So Colorado Business Forum & Digest Vol. 1, No. 3 | November 28 2023

MANUFACTURING

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

TECHNOLOGY

Pueblo Banks on Wind

Local Flavor at COS Airport

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P. 17

High Demand for Security Clearance P. 27

Vol. 1 No. 3 / November 28, 2023

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Publisher’s Letter FOUNDER , COLOR ADO MEDIA GROUP & EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER , SO. CO. BUSINESS FORUM & DIGEST Dirk R. Hobbs dhobbs@coloradomediagroup.com VICE PRESIDENT OF STR ATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS John Lerohl jlerohl@coloradomediagroup.com MANAGING EDITOR Lee Harper lharper@coloradomediagroup.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Christopher Tombaugh ctombaugh@coloradomediagroup.com SENIOR GR APHIC DESIGNER Geraldine Villanueva STUDIO NARR ATOR/BUSINESS DIGEST WEEKLY Rachael Plath SENIOR WRITERS Pam Bales & Jeanne Davant STAFF WRITERS Emilie Hagopian, Olivia Bond, Kay Rowe, Kim Daly, Keri Kahn & Tiffany Underwood SOCODIGEST.COM WEB TEAM Sterling McMannis & Angelina Pecoraro SENIOR PHOTOGR APHER Don Jones - Studio 9 Photography HEAD OF OPER ATIONS Stephanie Lerohl STR ATEGIC MEDIA & PRODUCTION PARTNERS KKTV 11 NEWS & Salem Media AM1460/101.1FM

The So. Co. Business Forum & Digest audio version can be heard on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podbean, and Google Play. So. Co. Digest is also distributed to the Business Wire and Apple News+ The Business Digest Weekly radio show can be heard on AM1460/101.1FM The Answer – a Salem Media channel on Fridays at 3:00PM MST, then on podcast anytime. Business Digest Minutes can be heard daily between 7AM and 9AM, and 3PM and 5PM on AM1460/101.1FM Southern Colorado Business Forum & Digest is published by and is the exclusive property of Colorado Media Group, Inc. a registered S-Corporation in the State of Colorado. All naming conventions, derivatives, and the ampersand are the sole property of Colorado Media Group, Inc. The Digest is a secondary trade name for this medium.

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N

earing the end of 2023 in this region brings the opportunity to reflect on the year’s developments; and there is much to consider.

Overall, Southern Colorado has outperformed most of the nation in an environment where the economic forecast is nothing to get excited about. Typically, the region has lagged behind any national trend, be it a slowing economy or a surge. However, thanks to area economic development organizations, great job opportunities, and cooperative municipalities, the region is humming along at an agreeable pace. Consider the growth in several economic sectors --- tech, aerospace, defense, and cybersecurity in Colorado Springs; manufacturing and energy in Pueblo; tech incubator and accelerator programs in Canon City; and retail and hospitality in Castle Rock.

Residential real estate demand is still fairly high, but interest rates have home builders offering more incentives than in the previous 36 months. The new normal for interest rates is settling in, and consumer confidence appears cautiously optimistic as homeownership remains a primary goal for many residents.

Emerging micro-sectors continue to show promise as well: entertainment, sports economy, the arts, nonprofits, hospitality, and tourism, to name a few.

New professional services continue to sprout up as companies move into the region, and retail seems to have held on well, all things considered. We’ll see how that looks at the end of Q1 ‘24.

Many would agree the region’s “home-grown” workforce and affordable housing challenges are areas that continue to draw concern. K-12 performance is lower in general nationwide, but part of the local solution appears to be an all-hands-on-deck effort to help prepare the next generation for the jobs available in the region. Southern Colorado’s business, education, and civic leaders are working in powerful and unique ways to create real-world solutions that will help prepare graduating students for the rewarding opportunities that exist here. This intentionality is sure to create

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some stickiness and affinity with the coming workforce.

Similar endeavors are afoot for the region’s U.S. veteran community as well. With the high concentration of retired and transitioning armed forces personnel in the region, employers and veterans alike are finding alignment within a number of industries.

Innovation has always been a big part of the scene in this region. Still more work is needed on creating stronger, more organized ecosystems that champion and foster startups, so they can accelerate efforts in highly collaborative environments. Several key groups are making considerable strides to create these safe-harbor environments, where experts in private industry, government, and education are working hand-in-glove to incubate projects beyond launch and early stage into growth trajectories.

So, while not quite zipping along at the fast and furious pace of 2021, there is much to be optimistic about in 2024. More than ever, highly experienced and intelligent leaders from industry and business are collaborating and creating viable solutions for the region’s challenges. Boasting a business-friendly infrastructure, So. Co. continues to emerge as a great place to do business.

Dirk R. Hobbs,

Founder & Executive Publisher Colorado Media Group, Inc.

WINTER WONDERLAND AT GARDEN OF THE GODS.

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Contents / November 28, 2023

Larry Chen Photo / Larry Chen and Jason Zindroski

RACERS GEARING UP FOR THE 102ND RUNNING OF THE PIKES PEAK INTERNATIONAL HILL CLIMB. P. 26

MANUFACTURING

ARTS

9 A Family Affair

19 Arts and Prosperity in the Pikes Peak Region 35 Mayor Recognizes Colorado Springs

OcuLenz is changing the way people with macular degeneration perceive the world around them. Will this change the definition of “virtual reality”?

by JEANNE DAVANT

The area’s nonprofit arts and culture industry generates millions of dollars in revenue each year. AEP6 summary breaks down the economic activity for 2022.

by KAY ROWE

11 Dying to Live

Could dyes improve chemotherapy drugs to selectively attack cancer cells, and mitigate side effects?

Philanthropic investment sustains the company that will determine the answer.

SPORTS ECONOMY

by KIM DALY

23 Twelve Honored by the Sports Hall of Fame Apolo Ohno is one of eight athletes who were inducted into the HOF at a special ceremony October 24. Read these inspirational stories here.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 16 Military Entrepreneurs Abound

Veterans are 45% more likely to start their own business than non-veterans. Here is one example and some resources for those who want to follow a dream.

by PAMELA BALES

WORKFORCE Young Leaders

Seven individuals under the age of 40 who embody the spirit of leadership were honored by Mayor Mobolade in November. Read about some of their accomplishments.

by LEE HARPER

37 Emerging Leaders Wanted

El Pomar Foundations seeks fellow and interns for 2024, to combine hands-on experience with lessons on areas like best practices, governance, and financial management.

by KERI KAHN

by TIFFANY UNDERWOOD

ENERGY 39 Volunteers Help Protect Fountain Creek Watershed

Many hands made light work of 26 tons of litter and debris removed from the region’s waterways. But many hands are still needed.

by JEANNE DAVANT

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Tuesday, December 5, 2023 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM | The Antlers Hotel REGISTER TODAY

THANK YOU SPONSORS

UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS November 3rd November 13th November 14th November 16th December 1st December 11th

7:30 AM - 9:00 AM ................................................................................................... First Friday, The Space Foundation 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM .............................. Young Professionals Coffee Meetup, Mandy Penn Photography 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM ............................................................ Business Lunch, Garden of the Gods Resort & Club 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM ............................................. Sunset Meet & Greet, Mosaic, 4775 Centennial Blvd. #150 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM ................................................................................................... First Friday, The Space Foundation 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM ........................ Young Professionals Coffee Meetup, Mandy Penn Photography

The Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber has been named BEST CHAMBER by the Colorado Springs Business Journal.

