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

AEROSPACE/DEFENSE

ECONOMIC FORUM

WORKFORCE

PteroDynamics: Pioneering Advanced Air Mobility

Reduced Immigration will slow U.S. Growth

In the Driver’s Seat of the Platform Economy

P. 20

P. 27

P. 34

February 2025 / Vol. 3 No. 1

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Publisher’s Letter FOUNDER, COLORADO MEDIA GROUP & EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER, SO. CO. BUSINESS FORUM & DIGEST

Dirk R. Hobbs

dhobbs@coloradomediagroup.com MANAGING EDITOR

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Jeff Mohrfeld

jmohrfeld@coloradomediagroup.com STUDIO NARRATOR/BUSINESS DIGEST WEEKLY

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W

hat is your ROI on the constant gathering of information?

Merriam-Webster defines the information age as: The modern age regarded as a time in which information has become a commodity that is quickly and widely disseminated and easily available, especially through the use of computer technology.

In the 1987 movie Wall Street, Michael Douglas’ character, Gordon Gekko, espoused this piece of advice for an all-too-eager Bud Fox (played by Charlie Sheen): “The most valuable commodity I know of is information; wouldn’t you agree?”

I won’t presume to conquer the topic of information age here. That’s a document in excess of War and Peace to the power of 100. But Edge Delta, March 2024, estimated that humans produced 64.2 ZB* (that’s zettabytes*) of online data in 2020 – which exceeds the number of detectable stars in the cosmos.

Rather, my question is one for discerning executives and business leaders: How do you gather valuable, edifying business information? It’s an important question since the average American consumes about 74 gigabytes of information per day via all the mediums you can list, according to MindCheck and other reputable sources. That equates to 74,000 high quality photos, 2.2 days of constant HD video, 51 days of nonstop music or 2.37 days of scrolling through TikTok. As of today, our brains are taking in 5% more information each year — more than five times what we consumed in 1987.

Yes, we’re far more aware of what is going on in general. But are we wiser? More intelligent? How much of that information will we use in a given day? That surely depends on what information you consume. When you consider our brains use an estimated 25% of the energy our bodies can produce daily, it stands to reason we need to be more discerning than we have been.

Notwithstanding the physiological social impacts of data consumption, there are a myriad of other considerations that help shape our world view and

decision making. Consider what you take in and how much of your valuable time is spent on consumption that does not refuel your body, mind and soul.

Could you let go of venues that appeal to the lowest common denominator — you know, the ones that make certain we’re always at odds with one another. They may fill us with the latest salacious phrases but that does nothing for the advancement of your business, family, health or mental well-being.

Refresh your pallet with content that focuses on progress, advancement, healthy support of the human condition, better relationships, best practices and so forth. All this to say: read, listen and watch The Digest — it refuels your soul. We work hard to provide you with information that creates awareness, opportunities, insights and connectivity with real humans. We provide real ROI for your time spent. *Zettabyte: approximately equals a thousand exabytes, a billion terabytes or a trillion gigabytes.

Serving and showcasing Southern Colorado like never before,

Dirk R. Hobbs, Founder & Executive Publisher Colorado Media Group, Inc.

P.S. You just consumed another 16KB.

The Business Digest Weekly Top News The Business Digest Monthly Review Business Digest Weekly on AM1460/101.1FM (2x daily and on Fridays from 3-4PM)

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Awards Breakfast

Tuesday, February 25, 2025 7 am - 9:30 am COS City Hub

4304 Austin Bluffs Pkwy, Colorado Springs

4 / Southern Colorado Business Forum & Digest

Contents / February 2025 WORKFORCE 8 Peak Education No Longer COS’ Best-kept Secret The nonprofit has been under the radar for 25 years while changing lives — and the community — by finding, nurturing and supporting young people with potential.

BY KERI KAHN

11 Colorado’s Efforts to Expand Opportunities for Disabled Workers

The U.S. Department of Labor has chosen our state to be part of a program intended to help increase programs that offer assistance that will level the playing field for people with disabilities.

BY WAYNE HEILMAN

34 In the Driver’s Seat of the

Platform Economy

Drivers Cooperative Colorado is bringing together rideshare drivers, who have ownership in the company, and those workers and their passengers are reaping the benefits through transparent fees and other innovations.

BY THERESA WOODS

37 Unlocking Potential People who have been defendants in the criminal justice system represent an untapped pool of talent, and they’re desperate to find jobs and prove their worth. “Second chance” employees perform as well or better than their counterparts, according to research.

BY BECCA TONN

24 Watching Out for Business is Our Job

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 10 Colorado Chamber Aims to Address Regulatory Overload

Colorado ranks No. 6 for the highest regulatory burden on businesses in the nation, and that’s having economic consequences. The Colorado Chamber of Commerce is working to reduce that load.

BY JEANNE DAVANT

14 Organizations Advocate for

Business-Friendly Legislative Priorities

The Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC is among the groups monitoring the progress of bills that would support the needs of small businesses.

BY JEANNE DAVANT

28 Revitalization of Downtown Colorado Springs Creates a New Future for the South End

The projects and accomplishments in the heart of downtown are spilling over into adjacent areas. Multi-unit housing is attracting restaurants, galleries, banks and retail businesses that young professionals love to walk to.

BY THERESA WOODS

PEOPLE 16 Professionals on the Rise Get to know some of those people in the region who have made leaps in their careers. This is where The Digest celebrates the achievements of Southern Colorado’s workforce.

The Coors can was the first CTI product on store shelves P. 40

AEROSPACE/DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY 22 PteroDynamics: Pioneering Advanced Air Mobility

Efficient Air Travel Solutions

This innovative aircraft company cited Colorado Springs’ quality of life, emphasis on STEM education and economic incentives when moving its headquarters here. The rapidly growing company manufactures advanced Unmanned Aircraft Systems — drones with a difference.

A new app is on the case, using groundbreaking tech to make it easier for travelers to track their luggage and monitor flight cancellations and delays.

The app will relieve headaches for airlines, too, the startup says.

HOSPITALITY

ECONOMIC FORUM

38 Substantial Growth in the

27 Reduced Immigration Will Slow U.S. Growth

Census Bureau population data shows that the increasing numbers of workers from other countries have helped fuel the thriving employment and output rates of recent years.

BY DR. BILL CRAIGHEAD

ENERGY

SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

19 Electric Linemen and

31 Agricultural Robot Company

BY LOLA WOLOCH

Overseeing and maintaining more than 3,800 miles of electric distribution lines and more than 200 miles of transmission lines is not for the faint of heart. Training for these vitally important workers will soon undergo a major improvement.

BY COLORADO SPRINGS UTILITIES

BY TIFFANY UNDERWOOD

BY TIFFANY UNDERWOOD AND THERESA WOODS

The Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce advocates for the small business community through its Public Policy Committee, comprised of members with a range of backgrounds, acting in a no-partisan manner.

Apprentices to Get Major Training Upgrade

36 FlightHound: Innovative and

Built from the Ground Up

Barn Owl Precision Agriculture is a family affair that aims to lighten the workload for farmers. From the seed of an idea, the company is growing rapidly and sustainably.

BY JEANNE DAVANT

Works for Altitude Hospitality Group The Homestead Collective, a culinary center on Prominent Point, will join the extensive menu of offerings from Mitch Yellen’s entrepreneurial mind.

BY KERI KAHN

ADVANCED MANUFACTURING 40 How a Global Leader in Ink

Technology Innovation Changed the Game CTI staffers are the brains behind flashy, intriguing packaging for Coors, Dr Pepper and General Mills products. But their products have even more practical applications.

BY CHROMATIC TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Under 40 40 Awards

Join us to Celebrate Southern Colorado’s finest!

Designed to honor the visionaries, volunteers, entrepreneurs, and leaders who are paving the way for the next generation, our first ever 40 Under 40 Awards celebration will showcase the best and brightest.

The nominations are in and next the judges will determine the current leaders, movers, and shakers who get things done and are shaping the future.

This exclusive showcase will highlight forty outstanding young professionals under the age of 40 who are making waves across industries, driving innovation, and shaping the future of our community.

40 Under 40 Awards Breakfast Tuesday, February 25, 2025 7 AM - 9:30 AM at COS City Hub

4304 Austin Bluffs Pkwy, Colorado Springs, 80918 Register with QR code or visit socodigest.com A full breakfast will be served, and complimentary on-site parking will be available for all attendees.

Individual tickets: $45 Table Sponsor: $750 Other sponsorships available: contact Jeff Mohrfeld at jmohrfeld@coloradomediagroup.com

www.socodigest.com | 13395 Voyager Pkwy #130, PMB #746, Colorado Springs, 80921

6 / Southern Colorado Business Forum & Digest

Updates From Around the Region El Paso - Surrounding Areas, to Pueblo Calling All HR Departments

T

he Colorado Springs basedBusiness and Education Alliance will host their inaugural Colorado Career Advising Summit, funded by the Colorado Department of Education, February 25 – 26, 2025 at the Antler’s Hotel in Colorado Springs.

Employment and educational trends indicate that there is a misalignment between graduating student skillsets and employer and industry needs.

Nearly 70% of employers report hiring difficulties and 46% report skills gaps in available workforce.

“We must gather all the stakeholders in our economy to develop strategies to streamline and improve workforce development,” says Theresa Klinitski, executive

director of the Business and Education Alliance, “we do a disservice to both our employers and our students if we don’t lean into 21st-century solutions and partnerships.”

The Career Advising Summit will bring together upwards of 500 educators, economic development professionals, industry leaders and talent-development experts to explore innovative strategies to align individual aptitudes, experiences and interests with promising career opportunities for both students and employers.

Keynote speakers at the conference will provide insights into Colorado’s job market and emerging trends in careers as well as deliver actionable tools and resources to immediately implement at both the supply and demand sides

El Paso

Governor Speaks to COS Business and Civic Leaders

G

ov. Jared Polis said Friday, Jan. 24, he wants Colorado legislators to help him reduce red tape by repealing or changing laws that require additional regulations, making the state more attractive to new and expanding businesses.

Many of the remaining rules and regulations the two-term governor wants to reduce or eliminate are required under state law and thus require action by the Colorado General Assembly, Polis told more than 400 business and civic leaders.

He was the keynote speaker at Annual Business Snapshot hosted at the COS City Hub by the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce & EDC. Polis said he eliminated 208 executive orders, some nearly 100 years old, to reduce regulations and red tape on businesses, and added that “now we need the legislature

to step up to (help) reduce and streamline regulations and minimize red tape.” He said the state has “a lot to do in the months and years ahead to reduce costs and (other) impediments to make the business environment even more competitive.

I look forward to seeing these bills on my desk.”

Polis also asked legislators to enact reforms to the state’s construction defect liability laws to encourage development of condominiums to provide lower-cost housing for workers who struggle to afford single-family homes. He said the threat of constructions defect lawsuits has resulted in condo construction declining in the past few years statewide.

He also wants legislators to lower the state’s burden on data centers by reducing or eliminating sales and use tax on expensive computer equipment used in the centers.

El Paso

Pueblo

of the labor market.

The conference is free to attend but available participation slots are limited. For more information visit businessandeducationalliance.org to

apply to attend the Colorado Career Advising Summit. To participate as a sponsor or exhibitor at the Summit, please email Karole Campbell at karole@madwomanms.com.

El Paso

First COS Company to Ring in the Opening Bell in the NYSE

H

istory made: VENU is the first company to originate and be headquartered in Colorado Springs to take the honor at the Exchange. VENU closed at $9.75, up $0.25 on Jan 21.

VENU most recently closed on the 46-acre property for its 20,000-seat

world-class outdoor music venue in McKinney, Texas, The Sunset Amphitheater at McKinney powered

by EIGHT Elite Light Beer (EIGHT). An official groundbreaking ceremony is anticipated for spring of this year.

(NYSE American: VENU)

socodigest.com / Vol. 3 No. 1 - February 2025 / 7

Updates From Around the Region Southern Colorado

Chinese Espionage Campaign Hit Home

I

n December, a ninth U.S. telecommunications firm was added to the list of victims of a Chinese espionage campaign known as Salt Typhoon. The hacking activities have provided Beijing officials with Americans’ private conversations.

Among the groups that monitor such threats is Colorado Springs-based Space Information Sharing & Analysis Center (Space ISAC), which opened its Watch Center two years ago to monitor threats and create a comprehensive view of space attack surfaces.

“For the past year and several

months, the Space ISAC Watch Center has been tracking attacks spanning separate critical infrastructures and correlating impacts, not only across contested geographical areas, but also helping understand the relevance across the global space industry,” according to a combined statement from Space ISAC’s Watch Center Lead Joel Francis and Watch Center Director Hector Falcon.

Salt Typhoon is a China-backed advanced persistent threat (APT) group, and some Congressional members have called it the most significant telecommunications hack

El Paso

Director of Aviation, Health Department Director Announce Retirements

G

reg Phillips, Colorado Springs Airport director of aviation, has retired; his last day with the city is Feb. 7.

Phillips was hired in January 2017. During his tenure, he oversaw a record number of passengers traveling through COS thanks to the continuous expansion of air service and nonstop flight options. His team is also leading ElevateCOS, a $36 million concourse modernization project.

Alex Kovacs, COS Airport assistant director of Construction and Finance, will serve as acting director. Kovacs served in various roles at the RenoTahoe Airport Authority for 16 years, and is a certified member of the American Association of Airport Executives. The city has begun a national search for a new aviation director.

El Paso County Public Health announced that Executive Director Susan Wheelan will retire March 3.

Wheelan joined EPCPH in 1999 as

Greg Phillips

Susan Wheelan

an environmental health specialist. She held roles including public information officer, communication director, administrative hearing officer, program manager of the Tobacco Education and Prevention Partnership, health promotion and disease prevention division director, and deputy director.

