So. Colorado Business Forum &amp; Digest || APRIL || 2025

Manufacturing Industry Growing, Faces Future Challenges

Uncertain Future of Employment in Colorado’s Public Lands P. 13

Tariffs Could Impact Construction & Housing Affordability P. 28

From DC to Colorado The Ripple Effect

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SENIOR WRITERS

Pam Bales, Jeanne Davant & Wayne Heilman

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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

William Craighead, Ph.D. - UCCS Economic Forum, Dawn Dawson - Mortgage Solutions Financial, Travas Deal - Colorado Springs Utilities, Jayne Mhono Dickey - COS Chamber & EDC, Larry Plummer, Ph.D. - EPIIC at UCCS, Frank Sinclair & Lisa Sinnott - Be Encouraged, Becca Tonn - Pikes Peak Workforce Center, Lola Woloch - CEO, SC Women’s Chamber of Commerce & Paul Yankey - UCCS College of Business

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Winds of Change Affect SoCo Landscape

Southern Colorado kicks off Q2 with steady forward progress, despite the precipitous activity and subsequent uncertainties coming out of Washington, D.C. No doubt, you noticed; and rest assured, the market reacted during the last full week of March.

This edition of The Digest hones in on some key sectors of our economic strongholds and how they are navigating their respective regulatory environments. Tourism, construction, manufacturing, energy and more reflect on how the winds of change are creating a dust storm currently.

Among the strongholds, the aerospace and defense sector continues to place Colorado Springs high on the list of top performing ecosystems for national security. Guest columnist Jayne Mhono Dickey, communications manager at the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC, details how Space Delta 15 and Schriever SFB help create and sustain the region’s enviable position as being attractive to investors.

We take a closer look at how some of the government’s new policies are affecting us both practically and potentially here in southern Colorado. Dr. Bill Craighead, Economic Forum columnist from UCCS, tells us what data models believe could happen in our region.

Southern Colorado has a great deal to offer on many fronts, yet we’ve understated our value for far too long. As a unique, fertile and powerful part of Colorado’s larger economic discussion, we’re on the

shortlist for site selection, industry and corporate migration, expansion and investment for good reason. It is said, if you’re not growing, evolving and adapting to change, you’re likely dying — at least economically speaking. In southern Colorado, we’re doing all the right things.

Onward,

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Tejon Street boasts many historical buildings and features. The Tejon Street Revitalization Project intends to enhance the area’s unique character. P. 30

MANUFACTURING

8 Manufacturing Industry Growing, Faces Future Challenges

Manufacturer’s Edge is part of a nationwide network within the U.S. Department of Commerce, the state’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership center. The goal is to ensure domestic manufacturers stay competitive, especially in critical industries. Workforce is a primary challenge, as they expect 900 production jobs to be available in 2026 in Colorado Springs and Pueblo alone.

BY JEANNE DAVANT

AEROSPACE/ DEFENSE

10 Space Symposium Marks 40 Years in 2025

The 40th Space Symposium, the international event that attracts space agencies, companies and professionals from around the world, takes place April 7-10 this year. It attracts more than 10,000 people from more than 40 countries, and requires 34 hotels for the attendees. Here’s a sneak preview.

BY WAYNE HEILMAN

14 COS Emerges as Leading Aerospace and Defense Hub

Chambers of commerce across central Colorado highlight the state’s areas boasting aerospace and defense companies. Making the case for Colorado Springs, Dickey itemizes all the reasons SpaceCom is perfectly at home there — and well supported.

BY JAYNE MHONO DICKEY

WORKFORCE

11 Evolving Job Market in SoCo

Demand for healthcare, skilled trades, cyber security/tech and tourism lead hiring opportunities in southern Colorado. Sustaining economic growth in the region, in multiple areas, requires attention to labor needs. Collaborative training, credentialing and other initiatives will be key to meeting regional workforce needs.

BY BECCA TONN

13 Uncertain Future of Employment in CO's Public Lands

While still a developing story, the National Parks Service was one of the federal entities to receive notice of a hiring freeze, layoffs and “deferred resignations” in February. NPS reports more than 11,000 total employees throughout Colorado’s 18 sites, including national parks Rocky Mountain, Mesa Verde, Great Sand Dunes and Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

BY LUCY RICHARDSON

ENERGY

16 COS’ Energy Future is Shifting

Challenges such as costs and capacity remain top of mind for energy providers — supply chain congestion, high demand, scarce raw materials and, now, potential tariffs and policy changes all contribute to increasing price models. Amid regulatory uncertainty, Springs Utilities is keeping all options available to meet Colorado’s customer needs and climate targets.

BY TRAVAS DEAL

ECONOMIC FORUM

18 Uncertainty Darkens the U.S. Macroeconomic Outlook

This month’s column reviews the activities in Washington that have economic repercussion here in Southern Colorado. The job cuts and funding freezes so far may impact services and safety/quality, however the impact on the federal budget deficit is minor. The impacts on financial markets — not minor.

BY DR. WILLIAM CRAIGHEAD

SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS

20 Factorem Bridges Global Gap Between Manufacturers & Suppliers

Factorem Bridges Global Gap between Manufacturers and Suppliers Factorem delivers components from more than 150 factories in Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, India and South Korea. The company is able to adapt to technologies quickly based on the market.

BY JEANNE DAVANT

26 Motis OneAI Transforms Workforce Efficiency with Human-Centric Change

Over stimulation, burnout and constant communication are all critical aspects of employee dissatisfaction. Data says that many businesses can experience 30-40% inefficiency due to lack of human-centric practices and culture. Motis OneAI wants to leverage the power of AI to improve the human experience and bottom line.

BY PAM BALES

ECONOMIC DEV./ BUSINESS

30 Tejon Street Revitalization Promises Benefits for Downtown Colorado Springs

Fostering foot traffic, equitable parking and amenities vie for the top spot on priority lists for downtown retail and restaurant businesses. And with rents forcing some longtime stores (Brown Shoe Co.) to the suburbs, improvements can’t come soon enough. Major thoroughfare, Tejon Street, is getting a facelift — read more about the changes underway.

BY THERESA WOODS

32 Yobel & Local Honey Collective Evolve into New Spaces

Among the several businesses displaced in a 2023 fire downtown, two retailers lost their entire inventories and worked hard to bounce back from devastation. The Digest caught up with them to find out how they managed the resurrection and where they ultimately landed.

BY THERESA WOODS

37 Southeast Plan Aims to Enhance a Vibrant, Diverse Community

Southeast Colorado Springs has its own unique character — a culturally rich area of the city. The area comprises six adjacent neighborhoods, and the plan is the first of the city’s comprehensive intention for multiple COS areas. Read more about the plan and its hopes for the area.

BY JEANNE DAVANT

PEOPLE

39 Trailblazers: Caroline Spencer, MD, Fought for Women’s Rights

The Digest’s newest feature brings to light those who came before and shaped the landscape in Southern Colorado. With International Women’s Month close in the rearview mirror, we begin with Dr. Caroline Spencer, who practiced medicine in Colorado Springs and organized the Rocky Mountain West as a leader of the women’s suffrage movement.

BY THERESA WOODS

TOURISM

40 Da Vinci Museum of NA Announces Plans for Opening in Pueblo

Set to open in late fall 2025, the only North American location joins a network of other locations, including France, Italy, Brazil and South Korea. The 18,000-square-foot space will feature the artist’s genius in engineering, medical knowledge and legacy of innovation. Turn here to read more about this STEM museum and its impact on Pueblo.

BY TIFFANY UNDERWOOD

Updates Around the Region

El Paso County

ONE Bow River Defense Fund Closes, Invests $50 Million in Bluestaq

Colorado Springs-based ONE Bow River has closed its first private equity fund and made its first fund investment in Bluestaq, also based in Colorado Springs.

The ONE Bow River National Defense Fund I raised committed capital of $500 million, pending approval from the U.S. Small Business Administration of $10 million in limited partner commitments. According to a March 4 release, the fund was oversubscribed, doubling its $250 million initial target.

The ONE Bow River National Defense fund invests in data solutions to solve critical technology challenges in the defense industry. It is committed to investing in private, lower-middle-market companies that

provide data and national defense solutions to the U.S. government.

The ONE Bow River National Defense Fund is Colorado’s only licensed small business investment company in the first cohort of 17 funds.

On Dec. 30, 2024, the fund announced the investment of $50 million for a minority stake in Bluestaq, a key provider of data management systems such as the United Data Library platform and a digital front door initiative in development for the Defense Health Agency and Defense Innovation Unit.

“This investment accelerates our mission of delivering impactful data management solutions across the Department of Defense and allied nations,” says Bluestaq CEO Seth Harvey.

Fremont County Black Hills Energy Raises Rates in SoCo

The Colorado Sun reported that Black Hills Energy was granted a $17 million electric rate increase by state utility regulators in March — over the protests of customers and southern Colorado officials.

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission trimmed the company’s $25 million request by about a third, according to the report. South Dakota-based Black Hills has more than 300,000 customers in Colorado with Pueblo, Cañon City and Florence in its service area.

The company originally sought a $37 million increase, which would have raised the average monthly electricity bill, for 600 kilowatthours, by 18% to $129 a month. Following a March $1.50 monthly surcharge on bills to pay for the company’s state-mandated Clean Energy Plan, the proposed rate increase sparked a wave of protest from consumers and local officials.

Black Hills then cut the request to $25.1 million, but the opposition

continued, said the article. Pueblo, Cañon City and Florence officials, as well as the Colorado Office of Utility Consumer Advocate, all argued that Black Hills should get no increase at all.

Black Hills Energy said it needs the increase to cover the cost of necessary equipment and service upgrades. The approved $17 million increase will raise the average residential monthly bill by 7% or $7.40 a month. The bills of small commercial customers will also go up by 7% or about $17.50 a month.

“It’s a mixed bag,” Emily Tracy, a Cañon City council member, to the Sun. “We appreciate the smaller increase. I think all the activism helped, but the south-central part of the state is already paying the highest electricity costs in Colorado.”

El Paso

Pueblo

Fremont

Arapahoe

Updates Around the Region

Arapahoe County Developer to Convert Denver Office Building into Affordable Housing

In an effort to address Denver’s growing affordable housing crisis, developer Shea Properties plans to convert a vacant 124,000-square-foot office building at 4340 S. Monaco St. (within the Denver Tech Center) into 143 affordable housing units. The project, expected to begin construction this year with completion in 2026, will include units with a range of costs for residents earning between 30% and 70% of the area median income.

According to a Q4 report from Coldwell Banker Richard Ellis (CBRE), the commercial real estate services

Pueblo County

Pueblo’s Union Depot Potential Site for New Train Station

Pueblo’s historic Union Depot baggage building is the leading candidate for a new passenger rail station, according to a county-funded study. The facility could serve both Amtrak’s potential Southwest Chief expansion and the proposed Front Range Passenger Rail project.

The structure in the 100 block of West B Street, owned by Jim and Joe Koncilja, currently houses offices and retail space, and would be repurposed to accommodate rail passengers while preserving the main depot for community events.

“I want rail service to come back down here, I just think we can do it on a much smaller scale for a reasonable cost that isn’t going to tie a tin can to the public’s tail,” Jim Koncilja told KRCC radio.

The study, funded by Pueblo County’s 1A fund, gathered input from stakeholders including local agencies, Amtrak and freight rail

and investment firm, nearly 25% of office space was dark across the Denver metro area at the end of 2024.

Despite the potential, challenges remain. Andy Proctor, director of Metropolitan State University at Denver’s Affordable Housing Institute, told Denver 7 news that office spaces require significant redesign to accommodate residential use. In addition to the South Monaco project, three Uptown Denver buildings are part of a pilot program aimed at transforming office spaces into mixed-use residential developments.

A rendering of a suggested adaptive reuse of the historic Union Depot area as a potential train station to serve future Front Range Rail and Southwest Chief passengers.

operators. Estimated costs for the project could reach $38 million, excluding expenses like construction staging and additional facilities. The plan emphasizes integrating multiple transportation modes, supporting local businesses and enhancing access to the Arkansas River Levee Trail and

Historic Arkansas Riverwalk.

Additional considerations include replacing the nearby Union Avenue Bridge and potential impacts on the Pueblo Railway Museum in the 300 block of West B Street.

Next steps include formal adoption by Pueblo County commissioners

and establishing a governance framework involving local, state and federal agencies. Once created, the new authority will oversee project development and funding opportunities.

Manufacturing Manufacturing Industry Growing, Faces Future Challenges

BY JEANNE DAVANT

Jake Rubin brings a background in sales, lead generation, business development management and strategic planning to his role as Southern Colorado regional director at Manufacturer’s Edge. In that capacity, he is connecting with both manufacturers and regional economic development partners such as the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC, Emergent Campuses in Cañon City and Trinidad and the Pueblo Economic Development Corp.

