The Business Times Volume 28 Issue 7

THE BUSINESS T IMES News APRIL 15-28, 2021

THE DEFINITIVE SOURCE FOR GRAND JUNCTION BUSINESS NEWS SINCE 1994

In this issue n Faster pace

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Real estate sales accelerated in Mesa County in March, bolstering double-digit gains for the first quarter of 2021.

n Cube returns

Principled Trends endeavor Contributors n The fundamental things apply as 31 years go by in a changing marketing industry. Page 2

VOLUME 28, ISSUE 7

THEBUSINESSTIMES.COM

Opinion Business Briefs 5 Business People Almanac

Låda Cube, a building tech company that supplies movable walls, has returned to the Grand Valley.

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n More than fuels

Natural gas and oil provide not only fuels, but also the plastics that go into many products, industry officials say.

n The big idea

Dan Ryan, president and owner of Ryan/Sawyer Marketing based in Grand Junction.

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Organizers are looking for ideas for an annual event promoting entrepreneurial endeavors in Western Colorado.

n Rate retreats

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The unemployment rate retreated in Mesa County, but remains nearly double the jobless level a year ago.

n Inclusive efforts

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Cultivating inclusion and diversity in the workplace pays off in more innovation and improved performance.

n Departments Almanac Business Briefs Business People Contributors News Opinion Trends

30 28 30 21-25 2-18 26-27 19-20

Business Times photo by Phil Castle

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THE BUSINESS T IMES News The Business Times

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aPril 15-28, 2021

Real estate Trends transactions Contributors accelerate Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac Mesa County shows “dramatic movement” in first-quarter activity Phil Castle

The Business Times

Dan Ryan, president and owner of Ryan/Sawyer Marketing in Grand Junction, has operated the firm for 31 years.

While the industry has changed over the course of his career, Ryan says the principles of marketing remain the same.

Principled endeavor

Fundamentals still apply after 31 years of operating marketing firm

D

an Ryan remembers the not so good old days of marketing when he pounded out copy on a typewriter and it might take weeks to produce a color brochure.

“Today, it’s a matter of minutes,” Ryan says.

Technology, the intenet and social media have transformed the industry far beyond what Ryan could have recognized when he launched his Grand Junction marketing and advertising agency in April 1990.

What hasn’t changed, though, are the principles involved, he says. He still recites what he considers a mantra: “Give lucid statements to strong ideas.”

It’s the combination of clear and easy to understand communication and better products and services that motivates customers and remains central to successful marketing, he says.

“You’ve got to describe it in a lucid way so people want it.”

Moreover, there was an advantage to processes that required more time, he says. They tended to engender a more thoughtful approach that’s sometimes missing in efforts executed more quickly. “Nothing really good happens really fast.”

Ryan has persevered more like the proverbial tortoise than hare in operating what’s now called Ryan/Sawyer Marketing.

He considered celebrating his 30th year in business in 2020, but that was at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic and the midst of uncertainty for his firm and his clients.

“It just didn’t seem appropriate.”

The pandemic hasn’t ended a year later, but a good measure of the uncertainty has, he says. “People are getting back to let’s do business.”

See PRINCIPLED page 16

Ryan/Sawyer Marketing offers what Dan Ryan calls a “brand camp” in helping clients analyze and develop their brands. That serves as the basis for subsequently devising and executing their marketing strategies.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY PHIL CASTLE

Real estate sales accelerated in Mesa County in March, bolstering double-digit increases in transactions and dollar volume for the first quarter compared to last year.

“There has been dramatic movement,” said Robert Bray, chief executive officer of Bray Real Estate in Grand Junction.

Annette Miller, the administrative coordinator at Heritage Robert Bray Title Co. in Grand Junction, agreed, describing the latest numbers as “very active.”

Bray and Miller said they expect strong demand and low interest rates to continue to drive sales despite low residential Annette Miller inventories.

Miller said 558 real estate transactions worth a total of $199 million were reported in March. Compared to the same month last year, transactions increased 24.3 percent and dollar volume jumped 63.1 percent.

While the coronavirus pandemic and related restrictions began to affect Mesa County in March 2020, real estate closings lag behind sales. Year-over-year differences in real estate sales will become more notable in April and May, Miller said.

“There will be huge jumps in statistics.”

Large transactions also accounted for a $23 million difference in dollar volume, she said. Eleven transactions worth a combined $28 million were reported in March 2021, compared to three transactions worth a total of $5 million in the same month last year.

The latest transactions included the sales of a 2,275-acre ranch on Glade Park for $11 million, the former Timberline Bank building on 24 Road in Grand Junction for $3.8 million and a shopping center in the Orchard Mesa area of Grand Junction for $2.4 million.

For the first quarter of 2021, 1,333 transactions worth a collective $438 million were reported, Miller said. Compared to the first quarter of 2020, transactions increased 22 percent and dollar volume increased 31.5 percent.

See ACCELERATE page 18

April 15-28, 2021

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Serving families of the Western Slope for more than 100 years.

well-rounded perspective brings HQ to Grand Valley to new Mesa County role A building technology company that designs and manufactures movable modular wall systems has relocated its Phil Castle headquartersThe to Grand Junction.

Business Times Låda Cube plans to expand its operation into a larger facility in the Grand Frank Whidden brings what he Valley and add 80 to 160 people to its staff considers a well-rounded perspective to his over the next year. new job as Mesa County administrator.