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Updates From Around the Region Castle Rock Changing Town Boundaries

Castle Rock News-Press reports the Castle Rock Town Council approved annexation of nearly 74 acres of land, for a developer planning a housing neighborhood named Alexander Way. Initial zoning for the development was approved at the council meeting held on Nov. 7.

The plan developers, 455 Alexander and Tierra Investors, submitted a plan which features 55 single-family homes on large lots, and 22 live-work units, all on 73.76 acres.

Open space will comprise 31.25 acres of the land.

The plan cites benefits to the town of Castle Rock, including water rights, open space, and additional housing, plus annexation allows town control over zoning and development.

Colorado Springs Hopeful Holiday Sales

“In 2022, November and December brought in over $83 million in gross sales for Downtown, of which about $38.3 million was just from the sale of retail goods,” says Austin Wilson-Bradley, economic & community development manager, Downtown Partnership of Colorado Springs. “This accounts for about 18.5% of all gross sales for the year,” he notes.

New Office Building?

Norwood Development Group has submitted plans to the city for a new 12-story office building in Southwest Downtown Colorado Springs, across from Weidner Field. The 194,000-square-foot building, to be located on the northeast corner of Cimarron and Sahwatch Streets, will be equipped with the latest in communication, HVAC, and security systems, and feature retail space on the ground floor. It calls for secure parking spaces in an above-ground parking structure and floor-to-ceiling windows. Other planned amenities include secure bike storage with changing and shower facilities, a fitness and wellness studio with locker rooms, a golf simulator, and a rooftop lounge.

Pueblo Mayor-in-Waiting

In the Nov 7 election in Pueblo, a vote for mayor resulted in a runoff. According to the Colorado Secretary of State Election Summary Report, approximately 23,200 people cast their votes for mayor this month. The current leading candidate is Heather Graham, president of the Pueblo City Council. The next highest number of votes went to current Pueblo Mayor Nick Gradisar, who is running for a second term. The remaining seven candidates each received 13% or less of votes.

Because no single candidate received more than 50% of returns, a secondary election will be held on January 23, 2024.

Voyager Parkway at Powers Boulevard closed on Monday, Nov. 20, as Copper Ridge Metro District works to construct an overpass as part of the Powers Boulevard Extension Project.

The closure is expected to last into the fall of 2024. The intent of the District is to open Voyager Parkway to traffic prior to the opening of the Sunset Amphitheater. Northbound and southbound traffic on Voyager Parkway will detour on Spectrum Loop to the west. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternative routes, when possible, especially during peak travel times.

Pedestrian traffic should also seek alternate routes where possible, however a pedestrian pathway will be installed to ensure safe foot traffic. Business access will also be maintained.

KRDO.com

Parkway Driving Detour

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Regional Professional Business Organization & Events Organization Links

So. Colorado is fortunate to have amazing support from dedicated, informed, and highly active local chambers, EDCs and business organizations that focus on advancing marketplace trust among consumers.

Keep atop of the region’s business-to-business/networking meetings, events, educational offerings, member benefits, and more. Click your local organization’s icon and mark your calendars with the right events for your business. When you support your local chambers, EDCs, SBDCs, and the BBB – we make business stronger for everyone!

The Greater Pueblo Chamber

Pueblo Economic Development Corp.

BBB of Southern Colorado

Royal Gorge Chamber Alliance

Castle Rock Chamber

Colorado SBDC - Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center

Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC

Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber

The Colorado Springs Black Chamber

Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Visitor Center

Colorado Springs Hispanic Chamber

Trinidad & Las Animas County Chamber of Commerce

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Manufacturing A FAMILY AFFAIR: HELPING DAD & OTHERS

by J E A N N E DAVA N T

Courtesy of Ocutrx

W

hen Brig. Gen. Richard Freeman was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration, he turned to his tech-savvy sons for a solution.

The result was life changing — an augmented reality/virtual reality device that enabled him to “see” things he couldn’t otherwise view. That device, the OcuLenz, is manufactured in Colorado Springs and brings hope to thousands of people with this disabling condition.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of severe vision loss among people 50 and older. It starts with blurry, fuzzy, or distorted vision and can progress to a blind spot in the center of the visual field. Patients retain their peripheral vision, but people afflicted with this condition cannot see well enough to read, drive, or recognize people’s faces.

The OcuLenz is a wearable headset that generates visual images for the wearer. Through pixel manipulation, it moves text and images outside the blind spot, enabling users to see what they’re missing. Freeman was a fighter pilot, accustomed to flying jets at supersonic speeds. He’d also built a

large computer company.

“He went from going two times the speed of sound to not being able to read his emails,” his son Michael Freeman told a group of ophthalmologists at an American Society of Retina Specialists showcase in 2019. “Our breakthrough in trying to help him with this disease is when we walked him into a curved television that was all the rage back in 2013. We realized by putting more information on the periphery of his eye that we could help him see.”

Michael and his brother Mitch Freeman were well qualified to help their father. Michael led a team that invented and patented streaming mobile video in 1984, which was licensed to nearly every cell

company during the 1990s, and still is used to make video calls over cellular networks.

The brothers hold numerous other scientific patents — they founded OcuTrx, the company that makes the OcuLenz in 2014.

The brothers went on to find other uses for their technology.

OcuTrx also produces other medical devices, including an advanced digital microscope and a headset that allows surgeons to closely view any area of the surgical field, and access patient data with a turn of the head.

Jeanne Davant is a senior writer for the SoCo Business Forum & Digest.

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Manufacturing PUEBLO BANKS ON RENEWABLE ENERGY

Source: www.burnsmcd.com

by J E A N N E DAVA N T

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hen South Koreabased CS Wind took over the Vestas wind tower manufacturing business, and moved into its plant in August 2021, Pueblo Mayor Nick Gradisar exclaimed that the city is “perfectly suited to be the renewable energy capital of the world.”

Gradisar also pointed to EVRAZ North America’s conversion of a Pueblo steel mill to solar energy — another strong talking point in Pueblo’s renewable energy economic development strategy.

“It’s a large area of potential for us,” says Jeff Shaw, president and CEO of the Pueblo Economic Development Corp (PEDCO). “We’re spending a lot of time recruiting companies, talking to site selectors, about the opportunities in Pueblo.”

CS Wind makes the towers for wind turbines and sells them to companies like Vestas, Siemens, and General Electric. CS Wind broke

ground on an expansion of the Pueblo facility, already the world’s largest tower factory, in early April of this year. The expansion, which will be accomplished in three phases, is expected to double production capacity and create a total of 850 well-paying jobs.

“We have not done an economic impact statement, but it’s certainly going to increase the tax base considerably,” Shaw says. “You’ve got not only the great jobs that people are going to have, but it is going to create additional opportunities for the businesses that CS Wind does business with in the community; as well as the dollars that those employees are making and spending in the community.”

Shaw says he can’t reveal the specific companies PEDCO is pursuing, but he says Pueblo is looking at solar companies as well.

“We will continue to have those conversations with anybody related

to the product side of it,” he says.

