.
n Benitez to give keynote speech
Luis Benitez, a globally recognized leader in the outdoor recreation industry and public policy, will deliver the keynote address at the Western Colorado Economic Summit.
n Contributor: Marcus Straub
Strengthen your team with praise and recognition.
n GJ Chamber opposes bill
Rural Colorado will suffer if Enterprise Zone ‘reform’ bill passes.
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Golf courses became popular places during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, and local golf courses have experienced continued growth, in some cases record-breaking, or sustained the greater participation levels during the years that followed. Either way, the numbers of people hitting the links remains much higher now than they were pre-pandemic. Photo by Tim Harty.
MORE ABOUT LOCAL GOLF
WHAT’S IT GONNA COST?
To contact the Grand Valley’s public golf courses for rates, tee times or more information, try the following:
Adobe Creek National Golf Course: 876 18 1/2 Road, Fruita; 970-858-0521, adobecreekgolf.com
Chipeta Golf Course: 222 29 Road, Grand Junction; 970-245-7177; chipetagolf.com
Lincoln Park Golf Course: 1240 Gunnison Ave., Grand Junction; 970-254-3890; golfgrandjunction.net/lincoln-park
The Golf Club at Redlands Mesa: 2325 W. Ridges Blvd., Grand Junction; 970-255-7400; redlandsmesa.com
Tiara Rado Golf Course: 2057 S. Broadway, Grand Junction; 970-254-3830; golfgrandjunction.net/tiara-rado
DON’T FORGET THE PRIVATE CLUB
Bookcliff Country Club is a private golf course for members only. For membership information, call 970-243-3323, email membership@bookcliffcc.com or go online to bookcliffcc.com.
Teeing up more tee times
After the pandemic surge, local golf courses continue to see large turnout
Tim Harty The Business Times
The COVID-19 pandemic stopped a lot of people from doing a lot of things in 2020 and 2021, but golf wasn’t one of them.
Because golfers are outdoors, making it easy to stay six feet away from people, the Grand Valley’s golf courses got the blessing of the Mesa County Health Department to be open for business.
And people who never fancied themselves golfers took an interest in the sport if for no other reason than to avoid going stir-crazy at home.
As a result, the number of rounds being played and revenues increased significantly over prior years for the likes of Tiara Rado Golf Course, Lincoln Park Golf Course, Bookcliff Country Club, the Golf Club at Redlands Mesa, Adobe Creek National Golf Course and Chipeta Golf Course.
Once COVID restrictions loosened and life returned to pre-pandemic norms, the windfall for the Grand Valley’s golf courses could have ended there, but their managers are happy to say interest in the game has not dwindled.
ADOBE CREEK AND CHIPETA
The Adobe Creek and Chipeta golf courses are owned by the Wilson Golf Group, and Joe Toke, general manager of both courses, said the increase in play surged during the pandemic and hasn’t stopped.
“People got outside, got to learn a little bit about golf and realized, ‘Hey, this is kind of fun,’” Toke said. “Once they got outside and actually started doing it, just like a lot of us, once you start doing it, you fall in love with it. Once you fall in love with it, you wanna do it more and more and more. So, I think that’s the biggest reason why the golf boom has happened here on the Western Slope as well as the whole nation.”
Toke said he knows it’s a national trend because of the other golf courses owned by Wilson Golf Group in states such as Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
“Every single one of them have had numbers that if not record setting, are close to it,” Toke said. “So, it’s not just us on the West Slope, it’s nationwide.”
Count Adobe Creek and Chipeta among the courses breaking their records. Toke provided numbers based on starts (people playing nine holes or 18 holes) and said Adobe Creek, which has three nine-hole layouts for 27 holes, had about 68,000 starts in 2024. The
previous record was 57,000 starts.
“All the leagues have grown, all the tournaments have grown, and all the open play has grown,” Toke said.
Chipeta Golf Course, which is an 18-hole executive course (par 59), had about 51,000 starts in 2024, and for comparison, Toke said the number of starts in 2017 was 24,000.
“2017-18-19 was tough, then COVID came, and people played through COVID pretty well, and it’s grown every single year since 2017,” Toke said.
TIARA RADO AND LINCOLN PARK
At City of Grand Junction-owned Tiara Rado, an 18-hole course, and Lincoln Park, a nine-hole course, Director of Golf Tim Tafoya said the number of rounds in 2024 was 73,500 combined, with about 39,000 of those rounds at Tia Rado.
And when comparing the peak months of May through September last year, he said Tiara Rado was up at least 15 percent from 2020, and Lincoln Park was up nearly 20 percent.
“We’ve been going up tremendously. We haven’t really had a down year since COVID kind of gave us the bump,” Tafoya said.
City of Grand Junction General Services Director Jay Valentine said people flocked to the golf courses during COVID, but post-COVID came with no guarantees.
“Golf is a disposable-income sport for most, and once COVID was done, we needed to make sure that people still stayed engaged and still stayed out golfing,” he said.
Valentine said the city’s courses were and still are price-sensitive “to make sure that we’re not pricing people out of the enjoyment of golf.” Tafoya said Lincoln Park lowered its greens fees a couple years ago, and Valentine added it’s priced to be a bargain, and “it’s probably the cheapest golf that you can play in the state of Colorado or in the region.”
Beyond prices drawing customers, Valentine commended Tafoya and his staff at both golf courses for constantly connecting with golfers.
“They work hard all year long trying to continue to engage those that want to start playing, keep people playing, provide lessons, provide youth programs, balancing tournament play with public play and so forth,” Valentine said. “So, it’s an ongoing effort. It’s not just sitting back and relying on the COVID surge to keep us afloat.”
Tafoya added the city courses’ rates were raised a little this year but remain fair.