John Fay, founder and chief executive Whidden worked officer of Låda Cube, grew up in the Grand in information Valley and said he wanted to bring his technology and holds family and business back to the area. a master’s degree in Fay also said he’s excited to grow his computer information businesses in a community he said is on the systems. But he also verge of becoming a “true tech hub.” holds a doctoral Fay started Låda Cube in 2013 to degree in applied provide self-contained and self-standing management and modular wall systems for office, retail, decision making and Frank Whidden residential and other settings. The systems worked for more than accommodate everything from single20 years as a minister. Whidden has occupant rooms to large, multi-occupancy worked for large and small organizations spaces. The systems also can be relocated in both the private and public sectors. and reconfigured, allowing for flexibility.

Whidden expects to draw on all of his The company offers pre-engineered and experiences in helping Mesa County pre-manufactured walls, interior and exterior commissioners make and carry out decisions. finishes and booths that offer privacy.

Valuing staff and making the county Låda Cube has attracted interest from an employer of choice is among the such companies as Facebook, Marriott, priorities, Whidden said. So is planning Tesla and WeWork. that results in sustainable funding and In 2018, Låda Cube earned a spot in balanced budgets on a long-term basis. the Telluride Venture Accelerator. But Fay Meanwhile, Mesa County will and his family subsequently moved to continue to pursue efforts that promote a friendly business environment and economic development, Whidden said.

Whidden officially began working as county administrator at the beginning of the year. He succeeds Tom Fisher, who was hired as county manager in Summit A new airline plans to offer nonstop County, Utah. service between Grand Junction and Whidden joined Mesa County in Southern California.

August 2011 as information technology Avelo Airlines director. In April 2014, he became deputy named Grand Junction county administrator for resource as one of 11 destinations management in a staffing reorganization for service to Hollywood that eliminated four director positions.

Burbank Airport. Flights Before joining Mesa County, are scheduled for four Whidden worked for a company providing times a week starting information technology services to May 9. Introductory colleges and universities. In that role, he one-way fares of $19 managed IT systems and services for are available for flights AndrewinLevy institutions Alabama, Arizona, Illinois through June 7.

“Avelo has a simple purpose — to inspire travel,” said Andrew Levy, founder, chief executive officer and chairman of the new airline. “Avelo is a different and better kind of airline, built from scratch to offer an affordable, convenient and caring travel experience.”

Levy brings to the new airline more than 20 years of industry experience as the former co-founder and president of Allegiant Air and chief financial officer of United Airlines. The leadership team at Avelo also includes senior executives from Delta, Frontier, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Northwest and Spirit airlines.

“After more than 20 years of steadily shrinking consumer choice, the American flying public wants and deserves more options and lower fares,” Levy said. “Avelo

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

information about Låda as For wellmore as New England and Canada.

Cube, visit the at in Whidden saidwebsite people located who work www.ladacube.com. information technology aren’t just “geeks,” but offer an important perspective because they’re familiar with nearly every aspect of California. They left one factory in Grand operations and how work gets done. They Junction, while opening a second factory also tend to think about new and potentially in California. better ways of doing things in asking and In 2019, the Colorado Office of answering “what if ” questions. “They know Economic Development and International how to effect change in an organization.”

Trade awarded Låda Cube an Advanced Whidden expects to bring that same Industries Accelerator Grant to help the approach to his duties as administrator. company expand operations in the state.

Whidden said it’s his role to help The company considered six different county commissioners make and then areas in Colorado for expansion — including implement decisions. The commissioners Castle Rock, Denver, Durango, Fort Collins in turn represent the residents of the and Montrose — as well as Reno, Nev., county and express their will, he said. “We before Fay committed to relocating the work for the people.” headquarters to Grand Junction.

Whidden said he also considers himself A bigger facility will combine a liaison between the commissioners and operations in Grand Junction and California. county staff, and one of the priorities is to Employees in California have the option to make sure employees feel valued. Whidden relocate, and Låda Cube is working with the said he hopes not only to improve morale, Grand Junction Economic Partnership on but also take steps that will make Mesa those moves.

County an organization for which people Låda Cube also plans to open a want to work. manufacturing center in South Africa to Meanwhile, Whidden expects the expand its global operations and move into county to continue policies and initiatives new markets, including Europe. that support local business and economic F development. There are additional steps that can be taken to make it easier for local businesses to sell products and services to the county, he added.

Mesa County will keep working with other government entities, organizations and institutions on fostering an environment FOR YOUR INFORMATION that supports existing businesses and attracts new businesses, he said.

For reservations additional Whidden said orthere could be a informationtoabout Avelothe Airlines, opportunities encourage additional visit http://aveloair.com. development of businesses that provide services to the agricultural industry as well as promote County distribution offers both Mesa — along withasaarefreshingly center for region. experience.” smooth andthe convenient The important is to Burbank consider Levy said the thing Hollywood issues from a well-rounded perspective, Airport was selected as a base because of Whidden said.to“We won’t be Los myopic as we is proximity downtown Angeles, look at things.”

Hollywood, Pasadena and other attractions. ✦ also offers more The smaller airport

New airline to provide service to Hollywood Burbank Airport

convenience for travelers than larger airports, he said.