With its industrial and manufacturing history, Pueblo has been a leader for decades in customized training and retooling of its workforce, Shaw says, and has the workforce to support development of the renewable energy sector.

“We’re spending a considerable amount of effort from K through 12, as well as the technical schools and university system, talking to kids about careers in the renewable energy sector,” he says.

Jeanne Davant is a senior writer for the SoCo Business Forum & Digest.

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Manufacturing DYING TO LIVE

by K I M DA LY

CHANGING THE COURSE OF ONCOLOGY TREATMENT

L

ahjavida, a Colorado Springs-based startup, stands at the cusp of a transformative breakthrough in cancer treatment.

Their pioneering approach involves leveraging dyes to precisely attach chemotherapy drugs to cancer cells, eradicating them while preserving healthy tissue.

With a name that translates to “gift of life,” the company has already demonstrated the effectiveness of this approach in lung, colon, and breast cancers, using cell data. Next, in partnership with University of Colorado’s Anschutz Medical Campus, they are poised to initiate an animal study to confirm its ability to shrink tumors in mice.

“We saw that when you put our drug in the presence of those three cancer cells, it will bind selectively

to those cells and then kill them,” shares CEO Lyle Small.

Essentially, the chemotherapy drug is encapsulated by the dye, rendering it inactive until it reaches the tumor. This innovative approach not only prevents damage to healthy tissue but also holds promise for mitigating side effects typically associated with chemotherapy drugs.

Small’s journey began as a serendipitous discovery in 2009 while working with a chemist at his first company, Chromatic Technologies, Inc. After enduring years of failed attempts, he set the idea aside but couldn’t shake its possibilities.

In 2014, a book reignited his passion and, by 2017, Lahjavida established the validity of their approach — but still faced logistical challenges. They adapted by binding the dye to a chemotherapy drug, instead of the original plan of gold nanoparticles. To protect their innovation, they decided to seek venture capital only after establishing a viable treatment.

In the interim, they rely on local

philanthropic investments to sustain their research.

“This thing sort of fell in my lap and got a hold of me,” says Small.

“It’s tugging on me every day when I wake up, and I think, ‘how am I going to make this thing work?’”

Already, eyes are lighting up. “I’ve got some really smart people telling me this makes sense,” shares Small, “people in the business for decades — including oncology surgeons and chemotherapy developers — say something is there.”

Lahjavida anticipates demonstrating the viability of their technology — or lack thereof — within the next three to six months.

Kim Daly is a staff writer for the SoCo Business Forum & Digest.

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Economic Development & Business NICKLASSON WORKS TO HELP MEET HOUSING DEMAND

by A MY T R IA N D I F LO U

M

osaica, a 223-unit apartment community in Southeast Colorado Springs, celebrated its first phase’s grand opening in September, hosted by developer Darsey Nicklasson.

Colorado Springs continues to address a housing shortage — from affordable to middle income apartments to single family homes.

Nicklasson feels it’s critical to create a housing continuum for all income levels.

“We must work together — the City, nonprofits, and the private and philanthropic sectors — to address high-priority housing needs,” adds Nicklasson. “I believe we are all responsible for creating the community, and City, we want to live in. And each and every one of us deserves a place to call home.”

As a middle-income housing option, targeting households earning $45,000+, Mosaica is minutes from the airport, Fort Carson, U.S. Space Force, and downtown Colorado Springs.

The gap between average rent and single-family home prices in Colorado Springs has widened dramatically over the last 10 years.

The average median single-family home price increased 6.5% in the last year and the average rent for a two-bedroom and one-bathroom apartment increased by 6.4%.

“I believe in creating neighborhoods, not housing units,

communities not buildings,” states Nicklasson. “I am grateful to the Southeast community for welcoming us to the area and we are committed to being a good neighbor.”

Nicklasson feels Southeast Colorado Springs is experiencing a boom currently. Citing infrastructure improvements underway throughout the area, airport traffic at record highs, and increasing job opportunities from businesses, like Amazon. She feels that increases in military personnel working locally with Peterson and Schriever Air Force bases (as the permanent home to US Space Command) contribute to make the City’s south side an attractive destination to live, work, and play.

Nicklasson, founder of DHN Development, says she believes in creating urban living environments where people connect and belong.

DHN’s development portfolio includes Blue Dot Place, Casa Mundi, and Kaleidos, opening in 2024. In 2020, Nicklasson sold Blue Dot Place, a 33-unit apartment property that opened in 2016 — and led a renaissance of downtown multifamily projects — for $13 million, which she cites as a record high per-unit price in Colorado Springs at the time.

Amy Triandiflou a contributor for the SoCo Business Forum & Digest.

FOR MORE INFORMATION MOSAICALIVING.COM 719-244-9851

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Economic Forum IN ENERGY, INDEPENDENCE HASN’T BROUGHT INSULATION

by D R . BI L L CR A IG H E A D

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hile energy comes from many sources and the transition away from fossil fuels continues, oil continues to play a key role in our economy. Measured by our trade balance in petroleum, the US has achieved its longstanding aspiration of energy independence, but we’re learning that it does not shield us from events beyond our borders that affect world oil markets.

The drive for energy independence grew out of the trauma of the oil shocks of the 1970s – in 1973-4, the price of a barrel of crude oil nearly tripled in six months, rising from $3.56 in July 1973 to $10.11 in January 1974, and another dramatic increase came five years later in 1979. Although energy policy can be very contentious, the goal of energy independence has been shared across the political spectrum – energy independence was mentioned in both the Republican and Democratic party platforms of 2012, 2008 and 2004.

Without much fanfare, the US arguably attained its independence goal two years ago with a sustained trade surplus in crude oil and petroleum products beginning October 2021 (the US had a surplus first in October 2019, and the balance swung back and forth over

the next two years). Domestic production increased from 2009 through 2019. After a pandemic setback, it recovered strongly and set a new all-time record in August of this year.

Despite this, consumers are still suffering from – and often angry about – swings in the prices they pay at the pump. For example, earlier this year, national average gas prices rose from about $3.60 in July to over $3.80 in August and September, before falling back more recently. The uptick followed a run up in crude oil prices that started mid-summer, which was attributed to Saudi Arabia and Russia deciding to continue production cuts put in

place earlier in the year.

The lesson is that since oil is a globally traded commodity, the prices we pay when we fuel up reflect world markets. Our prodigious domestic production doesn’t change that. While the US is by far the world’s largest oil producer now, we are not insulated from actions by other countries – Saudi Arabia and Russia are #2 and #3, respectively – and world events.

Dr. Bill Craighead is the Director of UCCS Economic Forum College of Business.

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Economic Development & Business MILITARY ENTREPRENEURS ABOUND

by PA M E L A BA L E S

T

he Digest will feature a small business each month to honor the entrepreneurial spirit of the Pikes Peak region. And although the official day to celebrate veterans has passed, supporting veteranowned businesses throughout the year is especially important. More than 80,000 veterans currently live in Colorado Springs, representing 17% of the city’s population.

1350 Distilling Celebrates Four Years

“We had our official ribbon cutting and began contributing to our local nonprofits from day one,” says 1350 Distilling’s president and head distiller, USMC Lt. Col. (Ret.) Phillip Bragg. “We had only three spirits to offer when we opened: Minuteman Vodka, Blue Jacket Rum, and Guardian Bourbon.”