See GOLF on page 12
Ryan Davis watches the ball fly after hitting a shot at Lincoln Park Golf Course’s driving range on April 2.
Photo by Tim Harty.
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Grand Junction couple is casualty of eminent domain for 25 Road project
Brandon Leuallen The Business Times
When Ginny Rusy-Sanville and her husband, James Sanville, closed on their home at 625 25 Road in June 2021, they had no idea the City of Grand Junction would soon claim one-third of their property through eminent domain for a road-widening project.
As construction is set to begin this fall, Rusy-Sanville dreads the lengthy and disruptive construction process. She also feels cheated because of the lack of disclosure, shortchanged on compensation, and is faced with a bill too big to replace their garage rendered unusable by the project.
“We were totally blindsided by this,” Rusy-Sanville recalled, remembering the day in July 2022 when a city representative knocked on her door. “He said, ‘I’m from the city, and we need a third of your property by eminent domain because we’re going to widen 25 Road.’ We had no idea.”
The couple had purchased the single-wide home on a nearly quarter-acre lot after a frenzied real estate market left them outbid on other properties.
“We were the only ones that bid on this property, and we thought that was odd,” Rusy-Sanville said. She suspects the previous owners, a trust eager to cash out, and possibly the Realtor, knew about the impending expansion but didn’t say anything.
Under Colorado state law, sellers must disclose certain material facts about a property that could impact its value or desirability, as specified in the Seller’s Property Disclosure form.
allow limited access and only by blocking traffic to get in, which felt unsafe, especially since they use trailers and had nearly been hit while trying to back one into the other side of the house.
With no other viable option, the couple chose the higher amount, which meant losing access to their garage entirely and having to build a new one elsewhere on the lot.
Rusy-Sanville also said the compensation was inadequate to replace the garage. The garage is essential for the couple, as James uses it to rebuild cars. The city’s payout, which was also partially claimed by her mortgage company, falls short of the $50,000 estimated cost to build a new, two-and-a-half-car garage – far exceeding the $30,000 number referenced by the city.
“By the time you factor in concrete, contractors and codes, they didn’t give us enough,” she said. “The garage will cost more than what the city gave us.”
With the upcoming construction the couple is also concerned about the stress and strain on their home life.
“We’re gonna have construction dust come in the house. We have a 17- year-old who is autistic. It’s just not what we bargained for, for sure,” Rusy-Sanville said.
The couple’s dilemma serves also as a cautionary tale for other home buyers even during a housing shortage or a frenzied time in the market.
J.R. Davis of Grand Junction-based Davis Law Group, told The Business Times that real estate transactions are complicated, even when they seem straightforward.
“Purchasing real estate is not just about purchasing dirt or
“We didn’t hear anything from the title company, the mortgage company and both of which are now gone,” she said.
After reviewing their closing documents, Rusy-Sanville found no mention of the road expansion. She now wonders whether a pending road expansion – one that would claim a portion of her property –qualifies as a material fact that should have been disclosed.
The city’s 25 Road expansion, part of the larger Four Canyons Parkway project, aims to ease traffic congestion near Patterson Road and the mall. “They’re putting in a sidewalk, gutter, bicycle lanes and everything else,” Rusy-Sanville said. “The easement will come about 10 feet from our front porch and 10 feet from our garage.”
According to the city’s website, preliminary designs for the 25 Road Corridor began post-2019, with construction slated for late 2025.
The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees that private property shall not “be taken for public use, without just compensation,” a principle applied through eminent domain.
However, Rusy-Sandville found it unfair when the city appraised the front corner of her lot as vacant land.
“It’s not vacant land,” she said. “We live here. I know it’s a driveway, but it’s still our driveway.”
After negotiations, she said the city offered two compensation amounts and gave her 10 days to decide. The lower amount would
buildings – it is also about legal rights and duties,” Davis said. “It is very important to get educated on what exactly is being purchased.”
Davis added, “For nearly everyone, it is imperative to hire a good real estate broker, not just a broker who can show a house. A good broker understands the purchasing process and will protect their client’s interests. A good broker knows the area, knows the market and knows the developments that are coming. And, a good broker utilizes all this skill and knowledge to negotiate a favorable price for their client, taking into account things like possible eminent domain.”
Davis also recommends consulting a real estate lawyer, saying, “A real estate lawyer can help identify issues that go under the radar of a layperson. For example, a real estate lawyer can review a title commitment with the purchaser and educate the purchaser about the rights, duties, and encumbrances that come with a property.”
Davis said when it comes to eminent domain, it is important to remember the government wants to obtain someone’s property for the lowest dollar amount.
“While the government must follow all the rules perfectly, they have no obligation to look after the property owner’s best interest,” Davis said. “Did I say real estate is complicated? It is important to get educated on all things real estate and to be surrounded by good real estate professionals.”
Behold Business
In the forefront is the home of Ginny Rusy-Sanville and her husband, James Sanville, at 625 25 Road. Photo from Google Maps.
Gutierrez speaks while Eric Gil listens during an event April 2 to launch Camino al Exito, which expands resources for Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs at Grand Junction’s Business Incubator Center. Gutierrez and Gil are business owners who will be volunteer, Spanish-speaking advisors for Camino al Exito.
Behold Camino al Exito
Business Incubator expands Spanish-speaking resources
Tim Harty The Business Times
Sonia Gutierrez stood before a room full of people who had gathered for the launch of something she helped create, and she addressed them in fluent Spanish and English.
She is bilingual, which is common in Grand Junction’s Spanish-speaking community.
She’s also the co-owner of a business, which isn’t as common in that community, but she wants to see it become much more common.
On April 2 in the Services Building of the Grand Junction Business Incubator Center, 2591 Legacy Way, Gutierrez said, “Today marks the launch of something truly special, Camino al Exito, a program created with one goal in mind: to empower Latino entrepreneurs with the tools, guidance and support they need to succeed.”