Avelo announced its inaugural routes will serve Grand Junction as well as a total of 10 more destinations in Arizona, California, Montana, Oregon, Utah and Washington. The destinations offer outdoor recreation and nearby national parks as well as serve a growing population of remote workers.

The airline will initially operate 189-seat Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

The flights to Burbank will add to the commercial air service available at Grand Junction Regional Airport with flights to Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix and Salt Lake City as well as Mesa, Ariz., and Santa Ana, Calif.

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April 15-28, 2021

The Business Times

Executives: Oil and gas also critical ingredients in a variety of products

Regulations that affect the energy industry also affect medical and outdoor rec sectors Phil Castle

The Business Times

Oil and natural gas provide not only fuels for electricity and transportation, but also the ingredients for plastics used for a wide variety of products.

That includes the syringes and other medical supplies used to combat the coronavirus pandemic as well as the equipment used for outdoor recreation.

“Hydrocarbons make modern life possible,” said Thomas Pyle, president of the American Energy Alliance based in Washington, D.C. Chris Wright, chief executive officer and Thomas Pyle chairman of Liberty Oilfield Services based in Denver, said oil and natural gas improve quality of life.

Pyle and Wright discussed the uses of oil and natural gas and the potentially far-reaching effects of government regulation Chris Wright on the energy industry in a Zoom meeting arranged by the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce and Western Slope Colorado Oil and Gas Association.

The American Energy Alliance engages in advocacy and debate about energy and conservation policies, Pyle said.

The AEA is part of the Institute for Energy Research, a not-for-profit organization that researches the functions, operations and government regulation of global energy markets.

Among other things, the pandemic revealed the importance of oil and natural gas to the production and distribution of medical supplies, Pyle said.

Oil and natural gas go into medical grade plastics used for everything from masks and gowns to syringes. Oil and natural gas also go into transportation fuels to distribute medical supplies and vaccines, he said. “You can’t have the vaccines without oil and gas.”

Helium, a byproduct of oil and natural gas production, is used in respiratory treatments as well as to cool magnetic resonance imaging machines, he said. “It just goes on and on and on.”

Wright oversees a firm that provides a range of services to oil and natural gas exploration and production companies.

He said he also depends on one product made from oil and natural gas in

the plastic syringes he uses every day to treat his diabetes.

Moreover, Wright said he uses a variety of other products as an outdoor recreational enthusiast.

Wright said the North Face outdoor sports company uses petroleum in nearly every product it sells, making it a huge customer of the oil and natural gas industry.

Yet, North Face denied a Texas oilfield services company the rights to put its logo on 400 North Face jackets the company planned to give to employees.

“That jacket is made out of what we produce,” he said. “That, to me, is just bizarre.”

In a larger sense, Wright said outdoor recreation plays an increasingly important role in the Colorado — especially the Western Slope and Grand Valley. More people are moving to the Grand Valley because of the outdoor recreation the area offers.

Because of the use of energy in so many industries, the price of oil and natural gas in turn effects the price of everything from construction materials to food, he added. “Energy enables every other industry.”

For that matter, traditional energy is required to produce renewable energy, he said. Coal is needed for the steel and oil and natural gas for the fiberglass used to construct wind turbines.

Because of the role of oil and natural gas in energy production and so many other uses, regulations on oil and gas exploration and production can have far-reaching effects, Pyle and Wright said.

Wright said reduced air pollution in the United States can be attributed in large part to a surge in natural gas production and the increased use of natural gas to generate electricity.

Pyle said market forces do more to reduce emissions than central government planning, he said.

A moratorium on new oil and natural gas leasing on public lands in the United States has more to do with political payback than concerns about the environment or climate change, he said.

Wright said the effects of producing natural gas are lower on the West Slope and its public lands than anywhere else.

Pyle and Wright said its important for the oil and natural gas industry and others to communicate to a wider audience the importance of oil and gas not only as fuels for energy and transportation, but also the ingredients for medical supplies, outdoor recreation gear and other products.

“We need to have more of us join in this chorus,” Pyle said.

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Proposals sought for West Slope startup week event Organizers are looking for ideas for an annual event promoting entrepreneurial endeavors in Western Colorado.

Proposals for panels, workshops, tours and other events at the Techstars Startup Week West Slope will be accepted through April 23. Proposals should be submitted online at https://westslopestartupweek.com. An organizing team will make selections by May 28.

Techstars Startup Week West Slope is scheduled for July 12 to 16. A hybrid format is planned with virtual sessions and in-person events.

Program tracks will offer presentations related to capital, communications, makers, people and technology.

Toolbox sessions will address fundamental topics and skills building. A fun track will offer social events and outdoor activities.

The event is free because of the support of sponsors.

U.S. Bank will serve for a third year as title sponsor. Other sponsors include Colorado Lending Source, Downtown Grand Junction, Greenline Ventures, Kaart, Mtn. Dog Media and Startup Colorado.

The event will offer something of a meeting of entrepreneurial minds in gathering business owners and employees from all industries to learn new skills, advance careers and expand networks. The event also will cater to those considering startups.

“It’s a celebration of the businesses that make up the fabric of our smaller, rural communities, which are unique depending on the region, and are definitely unique from larger cities,” said Bonnie Watson, a member of the investment team at the Telluride Venture Fund and an organizer of Techstars Startup Week West Slope.

Kayleen Cohen, owner of Mtn. Dog Media in

Steamboat Springs and another organizer, said the event will help participants improve their skills and businesses.

