So. Colorado Business Forum &amp; Digest || AUGUST || 2024

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!

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

SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER

Don Jones - Studio 9 Commercial Photography

Publisher’s Letter

The Ford Amphitheater comes online August 9, and with it a massive paradigm shift in the entertainment economy in southern Colorado. Led by community advocate, business leader and passionate music fan JW Roth, this world-class facility has already attracted some big names in music and comedy.

The outdoor venue, owned by VENU and operated by the Anschutz Entertainment Group, is nearing completion and will kick off with a three-night home stand with OneRepublic, led by three-time Grammy winner Ryan Tedder.

Like any major disruptive undertaking that presents a significant departure from the “norm” of a given region, the amphitheater project has faced and overcome a slew of challenges from zoning disputes to environmental impact on area neighborhoods, traffic/ parking concerns, supply chain issues, escalating materials costs and a budget that has bloomed to nearly $110 million.

Roth and his executive team have taken issues head on, each time emerging stronger. As the project’s phase one construction ends, what remains to be seen is the community’s engagement and support of the amphitheater and how VENU will navigate their way through the complex financing model, and out

from under the project’s significant cost.

Thanks to VENU Chairman and CEO Roth for his candid sit-down interview and tour through Ford Amphitheater’s funding apparatus and forecast for investors, as well as the economic impact the project will have for southern Colorado.

This edition is packed with features concerning AI law, Entegris’s local and state impact, mental health in the workplace, small business profiles and other popular segments found in each edition of The So. Colorado Business Forum & Digest.

Thanks for reading,

Dirk R. Hobbs, Founder & Executive Publisher Colorado Media

Group, Inc.

Springs is Olympic City USA. Est. 1871

Photo by Dirk R. Hobbs

Contents / July/August 2024

10 Teen Jobs Make a Comeback

Apprenticeships, vocational courses, part-time jobs are some of the routes teens are taking now to find their way into the working world. The teen labor force peaked in 1979 at 57.9%; by 2011, it was 34.1%. El Paso County reports for teen jobs are higher than average; find out why.

BY KERI KAHN

11 Build It, but Will They Come?

Wayne Heilman sat down with JW Roth to talk numbers, risks, financial equations and more. Read this in-depth interview on how VENU expects the Ford Amphitheatre to change the way Southern Colorado experiences entertainment in a more local fashion.

BY WAYNE HEILMAN

34 Dealing with Mental Health Crises in the Workplace

Employee Assistance Programs can help workers conquer a variety of health issues but not all of them address the whole employee. Well-being in the workplace is an effective business strategy, according to the CEO of Mental Health Colorado.

BY JEANNE DAVANT

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

14 Which Chamber is the Right Fit?

Businesses value connections through local networks, but selecting the right organization to partner with can be confusing. Read more about how to evaluate the options to find those that serve an organization’s goals and mission. BY PAM BALES

SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS

20 Leading Riflery Components Made

in COS

Associated with hunting and competitive shooting, Hawkins Precision started in 2012 and has 25 employees. Read about their success and year-0ver-year growth of at least 30% that shot them into the spotlight.

BY LUCY RICHARDSON

24 Bristol Brewing Company Marks 30-Year Anniversary

The Ivywild School tenant took on the big boys of Coors, Miller and more in 1994, when only a few craft breweries existed. Bristol Brewing is an independent family-owned company that maintains all operations, and distribution, only in Colorado.

PAM BALES

ENERGY

21 State of the Utility 2024

When Colorado Springs Utilities talked to the public in June about the organization’s plans for energy use, the primary message was: there are big things to come. This month they spell out some of those changes and how they will affect businesses.

BY COLORADO SPRINGS UTILITIES

HOUSING

23 Addressing the Attainable Housing Challenges

We found out who the real “laughing lab” was! P. 24

TECHNOLOGY

27 Entegris Looks to Play “Meaningful Role”

With a 130,000-square-foot manufacturing plant, local and state financial incentives and a $75 million federal grant, Entegris is on track to do its part toward building a “resilient domestic infrastructure in support of the semiconductor industry.”

BY WAYNE HEILMAN

33 State Addresses AI Discrimination

16 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

El Pomar Foundation held a forum in June, a new non-profit launched this year and state legislators passed a bill last session and argued another one this session…all of these were focused on the housing shortage facing the region and the nation. What elements impact the affordable and attainable housing markets? Read about them, in the experts’ own words.

BY KERI KAHN

Colorado became the first state to approve regulations to protect consumers from known or foreseeable risks of “algorithmic discrimination.” Not sure what that means? Read more here to learn who the legislation protects, and who it monitors.

BY JEANNE DAVANT

ECONOMIC FORUM

28 Look to Medians, not Averages

Median incomes are somewhat higher in Colorado Springs than in the U.S. overall. But comparing per capita personal income gives a less rosy view. Explore how to evaluate the data properly to see the full picture.

DR. BILL CRAIGHEAD

29 PikeRide: Building Community Through Bikes

Collaboration, partnerships and pedals are the integral components to keep this organization moving forward. In 2023, 350 sets of wheels covered 94,000 miles from Union to Manitou Springs, and more bikes are on the way.

BY KERI KAHN

CONSTRUCTION

32 Saunders Norwood Construction Builds Community

A partnership between a development company and a construction company has become an entity focused on smaller projects and shorter timelines in order to positively impact the community. The result is a second-to-none corporate culture that puts its people ahead of profit.

BY KERI KAHN

Updates From Around the Region

Statewide Quantum Brings More Money to Colorado

In early July, the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced that Elevate Quantum (EQ) was selected for approximately $41 million in funding by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) as part of its Phase 2 Tech Hub grant funding. EQ — a consortium of private and public sector organizations, academic institutions and nonprofits across Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming — was among the 31 tech hubs designated in October 2023.

El Paso County Resort-Style Hotel at U.S. Air Force Academy

Hotel Polaris at the U.S. Air Force Academy is set to open in November 2024, announced General Manager Curtis Bova during a preview event near the Academy’s North Gate. According to a press release, they have started receiving furniture for guest rooms, tightening up restaurant concepts, and now are focused on guest service programs. A precise opening date will be announced in late September or early October.

The 375-room hotel will offer a modern experience, with design and décor inspired by the surrounding Rocky Mountains and the Academy’s mid-century modern architecture. Situated near Pikes Peak, the hotel is part of the TrueNorth Commons development, which includes the new 32,000-square-foot Hosmer Visitor Center.

Quantum computing uses the principles of quantum theory to power calculations millions of times faster than the fastest computer today, and could revolutionize research and development in industries from healthcare to cybersecurity and national defense.

Governor Polis commented, “This decision shows that America is serious about being a global leader in quantum technology, the future of computing. Colorado is the center of the quantum technology ecosystem and we are thrilled that the Biden Administration is supporting our work to develop the best minds, research and innovation in the country. Our region has always played a critical role in advanced technology and we’re proud to be supporting these efforts through a state investment of $74 million that was conditional on this federal award and will now be activated. I want to thank Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper, and Congressman Neguse for their hard work in helping bring these funds to Colorado. This federal and state investment will accelerate our work and help ensure the future of computing is developed and built right here in Colorado.”

Governor Polis recently signed bipartisan legislation investing an additional $74 million in the quantum industry’s development, including $44 million in refundable tax credits to help fund a shared quantum research facility and $30 million for a loan-loss reserve to create greater access to capital for small and medium quantum companies in the state. Establishing Colorado as the global hub for quantum computing is projected to create more than $1 billion in economic impact statewide and initiatives made possible by the funding are expected to create over 10,000 jobs. Colorado hopes to grow from today’s thousands of quantum jobs to tens of thousands in less than five years, and is already home to the largest consortium of quantum organizations in the country.

The hotel will offer six different dining experiences that honor Academy traditions and alumni. Pamela’s, an upscale restaurant named after Academy graduate Jerry Bruni and his wife Pam, will serve a diverse American menu. The Aviator Rooftop Bar, named in honor of the class of 1964, will offer panoramic views and craft cocktails. The Thunderbird Bar will pay tribute to the Cadet Squadron-27 Thunderbirds and the class of 1987, featuring cocktail flights and handcrafted drinks. Doolies, a casual eatery named after freshman cadets, will serve diner classics and feature a patio and flight simulators. Backyard Bites will offer seasonal snacks by the pool, and a grab-and-go café will provide quick refreshments.

The hotel will also feature a full-service spa and wellness center with a balcony overlooking the Rockies, an outdoor pool and sun deck, and over 26,000 square feet of meeting and event space with stunning views. For more information, visit www.theHotelPolaris.com.

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

Colorado Springs Hispanic Chamber cshispanicchamber.com

Downtown Colorado Springs Partnership downtowncs.com

The Greater Pueblo Chamber pueblochamber.org

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 Holley Johnson at hjohnson@coloradomediagroup.com

Workforce

Teen Jobs Make a Comeback

BY KERI KAHN

Teen jobs seem to be making a comeback, as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports participation of 16- to 19-year-olds in the workforce reached 38.1% in May in the U.S. This is a 14-year high but the number is even higher in El Paso County, with the Pikes Peak Workforce Center (PPWFC) reporting a 49.5% participation rate amongst that same age group.

It was 1979 when teen labor force participation peaked at 57.9%. By 2000, it had fallen to 52% and declined swiftly with the Great Recession. By 2011, it was only 34.1%.

