So. Colorado Business Forum & Digest || JULY || 2024
Better but Not Good Enough
Get ready to turn your celebrations into cherished memories at our three amazing event spaces! Boot Barn Hall welcomes you with open arms to a rustic-chic haven, where Southern hospitality meets city flair. Notes Eatery invites you to share noteworthy breakfast, dinner, and drinks with friends and loved ones in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Meanwhile, Bourbon Brothers Smokehouse & Tavern treats you like family, offering warmth and charm for your special moments. Whether it’s a wedding, corporate bash, or a simple get-together, our venues are more than just spaces - they are destinations for lifelong memories! Ready to make your event unforgettable? Let’s chat and start planning the magic!
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Tuesday, July 16 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Leveraging LinkedIn: Elevate Your Professional Presence
Business Lunch: Garden of the Gods Resort & Club
SPEAKER: Brittany Dawson
Originally from Simpsonville, South Carolina, Brittany has lived and worked in over three states, including Texas, North Carolina, and Connecticut. She now resides in Denver, Colorado. Past clients share that Brittany's unique blend of Southern warmth, people-focused strategy, and relentless energy to unlock the best in people makes her engagements memorable. Her unwavering commitment to the core value of service has been the guiding force behind her journey, shaping her belief that high-quality, energizing, and tactical training can unlock the potential within every individual, ensuring success both at work and in life.
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THIS MONTH’S LUNCHEON FOCUSES ON POLISHING YOUR PROFILE, EXPANDING YOUR NETWORK, AND UNLOCKING CAREER OPPORTUNITIES:
•Gain insights into crafting a standout LinkedIn profile
• Connect strategically with key industry players
• Delve into the art of crafting compelling content
SINCE 1994, THE ACCOLADES BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR AWARDS HAS CELEBRATED AND HIGHLIGHTED THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF REMARKABLE WOMEN IN THE SOUTHERN COLORADO BUSINESS COMMUNITY.
Tuesday, August 13, 2024 • 11:00am - 1:30pm • The Doubletree by Hilton
Hurry! Deadline to register is Monday, August 5th, 2024
FOUNDER, COLORADO MEDIA GROUP & EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER, SO. CO. BUSINESS FORUM & DIGEST
Dirk R. Hobbs
dhobbs@coloradomediagroup.com
MANAGING EDITOR
Lee Harper lharper@coloradomediagroup.com
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Christopher Tombaugh ctombaugh@coloradomediagroup.com
SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Geraldine Villanueva
DIRECTOR OF MEDIA SALES & PARTNERSHIPS Holley Johnson hjohnson@coloradomediagroup.com
STUDIO NARRATOR/ BUSINESS DIGEST WEEKLY Rachael Plath
SENIOR WRITERS
Pam Bales, Jeanne Davant, Warren Epstein & Wayne Heilman
STAFF WRITERS
Olivia Bond, Kim Daly, Emilie Hagopian
Keri Kahn, Kay Rowe & Tiffany Underwood
SOCODIGEST.COM WEB TEAM
Sterling McMannis & Angelina Pecoraro
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Don Jones - Studio 9 Commercial Photography
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Publisher’s Letter
Recent issues of The Digest have included a new feature called Professionals on the Rise We asked and many have answered the call to celebrate leaders and professionals as they make strides in their careers. We see and value their perseverance, smart work, and commitment to making our communities better and stronger. Help us expand this feature by sending The Digest the up-and-coming folks in your organization.
Workforce is a common word used to encompass all of us, however, we are individuals who have taken a variety of paths to get where we are today. Many are early in their adventures that will meander to get to the place where they are fulfilled and most productive. Many more are reaching the closing chapters of their careers. The numbers tell it all — we must focus significant efforts on education, training and retraining, helping younger workers become their best selves for our community’s good.
On page 30, read about what younger workers look for in their potential employers. A survey, conducted by Deloitte, received more than 22,000 respondents of the Millennial and Gen Z age groups. Good studies on this topic tell us what company leaders need to know, no matter how difficult it is to hear it.
One of those leaders who is thinking outside the box is Rita Peterson, head of Caribou Thunder. This interview is an enthralling tale of grit, tenacity, determination and intelligence around how to build a dream — page 26.
Organizations are forming all around the area to help young learners and entrepreneurs find the
necessary resources to achieve their dreams. On page 32, read about Opus Creative Industries that was started by community leader Linda Weise. The program is designed “to fuse people’s passions with prosperous career pathways, transforming challenges into opportunities for workforce development and job creation.”
One of our Small Business Spotlights this month features Pop Kitchen and Events, a culinary incubator that works with entrepreneur chefs to help them make their dream a reality. Owner and founder Amy Kunstle took a leap of faith two years ago and put in the hours to learn how best to support these brave souls. Read more on page 36.
These are a few of many stories out there — all of which have a pearl of wisdom. What stories do you know that we need to tell? Write to us with your suggestions.
Until next month,
Dirk R. Hobbs, Founder & Executive Publisher Colorado Media Group,
Inc.
MARKETING
10 How to Harness Digital Spaces for Good
Lauren Hug has authored three books on digital kindness and she has more than her last name to lean on for experience. A licensed attorney and certified mediator, Hug focuses on integrating social media strategies with other marketing forces to ensure success in the digital landscape.
BY PAM BALES
11 Mastering SEO in 2024
SEO. E-A-T. E-I-E-I-O. With the everchanging online world moving faster than the speed of light, making sense of it all can be more than challenging. Several digital experts talked to us about what it means to harness the internet and make it work for your organization.
BY EMILIE HAGOPIAN
HOUSING
13 A Balancing Act in COS
Apartment buildings have popped up all over El Paso County in answer to the call for more housing. Developers have equations to determine design, materials, density and more. Neighborhoods need housing residents can afford; how does that mesh with a developer’s bottom line?
BY JEANNE DAVANT
SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS
15 Redefining Relaxation
Arctic Spas has a unique edge in the crowded home spa market. Their products are made in colder climates than most, and they are designed to last longer while using less energy.
BY EMILIE HAGOPIAN
22 Dad’s Donuts Open in
Downtown Colorado Springs
Can you call it a donut if it has layers? Dad’s does. And there is more than donuts being created in their new Colorado Springs location. Read more about the new confectionary that is a labor of love with a purpose.
BY TIFFANY UNDERWOOD
36 Pop Kitchen and Events Fills Plates with Love
An Old Colorado City building erected in 1888 welcomed this culinary incubator/ coffee shop/café in December. Founder and owner Amy Kunstle renovated the space from top to bottom, and now helps food industry entrepreneurs on their journey to bigger and better things.
BY JEANNE DAVANT
NONPROFIT PROFILE
16 The Importance of Knowing YANA (You Are Not Alone)
Parenthood is one of the most joyous, blissful, stressful, isolating times in a parent’s life. For the first-time mother, the healing and hormones can make it exponentially worse. This organization exists to create strong moms of thriving babies.
BY KAY ROWE
SMALL BUSINESS
16 Small Business Majority Gets New Colorado Director
Hunter Nelson took over as the new state director, following Lindsey Vigoda’s five-year tenure. Nelson plans to take on a range of issues, including healthcare affordability and accessibility; business tax code; and the vulnerability of small business owners.
BY JEANNE DAVANT
34 It’s Who You Know
Aikta Marcoulier is the Region 8 administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration. She encourages entrepreneurs and small business owners to look to the vast number of resources available to help them succeed…and she discusses them here.
BY JEANNE DAVANT
PEOPLE
23 Professionals on the Rise
Get to know some of those people in the region who have made leaps in their careers. This is where The Digest celebrates the achievements of Southern Colorado’s workforce.
BY EDITOR
Veterans’ Bridge on the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo. P. 37
ENERGY
25 Economic Forum: Why the Fed is Going for Disinflation, not Deflation
Why wouldn’t the Fed try to achieve a decline in the price level — deflation — to make up for the rapid increases in 2021 and 2022? The answer lies in history: specifically, the Civil War.
BY DR. BILL CRAIGHEAD
28 State of the Utility 2024
Colorado Springs Utilities talked to the 250 members of the public who gathered in June to hear the organization’s plans for energy use in the area. The primary message was: there are big things to come.
BY PAM BALES
CYBERSECURITY
26 Creating Lightning and Thunder
Caribou Thunder Engineering Services was founded by Rita Peterson in 2006. Since then, Peterson has grown the company to a $2 billion powerhouse through work with Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman.
BY PAM BALES
WORKFORCE
30 What Younger Workers Want: Job Quality,
Sense of Purpose and Work-Life Balance
Over a 13-year period, Deloitte surveyed younger workers to find what attracts and retains them in the job market. Traci Marques of the Pikes Peak Workforce Center interprets the study’s findings and what that means for employers.
BY JEANNE DAVANT
32 Earning and Learning at Opus Creative Industries
Community leader Linda Weise and her team have crafted a sustainable and active workforce program for the underserved creative industries of culinary/hospitality, childcare/enrichment, and film/media production. BY PAM BALES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
37
Pueblo Riverwalk Seeks Community Investors for Expansion Project
Throughout the years of development, Pueblo’s Riverwalk has grown to include fitness classes, boat rides, social activities and more. Phase 4 of the project, at $10 million, includes concessions, parking, gathering spaces and a multi-level boat house.
BY TIFFANY UNDERWOOD
Updates From Around the Region
Statewide
First State to Prioritize All Students
Colorado Public Radio reported that Colorado is the first state in the nation to offer youth engaged with the justice system a “bill of rights;” so that if a student gets in trouble, they have a pathway towards earning their high school diploma.