Gutierrez was one of the event’s six speakers who addressed the importance of Camino al Exito, which in English means “path to success,” and that path will be paved with a comprehensive expansion of resources and services for Mesa County’s Spanish-speaking business owners and entrepreneurs to access.
That means: Resources will be available in their native language; new space on the Business Incubator Center campus will offer classroom settings for workshops, advising and collaboration among entrepreneurs; Spanishspeaking subject-matter experts and advisors will be provided at no cost; and in-person classes and online resources will be available in Spanish, allowing entrepreneurs to engage in a way that suits their schedules and preferences.
Camino al Exito would not have come to life, Gutierrez said, “without the exceptional leadership of Dalida (Sassoon Bollig, CEO of the Business Incubator Center), and the unwavering commitment of my friend and cofounder Eric Gil (who also spoke at the event).”
Nor would it have come to life without the initiative of Gutierrez, who sparked action from Sassoon Bollig and her team of problem-
solvers at the Business Incubator Center with a direct message and a belief she had found the right people to make a difference.
Sassoon Bollig said Gutierrez approached her in July 2024 and told her about challenges faced by Grand Junction’s community of Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs. She recalls Gutierrez saying, “These challenges are huge. They are not too big for the Business Incubator Center.”
Sassoon Bollig continued, “She said, ‘You already have the resources to help businesses get the advising and business classes and business acumen from the Small Business Development Center. You already have the infrastructure that funnels people through, and you can send them out to the community as accomplished entrepreneurs and small businesses if they are startups. If they are existing businesses, people can come to you and receive advising in the different subjects.’”
That’s all true, and all of it was said to drive home the point.
Sassoon Bollig recalled the sentence from Gutierrez that made clear the challenge the incubator needed to address: “My fear is that people are not having as easy access to these resources, because language is a barrier.”
Message received. Mission accepted. And a little more than eight months later, a new hope.
Between then and now, Sassoon Bollig said she chatted with Western Colorado Latino Chamber of Commerce President Jorge Pantoja and realized the language barrier “is definitely a challenge for a lot of our Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs. Although they do business in English, it is easier to receive information about how to do business in Spanish.”
From there it was time to ask questions, gather information, and Sassoon Bollig said the Business Incubator Center got a boost from the arrival of Mandy DeCino as the incubator’s Small Business Development Center director in August.
See Camino on Page 9
Sonia
Photo by Tim Harty.
Benitez to give keynote speech at economic summit
Luis Benitez, a globally recognized leader in the outdoor recreation industry and public policy, will deliver the keynote address at the 2025 Western Colorado Economic Summit Presented by FCI Constructors, happening April 24 at Colorado Mesa University.
Benitez’s career has spanned the world’s highest peaks, both literally and figuratively, the Grand Junction Economic Partnership said in a news release. As a former mountaineering guide, he led more than 30 expeditions to the tallest mountains on every continent, including Mount Everest. His transition from guiding to advocacy has positioned him as a driving force within the outdoor industry.
“In today’s current environment, it’s important to understand how the outdoor recreation industry not only drives economic health of communities, but can also serve a clear and guiding voice for mental and physical health,” Benitez said.
In addition to his inspiring tales of Everest expeditions and overcoming adversity, Benitez will discuss leadership, resilience, economic development and the role of the outdoor industry in community prosperity.
Benitez is the author of “Higher Ground: How the Outdoor Recreation Industry Can Save the World.” The book explores the economic significance of public lands, the role of outdoor recreation in community prosperity and the industry’s growing influence in policy and business development.
“The passion that led Luis to climb his first mountain continues to guide him to this day,” U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) said. “He has been a true servant-leader, and this book is a remarkable look at how one life, and by extension almost any life, can affect great change.”
In 2015, Benitez was appointed director of the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office by then Colorado Gov. Hickenlooper, a significant step in what many see as a political career leading to the Colorado governor’s office and beyond.
In 2019, Benitez became the vice president of global affairs for VF Corp, a Fortune 500 company that represents brands including The North Face, Smartwool and Timberland. Benitez previously served as the chief impact officer for the Trust for Public Lands, a nonprofit organization that works across sectors to ensure everyone will have access to the outdoors for generations to come. And today, he serves as the vice president for global government affairs at Lululemon.
Sponsored tables and general admission tickets are on sale. To reserve your seats or learn more about the event, please visit www.gjep.org/wces.
Luis Benitez
D51 Foundation awards professional learning grants
The District 51 Foundation recently announced its 15th round of Professional Learning Grant Awards with more than $11,500 in grants awarded to District 51 staff members.
Since 2018, the D51 Foundation has donated more than $161,000 to 470 District 51 staff members for professional learning. Each year, the D51 Foundation uses proceeds from its White Iced Celebration and other fundraising efforts to fund specific needs in School District 51. This year, fundraising dollars will be used to provide professional learning for D51 staff, invest in technology and innovation for students, and support student and staff wellness.