The decrease may have correlated with an increased emphasis on college, and an improved variety of post graduate options. These days though, with the burden of inflation, it makes sense for teens to supplement their parents’ earnings.

“The cost of living is so high that you have to complement a family somehow,” says Traci Marques, PPWFC executive director/CEO. “And this is one way for young adults to contribute to their own gas money or car insurance or whatever else they need.”

For 18-year-old Lily HawthorneHughes, working as a birthday coordinator at Chuck E. Cheese through her senior year at Palmer High School put her on track to save for her first car.

For Ryan Wilson, a 2024 graduate of The Vanguard School, his job processing returns for Amazon is helping him supplement the scholarships and financial aid he’ll receive as a freshman at the University of Denver this fall.

While both teens have specific financial goals, they both noted unexpected benefits to entering the workforce: meeting new people, as well as learning time management and work ethic.

“Getting that first job is really a confidence booster,” says Marques. “It is a way into adulting and it’s a great opportunity for them to explore. I think, even as adults, our jobs throughout the years not only taught us what we want to do, but almost

just as importantly taught us what we didn’t want to do.”

Vocational work a worthy career

Becca Tonn, PPWFC communications manager, notes an increase in funding for apprenticeships over the past five years – a possible contributing factor to the increase in teen workers, as many begin to earn earlier than their college-bound peers.

Pete Carlson completed three years of college before realizing a psychology degree wasn’t for him. He entered the sheet metal industry and is now the Training Coordinator at Colorado Springs Sheet Metal Apprenticeship Training Center for Local #9. Pete’s advice to teens is to find a job they enjoy.

“I don’t disagree with college but it’s not for everybody. If I had graduated with my psychology degree, I’d make the same amount I made working in the trades, so it’s not necessarily a pay increase,” he says.

Carlson’s group takes part in PPWFC’s Governor’s Summer Job Hunt which facilitates job fairs throughout El Paso and Teller counties for job seekers 16 and older. In addition to construction, young people might discover opportunities in retail, hospitality, home healthcare, and recreation.

Not a lifetime commitment

Education Alliance, PPWFC also facilitates internships for high school students, as well as career exploration tools.

“What we need to remember to tell our young people is you are not choosing your lifetime career,” says PPWFC’s Tonn. “This used to be the case, two generations ago, and that’s very overwhelming,” She says the message now is, “You just need something that interests you now and has a career pathway, and then you may do something else.”

Hanna is entering her sophomore year of high school and she became part of the teen job comeback trend this summer, having just completed a paid summer internship at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. She found the summer job through School District 11 and used it as an opportunity to test out her interest in

“What I learned from my job is how and managers, and I learned about the different positions they have. I learned a little bit of time management,” she says.” Even if Hanna switches course at some point and takes a non-culinary track, the takeaways from her first job will be valuable in any setting.

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

YOUNG PEOPLE CAN EXPLORE career paths and receive help finding a job with the many resources available on the Pikes Peak Workforce Center’s website: WWW.PPWFC.ORG

Lily Hawthorne-Hughes worked at Chuck E. Cheese throughout her senior year at Palmer High School. Now a graduate, she’ll continue to work there as she saves for a car before starting college in January.

Apprentice Ben Brooks and Instructor Jason Kite work with a group of students from Patriot High School to educate them about career opportunities in the sheet metal industry.

Blayne Hudson helps a student from Patriot High School learn about sheet metal.

Build It, But Will They Come? JW Roth Talks Metrics to his Business Model

BY WAYNE HEILMAN

JW Roth is gambling more than $1 billion that he can build a network of outdoor amphitheaters during the next few years that will attract thousands of music fans 50 times each summer to hear big-name musical and comedy artists.

The Colorado Springs entrepreneur believes upscale venues in locations without much competition will deliver consistent profits and cash flow to stockholders in his company, VENU Holding Corp. He’s banking on that same sort of return to investors in luxury “firepit” suites at the amphitheaters, and in real estate investment vehicles that own the land on which the entertainment complexes are built. The first location, the 8,000-seat Ford Amphitheater in Colorado Springs, opens Aug. 9.

“I’m taking a risk, but it is a calculated risk,” Roth says. “Some would say I risked it all, but my risk tolerance was all based on calculations. Those calculations were based on really strong analytics that told me I could do what I was trying to do. I would say we have won the gamble to date, but I’m not ready to spike the football yet. I will be ready to do that when the first five of these (amphitheaters) are open and profitable. We are about 24 months away from that.”

VENU has announced plans for six amphitheaters: in Colorado Springs; Murfreesboro, Tenn.; El Paso and McKinney, Texas, and Broken Arrow and Oklahoma City, Okla., and Roth says the company plans to announce four more by year’s end. The company must find new locations in Oklahoma City, after city officials rejected the company’s first site, and Tennessee, after determining that project wasn’t financially feasible.

“We pulled the plug (in Tennessee) because that amphitheater was the smallest at 4,500 seats and they wanted us also to build a Bourbon Brothers (restaurant) and a Boot Barn Hall (indoor concert venue). With the interest rates and construction costs,

JW Roth, founder, chairman and CEO of VENU.

it just didn’t make sense,” Roth says. “In Oklahoma City, the issue wasn’t noise as some said it was. It was a traffic problem. We will announce a new location there in four weeks (midAugust).”

Roth says construction of the Colorado Springs project will be complete by the end of July and he plans to host a free concert Aug. 6 by country star Phil Vassar for 6,000 people to thank construction workers and others who “helped” the project in some way. He says the event also will check and test the amphitheater’s audio-visual systems, food and beverage operations and security, among other operations and systems, to make sure all work properly.

The cost of the local amphitheater has escalated from the company’s original $60 million estimate to about $110 million due to three elements: rising costs of concrete and other construction materials; a related company buying the amphitheater site instead of leasing it from the developer of the Northgate area; and converting a planned $5 million sound wall on the east end of the project into

a $35 million event center, Roth says.

“When I realized I needed to build a sound wall, I thought one night lying in bed, that I should turn it into something that I could make money on,” Roth says. That center will house an upscale restaurant called Roth’s Seafood & Chophouse, a craft-cocktail bar called Brohan’s and a series of hospitality suites to host large events such as conferences, weddings, expos, trade shows, conventions and other special events.

Roth describes his ambitious construction plans for the next three locations:

• Construction began about a month ago on a 12,500-seat amphitheater in Broken Arrow, near Tulsa, and the company is spending about $1 million a week on the $110 million project with a planned opening by September 2025.

• The company plans to begin construction on a 20,000-seat, $300 million amphitheater in McKinney, a Dallas suburb, by Aug. 15 with a mid-2026 opening.

• Construction of a 12,500seat amphitheater in El Paso is expected to begin in September, with the $110 million project projected to open in early 2026.

Besides a new location in Oklahoma City, Roth also plans to announce amphitheaters in northern Colorado, South Carolina and another location in Texas by year’s end. Roth says the cost of the eight locations total nearly $1.3 billion.

The company says on its website it targets high-visibility locations in cities with a growing population, available financial incentives and little competition from similar venues. The website lists target markets in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky and Tennessee.

Roth is financing the amphitheaters from three major sources:

• Municipalities contribute between 35-40% of the cost through land, parking and other infrastructure improvements and tax incentives that can be used to secure financing. For example, the city of Broken Arrow, Okla., is contributing 30 acres for parking and infrastructure and has agreed to make $17.8 million in capital improvements for the project, which will be financed with bonds or notes issued by a city agency backed by sales, hotel and other taxes. Roth said this element of the plan is modeled after The Star in Frisco, the $1.5 billion, 91-acre complex north of Dallas that is the headquarters and practice facilities for the Dallas Cowboys, built with $115 million in public funding. VENU hired former Frisco Mayor Maher Maso, now a principal in a Dallas tax and government incentive consulting firm, to help the company secure incentive deals for its amphitheaters.

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“Our business model for the amphitheaters on publicprivate partnerships based on what (Cowboys owner) Jerry Jones did with football (in Frisco). I wanted to bring that to music by creating a model to make that work,” Roth says. The Ford Amphitheater has no public financing element since its site was owned by a developer and not a government agency. Roth also says he needed to establish a successful track record to show municipalities that his financial plans work.

• Firepit suites are upscale eight-seat suites at each amphitheater that VENU now sells for $500,000 each. That investment entitles owners to a portion of $5 from every ticket sold (a pool divided among firepit suite owners) and eight tickets to each concert. Sales of the suites also generate 35-40% of the cost of each amphitheater. VENU, then called Notes Live, generated $22.5 million from selling 92 such suites at the Ford Amphitheater for $250,000 each and plans to lease 40 more to investors for 99 years. Since the suites are sold as unregistered investments, suite owners must be accredited investors, meaning individuals must have an annual income of at least $200,000 ($300,000 for a couple) and a net worth of at least $1 million, not including a primary home. Roth says VENU’s firepit suite investors are divided among large companies, wealthy families and individuals and groups of doctors, lawyers, accountants and other professionals.

Roth says the company plans to buy a larger share of the suites in upcoming projects – buying $50 million in suites at its Tulsa amphitheater – because each firepit generates up to $1,200 per show in revenue from ticket sales, which would mean more cash flow for the company. He says “taking cash off [VENU’s] balance sheet and converting it to real estate” to produce cash flow “has been the strategy since day one.”