“I was brought on to engage the manufacturing industry in this region and understand challenges and what they need to grow, and then to find solutions,” Rubin says. “We have a lot of solutions and resources we can bring to solve even the toughest challenges. We want to grow the industry in this region.”

Manufacturer’s Edge is Colorado’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Center — part of a nationwide network through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology. The MEP’s purpose is to strengthen U.S. manufacturers and ensure they remain competitive, especially in critical industries.

Rubin and Rob Newbold, Manufacturer’s Edge vice president of client success, sat down recently with The Digest to talk about the state of manufacturing in Colorado.

In the Southern Colorado region, manufacturing is growing, but workforce is a continuing issue, Rubin says.

“Being able to hire qualified, manufacturing-trained or manufacturing-ready employees for entry-level jobs is one of the biggest challenges in the region,” he says.

There are around 17,000 to 18,000 manufacturing jobs in the Colorado Springs and Pueblo metropolitan areas, Newbold says.

“About 60% of those are

production, and the demand for those production positions in the next year is around 900,” Newbold says. Jobs will need to be filled over the next few years at large companies like Entegris, which will bring in 600 new jobs at the new facility it is building in Northwest Colorado Springs, and Microchip, which expects to create 400 new jobs as it expands several product lines. Qualified employees also are needed for smaller manufacturers.

“They’re looking for production, architecture and engineering occupations specifically but also inhouse, administrative and business positions,” he says. “Those are all skills that are needed for the future.”

About 30 new projects have been announced in Colorado Springs in the past year and a half, Newbold says. The electronics, software and semiconductor sectors are attracting investment, but less traditional industries also have growth potential, he says.

“Some opportunities that we’re starting to see are beverage, transportation and metal manufacturing,” Newbold says. “We see some opportunities coming up in the textile industry as well. We’ve had some conversations with some counties in the Southeast [United States] about bringing in textiles.

Jake Rubin

Manufacturing

There won’t be huge numbers in those, but to be able to grow that is an important area.”

In Pueblo, “we’re seeing the community coming together to build that sector,” Rubin says. Manufacturers in the aerospace and defense realm, plastics and chemicals manufacturers and companies that serve the construction industry, such as manufactured stone veneer maker Coronado Stone Products, are adding strength and diversity to the industry. Rubin also points to PuebloPlex, a 16,000-acre industrial center that is targeting rail-related industry, manufacturing, warehousing and distribution and research and development.

“We’re excited about some of the companies that are already in Pueblo and companies that are considering Pueblo for future expansion,” he says.

While development of the tech industry, centered on the Emergent Campus, is strongest in Cañon City, Rubin says he’s seeing interest in attracting manufacturing. The Emergent Campus in Trinidad is also fueling economic growth and interest in manufacturing.

“We work closely with the Economic Development Council of Colorado, which is tied in with these new innovation and business hubs to be on the lookout for manufacturing that might come out of it,” Rubin says.

The overall outlook for manufacturing in Colorado is robust, Newbold says.

“There’s a strong desire to come to Colorado,” he says. “Site selectors are high on the great collaboration across all the economic development agencies and the particular focus of being able to grow manufacturing. The positives are that we have a strong professional staff here, high expertise and education.”

The growing need for skilled workers is being addressed in several ways, he says.

“Number one is making sure that students are seeing manufacturing as a true potential opportunity for them and changing the mindset of parents and students that manufacturing has changed — it is not dull, dirty and dangerous but very much high tech, clean and automated,” Newbold says.

Manufacturer’s Edge is providing input to school systems and colleges on the industry’s needs and working to develop programs, such as a boot camp for students to learn about Computer Numerical Control (CNC) mechanisms that use software to automate machine tools.

CONTACT

Rubin encourages SoCo manufacturers to contact him to learn about the resources and assistance Manufacturer’s Edge can provide. He can be contacted at: 720-371-8779 | JRUBIN@MANUFACTURERSEDGE.COM

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

Aerospace/Defense

Space Symposium Marks 40 Years in 2025 Sneak Preview of the Big Event

BY WAYNE HEILMAN

The first Space Symposium attracted 250 people to a Broadmoor meeting hall in 1984 to hear about the latest developments in space; this month more than 10,000 attendees will spread across two entire hotels in the 40th edition.

Best known for deal-making during meetings on the exhibition floor and big-name speakers at the podium, the “biggest space show on Earth” has become the largest convention held annually in the Colorado Springs area. The four-day event from April 7-10 at The Broadmoor and Cheyenne Mountain Resort will include some new events — a showcase for space startups and a lounge just for military personnel.

“It will be great to showcase Colorado Springs as one of the centers of gravity in the global space community,” says Rich Cooper, spokesman for the locally based Space Foundation, which was founded the year before the first symposium as a non-partisan organization to foster “a greater understanding and awareness...of the practical and theoretical utilization of space.”

The symposium’s first event this year occurs on Sunday, the day before the formal program begins,

with a Congressional roundtable discussion featuring U.S. Rep. Bruce Babin, R-Texas, chairman of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee; U.S. Rep. George Whitesides, D-California, former CEO of Virgin Galactic and former NASA chief of staff, and U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank, R-Colorado Springs.

Major speakers for this year’s symposium include Gen. Stephen Whiting, commander of the Colorado Springs-based U.S. Space Command; Janet Petro, acting NASA administrator; James Mazol, chief technology officer of the Department of Defense; Gen. Chance Saltzman, chief of space operations for the U.S. Space Force; Dan Goldin, former NASA administrator; Retired Gen. John Hyten, former vice chair of the Joints Chiefs of Staff, and Retired Gen. Jay Raymond, former chief of space operations for the U.S. Space Force.

Panel discussions will feature top space executives from aerospace giants Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Boeing and L3Harris, and top officials from space agencies in the United Arab Emirates, Italy, Israel, India, Australia, Germany, France, Japan and the European Space Agency. The crew of the private Polaris Dawn mission, to study the health effects of space radiation and space travel, also

is scheduled to speak at a luncheon.

Other highlights of the symposium include a drone show after the symposium’s opening ceremony; outdoor model displays of VAST Space Haven-1, a commercial space station scheduled to launch next year, and Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost Lunar Lander, which landed on the moon in early March; the Supplier Showcase, highlighting 48 emerging space companies; a pitch competition for eight companies competing for outside investment, and the Space Warfighters Lounge for military personnel attending the symposium.

The first symposium, called the National Space Symposium, was designed by the Space Foundation to bring together civilian, military and industry space leaders at the dawn of the Space Shuttle program. National was dropped from the symposium’s name in 2014 as participation became more global and the event grew as The Broadmoor added meeting and exhibit space, including both Broadmoor and Bartolin halls.

The symposium now fills 34 Colorado Springs area hotels, generating millions of dollars for hotels, restaurants, bars and other area businesses. The event has attracted U.S. and international military and space leaders as well as

SPACE SYMPOSIUM BY THE

Numbers

• Number of symposiums held: 39 (2025 will be the 40th)

• 2025 expected attendance: About 10,000 from more than 40 countries

• Exhibitors confirmed: More than 300

• Speakers booked for 2025: More than 250

• Military leaders speaking in 2025 (U.S. and international): 34

• Civilian space agencies attending in 2025: 18

• Host hotels in 2025: 2 (The Broadmoor and Cheyenne Mountain Resort)

• Hotels booked by 2025 attendees: 34

• Buses and shuttles booked for 2025: More than 25

• Media credentialed for 2025: More than 100 from U.S., worldwide

participants and attendees from more than 60 countries.

Notable speakers at previous symposiums include Vice Presidents Dan Quayle, Mike Pence and Kamala Harris; U.S. Defense Secretaries Casper Weinberger and Dick Cheney; Apollo Astronauts Buzz Aldrin, Gene Cernan, Deke Slayton and Jim Lovell; astronomer and author Carl Sagan; and actors Leonard Nimoy and Sigourney Weaver.

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

Evolving Job Market in Southern Colorado

BY BECCA TONN

If you drive through Southern Colorado with the optimistic lens of a tourist, you’ll see signs of a vibrant economy. Every bulldozer rearranging mountains of dirt showcases our labor force in action. Despite recent spates of layoffs, in-demand industries with pockets of growth still shape regional employment opportunities.

Booming Demand in Healthcare

In Pueblo, Teller County and the San Luis Valley, demand for healthcare services has driven growth of new medical facilities, with increased need for medical technicians, administrative support and greater availability of telemedicine, especially in rural communities.

Skilled Trades Drive Regional Growth

It’s nearly impossible to drive in El Paso County without seeing cranes, not to mention massive earth-moving tractors. Demand is so high, industry can scarcely keep up with hiring carpenters, plumbers and electricians. Teller County also needs such workers. “The trades and service industries are the backbone of Teller County’s economy, and right now, the demand

for skilled workers has never been higher,” says Deb Miller, president of the Greater Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce. “Businesses in our community are looking for dedicated professionals to fill essential roles, offering competitive wages, stability and growth opportunities.”

Tech & Cybersecurity Skills Needed

Though not obvious at first glance, nearly every industry needs IT skills—much of this is behind the scenes to support infrastructure, such as for higher education, hospitals and correctional facilities. There are also opportunities with industries more directly tied to cybersecurity/ technology.

Home to five major military installations, Colorado Springs remains a high-demand city for defense-related engineers. Pueblo is also experiencing growth in the aerospace industry. Alamosa and Trinidad could hire more professionals in agriculture technology and renewable energy infrastructure, respectively.

Tourism Boosts Employment Needs

Southern Colorado remains a gorgeous place to live, work and play — visitors can’t stay away from the

region’s natural beauty.

Immediate proximity to Pikes Peak, America’s Mountain, means Teller County needs to hire workers in attractions, lodging, casinos and the service industry.

Likewise, Fremont County’s Arkansas River continues to draw visitors to the Cañon City area, which has seen an uptick in rafting, kayaking and other outdoor recreation and tourism.

In addition, the southwest region, including Archuleta, La Plata and Montezuma counties, remains in need of workers for outdoor-industry retail and tourism guides. With visitors driving demand, the City of Trinidad recently received a $40,000 grant for a tourism website redesign, while Huerfano County received nearly $30,000 to create films to highlight its scenic attractions, according to KOAA News 5.

Last fall, Garden of the Gods Park landed on TripSavvy’s “The 12 Most Beautiful Places in Colorado,” yet the region continues to struggle to hire hospitality workers.

Shift Toward Skills-Based Hiring

Lately, businesses have trended toward skills-based hiring and Learner Employment Records (LERs) — and, actually, the two go hand in hand.

An LER is a transportable digital

wallet, per se, maintaining all your education, skills and employment history in one shareable repository, which makes it easier to showcase transferable skills when transitioning, say, from a military or federal career to the corporate world.

Bridging the Regional Skills Gap

Statistically, throughout Southern Colorado, there is one job available per each person looking for work. Although promising, a significant skills gap remains, with numerous workers at entry level and senior level — and a large gap in the middle. People need skills to move up, but training can be expensive for job seekers, and employers looking to upskill their staff.

Looking Ahead

As we’ve seen, Southern Colorado continues to see growth across multiple industries.

Yet, moving forward, collaborative training, credentialing and digitalskills initiatives will become essential to meet regional workforce needs and sustain economic growth. As they say, a rising tide lifts all ships.

Tonn is the communications manager for the Pikes Peak Workforce Center.

Becca

Uncertain Future of Employment in Colorado’s Public Lands

BY LUCY RICHARDSON

Background

On Feb. 14, 2025, a federally mandated hiring freeze ignited uncertainty for National Parks Service (NPS) staff and other departments. While a precise figure of affected employees is uncertain, the AP reported roughly 1,000 newly hired NPS employees received terminations.

Firings and layoffs in related departments like the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management will affect park operations, as they enter a busy summer tourist season. In total, an estimated 5,000 public land staff members have lost their jobs.

Many federal employees across departments were sent a “deferred resignation” offer which extended financial incentives to employees who decided to step down by Feb. 6. According to the AP, 75,000 federal employees accepted this offer by Feb. 12. In addition to these resignations, many probationary employees — workers with less than a year of tenure in their positions and no civil service protection — received notifications of layoffs. This measure could affect hundreds of thousands of employees.

Many NPS workers, due to the seasonal nature of park employment, fall under this probationary category. These workers typically join NPS staff for the busy seasons to clean the grounds, maintain trails, educate visitors, provide safety and medical aid and perform other essential functions.