Where once youth in the justice system had less than a 20% chance of graduating, the new law hopes to improve those odds for more than 6,000 students in the state’s system.
Included in the bill of rights:
• Enrollment in school not later than 10 business days after a request is made to the school, as long as the school determines the student is eligible for enrollment.
• Credit for course work completed while justice-engaged.
• Privacy when questioned about a crime, diversion or probation.
• With evidence, be evaluated for giftedness.
• Participation in school activities or career pathways in accordance with state board of education rules.
• After release from a justice facility, provision of an assistance hotline number.
• Be provided with alternative solutions to general education, when appropriate.
CPR’s Jenny Brundin reports that the department of education also must track graduation rates for justice-involved youth. Schools retain the right to suspend or expel a justice-engaged student according, to applicable laws.
“All you all need from us is to do what we said we were going to do,” bill sponsor State Rep. Jennifer Bacon addressing youth gathered at the Statehouse. “The education system is supposed to educate all kids. Period.”
El Paso County NCC Welcomes new Chief
On June 24, the National Cybersecurity Center (NCC) announced their appointment for the new CEO, effective June 1. Aleta Jeffress, formerly with CGI, City of Aurora, and the State of Indiana, “brings a wealth of experience in information technology, cyber security, and executive leadership to the NCC, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to cyber resilience for society,” the NCC said in a release.
The release emphasized that Jeffress has demonstrated her capacity to establish inaugural programs, develop high performing teams and drive significant organizational improvements.
Jeffress was quoted: “Joining the National Cybersecurity Center is an exciting opportunity…I look forward to working with the team to enhance K-12 and adult cyber education, influence policy, defend critical infrastructure and contribute to increased cyber resilience in Colorado and nationally.”
The NCC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit for cybersecurity education, collaboration and leadership development grounded in a shared mission to advance pragmatic, forward thinking security policies and programs. They describe their efforts as collaborative and integrated, to actively transform the nation’s ability to deter cyber threats.
Aleta Jeffress
Regional Professional Business Organization Links & Events
BBB of Southern Colorado bbb.org/local-bbb/bbb-of-southern-colorado
Castle Rock Chamber castlerock.org
Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC coloradospringschamberedc.com
The Colorado Springs Black Chamber cosblackchamber.com
Greater Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce woodlandparkchamber.com
Latino Chamber of Commerce of Pueblo, Inc. pueblolatinochamber.com
Pueblo Economic Development Corp. pedco.org
Royal Gorge Chamber Alliance royalgorgechamberalliance.org
Colorado SBDC - Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center pikespeaksbdc.org
Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber scwcc.com
Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Visitor Center trilakeschamber.com
Trinidad & Las Animas County Chamber of Commerce tlacchamber.org
Chamber organizations interested in seeing their names here should contact Chris Tombaugh at ctombaugh@coloradomediagroup.com
Marketing How to Harness Digital Spaces for Good
BY PAM BALES
HugSpeak Consulting is the brainchild of Colorado Springs-based speaker, author and strategist, Lauren Hug. She has authored three books in the digital real — Digital Kindness: Being Human in a HyperConnected World; Digital Kindness Journal: A Year of Guided Reflections for Compassionate Social Media Use; and Digital Grace: Pouring Benevolence into an Outraged World.
What might be most surprising is her background as a licensed attorney, certified mediator and Icehouse Training facilitator.
A stint at a London research firm helped her find her real calling after law school. “I had worked with this research firm during law school and loved it,” explains Hug. “After graduation, I asked my former boss if I could come back. She said yes, and the experience I gained at a very young age was invaluable. I was working Fortune 500 and 1000 level companies from the research side of marketing. We were informing the campaigns not putting them together. This is where I really began to understand the research side of helping organizations get to their real demographic.”
Hug earned an LL.M. with merit from the University of London, a J.D. with honors from the University of Texas School of Law and a Bachelors of Journalism and Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from the University of Texas. After practicing law in Texas for a few years, she started HugSpeak in 2012 prior to moving to Colorado Springs.
“Trust your gut if you want to start your own business,” she emphasizes. “The whole reason and the only reason to work for yourself is to do things your way and work with the people and projects that interest you the most.”
HugSpeak focuses on integrating social media strategies with community engagement, advertising, branding and marketing campaigns. Hug uses her analytical skills to help clients find the right fit for them to identify the specific needs of each client and ensure success in the
modern digital landscape.
“In 2012, digital spaces were transforming for me, literally. I know there are many people and business owners who say they can’t stand social media,” notes Hug. “But I saw them as amazing — giving us the ability to access and reach people we wouldn’t normally ever meet.”
She says she couldn’t find literature on digital kindness at the time.
“I had an epiphany that as a worldwide community it is our job to ensure, amplify and model the right — kind — way to do social media,” says Hug. “The reason I’m so passionate about this is because I look at our digital spaces differently than a lot of
people. We ARE the media outlet and we should be embracing the positive side of that.”
She explains, “Through HugSpeak, I really help organizations figure out how to do the things people want them to do…it’s like a marketing cleanse or detox. I scrape back social media and digital marketing to determine what is right for that client. It’s not a one-size fits all.”
Hug admits that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the next big question for everyone.
“It’s a fascinating time for all businesses — will AI make it easier or harder to market?” she asks. “The one thing we’re already seeing is that there
accomplished speaker, writer, and strategist, Lauren combines communication and research theory with multi-way engagement methods to build and empower vibrant communities in both digital and physical spaces.
is a standard output with AI — you can tell it wasn’t created by a human. I believe that creatives will be sought out for unique content.”
Pam Bales is a senior writer for the SoCo Business Forum & Digest.
Left: Founded in 2012, HugSpeak Consulting is the brain child of Lauren M. Hug, J.D., LL.M. An
Marketing Mastering SEO in 2024 Google algorithm updates and SEO expert insights
BY EMILIE HAGOPIAN
The latest Google algorithm updates have significantly impacted website rankings, sending ripples throughout the Search Engine Optimization (SEO) community. With changes like the Core Web Vitals and Page Experience, websites are now evaluated based on factors such as page loading speed, mobile-friendliness and overall user experience. Now more than ever, SEO specialists must prioritize technical optimizations, content quality and mobile responsiveness to align with Google’s evolving criteria. Renowned SEO specialists have chimed in on these algorithm updates, offering expert insight on how to keep up with Google’s latest changes.
Understanding Google’s Algorithm Updates
Google updates its algorithms several times a year, aiming to refine search results and enhance the overall user experience. These updates often come with cryptic names such as
Panda, Penguin or the more recent Page Experience and Core Web Vitals. Each adjustment is designed to improve how Google understands and ranks content, which directly affects how websites appear in search results.
John Mueller, a senior webmaster trends analyst and search relations team lead at Google, states, “Google’s algorithm updates are geared towards rewarding sites that offer valuable, relevant content and a good user experience.”
As the latest algorithm updates continue to emphasize content relevance and usability, SEO specialists are witnessing a moveaway from their traditional keyword strategies.
Google’s ongoing commitment to E-A-T has led to more stringent assessments of content quality. Websites must now demonstrate clear expertise, authoritativeness and trustworthiness to rank well. This is
especially true for industries such as health, finance and legal, where the accuracy and reliability of information are critical.
Marie Haynes, CEO of Marie Haynes Consulting, highlights the importance of E-A-T. “Google is getting better at understanding which content is genuinely helpful and which is just fluff,” says Haynes. “Establishing your site as an authority in your niche is more crucial than ever.”
Page Experience and Core Web Vitals
The Page Experience update underscores the need for fast, responsive and visually stable web pages. Google’s algorithm now considers factors like loading speed, interactivity and visual stability as part of its ranking criteria.
“Core Web Vitals are now a fundamental part of technical SEO,” notes Aleyda Solis, international SEO consultant and founder of Orainti. “Ensuring your site performs well on these metrics can significantly improve your chances of ranking higher.”
Mobile-First Indexing
As mobile usage continues to rise, Google’s shift to mobile-first indexing means that the mobile version of any website is the primary basis for how it ranks. This shift necessitates a mobile-friendly design and content that performs well on all devices.
“With mobile-first indexing, it’s not just about having a responsive design; it’s about delivering a seamless user experience on mobile devices,” emphasizes Cindy Krum, CEO of MobileMoxie. “This includes everything from site speed to mobilefriendly navigation.”
Adapting SEO Strategies to the New Landscape
Focus on High Quality, User-Centric Content
Creating content that genuinely addresses user needs and questions is crucial. This means conducting thorough keyword research to understand user intent and crafting content that is both informative and engaging.
CONTINUED FROM P. 11
“Content should not only be optimized for search engines but also resonate with your target audience,” advises Lily Ray, senior director of SEO and head of organic research at Amsive Digital. “Understanding and addressing user intent is key to driving meaningful traffic.”
Optimize for E-A-T
In the eyes of Google, industry experts offer more than just good website content. They have high quality backlinks, active social media profiles, secure websites, visible credentials and bios.
“E-A-T isn’t just a checkbox,” explains Dr. Pete Meyers, marketing scientist at Moz. “It’s an ongoing process of building and maintaining your site’s credibility and authority. This can involve everything from getting mentions in reputable publications to ensuring your site’s security with HTTPS.”
Prioritize Technical SEO and Core Web Vitals
Technical SEO is the backbone of any SEO strategy. To ensure that a website meets the standards of the recent Core Web Vitals update, regular audits and optimizations should be conducted. This includes everything from improving server response times to optimizing images.
“Technical SEO is a critical component that can’t be overlooked,” states Barry Schwartz, CEO of RustyBrick and news editor at Search Engine Roundtable. “Regularly auditing your site’s performance and making necessary adjustments is essential for maintaining a competitive edge.”