• An investment vehicle called Delaware Statutory Trusts, or owner’s clubs, that operate much like real estate investment trusts that buy the land on which each amphitheater is built and lease it to VENU. Funds from the land sales generate about 20% of the cost of each amphitheater. Roth says selling the underlying land to the trusts reduces how many suites the company must sell to finance each amphitheater, possibly as low as 10% of the suites at each location.

VENU sold all 92 firepit suites in 14 weeks for $22.5 million.

Arts & Entertainment

VENU also is selling naming rights to each amphitheater, and said in a registration statement filed in May with the Securities and Exchange Commission, that it is expected to generate up to $2 million a year for each location. Naming rights in Colorado Springs were sold in June to 40 Colorado Ford dealers in a 10-year deal. The company also plans to sell sponsorships to individual concerts that are expected to generate $250,000 per year for each location.

VENU also said in the registration statement that each amphitheater will host 50 shows a year which it estimates will generate $60 million in ticket sales. Though it has hired promoters AEG Worldwide to operate and sell tickets for the Ford Amphitheater and Live Nation Entertainment to operate and sell tickets for the amphitheater in Broken Arrow, no operators have yet been named for the McKinney or El Paso locations.

Company stock likely will start trading on the New York Stock Exchange in September after VENU completes a merger with Fresh Vine Wine, a financially troubled wine company in North Carolina that will

shut down after the deal is completed. The merger helps VENU attract more investors, allows existing shareholders to cash out and helps attract additional capital; however, Roth says no more offerings are planned after the company sold $30 million in a January private offering.

Roth has a big stake in this $1 billion-plus gamble – he will own 11.6 million shares, or 31.4% of the company’s stock making him VENU’s biggest shareholder, once the merger is completed; and he has personally guaranteed nearly $20 million in bank loans and other debt on behalf of the company.

Roth says his financial strategy for the amphitheaters has three significant risks:

• Could VENU sell firepit suites? If not, Roth says the rest of the strategy would have collapsed. The company sold all 92 suites at Ford Amphitheater in 14 weeks for $22.5 million. Suite sales are underway in Broken Arrow, Okla., and McKinney, Texas.

• Could they find promoters to operate the amphitheaters?

The company has already

signed agreements with both AEG Worldwide and Live Nation Entertainment. Roth says promoters were eager to work with VENU since few new concert venues have been built or planned in recent years.

• Could VENU convince municipalities to form publicprivate partnerships to help finance construction of the amphitheaters? The company already has amphitheater deals with Broken Arrow, Okla., and McKinney and El Paso, Texas.

There are three other factors that Roth lies in bed worrying about at night:

• The company estimated construction costs while developing its financial plans, but the costs of concrete and other materials have surged during construction and those increases don’t show signs of slowing.

• Concert ticket buyers have been plentiful in today’s economy, but Roth says amphitheater projects become riskier if consumers are forced to choose between buying groceries or

concert tickets.

• While weather isn’t a factor for the company’s other amphitheaters, which will be built with covered seating, the Colorado Springs location seating is not covered so concert attendees can see the mountain backdrop, Roth says. The local amphitheater is designed to drain and dry moisture quickly, but VENU estimates it could lose 3-5% of its concert dates to hailstorms or heavy rainstorms.

Wayne Heilman is a senior writer for the SoCo Business Forum & Digest.

In a 10-year contract, 40 Colorado Ford dealers purchased naming rights for the Colorado Springs venue (rendition shown here).

Business Support

Which Chamber is the Right Fit?

BY PAM BALES

A“chamber of commerce” is one of those older terms heard more frequently a few decades ago (or more). The concept has been around for a very long time — the first chamber of commerce was founded in 1599 in Marseille, France, as the “Chambre de Commerce.” In the U.S., the first chamber of commerce was in New York in 1768, and in 1912 the U.S. Chamber was officially founded in Washington D.C. by President William Howard Taft, in an effort to

counterbalance the labor movement of the time.

Today’s chambers of commerce stick to the basic premise of supporting and advocating for local businesses and fostering a healthy economic environment with a community but offer a larger variety of services than their early predecessors. Chambers range from small town main street to large city, focusing on everything from economic development to identity-based businesses (women, Hispanic, and more). They all offer a variety of valuable services, such

Southern Colorado Chambers

Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce castlepineschamber.com info@castlepineschamber.com

President: Whitney Shank

Canon City Chamber of Commerce royalgorgechamberalliance.org membership@royalgorgechamberalliance.org

President: Rich Millard

Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce castlerock.org info@castlerock.org

President: Stacy Garmon

Colorado Springs Black Chamber of Commerce cosblackchamber.com info@cosblackchamber.com

President: Kimberly Gold

Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC coloradospringschamberedc.com info@cscedc.com

President: Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer

Colorado Springs Hispanic Business Council cshispanicchamber.com info@cshispanicchamber.com

President: Joe Aldaz

Cripple Creek Chamber of Commerce cripplecreekchamber.com

President: Eric Rose

Divide Chamber of Commerce dividechamber.org chamber@dividechamber.org

President: Peter Hintze

as networking events, business education workshops and marketing opportunities. Additionally, they often provide resources for business development and act as a liaison between businesses and government entities. They can provide credibility and community involvement for your company.

Joining the right chamber (or chambers) for your business is key to seeing results but also relies on many factors. Your company’s culture/product/service may dictate membership in one or several chambers. Research the Southern

Elizabeth Area Chamber of Commerce elizabethchamber.org mary@elizabethchamber.org

President: Mary Martin

Florence Chamber of Commerce finditinflorence.com fcocofficemanager@gmail.com

President: Joen Elliott

Fountain Valley Chamber of Commerce fountainvalleychamber.com fountainvalleychamberinfo@gmail.com

President: Jennifer Gates

Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce pueblochamber.org info@pueblochamber.net

President: Duane Nava

Greater Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce woodlandparkchamber.com info@gwpcc.biz

President: Debbie Miller

Huerfano County Chamber of Commerce huerfanochamber.org brad.reitmair.hcebd@gmail.com

President: Nancy Lave

Latino Chamber of Commerce of Pueblo business.pueblolatinochamber.com office@pueblolatinochamber.com

President: Noah Commerford

Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce manitousprings.org

President: Leslie Lewis

Colorado chambers (list below) to see what works with your company goals. Make sure to attend a few events to see if the group is a good fit for your organization.

If you’re not sure which local chamber might work for you, attend a joint event hosted by several chambers. It’s a great way to meet new people, connect with possible partners and decide which chamber to join.

Penrose Chamber of Commerce penrosechamber.org penrosechamber@gmail.com

President: Bill McGuire

Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Southern Colorado paccsoco.org

President: Harmony Cabie-Quinto

Pueblo West Chamber of Commerce pwchamber.com news@pwchamber.com

President: Samantha Hardcastle

Royal Gorge Chamber Alliance royalgorgechamberalliance.org membership@royalgorgechamberalliance.org

President: Rich Millard

Salida Chamber of Commerce, Heart of the Rockies salidachamber.org info@salidachamber.org

President: Kirk Bremer

Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce chamber.scwcc.com info@scwcc.com

President: Lola Woloch

Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce, EDC & Visitors Center trilakeschamber.com terri@trilakeschamber.com

President: Terri Hayes

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

Inspirational IQ

I’d rather regret the risk that didn’t work out than the chances I didn’t take at all.

—

Simone Biles

Olympic champion, gymnastics

I think, team first. It allows me to succeed, it allows my team to succeed.

— LeBron James Olympic champion, basketball

I’m so proud to represent [my communities] because I hope they watch, see themselves where we are, and find some hope, find some passion, fine some energy from our team.

— Ashleigh Johnson Olympic champion, water polo

It takes a lot of people. I would not swim if it was just me. If I didn’t have any teammates, I couldn’t stay in a pool for two hours, twice a day, nine times a week. I can’t do that. And I’m fine with admitting that. I couldn’t do this by myself.

— Caeleb Dressel Olympic champion, swimming

Professionals on the Rise

Celebrating Achievement of So. Colorado’s Workforce!

The National Cybersecurity Center (NCC) announced the appointment of Aleta Jeffress as the new CEO, effective June 1. Jeffress 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. Jeffress is recognized for her transformative leadership in both public and private sectors. Her career highlights include serving as the senior vice president at CGI, where she managed commercial and public sector accounts across six states.

care experience to Penrose Hospital. She is well versed in the complex and competitive forces in this market and has made relationship building with employees and providers a key pillar of her leadership.

In addition to her role as interim CEO, Olson has also served as Market Chief Operating Officer for Penrose and St. Francis and previously served as CEO of St. Thomas More Hospital in Canon City.

the League of American Orchestras and Juilliard Extension.

Pope is part of an international roster of 36 arts and orchestra professionals chosen to attend the program, which runs from July 24-Aug. 2 at Juilliard’s campus at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City.

InBank announced that Rebecca Diaz, vice president and commercial banker at InBank, Pueblo, has been selected as one of the honorees in Independent Banker magazine’s sixth annual 40 Under 40: Emerging Community Bank Leaders. This prestigious national award recognizes rising stars who have significantly contributed to their communities and the community banking industry through innovation, leadership, and dedicated service.

CommonSpirit Health

Gina Temple, PhD, RN, FACHE, became CEO of St. Francis Hospital, effective June 30. She is a board-certified hospital administrator with more than 30 years of experience. Temple has built a reputation for increasing market dominance by revitalizing facilities and upholding exceptional patient standards.