Then, the dark years began, according to Bragg, when the pandemic shut down their lounge in March 2020. The Distillery sped up

production and, by the time the city reopened, the company had nine products to offer. The 1350 Distilling name is inspired by the 13 stripes and 50 stars of the Star Spangled Banner, and each of their products honors a branch of the military.

1350distilling.com

Resources for Veteran Entrepreneurs • The Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center (SBDC) says veterans are 45% more likely to start their own business than non-veterans, with 6.3% of all small businesses in Colorado owned by a veteran. That’s higher than the national average of about 5%. For more information about SBDC resources, contact pikespeaksbdc.org • Mt. Carmel Outreach Center is one of 20 organizations participating in a cooperative agreement with the Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC). This program is designed to provide entrepreneurial development services such as business

training, counseling, and resource partner referrals to veterans and military spouses interested in starting or growing a small business.

Call 719-772-7000 or visit veteranscenter.org for more information.

• Pikes Peak State College (PPSC) has been serving the military populations of the Pikes Peak region for more than 55 years.

“The college’s department of military and veterans programs are located on four college campuses, two of which are on military bases – Fort Carson and Peterson Space Force Bases,” says Paul DeCecco, director of military and veterans programs for PPSC. Military and veteranaffiliated students now make up over 30% of the PPSC student body.” pikespeak.edu Pam Bales is a senior writer for the SoCo Business Forum & Digest.

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Economic Development & Business LOCAL FLAVOR HEADING TO COLORADO SPRINGS AIRPORT

The nine new restaurants coming to Colorado Springs Airport.

Street Eats by Chef Brother Luck

by PA M E L A BA L E S

R

enovations at the Colorado Springs Airport began in September 2023 and are projected to be completed by May 2026 with eight phases of construction. Phase 4 will bring travelers a taste of Colorado Springs with nine new food and beverage concepts through a partnership with SSP America, a division of SSP Group, a leading operator of food and beverage brands in travel locations worldwide.

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with SSP America and look forward to their plans for enhancing our travelers’ dining experience,” said Greg Phillips, Director of Aviation for COS. “The sense of place that will be created through SSP America’s local portfolio will not only support our community’s businesses but will give visitors a taste of what to expect in Colorado Springs.”

Vice President of Business Development Kyle Phillips commented, “At SSP America we’re all about bringing cool, authentic restaurants to airports that reflect a taste of place.”

The portfolio of nine brands includes:

Atrevida Beer Company is a local craft brewer headed by Founder and Brew Master Jess Fierro, the first Latina owner and head brewer in Colorado. The brand will offer an all-day, full-service menu of hearty brewpub fare and a selection of the brewery’s draft beers as well as a full bar.

sourced ingredients and spins on American classics.

Colorado Craft was founded by celebrated Colorado Springs Chef Mario Vasquez and accomplished restaurateurs Bryan Bradigan and Dylan Currier.

Drifter’s Hamburgers is a family-friendly restaurant with fast-food hamburgers from local beef (with no hormones) that don’t cost a fortune.

Hamburgers, fries, salads, milkshakes, breakfast burritos, and “cracked egg” handheld breakfast sandwiches are the mainstay of the menu.

Einstein Bros Bagels and Einstein Bros Express

Camden Food Co. offers a quick-service market tailored to travelers who need food on the move and seek a menu filled with variety for a wide range of dietary needs. Camden at COS will be a 24/7 operation.

offer the largest bagel brand in America, featuring a delicious menu all day with freshly baked bagels, madeto-order hot breakfast and lunch sandwiches, freshly brewed Breakfast Blend Coffees, and Sweet Cream Cold Brews and Cold Brew Shakes.

Colorado Craft celebrates Colorado’s breweries, distilleries, farms and purveyors through a menu of chef-driven, scratch-made plates made from locally

Mi Casa Cantina is a Mexican eatery featuring an all-day menu bursting with fresh, house-made flavors true to south-of-the-border cooking; all prepared with

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Inspirational IQ

“

It’s one thing to want to dream, it’s another thing to actually operate the dream.

— Chef Brother Luck

“

Atrevida means Bold, Daring, Audacious Woman.

— Jess Fierro, Founder & Brew Master of Atrevida Beer Company

an eye toward speed of service for travelers.

Peet’s provides a full line-up of 100% responsibly sourced coffee (per Enveritas standards) and teas prepared by meticulously trained baristas. Enveritas is a 501(c)(3) which works to end global poverty in the coffee industry. Their menu includes gourmet sandwiches, salads, breakfast sandwiches, and grab-and-go items.

Pizzeria Rustica, founded by local chef and restaurateur Jay Gust, features award-winning Neapolitan style pizza cooked in a wood fired oven. Dough and mozzarella will be made daily with a range of breakfast plates, fresh salads, and Italian desserts.

Street Eats by Chef Brother Luck brings a full-service restaurant and bar featuring an allday menu filled with artisanal, chefdriven plates. Some are the Beat Bobby Flay Sliders and the famous Bacon Jam Burger featured on the Rachel Ray Show.

Pam Bales is a senior writer for the SoCo Business Forum & Digest.

“

Opportunities don’t happen. You create them.

— Chris Grosser

“

The customer’s perception is your reality.

— Kate Zabriskie

FOR AIRPORT UPDATES ELEVATEAIRPORTS.COM

19 / Southern Colorado Business Forum & Digest

Arts Economy ARTS AND PROSPERITY IN THE PIKES PEAK REGION

by K AY ROW E

A

ccording to the newly released Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6), the Pikes Peak region’s nonprofit arts and culture industry generated $184,613,914 in economic activity in 2022.

AEP6 is an economic and social impact study of the nation’s nonprofit arts and culture industry. It is conducted every 5 years by Americans for the Arts. The Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region has led our region’s local participation since 2007.

Following is a summary provided by AEP6 that shows how significant the industry sector is to the Pikes Peak region. It is notable to consider the fact that this occurred in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting recession.

• The Pikes Peak region’s nonprofit arts and culture industry generates $123,129,067 in event-related spending by audiences.

• The usual attendee spends $44.55 per person per event (not including the cost of event admission).

• 17.6% of arts and culture attendees were from outside the county in which the activity took place. They spent an average of $71.24 supporting local businesses.

• 87.2% of respondents agreed that the activity or venue they were attending was “a source of neighborhood pride for the community.”

• 81.9% said they would “feel a sense of loss if that activity or venue was no longer available.”

“The results of AEP6 are particularly momentous because of their place in history,” says Angela Seals, executive director of the Cultural Office. “The arts community of the Pikes Peak region was affected dramatically by the pandemic, is evolving dynamically as the region’s population booms, and is responding relevantly to the social needs in our community. That story is documented here in a moment, but it is a powerful story still playing out around us every day.

That inspiring story deserves our support, participation, and ongoing investment.”

Kay Rowe is a staff writer for the SoCo Business Forum & Digest.

socodigest.com / Vol. 1 No. 3 - Nov. 28, 2023 / 20

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21 / Southern Colorado Business Forum & Digest

socodigest.com / Vol. 1 No. 3 - Nov. 28, 2023 / 22

Nonprofit BEST DAY/WAY TO GIVE

by J E A N N E DAVA N T

C

olorado Gives Day, which this year falls on Dec. 5, is the signature event of the Arvada-based Colorado Gives Foundation — touting that nonprofits are the backbone of Colorado’s communities. Since its creation in 2010, Colorado Gives Day has raised more than $415 million to help Colorado communities thrive.