Embrace Mobile Optimization
With the vast majority of users accessing the internet on mobile devices, mobile optimization is no longer optional. This includes having a responsive design, fast load times and a user-friendly interface.
“Mobile optimization is crucial,” remarks Areej AbuAli, founder of Women in Tech SEO. “It’s about creating a seamless experience that makes it easy for users to find what they’re looking for, regardless of the device they’re using.”
Stay Ahead of the Curve
For businesses and SEO specialists alike, adapting to Google’s recent algorithm updates means embracing versatility. The landscape of SEO is ever-changing, and those who can adapt quickly and effectively will reap the benefits of improved search rankings and increased organic traffic.
In the words of Rand Fishkin, CEO of SparkToro, “SEO is a journey, not a destination. The key to long-term success lies in staying ahead of the curve and being willing to evolve with the times.”
Looking ahead, the future of SEO promises to become increasingly intertwined with various disciplines. SEO professionals will need to adopt a more holistic approach, integrating technical SEO with better content strategy and user-centric designs.
Emilie Hagopian is a staff writer for the SoCo Business Forum & Digest.
A Balancing Act in Colorado Springs Apartment Development Review Process Explained
BY JEANNE DAVANT
When Darcey Nicklasson and her partner, Kathy Loo, were planning Blue Dot Place, the 33-unit apartment complex that opened in 2016 at 412 N. Nevada Ave., they had to comply with a set of development standards called the Form-Based Code.
Blue Dot Place was the first new multifamily development Downtown in decades and the first construction under the Form-Based Code, which applies to the Downtown area. Nicklasson’s more recent projects, Mosaica, a 223-unit community in Southeast Colorado Springs, and Clover on Cascade, set to open in July, had to meet different standards under the Unified Development Code that applies to the rest of the city.
Regardless of the area in which an apartment development is located, every project must go through an extensive review and approval process laid out in the City Code.
“We work to balance the rights of individual property owners with the impacts that could be seen on surrounding properties,” says Colorado Springs Urban Planning Manager Ryan Tefertiller.
Review Process
A development application can follow one of two tracks for review and approval: administrative review, which results in an administrative decision or a public hearing process, when a project requires review by the Planning Commission and a decision by City Council. The latter is required when a zoning change is needed — a substantial process that often triggers significant public involvement.
“The vast majority of the projects that the Planning Department reviews do not include zone changes,” says Max D’Onofrio, lead public communications specialist for the City of Colorado Springs. Those that do often are the ones that draw attention or are controversial.
Both tracks are extensive and
meticulous, and they follow the same early stages.
“The process begins even before an applicant is ready to formally submit plans and supporting documents to the city,” Tefertiller says. The preapplication process includes reviews by planning staff and other review teams including traffic engineering, fire, police, water and transit. The planner assigned to the project may require the applicant to hold a preapplication neighborhood meeting with public notice; sometimes the developer decides on their own to host a meeting, Tefertiller says.
The purpose of the pre-application process is to make sure a project is technically feasible and, if so, that
the developer addresses the key requirements of the code.
“Less than half of our preapplication meetings actually result in projects,” Tefertiller says. “That could be because it doesn’t work with the zoning, or the property owner decided it was too risky financially.”
Once a formal application is submitted, the site is posted and neighbors up to 1,000 feet from the project are notified. The proposal then undergoes four to eight weeks of review by the Planning Department and other city agencies. The city recently launched a development tracker website that includes detailed project information and lists upcoming neighborhood meetings about applications under review or recently approved. The Planning Department then issues a review letter informing the developer of any needed revisions or issues that must be resolved. If a resubmittal is required, it will be reviewed again; if further revisions are needed, the process repeats.
When all issues have been resolved, projects in the administrative track are approved or denied by the Planning Department. Projects in the
The site plan of Mosaica, the 223-unit community in Southeast Colorado Springs, developed by Darsey Nicklassons DHN Development. Mosaica had to meet different standards under the Unified Development Code that applies to the rest of the city.
public hearing review track will have a hearing date set before the Planning Commission. Administrative decisions can be appealed to the Planning Commission. Public hearing track decisions can be appealed to City Council.
See a detailed outline of the development process at coloradosprings.gov.
Development Criteria
The criteria evaluated by the Planning Department and the Downtown Review Board include specific code requirements such as frontages, setbacks, building heights, parking and landscaping — standards that vary depending on the zone in which a project is located.
“The things that we review are the outward-facing elements of a project,” Tefertiller says. But the review also embraces more subjective criteria, such as compliance with high-level city plans or goals, compatibility with the surrounding neighborhood’s buildings and land uses, architecture and design.
Darsey Nicklasson, founder and president of DHN Planning and Development.
Housing
CONTINUED FROM P. 13
Apartment Development
“I don’t think 100% of our community would agree on what is a well-designed or attractive building,” Tefertiller says.
Although there are code guidelines on architecture and design, including specifications of a mix of materials for apartment exteriors and façade articulation to reduce the appearance of large, blank walls, “the standards are fairly minimal,” D’Onofrio says. “We wanted to emphasize creativity and diversity in architecture.”
Neighbors sometimes object to the boxy style in which many apartment complexes are built, but “while there are some similar looking apartment buildings, I think that over time, we will see a diversity of interesting buildings and architectural types and materials and colors and forms throughout our Downtown,” D’Onofrio says.
A Developer’s View
Although Blue Dot Place was the first multifamily development under the Form-Based Code, “we went through the process relatively painlessly,” says Nicklasson, who is president of Places Management and owner of DHN Planning and Development. Nicklasson also developed Casa Mundi in Downtown Colorado Springs.
From a developer’s perspective, design and construction of an apartment complex is a balancing act between the costs of construction and
Real Estate Development Process Definitions
Form-Based Code
A land development code that focuses on physical form rather than separation of uses. Colorado Springs’ FormBased Code, adopted in 2009, sets standards for development in the Downtown District. The Downtown Review Board, appointed by City Council, reviews and approves or disapproves projects in the Downtown Form-Based Zone.
Unified Development Code (UDC)
New code for regulating development outside the Downtown Zone, effective June 5, 2023, as a result of the RetoolCOS project. It replaced Chapter 7 of the City Code, the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance.
Density
The number of dwelling units per acre.
Setback
The minimum distance a structure, landscaping, parking or other item must be from the lot line or boundary.
Development Plan
the rents they must charge to cover them.
“I built Blue Dot and Casa Mundi when land prices Downtown were significantly lower,” she says. “And I’m not kidding when I say construction costs have gone up 30%. Now, I have to have more rent to cover the mortgage, which is our debt payment. It’s a simple equation.”
Outside the city center, lots are larger and costs are lower. While there were challenges, Nicklasson was able to build Mosaica as a village that fit in with the adjacent singlefamily and townhome neighborhood with multiple buildings, shared back yards and front porches to encourage neighbor interaction.
“Everybody is asking us to get housing prices down. It’s not easy to do that,” she says. “There are reasons why other development companies build the same thing over and over — it’s cost-effective.
“I think we as a community need to speak up, but also consider the big picture,” she continues. “There are people that need to be in housing now and businesses that need to hire people now to keep our economy growing.”
Jeanne Davant is a senior writer for the SoCo Business Forum & Digest.
A detailed graphic representation, to scale, or a proposed development on a particular site that meets the requirements of the UDC.
Site Plan
A drawing to scale of the total area of a development project, including building footprints, roadways and parking areas.
Accessory Dwelling
A subordinate dwelling unit, either inside a principal residential unit (integrated) or within an accessory structure (detached).
Multifamily Dwelling
A building with three or more contiguous, separate dwelling units not defined as a townhouse (as opposed to a two-family dwelling or duplex).
Infill Development
Development of vacant land within previously built areas that are already served by infrastructure
Greenfield Development
Development that takes place on previously undeveloped land.
Regional Building Code
The code that specifies requirements for the construction of buildings. The Pikes Peak Regional Building Department reviews, permits and inspects all construction work, including mechanical, plumbing and electrical, in El Paso County, Woodland Park, Green Mountain Falls, Monument and Palmer Lake.
Zone District
A delineated area within which land and structures are governed by specific use and development standards. They include Agricultural, Residential, Mixed-Use and Industrial zones.
Overlay District
A zone district that applies in addition to a base zone district and imposes additional regulations. Examples are Airport, Wildland Urban Interface, Accessory Dwelling Unit and Hillside Overlay Districts.
Snapshots of the Mosaica community.
Small Business Spotlight Redefining Relaxation
Arctic Spas’ Unique Edge in a Crowded Market
BY EMILIE HAGOPIAN
Arctic Spas has carved itself a niche by offering energy-efficient spa systems that are designed to survive and thrive in extreme climates. Headquartered and manufactured in Thorsby, Alberta, Canada, the company’s focus on durable, energyefficient products sets it apart in a crowded market.
Arctic Spas offers an impressive range of spa systems at its Colorado Springs location, including hot tubs, all-weather pools and cold tubs. Their spa systems are manufactured by Blue Falls Manufacturing, a leading provider of hot tubs and spas in both Canada and the U.S. No matter the temperature required, all of their spa systems are designed to last longer while using less energy. This gives them a sharp edge in Colorado’s competitive spa market.
Colorado’s climate, characterized by extreme temperatures and weather swings, presents a unique challenge for outdoor spa systems. Recognizing this, Arctic Spas has engineered its products to withstand harsh weather conditions. The robust construction of their spas includes high-density foam insulation and weather-resistant materials, ensuring they remain operational and in excellent condition year-round.