The El Paso County Board of Health appointed her interim director in September 2018 and executive director in February 2019.

Plans for recruitment and continuity of operations will be announced in the coming weeks.

in U.S. history. Francis and Falcon added that, over the past three months, U.S. government officials have warned about cyberattacks targeting not only U.S. telecommunications firms, but other critical U.S. infrastructure as well.

Federal and local authorities have published guidance on preparing and responding to sophisticated

threats of this nature that are focused on espionage and information gathering. With its national defense, cybersecurity and technology sectors, Southern Colorado is home to multiple groups focused on strengthening intrusion detection systems (IDS), network monitoring and patch management.

Pueblo

Vanpool Program Launched to Expand Commuting Options

P

ueblo Transit has introduced a vanpool program in partnership with Commute with Enterprise, offering a cost-effective and sustainable commuting option exclusively for work-related travel.

Unlike typical rideshare services, this program is designed specifically for daily commutes, providing a shared vehicle for groups traveling to and from work.

Funded by a Colorado Department of Transportation Multi-Modal Options Program grant, the service will run through Dec. 31, 2026.

“This is an exciting opportunity for

Pueblo Transit to expand our footprint offering vanpool commuting options for the business community. This is a new offering of transportation outside of our fixed route transit and Citi-Lift services we currently provide,” Ben Valdez, Pueblo Transit director, states in a press release.

Participants can select from SUVs, minivans or passenger vans, sharing costs that cover fuel, insurance and maintenance. Commute with Enterprise provides 24-hour roadside assistance.

Info: commutewithenterprise.com or 719-553-2725.

8 / Southern Colorado Business Forum & Digest

Workforce

Peak Education

No Longer COS’ Best-kept Secret in Workforce Development

BY KERI KAHN

A

valuable catalyst for economic and workforce development in Colorado Springs has remained seemingly under the radar for much of its 25-year history. Peak Education is a 501(c)(3) that identifies potential in middle school students and helps them overcome systemic barriers to reach that potential.

The total projected economic impact of its 2026 cohort of students, 61 in all, is estimated at $60.47 million over their lifetimes, with $49.2 million in projected lifetime earnings, $9.8 million in additional tax revenue generated and $1.435 million in estimated savings in social services.

Significant community returns include lower taxpayer burdens and a local workforce ready for an economy in which 91% of middle-income jobs require post-secondary training. Peak Education CEO Carlos Jiménez is proud that his organization helps fill Colorado jobs with Colorado talent.

“I just feel like there’s a lot of great opportunities coming into this community and we’d love to see our youth who are here, our homegrown talent, fill those opportunities and have a chance for economic mobility,” he says.

The economic and workforce impact alone is outstanding enough to put Peak Education in the limelight, but when one also considers the social impact made on youth in this community, no question remains.

Changing the Education Landscape in Colorado Springs

Colorado is 40th in the nation for high school graduation rates.

According to a 2023 report from the Legacy Foundation, only 17 out of 100 students from lower-income backgrounds in El Paso County earn credentials after high school.

For Jiménez, who was once a lowincome student himself, providing access to higher education is a longtime passion. With a mentor who believed in him, he graduated from

Many confidence-building and leadership development opportunities are provided to scholars in the Peak Education core program.

Colorado College and pursued a career in college admissions at CC and Colorado State University. Over the years, he noticed the quality of applications from Colorado Springs schools declined.

“That led me to look into the numbers to see graduation rates and college enrollment rates were in decline throughout the city as well.

That made me curious about what we could do,” he says.

A conversation with a friend was the impetus to join a volunteer committee for Peak Education’s external review process in 2019. A year later, Jiménez was CEO. Although Peak Education started in School District 2, through his leadership the organization is now changing the landscape for students in districts 2, 3, 11 and 14.

Social Enterprise Leads to Growth

Students are identified for the core program in sixth grade through counselor, teacher or family nominations. Programming begins in seventh grade and goes through college for students selected, not by GPA, but by potential and willingness

to engage.

Although most Peak Education scholars are from low-income backgrounds (85% are the first in their family to attend college), students of higher means can participate in a program called Base Camp, which is fee-based college guidance and academic counseling.

“80% of that money goes back into Peak Ed’s general operating fund,” says Jiménez. “It’s like you pay for a service, but it helps support other low-income youth.”

That social enterprise mindset is one of the reasons Peak Education has not struggled with fundraising as much as other nonprofits in recent years. Jiménez says the organization also receives generous support from foundations and individuals, and the budget has grown almost 10 times in the past five years.

“We’ve been able to generate some revenue from programs and that’s getting our partners on board to help fund initiatives, or to co-write grants with some of our school district partners,” he says.

Jiménez says he sees Peak Education as more of a social impact organization, than a nonprofit.

Even Greater Impact in 2025

This spring, Peak Education plans to move from its South Murray Boulevard location into a 10,000-square-foot building in downtown Colorado Springs. Core programming will remain in the partner schools while the new space will host staff and a college readiness center equipped for students, teachers, counselors and other groups to gather. Innovate Pikes Peak, the new partnership between Peak Education and the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC that aligns education with diverse career pathways, will also utilize the building.

A sizable portion of funding for the building has been raised, but anyone interested in supporting Peak Education can learn more or make donations here: peakedu.org Keri Kahn is a staff writer for the SoCo Business Forum & Digest.

CONTINUED ON P. 9

socodigest.com / Vol. 3 No. 1 - February 2025 / 9

Photos courtesy of Peak Education.

Workforce

Stanford-bound scholar Ruby Atherton stands with Peak Education CEO Carlos Jiménez. Atherton was identified for Peak Education as a shy sixth-grader who struggled with math. Students engaged in the core program are identified because of potential and a willingness to engage.

Success Stories Illustrate Impact

With Peak Education scholars boasting a 100% high school graduation rate and more than $1 million in scholarships and financial aid in 2024, the future is bright.

Ruby Atherton is in the Palmer High School graduating class of 2025 and is headed to Stanford University this fall.

Identified for Peak Education as a shy and reserved sixthgrader who struggled with math at North Middle School, Atherton says Peak Education helped her become confident.

She learned to take risks and push herself. Through participation in community services projects, she learned she has the power to create change. Through leadership projects, she found her voice.

Peak Education matched Atherton with QuestBridge College Prep Scholars Program, a nationwide initiative that helps high-achieving, low-income students match with prestigious universities across the country. She learned of her future at Stanford through an email received during school on Dec. 2.

“I opened it up in the middle of class and sort of gave my friend a signal that I had gotten into my first choice. And then we kind of started to freak out,” she recalls.

Atherton plans to study civil engineering, but is also interested in biomedical or mechanical engineering.

“I definitely think I’ve found my voice and my potential through academics,” she says. “I know when I was younger, I would look at math class and it was something that was rather a burden; but now I’ve come to enjoy those really academically tough subjects.”

10 / Southern Colorado Business Forum & Digest

Economic Development

Colorado Chamber Aims to Address Businesses’ Regulatory Overload

BY JE AN N E DAVANT

C

olorado businesses have the sixth-highest regulatory burden in the nation, and this huge number of business restrictions has significant economic consequences, according to a 2024 study commissioned by the Colorado Chamber of Commerce.

“It is a top concern for our businesses of all sizes statewide, and we’re concerned that it’s threatening our growth, our jobs, our competitiveness as a state and economic development,” Colorado Chamber President & CEO Loren Furman says.

The Regulation Impact Analysis Report 2024, prepared by Salisbury, Maryland-based StratACUMEN Group and released Dec. 10, 2024, finds that for every 10% aggregate increase (federal and state) in business regulations, each small- and mediumsized Colorado business loses up to eight jobs annually due to added compliance requirements, loss of sales and complexity of regulations.

A 10% increase in industry-specific regulations annually leads to: • A 0.5% decrease in the number of firms • A 0.6% decline in small-firm employment • A 3-7% decrease in new startups “For Colorado, this translates into approximately 9,000 fewer firms and 36,000 fewer jobs,” the report states.

Excessive regulations also contribute to rising prices and inflation.

That 10% increase in regulations leads to a 1% increase in consumer prices, which hits consumers unevenly, says Irina Piatselchyts, a StratACUMEN senior partner and a study team member. That results in 2.08% higher inflation for the wealthiest Coloradans but nearly 2.5% higher inflation for low-income residents.

Colorado businesses face a total of nearly 200,000 state regulations, exceeded only by California, New

Colorado businesses face a total of nearly 200,000 state regulations, exceeded only

by California, New Jersey, Illinois, Texas and New York, a study finds.

Loren Furman, Colorado Chamber President & CEO

Jersey, Illinois, Texas and New York, the study finds.

“We have discovered that the state currently has over 1.3 million total business restrictions, if you are looking at the state restrictions, and also restrictions that come from the federal government, and including the fact that some of those restrictions can apply in multiple industries,” Piatselchyts says.

“We have noticed that, from the year 2017 to the year 2020, there has been a steady growth of overall business restrictions at the rate of 2.0%.

However, from 2020 to the year 2023, that growth has tripled in size, and now we are looking at 7.1% growth in the state of Colorado,” Piatselchyts says.

Environmental regulations are at the top of the list, she says; the state’s growth of environmental regulations has exceeded the national average in the past few years.

Industries that have experienced the greatest growth in regulations since 2020 are personal services (112%) and the pipeline industry (133%).

If federal regulations are included, the StratACUMEN team estimates that nearly 45% of these regulations are duplicative or redundant.

Given the results of the study, it’s no surprise that the Colorado Chamber has made regulatory relief a top priority of its 2025 legislative agenda.

“We’re offering a package of bold solutions to get our regulatory climate

under control and provide relief to the business community,” Furman says. “This includes reducing the current volume of regulations on the books and looking ahead to create more balance and transparency when passing new regulations.”

The Chamber is proposing that the state create a new regulatory oversight committee to pursue a comprehensive audit and evaluation process and sunset certain rules and regulations. The Chamber also is proposing: • Establishment of performance audits on some agencies; • Creation of a more balanced regulatory framework for future laws such as regulatory caps; • Adoption of a “do no harm” approach: no new mandates and regulatory burdens on employers; • Alignment of state and federal environmental regulations; • Protection of the unemployment insurance fund and worker’s compensation system; and • Support for construction defect reform.

The Chamber will propose an audit and review process like one currently being used to review tax expenditures in the Office of the State Auditor, Furman says.

“We’d like to model something similar with this process and review

“We’re offering a package of bold solutions to get our regulatory climate under control and provide relief to the business community.” current rules and regulations, but narrow it down to specific agencies and divisions that have adopted those rules and regulations and implemented them based on the laws that have passed over the last eight to 10 years,” she says. “We noticed a lot of these regulations have been in the area of labor and employment, energy and environment, so those would be some of the areas that we would be focusing on in terms of our legislative solutions.”

The Chamber also is proposing actions to protect and build Colorado’s workforce; address the cost of living and competitiveness through policies to increase housing; reduce tax and fee hikes that raise the cost of doing business; improve access to and affordability of child care; and encourage tech innovation and growth of the tech sector.

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

socodigest.com / Vol. 3 No. 1 - February 2025 / 11

Workforce

Colorado’s Efforts to Expand Opportunities for Disabled Workers

BY WAYN E HEILMAN

C

olorado is among 13 states named in December by the U.S. Department of Labor to be key players in a 2025 initiative to expand job opportunities at market-rate wages and benefits for people with disabilities.

The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment and similar agencies in Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New Yorik, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee and Washington, D.C., will get help expanding state programs to help those with disabilities compete for jobs and work with those without disabilities. Additional expansions will assist developing state policies and mentoring in how to expand such employment opportunities.

State officials and nonprofits that hire and help those with disabilities find jobs said such persons are a “hidden gem” among potential workers and can play a big role in combating a worsening labor shortage. The unemployment rate for people with disabilities is about twice the overall jobless rate and the percentage of such persons working is about one-third of the rate of the overall population, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“We are working to make sure businesses know about these quality [ job] candidates to combat the work force shortage, including how to find them and fund answers to their questions,” says Katie Talliercio, disability Employment First collaboration manager for the state labor agency. “We know businesses have needs for quality [ job] candidates and we want to be a bridge to those candidates to support businesses and people with disabilities to flourish.”

People with physical and intellectual disabilities are more likely to work in repetitive manufacturing jobs (piece work), janitorial and landscaping work, Talliercio says. They are less likely to work in management, professional and other white-collar jobs. Often, they work part-time and

“Millions of people with disabilities seek employment and can contribute to the economy. It is more of a matter of getting employers involved, letting them know that it is easier to employ people with disabilities than able-bodied workers because they are more committed to their jobs. The turnover rate for employees with disabilities is very low. They are hidden gems.”

Lloyd Lewis, CEO of ARCThrift in Denver, has been a vocal advocate of hiring people with disabilities. earn significantly less than those without disabilities, a result of a waiver system which allows employers to pay some workers with disabilities less than the minimum wage.

Colorado became the first state to eliminate that Depression-era waiver system in mid-2023 under Senate Bill 21-039, which outlined a five-year phaseout plan. About 500 workers were being paid wages as low as one-third of the state’s minimum wage when the legislation was passed. An advisory committee — formed through 2014 federal legislation — recommended the nationwide phaseout.

The state labor agency is working to connect people with disabilities through its ConnectingColorado job board as well as programs to help employers learn about employing that population, using the agency’s Business Services unit to find candidates for job openings, helping those with disabilities avoid losing Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid coverage and housing assistance if they begin earning income.

SSI payments are made to people with little or no income or assets and are blind, have a disability or are 65 years or older. Recipients cannot earn monthly income above the $1,971 limit for individuals and $2,915 for couples. Some people with disabilities

are reluctant to work in fear of losing their SSI or Medicaid benefits, and the state agency’s benefits planning services can help alleviate those concerns, Talliercio says.