Last year alone, more than 160,000 donors contributed more than $70 million to support the causes they care about the most. The foundation also helps nonprofit organizations establish and build endowments, find grants, and raise funds through a year-round giving platform, Colorado Gives 365.

Participants of the Colorado Gives Day fundraising campaign for several years, Happy Cats Haven received donations from the annual giving program in 2018 that helped to support the feline rescue organization’s capital campaign for its shelter in Manitou Springs.

The program provides funds that

enable the organization to operate successfully, Executive Director Sarah Ferguson says.

Donors can select from more than 3,400 nonprofits seeking funds through coloradogivesday. org and can search the website using parameters such as location, category, organization size, and whether donations are matched.

A search for organizations within 50 miles of Colorado Springs listed more than 530 organizations, giving donors a wide variety of choices.

All are 501(c)(3) organizations dedicated to serving Colorado in some capacity.

This year’s campaign slogan calls Dec. 5 “easily the best day to give,” but donors don’t need to wait until then. Early giving is open now, and all donations will be eligible for prizes and incentives provided with the help of sponsor FirstBank, which amplifies the value of individual contributions.

Every donation is boosted by a $1 million incentive fund, so all

nonprofits receive a percentage of the fund based on the percentage they raise for Colorado Gives Day. In addition, the Colorado Gives Foundation has established a fund of $250,000 that will augment monthly recurring donations; the foundation will match the second monthly donation up to $100.

“Colorado Gives Day enables us to reach out to our supporters all over the state,” Ferguson says. “They are very good at making sure everybody knows about the campaign. It’s a very secure platform, and we really appreciate them.”

Jeanne Davant is a senior writer for the SoCo Business Forum & Digest.

23 / Southern Colorado Business Forum & Digest

Sports Economy TWELVE HONORED BY SPORTS HALL OF FAME

by T I F FA N Y U N D E RWOO D

T

he Colorado Springs Sports Corp. hosted its 23rd annual Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony, October 24. During the ceremony, four awards were presented and eight inductees were honored.

The Tom Osborne Rocky Mountain State Games Outstanding Commissioner Award honors a volunteer sports commissioner who best reflects the spirit of the State Games and encourages grassroot sports development across all ages and skill levels. This year’s award went to two people who have worked as co-commissioners of Colorado Springs Cricket Club, Raymond Mascarenhas and Kervyn Dimney.

The F. Don Miller award is presented to a person who reflects commitment in providing a lasting contribution to the Colorado Springs sports community. This year the award was presented to Bob Graf, who served as the Commissioner of Athletes for three years at the Colorado State Games, the Director for World Police and Fire Games, and the Coordinator of Officials for the World and Pan American Blind Championships.

Graf also coached the Army World Class Athlete program, spent six years at University of Colorado Colorado Springs, 17 years with United States Air Force Academy, and 18 years at Wasson High School The Thayer Tutt Sportsman Award is presented in recognition

of exceptional philanthropic and community sports support. This year’s recipient, Pam ShockleyZalabak, spent 40 years at the University of Colorado – Colorado Springs (UCCS), where she increased enrollment by 75%, improved the school’s diversity, and played a key role in a $500 million facilities expansion. She was described as providing “a lasting legacy in the education, sports, cultural, and social needs of the community.”

The Pikes Peak Community Legacy Award went to the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, the second oldest event in the community, in recognition of the event’s substantial impact, notoriety, and a strong presence in the Pikes Peak Region.

2023 Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame Inductees are:

Crystal Krebs: UCCS softball standout, the first UCCS athlete in any sport to be a Capital One AllAmerican athlete.

Craig Thompson: A 43-year veteran of athletic administration, Thompson spent all but eight of those years in a commissioner’s chair, and is the only Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) commissioner with over 30 years of experience heading a multi-sport conference.

Eddie Mio: Colorado College hockey goaltender (1972-76).

Mio earned All-American and All-Western Collegiate Hockey Association honors.

Apolo Ohno: Olympic speed-skating gold medalist. Ohno earned the title of the youngest U.S. National Speed Skating champion at age 14 and was the first American to win a World Cup overall title in 2001, 2003, and 2005.

He is an eight-time U.S. Olympic medalist who was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 2019.

1980 Palmer High School’s girls swim & dive team: In 1980 after an undefeated season and winning the South Central League Championship, the team went on to win the Colorado State Championship.

Jessika Stratton Caldwell: Coronado High School four-sport letter winner from 1996- 2000.

Terry Miller: Mitchell High School three-sport athlete. Miller won state titles in basketball and track & field, as well as leading the football team to the Colorado State Finals.

To be nominated, the nominee must have lived, trained, worked, or competed in the Greater Pikes Peak Region during their athletic careers or service.

1995-1996 Colorado College hockey team: During the 1995-1996 season the team set an all-time CC record for most victories in a season.

Tiffany Underwood is a staff writer for the SoCo Business Forum & Digest.

25 / Southern Colorado Business Forum & Digest

Sports Economy

J

JESSIKA STRATTON CALDWELL

JESSIKA STRATTON CALDWELL

by T I F FA N Y U N D E RWOO D

essika Stratton Caldwell was inducted into the 2023 Colorado Springs Sports Corp.

Sports Hall of Fame in October, nominated for excelling in high school sports.

At Coronado High School from 1996-2000, Caldwell was the winner of four sports letters in cross country, basketball, tennis, and track & field. As a senior, she was named the Gatorade Player of the Year for Colorado. Caldwell was accepted to play basketball at Baylor University and, during her time there, she was basketball team captain for two years, BIG 12 Sportswomen of the Year (20032004), and named to the NCAA Midwest All-Tournament team (2004). She also set records in single-season free throws and 3-point percentage.

After graduation, Caldwell left Colorado to play professional basketball in the Czech Republic.

During her time there she was named Most Valuable Female

Athlete, averaging 17 points per game. Caldwell returned to Colorado in 2005 to begin coaching women’s basketball at University of Colorado – Colorado Springs and Colorado Christian University.

Caldwell currently works at Valor Christian High School, where she was appointed the women’s basketball head coach position in 2014. She has led her team to two 4A and 5A Colorado state titles. When asked about how she felt about the honor, Caldwell says, “I loved my experience growing up in Colorado Springs and I am so honored to be a part of this experience.”

Tiffany Underwood is a staff writer for the SoCo Business Forum & Digest.

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socodigest.com / Vol. 1 No. 3 - Nov. 28, 2023 / 26

Sports Economy GEARING UP FOR THE 102ND RUNNING Larry Chen Photo / Larry Chen and Jason Zindroski

by K E R I K A H N

PIKES PEAK INTERNATIONAL HILL CLIMB

A

pplications are open now through Jan. 11 for the 102nd running of the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, brought to you by Gran Turismo. The invitation-only Race to the Clouds is slated for June 23, 2024, and will again feature a 12.42-mile course, 156 turns, and a 14,115-foot finish atop Pikes Peak.

For the first time in event history, tickets will be sold by spectator area, which guarantees parking for spectator vehicles. Tickets go on sale Dec. 1.