Deep Dive

The federal NPS governs 433 sites, including America’s 63 recognized national parks. Colorado is home to 18 NPS sites, including four national parks: Rocky Mountain, Mesa Verde, Great Sand Dunes and Black Canyon of Gunnison National Parks. In 2023, the NPS reported roughly 11,100 total employees throughout the state of Colorado’s sites.

The uncertainty of the Parks Service’s future is compounded by a

lack of clarity on specific headcounts for terminated employees.

The Association of National Park Rangers (ANPR), a non-profit agency of park employees and advocates, has turned to social media and other networks to create a crowdsourced spreadsheet of firing trends. As of Feb. 28, their efforts revealed 759 firings at NPS sites in the state.

With the summer tourist season on the horizon, many Coloradans are left to wonder how these firings will affect park operations.

A 2023 report by the NPS revealed that the 7.3 million visitors to Colorado’s parks contributed roughly $1.3 billion in economic output to the state for the reported year. This output has continuously increased year-over-year — barring a slight downturn in 2020 due to pandemic travel restrictions and park closures.

Some parks are already reacting to the staffing shortages with closures.

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, located in Teller County just 35 miles northwest of Colorado Springs, announced that its visitor center will be closed on Mondays and

Tuesdays for the foreseeable future; a reduction from the previous sevenday-a-week operational schedule.

If Colorado’s other parks follow suit, these closures could have a marked impact on the state’s economic output. At this point, though, the economic and environmental impact of these layoffs is purely speculative. Additionally, federal mandates regarding employment opportunities are changing rapidly.

Updates

On Feb. 20, the Trump administration announced the restoration of dozens of jobs for NPS employees. The park service also announced that it will hire up to 7,700 seasonal workers for the upcoming season, an increase from the previously estimated 5,000 openings. This is a promising change of tides, but human service workers in the NPS report a sense of whiplash from the federal mandates, noting that the rescinding of previous contracts has restarted the parks’ hiring efforts and will delay the seasonal staffing timeline.

To further complicate this matter,

Judge William Alsup of the U.S. District Court ruled the mass firings of probationary employees illegal, ordering departments to reinstate all 16,000 employees of that classification who were terminated due to the Feb. 14 directive. This news was delivered at the end of the American Federation of Government Employees v. U.S. Office of Personnel Management (AFGE v. OPM) hearing on March 13.

On Monday, March 24, the Trump administration filed an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court to halt this rehiring process, claiming the ruling violates the separation of powers between the executive and judicial branches.

This news is currently developing and, at the time of writing, there have been no major actions taken as a result of this ruling or the administration’s appeal.

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

View of the Rocky Mountains

Photo Credit: NPA/Marino

Aerospace/Defense

Colorado Springs Emerges as Leading Aerospace and Defense Hub with Recent Investments and Strategic Mergers

BY JAYNE MHONO DICKEY

Editor’s Note: In light of the many decisions and changes coming from Washington, DC, the landscape of business and industry has become fluid. The Digest was granted permission to reprint the following article concerning Southern Colorado’s progress to date within the aerospace and defense industry.

Schriever Space Force Base in Colorado Springs has been chosen as the permanent home of Space Delta 15 (DEL 15), according to a November 2024 announcement by the Department of the Air Force. This decision underscores Colorado Springs’ pivotal role in national security and its status as a hub for aerospace and defense investments. DEL 15, part of the U.S. Space Force, focuses on advanced space operations, intelligence and cyber capabilities. It collaborates with the 74th and 75th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Squadrons to safeguard space-based services and systems like satellites.

Strong Aerospace and Defense Industry Presence

DEL 15 enhances Colorado Springs’ defense capabilities, supported by a robust Aerospace and Defense (A&D) industry, cutting-edge military technology, and over 150 private companies dedicated to national security missions. Colorado Springs’ A&D industry is among the nation’s strongest, housing five of Colorado’s six military bases and key national security assets like NORAD, U.S. Northern Command and U.S. Space Command. Major space contractors, including Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Boeing and L3 Harris Technologies, have a significant presence in the city, providing advanced technologies across various fields. Notably, Boeing’s Missile Defense systems at Schriever Space Force Base play a crucial role in protecting the United States and its allies from long-range ballistic missile threats.

Colorado Springs also boasts a thriving startup scene, with incubators and accelerators, like Exponential Impact and Catalyst Campus, fostering the growth of entrepreneurial startups and early-stage technology research projects. Catalyst Campus, in particular, creates an ecosystem where space and defense startups collaborate with industry leaders and government entities, accelerating the integration of new technologies into military applications.

A Hub for Engineering Talent and Innovation

Colorado Springs has a high concentration of trained engineers, thanks to its strong aerospace and defense industry. Collaboration between industry, military and academia fuels research and innovation. The University of Colorado Colorado Springs, designated as the lead institution for the Space Education Consortium, partners with the U.S. Space Force on research, advanced degrees and workforce development, preparing students for careers in aerospace and defense.

The U.S. Air Force Academy is categorized among the top institutions for undergraduate engineering programs in the U.S., boosting the region’s engineering talent pool. U.S. News and World Report ranked the Academy as the No. 6 undergraduate program in engineering where a doctoral degree is not offered. The area’s 400 monthly military separations also replenish the cleared talent pool, supporting classified missions in the industry.

In March 2024, the Aerospace Corporation and Colorado Springsbased Space Foundation announced a partnership to educate the next generation of space scientists and engineers. The Space Workforce 2030 program is a coalition that comprises about 30 companies working with universities, community colleges and high schools to solve industry worker

shortages and the diminishing pool of students pursuing science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) degrees required for space careers.

Colorado Springs’ workforce pool flourishes due to the innovative community spread throughout the state. World-class institutions like CU Boulder train a highly skilled workforce to support the aerospace and defense sectors. CU Boulder also partners with government agencies, such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Security Agency (NSA), on pioneering aerospace and defense research, which enhances national security.

The decision to base DEL 15 in Colorado Springs is one of several recent developments that bolster the region’s status as a leading space and defense hub. This makes it an attractive destination for aerospace and defense industry businesses to invest, innovate and grow.

Economic Growth Driven by Business Expansions

Colorado Springs is experiencing increased economic activity, driving growth and competitiveness. Data released by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) in December 2024 showed that the Gross Domestic

Product (GDP) for the Colorado Springs Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) grew by 4.4% between 2022 and 2023, reaching $53 billion. This growth rate was 1.5% higher than the U.S. national average, highlighting the region’s robust economic environment and attractiveness to investors.

Attracted by Colorado Springs’ strong military presence, thriving startup scene, leading technology and highly skilled workforce, seven aerospace and defense companies have announced business expansions into Colorado Springs since 2022. These are some of the 25 companies that chose to move into or grow within the region, creating more than 4,000 jobs and attracting $1.7 billion in economic funding.

In 2022, Colorado Springs-based Bluestaq, a software development firm in the aerospace industry chose to remain in the city for a large-scale expansion expected to create 585 jobs within eight years. During the same period, Denver-based Zivaro, a company focused on modernizing software for the aerospace and Defense industry, expanded into Colorado Springs, creating over 300 well-paying jobs.

Schriever Space Force Base in Colorado Springs has been chosen as the permanent home of Space Delta 15 (DEL 15). Inset photo: DEL 15 emblem.

Photo Source: Schriever Space Force Base

Aerospace/Defense

At the 2024 Space Symposium, the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC announced the expansion of Nooks, a defense industry startup specializing in classified facilities for use by industry and government partners, to build a 60,000-squarefoot facility near UCCS. This will be Nooks’ third and largest national location. Intuitive Research and Technology (INTUITIVE), an aerospace engineering analysis firm, announced an expansion in March 2024, expected to create 1,347 jobs. The company opened a new office at the Garden of the Gods to support the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Space Command and other space warfighting units.

Construction of Aerospace Corporation’s $100 million state-ofthe-art research facility dedicated to space warfighting and national security missions was completed in 2022. The 90,000-square-foot facility is expected to employ 200 workers, enhancing the existing team of around 240 engineers, scientists and analysts at Aerospace Corp’s location in Peak Innovation Park, near the Colorado Springs Airport, according to a 2020 company news release.

Mergers and Acquisitions

Enhancing Competitiveness

Before rebranding to Auria, Boecore, a Colorado Springs-based aerospace and defense contractor, expanded in the city to build a large sensitive compartmented information facility (SCIF), where government

officials and contractors can review highly classified information. Boecore later became part of a merger by Enlightenment Capital, combining four acquisitions under the Auria umbrella, including Boecore, Orbit Logic, Ascencion Engineering Group and La Jolla Logic, to provide specialized software products for space, missile defense and cyber operations, Enlightenment Capital said in a January 2024 release. Auria is headquartered in Colorado Springs and employed 400 workers, at the time.

In October 2022, Veritas Capital, a technology investor managing over $45 billion in assets, acquired CAES Space Systems (formerly Cobham Advanced Electronic Solutions), a Colorado Springs-based provider of critical space mission components. Veritas CEO and Managing Partner Ramzi Musallam said in a company release that CAES was well-positioned to support national security under their ownership. In September 2024, Honeywell International Inc., a major multinational conglomerate headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, announced the completion of its $1.9 billion all-cash acquisition of CAES Space Systems, aiming to drive long-term growth and expand its revenue streams across leading defense platforms.

To expand its reach and gain access to a wider range of DoD and federal contracts, Delta Solutions & Strategies (Delta) joined Ukpeagvik Iñupiat Corporation (UIC) as part of

the Bowhead Family of Companies. This acquisition, UIC’s largest to date, will complement Bowhead’s services and increase its chances of securing government contracts. It will also strengthen Delta’s expertise and ability to effectively compete for federal funding, according to a December 2024 news release by the two companies.

Government Investments Advancing Technology

Colorado Springs aerospace and defense companies have emerged as highly competitive in federal funding, scoring substantial contracts since 2022. According to the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), Colorado-headquartered companies received $22.8 billion in federal aerospace funding in 2024. Five large military bases in the state also received $12.3 billion in funding.

Back in 2022, Lockheed Martin landed a $581.6 million contract to support its Global Positioning System (GPS) at Schriever Space Force Base in Colorado Springs. The contract includes a variety of engineering services to keep the satellites running smoothly. During the same time, the Shared Early Warning System (SEWS) at Peterson Space Force Base, which alerts the U.S. and its allies to potential missile strikes, got an $84.4 million boost. Tetra Tech, based in Pasadena, California, was awarded the contract to provide maintenance and support. The

work at Peterson SFB is expected to be finished by January 31, 2029.

After an earlier $341 million funding to build the first radar to track objects in distant orbits around the Earth, Northrop Grumman, Colorado Springs, was awarded a $200 million contract by the U.S. Space Force to develop a second site for Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) in the United Kingdom. DARC is a state-of-the-art, all-weather radar system designed to detect objects in deep space. It ensures the safety and security of space-based services like navigation, weather forecasting and communications. This system is a collaborative effort between the United States, United Kingdom and Australia.

Recognizing the vital contributions of small aerospace and defense companies, Delta Solutions and Strategies, before its merger with UIC, secured a $186.6 million, five-year contract to advise and support the U.S. Space Command headquarters. This contract is expected to provide 155 jobs in intelligence, logistics, communications and war-game exercises. Additionally, Delta projected to hire 35 new employees, expanding its Colorado Springs workforce pool of 315.

Jayne Mhono Dickey is the communications manager for the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce & EDC

The Space Warfighting Center, The Aerospace Corporation's state-of-the-art research and development facility in Colorado Springs.

Photo Source: Aerospace

Colorado Springs’ Energy Future is Shifting

BY TRAVAS DEAL

Recent developments related to power purchase agreements for renewable energy and transmission line capacity are shifting Colorado Springs Utilities’ energy transition strategies moving forward.

Proposals for Additional Generation

In October 2023, proposals to explore options for an additional 1,500 megawatts (MW) of new electric generation and up to 200 MW of battery energy storage were fielded. This data is critical as the utility works to meet state emission-reduction requirements in 2030 and beyond, and maintain its industry-leading reliability.

With energy providers around the nation pursuing similar resources, it was extremely important to obtain current market prices and timelines for power purchase agreements, especially for wind and solar.

Springs Utilities received more than 200 proposals for additional generation; however, many of the prices are at least 60% higher than expected for wind and 50% higher for solar.

Customers are already facing rising energy costs as part of the utility’s five-year financial plan. Springs Utilities’ leadership does not believe these inflated agreements should be an additional hardship for its customers.

Cost Drivers, Timeline Challenges and Transmission Capacity

The inflated costs are attributable to several factors: a congested supply chain, high demand across the energy industry, raw material scarcity and potential tariffs and policy changes proposed by the current presidential administration. Although these proposed tariffs and policy changes have yet to have full effect, vendors have preemptively included the anticipated increases in their pricing models.