Lloyd Lewis, CEO of ARCThrift in Denver, has been a vocal advocate of hiring people with disabilities and ending the waiver system that allowed employers to pay workers with disabilities less than the minimum wage. The nonprofit operator of 36 thrift stores in Colorado and New Mexico employs more than 100 people with disabilities, or nearly 10% of its work force, in roles ranging from human resources and loss prevention to warehouse and store jobs.

“Millions of people with disabilities seek employment and can contribute to the economy,” Lewis says. “It is more of a matter of getting employers involved, letting them know that it is easier to employ people with disabilities than able-bodied workers because they are more committed to their jobs. The turnover rate for employees with disabilities is very low. They are hidden gems. It is just a matter of getting the word out.”

Goodwill of Colorado also has been a major employer for people with disabilities, employing 135 in a variety of programs, and the nonprofit also operates a unit that competes for

state and federal contracts that are set aside for companies and nonprofits that hire people with disabilities.

Employers must ensure at least 75% of the workforce for the contract are people with disabilities and Goodwill pays those employees $17.75 an hour with benefits.

“We are huge supporters of employing people with disabilities.

We supported the 2021 legislation [eliminating the waiver program on paying the minimum wage]. It is a great thing for people that struggle with [finding] employment,” says Gary Smith, Goodwill of Colorado’s chief mission officer.

Resources for employers and anecdotes from employing people with disabilities: dvr.colorado.gov/business-services Division of Vocation Rehabilitation’s (DVR) Business Services team can help businesses find candidates who are skilled, loyal and committed.

Even after placement, employers and employees receive ongoing support from Colorado Department of Labor and Employment staff to ensure a positive job match.

CONTINUED ON P. 12

12 / Southern Colorado Business Forum & Digest

Workforce CONTINUED FROM P. 11

Disabled Workers dvr.colorado.gov/sites/dvr/files/ BRU%27s%20DEIA%20Training%20 Overview.pdf DVR’s Business Relations Unit develops and delivers a variety of free training and educational offerings to the individualized needs of businesses.

Topics include disability awareness and etiquette training, reasonable accommodations, assistive technology, the Americans with Disabilities Act, tax incentives and offerings related to the best practices for recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. dvr.colorado.gov/business-services/ ndeam/employer-challenge Commit to hiring and retaining people with disabilities. DVR challenges employers to make this commitment by recognizing that this is an untapped talent pool. dvr.colorado.gov/dvr-programsservices/benefits-planning DVR provides benefits planning for people with disabilities which includes: • Helping them understand how

•

•

employment and other life decisions may impact benefits.

Relieving their fears about a change in benefits or services if they start working.

Helping them make informed decisions on health insurance and other benefits (like Social Security; Medicaid; Medicare and food, housing and financial assistance).

connectingcolorado.com ConnectingColorado offers a costeffective way to recruit and hire. Here, employers can post job openings, review résumés and connect with qualified workers. crwc.colorado.gov/business-services Workforce centers, including the Pikes Peak Workforce Center, and their business services staff support local employers in recruitment, retention and ongoing staffing needs through a wide array of services.

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

Links to More Information Here are some organizations and programs that support people with disabilities. Many also provide work training and help finding employment: •

• •

• •

• •

•

Colorado Disability Program Navigator cdle.colorado.gov/workforce-partners-resources/ disability-program-navigator Division of Vocational Rehabilitation dvr.colorado.gov Colorado Department of Education: List of Resources for individuals with disabilities cde.state.co.us/cdesped/supportandresources_ listforindividualswithdisabilities_2pages COTraining Provider List cotrainingproviders.org ISightConnections cde.state.co.us/cdesped/supportandresources_ listforindividualswithdisabilities_2pages The Arc – Pikes Peak Region thearcppr.org Goodwill of Colorado goodwillcolorado.org/services/ transition-services/#:~:text=Goodwill%20of%20 Colorado%20provides%20transition,Transition%20 Services%20provided%20include: The Independence Center theindependencecenter.org/resources

High School Transition Programs 18-21 •

Source: Colorado Department of Labor and Employment

•

•

• • • •

District 2 — Community Connections hsd2.org/learning-supports/special-education/18-21community-connections District 11 — Students Transitioning to Reach Independence, Vocation & Education (STRIVE) d11.org/academics/sped/transition District 49 — School to Work Alliance Program (SWAP) cde.state.co.us/cdesped/supportandresources_ listforindividualswithdisabilities_2pages District 20 — Bridges Program asd20.org/special-education/bridges District 12 cmsd12.org/page/special-education Foundation for Successful Living thefsl.org/transition-services Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind goodwillcolorado.org/services/transitionservices/#:~:text=Goodwill%20of%20Colorado–%20 provides%20transition,Transition%20Services%20 provided%20include:

The Pikes Peak Workforce Center also has a Disability Program Navigator. People can fill out the online interest form, and PPWC will contact them to schedule an appointment: ppwfc.org/job-seeker-services-in-colorado-springs Source: Pikes Peak Workforce Center

socodigest.com / Vol. 3 No. 1 - February 2025 / 13

Inspirational IQ

If you do every job like you’re going to do it for the rest of your life, that’s when you get noticed.

— Mary Barra

Chair & Chief Executive Officer of General Motors

You pray for the hungry.

Then you feed them.

That’s how prayer works.

— Pope Francis

Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.

— Albert Einstein

14 / Southern Colorado Business Forum & Digest

Economic Development

Organizations Advocate for Business-Friendly Legislative Priorities

BY JE AN N E DAVANT

B

usiness advocacy organizations including Good Business Colorado, the Small Business Majority and the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC are watching for business-friendly legislative action during the 2025 Colorado General Assembly, which convened Jan. 8.

The leaders of these organizations are concerned with many issues like the ones they championed last year: healthcare, childcare, housing, construction defects reform, overregulation and preserving economic development incentives.

But with legislators facing a $1 billion budget shortfall, they know that discretionary funding will be very limited.

“Defending funding for current programs and resources that support small businesses will be critical,” says Hunter Nelson, Colorado director of the Small Business Majority. The organization delivers resources to empower entrepreneurs and advocates for public policies that support small-business growth.

Civic engagement organizations need to figure out the most strategic options for their advocacy, says Yolanda Richard, executive director of Good Business Colorado, a grassroots organization of employers and entrepreneurs who value equity, sustainability and a prosperous economy.

“A lot of the bills that have been passed in the last couple of years have required some type of regulation or rules,” says Jeff Thormodsgaard, the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC’s vice president of government affairs.

“In the absence of dollars to make that happen, we’re concerned about how some of those laws are being executed.”

With about 100 bills introduced on the session’s first day and hundreds more to follow, these organizations will have a lot to monitor. But Thormodsgaard is already seeing some hopeful signs.

“I’m not seeing a great deal of bills

The Chamber is taking a passive/opposing position on HB25-1001, which would make changes to the state’s wage hour laws including expansion of the definition of “employer” to anyone with at least 25% of ownership interests. bludgeoning business,” he says, “and half the bills that are out are agreed upon by the two [party] caucuses. I don’t know if that’s going to persist, but it’s not a bad start to a body working together.”

Commercial property tax reform is among the top legislative priorities for the Small Business Majority. Smallbusiness owners have a hard time balancing their budgets under the current system, with taxes due in midJanuary and April.

“We’re hoping to make that into monthly installments,” Nelson says.

The organization also wants to see legislators address common-area maintenance fees in commercial leases, which aren’t always fully clear to small-business owners.

“We support requiring more transparency of these fees and the services they are going toward,” she says.

Another top priority is support for legislation requiring Medicaid to cover abortion care. The organization’s female entrepreneurs have indicated through polling that they view access to reproductive health care as essential to their economic security

and business success, Nelson says.

Small Business Majority also supports additional tax credits that help small businesses, including extension and expansion of the Employee Ownership Tax Credit and tax incentives for childcare providers, she says.

At press time, Good Business Colorado’s new policy council was reviewing early legislation and planned to announce its legislative priorities at the end of January, Richard says.

She says, “Our overarching priorities have remained consistent over the years.” The organization and its member entrepreneurs support policies that promote sustainability and environmental stewardship, ensure equitable access to opportunities for all, promote affordable and accessible healthcare, address housing affordability and availability, and stimulate small business growth, create jobs and foster local economic development.

Good Business Colorado originated its own bill for the first time last session. Senate Bill 24-152 would

have incentivized Colorado food and beverage businesses to purchase products from suppliers that practice regenerative agriculture with a 25% income tax credit. The bill gained support but ultimately was a casualty of a midseason budget shortfall.

A similar measure could resurface this session, but this time will be led by the Western Colorado Alliance for Community Action, Richard says.

Both Richard and Thormodsgaard will be following the Worker Protection Collective Bargaining bill, SB25-005, which would eliminate the current requirement for a second election during collective bargaining over a union agreement.

The current two-stage process involves an initial election to approve a union and a second vote to authorize deduction of dues from employee paychecks, Thormodsgaard says.

The bill represents “a substantial change,” he says and, in the Chamber’s initial polling, most business respondents did not support it.

“This was a great negotiated deal that business struck with labor,” he says. “There’s not been a problem that we could see, so why are we changing this now?”

Thormodsgaard is hoping to see business advocates work with the labor community to reach a compromise on the bill.

The Chamber also is taking a passive/opposing position on HB251001, which would make changes to the state’s wage hour laws including expansion of the definition of “employer” to anyone with at least 25% of ownership interests.

Thormodsgaard also will be watching the incentives coming from the Office of Economic Development and International Trade.

“We want to make sure that they’re not striking any of the business incentives or the economic development incentives that we enjoy right now,” he says.

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

socodigest.com / Vol. 3 No. 1 - February 2025 / 15

Must Read

The Anxious Generation

How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness

by Jonathan Haidt 400 pages • Published March 26, 2024 $30 on anxiousgeneration.com/book

A

fter more than a decade of stability or improvement, the mental health of adolescents plunged in the early 2010s. Rates of depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicide rose sharply, more than doubling on many measures. Why? In The Anxious Generation, social psychologist Jonathan Haidt explores the epidemic of teen mental illness that hit many countries at the same time. He investigates the nature of childhood, including why children need play and independent exploration to mature into thriving adults.

Haidt shows how the “play-based childhood” began to decline in the 1980s, and how it was wiped out by the “phone-based childhood” in the early 2010s.

He presents the ways this “great rewiring of childhood” has interfered with children’s social and neurological development, covering everything from

sleep deprivation to attention fragmentation, addiction, loneliness, social comparison and perfectionism. He explains why social media damages girls more than boys and why boys have been withdrawing into the virtual world, with disastrous consequences.

Haidt issues a clear call to action. He diagnoses the “collective action problems” that trap us, then proposes four simple rules that might set us free. He describes what parents, teachers, schools, tech companies and governments can do to end this epidemic.

Haidt has spent his career speaking truth backed by data in communities polarized by politics and religion, campuses battling culture wars and the public health emergency Gen Z faces. We cannot ignore his findings about protecting our children — and ourselves — from the psychological damage of a phone-based life.

THERE FOR PRACTICALLY EVERY “EUREKA” MOMENT FOR THE PAST 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.

16 / Southern Colorado Business Forum & Digest

People

Professionals on the Rise Southern Colorado’s Workforce Achievements!

Kyle Hybl

Dr. Meera Mani

Dr. Susana Cordova

GlobalMindED, a Denverbased nonprofit championing inclusive leadership, has announced the 15 recipients of its prestigious 2025 Inclusive Leader Awards.

They are: Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón

Patricia Pacheco de Baez

Vicki Vasquez

Wahleah Johns

Dr. Yele Aluko

Joseph Acaba

Foundations & Funders: Kyle Hybl, CEO of the El Pomar Foundation.

Dr. Rebecca Corbin

Edward Lewis

K-12 Education: Dr. Susana Cordova, Colorado Department of Education commissioner.

Media & the Arts: Edward Lewis, Essence magazine cofounder.

Government: Vicki Vasquez, owner and chairwoman of Tribal Tech.

Banking & Finance: Patricia Pacheco de Baez, managing director, Bank of America.

Dr. Shirley Collado

Britt Slabinski

Technology: Tim Muindi, group vice president of Treasury, Sustainability and Global Impact at ServiceNow. Entrepreneurship: Dr. Rebecca Corbin, president and CEO of the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship.

Health and Wellness: Dr. Yele Aluko, EY Americas chief medical officer.

Adam Popp

Space & Aerospace: Joseph Acaba, chief of the Astronaut Office, NASA.

Early Childhood: Dr. Meera Mani, vice president, David and Lucile Packard Foundation.

Higher Education: Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón, president emeritus of Miami Dade College.

Tim Muindi

Office of Indian Energy Policy, U.S. Department of Energy.

Energy & Sustainability: Wahleah Johns, director,

Nonprofit: Adam Popp, founder of Couch to 100, supporting other veterans through sports psychology.

Leadership & Equity: Dr. Shirley Collado, president and CEO, College Track.

Global Impact: Britt Slabinski, president of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

The awards will be presented June 16, opening night of the GlobalMindED Conference, at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel.

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.

socodigest.com / Vol. 3 No. 1 - February 2025 / 17

People

Dr. Kathryn Sullivan

Dr. Kathryn Sullivan is the 2025 recipient of the Space Foundation’s highest honor, the General James E. Hill Lifetime Space Achievement Award. Sullivan was the first person to both walk in space and dive to the Challenger Deep, the deepest point in Earth’s oceans. The award will be presented at the 40th annual Space Symposium, April 7-10 at The Broadmoor.