Also new for 2024 is the Pikes Peak GT4 Trophy by Yokohama division — which will draw GT4 race car manufacturers — and round out the six divisions fielded at the start line in June.

In the PPIHC’s latest economic impact report, compiled in 2022, El Paso County total revenues from the event equaled $8.8 million, and contributions to regional GDP equaled $4.8 million.

The event shines a light on Colorado Springs by welcoming

media, tourists, and drivers from around the world. In 2023, in addition to U.S. drivers, competitors came from Australia, Canada, France, Japan, New Zealand, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden, the UK. On June 21, the PPIHC Fan Fest will take place in downtown Colorado Springs. The event is open to the public with no entrance fee.

“We draw 35,000 people to downtown for that pre-race tenblock street party,” says Haight.

“So even if you can’t make it to the race, you can still come and see our Fast 15 qualifiers. We’ll have some motorcycle stunt riders,” he adds.

The PPIHC was started by Spencer Penrose in 1916. A storied history, which excluded racing during WWI and WWII, makes it the second oldest race in the U.S., behind the Indy 500.

PPIHC partnerships include The City of Colorado Springs, El Paso County and Teller County first responders, U.S. Forest Service,

Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain, Colorado Springs Utilities, VisitCOS, and the Colorado Springs Airport.

“All of these entities provide valued guidance and assistance throughout the year as we plan for and stage this iconic motorsports event,” says PPIHC Communications Manager and Historian Lisa Haight.

Keri Kahn is a staff writer for the SoCo Business Forum & Digest.

DRIVER & SPECTATOR INFORMATION PPIHC.ORG

27 / Southern Colorado Business Forum & Digest

Technology HIGH DEMAND FOR SECURITY CLEARANCE According to Tech Job Postings Analysis

by J E A N N E DAVA N T

S

killed technology workers are among the most in-demand employees in the Pikes Peak region.

An analysis of job postings in El Paso and Teller counties between September 2022 and August 2023, provided to The Digest by the Pikes Peak Workforce Center (PPWC), found that an average of 278 IT and cyber jobs were posted per month, while 69 average monthly hires were made. That equates to approximately one hire for every four job postings.

These jobs frequently require extensive and specific qualifications, and one of the most in demand is security clearance or the ability to obtain clearance, the analysis shows.

Traci Marques, PPWC’s executive director and CEO says, “You look at where we’re going in the world of work — cyber, artificial intelligence, security on data and personal information — that is why there are so many jobs out there, because it is required for every industry.”

Government contracts that generate a lot of local hiring may

require certain levels of clearance, Marques says. While security clearance is not necessarily a barrier to hiring, “it does hinder the ability for companies to hire for these positions,” Marques says.

PPWC recently invited employers to a hiring event for jobs that did not require security clearance.

“We had a very difficult time recruiting employers to come to that hiring event,” she says. “We ended up inviting companies that needed security clearances.”

The analysis found that Secret, Top Secret-Sensitive Compartmentalized Information, and Top Secret clearances were the most frequently listed. A bachelor’s degree and four to six years of experience also were most often sought, as were specific skills – topped by systems engineering, Agile methodology, computer science, model-based systems engineering, and project management. The top five job titles posted were systems engineer, principal systems engineer, scrum master, space systems engineer, and

software systems engineer.

Employers also are seeking candidates who possess “soft skills,” including communications, management, operations, planning, and leadership.

“It’s not just the technical expertise that’s needed in this industry today,” Marques says. “You also need to know how to problem-solve; you need to be able to talk to others.”

Educational institutions are increasingly paying attention to those skills, and the Workforce Center builds them into its workshops for job seekers, Marques says.

Jeanne Davant is a senior writer for the SoCo Business Forum & Digest.

29 / Southern Colorado Business Forum & Digest

Technology

COLORADO LEADS QUANTUM REVOLUTION and the Springs Can Benefit

by J E A N N E DAVA N T

F

ertilizers and pesticides that target a single species, making agriculture more productive and environmentally friendly.

Custom medications precisely tailored to an individual’s condition, from COVID to cancer.

High-end encryption to protect identity information and instant detection of threats to national security.

That’s a glimpse of the future that could be achieved through quantum technology.

“Quantum is reinventing what a computer is,” said Corban Tillemann-Dick, CEO of Denver-based Maybell Quantum Industries and chair of the Elevate Quantum tech hub consortium. “It has the potential to be as important to the next century as the internet, or [as] integrated circuits were to the last century — and Colorado is leading the way.”

Colorado’s head start in the quantum sector — the state has the most quantum companies, quantum jobs,

and quantum innovation in the world — led to the award of a federal regional technology and innovation hub designation focused on the quantum industry. That designation, awarded earlier this fall, makes the state eligible for grants of up to $75 million — and ultimately much more — to speed the transition from cuttingedge quantum research to the marketplace.

The Quantum Promise

A quantum computer uses the principles of quantum theory to power calculations “158 million times faster than the most sophisticated supercomputer,” according to LiveScience.com.

“Ninety-nine percent of the problems we have today that computers work on, they are just number crunching or data problems,” says Dr. Carlos A. Paz de Araujo, Distinguished Professor of Electrical Engineering (University of Colorado). “But if we need qualitative decisions, even AI may not be able to do it,” he says. “If you combine AI with quantum computing, you’re going to get what you need.”

Practical uses and the technology itself are still developing, but large companies like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and IBM are already using it to solve complex problems for its customers, says Araujo, who also has created three tech companies in Colorado Springs: Ramtron, Symetrix and Algimetric. For example, BMW Group partnered with Amazon’s Quantum Solutions Lab to optimize robot motion and achieved a 10% improvement in runtime.

Photos source: www.maybellquantum.com

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Colorado’s quantum industry currently is concentrated in the Boulder-Denver corridor, where several companies are working on quantum computing hardware based on lasers and optics, and the University of Colorado is a research center, Araujo says.

But “Colorado Springs could have a good future if we can couple aerospace to using quantum computing and in the military area, quantum cryptography,” he says, “and I think small companies can enter specific areas in the quantum chip business.”

Money & Bragging Rights

The 2022 CHIPS and Science Act authorized $10 billion for the national tech hubs program, with $500 million appropriated immediately by Congress.

Wendy Lea was working with Energize Colorado, a nonprofit she created that seeks to empower small businesses, when she learned that the U.S. Economic Development Administration would be conducting a competitive

process to designate tech hubs across the country. She brought the idea to Gov. Jared Polis and helped organize the TechHubNow! coalition to develop the state’s application. Elevate Quantum, a consortium of more than 70 organizations, was selected to spearhead Colorado’s bid and was chosen to be one of 31 designated tech hubs; the Bloch Tech Hub in Chicago is the only other quantumfocused designee.

The designation “is a big deal, marketing wise,” Lea says. “From that comes lots of coverage, lots of new opportunities, and then there’s a whole stack of benefits that the EDA offers.”

Elevate Quantum is working on the second phase of the process now, winnowing down the applicants to between five and ten; those will be eligible for up to $75 million to start building out their tech hubs. Elevate Quantum has until March 29 to submit its application.

“We have a team of grant writers and consultants to make sure that

we can put together a world class application,” Tillemann-Dick says.