“The business ecosystems in our plethora of small towns are just too small to provide the support and resources many small business owners need. West Slope Startup Week gives us a chance to band together in an effort to create one larger, all-encompassing startup ecosystem that supports Colorado’s entire West Slope.”

Spencer Ingram, founder of West Slope Works in Grand Junction and another organizer, said the hybrid format will encourage participation. “Some business professionals are not in the position to take off five days and travel to one place, but they can easily hop online to access content. This hybrid format will allow more types of businesses and people to engage.”

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University names fine arts building after local artist

Colorado Mesa University has renamed its fine arts building after an artist whose work and work ethic leaves behind an inspirational legacy. A contribution to CMU in his name also will support students.

CMU officially introduced the Jac Kephart Fine Arts Building at a ceremony on the Grand Junction campus.

Pat Kephart donated $1 million in memory of her late husband.

A CMU alumnus, Jac Kephart donated more than 40 of his paintings to the university. They remain on display in buildings throughout the campus.

“There are few people who cared so little about credit and accolades as Jac. But there are few people who deserve those things more than he,” said CMU President Tim Foster. “I am grateful to Pat and Jac’s family for making his legacy a permanent part of the CMU campus and history.”

A plaque installed inside the fine arts building describes Jac Kephart’s approach to his work in his own words: “I haven’t been able to put an end to the goal. The goal is always resetting itself. It is a built-in ladder that keeps climbing above me that says ‘You can do better than that. You can do better than that.’ So you just keep after it. It’s been that way as long as I can remember.”

Suzie Garner, head of the department of art and design at CMU, said those words reflect the importance of constantly striving to improve. “Kephart’s words are good for students because his legacy reminds us we can work to improve our art by using the artist we were yesterday as a baseline for who and what we want to be in the future,” Garner said. “In this way, we improve ourselves while bringing more and more beauty into the world while we do so.”

Kephart attended what was at the time Mesa State College. While he planned to earn a degree in architecture, his interest in art led him in a different direction.

The Kepharts ran Jac’s House of Flowers in Grand Junction. Jac worked as a florist during the day and created art by night until his career as a painter became sustainable.

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Student advances in entrepreneurial competition A Grand Valley high school student who launched an organization to rescue puppies will advance in a national competition for young entrepreneurs.

Meilyn Recker, chief executive officer of Rezcue, was selected as the winner from among the students enrolled in the Young Entrepreneurs Academy program in Grand Junction who pitched their ventures to a panel of investors.

Recker received $1,860 in funding for her startup and qualified to participate in the semifinals of the Young Entrepreneurs Academy competition scheduled for June 12 as a virtual event.

Coordinated locally by the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce, the Young Entrepreneurs Academy turns middle and high school students into the chief executive officers of startup ventures.

Over the course of the program, students come up with new products and services, write business plans, pitch their ideas to investors and develop their brands. By the end of the program, they oversee fully functioning enterprises they can continue to operate.

Recker, a sophomore at Fruita Monument High School, said she’s been working with dogs since she was 8 years old. Her family recently raised a litter of puppies.

Rezcue rescues puppies on reservations and provides shelter,

food and veterinary care until they’re sent to permanent homes.

In addition to Recker, eight other students received funding for their startups: n Miguel Ambriz Jr., an eighth grader at West Middle School, $1,334 for Armadillo Parts. n Charlotte Douglas, a sixth grader at Orchard Mesa Middle School, $575 for Pet’s Program. n Levi Fink, a sixth grader at Mesa Valley Community School, $662 for Youth Yardz. n Braeden Kassaw, a sixth grader at Redlands Middle School, $750 for Bravo Kilo Survival Kits. n Caydence Lusher, a freshman at Central High School, $850 for Better Days. n Nikolas Miller, a sixth grader at Caprock Academy, $1,400 for QwikString. n Jace Mizushima, a sixth grader at Holy Family Catholic School, $2,000 for Bee Generous. n Julia Shively, a seventh grader at Caprock Academy, $320 for Jul’s Jewels.

The students will unveil their products and services at a trade show set for noon to 2 p.m. May 15 at Mesa Mall in Grand Junction.

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Meilyn Recker, chief executive officer of Rezcue, pitches her organization during a competition for students in the Young Entrepreneurs Academy program in Grand Junction.

(Photo courtesy Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce)

Procurement expo planned for April 28

An event offering help to businesses to win contacts with local and state government agencies is scheduled for April 28.

The Advance Colorado Procurement Expo will be offered as a free virtual event for all businesses, including those owned by women, minorities and veterans. Those interested in attending should register on the website at https://oedit.colorado.gov/ advance-colorado-procurement-expo.

The hour-long session will feature panelists representing government agencies and business support organizations who will discuss contracting, procurement and certification. The event also marks the launch of an online learning system that offers resources from various government agencies on procurement opportunities.

The speakers will include: n Mary Shepard, moderator of the event and executive director of the Southwest Colorado Small Business Development Center. n Barb Musick, a supplier diversity and vendor communications liaison with the State of Colorado. n David Musgrave, purchasing agent and vendor outreach administrator at the Colorado Department of Transportation. n Darrell Hammond, an international speaker, executive coach and performance facilitator. n Jennifer King, president and chief executive officer of DiscountCell.