In addition to durability, the company has also made substantial strides in energy efficiency. This factor is especially important to environmentally conscious consumers and those looking to manage utility costs. Their spas are designed with advanced insulation techniques and
energy-saving components, significantly reducing the energy required to maintain optimal water temperatures. Features such as energy-efficient pumps and heaters coupled with smart control systems allow users to monitor and adjust their spa’s performance, ensuring minimal energy consumption without compromising on comfort. While the demand for high-quality, economical spa solutions is high, this market is largely untapped. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, hot tubs and at-home spas consume a significant amount of energy, averaging 3,000 to 5,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually. Additionally, annual repair costs average $570, according to angi.com, Angie’s List. But Arctic Spas has filled this need in the local market, appealing to the eco-conscious and cost-savvy spa shopper.
Emilie Hagopian is a staff writer for the SoCo Business Forum & Digest.
www.arcticspascos.com
Life is not meant to be rushed. It is something to savor. To sip. To enjoy. That’s what you will find in the one-ofa-kind setting of Garden of the Gods Resort and Club, surrounded by natural wonders. Because when you’re lucky enough to live in a place like this, you need to make sure it’s properly experienced in every sense.
We invite you to claim your home away from home within our vibrant, social community at Garden of the Gods Resort and Club.
Contact our membership team today to schedule a free tour by calling 719.520.4980 or email membership@gardenofthegodsresort.com!
The Importance of Knowing YANA (You Are Not Alone)
BY KAY ROWE
The nonprofit, YANA (You Are Not Alone), was founded by Nikki Brooker in 2017 and is located in Highlands Ranch. Per Brooker, “YANA (You Are Not Alone) was named this way because we truly want every mom to know that they are not alone.”
In the seven years since its founding, YANA has created three different support systems. The first resource is that any mom, anywhere can have a support mom, similar to a sponsor in AA. It is someone who can be the mom’s “person.” They also have a podcast where they interview moms about their “mama journeys.” They believe that when moms hear other mothers’ journeys, they feel less alone.
Tragedy in Brooker’s community pivoted her life and career after hearing that two local moms had taken their lives and the lives of their children. She realized the need to better support moms from the beginning of motherhood, and not just after things go sideways.
Their main program is called “Strong Mamas, Thriving Babies.” It is a hospital-based program offering a full year of wrap-around support for every mom who gives birth at a participating hospital. That said,
Brooker plans to bring YANA’s system of support to all Colorado hospitals so that every mom at every hospital can access the resources they have created.
On January 30, 2024, YANA piloted at UC Health Highlands Ranch and enrolled nearly 300 moms in the first two months. They have since expanded their operations to Parker and will do so as well in Castle Rock by the end of the year. They will also launch in Advent Hospitals this year.
YANA’s success is mirrored in Brooker’s experience, training and skill set. She is no stranger to
motherhood, and along with her husband, raised three of their own children, now 23, 21 and 17 years old. She has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education, and she has spent nearly two decades teaching in many schools, districts and grades, including adults at the Metropolitan State University of Denver.
The YANA program is created by the community through word-ofmouth, social media and networking. Brooker expressed that YANA’s biggest need is volunteers and community support, as well as corporate sponsorships, grants and funding.
Small Business Majority Gets New Colorado Director
BY JEANNE DAVANT
In her first year as the new state director of the Small Business Majority, Hunter Nelson plans to do a lot of traveling.
“I believe in community and meeting people where they are,” says Nelson, who heads the Colorado branch of the nationwide organization dedicated to empowering small businesses through education and resources, policy and advocacy, research and insights. Nelson will be gathering information on Colorado’s diverse small business community.
“The needs of small business in one part of the state, especially in a more rural part of the state, may differ from those of a business located in downtown Denver,” she says. “I think some parts of the state, like Southeast Colorado, can really be tapped into a lot more.”
Forging partnerships with organizations across the state will be one of Nelson’s missions as well.
“As someone who identifies as a Black woman, I think we can tap into some nontraditional
Kay Rowe is a staff writer for the SoCo Business Forum & Digest.
Nikki Brooker
Hospital program first cohort group.
partnerships to grow our network and advance our mission in the state,” she says.
Nelson, a native Coloradan who grew up in Parker, discovered that she enjoyed approaching issues from a policy perspective while earning a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Denver. Her work as a senior policy analyst at the Colorado Children’s Campaign “crosses over into the work that Small Business Majority does, just from a different lens,” she says.
Nelson succeeds Lindsey Vigoda, who served for five years as Colorado director and now is spearheading the opening of Small Business Majority’s New York office. Vigoda tirelessly advocated for entrepreneurs in the Colorado legislature and raised the organization’s voice in support of paid leave, health care reform, removing employee
barriers, tax equity and child care, among many other accomplishments.
Nelson sees child care and healthcare as continuing issues on which she will focus.
“We hear from small business owners across Colorado that the affordability and accessibility of healthcare is such a big pain point,” she says. Other priorities include “how we can make our tax code work better for our businesses and communities … and how the fiscal landscape in our state can serve our most vulnerable small business owners so that they can start and grow their businesses.”
“I want to be a connector, and a bridge and a resource,” she says.
Jeanne Davant is a senior writer for the SoCo Business Forum & Digest.
THERE FOR PRACTICALLY EVERY“EUREKA” MOMENT FOR THE PA ST 100 YEARS.
When you’ve been around for 100 years, you’ve been around for a lot of “eureka!” moments, countless “aha!” moments, and more revelations and realizations than you can remember. From the joyous celebrations to the quiet reflections, we’ve illuminated the path every step of the way. Our commitment extends beyond merely providing electricity; it’s about being there for the milestones, the challenges and the everyday triumphs that make up a century of shared experiences. That’s a Century of Service. And that’s worth celebrating.
Hunter Nelson (left) succeeds Lindsey Vigoda, who has served as Colorado’s director for five years.
the creativity, drive, and insight to transform an organization and make everyone around them better.
12M CHILDREN ARE TRAFFICKED EVERY DAY IN 2024, INCLUDING RIGHT HERE IN COLORADO.
WHEN YOU PLAY WITH YOUR TEAM IN THE AMBASSADORS FOR HOPE CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT, YOU SEND THE EXODUS ROAD TO FREE THEM.
Join Colorado Springs-based global nonprofit, The Exodus Road, together with hosts Colorado Media Group and Colorado Springs Orthopaedic Group, on September 16, 2024, for the 2nd Annual Ambassadors for Hope Charity Golf Tournament.
Hosted at The Club at Flying Horse, the charity tournament is a four-person team event with proceeds from player registration directly benefiting The Exodus Road’s work in bringing freedom to trafficked children and justice to perpetrators.
The Exodus Road operates in the U.S. as well as five other countries around the world and has celebrated its role in securing freedom for more than 2,600 trafficked men, women, and children. They’ve aided law enforcement in the arrest of more than 1,200 perpetrators of the crime.
REGISTER HERE — not only will you enjoy a day on Colorado Springs’ premier golf course, but you will directly help efforts to investigate and prevent human trafficking on Colorado’s front range and beyond.
BENEFITING
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 16, 2024
THE CLUB AT FLYING HORSE
Small Business Spotlight
Dad’s Donuts Opens in Downtown Colorado Springs
BY TIFFANY UNDERWOOD
Dad’s Donuts, located at 29 E. Moreno St. in downtown Colorado Springs, opened Friday, June 7. This new eatery stands out for its unique donuts and also for its commitment to supporting at-risk teens. The grand opening coincided with National Donut Day, and the celebration included an appearance by Mayor Yemi Mobalade.
The specialty of Dad’s Donuts is its 109-layer confections, made with imported European butter and with no additives, preservatives, or hydrogenated oils. In a press release, Managing Partner Mitchell Yellen said, “Each one is a labor of love. We’ve spent months getting it exactly right — this is the marriage between a croissant and a donut. They really are special, and people love them.”
The idea for Dad’s Donuts was inspired by a family trip to Florida, where Yellen and his family discovered a beloved donut shop. Determined to bring a similar experience to Colorado Springs, Yellen collaborated with pastry chefs to create a product free of unnecessary additives. Their goal is to foster family connections through its offerings and atmosphere.
“We’re aiming for the kind of things you learn together and can go out and do together,” Yellen explained. “We want to bring families back to the way they used to be outside, camping, doing things together.”
Community investment is a core principle of Dad’s Donuts, reflecting Yellen’s personal history. As a child, Yellen lacked strong family ties. Inspired by those who helped him throughout his life, Yellen
dedicated himself to support local youth mentoring programs and initiatives for at-risk teens. This includes hiring local youth with the intention of mentoring them to gain skills that will help them be successful as they enter adulthood.
The shop is open Wednesday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., or until the donuts sell out, which typically happens within the first three hours. Currently, the operation can produce 1,500 donuts per day but there are plans to expand production to 15,000 donuts daily with a new commissary kitchen. Dad’s Donuts is part of Yellen’s Altitude Hospitality Group, which includes other local establishments including The Pinery Hill, Trainwreck and Garden of the Gods Market and Café.
Looking ahead, Dad’s Donuts aims to open more locations throughout Colorado, and potentially across the country. Yellen said, “Opening day was astonishing! I couldn’t believe the support we got and we look forward to continuing to serve the community.”
Tiffany Underwood is a staff writer for the SoCo Business Forum & Digest.
Professionals on the Rise
Celebrating Achievement of So. Colorado’s Workforce!
The City of Colorado Springs announced three new job selections. Kevin Walker will serve as its interim planning director, effective Monday, June 17. He will oversee comprehensive planning, urban planning, land use review and the development review enterprise. Walker will report to Deputy Chief of Staff Travis Easton.