Michaela Kovalsky

Kieran McCauley

Luca Valenti

Two Air Force Academy cadets earned the People’s Choice award from the Serious Games Showcase & Challenge during the 2024 Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference, which took place Dec. 2-6, 2024, in Orlando, Florida.

Cadets First Class Michaela Kovalsky and Kieran McCauley created the Land Engagement Adjudication Platform game. It is used in the Academy’s Multi-Domain Laboratory, giving cadets the ability

Two trustees have joined the El Pomar Foundation Board. They are:

Col. Gail Colvin (Ret.)

Stacy Pons

Sharie Dodge

David Siegel

Connie Rickard

Col. Gail Colvin (Ret.) has rejoined the board after serving from 2020 to 2024, effective Jan. 1. She has also been a regional council member on El Pomar’s Pikes Peak Regional Council since 2016. Colvin is chief of staff at the Air Force Academy and serves as its chief business officer.

She has won multiple honors during her 30-year military career.

David Siegel, a 2012 El Pomar Fellowship alumnus, was named a fellowship alumni trustee. He is executive director for the Ent Center for the Arts at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, supporting the Galleries of Contemporary Art, Theatreworks

U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 1st Class Luca Valenti, Class of 2025, has been selected for the Holaday Scholarship, a fully-funded two-year postgraduate program in the United Kingdom. Valenti is an aeronautical engineering major who will graduate and commission into the Air Force as a second lieutenant in May. Bart Holaday, Class of 1965, established the scholarship. to apply operational level inputs to a capstone war game that leverages basic operational design research to provide realistic results to force-onforce engagements.

The Academy was one of 17 teams competing at the 19th Serious Games Showcase & Challenge.

“Serious games” focus on educational and training outcomes that can have applications in industrial, medical and military training.

and the university’s academic mission. A violinist active in the local music community, Siegel also was CEO of the Bee Vradenburg Foundation.

The Foundation also announced staff changes: Stacy Pons has been promoted to controller, expanding her role on the Finance team.

Connie Rickard has been promoted to senior investment analyst/ assistant controller, expanding her role for the Investment Office and Finance.

Sharie Dodge joined El Pomar as receptionist/administrative assistant, supporting Grants, Human Resources and Executive Offices.

18 / Southern Colorado Business Forum & Digest

Business Impact

City, VENU Craft Agreement Limiting Noise Levels at Ford Amphitheater

T

he City of Colorado Springs and Ford Amphitheater have reached an agreement that sets a path for the 2025 concert season at the entertainment complex. Although the venue remains in full compliance with its approved Planned Unit Development (PUD), additional mitigation measures have been agreed upon to address neighborhood feedback.

After the inaugural 2024 season, the City and VENU, the amphitheater’s owner, have collected and responded to community feedback, gathered numerous third-party sound data reports and met regularly to discuss ongoing and potential sound mitigation efforts. This dialogue between VENU, the community and the City has laid the foundation for the agreement.

Key Updates and Mitigation Efforts

The agreement introduces several new multi-million-dollar measures that demonstrate a commitment to being proactive and responsive to community needs.

Enhanced sound mitigation: The agreement expands the originally filed mitigation efforts Physical mitigation: VENU will construct additional sound walls at its north and south boundaries.

VENU will construct a sound tunnel system at the entry to the facility designed to redirect sound away from neighborhoods.

Electro-acoustic mitigation: VENU is making substantial changes to the sound system, including configuration and equipment that will significantly reduce the sound leaving the amphitheater.

Enhanced sound monitoring: In addition to the two noise-monitoring stations already required by the approved development plan, VENU will install three additional soundmonitoring stations inside or adjacent to nearby neighborhoods where complaints were registered.

To get an accurate record of

how sound is being experienced and to comply with City Code, the development plan and standard sound measurement practices: • Monitoring stations will track ambient noise before a performance and during each show; • Reports will isolate and disregard sudden extraneous sources (i.e., emergency sirens, wind).; and • All five monitoring stations will report in real-time to the amphitheater’s front of house, where the audio-visual operations team can adjust.

This also allows for a clear determination on whether excess decibels are associated with performances.

Clear Oversight and Reporting

Driven by a shared vision for sound levels to not exceed City Code outside of the Polaris Pointe development, the agreement dictates that the venue must maintain a sound level that is at or below City statute levels or average ambient readings at that location, whichever is higher.

If sound levels during any concert

at the Ford Amphitheater exceed the established limit by 6 decibels or more at two or more monitoring locations, it will be deemed a violation.

In such cases, VENU will be subject to financial penalties per occurrence to the City and required to develop a plan for additional mitigation at the affected locations.

Limited Noise Hardship Permit

The City has issued a noise hardship permit for the Ford Amphitheater through Oct. 31, 2025.

However, this permit is limited geographically to the Polaris Pointe Development, which includes the adjacent apartments and businesses.

It also requires that VENU must comply with the new 2025 agreement, plus the requirements of the existing development plan.

Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade said, “Data, along with feedback from neighbors, has been critical to forging this new path forward, and I want to thank our community and the entire team at VENU for its diligence, investment and commitment to making the Ford Amphitheater a shared success for our community. I am optimistic

about the outcome of the planned mitigation and monitoring efforts, and we will be watching the results closely throughout this season.”

J.W. Roth, VENU founder, chairman and CEO, stated, “We deeply appreciate the patience of our community as we work through this process — gathering reliable data with our industry partners, crafting blueprints and action plans with our architects and engineers and collaborating closely with the City of Colorado Springs.

“I fully support the decision to limit the geography of the hardship permit.

I made Colorado Springs a vow that I intend to keep: my goal is to ensure you’ll need to buy a ticket to enjoy the concert. While this process has taken time, it’s allowed us to get things right. I’m grateful that we have a clear understanding of how sound will be monitored, what constitutes a violation and how enforcement will work.”

socodigest.com / Vol. 3 No. 1 - February 2025 / 19

Energy

Electric Linemen and Apprentices to Get Major Training Upgrade

BY CO LORADO SPRI N GS UTI LI TI ES

C

olorado Springs Utilities’ (Springs Utilities) electric line crews oversee and maintain more than 3,800 miles of electric distribution lines and more than 200 miles of transmission lines in all kinds of weather conditions.

Some of these lines are overhead and some underground – with each posing unique challenges and safety risks.

Thankfully, linemen undergo years of training to refine their craft, enhance safety practices and prepare for situations when a life-threatening injury occurs. Training continues throughout a lineman’s career.

With the arrival of a new program offered by Timpson Training, apprentices and linemen will soon be able to practice their skills and safety techniques in a fully energized training yard – closely simulating conditions faced in the field. Until recently it was difficult to safely

incorporate live electric equipment in a controlled setting. All training up until now featured de-energized equipment.

With the availability of Timpson Training’s unique technology and related curriculum, Springs Utilities’ Electric Construction and Safety Specialists John Rombeck and Mario Sanchez are seizing the opportunity to keep employees and customers safe.

“Our electric line and troubleshooter employees face significant risk when they’re in the field working on high voltage equipment, and they often perform this work adjacent to customer homes and businesses,” says Rombeck. “There is no room for mistakes. There are just too many variables in the field that are hard to replicate in a de-energized setting.”

The Timpson system transcends a traditional training curriculum as it also includes specialized equipment

Training programs foster sustainable and repeatable safe work behaviors.

that allows training yards to be energized at full primary voltage.

To ensure employee safety, the equipment has several safeguards in place such as quick-acting relays, extremely low amperage and remote shutoffs to eliminate the risk for arc flash injuries during training.

“We believe we have some of the most skilled and committed apprentices, linemen and troubleshooters in the industry,”

says Rombeck. “So, it’s up to the training and safety teams to reinforce that commitment through training programs that foster forwardthinking, sustainable and repeatable safe work behaviors. Ultimately, this means a safer and more reliable system for customers.”

According to Rombeck, Timpson equipment will be installed at Springs Utilities’ Leon Young Service Center training yard on Hancock Avenue in the coming weeks. The program will formally launch by March 2025.

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20 / Southern Colorado Business Forum & Digest

Workforce

Positivity Training can Improve Corporate Culture

BY KAY ROW E

I

t’s everywhere: online and in print. Trust in the workplace leads to better collaboration, less stress, better employee performance, enhanced innovation and better conflict management, to name only a few benefits. It’s foundational to corporate loyalty and growth. But how to achieve that in an organization without yet another trust fall exercise?

Dr. Heidi Petak has been coaching leaders in communication for more than two decades. Her company, Speak Eagle, is located in Monument and provides a host of online resources that include topics such as trustbased communication, interacting with difficult people, sales and persuasion, navigating conflict, giving feedback, leading a team through a crisis, public speaking and storytelling.

Petak holds advanced degrees in communication, as well as a bachelor’s degree in broadcasting. She has taught for four universities, lectured in South Africa, South Sudan, Peru, Puerto Rico and Hungary, and coached top leaders and their teams in state government and Fortune 500 companies. Petak is also a two-time Dove Award-winning scriptwriter and, as a former radio DJ and voiceover artist, has recorded hundreds of commercials.

In early 2023, after speaking at an event for a local chamber of commerce, three leaders approached Petak to ask if she could take them through her Speak Eagle content. She took the challenge and designed an eight-session master class for leaders.

Organizational leaders who heard about the content began requesting customized workshops based on one or more of these topics for their teams.

Her primary argument for communication training is that the fear of experiencing shame drives people’s most unhealthy communication strategies. In contrast, staying grounded in trust is the key to healthy communication, which shapes great leaders, happy relationships, successful teams and thriving cultures.

She says, “I named my company Speak Eagle because, for the

Dr. Heidi Petak assessment and communication model I created, I chose an eagle as the trustbased communicator. Eagles have powerful vision, know the power of partnerships and harness the wind to soar through and even above storms.

Eagle communicators, similarly, stay grounded in trust and use trust-based communication strategies to bring out the best in others and foster health on their teams.”

Speak Eagle’s courses include: • The Eagle Communicator speakeagle.getlearnworlds.com/ course/executivepresence An eight-session master class to grow one’s executive presence and set oneself up for promotion.

Leaders can talk with a group of other leaders or privately with Petak. Each of the sessions can be broken out as a workshop for a staff meeting, leadership retreat, conference, etc.

• Faithful to Speak speakeagle.getlearnworlds.com/ course/faithful-speak A public speaking course that includes three private coaching sessions.

• Say it Brave amazon.com/Say-Brave-WisdomConversations-Communication/ dp/1981339477 Wisdom and Faith for Tough Conversations: This course is based on Petak’s book of the same name and is geared toward faithbased groups.

•

You Can Be a Voice-Over Artist speakeagle.getlearnworlds.com/ course/be-voiceover-artist It includes two private coaching sessions.

Petak is in the process of creating courses for fifth-10th grade homeschool students and parents (trust-based, shame-free parenting, how to raise empathetic kids, discipline, etc.).

She is also developing courses for marriage communication and healthcare providers.

She offers the following coaching services: • Monthly Coaching Subscription speakeagle.getlearnworlds.com/ course/monthly-communicationcoaching Individual clients can meet with Petak once a month (virtually or in person) for help working through personal and professional communication challenges, rehearse upcoming difficult conversations or performance reviews, prepare for or rehearse presentations and more. She also coaches clients in how to communicate with their kids, in their marriage and with extended family and friends.

•

Annual retainer Organizational clients can keep Petak on retainer so their employees can access communication coaching whenever they need it.

This includes interpersonal communication help and public speaking coaching.

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

FOR MORE INFORMATION: • SPEAKEAGLE.COM • YOUTUBE.COM/C/ SPEAKEAGLEWITHDRP • SPEAKEAGLE.GETLEARNWORLDS. COM

socodigest.com / Vol. 3 No. 1 - February 2025 / 21

Cybersecurity Arts Economy

Series to Showcase Economic Impact of Creative Sector

BY C ULT URAL OFFIC E O F TH E P IKES PE AK REGION

W

hile 74% of Americans prioritize experiences over products or things, nationally, it’s estimated that consumers spend $160 to $180 billion annually on experiences. In 2023, 93.3 million visitors to Colorado spent nearly $28.3 billion experiencing our state.

Join the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region for our LEVEL UP! Speaker Series, which will deliver timely, relevant topics to the creative sector and greater economy and help attendees to better understand the value of arts and culture as an economic — and experience — driver.

The first of three events, “LEVEL UP! The Experience Economy,” will be held on Feb. 7 from 8-10 am at the Meanwhile Block in downtown Colorado Springs (119 Costilla St., Colorado Springs, 80903).

The Experience Economy is an economy where moments matter.

This panel will unpack how purpose, creativity, business models, legal and financing work together to support businesses and entrepreneurs looking to take advantage of this market opportunity. Learn from experience design experts in how to bring people together, and keep them coming back for more, while also harnessing new models of business for sustainability and strength.

Kick off First Friday by learning from two incredible creative business owners, experience design experts and game-changers of the creative sector.

to experience joy-in-motion through art and activities. They are a community venue for roller skating, entertainment and art, with a vision of a more playful world that values accountability and connectedness.

Brian Corrigan | Farm-to-Spaceship briancorrigan.net Corrigan is a creative placemaking artist-designer-entrepreneur working at the intersection of the experience economy, technology and community development. His socially-engaged practice spans rural/urban/suburban communities and focuses on sparking and supporting the development of healthy, inclusive and vibrant neighborhoods for all people. His projects have been published in Streets Reconsidered: Inclusive Design for the Public Realm and The Digital City: Media and the Social Production of Place.