Temple previously served as chief executive officer of HCA Florida Bayonet Point Hospital in Tampa, Florida. While there, she expanded and improved numerous hospital services.

announced Mike Cafasso will serve as CEO for St. Mary-Corwin Hospital in Pueblo and St. Thomas More Hospital in Canon City, effective June 23, 2024. Cafasso has served the organization in Southern Colorado since 2011, when he was named CEO for St. Mary-Corwin in February, 2018. He served as the interim CEO for St. Thomas More since July 2023.

Prior to joining CommonSpirit Health, Cafasso served as the Colorado President for American Bank of Commerce, a role that gave him a hyper-focused dedication to customer service and creating exceptional experiences for both employees and patients.

CommonSpirit Health also announced CEOs for two Colorado Springs hospitals. Kristi Olson became CEO for Penrose Hospital, effective June 16. Olson, who has served as the interim CEO since October 2023, brings more than 20 years of health

The Broadmoor, a AAA five-diamond resort, has announced the appointment of Janell Davies as its new director of Insurance and Incentive Sales. With over 25 years experience in the hospitality industry, Davies will further enhance The Broadmoor’s sales team’s commitment to excellence and innovation.

Prior to her position at The Broadmoor, Davies worked with leading luxury resorts such as RitzCarlton Resorts of Naples where she held the title of senior market sales executive. She was also the director of National Accounts for Fontainebleau Miami Beach for over 15 years.

Jacob Pope, executive director of the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs, was selected to participate in Essentials of Orchestra Management a prestigious, 10-day leadership development program of

VisitCOS announced two updates to their board of directors. Vice Chair Gus Krimm was appointed to Board Chair. Krimm, who is general manager at the Mining Exchange Hotel, is currently in his third year serving on their board.

VisitCOS also announced Jen Furda, director of Partnerships, Governmental Affairs & Military Liaison at UCCS, as an official board member. Jen has been filling in on the Board for Kristina Coggins of UCCS. Kristina was a devoted board member since 2021 and recently passed away after a long battle with a terminal illness.

Colorado Springs Sports Corp announced the addition of three new staff members: Shelbi Lowery as director of Community Sports; Lydia Golden as volunteer and administrative coordinator; and Evan Owen as event coordinator.

Aleta Jeffress

Kristi Olson

Gus Krimm

Jen Furda

Lydia Golden Evan Owen

Shelbi Lowery

Gina Temple

Janell Davies

Jacob Pope

Rebecca Diaz

Mike Cafasso

The Colorado Springs Hispanic Chamber announced their board director Julissa Soto was listed in the 2024 Hispanic Executive’s Leading Latinas issue to spotlight the country’s most relentless champions. The issue is dedicated to highlighting Latinas who have achieved extraordinary success and paved the way for future generations. After navigating the U.S. healthcare system as an immigrant, Soto resolved to improve healthcare access for Latino immigrants.

The Hispanic Chamber also announced that board director Linda UrrutiaVarhall, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) USAF, has been recognized by 50 Women to Watch for Boards, 2024 edition. From nearly 1,000 applicants, the finalists were hand-selected by a committee comprised of independent corporate board directors, chairs of boards, and Stock Exchange leaders. The finalists excel in leadership and innovation and exemplify a commitment to excellence.

Integrity Bank welcomes Jackie Gonzales. Jackie is an award-winning business banker in Colorado Springs specializing in SBA loans. Her passion for local entrepreneurial growth drives her to build meaningful relationships with business owners by guiding financial planning and achieving their objectives.

Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Lola Woloch was named one of the Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Colorado by the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce. This prestigious recognition celebrates her exemplary leadership, community involvement and unwavering dedication to advancing women in business.

Professionals on the Rise is The Digest’s newest feature to highlight those people in Southern Colorado who are doing big things. Promotions, new hires and outstanding accomplishments should be recognized. Do that here for the standouts in your organization. Shout it from the rooftops (or at least the laptops).

Email newsdesk@coloradomediagroup.com with details (up to 40 words) and a photo of the esteemed.

Julissa Soto

Linda UrrutiaVarhall, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) USAF

Jackie Gonzales

Lola Woloch

Get More News You Should Know

Colorado Media Group’s Business Digest Weekly Radio & Podcast is quickly becoming a must-listen for area business, industry, civic and community leaders.

Here is just a sampling of the large and small business leaders who are

Robert Thompson, CEO of Underline Infrastructure: Building a sustainable internet infrastructure in addition to providing digital equity in underserved areas of the community.

Yemi Mobolade, Mayor of Colorado Springs: Addressing the challenges facing the community and the public safety and infrastructure matters focused on by the mayor’s office.

Steve Eisenhart, senior vice president, Strategic & International Affairs, Space Foundation: The economic impact of the annual Space Symposium which attracts international space domain experts from 40 countries.

Jessica Kimber, City of Colorado Springs, economic development chief: Underscores the region’s

shaping our industry ecosystem in southeast Colorado. Join host, Dirk Hobbs, every week to hear the latest and greatest in the region, Fridays at 3PM on AM1460/101.1FM, or on Spotify and iHeart podcasts. Please search: “Business Digest Radio.”

economic performance with specific industry clusters, aerospace, defense, cybersecurity and advanced manufacturing, as well as how the city is working to support small business owners via a Business Navigator program.

Lonnie Cramer, CEO UCHealth, Southern Colorado: Economic impact of Colorado’s largest health system in an environment of everdeclining reimbursement and increasing demands on medical technology, providers and patients

Mark Stafford, president & CEO at Delta Solutions: Providing the frontline U.S. Warfighter with value assets and solutions during the mission cycle.

Bill Craighead, PhD, director of UCCS Economic Forum: quarterly reports on economic indicators and performance of the southeast Colorado region.

Lyle Small, innovator in cancer research at Lahjavida: Commercial product packaging engineer turned cancer researcher, Lyle’s consortium has had early indications of effective chemotherapy placement that focuses on cancer cells only.

Other guest have included: Susan Smith, executive director at Christian P. Anschutz Foundation; Gretchen Bliss, director of Cybersecurity Programs at UCCS; Brandon Eldridge, executive director at Small Business Development Center; Dawn Dawson, chief marketing officer at Mortgage Solutions; James Anderson, small business owner; Aigta Marcoulier, Region VIII administrator for U.S. Small Business Administration; SherryLynn Boyles, Joint Initiatives; Linda Weise, president/CEO of Opus Creative Industries; Vance Brown, software pioneer/founder of Exponential.

Dirk R. Hobbs

Media Entreprenuer, Founder, Colorado Media Group, Inc.

Expert Column: Marketing

Treat Media Partners as Real Partners for Success

BY DAWN DAWSON

Fragmentation, higher costs of garnering a customer’s attention and getting your message to them while it is relevant, is the biggest marketing challenge businesses face in 2024. Utilize your existing connections to boost your business, and start with your media partners. Here’s why:

1. Gain a Competitive Edge

Your media rep is a wealth of knowledge on the latest technologies, trends and strategies effective on their platforms. Stay ahead of and be an early adopter of trends to stay relevant and in front of your customer. Rely on your rep’s expertise in this area.

2. Stronger Relationships, Better Outcomes

Build a rapport with a rep who understands your business goals and brand to improve your business results. A good rep is responsive, engaged with your brand and connects you with your target audience on their platform. Pay your media partners net 15, plan a year out and work the plan with your representative.

3. Invaluable Creative Input

Before you generate your creative, find out what has been working in the markets you are looking at. Be responsive and test your creative often. Prepare to battle creative fatigue. Your rep can provide examples and templates that will help you generate the business you are looking for.

4. Embrace Full-Funnel Strategies

Adopt a full-funnel strategy to maximize your ROI by attracting more qualified leads. Your media partner can provide valuable guidance on budget allocation across different stages of the funnel as well.

5. Respect the Platform

Each platform is unique and should be treated that way. It is impossible to be an expert on every single platform. When Facebook first started, it was a platform to get directly in front of the consumer (DTC). TikTok is about the rise of the influencer. In the beginning, our company advertised on TikTok using Facebook creative

as ads. It failed. We learned that TikTok favored a different style of short form video. Media partners are critical to your success because they are experts in their respective platforms.

Personally, our business wouldn’t be where it is without the right reps. Building a genuine, two-way relationship goes beyond just business transactions

— it fosters a sense of accountability and collaboration.

Dawn Dawson is the Chief Marketing Officer for Mortgage Solutions Financial.

Small Business Spotlight

Leading Riflery Components Made in COS

BY LUCY RICHARDSON

Hawkins Precision has become a famed name in the world of competitive shooting and hunting. From its founding in 2012, the company has become a leading brand for bottom metals, scope rings, muzzle brakes and other components that boost the precision and efficacy of high-end rifles.

The Colorado Springs-based manufacturer specializes in rifle component development, partnering with several other Colorado- and U.S.based companies for their production materials. The Pikes Peak region provides a substantial consumer base for the organization thanks to the local competitive shooting and hunting industry. According to Nick Depperschmidt, sales and business development manager for Hawkins Precision, 80-90% of output goes to the hunting market, and most products are developed and tested in the competitive shooting sphere.

The organization is small, with roughly 25 full-time employees, most of whom operate the computer numerical control (CNC) machines that run day and night to match consumer demand.