The grant recipients are: Sutton Casey, R-5, $350, National Council of Teachers of English Annual Conference; Jade Decker, Orchard Avenue Elementary, $300, Teaching Strong Brains; Alice Dussart, Juniper Ridge Community, $458, A-Z Grant Writing Series; Elizabeth Elliott, Fruita Monument High School, $495, National Board Teacher License Renewal; Katrina Fallas, D51 K-12, $400, Working with Children/Teens and Understanding Foundations of Complex Trauma; Scott Finholm, Central High School, $270, Annual Conference for the Colorado Council for the Social Studies; Katy Haerle and Julie Schmaltz, Grand Mesa Middle School, $550, NASRO Adolescent Mental Health Training; Carissa Hanvey, West Middle School, $565, Wilson Language Training; Mira Hurshman, Fruita Middle School, $295, Practical Strategies to Incorporate Specially Designed Instruction into Your Co-Teaching; Damian Johann, Fruitvale Elementary, $199, Music Will Modern Band Summit; Katherine LaFrenierre, Dos Rios Elementary, $495, Alibion Center for Professional Development: Trauma in the Classrooms Critical Literacy Strategies; Erik Larson, Summit & Therapeutic Day Program, $1,500, EMDR Basic Training; Bil Pfaffendorf, Pomona STEAM, $3,000, Strong Families: Training for Staff; Lora Quesenberry, New Emerson & Emerson Administration Building, $645, Art Source Colorado Summer Residency: Artistry in Scale; Maja Sommersted, Thunder Mountain Elementary, $645, Art Source Colorado Summer Residency: Artistry in Scale; Meredith Thornhill, Rim Rock & Monument Ridge Elementary, $569, 2025 Seng Annual Community Conference and Retreat Blueprints of Brilliance; Lori Twardowski-Raper, Palisade High School, $290, National Council for the Education of Ceramic Artists Conference; and Amber Wright, Juniper Ridge Community, $600, Pathways to Structured Literacy.
The grants are specifically for professional learning opportunities and support. Research consistently shows that highly trained teachers have the most significant positive impact on student academic growth and achievement. For more information, visit www. d51foundation.org or call 970-254-5108 or 970-210-4120.
recently Professional more than District 51 staff Foundation has 470 District learning. Foundation uses Celebration and specific needs fundraising professional technology support National Annual Orchard Avenue Strong Brains; Community, Elizabeth School, $495, Renewal; Working Understanding School, Colorado Katy Haerle Mesa Middle Adolescent Mental West Middle Training; School, $295, Specially Co-Teaching; Elementary, $199, Dos Rios Center for Trauma in the Strategies; Therapeutic Day Training; STEAM, $3,000, Staff; Lora Emerson Art Source Artistry in Mountain Colorado Scale; Rock & $569, 2025 Conference Brilliance; Lori School, Education and Amber Community, $600, professional Research trained teachers impact on achievement. visit www. 970-254-5108 or
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Camino
Continued from page 5
“She hit the ground running, creating structure and access to different resources,” Sassoon Bollig said.
Sassoon Bollig asked incubator staffers for their ideas, and ultimately, “We sat down, we basically just workshopped it for half a day and came out with the idea that we need a physical space that can hold resources, where people can meet, can access these resources directly.
“It’s the same intake process. They reach out to us at the Business Incubator Center, register for consulting, one-on-one advising or a class, go through whether they want funding, incentives, space and tools, innovation, business acumen, and from there we take them to where they need to go.”
The only difference is now it’s in Spanish.
“Camino al Exito builds on the strong foundation of existing programs and represents an intentional expansion, something meaningful, sustainable and deeply rooted in the needs of our community,” Gutierrez said.
The incubator will add staff in the form of volunteer Spanish-speaking advisors and subject-matter experts. That includes Gutierrez and Gil.
“In looking to launch this and really in looking to grow this program in general, we’ve identified a lot of new advisors who are amazing people in our community, who have had business experience,”
DeCino said. “And again, one might be in marketing, one might be in finance, one might be in HR.”
Gutierrez can advise from experience, and not just her own.
“As someone who grew up helping my parents run their tortilla factory, I saw firsthand the barriers they faced: language; access; and systems that weren’t built with them in mind. It was the inspiration behind Camino al Exito, a drive to help create something that didn’t exist for them, but could exist now for others.
“One of the biggest gaps in our community continues to be access to business resources for Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs. So many individuals with the talent, work ethic and drive to succeed are left out simply because the tools and information aren’t designed with them or us in mind.”
Pantoja echoed that when he said, “In the years I’ve been in the (Grand) Valley, I’ve seen a lot of good ideas and good people with talent just not making it, because they didn’t have the resources that could help them establish a business.
“So, what ends up happening is they move on, right? They get employment, they work for somebody else, and that dream pretty much stays there. I mean, it’s not gone, but with programs like this ... It’s the key for them to rethink, reshape and perhaps just launch that business once again.”
THE RESOURCES CAMINO AL EXITO PROVIDES
Camino al Éxito, through the Grand Junction Business Incubator Center, will provide the following to help Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs achieve their business goals:
• Resources in their native language, improving access to valuable business tools.
• Translations of Business Incubator Center programs, ensuring Spanish-speaking business owners can access services such as the Small Business Development Center, Business Loan Fund & Incubator Intensive Program, and more.
• New space for Camino al Éxito on the Business Incubator Center campus will function as a resource hub, offering a classroom-style setting for workshops, advising and collaboration among entrepreneurs.
• Access to subject-matter expert advisors in key areas, including Business 101 and financial planning, provided by Spanish-speaking advisors at no cost.
• In-person classes and online resources, allowing entrepreneurs to engage in a way that suits their schedules and preferences. For more information about the programs and initiatives offered at the Business Incubator Center, visit its website at www.gjincubator.org.
Left
right, Eric Gil, Sonia Gutierrez, Dalida Sassoon Bollig and Mandy DeCino participated in an event to launch Camino al Exito on April 2 at Grand Junction’s Business Incubator Center. Gil and Gutierrez are business owners who will be volunteer,
the program, which expands resources and
Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs. Photo by Tim Harty.
Fundraiser supports child-abuse survivors
Last year, Center for Children provided vital services for more than 300 children who were victims of child abuse in Mesa County, and it has helped nearly 21,000 children since it has been in existence.
As a nationally accredited child advocacy center, Center for Children offers a safe space where young survivors can receive sexual-assault exams, forensic interviews, therapy and family support. But those services come with a price tag.