CONTINUED ON P. 23

These factors have not only increased renewable energy project prices, but they have also pushed out project completion timelines; some completion dates are several years into the future.

Limited transmission line capacity is also adding significant cost to delivering power from these projects to Colorado Springs. Overcoming this challenge would require major investments in new transmission lines or significant upgrades to existing ones. These extended timelines and capacity issues do not align with the utility’s projected needs.

Regulatory Uncertainty

Although federal regulations are in flux due to the current presidential administration, Colorado’s regulatory requirements are more defined. As the utility navigates these diverging regulatory landscapes, the organization will continue to work proactively with state and federal policy makers to identify solutions that meet our reliability needs and protect customers’ interests.

To keep all potential solutions on the table, Springs Utilities supports HB25-1040 — a bill that would designate nuclear as a clean energy resource in Colorado. Although the utility is in the preliminary stages of examining the viability of nuclear energy, it would be irresponsible to shut the door on any solution that could allow the organization to meet the state’s climate targets and maintain service reliability.

Next Steps

• Springs Utilities is assessing alternative paths for the city’s energy transition, which will include getting customer and Utilities Board input and direction on resource options as the organization updates its Sustainable Energy Plan.

• Although many of the agreements will not be signed, a solar and battery energy storage contract will be pursued.

• The utility will continue to enhance and extend the life of existing assets to meet reliability expectations, manage costs and support the community’s economic health.

• Springs Utilities is exploring energy resources and transmission partnerships with other utilities, knowing those will take time to develop.

• Entry into the Southwest Power Pool Regional Transmission Organization in 2026 will significantly expand access to regional energy resources and transmission line capacity. This expansion will occur at a much faster pace and lower cost than if the utility were to secure these resources itself.

• Despite the status of these proposals, the utility’s fiveyear financial plan does not change regarding energy investments. It must continue to modernize its electric grid and resource mix to meet evolving state regulations and changing customer needs.

• Leaders will continue to work proactively with state and federal policymakers to identify solutions that meet the utility’s reliability needs and protect the community’s interests.

Springs Utilities remains steadfast in its commitment to deliver cleaner energy to its customers. However, to do what is best for the community, leaders at the utility are mindful of the timing and associated costs.

Travas Deal is the CEO of Colorado Springs Utilities.

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.

Economic Forum

Uncertainty Darkens the U.S. Macroeconomic Outlook

BY DR. BILL CRAIGHEAD

The U.S. economy entered 2025 in strong shape. Although grumbling about prices had become an entrenched habit, the data showed that inflation was well down from its mid-2022 peak. GDP and productivity growth rates were both healthy. A weakening trend in the labor market appeared to have levelled off in the second half of 2024 with unemployment still at a low level.

Three months into the year, the economic outlook has darkened considerably because of uncertainty emanating from Washington. With the changes in government spending and tariffs, what is happening is negative for economic activity, but the more serious damage may come from how it is being done.

First, the reductions in services directed by Elon Musk – these have been attention-grabbing and may degrade the quality of federal efforts in areas ranging from aviation safety to wildland firefighting and veterans’ services, while also jeopardizing American leadership in medicine

and science. However, the dollar amounts appear to be fairly small relative to the overall size of the U.S. economy and to total federal outlays (which are mainly driven by Social Security, Medicare and interest payments). Note this means that the impact on the federal budget deficit is also minor.

If these cuts were coming in a clear and predictable manner through the normal appropriations process, the short-run impact on the overall U.S. economy would likely be modest. However, the chaotic and nontransparent manner of their execution, exacerbated by questions about legality and judicial interventions (under the Constitution, Congress has “the power of the purse”) means that all organizations who work with the federal government – e.g., contractors and grant recipients – are facing elevated uncertainty, as the way the government does business is fundamentally unsettled. This may lead them to hold off on investment. This is particularly relevant in the Colorado Springs area with its large federal government footprint (at

3.8%, the federal government share of civilian employment here is twice the national percentage).

Second, tariffs – mainstream economists see these as harmful distortions that result in less efficient use of resources and therefore lower standards of living. Imposing taxes on imports from our three largest trading partners, as well as on key industrial inputs like aluminum and steel, raises the cost of living and puts American firms that use imported parts and materials at a disadvantage.

However, as a large economy with abundant natural resources, the U.S. can still be successful (if slightly poorer) with less international trade. But the constantly shifting and escalating tariff threats, punctuated by short-term “pauses,” create an incentive to postpone investment. Firms facing higher project costs have an incentive to wait and see if tariffs will be lifted. Meanwhile, businesses that might wish to expand production of domestic substitutes for imported goods will be hesitant about making investments based on tariffs which might not stay in place.

While consumption is the largest component of GDP, investment is the most volatile. The uncertainty created around trade policy as well as the federal government’s reliability as a business partner are undermining the environment for investment. A pullback in investment in industries most directly impacted will result in lower demand elsewhere in the economy, reducing employment, income and spending. That’s one reason why the word “recession,” which was hardly uttered at the beginning of 2025, is back in the conversation.

Dr. Bill Craighead is the director of the UCCS Economic Forum.

Engage in Women’s Sports Now

BY DAWN DAWSON

If you are a small business in Colorado, chances are you face rising costs, stiff competition and shifting consumer behaviors. Smart marketing can help overcome these challenges.

The rise of women’s sports has been meteoric. And the fans of women’s sports are unique and highly engaged consumers. As a small business, you cannot afford to miss out on getting ahead of the curve for 2025.

Here’s how:

Engage with the Community-Based Monetization Model

Women’s sports fans are highly engaged and 1.5 times more likely to purchase merchandise. Small businesses can tap into this by offering products/services directly to these communities.

Sponsor Local Teams and Athletes

Women’s sports fans are 30% more likely to buy from sponsors. Small businesses can gain brand loyalty by sponsoring local teams or athletes.

Capitalize on Digital Engagement

Women’s sport fans are tech-savvy and digitally engaged. Small businesses can leverage social media and digital ads to connect with this audience, especially through content creation and influencer partnerships.

Align with Social Causes

Fans value purpose-driven brands. Fans of women’s sports donate 30% to charitable causes more than sports fans in general. Small businesses can strengthen relationships by launching campaigns supporting women’s sports or empowerment

Target Gen Z

While 62% of Gen Z say they’d watch more women’s sports if easier to find, 40% already watch it on Snapchat Discover daily. Small businesses can attract this demographic through targeted sponsorships and products .

Dawn Dawson is the CEO of Reflections Advertising and the CMO of Mortgage Solutions Financial.

CONTACT

If you have any questions about your advertising, feel free to contact Dawn at DAWN@REFLECTIONSADVERTISING.COM

MAKE AN IMPACT WITH CLIENTS

SETTING THE STAGE FOR POWERFUL CONNECTIONS

Close deals on the course, in the restaurants or by meeting someone new. Welcome to Membership at Garden of the Gods Resort and Club, where the location is as impactful as the conversations taking place within.

Small Business Spotlight

Factorem Bridges Global Gap Between Manufacturers and Suppliers

BY JEANNE DAVANT

Alexandra Zhang thinks Southeast Asia is the world’s up-and-coming hub for advanced manufacturing suppliers that can serve many more small and mid-sized businesses that may not be aware of its potential.

A native of Singapore, Zhang co-founded Colorado Springs- and Singapore-based Factorem, an AIdriven fulfillment platform, to connect companies that need custom parts with companies that can make them.

“Southeast Asia is home to tens of thousands of skilled machine shops and fabricators,” Zhang states. “There’s this whole part of the world that people have not accessed.”

These companies can offer quality services, cost savings and rapid fulfillment, but North American companies that need custom components face a bewildering, complex supply chain environment characterized by opaque pricing, minimum order requirements, long lead times and high shipping costs.

“I founded Factorem to revolutionize manufacturing supply chains and solve the inefficiencies of demand and supply,” she says.

Streamlining Supply Chains

Zhang has strong roots in Southeast Asia and a background in marketing, business development, strategy and planning, product development and engineering. She started Factorem — which means “maker” in Latin — in 2021 after working with Inmotive, a Canadian startup that invented highefficiency transmission technology for the electric vehicle market. Like many other North American companies, Inmotive was struggling to find components to meet its needs.

Factorem CEO Zhang and Hardik Dobariya, co-founder and chief product officer, developed a streamlined process that begins with a customer uploading design files for the part it needs. The customer receives design feedback and a quote for the project, which is matched with a suitable, prequalified and

vetted manufacturer from Factorem’s network. A thorough quality check is performed at every step of the process, and the order is fulfilled within 10 days.

According to Factorem’s website, more than 50,000 parts have been delivered through the process to date. Since its founding, the company’s revenue has grown more than 300% year over year, and its supplier network has expanded to more than 150 vetted factories in Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, South Korea and India. The company has 15 employees, mostly located in Singapore.

Zhang was drawn to Colorado last year through her work with Longmont-based Droplet Manufacturing Technologies, which makes atmospheric research instruments. She saw a market for Factorem’s services in the state’s growing advanced manufacturing sector, especially in the aerospace, defense, semiconductor and biotechnology industries, and took the company through Exponential Impact’s SCALE program.

“They were our first gateway to launch officially, and now we are a U.S. entity,” Zhang says. “We’re looking to grow and help anyone who needs to get parts quickly. What drives us every day is that our customers build very innovative products that are all really cool and are driving the future.”

Artificial intelligence is changing the manufacturing industry, Zhang says. It has enabled Factorem to transform the ordering process from one that can take many steps and three months or longer to one where a manufacturer can inquire, get a design checked for potential defects and find a factory that can deliver the product — all within three minutes. For suppliers, it provides seamless access to global jobs, data-driven insights and tech modules.

“Hardware shouldn’t have to be hard,” she says. “We want to make hardware less hard. And because we’re a small company, we’re able to adapt to technologies quickly based on what the market is telling us.”

Doing Business in SE Asia

Tapping into this new world does require some learning, Zhang says. Entrepreneurs need to know about local business culture such as respect for hierarchy and relationships, regulations and incentives.

In Singapore, for example, “business culture values seniority and long-term trust,” Zhang says. Singapore offers strong government support for businesses, and English is the official language for business communication. Zhang suggests that business owners research local business culture and customers by visiting government, chamber and industry association websites for the

localities they are considering.

Addressing the tariff landscape being put into place by the Trump administration, Zhang says, “We have not seen direct impact on the executional level, but we are cognizant. If the tariff happened for particular materials, all countries will be affected, so we will have to find other ways to stay competitive. I will say, in general, raw material pricing and labor costs are already lower” in Southeast Asia.

She points out that Singapore has trade agreements with more than 60 countries, including the U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement passed by the U.S. Congress and signed in 2003 by President George W. Bush. It specifies that Singapore will place zero tariffs on U.S. goods and impose no import duties on most U.S. goods, with the exceptions of alcohol, tobacco and vehicles. In addition, she says, certain products, such as specific agricultural products, may face limited tariffs.

“We'll be watching and observing the next announcements,” Zhang says.

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

Recent hardware meetups Zhang co-hosted to connect the hardware and manufacturing community in Colorado.

Zhang visiting supplier shops in Colorado Springs, together with the machine shop owners.

Photo Credit: Alexandra Zhang

Speaker Series Tackles the Intersection of Arts and AI

BY CULTURAL OFFICE OF THE PIKES PEAK REGION

The rise of artificial intelligence is reshaping creative industries, sparking both excitement and concern. The next installment of the LEVEL UP! Creative Sector Summit & Speaker Series will dive into this timely conversation with Dr. Martin Key, an expert in AI and digital transformation.

Hosted by UCCS and the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region (COPPR), this interactive lunch-andlearn will provide media and attendees with critical insights into AI’s role in creative work, from practical applications to the broader ethical dilemmas shaping policy, copyright and artistic integrity. As AI continues to disrupt industries, this conversation is essential for anyone reporting on technology, innovation or the future of the arts.

“Artificial intelligence is transforming the creative landscape in ways we’re only beginning to understand,” says Angela Seals, COPPR executive director. “Through LEVEL UP!, we’re creating space for artists, entrepreneurs and cultural leaders to explore these

changes, ask the hard questions and equip themselves with the knowledge to navigate this new era responsibly. Conversations like these are essential to ensuring that creativity and human expression remain at the heart of innovation.”

Thomas “Martin” Key is professor of Digital Strategy & Marketing and Team Lead for the Marketing, Strategy and International Business Department at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. Dr. Key’s research centers on theory building and conceptual development around digital and strategic issues at the executive level, most recently concerning the safe and ethical use of generative AI in business applications. He has published in journals such as, the Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, AMS Review, European Journal of Marketing, Journal of Business Research, Journal of Strategic Marketing, and Business Horizons. Dr. Key is a Daniels Ethics Initiative Fellow and Cybersecurity Fellow and frequently consults with new startups and established organizations. Learn more here.