Their products are designed to complement high-end rifles and maximize shooting performance. Their hunting and tactical scope rings secure optics to a firearm, aiding in optimal aim and performance. Muzzle brakes, or recoil compensators, counteract rifle recoil and redirect propellant gasses after firing. Bottom metals secure a rifle’s receiver to the stock, providing security and stability in each shot. These are the main components developed by Hawkins Precision, but production also includes magazines, bedding blocks and thread protectors.

Local partnerships are critical to this production. Pikes Peak metal finishers ensure each component is released with the right luster, and even the screws used in their components come from the region. New product developments are tested by local competitive shooters who

receive sponsorships from Hawkins Precision, as well.

The company has consistently expanded since its founding. Depperschmidt recalls that, in his five years with Hawkins, sales have jumped from roughly $1.5 million to the current figure of about $5 million, with a year-over-year growth of 30-40%. In 2022, production shifted to a larger facility with several new CNC machines added to keep up with increasing consumer demand. Brand exposure continues to grow steadily, and experienced a boom in 2020 due to the increased demand for outdoor recreation amidst the pandemic.

“Now that we have the space, we’ve grown in that capacity to have more machines and more employees,” says Depperschmidt. “In that regard, we have room to grow still in our current facility.”

Hawkins Precision outperforms most industry competitors, especially in the Rocky Mountain region, and has supplied the past five precision shooting champions with their winning scope rings. Bottom metals are the core of their distribution, and they remain one of the largest developers for this component despite competitors’ push for market sharing. Their most notable competitors are Badger Ordinance, Pacific Tool and Gauge and MDT.

A meticulous eye for design and efficacy keeps Hawkins Precision at the top of the game. Co-founder Andy Hawkins, a Colorado Springs native and lifelong competitive shooter, leverages his expertise with these components to ensure that

the products both act and look like they belong on a high-end custom rifle. Hawkins focuses mainly on research and development for their components, while his partner and co-founder, Chris Lissy, captains the business side of the operation.

While top-of-the-line product development is a huge factor in this company’s growth, customer service and responsiveness is also driving the team’s success. The marketing and sales team is limited to a mere two employees, but they promise knowledgeable and swift responses to any inquiries from consumers and partners.

“The gun industry, in general, is pretty poor on the customer service side, I would say,” notes Depperschmidt. “We’re going to make sure that someone answers the phone when you call, that someone answers your email within a day.”

All of these factors have enabled Hawkins Precision to grow from a minor organization to one with a global consumer base spanning the

U.S., Canada, England, South Africa and Australia. They plan to continue expanding their product line to include components matching their consumers’ needs.

“I’ve been impressed at how much the company has grown since it started,” reflects Depperschmidt. “It’s completely a success story.”

Lucy Richardson is a staff writer for the SoCo Business Forum & Digest.

LEARN MORE about Hawkins Precision and their diverse product line at WWW.HAWKINSPRECISION.COM

Hawkins Precision’s logo engraved on their hunter magazine.

It’s All About the Peak Energy

BY COLORADO SPRINGS UTILITIES

The way Colorado Springs Utilities generates and delivers power to its customers is changing, largely dictated by environmental regulations, technological advancements, customer preferences and greater access to renewable resources.

The path ahead is one Springs Utilities can navigate, but not without help from its business customers. It’s important they both work together to best manage longterm rates and maintain service reliability, especially during times of high demand. Reducing energy use during peak demand – typically between the times of 5 and 9 p.m. – will help manage future utility costs, ensure service reliability, improve air quality and allow for more efficient management of finite energy resources.

Reduce Your Utility Bill

Using power when demands are lower can save customers money in two primary ways. It reduces stress on the electric grid, power plants, substations, transmission lines and related equipment, decreasing ongoing maintenance costs and the need to expand resources in the future. The cost to obtain and produce energy during off-peak times is much lower, as supply is more plentiful and demand across the energy markets decreases.

Ensure Service Reliability

Electric infrastructure is being pushed harder than ever before during periods of high demand. When the wear and tear on the electric grid is reduced, the risk for service

outages and costly repairs follows suit. Additionally, managing energy use during peak time periods reduces carbon emissions from both power plants and natural gasbased appliances in homes and businesses.

Tools to Navigate the Peak

Ultimately, customers are in control of how and when they use electricity, but Springs Utilities has many programs and incentives to help businesses better manage energy and lower utility costs. From custom energy rebates, to promoting high-efficiency cooling equipment, Springs Utilities places a major emphasis on using energy wisely.

An example of this is Springs Utilities’ mid-stream wholesale program where they incentivize local cooling equipment distributors to stock energyefficient options. As a result, local business customers then have immediate access to this high-performance equipment, saving the business money on their utility bill in the longterm, lowering the overall strain on the electric grid while simultaneously incentivizing the local distributors: a win-win-win.

Studies show that without the incentives for local distributors, less-efficient options enter the market, so Springs Utilities places a large emphasis on ensuring that their customers have easy access to high performance equipment.

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.

Addressing the Attainable Housing Challenges in the Pikes Peak Region Housing

BY KERI KAHN

Colorado Springs was ranked #3 on the Best Place to Live in the country by U.S. News and World Report in its 20242025 rankings, but #35 in the same publication’s housing affordability index.

The shortage of attainable housing is evidenced in the 2022 US Census Bureau’s Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) which states that in El Paso and Teller counties, 37% of households are cost-burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing.

Katie Sunderlin, acting housing director for the City of Colorado Springs, says homeowner housing costs include “mortgage principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and utilities and any type of association fees. That becomes a lot of money, and what this is doing for our households is that there is less money for retirement, medical costs, healthy food, etc.”

For perspective, the cost of a $450,000 home on a 30-year loan with 5% down would be $2,844 a month at a 7% interest rate, as opposed to the $2,041 per month it cost when interest rates were 4%. For a family of four earning the 2022 median household income of $96,100, a mortgage payment of $2,844 equates to about 35% of their monthly income.

“Incomes in our region are staying pretty level but housing costs are increasing,” says Sunderlin.

Removing barriers for attainable housing development is part of Mayor Yemi Mobolade’s strategic plan for COS. It’s something Sunderlin and her team work to solve but the cost of construction has increased, like everything else, and regulatory oversight at the state level also drives development costs up. These price increases are passed on to renters and buyers.

Addressing the Challenge

Attainable housing is defined as housing that is affordable to households earning the area median income (AMI) or above. In June, El

Pomar Foundation held a Forum on Attainable Housing with four panelists who addressed the community on how we came to be in this position and what is being done about it.

Sunderlin was one of the panelists, along with Pikes Peak Housing Network (PPHN) Executive Director Jill Gaebler. Gaebler says for residents to live in homes they can afford, we should build 6,000-8,000 homes each year, but in 2023 we only built 2,665 single family permits.

“We really just aren’t keeping up. That was the fewest homes built since 2014. Because of interest rates, and because people aren’t buying houses now, we’re not building. So far in 2024, it is looking better. We’ve already built over 1500 homes here in the Pikes Peak region.”

Creating More Options

Many see the apartments going up downtown and believe Colorado Springs is overbuilding, but the city needs more variety in housing to meet needs. For example, a new apartment building makes space for a senior homeowner looking to downsize. When that homeowner puts their house on the market, it opens space for a young family to buy their first home. In addition to attainable housing, it’s important to create market rate housing.

“A city should be developed in a way that accommodates all of its citizens,” Gaebler tells the Digest. “That whole continuum is important as people gain income or lose income, trying to move fluidly between the types of housing they need.”

Another example would be condominiums, if that style of housing were popular here. Gaebler says, in Colorado, it is very easy to file class action lawsuits against developers of condos when there is a construction defect. That’s why builders no longer construct them.

“So, over the past couple years there have been several attempts to modify our current state statutes around this code to allow the

developers ‘a right to repair’ to work directly with the homeowner before they create some sort of class action lawsuit.”

Senate Bill 106 is the bill she’s referring to. The bill did not pass, but Gaebler hopes to see it come back in the next legislative session as condos can be ideal for the first-time homebuyer.

“For young people to have that first option of home ownership is really important. It’s also really important for our seniors who want to downsize. This is a huge issue for our community to build more condos because we’re not building them now.”

Policy Changes to Move us Forward

House Bill 1125 – which would have provided a tax credit to convert commercial properties to residential properties – came forward during the last legislative session.

“It did not move forward,” Gaebler says. “But it’s encouraging that our legislature is seeing this as one tool to solving the housing crisis and I anticipate it will come back in this next legislative session. That would encourage more developers to take on this issue.”

House Bill 1107 did pass this year. Gaebler says when a land use decision is approved by city council, any neighborhood resident can appeal the decision to a statewide entity. With 1107, residents can still appeal the

decision but, if they lose, they pay the cost of the city’s legal department. It limits the frivolous lawsuits which have “caused significant delays for our multifamily developers.”

As a result of the RetoolCOS project, its City Council approved the Unified Development Code (UDC) in February of 2023. The Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance was revised and includes changes to how property owners can use their land.

“We had a huge overhaul to the land use code recently,” says Sunderlin. “One of the wins that came out of that was the inclusion of the residential flex zone districts. What these districts do is provide an option for a mix of housing types. So instead of just having an R1 area, you’re able to mix together attached and detached units, three-story brownstones, duplexes, apartment units. This is increasing the density in areas [where] we’ve seen lesser density.”