“The Advance Colorado Procurement Expo is a statewide collaboration to engage business owners with government procurement professionals to create opportunities for business,” said Antonio Soto, manager of the Minority Business Office of Colorado program. “This event will offer valuable insights and speakers to both inspire and educate businesses around their potential.”

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News, views Sales tax and advice collections you can use on the rise

Subscribe today to the journal that means business in the Grand Valley (970) 424-5133

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A key measure of sales activity continues to increase in Grand Junction and Mesa County.

The City of Grand Junction reported an 11.9 percent increase in sales tax collections in March compared to the same month last year. Mesa County reported a 10.7 percent year-over-year increase.

City lodging tax collections, a measure of hotel and motel stays, fell 8.9 percent.

March tax reports reflect February sales.

The city collected a total of almost $4.4 million in sales and use taxes, an increase of more than $470,000 and 12 percent. Use taxes, a smaller and more volatile revenue source, increased 16 percent.

For the first quarter of 2021, the city collected a total of more than $15 million in sales and use taxes, an increase nearly $960,000 and 6.8 percent gain over the first quarter of 2020. A 7.8 percent increase in sales tax collections more than offset a 31.5 percent decrease in use taxes.

Mesa County collected a total of nearly $3.16 million in sales and use taxes in March, an increase of more than $258,000 and 8.9 percent increase over the same month last year.

Use taxes collections — nearly all of them on automobiles purchased outside the county, but used in the county — declined 8.4 percent.

County tax collections on retail sales topped $1 million, a 17.8 percent increase over March 2020. Taxes on internet sales totaled nearly $198,000, a 42.2 percent year-over-year increase.

Tax collections increased 25.4 percent home improvements and 17.6 percent on auto sales as well as 44.8 percent in the construction sector, but fell 1.3 percent on restaurant meals and hotel stays.

For the first quarter, Mesa County collected a total of more than $10.2 million in sales and use taxes, an increase of nearly $866,000 and 9.3 percent over the first quarter of 2020. Sales tax collections increased 9.3 percent, while use tax collections rose 9 percent.

The county collected nearly $3.7 million in taxes on retail sales during the first quarter of 2021, an 18 percent year-over-year gain.

Tax collections on internet sales totaled almost $740,000, a 60.4 percent increase over the first quarter of 2020.

Tax collections increased 28.2 percent on home improvements, 9.9 percent on auto sales and 19.4 percent in the construction sector. Collections fell 4.3 percent on restaurant meals and hotel stays and 60.6 percent in the oil and natural gas sector.

The City of Grand Junction collected $71,929 in lodging taxes in March.

For the first quarter, the city collected $203, 970 in lodging taxes. That’s a decrease of 17.6 percent from the first quarter of 2020.

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GVP members hit with Xcel bill Members of the Grand Valley Power cooperative will pay more on their monthly bills over the next year to cover a nearly $2.4 million charge from a wholesale electrical supplier.

Based in Grand Junction, Grand Valley Power serves more than 18,000 members in Western Colorado. Residential customers will see an average $7.81 increase in their monthly electric bills.

Xcel Energy charged a $2.37 million fuel cost adjustment on its wholesale power bill to Grand Valley Power as a result of a winter storm that affected the central United States Tom Walch in mid-February and triggered higher prices for the natural gas utilities burn to generate electricity. Prices were 100 times higher than normal when Xcel Energy purchased natural gas to meet customer demand.

“The fuel cost adjustment, or FCA, that Xcel tacked onto our wholesale power bill for February was 20 times higher than the largest such adjustment ever billed,” said Tom Walch, chief executive officer of Grand Valley Power. “It doubles the power bill for the month, and it would have been difficult for many consumers to pay all at once. To help our consumers, we will spread this cost over the next 12 months.”

On March 1, Xcel Energy notified GVP to expect significantly higher fuel costs because of the storm, Walch said.

“Unfortunately, during the cold snap Xcel gave us no indication that we would suffer any adverse impacts due to their management of gas procurement. Our power supply was never curtailed, and we never received any messages advising us to encourage our consumers to conserve energy usage because of tightening power or fuel supplies,” he said.

Under its contract with Grand Valley Power, Xcel typically recovers its costs based upon formula rates and fuel cost adjustments.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

Members of Grand Valley Power were to receive letters in the mail in early April detailing the effects of the fuel cost adjustment on their accounts. Increased fuel costs will first appear on April bills and remain until paid in full.

Members can visit https://gvp.org/FCA for details on the expected increases. Member with billing concerns can contact the GVP office at 242-0040 to speak with a billing representative.

Grand Valley Power in turn passes Xcel power costs on to its consumers without markup.

As a regulated utility, Xcel has the right to ask consumers to pay extra fuel costs. Xcel initially planned to charge the average retail customer in Colorado $264 over the next two years to cover its Presidents Day weekend fuel bill. Xcel agreed not to use fuel cost riders for its retail customers. Instead, it will participate in proceedings at the Colorado Public Utilities Commission to ask for approval to pass those costs through to retail customers.

The Grand Valley Power contract with Xcel Energy doesn’t fall under the jurisdiction of the CPUC, however. Instead, it is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

“Grand Valley Power’s management team has joined with representatives of other Xcel wholesale customers to investigate and analyze the circumstances giving rise to this February FCA fiasco,” Walsh said. “We are doing everything in our power to reduce the financial impact that will be felt by all Grand Valley Power members.