Must Read

Financial Intelligence, Revised Edition:

A Manager’s Guide to Knowing What the Numbers Really Mean

by Karen Berman, Joe Knight & John Case

304 pages

Published on February 19, 2013

$19.87 on Amazon

Inc. magazine called it one of “the best, clearest guides to the numbers” available.

Since its release in 2006, Financial Intelligence has become a favorite among managers who need to use financial data to drive their business, AND need a guided tour through the financial numbers, to understand what they really mean and why they matter.

This updated edition (2013) continues to teach the basics of finance (costs and expenses, income statements and balance sheets) as well as the finer points of finance (ratios of profitability, liquidity and efficiency) to learn what the numbers are really saying.

Readers over the years have described the book as “what they need to know,” seeing it as a nonfinancial manager’s tutorial on financial literacy and the nuance beyond the numbers.

Accessible, free of jargon and filled with informative stories of real companies, Financial Intelligence provides the confidence to understand financials enough to help bring everyday work to a new level.

Arts Economy

advocates to explore new opportunities for growth and innovation.

The series launched in February, with an engaging discussion on the Experience Economy, featuring creative strategist Brian Corrigan. Artists, entrepreneurs and cultural leaders came together to explore how immersive experiences are shaping industries and community development. Building on this momentum, the series continues to tackle pressing topics that impact the region’s cultural sector, providing local creatives with actionable strategies, business tools and inspiring ideas to elevate their careers and impact. Featuring dynamic speakers, expert panels and hands-on workshops, the series addresses key challenges faced by creatives and offers solutions to build sustainable, thriving careers in the arts.

The LEVEL UP! Creative Sector Summit & Speaker Series features a dynamic lineup of events throughout 2025, bringing together industry leaders, creatives and cultural

• Speaker Series: Friday, May 16, 2025: David Holland, deputy director of Creative West, will present at the Penrose House Conference Center, Carriage House from 3-5 pm.

• Wednesday, June 25, 2025: The LEVEL UP! Creative Sector Summit will take place from Noon to 6 pm at the Ent Center for the Arts at UCCS. This half-day conference will feature inspiring speakers, workshops, a business fair and networking opportunities centering on arts and culture as drivers for community success and economic growth.

Attending all speaker series events qualifies attendees for discounted tickets to the Creative Sector Summit in June. CONTINUED FROM

Why Attend LEVEL UP

Expert Insights: Gain knowledge from top industry professionals on topics such as marketing, funding, business growth and creative entrepreneurship.

Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow artists, business leaders and supporters of the creative economy.

Actionable Strategies: Walk away with practical resources to take your creative practice/business to the next level.

Attendees can explore business resources for creatives on the official LEVEL UP! Resource Page and access event details and registration at: cootppr.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/neonevents/ events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents

For a full overview of the LEVEL UP! Creative Sector Summit & Speaker Series, visit: culturaloffice.org/levelup-creative-sector-summit-and-speaker-series

Southern Colorado Job Market At A Glance

A look at what sectors in Southern Colorado’s (21 southeastern Colorado counties) labor market were growing or shrinking, March 2025

Do Cities Eat Their Young (Startups)?

BY LARRY PLUMMER, PH.D.

In short, yes, but it depends on industry conditions.

City conditions feed startups. Most resources an entrepreneur might need are readily available in a city like Colorado Springs. But, as people and businesses crowd into a region, competition and costs go up. Thus, the rate at which businesses form and die rise with city scale. And while startups push out some incumbents, it’s the startups themselves we often see closing. Such revolving door entry, whereby new businesses close, is called entrepreneurial “churn.”

Among several regional conditions, local industry diversity (or lack thereof) plays a crucial role in new business closures. Here’s why:

To survive the “gales of competition,” most startups need to adapt repeatedly. The art of the pivot — a near-cliché in entrepreneurship education — is how startups avoid failure. An inability to pivot spikes the risk of failure, especially when the pivot is a jump from one industry to another. To put it simply, the

more diverse the region, the more industries — each replete with workers, suppliers and service providers — available to support a successful pivot.

My research with colleagues finds support for this possibility. Our analysis of 355 metro areas shows that, as the intensity of local competition drives up new business closures, this effect worsens as industry diversity falls.

You can see clues to this in our Colorado data. Colorado Springs and Denver show nearly equal new business closure rates. However, based on population densities

Small Business Spotlight

and living costs, Denver’s local competition for resources is higher than that of Colorado Springs. So, why aren’t there more new business closures in Denver? Based on our calculations, Denver ranks 89 in industry diversity and Colorado Springs ranks 332, making our region one of the least industrial diverse nationwide. So, while the pressure to exit is higher in Denver, that city’s greater industry diversity appears to be easing that pressure — presumably by making it easier to pivot to a new industry. And here it would be obvious to say that ongoing efforts to diversify the region’s industry will ease

entrepreneurial churn.

Another way to reduce churn is to (1) train people to be better navigators of the entrepreneurial process and (2) to provide sheltered waters — an ecosystem of incubators, accelerators and the like — for the launch of the region’s next generation of highgrowth companies. And it’s these topics that will form the basis of future columns.

Larry Plummer holds the El Pomar Chair in Business and Entrepreneurship and is the Interim Director of the El Pomar Institute for Innovation and Commercialization at UCCS. He is internationally recognized for his research on regional entrepreneurial ecosystems and development.

Citation: Plummer, L. A., Parker, S. C., & Reyes, S. C. (2020). Regional Path Breaking: The Role of Industry Switching, Industry Diversity, and New Knowledge in New Venture Exit. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 46(5), 1231-1255. https://doi. org/10.1177/1042258720952288 (Original work published 2022)

Motis OneAI Transforms Workforce

Efficiency with Human-Centric Change

BY PAM BALES

In business, as with oceans, what you see above the waterline tells only part of the story.

Motis OneAI is addressing what is below the waterline. With offices in Colorado Springs and Denver, it’s developing methods and tools for deep exploration in organizations to create human-centric cultures that are more efficient and profitable in conjunction with its

workers, not in spite of them.

“It’s a concept we’ve been working on for 20 years,” explains Rick Beaton, founder and CEO of Motis OneAI. “The hard data shows many businesses experience 30 to 40% inefficiency because of the lack of human-centric practices and culture. That’s what Motis OneAI hopes to help change.”

Beaton holds a Ph.D. from Cambridge University, was a professor for years and has been working with senior leaders for decades to build out

the people and cultural systems that support their business strategies. His partner, AnnMarie Artzen, Ph.D., MBA, Stanford-certified project manager, brings a wealth of experience to Motis OneAI in cross-functional team-building and technical project management working with Google; the University of California, Santa Cruz; Boeing; Driscoll’s, the fresh berries purveyor; and Moxo business consultants.

By integrating insights from

psychology, sociology and even ancient wisdom, Motis OneAI created a replicable framework for driving organizational performance. The solutions engage every facet of a business, from finance and legal to design and marketing, emphasizing the critical role of behavior, culture and human systems.

Small Business Spotlight

All organizations face constant turbulence, says Beaton. Motis OneAI understands that the true challenge lies not in the technology itself but in its impact on human systems. That’s why the company’s solutions place people at the center of change.

“A perfect example is the burnout that comes from email, available on a 24-hour basis and workers feeling like they have to respond, no matter the time,” explains Beaton. “Employees get overstimulated and feel like they can’t get off the work clock. We help organizations understand that buying lunch or offering a yoga class is not the answer to solving the problem. We help improve margins and the human experience at work.”

They emphasize that AI adoption isn’t about replacing people but automating routine tasks to enhance efficiency, improve margins and enable employees to focus on meaningful, value-driven work. Motis OneAI recognizes that, although 60% to 80% of workers already use AI in their daily tasks, technology is not an end in itself.

The effects of performance culture extend beyond the bottom line — they create workplaces where individuals thrive and organizations become adaptable, resilient and ready for

a revolution in how society and work evolve alongside AI and quantum technologies.

“It’s kind of like we are still living in the industrial revolution mindset, but we’ve built technology to move from a flat Earth mentality to a spherical Earth,” says Beaton. “These types of large changes can be threatening to not only organizations, but the employees who make up those organizations.”

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“Technology is not perfect,” Beaton notes. “But it can be a transformative journey, leveraging the power of AI while keeping humanity at the center. We believe that the best businesses don’t just work — they inspire.”

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

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the future, Beaton says. Beaton envisions

Tariffs Could Impact Construction and Housing Affordability in Pikes Peak Region

BY KERI KAHN

President Trump’s tariff policies are resulting in slower economic growth in the United States and around the world.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) recently predicted global growth to slow to 3.1% in 2025 and 3.0% in 2026. For the United States specifically, GDP growth is projected at 2.2% in 2025 before declining to 1.6% in 2026.

“The global economy has shown some real resilience, with growth remaining steady and inflation moving downwards. However, some signs of weakness have emerged, driven by heightened policy uncertainty,” OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann states in a March 17 press release.

“Increasing trade restrictions will contribute to higher costs both

for production and consumption. It remains essential to ensure a wellfunctioning, rules-based international trading system and to keep markets open,” Cormann adds.

How U.S. Trade Policy Impacts Pikes Peak Region

Key sectors such as aerospace and defense, advanced manufacturing, technology and healthcare could give the Pikes Peak region a strong buffer against adverse market forces.

“Although it is still early to fully gauge the impact of these tariffs on our region, the diverse industry base in Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region ensures our economy remains resilient and robust,” Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC spokesperson Jayne Mhono Dickey says.

According to Bill Craighead, program director for the University of

Colorado Colorado Springs Economic Forum, the construction industry could be among the hardest hit locally.

“If you ask me what the biggest impact would be on our regional economy, I think it’s going to be construction costs and, obviously, housing affordability is already a huge concern in the region,” he says. “It’s a growing region, so if you look at how much of our GDP is accounted for by construction, it’s higher than it is nationwide.”

may lead business owners to hold off on investments.

As of this writing, there are 10% tariffs on Canadian oil and energy products, and 25% tariffs on the remainder of Canadian and Mexican imports that do not satisfy the United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) rules of origin requirements. Tariffs on Chinese imports have been proposed to raise from 10% to 20%, and a 25% tariff has been placed on all imports of steel, aluminum and derivative products. Thus far, Canada, China and the European Union have retaliated with proposed tariffs on U.S. exports.

Canada is an important source of lumber, but even for builders who do not source from Canada, the increased cost of Canadian lumber will increase demand for American lumber, driving up prices across the entire market. Steel and aluminum tariffs, as well as tariffs on electrical components, will have an adverse effect on construction projects as well.

“It’s potentially pretty significant for home building and construction, which are really important for our region and it just exacerbates those housing affordability concerns,” he continues.

Uncertainty leads to delays in business investment decisions

Anyone who finds it difficult to follow present-day trade policy is not alone, and the resulting ambiguity

“I think a big part of the problem is the uncertainty that’s being created because the policy seems to change every day, if not more often,”

Craighead says. “So, it’s really, really hard for businesses and consumers to make plans.”

Craighead points to the Peterson Institute for International Economics (www.piie.com) as a quality source of up-to-date information, timelines and changes.

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

Has Technology Killed Relationship Banking?

BROUGHT TO YOU BY INBANK

Technology has revolutionized the banking industry, fundamentally altering the traditional relationshipdriven approach that once defined commercial banking. Automated lending, fintech (financial technology) solutions and self-service platforms have made it easier for businesses to manage finances without relying on a dedicated banker.

However, although technology has streamlined many processes, not everything in commercial banking can be conducted online. For businesses, cultivating a proactive relationship with a trusted banker remains crucial to navigating complex financial needs.

How Technology Has Eroded Commercial Relationship Banking

Historically, businesses depended on relationship managers who provided tailored financial solutions, from lending to cash management. Today, that dynamic has changed, particularly as millennials are taking on leadership and decision-making roles.

Digital-first interactions, transparent pricing and flexible purchasing models are the expectation, and although these have driven many positive shifts, not everything can be automated and self-serviced — especially in commercial banking.

The fact remains that not all commercial banking services can be commoditized. Complex transactions, structured financing and risk management still require human expertise. Businesses that maintain strong relationships with their bankers

can access tailored advice, faster problem resolution and strategic financial planning that automated systems cannot provide.

Why a Proactive Banking Relationship Still Matters

Technology drives efficiency, but businesses that actively engage with their bankers gain a competitive edge. Treasury services, cash flow optimization and risk management require a level of customization that digital platforms cannot fully replace. A proactive approach ensures businesses receive strategic insights, faster service and access to financial solutions that go beyond automation.

In a world driven by technology, relationship banking isn’t dead — it has simply evolved. Businesses that strike the right balance between digital tools and human expertise will be best positioned for success.