Tickets are $10 and advanced registration is required. RSVP here: cootppr.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/ neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal %2Fevents%2F11709

Hosts:

FOR MORE INFORMATION: CULTURALOFFICE.ORG/RESOURCES/ CREATIVE-BUSINESS-RESOURCES

Frankie Toan | Rainbow Dome rainbowdome.com Rainbow Dome’s mission is to steward our collective joy. Based in Denver, Rainbow Dome is a queer-centric hub that gathers people across differences

Specials thanks to the Pikes Peak Community Foundation for their sponsorship of the LEVEL UP! Speaker Series.

22 / Southern Colorado Business Forum & Digest

Aerospace/Defense

PteroDynamics: Pioneering Advanced Air Mobility in the Heart of Colorado

BY TIFFANY UNDERWO O D A N D THERESA WOODS

The aircraft is the Transwing®. It is an autonomous VTOL UAS (vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aerial vehicle).

Photo by Kristian Bogner.

P

teroDynamics, an innovative aircraft company specializing in vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) technology, recently established its headquarters in Colorado Springs, capitalizing on the region’s quality of life; emphasis on STEM education and innovation; and economic incentives to drive its growth.

PteroDynamics’ aircraft are revolutionizing offshore cargo deliveries, emergency response and infrastructure inspections, solidifying the company’s role in redefining air mobility in the military and commercial fields. The company continues to grow and collaborate with local and global companies with a goal to be constantly improving their technology to best suit the needs of the consumer.

“The goal of our company is to have the best performant aircraft that flies faster, longer, carrying heavier payloads and using less energy,” says Pterodynamics CEO Matthew Graczyk.

PteroDynamics is built around the Transwing™ VTOL system that Dr. Val Petrov invented in 2016. It features folding wings that enable seamless transitions between vertical and horizontal flight, optimizing energy efficiency and payload capacity.

Graczyk, who partnered with Dr. Petrov in 2017, transformed the concept into a business that delivers advanced Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), air mobility solutions for high-value, time-sensitive missions.

Ideal for operations in confined or hard-to-reach areas, “it’s not just the design of the aircraft that’s very unique,” says John Sommerfield, PteroDynamics marketing and communications strategy representative, citing the P4 drone’s game-changing combination of VTOL with the aerodynamic efficiencies of a horizontal wing aircraft. “It looks like a fixed-wing aircraft when it flies, which is why it doesn’t look like a drone,” says Sommerfield.

The company strategically selected Colorado Springs as its headquarters, citing the area’s quality of life, proximity to STEM schools and favorable business climate. “We had expectations for Colorado, and I would say, on almost every vector, they have exceeded our expectations,” Graczyk says.

The company’s headquarters began with only 9,000 square feet on North Nevada Avenue and recently expanded to more than 20,000 square feet, to accommodate its growing team and advanced aircraft development. With roles spanning engineering, manufacturing and business operations, PteroDynamics places a strong emphasis on recruiting top talent and fostering a collaborative culture.

“Colorado is the right answer.

It really is,” states Rich Brasel, PteroDynamics chief revenue officer.

“It’s got every single thing that we need as a company that’s growing.”

The company also considered locations in Florida, Texas and California. Another reason PteroDynamics decided on Colorado is the benefits from a $2.5 million economic incentive program

through the state, designed to offset employment taxes and support workforce expansion. According to the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT) website, they “offer over 100 programs and funding opportunities to businesses within our state.”

These programs include the Job Growth Incentive Tax Credit, Strategic Fund Job Growth Incentive and the Rural Jump-Start Tax Credit. The company also credited Colorado OEDIT’s programs in supporting trade show access for Colorado companies. Their assistance enabled PteroDynamics’ early appearances at international trade and airshows, building crucial relationships as well as awareness of their product.

PteroDynamics has made significant strides in developing its aircraft, and its work has garnered attention within the aerospace industry. The company has a growing portfolio of intellectual property, including six granted patents and 14 pending patents across 11 jurisdictions.

Graczyk says, “We’ve been very careful, I think, about trying to figure out where we want to have these patents prosecuted around the world

to protect our intellectual property for both ourselves and the people that we work with.”

Additionally, PteroDynamics has participated in global air shows and secured distributor agreements with international partners to introduce its technology to new markets.

The company’s technological advancements were further validated by its successful participation in the 2024 Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise, where its aircraft demonstrated capabilities during challenging maritime environments amid sea trials with the U.S. Navy.

These trials showcased the aircraft’s potential for military and defense applications, which could pave the way for future collaborations with government agencies.

PteroDynamics’ innovative aircraft target a range of commercial and military applications. Offshore oil platforms, power lines, pipelines and other critical infrastructure stand to benefit from the company’s ability to deliver supplies and conduct inspections in environments which traditional aircraft find extremely

CONTINUED ON P. 21

socodigest.com / Vol. 3 No. 1 - February 2025 / 23

Aerospace/Defense challenging. PteroDynamics’ folding wing design provides operational flexibility by enabling takeoff and landing in smaller spaces while improving energy efficiency and extending flight range.

These features make its aircraft a versatile solution for industries requiring precision, speed and adaptability. The company’s relationship with the Navy is focused on the problems of maritime resupply. Ships need replacement parts frequently, and this currently means delivery by helicopter.

There are other applications for UAS outside the military, including using advanced camera technology for search and rescue efforts, as well as offshore oil and gas operation quality and safety inspections.

“It’s useful for multiple missions, both military/defense and civil … I’m talking about law enforcement, firefighting, that sort of stuff … disaster response,” explains Brasel.

“They need parts. They need surveillance around them, to look at the water all the time to make sure the pipelines aren’t leaking. Someone falls off the side, then you search and rescue. There’s a storm, someone needs to go around, make sure everything’s OK and not broken.”

In addition to commercial and defense efforts, PteroDynamics actively engages in initiatives to strengthen its industry presence and regional impact.

The company was recently nominated for the Colorado Companies to Watch program, which recognizes second-stage businesses for their innovation, growth and contributions to the state’s economy.

PteroDynamics continues to focus on expanding its operations, securing additional funding and engaging with local and state legislators to support the continued growth of its workforce and technological development.

The company’s growing global presence underscores

its ambition to revolutionize air mobility. Distributor agreements with international partners facilitate the introduction of its aircraft to new markets, while participation in prestigious global air shows showcases its unique capabilities to potential clients and stakeholders.

These achievements pave the way for future collaborations with the Department of Defense and other government agencies.

PteroDynamics plans to engage with legislators to secure additional funding and resources, leveraging its economic contributions to the local community. The company’s Certificate of Authorization (COA) further expands its operational capabilities by allowing advanced flight testing in controlled airspace.

With a focus on innovation, collaboration and growth, PteroDynamics is poised to redefine advanced air mobility while reinforcing Colorado’s position as a leader in aerospace technology.

“One of the reasons why I think the drone industry is eventually going to be very successful is just the amount of opportunities out there,” says Brasel. “The future is bright out there for UAS. This technology is going to have direct impact: improvements on everybody’s life, their businesses and their capabilities. I think that’s right around the corner.”

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

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

24 / Southern Colorado Business Forum & Digest

Chamber

Watching Out for Business is Our Job

BY LOL A WOLOCH

T

he Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce (SCWCC) offers all the traditional benefits of a chamber, but it also watches out for its member businesses through its robust Public Policy Committee (PPC).

The PPC is one of the benefits that sets apart the SCWCC from other business organizations. The members of this committee have a wide range of backgrounds and operates in a non-partisan manner with the sole focus on how public policy is or could impact the business community – especially small businesses.

“Small and even medium-sized businesses often don’t have time to keep an eye on legislation at the state and federal levels.” They are busy running their businesses.

The PPC supports the chamber board when it takes positions on legislation (whether for or against), explaining the details of the impact on

business. The SCWCC has expanded administrative support and added several Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to address specific industry sectors during the 2025 Colorado State legislative session. The committee also encourages civic engagement, including contacts with state and local legislators.

The SCWCC is watching several bills already, specifically House Bill (HB25-1001) Enforcement of Wage and

Hour Laws and HB25-1010 Prohibiting Price Gouging in Sales of Necessities.”

The bill summary for Enforcement of Wage and Hour Laws says it will impose more stringent enforcement mechanisms and expand worker protections in enforcing state labor laws.

The Prohibiting Price Gouging in Sales of Necessities bill expands the current price gouging prohibition which applies during a disaster declaration by the governor. Under

this bill, price gouging (increasing prices by more than 10% in a threemonth period in some circumstances) any time can be an illegal “deceptive trade practice.” Also, “necessities” are changed from the sale of goods and services necessary to human or animal survival in a disaster to the sale of goods and services necessary to the health, safety and welfare of consumers or the general public.

For more information about how these bills and other upcoming legislation could affect your business or businesses in general, head to: SCWCC.com Lola Woloch, is the President & CEO of SCWCC.

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socodigest.com / Vol. 3 No. 1 - February 2025 / 27

Economic Forum

Reduced Immigration Will Slow U.S. Growth

BY DR . BILL CR A I GH E A D

E

mployment rates in the U.S. employment continued to grow rapidly even after the initial post-pandemic rebound brought the unemployment rate down to 4% at the beginning of 2022. Monthly payroll growth averaged 271,000 in 2022-24, compared with 177,000 in 2017-191.

This rapid employment growth contributed to faster GDP growth — over the two years through the third quarter of 2024, U.S. real (inflation-adjusted) GDP has grown at an average annual rate of 3%, considerably above its trend rate, usually estimated to be around 2%.

For economists, this seemingly unsustainable pace of employment and output growth presented a puzzle. Immigration estimates have helped to resolve it. According to recently updated Census Bureau population estimates, net international migration averaged 2.26 million per year over the three-year period ending July 1, 2024, roughly triple the rate of the three years to July 1, 2019. The immigration surge helps account for how U.S. employment and output could continue to grow so rapidly even as the unemployment rate was already at levels economists consider full employment.

Data from a separate Census Bureau data set — the American Community Survey (ACS) — highlights how, with our aging demographics, much growth.

According to the ACS, about 90% of the growth in the U.S. workingage population over 2018-23 was foreign-born.

The situation for Colorado is somewhat different — the state relies more on migration from other states for growth in its workforce.

At 9.6%, the foreign-born share of Colorado’s population in 2023 was considerably lower than the national share (14.3%). Shares in Douglas (7.8%), El Paso (6.9%) and Pueblo (3.8%) counties were even lower.

A significant part of recent immigration has come from asylum-seekers entering the U.S. at our southern border. Their impact on employment comes with a time lag — it generally takes about six months for those who were released into the country awaiting a hearing to receive permission to work. An executive order in June 2024 restricting asylum claims contributed to a sharp reduction in the pace of inflows — encounters at the southern border reported

by Customs and Border Protection July-December 2024 were less than

1. A forthcoming data revision may slightly narrow this difference.

half that recorded for the second half of 2023.

With the lag in receiving employment eligibility, this immigration slowdown will begin to be more apparent in the U.S. employment and GDP data in the near future. Economists at the San Francisco Fed estimate that the rate of monthly payroll growth consistent with stable unemployment will slow to under 100,000 by the end of 2025.

That is, even with no additional action by the incoming administration, the speed limit for U.S. employment growth will decrease. That also reduces what we should expect for GDP growth.

For standards of living, what matters is not total GDP, but GDP per person. Japan shows that a

country can be prosperous even with a declining working-age population. However, total GDP does matter for the sustainability of the U.S. government’s fiscal position — this is usually evaluated using the debt-to-GDP ratio. Less immigration also means that the 3% GDP growth goal of Scott Bessent, nominated to be Treasury secretary in the new administration, will be harder to achieve.

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

28 / Southern Colorado Business Forum & Digest

Economic Development

Revitalization of Downtown Colorado Springs Creates a New Future for the South End

BY THERESA WOODS

The 4U Motel is now transformed into housing opportunities as The Studios at SRM.

Catalyst of the Downtown Resurgence

Adding multi-unit housing, a priority throughout the city’s revitalized downtown, remade this area. The first new residential multiunit built was Blue Dot Place at 412 S. Nevada Ave. in 2016. These 33 new residences were a catalyst, attracting new businesses and new development.

“We are proud to be a part of the story of the Downtown Colorado Springs revitalization and the New South End,” says developer Darsey Nicklasson in 2020 when she sold the property. “Blue Dot Place was the first apartment building to be built downtown in 60 years. It was the first to receive Tax Increment Financing assistance from the Downtown Development Authority. It was the first apartment building under the form-based code and the first of so many other things.” As additional apartment buildings opened, such as 333 ECO in 2017, the nearby Trolley Block was remade into a vibrant mixed-use area.

The Trolley Block represents the first major redevelopment of

Courtesy photos.

T

he areas adjacent to the heart of Downtown Colorado Springs are key to the revitalized downtown experience sought by city officials, local businesses and residents.

The southern side of Downtown Colorado Springs, referred to as the New South End District, once was a quirky, eclectic and historical mix of residences, businesses and industrial buildings. Today, the New South End is known for its revitalization into a cultural and social hub. It is a growing and flourishing neighborhood designed and born out of the master plan for rejuvenating the area’s downtown. Just outside of the new apartment buildings are new restaurants, art spaces and vital businesses such as banks, hair salons and retail establishments.

New South End, with $8 million in investment. The 500 block of South Tejon Street transformed from the original trolly repair shops and garage into a historic and artfully redesigned home for food and drink tenants, a virtual sports training facility, office suites and a brewery taproom and food hall.

“The master planning and architecture of the Trolley Block provides Colorado Springs with a heightened design experience that formerly did not exist in the city and is helping to raise the bar on future downtown development,” says Echo Architecture + Interiors, the designer.

Next door, an original 1890s building was renovated into a 30,000-square-foot multi-tenant office property, the Trolley Lofts at 517-523 S. Cascade Ave. A recent addition nearby, The Village at New South End, is a complex of 62 residences which opened in 2023.