To help raise funds to cover the cost of providing these critical services, Center for Children is inviting the community to Seeds of Support, a special fundraising event dedicated to providing help, hope and healing for child-abuse survivors in Mesa County while educating the community on the important services provided.
The event will take place April 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the Grand Junction Elks Lodge. It will feature speakers from the Multi-Disciplinary Team who work directly with child survivors. Dinner will be catered by The Cowboy and the Rose, and there will be a silent auction.
“Child abuse is difficult to talk about, but it’s one we have to talk about because it happens here,” said Scott Barks, executive director of the Center for Children. “Our Seeds of Support event is more than just a fundraiser – it’s an opportunity for our community to learn more about us and stand together in support of these brave children and ensure they have the resources they need to heal.”
Tickets are required and can be purchased ahead of time by visiting the center’s website, centerforchildrencac.org, and clicking on Events, or by visiting the ticketing site, www.eventbrite.com/e/seeds-of-support-tickets1234012808529?aff=oddtdtcreator.
Seating is limited, so early reservations are encouraged. All proceeds directly support Center for Children’s mission to provide comprehensive services to child-abuse survivors in Mesa County.
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Golf
Continued from page 2
For a resident walking on a weekday, it’s $12 for nine holes ($9 with a season pass) at Lincoln Park, and it’s $46 for 18 holes ($24 with a season pass) at Tiara Rado. And he echoed Valentine in saying they’re trying to keep golf affordable.
“I think we’re doing that,” he said. “A lot of folks have raised their rates, and, yes, we have raised our rates, approximately 10 to 15 percent this year. But in raising those rates we’re still on the low end of most of the golf courses in the area, ratewise. I know that Redlands (Mesa) continues to increase their rate year over year. Delta, which is also a municipal golf course there, Devil’s Thumb, they raised their rate to over $80 for 18 holes. Battlement (Mesa), it’s always been right around that $100 price point. So we’re really competitive in our rates and certainly because of the product that our guys put out.”
GOLF CLUB AT REDLANDS MESA
At Redlands Mesa, the rates indeed have increased, and Director of Golf Maxwell Weckerly said that needed to be done to put pricing in line with what should be charged at a public course that gets ranked among the best in Colorado.
Pricing isn’t easily pinned down, because Redlands Mesa switched to a dynamic-rate system, meaning the price depends on the time of the year, day of the week and time of day. But Weckerly said the average peak-season price is about $160 for a round, and that includes a cart, because walking the course is prohibited. However, Mesa County residents get a 30 percent discount, and there are promotions such as Mesa County Monday, when it’s only $75 to play for a Mesa County resident.
Tiara Rado and Adobe Creek charge less, but plenty of people remain willing to pay to play Redlands Mesa. That was clear during the COVID-19 pandemic, as Weckerly said, “When Covid happened we obviously had to make a lot of changes, and we had to have people have their own carts, and there were lots of differences that we had to implement, but we were full every single day. I mean, we used every single one of our carts pretty much every day.”
Weckerly said the number of rounds the past three years aren’t as high they were during 2020 and 2021, but at approximately 30,000 rounds each of the past few years, they remain significantly higher than they were pre-pandemic.
“It’s not as big as that real COVID surge was, but we still do get a lot of golf,” he said. “And I think the cool thing about it is it inspired a lot of people to go try the sport out, and then once they did, they were like, ‘Oh this is pretty fun, pretty cool,’ so then people kept up with it.”
Weckerly said he doesn’t have exact numbers prior to 2018, which was the year his parents bought Golf Club at Redlands Mesa (and since then Maxwell and his four siblings have bought into the golf course, too). And that sale and subsequent changes, he said, boosted the rounds being played, regardless of COVID.
Weckerly estimates the annual rounds
Cord Adams watches his putt at one of Lincoln Park Golf Course’s practice greens on April 2. Photo by Tim Harty.
played before 2018 were about 15,000 to 20,000 per year, and that was at lower pricing.
BOOKCLIFF COUNTRY CLUB
As a private club, only members get to play Bookcliff Country Club, and Bookcliff General Manager Dave Fiscus said its members responded the same way golfers did at public courses during COVID.
And the momentum has continued postCOVID, as he said increased play “kinda happened organically with COVID, and then just, I think, the valley’s growing, so our membership count has continued to rise.”
Fiscus can’t provide hard numbers for comparison, because Bookcliff County Club recently changed its system for counting rounds. He said they get an accurate count now, but in prior years the numbers were a little suspect.
“I think in years past people would just go out and play and not really check in in some cases, so it’s not the true number,” Fiscus said.
For 2024, though, he can say the total rounds were about 18,000, and “definitely last year it would be safe to say that we’re 2,000 to 3,000 rounds higher than what we used to be.”
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Strengthen your team with praise and recognition
Business leaders who aim to elevate their company to ever higher levels of success continually seek ways to refine their business model. Achieving this objective necessitates discerning awareness of what is effective and ineffective in the daily operations of the business.
A common pitfall to avoid is focusing exclusively on the deficiencies within the current business model at the expense of acknowledging its strengths. While this approach might yield certain improvements and short-term results, it will eventually undermine other critical aspects of the business. Leaders with such a narrow focus may fail to recognize the actual achievements, the diligent effort of team members, and the overall progress that has been made over time.
This tendency can adversely affect team morale and motivation due to a lack of praise coupled with excessive criticism. Consequently, team members may become disengaged from the company’s mission, and high performers may opt to leave. This can negatively impact the efficiency, effectiveness, profitability and success that the leadership desires.
In contrast, when leaders offer well-deserved praise and recognition while also striving to enhance company operations, they cultivate a robust organizational culture, thereby creating widespread benefits throughout the business. The rationale behind this is that positive reinforcement encourages individuals to continue their efforts.