Going forward, everyone on the Grand Valley Power team understands that our members expect and deserve a reliable, affordable source of electric energy. If we can’t get that out of our relationship with Xcel, we will look seriously at other alternatives.”

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Businesswoman announces bid for House seat

The owner of a staffing agency in Grand Junction has announced her candidacy for the Colorado House of Representatives.

Nina Anderson said she’s launched a campaign in House District 55 for the upcoming election.

Janice Rich, a Republican from Grand Junction, holds the seat, but Nina Anderson has announced her intention to run for the Colorado Senate. Rich also has served as Mesa County clerk and recorder as well as treasurer.

Anderson said she decided to announce her candidacy early to enable voters to learn more about her.

Anderson opened the Express Employment Professionals franchise in Grand Junction in 2007. She brought to the venture a degree in human resources from Regis University and experience in a range of industry sectors, including construction, real estate and retail.

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aPril 15-28, 2021

Voters lift moratorium on marijuana businesses Grand Junction voters elect four to council

Grand Junction voters have lifted a moratorium on marijuana businesses as well as elected four men to the city council.

A ballot question lifting on the moratorium on marijuana businesses within city limits as well as a related tax question were approved in the municipal election.

According to the final unofficial statement of election returns posted on the city website, the first question won with 9,755 yes votes to 7,055 no votes. The second question was approved on a 9,235-7,309 vote.

The city announced the staff will work with appointed and elected officials to develop the next steps in licensing and permitting marijuana-related businesses.

Local regulations on retail licensing are expected in the fall.

Taxes on retail marijuana sales will be earmarked to implement and enforce marijuana regulations as well as fund the highest priorities in a parks, recreation and open space master plan. The plan lays out $157 million in projects and priorities for the next eight to 10 years.

In the race for four seats on the Grand Junction City Council: n Rick Taggart beat Mark McCallister in District A by a 9,259-6,357 vote. n Dennis Simpson beat Greg Haitz in District D by a 8,213-6,961 vote. n Abe Herman defeated Jody Green in District E by a 9,374-6,109 vote. n Randall Reitz beat Kraig Andrews for an at-large seat by a 9,122-6,167 vote.

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Grant to help fund hunger relief effort

An effort to help people enroll in a hunger relief program has received financial assistance.

The Western Colorado Community Foundation awarded a $12,500 grant to the Hilltop Family Resource Center No One Should Go Hungry program.

The program helps people facing food insecurity to enroll in the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

More than 456,000 people in Colorado use the program to buy food each month.

The Family Resource Center located at 1129 Colorado Ave. in Grand Junction also provides a range of other services, including information on prenatal care, referalls for basic needs and screenings to identify health problems.

The Western Colorado Community Foundation manages more than $80 million in charitable funds to address community issues in seven Western Slope counties.

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Principled

Continued from page 2 Ryan decided to observe what he calls a 30-year plus one anniversary. “It’s worth acknowledging.”

Ryan says he’s come full-circle with his agency after starting the firm as sole owner, joining with first one and then two partners and then resuming his role as sole owner in 2014.

He says he’s grateful for the efforts of former partners Lee Whitney and Tom Sawyer. They both retired, although Sawyer continues to offer marketing and business development consulting to clients on a project basis.

Ryan says he’s also grateful for the efforts of a staff that includes John Martin as art director, Julie Hober as client services manager and Bridgett Gutierrez as account manager and digital strategist.

Ryan grew up in Meeker in Northwest Colorado, the son of a country doctor. Ryan attended the University of Northern Colorado, where he studied psychology, mass communications and English.

He returned to Meeker and managed a radio station there. He subsequently worked for a radio station in Salt Lake City. He says he discovered he wasn’t good at selling advertising, but was good at the creative efforts involved in putting together ads.

He moved to Grand Junction and worked for more than four years as an account manager and copy writer for an advertising firm.

He decided to work for himself and started what was at the time Ryan & Associates Advertising. At first, the associate was a part-time graphic designer.

Within five years, the agency had grown in terms of staff and clients in providing services in account management, media buying, graphic design, print advertising and radio and television ads.

Ryan says he worked on a collaborative basis with Whitney on marketing and business development strategies. In 1998, they decided to join forces in launching Ryan, Whitney & Co. The firm was the first commercial tenant in the St. Regis building in downtown Grand Junction. In 2005, Ryan and Whitney

aPril 15-28, 2021 FOR YOUR INFORMATION For more information about Ryan/Sawyer Marketing and its services, visit https://ryansawyermarketing.com. purchased and refurbished a building on White Avenue to house the agency.

Ryan says they rented office space in 2009 to Sawyer, who at the time was looking for a place to write a book about financial models for technology startups. They ended up tapping into his expertise in financial planning and business management even as he developed an interest in investing in the agency. Sawyer became a partner in 2009, and the firm was renamed Ryan, Sawyer & Whitney.

Whitney retired in 2011, Sawyer followed in 2014 and Ryan says he returned to sole ownership.

Over the years, Ryan says his agency has handled nearly 22,000 jobs for clients. The ways those jobs are completed and the types of work have changed dramatically, he says.

Computers and software have made it possible to complete work in minutes that once took weeks. Ryan says his staff of four can accomplish more than what a staff of 12 used to complete. The advent and growth of the internet and social media have changed marketing more profoundly, he says.

But even as technology and mediums have changed, the principles of successful marketing haven’t, he says. Businesses must not only provide better products and services, but also describe those products and services in ways customers understand.