The application proposes four main programs:

1. Launch: Creation of an ecosystem for startup incubation 2. Make: Construction of a test lab for startups to develop their products without having to spend millions on hardware 3. Scale up: Craft a loan guarantee program and network of support for companies closer to market 4. Include: Education and inclusive workforce development.

“It’ll be an incredible win for the state if we’re able to make this happen,” Tillemann-Dick says.

“We’re excited about what this could mean for Colorado — not just the federal dollars, but also the technologies that will emerge.

Quantum can unlock unbelievable new potential for humanity.”

Jeanne Davant is a senior writer for the SoCo Business Forum & Digest.

$4,490,000 | 5 Bedrooms | 7 Bath | 3 Offices 4 Car + Workshop | Pool | 2.51 Acres | 10,285-SF Call for more information: 719.238.0330

33 / Southern Colorado Business Forum & Digest

Partnership Report

EIGHT FEARS TO OVERCOME AS A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS OWNER, 5. FEAR OF ISOLATION & NETWORKING PART TWO

by T E R R I H AY E S

S

mall businesses are the backbone of the U.S. and, according to the Small Business Association (SBA), in 2022, 99.99% of all businesses were considered small. And 89% of those had fewer than 20 employees. We need small businesses; but starting one is not for the faint of heart.

Here is Part Two of the eight obstacles to overcome.

Many small business professionals fear the isolation that comes with entrepreneurship, as well as the networking challenges. Your core friends and family may not understand what it’s like to launch or run a business.

To address this fear: • Attend local networking events and business meetups to connect with fellow entrepreneurs.

• Network with professionals who understand the challenges you face.

• Actively participate in business events, committees, and online forums to expand your circle of contacts and find collaborative opportunities.

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6. FEAR OF REJECTION

7. FEAR OF BURNOUT

8. STAFFING CONCERNS

Starting a business is very personal. You put your heart and soul into the organization.

When someone doesn’t buy from you, investors turn you down, or potential partners don’t show the interest you want, it can feel like rejection. That’s uncomfortable for most of us. As a business owner, you’ll also face complaints and negative reviews. The fear of rejection can be paralyzing, which leads to hesitancy to take necessary risks.

The fear of burnout is a genuine concern for business owners who often find themselves wearing multiple hats and working long hours.

You may fear challenges related to hiring and retaining talent. These concerns include finding the right employees with the necessary skills, dealing with high turnover rates, and managing staff-related issues effectively. Working with your chamber can help you meet incredible potential employees, as well as connect you with resources, such as free job boards and more.

To address these concerns: • Understand that rejection is a natural part of business and not a reflection of your worth.

• Focus on your strengths and accomplishments to boost your self esteem.

• See rejection as an opportunity to learn and improve rather than a personal failure.

• Replace negative self-talk with positive affirmations and a growth mindset.

• Connect with experienced business owners or mentors who can provide guidance and support.

• Expand your professional network to seek out more opportunities and reduce the fear of rejection.

To mitigate this fear: • Prioritize work-life balance and self care to maintain your physical and mental wellbeing.

• Delegate tasks and responsibilities to trusted employees, or outsource noncore functions.

• Collaborate with like-minded entrepreneurs who have successfully managed similar work-related stress.

While fear is a natural part of the entrepreneurial journey, you have numerous resources at your disposal and strategies to address these concerns. Don’t limit yourself through fear — embrace it. Let it fuel you and know your business has the potential to thrive and grow. There’s someone out there wishing that there was a business like yours. Make sure they know about you.

Terri Hayes is the President and CEO of The Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce & EDC. It is a private non-profit organization that aims to support the growth and development of local businesses and our regional economy. We strive to create content that not only educates but also fosters a sense of connection and collaboration among our readers. Join us as we explore topics such as economic development, networking opportunities, upcoming events, and success stories from our vibrant community. Our resources provide insights, advice, and news that are relevant to business owners, entrepreneurs, and community members alike.

35 / Southern Colorado Business Forum & Digest

Workforce MAYOR RECOGNIZES COLORADO SPRINGS YOUNG LEADERS

by L E E H A R PE R

A

t the 10th annual Mayor’s Young Leader Awards in November, Mayor Yemi Mobolade recognized seven individuals for making extraordinary efforts in their fields, while also positively impacting the Colorado Springs community.

Mayor Mobolade says, “These leaders drive change, inspire others, and embody the spirit of leadership; demonstrating that age is not a barrier to creating meaningful progress. I am grateful for their extraordinary leadership in Colorado Springs and for making our city an inclusive, culturally rich, economically prosperous, safe, and vibrant city on a hill that shines brightly.”

Launched in 2015, the award ceremony celebrates the outstanding achievements of professionals age 40 and under; the 2023 winners were selected from 30 finalists and are as follows:

Military Leaders Award: Sgt. Daryl Griffin | U.S. Space Force Daryl Griffin is a dedicated Space Force leader who inspires and assists others, both within and beyond his military role. He excels in community contributions, volunteering as a Wildland firefighter and a high school football coach, as well as a mentor to athletes. Griffin demonstrates unwavering commitment to military duty and community service.

Technology & Sustainability: Matthew Minneman | RainTech Matthew Minneman strives to provide safe and secure technology to everyone, sharing his expertise at Tech for Less, the Broadmoor, and now as chief information

security officer at RainTech. Minneman meets weekly with a variety of local business decision makers and publishes a free podcast to help achieve his goal of making cybersecurity possible for everyone.

Sports, Health, and Wellness: Connie Ryan | Journey Care Coordinating In 2021, Ryan founded Journey Care Coordinating, LLC, committed to bridging critical gaps in elderly care.

She initiated “Proactive Living,” a program which unites families, seniors, caregivers, and experts for vital conversations about aging and care options.

Education: Matt Radcliffe | Pikes Peak State College Matt Radcliffe is an Eagle Scout and a Bronze Star recipient who is the executive director of marketing and communication at Pikes Peak State College. Radcliffe plays an integral part in empowering students to pursue their dreams and make their own positive impact on the world.

Creative Industry: Ashley Cornelius | Poet Laureate for the Pikes Peak Region Ashley Cornelius is the Pikes Peak Region Poet Laureate and she is the youngest and first Black person to hold this title. As Poet Laureate, Cornelius creates free community

socodigest.com / Vol. 1 No. 3 - Nov. 28, 2023 / 36

events, like the annual Poetry Summit and the Global Poetry Experience, facilitates workshops in schools, and commissions poetry for community organizations.

Community Impact: Latisha Quintana | 4th Judicial District Court Latisha Quintana, born and raised in Colorado Springs, has dedicated the past 17 years serving victims of interpersonal violence, youth in the juvenile justice system, and individuals with behavioral health needs. As the 4th Judicial Unified Problem Solving Court Coordinator for the past eight years, Quintana has forged invaluable partnerships, secured much-needed funding, and promoted the use of evidence-based practices for people living with complex behavioral health needs.

Economic Impact: Brianna Goodwin | Colorado Springs Sports Corp Brianna Goodwin is chief development officer for Colorado Springs Sports Corporation. She leads all fundraising strategies that enable Sports Corp to support its mission; and brings to life some of this area’s largest events.

FOR MORE INFORMATION COLORADOSPRINGS.GOV/MYLA Lee Harper is the managing editor for the SoCo Business Forum & Digest.