“Many young professionals, in particular, are craving housing in denser communities where they can walk to their favorite restaurants and bars, bike to the office and shop within a 15-minute walking radius of their home,” says Austin Wilson-Bradley, director of economic development for Downtown Partnership of Colorado Springs.

The 4U Hotel at 1102 South Nevada Avenue was a source of blight and crime.

Today, over 7,000 people live within one mile of the Trolley Block.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Revitalization calls for a shift in the ring of neighborhoods that cradle downtown, remaking them into higher density areas filled with residences, mixed-use buildings and attractive public spaces and parks.

The Village at New South End is located in the Lowell neighborhood, an area strategically important to revitalization. An Urban Renewal Area from 1988 to 2013, the updated Lowell Neighborhood provides an attractive entry, innovative mixedincome housing opportunities and neighborhood-oriented businesses.

Preservation and adaptation of the Lowell Elementary School at 831 S. Nevada Ave., job creation in the area,

enhanced safety and transportation, pedestrian friendly features and parking infrastructure were goals of this neighborhood’s completed redevelopment.

The Mill Street and Las Vegas neighborhoods occupy the area between Fountain Boulevard and I-25. Streets in this area, specifically Sahwatch Avenue, Rio Grande Street and Las Animas Street, will become garden streets. This addition of community garden areas, enhanced landscaping and small park spaces along wide, accessible sidewalks builds spaces for “living rather than just driving.” The newly attractive residential areas will bring new types of residents to these nearby neighborhoods.

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socodigest.com / Vol. 3 No. 1 - February 2025 / 29

Economic Development New South End Residential Projects • Blue Dot Place (33 units, 2016) 412 N. Nevada Ave., at Nevada Ave./Costillo St. • 333 Eco (172 units, 2017) 333 E. Colorado Ave., at Wahsatch St./Colorado Ave. • The Mae on Cascade (178 units, 2020) 609 S. Cascade Ave., at Cascade Ave./Rio Grande St. • Casa Mundi (27 units, 2020) 418 S. Tejon, at Tejon St./Cimarron • The VIM (154 units, 2023) 322 E. Vermijo, at Wahsatch St./Vermijo Ave. • The Village at New South End (62 units, 2023) 343 E. Rio Grande St., at Weber St./ Rio Grande St.

Trolley Block Businesses • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Gateways to the New South End Lowell, Mill Street and Las Vegas neighborhoods are immediately adjacent to the Southern Gateway to Downtown Colorado Springs, Tejon Street and Nevada Avenue, at their intersection with Fountain Boulevard.

Part of the overall revitalized downtown experience, gateways are designated entry points that will have cosmetic and structural improvements to create welcoming and distinctive entrances into the various Downtown districts from the surrounding areas of the city. The Southern Gateways, the primary gateways from neighborhoods such as Ivywild and the Broadmoor,

comprise two of the nine entrances identified for cosmetic and functional upgrades. Improvements to pedestrian and bicycle/scooter travel, traffic flow, streetscaping, signage and infrastructure will enhance the entire periphery of Downtown Colorado Springs.

The Necessities of Revitalization A series of infrastructure improvements will dramatically shape the future of Mill Street/Las Vegas neighborhoods. The South Downtown Rail Underpass Reconstruction Project (SDRUR), currently in the preliminary planning stages, advances several aspects of the overall revitalization plan.

Replacement railroad bridges at Nevada Avenue, Tejon Street and

Shooks Run will improve safety, transportation access and appearance.

Construction along Tejon Street and Nevada Avenue from Fountain Boulevard to Mill Street will improve traffic flow and pedestrian access.

Sierra Madre and Las Animas, and other streets in the area will undergo various functional and aesthetic improvements. Work surrounding the Shooks Run Bridge will lead to an eventual connection to the Greenway Trail and Legacy Loop. Various interim projects will also mitigate noise in the area, install train whistle quiet zones and improve connection and safety for multiple transportation modes: pedestrian, bicycle and automobile.

The entire Las Vegas Street corridor is also identified for safety,

Atomic Cowboy Denver Biscuit Company Fat Sully’s Pizza Frozen Gold The Exchange on Tejon Streetcar 520 Dos Santos Taqueria de Mexico COATI Food Hall Louie Louie’s Piano Bar AXC Cork & Cask Honey Salon and Spa Cycle Gear Sunday Barber Co. Tattoo Demon Urban Animal Brewery Uprise Taphouse McDivitt Law Firm Printsmart Commercial Printer

multi-modal transportation and aesthetic improvements. The planning process for this area has not begun.

BNSF Railroad is replacing the South Tejon Railroad bridge in a separate project. Originally planned for 2024, construction has not yet begun. A new road and at-grade rail crossing will be constructed to replace the Royer Street railroad crossing, an important safety improvement to the area. The project was expected to be awarded in February 2025.

Currently, the Interstate 25 ramps at South Nevada and South Tejon Street are being updated. This $9.1 million project will improve the flow of traffic on and off the interstate.

CONTINUED ON P. 30

30 / Southern Colorado Business Forum & Digest

Economic Development CONTINUED FROM P. 29

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Along with construction of a center median on Nevada and a pedestrian bridge over Cheyenne Creek, the project will improve pedestrian access throughout the area and widen sidewalks to better accommodate bicycles and scooters. There will also be traffic signal upgrades and improved signage and wayfinding.

An Important Class of Residents

Unhoused residents are a long-standing element of the downtown experience. Ensuring unsheltered populations have safer sleeping alternatives to alleyways, business doorways, creeks, trails, etc., is part of revitalizing Downtown Colorado Springs. These efforts are ongoing, as demonstrated by the city’s 2025 Homelessness Response Action Plan, but received a significant upgrade with the Springs Rescue Mission’s (SRM) campus expansion.

The four-story building that is now the SRM Welcome Center at 5 W. Las Vegas St. was purchased in 1998. Since then, it has grown to become a 13-acre homeless resource campus in southern Downtown Colorado Springs. The $18 million campus expansion includes additional shelter space; a dining hall; residential addiction recovery programs; a special shelter for pets; a resource and day center with showers, laundry machines, computers for job searches and other tasks, mail receiving and partner offices for local agencies to streamline services available; and a variety of transitional housing options for men and women graduating and moving into stable housing. With a holistic, person-first approach, SRM focuses programs on three pillars of life: housing, health and work.

“The Mission offers neighbors in need pathways out of homelessness, poverty and addiction,” says Travis Williams,

president & CEO of SRM. “Our hope is that guests, who once felt forgotten, now feel seen, loved and supported as we help them overcome challenges and re-integrate back into the community.”

In 2024, homelessness in Colorado Springs was the lowest in nine years. The January Pointin-Time survey found that 1,146 individuals were homeless in Colorado Springs, which is 12% lower than the 2023 count. Even then, SRM provided overnight shelter to 3,177 guests in 2024.

In September, SRM added the 4U Motel at 1102 S. Nevada Ave. to its transitional housing program.

This re-imagined, remodeled property — The Studios by Springs Rescue Mission — offers tenants 18-month leases designed to gradually acclimate them to paying rent and other responsibilities as they work to secure permanent housing.

Norwood Development Group purchased the property in 2022, helped fund renovations and leased it to Springs Rescue Mission for $1 per year, indefinitely. Norwood has a longstanding partnership with SRM, including previous work on the 65-unit Greenway Flats in 2019.

The Future Meets the Past Downtown

The last Colorado Springs street trolley ran through the Trolley Block in April of 1932.

Now, the only trolleys are at the Pikes Peak Trolley Museum in the historic 1888 Rock Island Railroad Roundhouse at 2333 Steel Drive. Their legacy, and the legacies of the past found throughout Downtown Colorado Springs, remain. Embedded in the architecture and the names of new developments, the longestablished neighborhoods, community fixtures like the Colorado Springs Day Nursery and SRM, Downtown’s past mixes with the new, redeveloped, revitalized Downtown of the future.

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

socodigest.com / Vol. 3 No. 1 - February 2025 / 31

Small Business Spotlight

Agricultural Robot Company Built from the Ground Up

BY JE AN N E DAVANT

Photo courtesy of Barn Owl Precision Agriculture

S

arah Hinkley grew up in a farming family, and her hands and heart are still in the soil.

Hinkley, her brother Jaron and husband, Bryan Stafford, founded and operate Barn Owl Precision Agriculture, a high-tech company that manufactures agricultural robots that perform repetitive chores for farmers and help ease their labor needs.

In 2017, “we got started to find a way to help the local farmers in the La Junta area,” Hinkley says. The first service was a drone analysis system that could scan fields and feed information to farmers. The product evolved to include small robots that could fit between rows to do chores like weeding, and then bigger ones that could navigate large boulders.

“The original mission was always just to help farmers have sustainable business —something that makes them want to wake up every day and say, ‘I want to do this,’ and something they’re excited to leave their kids,” she says.

After slow and steady growth for seven years, Hinkley is expecting 2025 to be a breakout year.

“We’re ramping up, and we have requests for $1.75 million in robot sales,” she says.

Going back several generations, Hinkley’s family farmed on land near La Junta and in Arkansas, where corn was the primary crop.

“We had small specialty crops — blackberries, tomatoes, chilies,” along with a small orchard, she says. “The biggest scale was the pasture and the cows. I remember having to do the chores in the small acres and then spending most of the rest of the day moving cows and putting feed out.

That’s a big positive memory for me — sitting on the back of my grandfather’s tractor.”

Though they sprang from those roots, Hinkley and her brother took different paths in their early careers. She started working at a Chick-fil-A restaurant at age 14 and continued there after graduating from Texas State University in 2013.

Meet the ANT: The Autonomous Nano-Tractor that can weed, spray and enhance farms for the next generation.

She was headed toward restaurant management and ownership, along with Jaron, who worked with her.

“My goal was always to bring joy to people through food,” she says. “I just wasn’t satisfied with how happy I was making people. I decided that I wanted to look at what else was out there.”

She went back to school and earned a master’s degree in healthcare administration and management, but ultimately decided healthcare wasn’t for her, either.

“I returned to the soil, and that’s where I really started to commit to the startup idea, to the seed of Barn Owl,” she says.

Jaron helped Sarah build the drivethrough system at a Chick-fil-A that’s still used today, but in 2014, he went to work for a company that flew drones over stockpiles, rocks, landfills and sands to analyze and measure them.

In 2015, Sarah, Jaron and thenboyfriend Bryan decided to move back to Colorado Springs from Texas and open a restaurant. But Jaron had long had ideas about using technology to improve farmers’ lives, and the drone company was born.

For the first couple of years, Jaron

and Sarah held restaurant jobs to bootstrap the company, and worked out of a 900-square-foot house in Colorado Springs. By 2019 they were gaining traction and brought on Bryan, who had studied computer science, robotics and navigation.

Bryan “has been able to build this entire beautiful, incredible system, where we’re at today,” Hinkley says.

Jaron develops the hardware, while Sarah heads the company as CEO. Barn Owl now has nine employees and is looking to hire more.

Along the way, Hinkley has acted on the issues, ideas and suggestions of her farmer clients, and she’s gotten support from the entrepreneurial community.

She completed a business development course at Mi Casa Resource Center in Denver, a womanfocused program that ended with a pitch to other women business owners, who recommended she seek venture capital. Family and friends helped finance a prototype robot, and when Hinkley presented the concept to the Greater Colorado Venture Fund, she was awarded $50,000. The fund in turn connected her with the

Emergent Campus in Florence, where the company is now headquartered.

“We had no idea how much positive impact we could have with this technology,” Hinkley says. “We’re creating internships, creating high paying jobs in rural communities, and I’m working to do that at scale.”

Hinkley encourages women, especially those in tech, to follow an entrepreneurial path.

“If you have an idea and you want it to create value for others, model it out, plan it out and talk about it to people you trust,” she says. “Colorado has really good resources. Find me on LinkedIn if anybody wants to ask me questions, and if I can’t answer them, I have a massive network of women who are trying to be supportive and available to others. We are here. Come find us.”

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

32 / Southern Colorado Business Forum & Digest

Small Business Spotlight

BY JE AN N E DAVANT

A

s he looks back on 50 years of running Poor Richard’s, founder Richard Skorman says the key factors in his longevity are flexibility to change with the times and survive setbacks, come up with creative ideas to meet his loyal clients’ needs and desires, hire knowledgeable employees who have stuck with him and, not least, marrying Patricia Seator, who has guided the business’s retail operations.

“It was fortuitous for me to marry somebody who turned out to be a great retail merchant,” Skorman says.

“I was never great at knowing what people would want. We’ve been full partners since 2005.”

Skorman started selling used paperback books in 1975 out of a house on North Tejon Street. That one-room shop has evolved into a four-business complex — Poor Richard’s Restaurant, Poor Richard’s Books & Gifts, Little Richard’s Toy Store and Rico’s Café and Wine Bar — that is a Downtown Colorado Springs landmark, cultural center and gathering place.

Skorman, who grew up in Akron,

Ohio, moved to Colorado to attend Colorado College and fell in love with the region. When he was a 22-yearold senior, he bought the stock of a bookstore that was closing and displayed it on shelves made from ammunition cases he purchased at Surplus City for 29 cents apiece. When he had to attend classes, he would leave a cash box for self-service.

Two years later, inspired by his friend Kimball Bayles’ Trident Bookstore and Café in Boulder, Skorman opened Poor Richard’s Feed & Read at his current location, 324 N. Tejon St. The concept was unique in Colorado Springs, and it was immediately popular.

In 1982, Skorman started showing indie films that weren’t being screened anywhere else in town. The same year, the business closed for three months after an arson fire, but friends and customers returned in force as soon as it reopened.

Skorman moved to New York City in 1986 to write a book about art films that were coming out on video, selling the restaurant to two trusted employees. There he discovered New

Photo courtesy of Poor Richard’s.