To illustrate, consider how motivating it feels to receive acknowledgment for your diligence and hard work. Most individuals flourish with praise and appreciate recognition.
When a person is commended for their accomplishments, they feel valued and inspired to maintain and even improve their performance. This positive feedback boosts their confidence and enthusiasm and is visibly reflected in their demeanor and behavior. Repeated instances of praise foster increased self-confidence, initiative and passion, leading them to excel in their tasks.
Essentially, they are motivated to learn, grow, and achieve more.
Conversely, when an individual puts forth their best effort and receives only criticism regarding their mistakes and areas for improvement, they often feel defeated, inadequate and undervalued. Those who have experienced this know how disheartening it can be, especially as the behavior persists over time. This negative conditioning typically results in diminished self-confidence, a negative self-perception, resentment, disengagement, reduced performance and increased turnover.
The intrinsic desire to feel valued and appreciated for our efforts is a fundamental human need. As a leader, it is essential to understand this concept and shift your perspective and behaviors to consistently provide the praise and recognition your team members require to thrive. Positive reinforcement proves to be a far more effective leadership strategy than negative conditioning.
In my coaching sessions with leaders, I emphasize leading with composure and a balanced perspective. By adopting new, dynamic and effective methods of working with their teams, they foster empowerment and achieve the desired results.
When team members are constructively supported in both their achievements and areas needing improvement, their performance levels naturally increase due to feeling valued, encouraged and supported in their pursuit of excellence. When you cater to your team’s needs, they are more likely to reciprocate, resulting in mutual satisfaction and success.
In your continuous quest for success and a well-optimized business, it is imperative to regularly provide the well-deserved praise and recognition to your team members. This practice will enhance job satisfaction and performance while reducing costly turnover.
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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) 2083150, marcus@ligcoaching.com or through the website located at www. ligcoaching.com.
Framework for improving health in Mesa County
As your businesses work to improve specific needs within our community, Mesa County Public Health aims to improve Mesa County’s health and wellness needs.
Ryan Pomeroy
The Mesa County Board of Public Health recently approved the Community Health Improvement Plan at its regular March meeting. The plan follows the Community Health Needs Assessment and identifies specific priorities for action and progress over the next few years.
“The CHIP is step two in a three-year cycle of improving our community’s health,” said Alli Howe, Mesa County Public Health’s chief health strategist. “The first step was to assess the health status of Mesa County, and now we’ve identified priority issues with related activities to improve health outcomes.
“The final step of the health improvement cycle is to implement plans and track progress.”
From the eight priorities identified in the Community Health Needs Assessment, public health staff collaborated with community members and partners to determine the most pressing needs. Staff members analyzed nearly 400 individual contributions in the selection process for the priorities. The main priorities that were selected are economic stability and behavioral health.
While many people enjoy financial stability in Mesa County, others struggle to reach economic self-sufficiency. The median household income for female single parents is less than half of what is required for economic stability for a mother with a preschooler and school-aged child.
Household economic stability is an essential factor for positive health outcomes. Healthy behaviors depend on adequate
financial resources to meet basic needs, access health care and nutritious foods, and ensure safe and healthy environments. In addition, many health outcomes improve as income and household economic stability increase.
Behavioral health impacts physical health in a cyclical way. Behavioral health is impacted by health behaviors, but it also can impact a person’s ability to pursue healthy choices. In addition, behavioral health challenges can lead to direct health outcomes, such as substance-use disorder and suicide crisis.
According to the 2022 Tell Us Community Survey, Mesa County residents, regardless of age or income, were overwhelmingly in favor of increasing support for mental health and substance-abuse services. Only 13 percent of residents agreed that Mesa County provides adequate support for these services, and 50 percent completely disagreed.
The Mesa County Public Health Data Team is developing a public-facing dashboard, which will allow the community to see longterm population metrics as well the progress of CHIP activities.
“Having a public-facing dashboard for our CHIP work will drive accountability into action,” said Alice Ireland, data and informatics manager. “The CHIP is a reflection of what our community finds important, and data transparency is important when it comes to tracking progress.”
Visit our website at mesacounty.us/ public-health to view the full Community Health Improvement Plan and to learn more about how Mesa County Public Health is approaching economic stability and behavioral health within Mesa County.
Enhancing these critical areas for individuals facing challenges within Mesa County contributes to the overall advancement of the community as a whole, benefiting you and your employees.
Ryan Pomeroy is a multimedia communication intern at Mesa County Public Health.
Marcus Straub
Rural Colorado will suffer if Enterprise Zone ‘reform’ bill passes
Dear Governor Polis and members of the General Assembly,
On behalf of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce, and in strong solidarity with our neighboring communities across the Western Slope, we are writing to express deep concern and strong opposition to House Bill 25-1296. While we represent over 800 mostly small businesses employing more than 45,000 people in Mesa County, this issue extends far beyond our city limits.
HB25-1296 does not “reform” the Enterprise Zone Investment Tax Credit program – it dismantles one of the most effective tools rural Colorado has to attract investment.
By capping Enterprise Zone tax credits at $2 million per taxpayer beginning in 2026 and excluding key industries – including oil and gas extraction, aviation, fuel retail and wireless telecommunications infrastructure – this bill strikes at the heart of the economic engines driving development not just in Mesa County, but throughout Region 10, the Northwest Enterprise Zone and rural communities statewide.
The data is clear:
• In 2024, the industries HB25-1296 would exclude accounted for 65.02 percent of all Enterprise Zone tax credits claimed across the Western Slope.
• These credits supported $84.7 million in capital investment in Mesa County, Region 10,and the Northwest Enterprise Zone combined.
• If this bill passes, the majority of active investment in rural Colorado would be disqualified overnight.