Walker has had a long and successful career providing management services and working with homeowner’s associations in the Pikes Peak region. He has a master’s degree in city planning from Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, and is certified by the American Planning Association as an American Institute of Certified Planners.
Myra Romero has been selected as the City’s chief human resources and risk officer following an extensive search and selection process. Romero had been serving as the acting chief human resources and risk officer since November 2023. She has over 24 years of experience with
the City, including 12 years with the Human Resources (HR) department. The chief human resources and risk officer reports to Chief of Staff Jamie Fabos and is responsible for leading the Human Resources department, including employment services, risk management and the office of accessibility.
Mayor Yemi says, “Our people are our most important resource, and I’m excited Myra will continue to lead our efforts to serve and develop our team members.”
Rich Mulledy has been selected as the City’s public works director, pending City Council confirmation. Mulledy had been serving as the City’s deputy public works director since April 2024, overseeing the planning, construction, maintenance, operation and management of the City’s stormwater infrastructure, natural channel corridors and stormwater conveyance system as well as leading the City’s Parking Enterprise. Prior to that, he was the City’s stormwater enterprise manager since 2016. His other previous positions include civil drainage engineer for the City of Pueblo and private sector civil engineering experience as deputy director of water resources; project engineer of transportation and utilities; and project engineer of residential and commercial development.
Last month, the U.S. Air Force Academy Association of
Graduates announced three recipients of the inaugural Leadership Achievement Award, to recognize Academy graduates who have distinguished themselves through professional accomplishments, whether in the military or the private sector.
Troy Calhoun, USAFA Class of 1989, is head coach of the Falcons football team. He’s led the program to a 130-82 record during his 17 years at the helm. He has coached the team to five Commander-in-Chief trophies.
Calhoun, who served in the Air Force until 1995, earned an MBA from Oklahoma City University and began coaching football at his alma mater, first as a graduate assistant in 1989-90 and again as an assistant coach during the 1993-94 season. He worked as quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator at Ohio University and Wake Forest University before joining the Denver Broncos for three seasons.
managing director at Victory Strategies, a leadership development, training and coaching firm. Col. Campbell served more than 24 years in the Air Force as a fighter pilot and senior military leader. She was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism after successfully recovering her battle-damaged airplane after an intense close air support mission.
Col. Campbell previously served as director of the Center for Character and Leadership Development at the Academy. She is a distinguished graduate and earned a space operations degree from the Academy. As a Marshall Scholar, she earned an MBA from the University of London and a master’s in international security studies from England’s University of Reading.
Dr. Chris Howard, USAFA Class of 1991, is executive vice president and chief operating officer at Arizona State University. Dr. Howard, a national expert in higher educationpolicy, works closely with other senior university leaders coordinating university-wide initiatives and advancement. He graduated from the Academy with distinction, earning a degree in political science, and later obtaining an MBA from Harvard Business School and a doctorate from the University of Oxford as a Rhodes scholar.
Dr. Howard was a helicopter pilot and an intelligence
officer while on active duty. He served in Joint Special Operations Command and as a Reserve air attaché to Liberia. He was awarded a Bronze Star for service in Afghanistan. He currently serves on the National Defense University Board of Visitors.
CommonSpirit Health announced that Peter Powers, MBA, FACHE, will serve as market president for Greater Colorado and Kansas, beginning July 22, 2024. In his role, Powers will focus on meeting the highest standards for patient safety and care, driving market growth, and providing strategic and operational leadership for nine hospitals – including Penrose Hospital, St. Francis Hospital, St. Francis Hospital – Interquest, St. Mary-Corwin Hospital and St. Thomas More Hospital.
This is a homecoming for Powers, who previously worked for CommonSpirit for eight years. Powers joined Longmont United Hospital (LUH) in 2012 as director of Strategic Planning & Business Development/Administrative Fellow. In 2015, he became the vice president of Operations at LUH before transitioning to COO at St. Anthony Hospital in 2017. Beginning in 2018, Peter served as CEO of St. Anthony Hospital until his departure in 2020.
Col. (Ret.) Kim “KC” Campbell, USAFA Class of 1997, is a
Kevin Walker Myra Romero
Rich Mulledy
Troy Calhoun
Col. (Ret.) Kim “KC” Campbell
Dr. Chris Howard
Peter Powers
Inspirational IQ
If you fail to prepare, you’re prepared to fail.
— Mark Spitz
Nine-time Olympic swimming champion
You can’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get.
— Michael Phelps
Most decorated Olympian of all time
Winning doesn’t always mean being first. Winning means you’re doing better than you’ve ever done before.
— Bonnie Blair
Five-time gold medalist, speed skater
I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.
— Michael Jordan
Double Olympic champion, basketball
Economic Forum
Why the Fed is Going for Disinflation, not Deflation
BY DR. BILL CRAIGHEAD
In a 1977 amendment to the Federal Reserve Act, Congress charged the Fed with the goals of “maximum employment” and “stable prices.”
With continued jobs growth and an unemployment rate of 4% in May — well below the long-term average of 5.7% — the Fed appears to be succeeding in the first part of its mandate. However, this bears continued watching as some other indicators, like retail sales, have recently shown hints of a slowing economy.
Stable prices have been more of a concern over the past several years. On this count, economists see considerable progress — the most widely watched gauge of inflation, the year-on-year change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), came in at 3.3% in May, well down from a peak of 9.1% in June 2022.
The Fed interprets “stable prices” to mean a 2% inflation rate. The Fed’s preferred measure, the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index, generally shows similar trends to the CPI, though it usually runs slightly lower.
The inflation rate is the speed at which prices are going up. There are some technical reasons why the Fed believes a 2% rate of increase is preferable to zero, but at that pace inflation is barely noticed by the public.
Getting the inflation rate down does not mean reversing past price increases, however. What the Fed is trying to achieve is disinflation (a slowing rate of increase) not deflation (falling prices). This is like a speeding driver trying to slow
U.S. Price Level, 1882-1910
down to the speed limit, but not go into reverse.
Why wouldn’t the Fed try to achieve a decline in the price level — deflation — to make up for the rapid increases in 2021 and 2022? At first glance, this sounds like something that would be a boon to consumers.
Historical experience shows that deflation can be tremendously harmful, however. For businesses, deflation raises the volume of sales needed to service debt obligations, and falling prices would force them to cut wages or payrolls which, in turn, would reduce household incomes and spending.
The U.S. experienced persistent deflation in the decades following the Civil War. Heavily indebted farmers suffered greatly as the amount of crops they needed to sell to cover their debt payments increased each year. This motivated
calls to change the monetary system by leaving the gold standard; and that movement culminated in the nomination of William Jennings Bryan for president. At the 1896 Democratic convention, he famously argued that American farmers and workers were being crucified on a “cross of gold.” He lost the election, narrowly, and around that time the deflationary trend started to reverse and the issue receded.
Deflation returned with the Great Depression when the Consumer Price Index fell 8.9% in 1931 and 10.3% in 1932. Many businesses closed and millions of Americans were thrown out of work.
Thus, deflation is seen by policymakers as something to avoid at all costs. What does this mean for American consumers today? First, it is important to realize that wage increases are part of the inflationary process — although
prices initially accelerated ahead of wages in 2021, wages have been catching up. Secondly, it mean that we shouldn’t expect to see the price increases of 2021 and 2022 reversed — we’ll carry with us the memory of when many everyday items cost less. Though this may remain a source of irritation, we’d be far worse off if the Fed induced a severe economic downturn to force prices back down.
Dr. Bill Craighead is the Director of the UCCS Economic Forum.
Save the date: The 28th Annual UCCS Economic Forum will take place 1-4 pm on Thursday, September 26 at the Ent Center for the Arts. More details coming soon!
Creating Lightning and Thunder Cybersecurity
BY PAM BALES
Rita Peterson is not your typical CEO of a Department of Defense (DoD) engineering firm. She is a five-footone bundle of energy, enthusiasm, warmth and a self-described driver and perfectionist. However, ask her employees and clients about her and they’ll tell you about the Native American woman working in a 98% male-dominated field who is always looking for that person others may have overlooked — but who she knows can do the job. Because that is her story.
Caribou Thunder Engineering Services was founded by Peterson
in 2006 on the Lac Courte Oreilles Indian Reservation. The company began as a global services provider offering support to a diverse range of DoD and Intelligence Programs. Over the span of nearly two decades, Caribou Thunder has experienced significant expansion, providing exceptional and high-quality service.
The name of the company refers to the one of the most impressive wildlife phenomena, Alaskan Caribou migrating in herds of tens of thousands, says Peterson. When the caribou run in unison, it creates the sound of thunder.
“It is our company’s aim to run in unison as an executive leadership team, with our employees, with our
customers, to serve the end customer in support of national security,” explains Peterson.
Peterson’s path to founding and running this $2 billion cyberspace company was anything but traditional. Raised in a suburb of Minneapolis, she was one of three children with a Mexican mother and Ojibwe father from the White Earth Reservation. Rita married right out of high school, had two children and started working at an area prison in administration.
“I have a sales and very customeroriented personality,” explains Peterson. “My boss told me I was so much more than a receptionist and I had to get out before I got stuck in the prison industry. We had this great
copier rep who asked me to work for his company. I’d never done direct sales before, but I became the #1 sales rep, month over month and that was my beginning in business.”
As her sales career was taking off, she also became a single mother of two teenagers and her parents both fell ill. She purchased a larger house, moved everyone in and took on providing care for her family. And of course, that is, she began laying the groundwork for Caribou Thunder.