Poor Richard’s Celebrates 50 Years in Business

Richard Skorman, founder of Poor Richards.

York-style pizza and met Seator, who became his movie buddy and then romantic partner. Skorman and Seator returned to Colorado Springs after the book, “Off Hollywood Movies: A Film Lover’s Guide,” was published in 1990.

They repurchased the business and sold the cinema to Bayles, who later moved it to 115 Pikes Peak Ave. and opened Kimball’s Peak Three Theater.

Seator was the driving force behind opening Poor Richard’s Books and Gifts in 1992, launching Little Richard’s Toy Store in 1995 and creating the outdoor patio behind the restaurant.

The couple bought the building in 2008, and the popularity of the Beanie Babies that Seator stocked in the toy store helped them pay it off just before the pandemic struck.

Skorman and Seator wanted to encourage people to hang out and

recognized that parents needed a way to occupy their kids. They created a play space for children in the back of the bookstore and, for a time in the early 2000s, they operated a children’s bookstore. Rico’s Café, created to offer patrons a quiet place to enjoy coffee, a drink and a meal and which carried a selection of gifts curated by Seator, replaced it in 2005. The gift business helped them survive during the Great Recession, a time when many independent bookstores were folding.

Skorman and Seator also expanded their clientele by inviting groups and clubs to meet at the restaurant, offering them specials like a $5 pizza slice with a drink special.

“Sometimes you’ll see 20-30 people from a French class speaking French,

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socodigest.com / Vol. 3 No. 1 - February 2025 / 33

Small Business Spotlight or a Christian Science group going through their scripture,” Skorman says.

Poor Richard’s closed for 18 months during the pandemic, but Skorman and Seator made some improvements to the restaurant and started an online retail business during that time.

Skorman’s latest venture is a nonprofit volunteer group that meets weekly to clean up trash, Richard’s Rubbish Roundup.

As of late 2024, 850 volunteers picked up 55,000 pounds of trash and more than 1,000 needles.

Skorman has been active in supporting community causes, from LGBTQ issues to open space conservation. He served four terms on Colorado Springs City Council, and Poor Richard’s has been involved in numerous community efforts such as charity benefits and bringing 2,000 victims of Hurricane Katrina to Colorado Springs.

Those efforts happened organically, Skorman says, “because of who we were and the people who worked for us.”

At age 72, he still finds it a blessing to come to work, but Skorman and Seator, 71, are open to selling the business, possibly to employees, or to the right buyer.

“We’re very clear about not selling to somebody that’s going to change it a lot,” he says. “The combination has been successful for us, and we hope it will continue.”

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

coworking conference rooms offices

34 / Southern Colorado Business Forum & Digest

Workforce

In the Driver’s Seat of the Platform Economy “I’ve been in the game, in the business, for almost 11 years, so, I’ve seen this. Eleven years, you’re working hard, but you didn’t see any result … didn’t see that much change in my life or a development financially … so this platform comes and give you the right, first of all, the respect, the recognition, gives you the financial [benefit] … That’s what the driver’s looking for.”

Ahmed Eloumrani, Driver-Owner, Lead Driver

BY THERESA WOODS

C

olorado residents wanting to book a ride now have another option: Drivers Cooperative Colorado. This driverowned company offers the basics you’d expect: on-demand rides and pre-scheduled trips quickly ordered through an app, as well as something extra for drivers and riders.

Taiyelolo Oyeyipo, a driver-owner with the company, says, “80% of the income of any ride goes to the driver.

That is a big deal. And also for the rider, who knows where the money is going, can tabulate it … It’s a flat rate.”

He is referring to the company’s transparent fee innovations. A ride between the same two points costs the same each time with Drivers Cooperative Colorado. There are no surcharges, fees for pre-scheduling or dynamic pricing that surges due to demand or supply. Instead, a simple receipt, the same for both rider and driver, shows amounts for tolls, etc., and the total cost of the ride itemized by the 20% administrative share going to Drivers Cooperative Colorado and the driver’s share of 80%. All tips go to drivers.

The company states that its

“fair fares” are 5-8% less than other companies, making them more affordable for riders. And wages are higher than what similar businesses pay.

Co-op drivers estimate they were paid an average of 40% of each fare from other platforms. Oyeyipo vividly recalls one trip when he received only 26%.

Since forming in 2023, Drivers Cooperative Colorado built its ride app, CO-OP Colorado, which launched Sept. 25, 2024. As of publication time, the co-op has 4,677 drivers and 15,632 riders. Service is established in Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Aspen, Vail and Fort Morgan. Service in Pueblo, Fort Carson, SecurityWidefield and Fountain is available and being expanded.

“I want to thank all the drivers that are being involved … thanks to all the staff, the people who work hard to make this platform survive and continue,” says Ahmed Eloumrani, driver-owner, lead driver and board of directors member. “In addition to that, also [I] thank the riders who have stood by us.”

He envisions Drivers Cooperative Colorado expanding statewide and nationally, offering other programs to drivers such as electric vehicle purchasing and negotiating reasonable

prices for repairs and maintenance for their driver members.

After $500,000 in startup capital, the co-op is raising another $1.4 million in investments and forming a federation with other organizations nationwide.

“There are a lot of groups that are interested in being part of the federation,” says Minsun Ji, executive director of Drivers Cooperative Colorado and the Rocky Mountain Employee Ownership Center. “Some cities don’t have an organization such as my organization...that’s why the federation is needed to support them, actually, with the fundraising, with the driver leadership training and driver co-op academy.” RMEOC’s Incubator program currently supports Drivers Cooperative Colorado. The program helps with fundraising, forms a cooperative, mobilizes membership, provides education programs for members and leadership and supports management.

The business’ immediate goals relate to growth: increase the number of riders and drivers, expand service to rural areas, support marginalized users such as individuals with disabilities or service animals and develop contracts with organizations to provide non-

emergency medical transportation.

“The future of Drivers Co-op is for us to continue,” says General Manager Isaac Chinyoka, Ph.D. “We need support by the community. If people don’t believe in us, then the business won’t grow. People are using the app, supporting the app. Then we can expand.”

The mission of Drivers Cooperative Colorado is more than excellent service and safe rides. “We are interested in [making] social change in the life of these drivers and riders,” says Chinyoka.

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

FOR MORE INFORMATION: COLORADODRIVERS.COOP

CONTINUED ON P. 35

socodigest.com / Vol. 3 No. 1 - February 2025 / 35

Workforce Cooperative Defined

A

cooperative, or co-op, is a business ownership structure characterized by shared member ownership, democratic voting and distribution of benefits and wealth, when the organization profits, beyond shareholders. Although co-ops may have an elected board of directors or officers, they are built on a foundation of each cooperative member-owner having an equal ownership share and equal voting power.

On average, co-ops have greater productivity, 5% faster growth per year than others in their industry and a longer lifespan, with 90% of worker co-ops still in business after five years, compared to 20% of conventionally structured businesses.

The Seven Cooperative Principles, adopted by the International Co-Operative Alliance in 1995, based on the Rochdale Principles (ncbaclusa.coop): 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Voluntary membership: Any person who is willing to accept the responsibilities of co-op membership and who wishes to use the services of a cooperative is welcome to become a member.

Democratic member control: Co-ops are controlled by their members. Members have control over setting policies for the co-op and making decisions for the cooperative.

Member economic participation: Members contribute to the capital of the co-op democratically and equitably.

Most of the capital of a co-op remains the property of the co-op and isn’t redistributed to members.

Autonomy and independence: Co-ops are meant to be autonomous and democratically controlled, meaning they aren’t subject to control by outside organizations.

Education, training and information: A cooperative provides education and training to members and board members to allow them to contribute to the development of the co-op. Cooperatives also seek to inform and educate the public about its mission and operation.

Cooperation among cooperatives: Co-ops will often work together, creating regional, national and international structures that help to improve the community and create a better world.

Concern for community: The policies approved by the members of a cooperative should help to develop the community around the co-op in a sustainable way.

36 / Southern Colorado Business Forum & Digest

Technology

FlightHound: Innovative and Efficient Air Travel Solutions

A

ir travel disruptions, including mishandled baggage and flight delays, continue to plague and airlines passengers alike. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), an average of 28,500 bags — 5.5% of total enplaned bags — have been mishandled annually since 2018, resulting in $14.25 million in claims each year. Based on recent regulations requiring airlines to compensate passengers for delays, cancellations and lost luggage, the financial impact on the industry could have exceeded $5 billion for the top seven U.S. airlines in 2023 alone.

FlightHound is a new startup designed to address these challenges with innovative technologies and services to simplify the claims process and enhance travel reliability.

“Our mission is to improve the quality and reliability of airline travel while ensuring passengers receive the support they need during disruptions,” says David Handy, founder of Flighthound.

The platform is built with travelers in mind. The company’s app is set to launch soon, pending final approval from app stores, and will be available for IOS and Android, as well as a desktop version. This app offers an intuitive way to file claims for delayed, damaged or lost luggage, as well as for flight cancellations and delays. The app will provide real-time updates on claim statuses, ensuring passengers stay informed and reducing the stress often associated with travel mishaps.

FlightHound also has created a device intended to track luggage as well as seamlessly connect to the company’s flight tracking and claim system. The company’s flagship product, the Smart Bag Tag, provides a cutting-edge solution to baggage tracking while also addressing many of the limitations of existing products like Apple AirTags and Tile. The Smart Bag Tag prioritizes identity protection, using a QR code system to securely store traveler information.

The tag syncs dynamically with airline tickets, updating with real-time travel itineraries and enabling geolocation tracking for lost bags.

“The QR code offers an extra layer of convenience and security by letting travelers receive updates and even communicate with those who find their luggage,” explains Handy. $19.99 one-time purchase, the Smart Bag Tag includes a lifetime warranty, making it a practical and cost-effective solution for travelers.

“Our goal is to shift the focus from disruption to resolution by offering immediate compensation options and clear, actionable information,” Handy says.

The app is designed to help passengers settle claims quickly — typically within 30 days — while adhering to federal guidelines. The platform also educates travelers on their rights and best practices, such as keeping valuables in carry-on luggage, to further minimize potential losses.

FlightHound’s app primarily focuses on assisting passengers, but offers significant advantages for airlines. The platform provides real-time visibility into disruption claims, enabling airlines to save on operational costs while improving customer satisfaction.

“Our claims submission process is transparent and efficient, which benefits passengers while reducing the administrative burden on airlines,” Handy says.

Collaboration between airlines and travelers is central to FlightHound’s strategy and broader mission. The company has initiated preliminary discussions with major carriers and is exploring partnerships to integrate its technology into their systems.

Additionally, kiosks at airports will introduce travelers to the product, offering on-site support and immediate access to FlightHound’s services. The team has also connected with data-tracking providers including FlightAware and government resources to enhance real-time updates and analytics.

“Our value lies in the strength of

FlightHound's smart bag tag.

Photo courtesy of FlightHound.

BY TIFFANY UNDERWO O D

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), an average of 28,500 bags — 5.5% of total enplaned bags — have been mishandled annually since 2018, resulting in $14.25 million in claims each year. our team,” Handy says. “We’re focused on creating solutions that benefit everyone involved in air travel.”

The team includes a senior Chicago O’Hare official with deep airport operations experience and a lawyer who has handled major litigation cases, including those involving the tobacco industry.

Although challenges such as raising awareness of passenger rights and competing with traditional claims processes remain, FlightHound is addressing these obstacles by offering transparent, efficient and userfriendly solutions. The company also plans to expand its partnerships and scale its technology for international markets, making its services accessible to a broader audience.

“We envision a future where air travel disruptions are no longer a

source of stress but an opportunity to strengthen trust between airlines and passengers,” Handy says.

With its combination of cuttingedge technology, a user-focused approach and a commitment to collaboration, FlightHound is poised to pave the way for a smoother and more efficient air travel experience.

“Our message is simple: FlightHound is here to advocate for passengers and deliver innovative solutions that make air travel better for everyone,” Handy concludes.

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

socodigest.com / Vol. 3 No. 1 - February 2025 / 37

Workforce

Unlocking Potential

Hiring Justice-Involved Individuals can Transform Southern Colorado Businesses

BY BECCA TONN

What Will Your Clients Think?

S

outhern Colorado has weathered the economic downturn far better than many regions nationally.

Unemployment is still low, hovering around 4%, while companies are thriving. In fact, many businesses face hiring and retention challenges rather than imminent closure.

But the flip side of this proverbial economic coin presents greater challenges than one might initially anticipate. Numerous reports show the costs of high turnover or operating with minimal staff equate to lost productivity and lowered employee morale.

Adding to that dilemma, Gallup reports that more than half of currently employed workers are actively seeking a new job.

Replacement of leaders and managers costs nearly 200% of their salary, while for technical roles or frontline staff, that proportion is 80% and 40%, respectively.

With nearly 8.1 million job openings (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, published Jan. 7, 2025) in the U.S., and only 5.5 million people not in the labor force who want to work, we are at an impasse.

What’s a Business Owner to Do? Let’s start by considering alternative talent pools in our region, such as justice-involved individuals – anyone who has interacted with the criminal justice system as a defendant.

Their unemployment rate hovers at 60% or higher, and many of them are desperate to find jobs and prove their worth. While other staff may have an eye on the exit door, “second chance” employees often prove to be very loyal and hardworking.

According to research from Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), 85% of human resource leaders report that second chance hires perform as well as or better than employees without criminal records.

Research has also shown that

Americans, generally, are kind hearted and care about our communities and making the world a better place. These days, many people buy their products and services from companies that are socially responsible and have a record of community involvement and giving back. Being open-minded and fostering inclusivity are hallmarks of many of your current and future customers.