Sunderlin expects to see a trickle effect in the next couple of years as developers take advantage of these changes.

Continued changes at the legislative level could create positive impact; and residents can make a difference by educating themselves about the different parts of the housing equation and then electing lawmakers who understand the challenges faced by developers.

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

COS WE CARE.

Small Business Spotlight Bristol Brewing Company Marks 30 Year Anniversary

BY PAM BALES

Colorado Springs’ oldest and largest packaging brewery marks its 30th Anniversary this year, and hosted a crowded community celebration on June 15th at their brewery in Ivywild School.

Local brewery Bristol Brewing Co. began operations in an industrial complex off Garden of the Gods Road. Started by Mike and Amanda Bristol on June 10, 1994, it was one of a handful of small Colorado craft breweries in a landscape dominated by giants like Coors, Miller, and AnheuserBusch. At that time, the couple’s original two offerings, Laughing Lab Scottish Ale and Red Rocket Pale Ale, were available only on draft in a couple of restaurants downtown and in growlers to go from their brewery.

“It wasn’t always easy, convincing bar managers we weren’t brewing it in our basement, and explaining to customers that the bitter flavor they were tasting was supposed to be in there, it was hops,” says Mike Bristol. “But we loved what we were doing and people were pretty receptive.”

So why did Mike, a former mechanical engineer and Amanda, an advertising creative and writer, decide to brew beer?

“We loved craft beer and

wanted to share it with other people,” says Amanda, whose official title is Keeper of the Brand. “Craft beer was such a fledgling industry when we started. Most Colorado Springs beer drinkers had really only been exposed to either mass produced lagers, or a few European beer styles if they had traveled or been stationed in Europe,” explains Mike.

Through the years, Bristol Brewing has been known for the high quality and consistency of their beers, including Laughing Lab, which is the only beer in Colorado with 11 medals from the Great American Beer Festival. Bristol is a leader in giving back to the community through beer donations, including their original concept of supporting local nonprofits with a per pint donation each week, and their Benefit Beers.

“We’re proud to be a part of Colorado Springs and we’re endlessly grateful to the beer drinkers of our town and all of the staff we’ve worked with over the years who’ve helped us build our brewery,” says Amanda.

Unlike many other Colorado breweries who began distributing their craft beers regionally and even nationally, the couple believe strongly in the concept of the local brewery.

“We’re the local brewery that

Bristol Brewing founders Amanda and Mike Bristol with the real “laughing lab.”

(Real name was Camden!)

Small Business Spotlight

naturally cares about and gives back to the town where we live. That makes sense to us,” explains Mike. “It’s also easier for us to manage quality here, and not in a warehouse in another state. And it’s more environmentally sustainable.”

“We really feel a responsibility to our employees, our customers and our community. It’s something we take very seriously. We don’t always get it right, but we keep trying,” notes Amanda. “Having the opportunity to make a difference in our community and in our employees’ lives is the best part of creating our

company. And of course there’s the free beer.”

Bristol Brewing is an independent, family-owned brewery in Colorado Springs. Their award-winning beers are available only in Colorado on draft and in six packs, as well as at their pub and brewery inside Ivywild School.

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

Entegris Looks to Play “Meaningful Role” Advanced Manufacturing

BY WAYNE HEILMAN

On July 18, Entegris celebrated receiving a $75 million preliminary award from the U.S. Commerce Department last month for construction of a new manufacturing plant in northwest Colorado Springs with federal, state and local officials.

Speakers at the construction site of the 130,000-square-foot plant, which will open next year, said the facility will play a key role in strengthening the semiconductor industry’s supply chain by bringing manufacturing of critical components and materials back to the U.S. More than 60% of all semiconductors and 90% of the most advanced chips are produced in Taiwan, which China claims as part of its territory and has threatened to invade.

Arati Prabhakar, director of the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy, says the semiconductor industry had become “dangerously concentrated in one part

Entegris’s new manufacturing facility will be built in phases, with the first phase slated to open in early 2025.

of the world, and that has enormous consequences and implications. It is important for our economy, supply chain and jobs and it is important to national security because we have a real critical vulnerability” with so much chip manufacturing located in Taiwan.

Entegris signed a preliminary agreement with the department last month that is subject to negotiating a final contract for the award under the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) and Science Act. The company also received nearly $115 million in local and state financial incentives for the project. The company plans to hire nearly 600 employees for the plant over the next several years, and the project is expected to create another 1,741 jobs in the local economy, according to the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC.

Colorado Springs joins Albuquerque, N.M.; Portland, Oregon, and Austin, Texas, as the only metropolitan areas with multiple CHIPS Act awards. Microchip

Technology signed a preliminary agreement in January for a $90 million award to expand its Colorado Springs plant. The department has signed similar agreements for $55.1 billion in grants and loans to 13 companies for 23 projects in 14 states.

Entegris CEO Bertrand Loy says the award, the first made to a chip industry supplier, “is not just about increase manufacturing capacity in the U.S., but it is about building a resilient, domestic infrastructure in support of the semiconductor industry. Semiconductor fabs require a reliable and uninterrupted supply of critical materials and process solutions. This funding is a critical cornerstone of making this vision a reality.”

The plant will produce silicon wafer handling products called frontopening unified pods that are now manufactured outside the U.S. and liquid filtration products, both used in semiconductor manufacturing. A planned second phase of the plant would add manufacturing space for

advanced liquid filters, purifiers and fluid handling systems. The site of the plant could accommodate up to 700,000 square feet of manufacturing space and up to 1,000 employees.

The award “will enable Entegris, Colorado Springs and the state to play a meaningful role in expanding the U.S. semiconductor industry,” says Bill Shaner, president and general manager of the company’s advanced materials handling operation in Colorado Springs. The $75 million will “not only support the growth of the semiconductor industry in the U.S., but further establish Colorado as a major technology hub for advanced semiconductor manufacturing nationwide.”

Wayne Heilman is a senior writer for the SoCo Business Forum & Digest.

Economic Forum

To See How We’re Doing, Look to Medians, not Averages

BY DR. BILL CRAIGHEAD

Comparing wages and incomes across cities requires some caution. Concentration of income and wages at the top of the distribution means averages can be misleading.

The federal government designates metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) as urban areas with more than 50,000 people. There are 384 in the United States, excluding Puerto Rico. Seven of them are in Colorado – the Colorado Springs MSA includes all of El Paso and Teller Counties, and the Pueblo MSA is Pueblo County.

According to the Census Bureau, median household income in Colorado Springs is $81,912, ranking 64th out of the 384 MSAs. For the census, a “household” is any person or group of people in a housing unit, so this includes people living alone and unrelated people sharing an apartment or house. A “family” is more than one related person living together. Since families always have multiple people by this definition, it is not surprising that family income is higher than household income.

Median incomes – either by household or family – are somewhat higher in Colorado Springs than in the U.S. overall.

However, per capita personal income is less flattering – although Colorado Springs ranks in the top third of MSAs, by this measure, incomes here are lower than the U.S. overall. Understanding this requires recalling some definitions from statistics class – a median is the observation in the middle (i.e., an equal number are above and below the median), while an average is calculated by taking the total amount and dividing by the number of observations. Per capita personal income is an average – it is the total amount of income received by people in an area, divided by the number of people.

Averages can be affected by a small number of extremely high values. This happens in U.S. income and earnings data – a small number of very top earners pull up the averages where they live. These ultra-high incomes – e.g., executives of large corporations and entertainment superstars – are more likely to be found in major

cities. This is one reason why some of the largest metro areas are near the top of the list for per capita personal income – San Francisco is #5, New York is #14, Washington is #15 and Los Angeles is #21.

While the relative absence of these ultra-high incomes in a mid-size city results in Colorado Springs having a lower average income, the healthy median income data confirms that this is a relatively prosperous area.

The same distinction between median and average is important for understanding wage data. Some concern has been expressed that Colorado Springs wages appear to be lagging – according to the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, average pay in the region is $67,080, compared with $74,620 for the U.S. overall. However, this measure is affected by top earners, particularly since it includes bonuses and stock compensation. Another government data series puts the median annual wage in Colorado Springs at $49,310, slightly above the national figure of $48,060. That is, if we look at what the worker in the middle of the Colorado Springs wage distribution is taking home, she or he is doing better than the national median.

Wages and incomes are closely related to education levels. Among U.S. MSA’s, Boulder has the highest share of the population over 25 with a bachelor’s degree or higher, at 63.1%.Fort Collins ranks 8th at 52.9%, and Denver-AuroraLakewood is 20th at 49.4%. This helps explain why Colorado is one of the highest-income states in the country.

At 42.3%, the share of the Colorado Springs over-25 population with a bachelor’s degree is higher than the U.S. overall (35.7%). Lower educational attainment in Pueblo – 23.8% of over-25’s have a bachelor’s degree – is a major reason why its incomes are lower.

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!

PikeRide: Building Community Through Bikes

A rider takes advantage of the affordable and accessible transportation

BY KERI KAHN

PikeRide’s electric-assist bikes are a common sight throughout downtown and the westside of Colorado Springs. Most residents are familiar with the brand as a pay-as-you-go or membership-based bike share program, however, the local 501c3 is about more than healthy lifestyles and getting people out of cars. It’s about building community and equitable transportation.