This is not hypothetical – it is a direct threat to jobs, infrastructure and long-term economic viability in regions already working against geographic and economic headwinds.
The Western Slope depends on targeted incentives like the Enterprise Zone program because they make a tangible difference. These tax credits are not giveaways – they’re growth multipliers, attracting capital where it’s needed most. Gutting the program won’t level the playing field – it will pull up the ladder for communities still climbing.
And for what? A projected $10.5 million in increased General Fund revenue by FY 2026-27 – gained by stripping successful incentives from rural areas and redistributing that capital elsewhere in the state.
We urge you to oppose HB25-1296. The data, the impact and the voices of our communities all say the same thing: This bill goes too far, and it puts rural Colorado’s economic future at risk.
With urgency,
Candace Carnahan President & CEO
Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce
The moment you fear your rights will be taken, the Colorado thought police are seconds away to do it
Sure, it’s a poor paraphrasing of the adage saying when seconds count, the police are minutes away. And please note, this isn’t a column about the policing of our communities, although given the evil intent of the legislation I’m going to address, the police in your community are about to become willing or unwilling accomplices in what is sure to be a giant spread of violations of our inalienable rights. Sadly, I could be writing the same focused column on just about any law our Colorado democrats put across Pontius Polis’ desk. As a matter of fact, I just did write one concerning the insane, unconstitutional “automatic weapon” and “removable magazine” legislation just put on to the governor’s desk for his signature.
Or I could be writing one about the soon to be introduced legislation (especially if they get away with passing this legislation) where democrats want abortion promoted and subsidized by the state because it’s easier on the budget?
The fact is, neither of those laws should have been even considered based on a single premise: They are evil. You can add on a violation of God-given, inalienable rights stated in our Constitution and Declaration of Independence if you’d like. But where I’m coming from, God comes first. So it was with our founders as well.
But our founders also never figured God would be removed and replaced by democrats. Perhaps they should have done a reading of Genesis before putting ink to parchment. Then again, maybe Ben Franklin put it best by foreshadowing our downfall with his, “A Republic, if you can keep it.” If so, he was obviously thinking about democrats.
Maybe that’s why I’ve done so much praying before putting my fingers to keyboard on this topic. Because what I am about to write is exactly why this new law is sure to pass in the legislature, be signed by the governor and put into effect. It’s so democrats (never fear, if the Republicans regain power, they’ll use it too) can come after half of our state by making them criminals. Because once made law, you can be removed from participating in civil society based on how you think and what you say.
You better believe I prayed to the Almighty. Because soon, the force of Colorado government will be able come upon me for these words and thoughts.
And you may now ask just how will the State of Colorado do such a thing? Well, let me tell you. Once House Bill 25-1312 (Does that mean they’ve introduced over 1,300 bills
this session? Now THAT’S a crime) passes, it will be illegal to deadname or misgender anyone in our state in any meeting, in any proceeding or in the public square. In other words, pretty much any time. Worse, this will be extended all the way to how a person thinks about the topic of gender, which has been extended to include everyone who is alive, all while being subject to change on a whim based on how anyone “feels” the moment they awaken to a new day.
So basically, anyone can break this law at any second of their life if the government deems it. The worst part is the government of the State of Colorado is about to deem it so.
Just how are they going to force it?
Easy. They will take away your parental rights. Section 2 of this law states a court must make parenting-time rulings based in the child’s best interest while considering “deadnaming, misgendering or threatening to publish material related to an individual’s gender-affirming health-care services as a type of control.” I’m guessing this legislation won’t benefit many conservatives – or let’s be honest, fathers as well, as they tend to see things in terms of boys and girls – in divorce. And frankly, if parents have disagreement on this, there’s gonna be a divorce.
This accusation will become more commonplace in divorce-petitioner filings. And if you know any dads, you know they’ll back away from what is surely a very expensive (even this Holy) fight if it means possibly losing more parenting time and money, because parenting-time and support decisions are out-of-proportion anti-dad.
How about another? Let’s go to the “Let ‘em eat cake” maneuvering used by so many on the left to get their agenda forced onto the public. You know the drill, find a Christian baker who won’t want to bake a cake for your event and cry to the government and try to destroy the baker’s business and life. Well, now multiply this by the millions moving into the LGBTQ++ (I don’t know how many +s there are now, forgive me) realm as it keeps changing to accommodate all and let them claim discrimination or misgendering in any way, and voila, instant, conservative criminals.
Why do you think we have a “Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act” in the first place? I’ll tell you. It’s so higher minds on a “panel” can make a criminal out of you based on what you say and think because it doesn’t align with what they say or think.
For right now, that board is based in leftist, radical, evil thinking. But in time, that probably will change. They just haven’t come after you and your thoughts and words. Yet.
In Christ and Freedom.
Craig Hall is owner and publisher of the Business Times. Reach him at (970) 424-5133 or publisher@ thebusinesstimes.com.
Craig Hall
n GALINDO PROMOTED TO TRUST OFFICER AT ALPINE BANK WEALTH MANAGEMENT
Alpine Bank Wealth Management promoted Hannah Galindo to trust officer, where she will oversee client accounts across Mesa County and the Western Slope.
Galindo, a Colorado native and Colorado Mesa University alum, joined Alpine Bank Wealth Management in January 2024, serving at Alpine Bank’s Grand Junction downtown location. Prior to her role in wealth management, Galindo worked at Alpine Bank in marketing and community outreach for Mesa County.
“We are incredibly proud to have Hannah on the team,” said Darla Daniel, president of Alpine Bank Wealth Management. “Hannah has embraced her new role as a trust officer with enthusiasm, and her commitment to providing exceptional client service through trust and transparency is a true reflection of her professionalism.”