Stay tuned for our next articles in this series to discover the economic impact of community banking and what you should expect from your bank.

Tejon Street Revitalization Promises Benefits for Downtown Colorado Springs

BY THERESA WOODS

South Tejon Street is currently undergoing its longplanned revitalization. After a postponement to adjust plans in response to local businesses feedback, construction began March 24. The project is part of the Experience Downtown Master Plan, remaking Downtown Colorado Springs into the economic and cultural heart of the region.

Changes to the Tejon Street streetscape are:

• Sidewalks widened to 10 feet

• Bike lanes added

• Expanded outdoor dining spaces

• Center lane removed and deliveries relocated to side streets

• Designated short-term parking areas for food delivery and ridehail vehicles

• Mature trees and landscaping planted

• Additional seating, public art and lighting installed

“That’s what the businesses really saw as being the most beneficial,” said Richard Mulledy, director of Public Works for the city of Colorado Springs, about the plan’s alterations. “Let’s get the largest [outdoor dining] in the largest pedestrian experience level we can. That’s what changed.”

The Process of Change

The Tejon Street Revitalization Project intends to boost safety, accessibility and business activity along Tejon Street between Colorado Avenue and Kiowa Street. The first phase, called Block One, is from Colorado to Pikes Peak Avenues. This section will be under construction from April through July. Block Two, Pikes Peak Avenue north to Kiowa Street, is scheduled for construction from July through Sept. Once complete, work will begin at the intersection of Tejon Street and Pikes Peak Avenue. The final stage of the project is repaving those two blocks of Tejon Street in Dec. 2025.

During construction, northbound

Tejon Street will close in sections. However, businesses can still be safely accessed. While no street parking will be available in the area under construction, diagonal on-street parking will return once the project is complete. Businesses in the project zone have vouchers for two hours of free parking in city-owned garages for their customers, and additional free parking options in the area are under development, according to Mulledy. There will be a dedicated project liaison onsite every day facilitating communications with the area’s businesses. “We want to be as absolutely responsive as we possibly can because these are businesses, and they have to do business every day,” he says.

Eric Brenner, owner and chef of Red Gravy and a member of the Downtown Partnership Board of Directors, is excited about the upcoming changes and believes business impacts during construction will be minimal. “The city has been very accommodating and inclusive in considering the impact of the work on store front businesses,” he states. Plans to work in small sections — alternating between sides of the street — and the city’s changes to parking throughout Downtown during construction are in place to minimize disruptions to customers and businesses alike. “I don’t believe anything but amazing things will come from the work,” he said.

Opinion Surrounding the Project

John Winsor, director of Retail and Restaurant Transactions with Olive Real Estate Group, Inc., reports that new inquiries about leasing in the area have remained constant. What concerns his clients, existing and potential, are foot traffic levels, convenient and adequate parking and the area’s unhoused population. “The more we can do to improve the downtown area, and improve the appeal, the better,” he says.

Emily Ross, a Downtown business

owner and member of the Downtown Partnership Board of Directors, looked at 23 different Downtown properties in the past year for her business, Yobel and The Look Up Galley. “Retail really does need foot traffic,” she says. “It needs exposure. It needs vibrancy.” She pictures all this occurring on the revitalized Tejon Street, with diners and shoppers lingering on a pleasant street. “It has become a better project, too, as the city has engaged the community…to see some of the feedback create an even cooler outcome than what it was.”

“The more traffic we have Downtown helps us fulfill our educational mission,” says Jim Raer, executive director of the Rocky Mountain Motorcycle Museum located at 19 North Tejon Street. His biggest concern is deliveries once the center lane of Tejon Street is removed. He sees the alleys being the only delivery areas as “problematic,” but is enthusiastic about the long-term benefits of the project. “Anything to foster foot traffic and getting people

The revitalized Tejon Street depicted in an artist’s rendering.

Economic Development

The most controversial aspect of the Tejon Street Revitalization Project is moving deliveries to local businesses off Tejon Street and into the side streets and alleys. 1,119

863

Downtown is good,” he says. “People have not come back to work at their offices…in our building more than 50% of it is sitting empty.”

Frank Frey of Epicentral Coworking also noticed the demographic shift Downtown. “Pre-pandemic, there was some really great startup energy in the space and a lot of 1099-ers. Right now, it really is a lot of remote workers,” he says. New residents with remote employment are looking for conduits to meet people and found a solution at Epicentral. “For us to be downtown, it’s such a huge draw….We really attract the people who like all the amenities that downtown offers, and I think that [the Tejon Street Revitalization Project], that’s really going to help us.” The members of his coworking space are, in his words, looking for “walkability, amenities, community.”

Downtown workers Chris Deptula, Kent Nelsestuen and Ryan Thomson all chose Downtown Colorado Springs because of its offerings but agree that parking in is an issue. Their wish list for an improved Tejon Street includes more equitable parking options and fees, transportation options besides cars, amenities within walking distance of residences and places of work, recreation options like concert

venues and pickleball courts and more local businesses.

“The main goal is the beautification and the improvement of the experience for the person on the street so that it makes the Downtown a unique experience,” says Mulledy. A walkable, wider sidewalk in an area with multiple transportation options, shaded by large trees and lined with unique outdoor dining spots and exciting stores as a destination drawing in people from the surrounding city is how Downtown Colorado Springs’s economy will grow in the wake of this project, he says. “It’s like a giant puzzle and you’re trying to give everybody the most and the best that you can for each one of their issues, and I really think we got it.”

The $6 million project is funded with a $1.6 million grant from the Colorado Department of Transportation, and additional funds from the Downtown Development Authority. The majority of the project’s funding is from the city’s Parking System Enterprise.

Theresa Woods is a staff writer for the SoCo Business Forum & Digest.

The Tejon Street Revitalization Project will remake the blocks immediately north and south of the Pikes Peak Avenue and Tejon Street intersection, commonly referred to as Historic Tejon Street’s “Busy Corner.” Business in the area remain open and accessible throughout construction.

Block One, 0-100 South Tejon Street

• Academy Bank

• Awi Sushi Express

• East Coast Restaurant & Delicatessen

• Chipotle

• Colorado Craft Tejon Street Social

• Fujiyama

• Illegal Pete’s

• Jack Quinn’s Irish Pub & Restaurant

• Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar

• Lulu’s

• Mary's Mountain Cookies

• Red Gravy

• Urban Egg

• US Olympic & Paralympic Training Committee

Block Two, 0-100 North Tejon Street

• Avenue 19

• Beauty Bar Salon and Spa

• Blondie’s Ultra Lounge

• Coffee & Tea Zone

• Community Banks of Colorado

• Cowboys

• Firebird Chicken Sandwiches

• Formstack

• Gaia Masala & Burger

• Gasoline Alley

• Hairdressing Co.

• Jimmy John's

• Mansion

• Rocky Mountain Motorcycle Museum

• The Famous Steakhouse

• Upstate Pizzeria

• U.S. Bank

Yobel and Local Honey Collective Evolve into New Spaces

BY THERESA WOODS

An accidental fire on Dec. 4, 2023, forced multiple businesses on Bijou Street between Tejon Street and Cascade Avenue to close or relocate. Two local retail businesses have bounced back from the fire, 16 months after they closed their doors — better than ever.

The fire struck when local retailers Local Honey Collective and Yobel/The Look Up Gallery were fully stocked for their busiest time of year. The businesses lost their entire inventory due to smoke damage and were forced to leave their premises. Building repairs were estimated to take 12 months.

Temporary locations, fire sales, a gift card flash mob and many other demonstrations of local support kept the businesses and their employees afloat the first few months after the fire. Both businesses pivoted when faced with the unexpected and created opportunity in the midst of a setback.

Building a New Community

Local Honey Collective specializes in approachable, affordable and ontrend women’s clothing with a strong commitment to both the community and their honey bees (customers).

Co-owners Hailey Sardi and Cara McQueeney wanted to create a place to shop that was also passionate about community coming together to encourage and empower every woman.

The boutique reopened in April 2024, just four months after the fire. The store banded together with two other local businesses, Idyll Manor and KaMP Goods, opening at 425 S. Sierra Madre St.

“When we made the decision to move into The Shoppe at the Meanwhile Block, we knew we didn’t want to move in alone. We wanted to create a shopping destination. Somewhere people could come and experience an outing unlike any other in the city, finding exactly what they needed,” Sardi and McQueeney say in a statement.

CONTINUED ON P. 33

Local Honey Collective expanded its offerings and created a shopping destination.

Photo Credit: Local Honey Collective

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The Yobel/The Look Up Gallery renovating their new space.

Professionals on the Rise Southern Colorado’s Workforce Achievements!

Colorado College has been designated a Research College and University (RCU) by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and American Council on Education (ACE). RCU status acknowledges colleges and universities that invest significantly in research, even if they do not offer many or any doctoral degrees. To qualify, institutions must spend more than $2.5 million annually on research. CC is one of 36 undergraduate liberal arts colleges that have been awarded this designation.

Colorado Springs Fire Department

Fire Marshal Brett Lacey announced his retirement effective March 28, 2025. Lacey joined CSFD in 1992 as a senior fire protection engineer and has held the title of fire marshal since 1998. The Oklahoma State University alumnus is a registered professional engineer and a certified safety professional. Current Deputy Fire Marshal Kris Cooper, who has more than 30 years of fire service experience, has been promoted to CSFD fire marshal.

Martin Wood, senior vice chancellor for university advancement and development at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, has announced his retirement. Wood took the position in 2004 and oversaw development, marketing, branding, publications, web content management, public and community relations, state and federal relations, alumni relations, social media and strategic partnerships. Wood founded and managed the Regional Connect university/ community partnership program and led UCCS cybersecurity initiatives. UCCS has launched a search for his successor.

Dr. Wendy Birhanzel, Harrison School District 2 superintendent, was presented the 2025 Women in School Leadership Award at the School Superintendents Association Conference. Birhanzel has served more than 20 years in public education throughout California and Colorado. She earned her doctorate in educational leadership in urban school settings from the University of Southern California. During her tenure, the district has been named the best educational workplace and has had the highest staff retention rates.

Daniel Wachter has been named president and chief executive officer of the Colorado Symphony, based in Denver. Wachter will replace Mark Cantrell, who served as CEO since May 2023. Wachter joined the Colorado Symphony Board of Trustees in 2023 and was named co-vice chair in 2024. Previously, Wachter spent five years at Chromatic Technologies Inc. and served as CEO at the Colorado Springs-based company since 2024. He will continue to serve as a CTI adviser until May 1, 2025.

Dan Scott has been selected to replace Wachter as CEO at Chromatic Technologies Inc. Scott is a graduate of the University of South Alabama in Mobile with more than 20 years of operations management experience. His extensive background in lean manufacturing has been gained while managing organizations in the automotive, aerospace and construction markets. He is a customerfocused leader who strives to integrate a collaborative culture that emphasizes team building. Scott joined CTI as chief operating officer in 2022.

El Paso County has named Vernon Stewart the executive director of the newly established Department of Community Resources. This department integrates Environmental Services, Justice Services and Veteran Services into a unified structure aimed at enhancing collaboration and efficiency. Stewart previously served as the executive director for the El Paso County Department of Communications and as interim director for the Division of Veterans Services. He is a Marine Corps veteran.

Erin Miller, executive director of the Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center, was a nominee for the Satellite Executive of the Year Award, given by Via Satellite magazine. Space ISAC, based in Colorado Springs, facilitates collaboration across the global space industry to enhance our ability to prepare for and respond to vulnerabilities, incidents and threats and to disseminate timely and actionable information among member entities. Miller has been the ED since 2020.

Kris Cooper Brett Lacey

Dan Scott

Daniel Wachter

Martin Wood

Dr. Wendy Birhanzel

Vernon Stewart

Erin Miller

People

Distillery 291 in Colorado Springs won the award for best single-cask single-rye at the World Whiskies Awards, presented Feb. 14 in Louisville, Kentucky. In 2011, selftaught distiller Michael Myers founded the distillery, which has won numerous recognitions from the World Whiskies Awards and other global organizations. Myers was a fashion photographer in New York City when the events of Sept. 11, 2001, made him decide to pursue his love for whiskey and the Wild West.

The Colorado Tourism Office has hired Terry Fabrizio as its new operations coordinator. Fabrizio brings a wealth of experience in program management, vendor relations and operational efficiency from her previous role as operations program specialist at E-470 Public Highway Authority. Fabrizio, who studied environmental science at Metropolitan State University of Denver, also previously devoted nine years to Verizon, in various capacities.