37 / Southern Colorado Business Forum & Digest

Workforce EMERGING LEADERS WANTED

FOR EL POMAR FELLOWSHIP & INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS

by K E R I K A H N

2022 & 2023 EL POMAR FELLOWS

R

ecent college graduates and continuing undergraduates will want to take note of the application process open now for El Pomar Foundation’s 2024 Fellowship and summer internship programs.

The two-year paid fellowship program will accept applications through Jan. 7, while the process for tenweek paid internships is open through Feb. 9.

Fellows are service-minded recent college graduates employed full-time with the Foundation to help execute El Pomar’s leadership development, community engagement, and administrative programs. While 80% of their time involves hands-on experience and direct exposure to philanthropic and nonprofit agencies, 20% is spent on professional development.

For undergraduates, the internship program introduces students to the philanthropic sector through program administration experience and leadership development.

More Than 30 Years of Developing Colorado’s Philanthropic Leaders

Since its inception in 1991, the fellowship program has served as a launching pad for emerging leaders to make significant impacts across the Centennial State.

One such leader is David Siegel, executive director of the Ent Center for the Arts at UCCS. Siegel, who began his fellowship in 2012, says the experience perfectly combined hands-on work with classroom training on best practices, nonprofits, financial management, leadership, and governance.

“I knew I wanted to learn more about the business side of the arts,” says Siegel, who just prior to his fellowship had earned a violin performance degree from the Manhattan School of Music. “Entering the fellowship, I thought this would be a good two-year respite from my serious performing career,” Siegel says. “Through the fellowship, I discovered how

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much I enjoyed the advocacy and administrative side of the arts world, and it opened my eyes to the fact that I can do both.”

Siegel notes that because all fellows support the grant-making process of El Pomar, his experience directly correlated with what would later become his career path.

He also says the diversity of his cohort had a huge impact on him, with many from his fellowship class remaining close friends to this day.

Networking, he says, is another prime benefit of the fellowship, a notion seconded by present-day fellow Matthew Telles.

Preparing the Leaders of Tomorrow Through Today’s Opportunities A member of the 2022 Fellowship Class, Telles first learned about El Pomar fellowships through a virtual career fair at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Ore. “I thought it was interesting that El Pomar was focusing recruitment efforts on schools in the Pacific Northwest,” Telles says. “With their mission to promote the wellbeing of the people of Colorado, I knew this was a pathway I wanted to look into.”

Thanks to the networking

opportunities he’s had through his El Pomar work with the Metro Regional Council, the Denver native is optimistic about post-fellowship career prospects next spring when he plans to begin working in Denver’s nonprofit sector.

Keri Kahn is a staff writer for the SoCo Business Forum & Digest.

FOR STUDENTS & GRADUATES

interested in El Pomar leadership development opportunities, find more and apply at:

ELPOMAR.ORG

39 / Southern Colorado Business Forum & Digest

Energy VOLUNTEERS HELP PROTECT FOUNTAIN CREEK WATERSHED

by J E A N N E DAVA N T

O

n two consecutive weekends in September, about 2,000 volunteers worked at 85 sites along the Pikes Peak watershed.

Organized by the Fountain Creek Watershed Flood Control & Greenway District, more than 26 tons of litter and debris were removed during the 10th annual Creek Week Clean-Up. Volunteers collected items ranging from mattresses to microwaves, shopping carts to shower doors.

Allison Schuch – executive director of the district and originator of the project – was working for Colorado Springs Utilities as the Fountain Creek Watershed project manager in 2014, when she came up with the idea for Creek Week.

She says, “No one was really familiar with the watershed district’s work or even what a watershed was. I thought a cleanup was a great way to get people into the resource to see first-hand the kinds of challenges that we have...”

This year, the Fountain Creek Brewshed Alliance, a group of breweries and local authorities who help bring awareness to clean water programs in the region, gathered at Phantom Canyon to brew an IPA for this year’s events. Impactful IPA sold at 17 local eateries, with $1 from every pint sold going to the Fountain Creek Watershed.

The first year, more than 600 people volunteered, and the number

TENTH ANNUAL CREEK WEEK CLEAN-UP volunteers (some pictured here) at 85 sites around the area removed 26 tons of litter and debris from our region’s waterways. has grown every year.

Schuch, who was named executive director last December, says the agency is the state’s only watershed district.

The district supports clean-up events in September in: Colorado Springs, Fountain, Green Mountain Falls, Manitou Springs, Monument, Palmer Lake, Pueblo, Trinidad, and Woodland Park. The district is supported by allocations from member governments, but is exploring options for sustainable funding that could include a sales tax or mill levy.

It was created by the state legislature in 2009 and spans El Paso and Pueblo counties and the municipalities within them, as well as the Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District. It is charged with managing, administering and

funding capital improvements to mitigate flooding, address water quality issues, improve drainage, protect open space, and develop recreational opportunities.

“We have the ability to do projects across the watershed,” Schuch says. “We just don’t have the funding,” she says. “We’d love to build our citizen advisory committee and hear from folks on what they’re seeing out there, because we can’t be everywhere.”

Jeanne Davant is a senior writer for the SoCo Business Forum & Digest.

FOR MORE INFORMATION FOUNTAIN-CRK.ORG

socodigest.com / Vol. 1 No. 3 - Nov. 28, 2023 / 40

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41 / Southern Colorado Business Forum & Digest

Advertiser Index / In Alphabetical Order Thank you to each and every advertiser listed herein.

5Star Bank Better Business Bureau Boot Barn Hall Bourbon Brothers Smokehouse & Tavern The Broadmoor Business Digest Weekly Radio Colorado Springs Airport Colorado Springs Hispanic Chamber/El Concilio Financial Talent Group First National Bank of Colorado KKTV 11News Ledbetter Agency Marquesa Hobbs, Realtor/Colorado Hearthstone Properties/ The Platinum Group Realtors Notes Bar Notes Live NORTH Magazine Salem Media So. Co. Women’s Chamber of Commerce Sunset Amphitheater WCG, Inc.

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November 28, 2023

CLOSE TO HOME,

A WORLD AWAY.

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AD C O LO R A D O A P P R E C I AT I O N O F F E R Make our home your getaway. As a token of our appreciation, The Broadmoor is extending exclusive nightly rates to our Colorado neighbors for select dates in January and February 2024. Enjoy weekday rates as low as $229 in January, and $269 in February. With weekend rates starting at $299. Offer includes: • Complimentary golf greens fees (cart rental not included) thru April 3, 2024 • Complimentary outdoor tennis and pickleball court time thru April 3, 2024 • Suites available at 25% off of published rates Savor delightful meals in our award-winning restaurants including three-course prix fixe dinners January 1st through February 29th* at The Broadmoor’s Ristorante del Lago, Golden Bee and La Taverne. Italian-centric Del Lago’s is $59 per person, gastropub Golden Bee is $49 per person, while the steakhouse Taverne’s is $69 per person.

Visit broadmoor.com for more information.

Rates and special discounts are based on space availability and are weather permitting for select dates January - February 2024.

Not applicable to groups. Rates do not include applicable taxes and fees. Valid for new bookings only. Prix fixe menus are available January 1 - February 29, 2024, excluding February 10-17, 2024. Pricing not inclusive of tax and tip.

855.923.7916

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