Learn more about Galindo and Alpine Bank Wealth Management at alpinebank.com/wealth-management.
n HORIZON DRIVE AND G ROAD ROUNDABOUT WORK BEGINS
The City of Grand Junction began construction this week on the Horizon Drive and G Road Roundabout Project. Contractor Sunroc Corporation is scheduled to complete the project in October.
This month, Sunroc Corporation will stage route information and signage near the intersection of Horizon Drive and G Road /27 1/2 Road. A temporary roundabout will be installed as a detour to safely facilitate traffic. Users can expect a delay in traffic as lanes will be reduced to a single lane, and intermittent road closures will be implemented as necessary. All business access will be maintained.
“This project is a significant step toward improving both safety and traffic efficiency at one of our busiest intersections,” said Trent Prall, the city’s engineering and transportation director. “By replacing the traditional stoplights with a modern roundabout, we are reducing potential collision points and enhancing overall traffic flow. Roundabouts have been proven to lower the risk of severe accidents while also minimizing congestion, allowing vehicles to move more smoothly and efficiently.”
The City of Grand Junction has secured grant assistance from the Highway Safety Improvement Program administered through CDOT for the construction of the roundabout project.
Information about the project is available online at gjcity.org.
n CITY SEEKS ARTISTS FOR TILE-VINYL MURAL
The City of Grand Junction and the Commission on Arts and Culture are calling for artists to create an original mural design for the swimming pools at the new Community Recreation Center, currently under construction.
Deadline to submit proposals is May 30, and the digital-design files must be submitted by July 16. Detailed information about submitting proposals is available on the city’s website, gjcity.org.
The design should incorporate water elements and utilize the color palette outlined in the call. The final submission will be a digital-design file that will be printed and installed by a specialized vendor. Artists have a two-month period to assemble their proposals.
Interested artists are encouraged to apply by submitting a letter of interest, resume, proposal, design sketches and annotated images of original representative work. The selection panel will consist of representatives from the City of Grand Junction and the Grand Junction Commission on Arts and Culture.
Funding for this project comes from the city’s One Percent for the Arts Program.
n SONDERMIND JOINS MONUMENT HEALTH NETWORK TO OFFER MENTAL HEALTH CARE
Denver-based SonderMind has joined the Monument Health network to help more Coloradans on the Western Slope access affordable, high-quality mental-wellness care.
Individuals, couples and families who receive medical care from plans using the Monument Health network can now be referred to a SonderMind therapist or psychiatric provider when they are in need of care. SonderMind has therapy and psychiatry providers throughout the state, part of its nearly 12,000-strong provider group.
“We are thrilled to have SonderMind join the Monument network. The virtual and in-person options are a great addition to this area,” Monument Health Executive Director Marguerite Tuthill said. “There are a slew of options for evening and weekend appointments, which is important for ensuring convenient access for our members. We look forward to seeing the members on the plans we serve get connected to the care they need, when it is most convenient for them.”
n CITY CREWS ADDRESS PARK MAINTENANCE
City of Grand Junction parks crews are ramping up maintenance activities to keep grass, plants and trees healthy throughout the year. While staff have been busy this winter with facility-improvement projects, removing trees damaged by pests, and treating rights-ofway to prevent spring weed growth, maintenance priorities shift, and duties expand as the grass begins to grow.
Sprinkler systems are being turned back on for all 35 developed parks, where turf is crucial for sports such as soccer and lacrosse, and for more than 500 acres of right-of-way landscaping. The city has launched a program to convert turf to native plants in areas where turf is unnecessary or detrimental, such as medians along roadways.
Along with turning on irrigation, regular mowing begins and will continue until late fall. When maintenance equipment is operating in areas where residents or visitors are present, staff will ask individuals to move to another area.
In the second half of April, crews will apply products in parks to control or eliminate Japanese Beetles. While city crews focus on public spaces, residents are encouraged to apply pet- and human-safe treatment called GrubEx to their own lawns to help control the beetles.
In addition to dealing with pests, city park crews are combating weeds in public spaces. A systematic weed-treatment program was implemented this winter, attempting to greatly reduce weed growth as Grand Junction enters the growing season.
As warmer weather arrives, city staff have begun rotating the cleaning and monitoring of 16 city park restrooms, including those at Las Colonias, Dos Rios, Sherwood, Riverside, Westlake, Eagle Rim and Hawthorne parks.
Three parks – Duckpond, Rocket and Columbine – are open for the reservation/rental of shelters. These parks offer shelters with restroom facilities available for events such as graduations, birthday parties or neighborhood gatherings through an online reservation system on the city website.
REGISTER NOW FOR CATTLEMEN’S CONVENTION
Registration is open for the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association’s 2025 Annual Convention, which will take place June 23-25 at the Steamboat Grand in Steamboat Springs. The convention starts Monday, June 23, with CCA committee meetings. Lunch on Monday will include the presentation of the Colorado Leopold Conservation Award. The evening will bring a reception for trade-show exhibitors and sponsors.
Tuesday morning will begin with a “Grab and Stay” networking breakfast in the trade show, followed by the 8th Annual Ranching Legacy Symposium. The afternoon sessions will include requested presentations from industry stakeholders, experts and agency partners. In the afternoon and evening, CCA’s “Sizzlin’ Summer Celebration” will have award presentations and leadership recognition. Wednesday, the final day of the event, will begin with the CCA Beef and Business breakfast, which includes updates from association local affiliates and affiliated organizations, such as the Colorado CattleWomen, Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust and Colorado Beef Council. CCA’s business session will be conducted after the breakfast.
Visit CCA’s website for registration information and the schedule of events: www.coloradocattle.org/annual-convention.
You can also register by calling the CCA office directly at 303-431-6422.
CCA is currently accepting sponsors and trade show vendors for the event. Please contact the CCA office for more information or to reserve a spot.