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC players Stevie Echevarria, a midfielder, and Duke Lacroix, a defender, have been selected for upcoming international matches for their respective countries in International friendlies. Echevarria, who will represent Puerto Rico, has earned his fifth international call-up at the senior level in his professional career. Over the course of his international appearances, Echevarria has played a total of 133 minutes. Lacroix has made a significant impact on the international stage, with six appearances for Haiti. In those appearances, Lacroix has netted two goals and played a total of 540 minutes.

The Colorado Tourism Office has received four 2024 Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Adrian Awards for excellence in marketing. The awards are:

• HSMAI Silver Adrian Award, Public Relations/ Communications — Driving visitation to Leadville & the Historic Opera Houses Circuit;

• HSMAI Bronze Adrian Award, Social-First Video Content — Visit Colorado Instagram reels;

• HSMAI Bronze Adrian Award, Corporate Social Responsibility — Do Colorado Right at the Outside Festival; and

• HSMAI Bronze Adrian Award, State Tourism Website — A new colorado.com

Artist Michael Gault is among the recipients of LUXlife Magazine’s Creative and Visual Awards for 2024. His award recognizes his plein air and open-studio workshops, offered at Artistic Endeavors Fine Art in Woodland Park. Gault has won international awards for his oil paintings, which are in collections around the world. He has a bachelor of fine arts from the Kansas City Art Institute and a master’s from the University of Missouri. He will be featured in the May issue of LUXlife Magazine.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has been voted the No. 2 Best Zoo in the United States in USA TODAY’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards for 2025. Dedicated supporters voted daily for a month, and earned the zoo its highest ranking ever. The zoo also earned the No. 2 spots for Best Zoo Membership and Best Zoo Exhibit for the Rocky Mountain Wild habitat. Only the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium in Omaha finished ahead of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, which welcomes more than 800,000 visitors annually.

Dr. Michael Huang has joined CommonSpirit Orthopedics on North Nevada Avenue. As an orthopedic surgeon, he is committed to providing individualized care, empowering each patient to make informed decisions about their treatment based on their unique needs and goals. Huang earned his bachelor’s in neuroscience from the University of Pennsylvania, his MD from Washington University at St. Louis School of Medicine, and completed his orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. He furthered his expertise with a Sports Medicine Fellowship at the Steadman Clinic.

Pikes Peak State College has been named the No. 1 Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program in Colorado by the Board of Nursing, after another outstanding 100% pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). This prestigious ranking places PPSC at the top among 722 ADN programs across the country and solidifies its reputation as a leader in nursing education. The ranking is based on NCLEX pass rates, program quality and student success outcomes.

Michael Myers

Dr. Michael Huang

Terry Fabrizio

Michael Gault

From left, Tim Wolfe, Colorado Tourism Office director, holds the silver Adrian Award for public relations/ communications; Natazshya Rodriguez, CTO senior brand manager, holds the bronze Adrian Award for social-first video content; Christina Tuchman, CTO marketing manager, holds the bronze Adrian Award for corporate social responsibility; and Shelley Cooper, CTO deputy director of marketing, holds the bronze Adrian Award for state tourism website.

Duke Lacroix

Stevie Echevarria

People love to visit Cheyenne Mountain Zoo to interact with the giraffes.

People

CONTINUED FROM P. 35 Pros

on the Rise

The Space Foundation has selected El Pomar Foundation for the 2025 Athena Education Award. It will be presented during the annual Space Symposium, taking place April 7-10 at The Broadmoor. The award recognizes the spirit, leadership and commitment of a steadfast partner to Space Foundation’s global education mission. The foundations, both based in Colorado Springs, have collaborated to provide educational programs that build science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) engagement, allowing tomorrow’s space leaders to participate in the global space economy.

The Space Foundation announced that Master Sgt. Craig J. Evans, Schriever Space Force Base, has received the Admiral James O. Ellis Jr. New Generation National Security Scholarship. The scholarship was established to encourage the participation of new generation professionals at Space Symposium, acknowledge an exceptional young professional and provide that individual an opportunity to advance their professional growth and development. Evans has dedicated his career to cybersecurity and space operations, protecting critical national assets in an increasingly contested domain.

Larisa Hegenbarth, founder of Novastar Academy Language Center in Englewood, has been named Colorado’s Small Business Person of the Year. She was raised in Buryatia, a republic of Russia, and has more than 20 years of experience in traditional, online and blended models of education. Novastar provides science, technology, engineering, arts and math courses to families in the Denver metropolitan area. The national winner will be announced May 5 in Washington, D.C., during Small Business Week, May 4-10.

Professionals on the Rise is The Digest’s special 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. Email newsdesk@coloradomediagroup.com with details (up to 40 words) and a photo of the esteemed.

Economic Development Southeast Plan Aims to Enhance a Vibrant, Diverse Community

BY JEANNE DAVANT

Southeast Colorado Springs has its own unique character, flavored by a diversity of ethnic restaurants and local small businesses. The Southeast Strong Community Plan aims to celebrate that character and encourage development that serves and enhances the community.

“The Southeast is the most culturally rich area in the city, and we’ve heard from a lot of residents and businesses that they’re very proud of that,” says Shakanah Tedder, Colorado Springs small business development administrator.

The variety extends to businesses: the Southeast encompasses both small businesses dispersed through the region and larger employers at Peak Innovation Park, Tedder says.

“They’re offering experiences you may not find anywhere else in the city,” she says.

While there is a lot of interest in businesses wanting to locate in the Southeast area, especially at Peak Innovation Park, “there have been some challenges — inflation, supply chains, ingredient prices going up, for instance,” she says. “We’ve been doing a lot of work in that area, to make sure that people know about the resources that exist to help businesses walk through some of these challenges.”

The Southeast Strong Community Plan, which encompasses an area composed of six adjacent neighborhoods in Southeast Colorado Springs, is the first of what will be multiple plans stemming from PlanCOS, the city’s comprehensive

coworking conference rooms offices

plan. It is a practical document that addresses the Southeast’s unique characteristics and is intended to guide proposed development.

“It’s somewhat aspirational, but also a roadmap” that brings visibility to citizens of a community “who have been pretty much invisible,” says City Councilor Yolanda Avila, who represents the area.

The plan was drafted by a committee chaired by Avila and was informed by feedback from residents, business owners and community organizations such as RISE | Southeast and Solid Rock Community Development Corp. At one community meeting hosted in October 2024 by the committee, scores of people crowded into a city-hosted town hall meeting at Stompin’ Groundz coffee shop to talk about their hopes and desires.

Their ideas and aspirations for Southeast found their way into the plan, which is built around six “Big Ideas”:

1. Reflect and celebrate the community’s diverse culture

2. Live better and longer in a healthy community

3. Create special places and community hubs

4. Grow and support businesses, entrepreneurs and housing

5. Support safety

6. Upgrade mobility and transportation

The intent of the plan is not to tell small businesses how things should be done but to enable business startups, growth and expansion in the Southeast area, says Shawna Lippert, the city’s economic development manager.

The plan includes “goals and strategies to where the city can collaborate and partner with some of the resources that already exist,” says Lippert. “In our experience, a lot of businesses don’t know what’s available to them as free resources or what tools are available to help support

A well attended community meeting this past October in the Stompin’ Groundz coffee shop.

their businesses, and support and uplift the organizations that provide assistance already.”

Southeast, where a number of restaurants cater to the area’s diverse population, is doing a good job of “representation,” Tedder says, “but there’s always room to improve so that people can drive down the road and see themselves in the businesses that they see and support.”

Entrepreneurs already have created businesses offering products and solutions people need — a key to success, Lippert says.

“I have been pretty excited to see many business owners being very creative in how they are offering solutions that people want,” she says. Such businesses include the familyrun discount store My BargainMart, which sells groceries, clothing, pet food and other items that are hard to find in the area; The Lighthouse Early Care and Education, providing needed childcare resources; Stompin’ Groundz, which has become a community gathering place; and Heart to Heart Academy, started by Southeast residents who saw a need for nursing assistant training that students could get to easily and access on their own time frames.

“Really exciting things are being done in Southeast,” Lippert says. “These are the kinds of businesses this plan is aiming to develop and help them thrive and grow and be successful.”

The next step for the plan is implementation by the city planning department and administration, Avila says. It will be useful to entrepreneurs as they’re going through zoning and land use processes by showing that their project helps to address a priority, achieve a goal or implement a strategy.

“We encourage those who want development to use this plan,” she says.

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

Photo Source: Southeast Strong Community Plan

TRAILBLAZERS

Caroline Spencer, M.D.

Historical Figure Fought for Women’s Right to Vote from Colorado Springs to Washington, D.C.

BY THERESA WOODS

Born in Philadelphia, PA, in 1861, Caroline Spencer, M.D. witnessed in her lifetime the abolition of slavery, the telephone invented and the United States of America fight the Spanish-American War and World War I.

An 1892 graduate of the Woman’s Medical College of Philadelphia, Spencer entered private practice in the East before moving to Colorado Springs in 1893. Society then dictated that women stay in domestic roles, as opposed to a place in the professional workforce. Many medical institutions refused to admit female students, and many hospitals wouldn’t hire female graduates. The vast majority of women in the United States were prohibited from voting at this time — Wyoming was the first state to grant voting rights to women, in 1890.

Spencer practiced medicine in Colorado Springs until 1915. The Women’s Club of Colorado Springs and The Civic League formed under her leadership to inspire local citizens to improve the city. Composed mostly of women, these organizations carried out projects and monitored city politics. Improving playgrounds, heating the streetcars in winter, instigating a city auditorium and hiring school nurses were among the accomplishments of these groups.

In 1893, Colorado also granted women the right to vote — the movement’s local organizers

then turned to the national stage, Spencer persuaded the Congressional Union for Women’s Suffrage (CU), later known as the National Woman’s Party (NWP), to locate its headquarters in Colorado Springs where the thriving tourist industry would help spread awareness of the issue. By 1913, Spencer was one of the most significant regional and national leaders of the women’s suffrage movement, as a means of advancing women’s equality.

“She organized not just Colorado Springs, not just Colorado, but the Rocky Mountain West,” says historian Chris Nicholl. “She organized a group of fearless women who felt empowered, by their time and in their time, because they were very well educated and because of the roles that they had held in those women’s clubs and civic leagues, which were very powerful organizations.”

Described as energetic and

fearless by her colleagues, Spencer advocated tirelessly. Petitions, discussions and banners at speeches were the initial tactics, progressing to picketing, marches and non-violent demonstrations. The women faced violence from angry mobs and jail conditions worse than those experienced by male prisoners. From 1917 to 1919, Spencer was arrested and imprisoned multiple times in Washington while advocating for a national women’s voting rights constitutional amendment — once for as long as seven months.

“Jail is not a pleasant experience, but I do not regret the time I spent there,” she said at the time. “I would return today if my act would help call attention to the glaring injustice of the administration’s treatment of American women. We demand, and shall continue to demand, that President Wilson bend the same energy that he is exerting to bring democracy in Europe to bring it to

the women of his own country.”

The ratification of the 19th Amendment on August 18, 1920, granted women the same right to vote nationwide as men — 72 years after the American women’s suffrage movement began in 1848 (13 years before Caroline Spencer was born).

Colorado Springs was her home throughout her bold and courageous public demands for equal rights. Spencer was an active, civic-minded citizen who resided here until shortly before her death. She died from tuberculous on September 16, 1928, working to secure the Equal Rights Amendment up until a few days before her death.

She was inducted into the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame in recognition of her activism and advocacy in 2006.

Theresa Woods is a staff writer for the SoCo Business Forum & Digest.

Colorado Springs citizen and fearless advocate for women’s rights, Dr. Caroline Spencer.

Members of the Colorado branch of the N.W.P. photographed before the arcade of the Broadmoor Hotel, Colorado Springs. Pictured from left to right are Mrs. Stuart P. Dodge, Miss Katherine Courtney, Mrs. Lillian H. Kerr, Mrs. Bertha W. Fowler, state chairman; Miss Whittemore, Mrs. Lawrence T. Grey, Miss Vernon, Mrs. Rowena Dashwood Graves, Dr. Caroline E. Spencer, Miss Ernestine [Parsons] and Miss Eva Shannon.

Photo Credit: David Bell Edmonston, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Photo Credit: Library of Congress, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Leonardo da Vinci Museum of North America in Pueblo Announces Opening Plans

BY TIFFANY UNDERWOOD

The first Leonardo da Vinci Museum of North America is set to open in late fall 2025 in Pueblo, bringing an interactive blend of science, art and history to the region. The museum will be located at 310 Central Main St., adjacent to the Pueblo Convention Center and the historic Arkansas Riverwalk.