“Luckily, I don’t sleep much,” laughs Peterson. “I just don’t need much sleep, but I do stay healthy, mentally and physically.
Rita Peterson, CEO of Caribou Thunder Studio 9 Commercial Photography
Cybersecurity
She credits several mentors for believing in her, especially Tom Reichel with Lockheed Martin. He pushed Peterson to get certified for HUBZone and then Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business Administration, NMSDC, and NCAIED. She worked out of her basement, completing the numerous detailed applications herself – to understand every nuance. Three years later, Rita and her crew came back to the Lockheed Martin contracts manager and said, “we’re ready to go.”
Caribou Thunder grew to $2 million dollars in sales in 24 months – moving from one contract to multiple contracts overnight. And she was just getting started.
“Lockheed Martin launched our company, but ten years prior, I had met Rob Watson with Northrop Grumman who worked with us on our first contract with Brian Castiaux, program manager, who sponsored our top-secret clearance,” explains Peterson.
“I honestly believe in taking chances on people in my own company. Everyone has gifts to bring, regardless of where you come from,” emphasizes Peterson. “Look at me – I’m a short, uneducated woman of color who grew up in poverty. When you grow up in poverty, I believe it affects you profoundly. You can go down a destructive path or fight for your life to survive. I chose to fight for a better life for me and my kids.”
Caribou Thunder is based in Wisconsin, but parts of it are now following its owner to Colorado Springs. “I’ve lived here for 12 years, and I travel a lot
between here, Wisconsin and both coasts,” explains Peterson.
She is as passionate about her employees as she is about her clients and says she strives to find the right people for the right positions.
“At last year’s holiday party, a staff member commented on how diverse our group was. I’m proud of that. Different backgrounds contribute to different ideas and problem solving.”
Another passion for Peterson is exposing children on the White Earth Reservation to professional careers in national security and the intelligence community. In 2023, she created the philanthropic nonprofit organization Indigenous Minds which hosted students last year at a STEAMS (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math, and Spirituality) Camp. They were immersed in a week filled with professionals from the Space Foundation, Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Air Force Academy, Garden of the Gods and the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.
Her advice for women forging into positions or companies in traditionally male-dominated industries is straightforward.
“Find a mentor who is going to support you and never ever sell out,” says Peterson. “Be your highest standard of yourself, set your own bar higher than all others, and keep reaching for the brass ring. You will eventually grab it and when you do – reach for the next one, and the next one.”
Pam Bales is a senior writer for the SoCo Business Forum & Digest.
State of the Utility 2024 Colorado Springs Utilities Talks to the Public
BY PAM BALES
Travas Deal has led Colorado Springs Utilities (Springs Utilities) as its CEO for just over 16 months. Along with his staff and Board of Directors, he hosted the first ever State of the Utility to educate, inform and answer questions from his customers.
More than 250 residents were excited to attend this first-ever event, packing the auditorium at COS City Hub. Staff were there to answer questions, handing out information and statistics about the Colorado Springs’ Municipal Utility.
According to Deal, there is a big difference between private utility companies and municipal utility organizations. While private utility companies are often owned by individuals, groups, or corporations focusing on earning money through providing services like electricity, water or gas. Their decisions are often driven by maximizing profits for their owners or shareholders. Municipal utility organizations are owned and operated by the government or a city. While they also provide essential services, their main goal is to ensure everyone has access to these services reliably and at fair prices.
Deal also prioritizes the safety and empowerment of his 2,300 employees within the organization. He explained the five strategic objectives that Springs Utilities adheres to, including financial accountability, delivering quality utilities, focusing on the customer, supporting the community and enabling employee empowerment.
Even with the growth of COS since 2019, Springs Utilities customers still have utility bills that are 12% cheaper than other Front Range communities’ utility bills.
“For the last 10 years we’ve been maintaining our services and ensuring
reliability,” Deal explains. “The next five years, we will see an increase from $450 million to $800 million a year investment to meet the state and federal regulations and the growth of the city. Not only do our residential and commercial clients depend on us, but our military partners do as well.”
The challenges for Deal, his team and the city are substantial:
• Reducing emissions from electric generation 80% by 2030
• Continuing to increase renewables like wind and solar, which come with their own issues like intermittent power and the land to create solar farms.
• The complete demolition of the old Drake Power Plant and clean-up of the site. Deal explained that utility
infrastructure, like the substation and new natural gas generators, will remain on the site to support the Downtown and West side of the city.
• Maintaining efficient and affordable natural gas for consumers.
• And finally, water. As new residents make Colorado their home, education is a key component to helping them understand our climate and the need to conserve water.
“Even though the Colorado River begins in our state, and we have some older water rights on it, those rights are still junior to others,” says Deal. “We must be able to store every drop that is ours in wet years which is where our reservoirs are crucial.”
Springs Utilities has begun a
dam rehabilitation project at South Catamount Reservoir following completion of a similar project at Crystal Creek Reservoir that was completed in 2022. Both reservoirs, located on the north slope of Pikes Peak, feature older, steel-faced dams. The work will extend the service of the dams for many decades.
“One big kudo to our residents,” notes Deal. “We’ve doubled our population since 1980 but we are still using about the same amount of water. I credit our water-wise customers and our education programs.”
Deal highlighted the Wildland Fire Team, a group made up of Springs Utilities volunteers. They have been working on fire mitigation and protecting water sheds for the last 35 years.
With increased building on the North and East edges of Colorado Springs, the utility is expanding its wastewater system and will be looking to expand one of its water resource recovery, or wastewater, facilities in the future, says Deal.
He ended his town meeting by answering questions from the audience and speaking about possible new legislative mandates concerning further emissions reduction in electric generation and new technologies, such as battery storage. For more information about Colorado Springs Utilities, visit: csu.org.
Pam Bales is a senior writer for the SoCo Business Forum & Digest.
Arts Cultural Office Gathers Momentum in 2023-24
The Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region (COPPR) is the nonprofit local arts agency that serves the City of Colorado Springs and the greater Pikes Peak region (El Paso and Teller Counties). We champion our diverse creative community as a vital part of the region’s identity and economy through service, connection, and advocacy — supporting a vision of “a thriving community united by creativity,” with all of the lively economic power, tourism, and quality of life that the arts deliver.
Our 2023 annual report showed the Cultural Office staff of five – along with our many regional partners and believers – delivered impact in meaningful ways. Some highlights from 2023 include:
• $99,450 paid directly to creatives, arts organizations and artists through COPPR programs and administration
• 293,933 virtual program engagements
• 4,822 in-person program engagements, a 19% jump from 2022
• 15,939 clicks on “Buy Tickets” buttons on PeakRadar.com, our flagship cultural events and entertainment website
• 77% of PeakRadar.com users discovered a local event or group they hadn’t previously known about
• 5.6 million media impressions for the 10th annual Arts Month campaign
The Cultural Office’s yearround work, often behind the scenes, achieves more than any one artist or cultural organization could do independently to ensure
that the creative sector thrives and uplifts our entire region’s life and economy. The ripple effect of our connective, strategic work extends beyond what any individual theater, gallery, dance company or artist can achieve alone.
To get more involved in our local creative community, consider some of the following options:
• Visit culturaloffice.org/ about/annual-report to see our full annual report (including a video version!) and learn more about our impactful work.
• Explore peakradar.com to see upcoming events to attend.
• Head to culturaloffice. org/artsvision2030 to explore the region’s community cultural plan — one of the strategic guideposts for our work. It will take the entire regional arts and cultural community, along with cross-sector partners and local leaders, to make ArtsVision happen.
OUR NEXT CHAPTER
The COPPR 2023 Annual Report.
What Younger Workers Want: Job Quality, Sense of Purpose and Work-Life Balance
BY JEANNE DAVANT
Coming out of the pandemic, employees’ expectations of what they want in a workplace have changed. It’s not just greater flexibility in scheduling, although that is a high priority, especially for younger people; workers now are looking for overall job quality.
“That means something different to each individual and to different generations,” says Traci Marques, executive director and CEO of the Pikes Peak Workforce Center. “It’s wages, but it’s a lot more than that — they want an organization where it matters, where they walk home knowing that they did something that matters to others. They want to make sure they have work-life balance.”
A new survey from Deloitte contains valuable information about Millennial and Gen Z workers — the coveted demographic that spans high school graduates through those in their early 40s — and information from the Colorado Workforce Development Council can help business owners create workplace environments that will attract and retain younger workers.
Deloitte Survey
Deloitte, which provides consulting services and insights to businesses and government, has been surveying younger workers for 13 years. The 2024 Gen Z and Millennial Survey, which received more than 22,800 respondents in 44 countries, found that a great majority (89%) view a sense of purpose as crucial to their job satisfaction and well-being. They are looking for employers whose values align with theirs, and they are willing to keep looking until they find the right fit.
For many, that means working with an organization that has a positive impact on society and a purpose beyond profit. According to the survey, 75% of Gen Z and Millennial respondents consider an
organization’s community engagement and social impact as important in their evaluations of potential employers.
Environmental sustainability is among the top priorities for many members of these generations also, in both their career decisions and consumer activities. According to the survey, two in 10 Gen Zs and Millennials have changed jobs or industries to align with their environmental concerns, and another 25% plan to do so in the future.
Work-life balance is another primary concern for these cohorts. They continue to value flexibility in where and when they work, and they are often choosing less traditional employment models, such as parttime work, job sharing and side gigs.
Members of the younger generations also want to see employers pay more attention to mental health in the workplace. About 40% of Gen Zs and 35% of Millennials report that they feel a great deal of stress in their lives from factors including finances, family welfare, long work hours and lack of recognition in their jobs. Just over half of the survey respondents say their employers have made positive changes in the past year and are taking mental health seriously, but many feel there is still room for improvement.