Executive Director Tara McCarthy took the helm of the six-year-old nonprofit a year ago, and she is now looking forward to a future of expansion, collaboration and continued community service.

McCarthy and her team of ten operate 60 hubs with over 350 electric bikes for public rental within the current

boundaries of Fountain Blvd. on the south, Fillmore on the north, Union on the east and the end of Manitou Springs on the west.

Expansion

“We were awarded a grant for next summer for 50 bikes, and we are going to expand our service area into southeast Colorado Springs,” she says. “We are continuing to make sure bikes are a mode of transportation for a larger swath of our community in El Paso County rather than just in our downtown corridor.”

According to the group’s latest annual report, nearly 5,000 unique riders took about 50,000 trips on a PikeRide in 2023. The total mileage accrued by the bikes equaled 94,000, making it clear that an expansion would be well received.

at Cascade and Kiowa.

Nonprofit Profile

“People are using our bikes,” McCarthy adds. “We believe we have a really powerful tool for our community and, yes, we want to make sure we continue to expand our services and hopefully meet everybody’s needs.”

Collaboration

McCarthy is part of the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments Transportation Advisory Committee, and is also in regular contact with Mountain Metro, trying to understand how PikeRide can better work with the public transportation system.

“Right now, the bikes aren’t allowed on the buses because they’re e-bikes, they’re heavier,” she explains before asking, “How do we combine two systems that will allow people to travel further at a reasonable cost?”

Partnerships

Colorado College, the Downtown Partnership of Colorado Springs and Norwood are three groups who partner with PikeRide for a membership package which some have rolled over to their employees and used as a hiring benefit.

Other reasons businesses may choose to partner with PikeRide include year-round on-bike mobile advertising, wheel disks to promote special messaging, inapp direct messaging or PikeRide hubs installed at the company’s location.

“We’re trying to put together ride itineraries for folks and include certain businesses,” McCarthy continues. “And that’s also a business package they can partner with us on to highlight their business. It will go on our maps, on social media, in the newsletter.”

Equity

Businesses who invest in PikeRide are supporting two important equitable transportation options which go a long way toward building a stronger Colorado Springs.

PikeRide’s “We Ride” program is a $20 annual membership offering up to 90 minutes of

ride time per day so that people in need of transportation can complete tasks such as traveling to the grocery store or library.

The PikeRide+ Leased E-Bike Program allows people meeting certain requirements to lease a bike for $25 per month. Seventythree participants have taken advantage of this program since its October 2023 inception.

“For some individuals, they’ve had the bike since October.

For other individuals, it’s a temporary need until they’re able to secure a car or some other method of transportation,”

McCarthy says. “It fills the gap for some folks who need help.”

Pedal

Anyone can download the PikeRide app to select a ride option and find a hub. For those who have not ridden an electricassist bike before, McCarthy says the intensity level is ramped down, but pedaling is still required for the motor to kick in.

“It’s a really good way for people who may not have been exercising to get back into it, or for older folks or for people with mobility issues,” she says. “It provides enough assistance that you’re able to go ride a bike. You’re able to be active.”

It is also a remarkable option for visitors looking to explore downtown Colorado Springs, Old Colorado City and Manitou Springs on two wheels without the physical exertion often experienced by those unaccustomed to the altitude.

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

LEARN MORE about pricing, membership and donation opportunities at WWW.PIKERIDE.ORG

Saunders Norwood Construction Builds Community Land Development

By Focusing on Projects and People

BY KERI KAHN

Community focus is what sets Saunders Norwood Construction apart from other general contractors, as stated on their website. It started with a shared vision for strengthening life in the Pikes Peak region, and a partnership formed in 2021 between Saunders Construction and Norwood Development Group.

“We really care about building what our communities need,” says company President Justin Cooper. “I think the Pikes Peak region has really invested in itself for the last 15 years. The word is getting out that it’s a great place to live. It always has been, but it was a secret.”

Even before Saunders Norwood was established as a local arm of Saunders, the company had been in the region for decades. They have completed almost three million square feet of construction in the Pikes Peak region, most recently working for the City of Colorado Springs, U.S. Air Force Academy Foundation, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS), Safe Passage, Pikes Peak State College and the Pioneers Museum.

Cooper says his company is often confused for being Norwood, but Saunders Norwood is not a developer and most of their work is not even for Norwood.

“At our core, the company really wants to build what matters to the communities we work in. We want to help realize the projects that are going to make Colorado Springs continue being a great place to live, work, to play.”

From its Plaza of the Rockies office, Saunders Norwood focuses on small projects, workforce development, and fostering a second-to-none work culture.

Building Community through Small Projects

Saunders is a large company with 500 employees, 40 of whom are with the Saunders Norwood division in

Colorado Springs. Due to the company’s size, it’s a common misconception that the group focuses on high-rise buildings but Cooper says his company’s average project budget size is actually pretty small, under $5 million.

Smaller projects have short timelines which provides a sense of satisfaction for employees.

“If I’m on a $50 million downtown project, I’m going to be on that project for two to three years, and that’s it. My teammates enjoy being on small projects because they get to see a lot more things at once, and they learn a lot quicker.”

Providing employees with opportunities to learn is important to Cooper as he looks to develop, not just the construction workforce, but his own teammates as well.

Building Career Pathways for Employees

Though he believes the message is getting out to high school students that a four-year degree is not the only option, Cooper speaks of a huge workforce need in Colorado.

Because the state’s cost of living has gotten so high, it’s difficult for skilled craft professionals to own a home, start a family or go to college.

Saunders tackles this problem in a unique way.

“There’s an invisible wall at commercial construction companies between the craft and management, who are often people with a college degree. We want to create paths for our current crafts professionals to become managers, if they want.”

Saunders offers a six-month internship program in which a skilled crafts foreman can gain experience as a project engineer. It creates a safe environment for employees to try out another role without the fear of losing their job, if it doesn’t work out.

Building a Better World with Work that Matters

A safe space for career exploration isn’t the only thing benefiting the Saunders team. The company works on projects that make a difference.

Take for instance Wecker Hall, the new 25,800 square foot headquarters under construction for the U.S. Air Force Academy Foundation. Cooper says, once complete, it will be the first net-zero building at any of the U.S. military academies – meaning the building will utilize solar and geothermal power to produce at least the equivalent of the power it consumes.

Why does Saunders Norwood

focus on projects that contribute to the greater good?

“The reason is because it resonates with our people and our culture,” Cooper says. “We’re employee-owned and I think people like working for a company that makes a difference.”

Saunders also completed renovations and construction for local nonprofit Safe Passage back in 2021. It was the company’s first project after the formation of Saunders Norwood and was part of the employeeled “Building Confidence in Kids” program.

The group chooses a child-focused nonprofit to partner with for two years and, including Safe Passage, has made a difference for ten Colorado nonprofits to date.

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

MORE INFORMATION on the company is available at WWW.SAUNDERSNORWOOD.COM

Saunders Norwood broke ground at 312 E. Vermijo in Colorado Springs last year for the second phase of VIM; the downtown six-story apartment building will have 122 units.

Advanced Technology State Addresses AI Discrimination But Doesn’t Take Effect Soon

BY JEANNE DAVANT

When Gov. Jared Polis signed SB24-205 on May 17, Colorado became the first state in the nation to approve regulations addressing the risk of discrimination posed by artificial intelligence.

The bill, one of the most discussed in the 2024 legislative session, will apply to a wide range of businesses that develop or use AI algorithms — but not until Feb. 1, 2026, when the regulations go into effect.

The bill takes aim at “high-risk artificial intelligence systems,” defined as AI systems that make or are a substantial factor in making a “consequential decision” — one that affects the provision, denial or cost of education enrollment, employment, loans, healthcare services, housing, insurance or legal services. It provides that developers and users of such systems must protect consumers from known or foreseeable risks of “algorithmic discrimination,” including implementing a risk management policy, notifying affected individuals and disclosing to the state attorney general if use of an AI system results in unlawful discrimination involving protected status such as age, race, disability, national origin, sex or veteran status.

“When a company is relying only on an AI algorithm to make these decisions, that’s something that the employee or potential employee or customer needs to know,” says Rep. Brianna Titone, an Arvada Democrat who represents District 27. Titone, a cosponsor of the bill, says it went through extensive debate, discussions with stakeholders and amendments leading up to its passage.

“We exempted a lot of different kinds of AI — we only focus on AI that’s specifically geared toward high-risk, consequential decisions,” she says. “We focused on doing that first because there’s room for error in some other uses of AI, but you don’t want to have a lot of error when people’s livelihoods are on the line.”

Businesses with fewer than 50 employees also are exempt from the regulations.

“There were a lot of compromises and specific carve-outs that we made because we didn’t want to hurt small businesses,” Titone says. “We didn’t want to make it overly burdensome for the AI deployers or developers. It was a tough balance to strike — to try to not limit innovation but still have some form of protection for people that may be affected by this.”

The majority of AI developers “want to put out a good product that works really well,” she says, but “there’s such a rush to get these AI products out and available that maybe they’re not exactly quite run through the wringer.”

The new regulations may require AI developers to do a little more work and users to take additional precautions, but in the end, “they’re going to have a better product, and they’re going to be able to sell that product more confidently,” Titone says.