Unlike a traditional history museum, this facility will serve as an immersive space dedicated to da Vinci’s genius, highlighting his contributions to engineering, medical knowledge and the arts. It will join a network of similar institutions worldwide, including locations in Italy, France, South Korea, Australia and Brazil. The 18,000-square-foot facility will house hands-on exhibits, a gift shop and a café. Plans include restoring the planetarium at Pueblo Centennial High School as part of the museum’s community outreach.

Why Pueblo?

Pueblo was selected as the site for the museum in part due to its history with da Vinci exhibits. The Sangre de Cristo Arts Center previously showcased the artist’s mechanical models, which were later exhibited across the country. Pueblo’s strong local support and its industrial heritage in manufacturing and steelmaking align with da Vinci’s legacy of innovation.

The museum is expected to drive regional tourism, enhance STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) education and contribute to economic growth. CSU Pueblo researchers project the museum will generate between $1.4 million and $1.8 million in economic output in its first year, with an estimated $2.29 million annual impact by its fifth year.

Economic & Community Impact

The museum’s development is backed by the Regional Tourism Act (RTA), a program designed to attract out-of-state visitors, generate sales tax revenue from nonresidents and fund projects that would not be feasible without state assistance. Notably, the museum’s launch does not require additional city or county taxpayer funding.

According to a Colorado State University Pueblo economic study, the museum is projected to create up to 19 jobs in its first year, depending on visitor numbers. Additionally, it is expected to increase attendance at other local events, including the annual Pueblo Chile Festival, and boost business for nearby restaurants and attractions.

Jobs and economic growth (first-year estimates from CSU Pueblo study):

• Worst case: 17.52 jobs, $1.4 million economic output.

• Most likely case: 18.26 jobs, $1.7 million economic output.

• Best case: 19 jobs, $1.8 million economic output.

• Projected annual output after five years: $2.29 million.

The museum will also collaborate with CSU Pueblo, local school districts, and international institutions to develop educational programs that encourage hands-on learning and innovation.

CONTINUED ON P. 41

Rendering of a Leonardo Da Vinci internal exhibit.

Sarah Taglialagamba (middle), Leonardo da Vinci scholar, and Stephanie Rizzo (right) director of Artisans of Florence Partnerships and Education, meet to discuss the museum’s future.

Photo

Source: Leonardo da Vinci Museum of North America

Tourism

Support & Collaborations

Museum backers have secured partnerships with local businesses, destination management organizations, public officials and cultural institutions. It also has a 10-year exclusivity agreement with the Artisans of Florence, ensuring that it remains the only da Vinci Museum of its kind within a 1,000-kilometer radius in the United States. This agreement grants Pueblo exclusive premieres of new da Vinci exhibits every 18 months.

The project has received key approvals, including unanimous support from the Pueblo Urban Renewal Authority (PURA) for the museum’s lease agreement on Feb. 5, 2025.

According to the PURA website, “PURA participates in development projects by offering direct incentives to private developers or by investing in public improvements in designated project areas.”

The Colorado Economic Development Commission officially approved the location on Feb. 20, 2025.

How to Get Involved

Supporters can contribute to the museum in several ways:

• Donate — Tax-deductible donations can be sent to 121 W. City Center Drive, Suite 240, Pueblo, CO 81003.

• Engage on social media — Follow and share updates via @leonardomuseumna

• Attend opening events — Details on grand opening celebrations will be announced soon.

• Apply for jobs — The museum is hiring for positions in administration, marketing, STEAM education and operations. Interested applicants can send resumes to info at leonardomuseumna.org

A Vision for Innovation & Inspiration

The museum’s mission is to ignite curiosity, encourage exploration and inspire creativity. Visitors will experience interactive displays, lifesized replicas of da Vinci’s machines and immersive STEAM-based activities. Café Leonardo will offer an outdoor dining experience featuring Italianinspired treats, further enhancing the cultural atmosphere. Info.: leonardomuseumna.org.

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

A satellite view of Pueblo’s Historic Downtown with the confirmed location of the Leonardo da Vinci Museum.

Photo Source: Leonardo da Vinci Museum of North America

ACCELERATOR PROGRAM

AN OVERVIEW OF THE ACCELERATOR

From seed to scale, XI supports founders at every stage. Learn both the digital & human elements of exponential growth to create impact for your business. Our low-fee, no-equity accelerator has one goal: your startup’s success.

An accelerator for early stage, pre-customer companies preparing to launch their product & company

A growth-oriented incubation program for startups with a live product & customers who are ready to scale

THE ACCELERATOR IN DETAIL

PROGRAMMING

Our programs are developed and fine-tuned to help you get the most out of the Accelerator during any stage of your business. Featuring well known, successful entrepreneurs and lead by some of Colorado’s industry experts, our program topics include:

The Art Of Pitching

Storytelling In Business

XIP CREDIT HOURS

Culture and Relationships Business Financials

XIP (XI Professional) credit hours are provided to program participants, connecting them to local experts who offer a variety of services, including:

OUR TEAM

MENTORSHIP

RACHAEL MAXWELL

Our dedicated and passionate team is here to provide your startup with tools to help you learn and grow. With years of experience, and a passion for startup growth, your business will be directly supported by every member of our team. MAX CUPP

Executive Director max@exponentialimpact.com CORAL LASKI

Director of Operations and Finance rachael@exponentialimpact.com

Director of Programs coral@exponentialimpact.com

XI mentors are excited to give back and help others learn from their experiences. Startups will have access to a variety of business experts, who have first hand experience in the world of technology and business creation.

HR & Hiring Graphic Design Technology Roadmaps Legal Consultation Marketing Planning

Join Us

Saturday, July 5th, 2025

Norris Penrose Event Center 1045 Lower Gold Camp Rd

Colorado Springs, CO 80905

Doors Open 4:30PM

2025 Headliner:

Nashville Legend Darryl Worley

Including “Behind the Music” with Nashville’s Top Songwriters

Rob Crosby | Jimmy Nichols | Billy Montana | Ed Montana

Prime Rib Dinner courtesy of Coors Cowboy Club, Amarillo, TX

Why Transparency in Marketing Wins

BY PAUL YANKEY, MBA

In a world where facts are a click away, transparency isn’t just ethical — it’s a competitive edge. Companies that embrace it build trust; those that don’t risk irrelevance.

While at Cisco, Dell and Salesforce, I saw firsthand that honesty sells — but it isn’t always the default. Pressure to hit numbers, outshine competitors or simplify complex solutions often led to overselling. These companies had great products and strong teams, but they also faced the challenge of balancing ambition with honesty.

At Cisco, sales teams often had to position our solutions against well-established alternatives. Some stretched the truth to close deals, but the ones who succeeded long-term were those who stayed candid about strengths and limitations.

At Dell, the lesson became even clearer. When teams set realistic expectations — or even slightly conservative ones — customers were thrilled when

they got more than expected. But when promises outpaced reality, those relationships suffered long-term.

Salesforce, with its powerful platform, offered immense value — but only when implemented correctly. Some customers didn’t realize upfront they would need additional products or outside consultants. Those who had a clear picture from the start felt far more confident in their investment.

Today’s customers don’t expect perfection; they expect authenticity. Business leaders who understand this will build resilient companies that withstand scrutiny. If your marketing still relies on spin, it’s time to rethink your approach. In our transparent world, honesty isn’t just ethical — it’s a strategic necessity.

Paul Yankey, MBA, is an Ethical Marketing & Growth Professor at University of Colorado Colorado Springs.

Professional Development

Personal Experience Impacts Professional Drive

BY FRANK SINCLAIR & LISA SINNOTT

The “Be Encouraged Show with Frank & Lisa” recently spoke with Heather Starr, founder of Lotus Foundation in Colorado Springs. Committed to collaboration, Lotus Foundation works closely with community partners to expand resources beyond the limits of the foundation. Goals include establishing a local emergency safe house and a longterm residential program for survivors seeking stability.

Starr came to this work after experiencing similar trauma, in the form of domestic violence, sexual abuse and emotional abuse. She dedicated time to complete a master’s degree in social justice and human rights, with a focus on violence against women, and quickly started working in the anti-trafficking field.

Now, as a healed adult, she feels her purpose in life is to support others in ways that she had never received. Fighting human trafficking called to her right from the start, and she acknowledged that inner voice to take her where her life was meant to go.

While working in the field, Starr met Stephanie Wood, who has bachelor’s degrees in sociology and criminal justice. Their personalities clicked quickly, they feel, because they’re passionate about the same goals. They had seen the severe lack of local support and abundance of limitations and barriers to assistance, and vowed to create a resource that never turns away a survivor.

In early 2023, Starr and Wood founded Lotus Foundation in Colorado Springs. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit (lotusfoundationco.org, 719-290-8916, info@LotusFoundationCO.org) provides confidential advocacy and case management for survivors of both sex and labor trafficking in Colorado.

Wood serves in the Air Force, so most of her work is behind the scenes. Luckily, the foundation has a dedicated and talented board of directors, and a team of advocates and volunteers, to help with the hands-on operations.

Inclusivity is at the heart of the Lotus Foundation’s mission, welcoming all survivors regardless of background. Confidentiality is a priority and their trained advocates offer a safe space where survivors are heard, believed and supported on their path to independence and healing. Through teamwork and compassion, Lotus Foundation is transforming lives, one survivor at a time.

Advertiser Index / In Alphabetical Order

Air Force Athletics

Altitude Hospitality Group

APG: Advanced Printing & Graphics

Bank of Colorado

Bryan Construction

Business Digest Weekly Radio

Charmas Lee

Colorado Springs Celebrity Classic

Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC

Colorado Springs Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Colorado Springs Utilities

COS City Hub

Dad's Donuts

Exponential Impact

Garden of the Gods Resort & Club

The Homestead Collective

InBank

Marquesa Hobbs/Platinum Group

Minuteman Press

NORTH Magazine

Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center

Space Symposium

Sparks Willson

Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce

Underline Infrastructure/Colorado Springs

United States Golf Association

So. Colorado Business Forum & Digest || APRIL || 2025

From DC to Colorado The Ripple Effect

Winds of Change Affect SoCo Landscape

MANUFACTURING

AEROSPACE/ DEFENSE

WORKFORCE

ENERGY

ECONOMIC FORUM

SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS

ECONOMIC DEV./ BUSINESS

PEOPLE

TOURISM

Updates Around the Region

El Paso County

ONE Bow River Defense Fund Closes, Invests $50 Million in Bluestaq

Fremont County Black Hills Energy Raises Rates in SoCo

Updates Around the Region

Arapahoe County Developer to Convert Denver Office Building into Affordable Housing

Pueblo County

Pueblo’s Union Depot Potential Site for New Train Station

Manufacturing Manufacturing Industry Growing, Faces Future Challenges

Manufacturing

CONTACT

Aerospace/Defense

Space Symposium Marks 40 Years in 2025 Sneak Preview of the Big Event

Numbers

Evolving Job Market in Southern Colorado

Booming Demand in Healthcare

Skilled Trades Drive Regional Growth

Tech & Cybersecurity Skills Needed

Tourism Boosts Employment Needs

Shift Toward Skills-Based Hiring

Bridging the Regional Skills Gap

Looking Ahead

Sponsored Content

Uncertain Future of Employment in Colorado’s Public Lands

Background

Deep Dive

Updates

Aerospace/Defense

Colorado Springs Emerges as Leading Aerospace and Defense Hub with Recent Investments and Strategic Mergers

Strong Aerospace and Defense Industry Presence

A Hub for Engineering Talent and Innovation

Economic Growth Driven by Business Expansions

Aerospace/Defense

Mergers and Acquisitions

Enhancing Competitiveness

Government Investments Advancing Technology

Colorado Springs’ Energy Future is Shifting

Proposals for Additional Generation

Cost Drivers, Timeline Challenges and Transmission Capacity

Regulatory Uncertainty

Next Steps

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

Economic Forum

Uncertainty Darkens the U.S. Macroeconomic Outlook

Engage in Women’s Sports Now

CONTACT

MAKE AN IMPACT WITH CLIENTS

SETTING THE STAGE FOR POWERFUL CONNECTIONS

Small Business Spotlight

Factorem Bridges Global Gap Between Manufacturers and Suppliers

Streamlining Supply Chains

Doing Business in SE Asia

Speaker Series Tackles the Intersection of Arts and AI

BY CULTURAL OFFICE OF THE PIKES PEAK REGION

Must Read

Financial Intelligence, Revised Edition:

A Manager’s Guide to Knowing What the Numbers Really Mean

Arts Economy

Why Attend LEVEL UP

Southern Colorado Job Market At A Glance

Do Cities Eat Their Young (Startups)?

Small Business Spotlight

Motis OneAI Transforms Workforce

Efficiency with Human-Centric Change

Small Business Spotlight

REGISTER TODAY!

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How U.S. Trade Policy Impacts Pikes Peak Region