Many respondents reported they
Deloitte Survey
Sense of purpose is very or somewhat important to job satisfaction
Turned down an employer based on personal beliefs
Changed or plan to change job or industry due to climate concerns
Think AI will improve work-life balance
Think AI will eliminate jobs
Believe they have power to drive change within their organizations
Feel a lot of stress
Source: Deloitte, 2024 Gen Z and Millennial Survey
don’t feel comfortable talking with their managers about stress or other mental health challenges, and they are not confident their managers would know how to support them if they did. They would like to see both their managers and senior leaders do more to remove the stigma of mental health issues in the workplace.
Colorado Resources
For a lot of people, “the pandemic made them rethink their entire lives, and work is a huge part of that,” Marques says. “Some of that may just be a paycheck, but the new reality is that work-life balance is more
important going forward.”
That includes factors like burnout or “toxic productivity” — a pace so fast that it hurts workers’ health. Benefits including lifelong learning opportunities, additional training, professional development, equity, diversity and environmental activism also play into a company culture that many young workers see as important in a quality employer.
“A company first has to figure out and define what their company culture is and what they want it to be, and then figuring out how that company culture can attract their
Traci Marques, executive director and CEO of the Pikes Peak Workforce Center.
ideal job candidates for different positions,” Marques says. “This also goes into play with skillsbased and competency-based hiring and not looking at just the job description and title.”
The Workforce Center offers resources for employers in recruitment and employee selection, worker training, workforce intelligence and a host of other areas. The Colorado Workforce Development Council provides information and suggestions about how employers can improve job quality, including videos, checklists and on-
demand webinars.
“By providing quality jobs that offer family-sustaining wages, safe and inclusive environments, robust benefits, predictable scheduling, professional development and opportunities to advance, employers can address their skills gaps, increase the number of qualified applicants to open positions and improve their retention rates,” the council’s Job Quality page states.
Jeanne Davant is a senior writer for the SoCo Business Forum & Digest.
COS WE CARE. JOIN THE CREW.
Earning and Learning at Opus Creative Industries Workforce
BY PAM BALES
As the old saying goes, “when one door closes, another one opens.” For some people, it’s not just another door, but double doors. That’s what happened for Linda Weise, president & CEO of Opus Creative Industries, a program of the Colorado Springs Community Cultural Collective (CSCCC).
Well known in Colorado Springs, Weise created and ran the Colorado Springs Conservatory for more than 26 years, providing a creative, safe place for children to discover the arts. Prior to Opus, this community leader and her team were on a mission to rejuvenate and reimagine the venerable City Auditorium. As part of that business model, Weise and Traci Marques, CEO of the Pikes Peak Workforce Center (PPWFC) began a journey to create a sustainable and active programming component that affords access like nothing else in the region or state. When focus shifted away from City Auditorium, the CSCCC launched a much-needed workforce program in the underserved creative industries including culinary, video and childhood enrichments. The programs became Opus Creative Industries.
The name “Opus” — derived from Latin for “work” — is reflected in the modern meaning of a significant artistic endeavor. This dual definition captures the essence of Opus: to deliver real-time, earn-and-learn educational experiences that serve the community through connecting purpose and productivity.
Born from a passion for community, creativity and progress, Opus is the CSCCC’s initiative to fuse people’s passions with prosperous career pathways, transforming challenges into opportunities for workforce development and job creation. The group is 15 months into a grant that PPWFC helped them locate, and now resides at One Nevada Ave. in downtown Colorado Springs.
“I’m so grateful for the partners I work with in this community,” says Weise. “From Traci Marques at PPWFC
to Gary Feffer who helped us find our space, my supportive board and especially this team of professionals who double as mentors to our students. We’ve assembled an amazing group and partnered with community industries to create earn and learn programs in the culinary arts, media, theater technical design and early childhood education enriched with music and dance.”
As a direct result of the partnership with the Workforce Center, Opus just recently opened a café in the Colorado Springs Citizen building which regularly sees more than 2,000 El Paso County employees and visitors.
Opus offers three main programs: the Hospitality Capstone, Creative Technology and Early Childhood Enrichment Training programs.
Hospitality Capstone Program
This unique “earn-and-learn” real-life, real-time community program connects aspiring chefs and entrepreneurs with restaurant industry professionals from the Colorado Springs community, as a way to learn practical business skills and creative expression in the kitchen within a working restaurant. Headed by Chef Josh Kelly and supported by a group of regional industry experts like Chef Jay Gust (Homa at Kinship Landing, Pizzeria Rustica and
The essence of Opus: to deliver real-time, earn-and-learn educational experiences that serve the community through connecting purpose and productivity. The effort was born from a passion for community, creativity and progress.
Tapateria), The Broadmoor’s Chef Justin as well as Colorado Springs’ Brother Luck.
The Culinary and Hospitality program incorporates advanced food preparation skills, the ability to build a menu for fine dining and training in business and resource management,
finance, and ordering supplies. Additionally, students train for frontof-house, back-of-house, catering and intimate multi-course dining experiences. This eight-week program readies students for a career in the industry.
Linda Weise, president & CEO of Opus Creative Industries.
Creative Technology
Opus will host three Creative Technology Workforce cohorts in 2024, including Film Production & Media Design, Sound and Lighting.
Each program is a fulltime, 12-week-long, earnand-learn experience for a total of 480 hours. After a few weeks in the program, cohort members participate in a preapprenticeship with an industry partner, learning on the job and getting real-life work experience while under the guidance of a worksite mentor.
Early Childhood Enrichment Training
Opus partnered with Joint Initiatives and Simple Gift Schoolhouse’s Early Childhood creative learning program to create an intentional, twopronged approach to accessing creative learning for educators and caregivers. Teacher trainings address recruitment and retention while the playgroups address what has notably become an epidemic of social isolation for those caregivers raising young people on their own.
“We had 130 little ones and caregivers just this week in our facility from all over the city,” notes Weise. “It was so inspiring to see the fun, the inspiration and the joy in the room.”
This successful program offers skills to preschool teachers through The Simple Gift Series, a nationally televised children’s television program and 29-book series. It is moving its curriculum to help early childhood educators bring music and literacy to their classrooms in creative ways.
The SG Scholars program provides professional development that meets Colorado’s pre-kindergarten and kindergarten literacy standards. Program partners include the
Joint Initiatives for Youth and Families and is also used by local preschool and childcare employers as a stackable credit for increased pay and employee retention.
“We are so excited to continue our journey of serving as many demographics as we can, introducing the arts, allowing for safe spaces for people to learn and creating workforce skills to help elevate workers in these creative industries,” says Weise.
You could also say it is a family affair at Opus, with Linda’s two adult daughters on her team.
“I never thought I would come back to my hometown,” says Christina Wells, the CSCCC Cultural Curator. I headed to New York City after college to pursue my musical and acting dreams. But life happens and I came back to help with the City Aud project. When that changed, I stayed and helped shift CSCCC’s focus. I love what I’m helping Linda and our team build.”
“It’s Linda at work and Mom with the family,” explains Wells. Weise’s other daughter, Kelsy Wells, is the account specialist and works daily in tandem with the PPWFC to ensure alignment with the federal grant requirements.
Stay updated on all the activities happening at Opus Creative Industries by visiting communityculturalcollective.org. Stop in for a grab-and-go lunch, or consider hosting your event at this unique venue, complete with catering and a full bar.
Pam Bales is a senior writer for the SoCo Business Forum & Digest.
Small Business
It’s Who You Know SBA Offers Small Business Resources And Connections
BY JEANNE DAVANT
With resources including guaranteed loans, certifications for veteran- and womenowned businesses, access to counseling and virtual education, the Small Business Administration (SBA) offers support to entrepreneurs in all stages, from nurturing an idea through growing a full-fledged enterprise.
The SBA’s numerous partnerships with local resource organizations make it a great place for entrepreneurs to start, says Aikta Marcoulier, SBA’s Region VIII administrator. Marcoulier, former executive director of the Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center, was interviewed by The Digest’s publisher, Dirk Hobbs, on the Business Digest Weekly radio show.
“The first thing I will tell anyone looking to start a business is to find a local resource partner,” Marcoulier says. These partners include Small Business Development Centers, SCORE chapters, Women’s Business Centers and Veterans Business Outreach Centers. Entrepreneurs can find them by visiting sba.gov to search in their location.
“The best way to start is to go to whatever program is nearest to you and have them sort through your idea with you and help you fine tune your idea,” she says. “There is a consultant waiting for you, to use for free.”
These organizations offer online and in-person workshops, and they also provide the opportunity for an entrepreneur to connect with a consultant for personal assistance. They can help develop a business plan — a crucial step in the success of a startup.
Regardless of needs, “there’s someone to help you walk through that,” Marcoulier says. “There’s a lot out there that you don’t need to tackle on your own.”
Other resource partners can help entrepreneurs do market research and get to know their community. She
recommends the Pikes Peak Library District for market and demographic research, as well as databases maintained by SBA, the Veterans Outreach Center and the SBDC. Using these resources, entrepreneurs can benchmark an industry locally and nationally, then determine the demand for a product or service, potential revenue and the competitive landscape.
Marcoulier mentions that the SBDC’s Leading Edge program, SCORE and the Veterans Business Outreach Center help entrepreneurs plug the data into their business plans. She also refers entrepreneurs to COS Open for Biz, a step-by-step online guide for startups by industry.
SBA also enlists partners from commercial real estate to the banking world. While the SBA does not lend directly to small businesses, it partners with lenders including U.S. Bank and local community banks.