Another bill passed by the legislature and cosponsored by Titone, HB24-1468, expands an existing task

force that is charged with developing recommendations on how the state can effectively regulate the use of AI and biometric technology such as facial recognition. The task force must submit its report to the legislature’s Joint Technology Committee and the Governor’s office by Feb. 1, 2025.

Titone, who chairs the technology committee, says the task force brings together a wide variety of stakeholders, advocacy groups and industry representatives.

“I don’t think that the business community really needs to be wary of this initial policy and where we’re going with it,” Titone says. “We’re at the forefront of this new technology, and the legislature, including myself, are willing and eager partners to make sure we find the best solutions that work for all parties.”

The bill did encounter significant pushback from the AI industry, and “for a lot of technology companies, it’s still not popular,” says Rep. Marc Snyder, D-Dist. 18, which includes El Paso and Teller counties. “We were told we don’t need these special regulations, because we already have

consumer protection laws.”

A technology alliance created by the Colorado Chamber of Commerce before the legislative session closely monitored the legislation, says Loren Furman, Colorado Chamber president and CEO.

“We were seeking several amendments all the way up to the end,” she says. Among the issues raised by the industry were the bill’s definition of AI and “the language around being able to file a complaint to the attorney general,” Furman says. “I think the task force will be working on some of the concerns that are remaining.”

“It’s an area that’s here to stay,” says Snyder. “I think there will be further legislation to refine it, and we have the right people working on this.”

Colorado became the first state in the country to approve regulations for artificial intelligence risks.

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

Workforce

Dealing with Mental Health Crises in the Workplace

BY JEANNE DAVANT

The effects of mental health and substance use crises in the workplace can range from absenteeism and lack of productivity to disruptive or even lifethreatening incidents.

“There’s not a workforce in any sector that isn’t vulnerable to mental health and substance use-related needs,” says Vincent Atchity, president and CEO of Mental Health Colorado. “Those unmet needs play themselves out in a very impactful way in workplace settings.”

The construction industry is particularly vulnerable, Atchity says, because of the use of heavy equipment and tools that can cause injury. But even in office-like settings, there are huge consequences for unmet mental health needs.

“People with unaddressed depression have high rates of absenteeism across all industries, and that’s really costly for our economy,” he says. “For individual businesses, there can be interpersonal strife. There can be failures of communication that lead to poor performance on business priorities.”

The role employers take in addressing mental health and substance use needs varies widely, he says.

“A lot of places aren’t addressing it at all, completely looking the other way,” Atchity says. But employers who recognize the high cost of ignoring these issues are taking steps to tackle them, and there is an increasing number of resources available to help.

Some employers are ensuring that access to mental health and substance use care is included in employees’ health insurance or implementing Employee Assistance Programs offering access to care.

“That’s all a good start and ought to be a baseline,” Atchity says.

Many employers are realizing they need to do more, especially those in highly competitive industries and those who want to hire and retain younger workers.

“Some enlightened progress is being made by businesses

that understand that this kind of commitment to supporting wellbeing in the workplace is an effective business strategy,” he says.

These companies are building “a supportive culture for workplace wellbeing by acknowledging that mental health and substance use are part of the human condition,” he says. That can include flexibility in scheduling or creating internal programs for mutual support.

Atchity cites Google’s Blue Dot program: The company designates nonjudgmental, supportive listeners identified by blue dot stickers on their computers or beside their names on Zoom calls. They provide a safe space for talking about whatever a troubled employee might be experiencing, and the program has been helpful in destigmatizing conversations about mental health.

“Just seeing that kind of programming may contribute to a sensation of being employed in a supportive setting that may make people feel better,” he says.

Mental Health Colorado has just completed a well-being toolkit

available on its website for employers who want to cultivate a supportive environment, Atchity says. It includes facts about mental health and substance use issues in the workplace and actionable steps and strategies to support mental health and reduce harm from substance use.

Other resources include:

• A virtual mental health first aid certification course offered by the National Council for Mental Wellness teaches how to provide initial support to someone experiencing a mental health crisis. Participants learn a five-step action plan that helps them recognize warning signs of a mental health or substance use challenge, and provide help. The daylong course covers signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges, how to interact with a person in crisis, how to connect a person with help and self-care information. Upon completion, participants earn 7.5 CEU credit hours and a three-year certification.

• A new mental health initiative, Pikes Peak Rising, announced by Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade on July 10 is a collaboration of more than 40 organizations. The initiative aims to boost awareness

of mental health needs and connect people to help. A key part of this initiative is El Paso County Public Health’s Pikes Peak Rising 360, which provides online information and resources, assessments and a Learning Lab that offers practical guides covering topics including relieving stress and anxiety and workplace burnout.

• GRIT (Greater Resilience Information Toolkit), a free, research-based resilience program was developed by the Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience at UCCS. This online, self-guided program offers resources including a training module for people who can become coaches for workers undergoing personal struggles, or can help people following a traumatic community event such as a disaster. GRIT-LEAD enables small business owners and corporate leaders to build workplace resilience by helping teams handle stress while planning for success.

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

Vincent Atchity, president and CEO of Mental Health Colorado.

LOCAL LENDING. LOCAL DECISIONS.

hortlisted for the 2020 Financial Times and McKinsey Business Book of the Year, this book talks about doing less. Or, at least, how it is time to do things differently. Trust your team. Be radically honest. And never, ever try to please your boss. These are some of the ground rules to work at Netflix.

“This book made me think about these questions: Why do we have so many rules to run companies and this one succeeded by not having any? Is there such a thing as too many rules? Give it a read and you may think twice before adding more rules to processes in your organization — and how you hire.”

— Gene Alvarez, 35 years of business and IT experience

Advertiser Index / In Alphabetical Order

Thank you to each and every advertiser listed.

Alpine Bank

Altitude Hospitality

American Family Insurance

APG: Advanced Printing & Graphics

Bank of Colorado

Boot Barn by Bourbon Brothers

Business Digest Weekly Radio

Colorado Springs Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

The Colorado Springs Sports Corporation

Colorado Springs Utilities

Financial Talent Group

Flying Horse Realty

Garden of the Gods Market and Café

Garden of the Gods Resort and Club

Kaiser Permanente-Colorado

InBank

Marquesa Hobbs/Platinum Group

Minuteman Press

North Magazine

ROAN Media

Southern Colorado Women's Chamber of Commerce

TILL Neighborhood Bistro & Bar

TrainWreck

Underline Infrastructure/Colorado Springs

VENU (formerly Notes Live)

Vine & Wheel

Xledger Inc.

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So. Colorado Business Forum & Digest || AUGUST || 2024

Publisher’s Letter

10 Teen Jobs Make a Comeback

11 Build It, but Will They Come?

34 Dealing with Mental Health Crises in the Workplace

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

14 Which Chamber is the Right Fit?

SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS

20 Leading Riflery Components Made

24 Bristol Brewing Company Marks 30-Year Anniversary

ENERGY

21 State of the Utility 2024

HOUSING

23 Addressing the Attainable Housing Challenges

TECHNOLOGY

27 Entegris Looks to Play “Meaningful Role”

33 State Addresses AI Discrimination

ECONOMIC FORUM

28 Look to Medians, not Averages

CONSTRUCTION

32 Saunders Norwood Construction Builds Community

Updates From Around the Region

Statewide Quantum Brings More Money to Colorado

El Paso County Resort-Style Hotel at U.S. Air Force Academy

Regional Professional Business Organization Links & Events

Workforce

Teen Jobs Make a Comeback

Vocational work a worthy career

Not a lifetime commitment

Build It, But Will They Come? JW Roth Talks Metrics to his Business Model

EXPERIENCES THAT stir the senses

Arts & Entertainment

Business Support

Which Chamber is the Right Fit?

Southern Colorado Chambers

Inspirational IQ

Professionals on the Rise

Celebrating Achievement of So. Colorado’s Workforce!

Get More News You Should Know

Expert Column: Marketing

Treat Media Partners as Real Partners for Success

Small Business Spotlight

Leading Riflery Components Made in COS

It’s All About the Peak Energy

Reduce Your Utility Bill

Ensure Service Reliability

Tools to Navigate the Peak

THERE FOR PRACTICALLY EVERY “EUREKA” MOMENT FOR THE PA ST 100 YEARS.

Sponsored Content Local Women’s Chamber Champions Entrepreneurs and Businesswomen

Addressing the Attainable Housing Challenges in the Pikes Peak Region Housing

Addressing the Challenge

Creating More Options

Policy Changes to Move us Forward

COS WE CARE.

Small Business Spotlight Bristol Brewing Company Marks 30 Year Anniversary

Small Business Spotlight

Entegris Looks to Play “Meaningful Role” Advanced Manufacturing

Economic Forum

To See How We’re Doing, Look to Medians, not Averages

PikeRide: Building Community Through Bikes

Expansion

Nonprofit Profile

Collaboration

Partnerships

Equity

Pedal

Saunders Norwood Construction Builds Community Land Development

By Focusing on Projects and People

Building Community through Small Projects

Building Career Pathways for Employees

Building a Better World with Work that Matters

Advanced Technology State Addresses AI Discrimination But Doesn’t Take Effect Soon

Workforce

Dealing with Mental Health Crises in the Workplace

LOCAL LENDING. LOCAL DECISIONS.

12M CHILDREN ARE TRAFFICKED EVERY DAY IN 2024, INCLUDING RIGHT HERE IN COLORADO.