Ryan/Sawyer Marketing helps in one respect by offering what Ryan calls a “brand camp” in which participants analyze and develop their brands. The outcome serves as the basis for efforts to devise and execute marketing strategies.

Although he doesn’t know what the next 31 years will hold, Ryan says he hopes his firm and a new generation of creative employees will continue to serve customers by adapting to changes while honoring principles.

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Accelerate

Continued from page 2 According to numbers Bray Real Estate tracks for the residential market, 360 transactions worth a total of nearly $131.4 million were reported in March.

Compared to the same month last year, transactions increased 12.5 percent and dollar volume rose 33.8 percent.

For the first quarter of 2021, 868 transactions worth a total of almost $297.8 million were reported. Compared to the first quarter of 2020, transactions increased 8.5 percent and dollar volume rose 26.8 percent Real estate activity increased despite what Bray said is the lowest residential inventory he’s seen in his 46-year career in real estate in the Grand Valley. As of the end of March, there were 156 active listings, down 73.8 percent from the 596 listings at the end of March 2020.

Bray said inventories typically increase during the second and third quarters, and he’s hopeful that will be the case again this year.

Meanwhile, the pace of new home construction continues to increase, he said.

For March 2021, 101 building permits for single-family homes were issued in Mesa County, up 46.4 percent from the same month a year ago, For the first quarter of 2021, 274 permits were issued. That’s an increase of 100 permits and 57.5 percent over the first quarter of 2020.

The increasing proportion of new homes on the market and the higher prices for which they sell have contributed to higher median prices, Bray said.

The median sales price of homes sold in March increased 18.2 percent from a year ago to $325,000. The median sales price of homes sold during the first quarter of 2021 rose to $309,000. That’s up 14.9 percent from the first quarter of 2020.

Bray said the latest real estate numbers reflect a combination of factors. The Grand Valley has attracted people whose remote work enables them to live anywhere they choose. They’re selling houses elsewhere and buying houses in Mesa County.

The economic outlook has improved as COVID-19 vaccinations increase and pandemic restrictions ease. Although interest rates have moved up, they remain near historic lows.

“It portends a good year for the residential real estate market,” he said.

Miller attributed market conditions primarily to one factor: “It’s just continued demand.”

She said she expects that demand to continue.

There’s also a question, though, of whether or not foreclosure activity will increase when forbearance efforts implemented during the pandemic end, she said, In Mesa County, foreclosure activity is nearly nonexistent, Miller said. No foreclosure filings were reported in March and there were only two for the first quarter.

Two foreclosure sales were reported in March and seven during the first quarter.

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News Trends Contributors Jobless rate retreats Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac The Business Times

April 15-28, 2021

pAge 19

INDICATORS AT A GLANCE

n Business filings

s New business filings in Colorado, 34,630 in the fourth quarter, up 22.1% from the fourth quarter of 2019.

n Confidence

s Consumer Confidence Index 109.7 in March, up 19.3. s Leeds Business Confidence Index for Colorado, 64.4 for the second quarter, up 16.5 s National Federation of Independent Business Small Business Optimism Index 98.2 for March, up 2.4.

n Foreclosures

t Foreclosure filings in Mesa County, 0 in March, down from 16 in March 2020. t Foreclosure sales in Mesa County, 2 in March, down from 4 in March 2020.

n Indexes

s Conference Board Employment Trends Index, 102.44 for March, up 2.43. s Conference Board Leading Economic Index 110.5 for February, up 0.2%. s Institute for Supply Management Purchasing Managers Index for manufacturing, 64.7% for March, up 3.9%.

n Lodging

t Lodging tax collections in Grand Junction, $71,929 for March, down 8.9% from March 2020.

n Real estate

s Real estate transactions in Mesa County, 558 in March, up 24.3% from March 2020. s Dollar volume of real estate transactions in Mesa County, $199 million in March, up 63.1% from March 2020.

n Sales

s Sales and use tax collections in Grand Junction, $4.4 million for March, up 12% from March 2020. s Sales and use tax collections in Mesa County, $3.16 million for March, up 8.9% from March 2020.

n Unemployment t Mesa County — 7.8% for February, down 0.2. n Colorado — 6.6% for February, unchanged. t United States — 6% for March, down 0.2.

Combination of factors bolsters outlook for Mesa County labor market Phil Castle

The 704 job orders posted in February and 717 orders posted in January constitute a 67 percent increase over the 850 job Feb. Jan. The monthly unemployment rate has orders posted for the same two months in s Delta County 7.3 7.1 retreated in Mesa County, but remains nearly 2020. The health care sector accounts for s Garfield County 6.3 6.2 double the jobless rate before the onset of the the bulk of orders, but hiring has picked up t Mesa County 7.8 8.0 coronavirus pandemic a year ago. for jobs in accommodations, food services, s Montrose County 6.8 6.6 As seasonal hiring office administration and retail. s Rio Blanco County 7.6 6.8 warms up along with According to state estimates, Mesa the weather, more County has recovered 65 percent of the COVID-19 vaccinations are administered jobs lost in the pandemic, he said. That’s ahead of statewide and pandemic restrictions ease, local labor recovery of 57 percent. conditions will improve, said Curtis Englehart, Still, new filings for unemployment benefits remain far higher director of the Mesa County Workforce than levels before the pandemic. For January and February, 1,900 Center in Grand Junction. “I feel like we’ve new filings were reported in Mesa County. That contrasts with 377 set ourselves up for a very successful 2021. filings for the same two months in 2021.