“SBA helps back these loans with a guarantee, so it’s less risk to the bank,” Marcoulier says. “That’s why a lot of businesses use SBA loans to get off the ground.” Microlenders and community-based programs like the Colorado Enterprise Fund, B:Side Capital and DreamSpring are additional resources.
“We partner with many other organizations, even sometimes nonprofits, to get money into the hands of our small businesses,” she
says. LenderMatch.com directs entrepreneurs to appropriate financial resources near them.
For workforce needs, “we have partnered with the National Association of Workforce Boards to help small businesses,” Marcoulier says. The Pikes Peak Workforce Center assists both job seekers and businesses looking for staff.
“There’s money out there to help you upskill or reskill the employees you have, and then you can bring in someone at the entry level,” she says. Apprenticeship opportunities also are available.
Small business support and resources don’t stop when the doors open or the website goes live, and the consultant relationships a business forms during the startup phase can prove invaluable as the organization grows and the business plan matures.
Once entrepreneurs have been in business for a while and have reached a certain level of revenue, they may join T.H.R.I.V.E., the SBA’s free strategic planning program. This year’s cohort started in June, but information for future classes can be found at sba.
gov/thrive. Another free SBA program, Ascent, guides entrepreneurs through journeys that cover topics from which participants can choose to help grow their businesses.
While the SBA supports small businesses with up to 500 employees, Marcoulier says most of the enterprises SBA serves on a daily basis have 1-25 employees.
“It’s a dream job to support small business every day and talk with business owners and see their eyes light up or even with tears, but changing that around to help them,” Marcoulier says. “And we have seen a lot of success.”
Jeanne Davant is a senior writer for the SoCo Business Forum & Digest.
Aikta Marcoulier, SBA’s Region VIII administrator.
Ascent is a free SBA program that can help guide entrepreneurs through their journey.
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Lighted volleyball courts
Pop Kitchen and Events Fills Plates with Love
BY JEANNE DAVANT
For Amy Kunstle, founder and owner of Pop Kitchen and Events, food is the language of love.
A former speech language pathologist and registered dietitian turned entrepreneur, Kunstle translates her passion for community, equity and sustainability into incubating small businesses, along with running her own coffee shop and café.
Leaving behind a private practice in Pueblo to undertake an extensive remodeling of the historic structure in Old Colorado City fulfilled a dream, says Kunstle, who funded the project with an inheritance. The 1888 building most recently was the location of Agia Sophia, an Orthodox coffee house and bookstore.
Kunstle transformed the building into a cozy café with a menu that features locally sourced ingredients and products, three shared kitchens and a large, serene gathering space on the second floor. The space also
features separate small dining areas.
A Dutch door on the first floor allows for street service.
“Caterers, food trucks, personal chef businesses and coffee groups can come in and just cook or collaborate with us” to develop and test their menus or host dining events, she says.
A recent collaboration with Filipino cuisine personal chef Katie Fisco, owner and operator of Baon Supper Club, led
to a full tasting and sold-out dinner for 25 people. Fisco now is expanding her business into other venues.
“That’s kind of what we hope will happen,” Kunstle says. “We don’t expect anybody to stay long term but to move on and do something different.”
Kunstle enrolled in the culinary program at Pikes Peak State College in 2019.
“I wanted to understand the basic journey of food entrepreneurs so I would know how to support them,” she says.
She spent two years looking for a place to set up shop and was about to give up when her real estate agent told her the Old Colorado City building had come on the market.
“I got a speeding ticket on the way over,” she says. “I felt instantly at home.”
The renovation included new high-efficiency HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems, an elevator and elegant lighting and furnishings, all designed to be ADA-accessible and sustainable and to minimize waste. Opening day was Dec. 27, 2023.
Plans include classes, mentorship and nutrition analysis, and developing more partnerships with farmers, beekeepers and other small businesses.
“This is who we are,” Kunstle says. “We are working hard to be a good community partner.”
Jeanne Davant is a senior writer for the SoCo Business Forum & Digest.
Pop Kitchen & Events
2902 W. Colorado Ave. Colorado Springs, CO 80904
Café: 8 AM - 3 PM, TuesdaySaturday
Education District 60 Receives $15 million Federal Grant To Promote STREAM Programming
BY TIFFANY UNDERWOOD
Pueblo District 60 has been awarded a $15 million federal Magnet Schools Assistance Program grant to enhance diversity through highquality science, technology, reading, engineering, arts and mathematics (STREAM) programming in several schools.
“One of the things we are hopeful about this program is providing additional opportunities for our students that will make them better prepared for college and careers in those fields,” says Ted Johnson,
assistant superintendent of Teaching and Learning. “I think that it is really exciting to bring something to the community they might not have had access to before.”
The funding for this program will support the implementation of the Magnet Programming, called “Project Heroes,” at Park View Elementary, Risley International Academy of Innovation and Centennial High School. The grant will provide resources such as equipment, personnel, instructional programming and professional development. These schools will serve as hubs for the STREAM programs, open to students
from District 60, charter schools and neighboring District 70. According to a press release, research indicates that STREAM programming fosters creativity, collaboration, critical thinking and real-world application of these skills.
Superintendent Charlotte Macaluso said in a press release, “We are pleased that we will be able to advance integration and equity through the establishment of three new Magnet Schools.”
An important part of this grant is the development of a new role specified for this project, director of Magnet School, to oversee
the implementation of the grant. Requirements of the job include a master’s degree in an educationrelated field, five years of successful school or district level instructional administrative experience and five years of successful classroom teaching experience. This position is taking applications and will remain posted until the role is filled.
District leadership will now collaborate with school leaders and the community to plan and implement the grant.
Tiffany Underwood is a staff writer for the SoCo Business Forum & Digest.
Founder and owner of Pop Kitchen & Events Amy Kunstle is a registered dietician who now helps others fulfill their culinary dreams.
Pueblo Riverwalk Seeks Community Investors for Expansion Project
BY TIFFANY UNDERWOOD
The Pueblo Riverwalk Enhancement Project’s Phase 4 is set to extend the existing water channel eastward towards Santa Fe Avenue, adding vital pedestrian links, parking and event spaces to Downtown Pueblo.
A key feature of this $10 million upgrade is the construction of a multilevel boathouse, which will serve as a public gathering space and provide restrooms, visitor information, boat ticket sales and refreshments. The expansion project is expected to begin this summer. New developments are intended to continue enhancing the downtown area, fostering a sense of community and providing a boost to the local economy.
“The Riverwalk has always been a project that we knew would have continuous development,” says Lynn Clark, executive director of the Riverwalk, in an interview with KOAA. “Development within a community strengthens ... strengthens the economic development within that.”
For more than 20 years, the Riverwalk has been a central hub for social and community activities in downtown Pueblo. The venue offers
a variety of events, including fitness classes, live entertainment and boat rides. Sponsored by Studio Share Yoga and Pueblo Water, Fitness on the Riverwalk is a free event open to all ages with a great view of Riverwalk Lake Elizabeth. Classes are offered Monday through Friday at 6 a.m., with different fitness options each day: Vinyasa Flow on Mondays and Fridays, HIIT Bootcamp on Wednesdays, and Zumba on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There are also less intense workout options for children and seniors. Visit puebloriverwalk.org for more details.
The Riverwalk collaborates with local businesses and entertainers to host events on Fridays and Saturdays in June and July, as part of the Free Summer Entertainment Series. These events, held at the Pueblo Toyota Flood Wall Stage, are free to the public and start at 7 p.m.
Additionally, the Riverwalk offers annual boating activities from May through September, including a narrated historical boat tour. Tickets need to be purchased online at harpauthority.ticketspice.com/ excursion-rental. Adult tickets are $10, children’s tickets are $8, and children under 3 ride for $1.
The Riverwalk’s strategic location
has helped in securing major civic investments and secured its role as a cornerstone of the area’s redevelopment. The next phase of development aims to build on this legacy, creating even more opportunities for community engagement and economic growth.
The Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo (HARP) Foundation has been instrumental in funding efforts, raising more than $32 million for continuous expansion and enhancement. The HARP Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has secured funding since 1995 to improve the Riverwalk’s infrastructure. To date, the HARP Foundation has raised nearly $480,000 towards their $750,000 goal for Boathouse upgrades, which include furniture, fixtures and equipment. HARP Foundation continues to accept private contributions, emphasizing that every donation helps.
In addition to the Boathouse and channel extension, the HARP Foundation has provided matching funds for the $1.6 million Veterans’ Bridge Project and amassed over $1 million in public art to enrich the visitor experience. Recently, the Foundation contributed to the development of Heritage Plaza and
Gateway Plaza, completed in 2020. These areas link the Riverwalk to the expanded Convention Center and PBR Sport Performance Center, which features ample seating, gathering spaces, the Goodnight-Loving Sculpture Trail and a Chuckwagon Play Area.
The HARP Foundation remains dedicated to securing the necessary funds to ensure the successful completion of the Riverwalk enhancements. The community’s involvement and support are crucial in making these developments a reality, ensuring that the Riverwalk remains a cherished landmark for generations to come.
“The Riverwalk gives our community an opportunity to beautify and revitalize the heart of downtown Pueblo and promote economic development opportunities,” reads the Riverwalk website. “It has proven to be a lively tourist attraction where residents and visitors can walk, shop and dine, and ride on the Riverwalk Boats ...This is Pueblo’s happy place and you can help make the next phase a reality!”
Tiffany Underwood is a staff writer for the SoCo Business Forum & Digest.
Advertiser Index / In Alphabetical Order
Thank you to each and every advertiser listed herein.