Additionally, 93% of employers who have hired justice-involved individuals say it has enhanced their reputation, according to SHRM.

National Success Stories justice-involved individuals often demonstrate higher retention rates and lower turnover, which equates to significant cost savings for employers.

Simply stated, “fair chance” employees tend to be very grateful to have a job and committed to the company that hired them.

Largely Untapped Talent Pool In addition, U.S. Chamber of Commerce reports show that one in three American adults have a criminal record. Of course, that number includes people who have been convicted of misdemeanors or felonies and those on probation or parole.

But, socially, the implications to our society are enormous.

“Without imminent employment opportunities, recently released individuals are likely to return to incarceration,” according to USChamber.com.

With the ripple effect, companies in Southern Colorado can improve economic prospects for individuals and families, increasing the financial, emotional and moral health of our neighborhoods, our communities, our cities as well as boosting their own bottom line.

Help With the Hurdles

If the thought of this intimidates an employer, it’s important to know that the federal government offers safety nets for businesses willing to take a chance on a fair chance employee.

• Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) – Federal tax credit is available to employers who invest in “American job seekers who have consistently faced barriers to employment” • Federal program bonds – Federal bonds that protect an employer against losses caused by the fraudulent or dishonest acts of the bonded employee.

Employers receive these bonds free-of-charge as an incentive to hire these applicants. (Each bond has a $5,000 limit with $0 deductible and covers the first six months of a selected individual’s employment.)

At the Pikes Peak Workforce Center, our Business Relations team can answer questions about having an honest and transparent conversation during the hiring process, as well as offer guidance for onboarding, and resources to provide training.

Ben & Jerry’s, the ice cream moguls, and Dave’s Killer Bread have successfully implemented programs to hire justice-involved individuals. In both cases, they have benefitted their companies and their communities.

Run Out of Excuses?

Now you know that hiring justiceinvolved individuals can enhance your reputation and increase your brand devotion, fill the gaps in your labor pool, and bring loyal, hardworking talent to your team.

In addition, you can leverage federal tax credits and bonding to reduce risk and maximize financial benefits. Contact the Pikes Peak Workforce Center today to explore the benefits of hiring incentives for alternative talent pools to help you move forward with hiring a secondchance individual.

Why not take the leap this year to promote economic well-being in your Southern Colorado community while giving your business a boost?

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

38 / Southern Colorado Business Forum & Digest

Hospitality

Substantial Growth in the Works for Altitude Hospitality Group

BY KERI KAHN

W

hen Mitch Yellen and his wife moved to Colorado Springs nearly a quarter-century ago, the entrepreneur was not impressed with the city’s dining choices. Fast forward to 2025 and Yellen has certainly done his part to elevate the local food scene. As majority owner of eight well-respected establishments under the umbrella of Altitude Hospitality Group (AHG), the businessman continues to raise the bar.

“We have a reputation because my wife and I didn’t get in this business for the money,” he says. “The real joy of hospitality is creating memorable experiences. I knew my work was cut out for me, but I do other things.

I am an entrepreneur more than a restaurateur.”

Yellen’s first hospitality concept was the Pinery which he relocated in 2013, shifting from the northside of town to 775 W. Bijou St. After renovations, he opened the wedding venue and called it the Pinery at the Hill.

He followed with Garden of the Gods Catering & Events; Pinery North at 9633 Prominent Pt.; Trainwreck at 812 S. Sierra Madre St.; and Garden of the Gods Market & Café, Till, and Vine & Wheel, all located at 616 S. Tejon St. Dad’s Donuts is the most recent addition, added last June at 29 E. Moreno Ave. The 109-layer Europeanstyle hybrid croissant-donuts have been a hit, and AHG plans to take advantage of their popularity with a shop opening in Buena Vista in 2025.

The group is also searching for a location in Castle Rock.

The Homestead Brings New Life to Building on Northeast Side of Town Dad’s Donuts will open a second Colorado Springs location at Yellen’s newest concept — The Homestead Collective, a culinary center planned for the Pinery North building at 9633

Prominent Point.

The 19,000-square-foot building, which Yellen constructed in 2015 to fulfill a lifelong vision, originally housed his award-winning, Napa-style restaurant, Till.

Yellen closed Till on Jan. 1, 2020, moving it downtown to make way for Northside Social which featured pickleball courts under a bubble, arcade games and a sports bar. It was open exactly 31 days before the pandemic closed it for good.

“We were just too early,” he says. “The last ten years have seen extraordinary growth up north and we want to be here to serve the community.”

In late 2024, Yellen saw the opportunity to redeem his vision from a decade prior. He is proud of the building with its open space, natural light and amazing views.

“Dad’s Donuts is going to anchor the north end, including our central bakery to increase our daily production substantially and provide what we need to open more stores around the state,” he says. “And we designed the interior to feature a large

glass wall enabling guests to see the entire bakery operation live.”

The commissary kitchen will help foster the expansion of Dad’s Donuts, and The Homestead will also serve the community as a go-to destination for residents on the north side of town.

New concepts in the building will include a full-service bar, The Roost Coffee Shop, Campfire Pizza, The Mercantile and the return of the original Till. Michelin-trained Chef Joseph Bonavita has joined the Homestead as executive chef to oversee all culinary offerings. Bonavita brings an impressive resume from iconic restaurants such as New York’s Per Se, Le Bernadin and Chicago’s Alinea.

The Homestead will also house a second location for Garden of the Gods Gourmet and become the permanent home for Garden of the Gods Catering.

This newest adaptation of the building will open with Dad’s Donuts as phase one in March, Yellen says, with plans to be fully operational by summer of 2025.

Yellen acknowledges the challenges with operating restaurants in a time of high costs and staffing shortages.

“I’m not doing this alone,” he says.

“I have a phenomenal team working with me; they are very special. And you need both: great food and great people. I know it’s tough out there — many people didn’t recover fully from the pandemic and we saw lots of restaurants close their doors in 2024.

But I think Colorado Springs is ready for this.”

In total, AHG boasts more than 66,000 square feet of event and venue space in Colorado Springs, with capital and building investments totaling $65 million. By the time The Homestead opens, AHG will have about 200 local employees and the company plans to turn its attention to the national expansion of Dad’s Donuts.

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

socodigest.com / Vol. 3 No. 1 - February 2025 / 39

Finance

The $50 Billion Problem: Why Fraud Prevention is Critical for Your Business

BY BECKY LIMOGE , CTP

many angles, from lone bad actors to sophisticated, long-term schemes.”

Limoge emphasizes the importance of providing businesses with the education and resources necessary to manage fraud risk effectively.

The inaugural edition of Fraud Watch equips business owners and finance managers with actionable insights to stay ahead of fraud.

It’s more than just information — it empowers businesses to take proactive steps to reduce their exposure to fraud.

S

uccess in business comes with passion, hard work and continuous growth. But with growth comes the challenge of safeguarding against threats — none more pressing than fraud. As fraud cases increase, understanding how to protect your business has never been more critical.

The Growing Threat of Fraud

In the U.S., businesses lose more than $50 billion annually to fraud, with more than 60% of small and mediumsized businesses falling victim.

Cybercrime is one of the fastestgrowing threats in this country, highlighting the need for businesses to understand and combat fraud risks to secure their future.

Introducing Fraud Watch: A Resource for Business Owners Fraud Watch, a new publication from InBank, provides business

Partnering for Protection owners with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate the complex world of fraud prevention. Drawing from years of banking experience, the publication helps identify fraud risks and offers strategies to mitigate them.

As Becky Limoge of InBank explains, “The biggest risk to businesses is not knowing what they’re up against. Fraud comes from

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If you don’t have a banker in your corner, give us a call at InBank and we’ll have your back.

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40 / Southern Colorado Business Forum & Digest

Advanced Manufacturing

W

hat began in a Cornell University lab in 1993 has grown into a globally recognized powerhouse of innovation in chromatic ink technologies. CTI, headquartered in Colorado Springs, holds more than 20 patents and has introduced 35 unique technologies, including thermochromic (heat), barochromic (pressure), hydrochromic (water), photochromic (light) and glow-in-thedark inks. These technologies power some of the most engaging consumer packaging solutions in the world.

Today, CTI serves clients in more than 60 countries, delivering products that engage consumers.

CTI’s success lies in its ability to transform complex chemistry into practical applications for consumers across industries. Its encapsulated dye technologies enable interactive designs that captivate audiences, boost sales and provide functional benefits across consumer packaged goods, healthcare

Photo courtesy of Becky Fos.

Images courtesy of CTI.

How a Global Leader in Ink Technology Innovation Changed the Game

Daniel Wachter, CEO of CTI. and industrial markets.

“Our mission is simple: create chemistry that alerts, protects and surprises. From visually stunning designs on consumer goods packaging to technologies that ensure precision and safety, CTI drives meaningful innovation,” CEO Daniel Wachter says.

Showcasing Innovation in Action

CTI’s most iconic and enduring application is the thermochromic technology used on Coors Light cans. For 17 years, this feature has captivated consumers by turning the Rocky Mountains blue to indicate that the beer is cold and ready to enjoy.

In late 2024, Keurig Dr Pepper launched a limited-edition Dr Pepper NOLA can in Louisianna, featuring CTI’s hybrid printable technology.

New Orleans artist Becky Fos created a design showcasing the Caesars Superdome, the host of Super Bowl 2025.

Fos says, “This can perfectly reflects my art, which is vibrant and ever-changing — just like this innovative technology.”

Lisa Griggs Hughes, commercialization & activation manager for Keurig Dr. Pepper agrees; “Partnering with CTI Technologies and local New Orleans artist Becky Fos, we were able to activate a color-changing can that reflects the colorful culture of The Big Easy and Dr Pepper.”

CTI also has collaborated with General Mills on its GoGurt kids snacks brand to create thermochromic and glow-in-the-dark designs for its packaging, depending on the season.

In partnership with Sika USA, CTI developed the Pro-Weld™ visual indicator, a thermochromic technology that changes color from blue to clear when proper seamwelding temperatures are achieved during roofing installation. This groundbreaking technology ensures

optimal welds, reducing errors and preventing potential leaks.

“When we began this journey with CTI, our goal was to bring a totally new innovation to the commercial roofing market,” says Bill Bellico, vice president of marketing & inside sales at SIKA. “With Sika Pro-Weld, developed in partnership with CTI, we’ve delivered a game-changing product that makes installations easier, safer and more reliable.”

Expanding Opportunities with Strategic Partners LA Libations, an incubator and beverage innovation company based in Los Angeles, has integrated CTI’s technologies into its portfolio of creative offerings. This will help established and emerging beverage companies differentiate their brands through packaging innovation.

CONTINUED ON P. 41

socodigest.com / Vol. 3 No. 1 - February 2025 / 41

Advanced Manufacturing Recently, LA Libations launched its own Ultra Purified AlkalineWater with Electrolytes in Southern California, featuring thermochromic palm tree graphics that change color when the water is cold.

“This is the best-kept secret in food and beverage packaging innovation,” says Danny Stepper, co-founder and CEO of LA Libations.

“CTI’s patented technologies unlock breakthrough differentiation for brands.”

The Hybrid Printable Technology Revolution CTI’s hybrid printable technology is a game-changer in interactive packaging. By combining thermochromic and photochromic properties, it creates four distinct color profiles: • One color indoors at warm temperatures; • A second color indoors when cold; • A third color outdoors in sunlight; and • A fourth combination of colors when cold and exposed to sunlight.

This technology unlocks endless possibilities for creating dynamic, consumer-friendly packaging and promotional materials.

A Commitment to Sustainability & Collaboration Four key pillars guide CTI’s innovations: 1. Advanced chemistry — developing pioneering encapsulated technology; 2. Innovations in interactivity — creating unforgettable consumer experiences; 3. Sustainability — prioritizing eco-conscious practices in ink development; and 4. Global reach — serving diverse clients worldwide.

Through close collaboration among its R&D, operations and commercial teams, CTI ensures high-quality, regulatory-compliant and sustainable solutions for its partners. Recently, CTI earned formal recognition from the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) for its CTI solvent-borne glow-in-the-dark and thermochromic products and UV-curing glow-in-the-dark and thermochromic products. CTI’s printable technology is the first of its kind to be evaluated by the APR organization, earning recognition for meeting or exceeding the APR Design® for Recyclability Recognition standards, demonstrating CTI’s commitment to sustainability and responsible design and to customers and partners.

“CTI has been a trusted innovation partner to [consumer product goods] brands for decades,” says Maria Del Rio, CTI chief marketing officer. “We help brands differentiate and engage consumers at the point of sale and during use. From Coors Light to Dr Pepper, our technologies deliver measurable impact.”

With more than 31 years of scientific innovation, CTI continues to redefine what’s possible in ink technologies, from beverage packaging to industrial applications and more.

42 / Southern Colorado Business Forum & Digest

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44 / Southern Colorado Business Forum & Digest

Advertiser Index / In Alphabetical Order

February 2025

Thank you to each and every advertiser listed.

Air Force Athletics Altitude Hospitality Group APG: Advanced Printing & Graphics Bank of Colorado Bryan Construction Business Digest Weekly Radio Colorado Springs Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Colorado Springs Utilities COS City Hub Garden of the Gods Resort & Club The Homestead Collective

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Sparks Willson Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce Underline Infrastructure/Colorado Springs United States Golf Association

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ALTITUDE HOSPITALITY GROUP

CREATING A HIGHER STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE!

Whether you’re celebrating the biggest milestones in life with friends and family, or simply enjoying a night out with the one you love, we look for ways to over-deliver on every detail. With over 65,000 square feet of event space and everything from catering to floral design, Altitude Hospitality Group is here to account for every detail.

E N T I T I E S

MARKET & CAFE

KITCHEN

Learn more about our family of brands at altitudehg.com