But these numbers show we’re not out of the Although more will be known when March estimates come Curtis Englehart woods yet.” out on April 16, Englehart said he expects the monthly jobless According to the latest Colorado Department of Labor and rate to continue to trend downward and the labor force to grow as Employment estimates, the seasonally unadjusted unemployment more people relocate to the area. “I do feel Mesa County is on the rate fell to 7.8 percent in February. That’s two-tenths of a point road to recover more quickly.” lower than a jobless rate revised upward a tenth of a point to Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates increased in 8 percent in January. neighboring Western Slope counties in February: up a tenth of a At this time last year — just before the onset of the coronavirus point to 6.3 percent in Garfield County, up two-tenths of a point to pandemic — the rate stood at 4 percent.

6.8 percent in Montrose County and 7.3 percent in Delta County, For February 2021, Mesa County payrolls decreased 226 to and up eight-tenths of a point to 7.6 percent in Rio Blanco County.

70,052. The number of people counted among those unsuccessfully The statewide seasonally adjusted jobless rate held steady at looking for work decreased 175 to 5,950. The labor force, which 6.6 percent as nonfarm payrolls increased 5,200 from January to includes the employed and unemployed, retreated 401 to 76,002.

February.

Compared to a year ago, payrolls have declined 3,199 even as Over the past year, the state unemployment rate has increased the ranks of the unemployed have advanced 2,879. The labor force 3.8 points as nonfarm payrolls have decreased 156,700. The has edged down 320. leisure and hospitality sector accounted for more than half private Given a choice between February 2021 and February 2020, sector job losses.

Englehart said he prefers coming out of a pandemic over going into The average workweek for employees on private, nonfarm one. “It does feel much better here than this time last year.” payrolls shortened over the past year two-tenths of an hour to 33.4 Labor demand as measured by the number of job orders posted hours. Average hourly earnings fell 17 cents to $30.83. at the Mesa County Workforce Center has increased, he said.

F The Business Times

AREA JOBLESS RATES

Colorado business leaders more upbeat Colorado business leaders are more upbeat about the next six months, pushing to record heights an index based on their assessments of the economy, sales and other factors.

“It will still take many months for the jobs lost during the COVID-19 pandemic to come back to Colorado. But these latest findings suggest that we’re headed in the right direction,” said Richard Wobbekind, senior economist at the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

The Leeds Business Confidence Index rose 16.5 points to 64.4 for the second quarter.

R. Wobbekind The reading moved even higher to 68.8 for the third quarter, the highest overall score in the 19-year history of the index.

At this time a year ago, the index tumbled to a record low 29.7.

The business research division at the Leeds School of Business calculates the index based on the results of quarterly surveys of business leaders across the state and industry sectors.

Readings above 50 reflect more positive than negative responses.

Business leaders responding to the survey upon which the second quarter index was based attributed optimism to the pace of COVID-19 vaccinations and easing social distancing restrictions.

Still, nonfarm payrolls in February remained 156,700 below employment levels of February 2020.

All six of the metrics the index tracks increased for the second quarter, and all to levels above 50.

Confidence in the Colorado economy jumped 21.4 points to 68.3. A total of 73 percent of respondents predicted moderate or strong increases in the state economy, while 19.4 percent expected no change and 7.6 percent anticipated moderate or strong decreases.

Confidence in the national economy rose 22.2 points to 65.7 with 67.3 percent of respondents predicting moderate or strong increases, 21.2 percent no change and 11.6 percent moderate or strong decreases.

Sales expectations rose 16 points to 67.5 with 72.7 percent of respondents anticipating moderate or strong increases, 18.7 percent no change and 8.7 percent moderate or strong deceases.

Profit expectations rose 14.4 points to 63.1 with 61.9 percent of respondents predicting moderate or strong increases, 26.3 percent no change and 11.9 percent moderate or strong decreases.

Hiring expectations rose 11.9 points to 61.8 with 51 percent of respondents forecasting moderate or strong increases in staffing, 40.3 percent no change and 8.7 percent moderate or strong decreases.

Expectations for capital expenditures increased 13.1 points to 59.9 with 47.5 percent of respondents anticipating moderate or strong increases, 43.2 percent no change and 9.3 percent moderate or strong decreases.

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U.S. update: Payrolls up, unemployment rate down Payrolls swelled and the unemployment rate edged down in the United States in March, the federal government reported.

Nonfarm payrolls increased 916,000 and the jobless rate fell two-tenths of a point to 6 percent, according to the latest estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The payroll gain was the largest monthly increase since August.

Initial estimates for payroll gains in January and February were revised upward a total of 156,000.

With the latest numbers, total nonfarm employment is down 8.4 million, or about 5.5 percent, from its pre-pandemic peak in February 2020.

For March, 9.7 million people were counted among those unsuccessfully looking for work. Of those, 4.2 million have been unemployed 27 weeks or longer. Another 5.8 million were counted among those working part-time because their hours were cut or they’ve been unable to find full-time positions.

The labor participation rate was little changed at 61.5 percent.

Payroll gains were spread out among all industry sectors.

Employment increased 280,000 in the leisure and hospital sector, 176,000 of that in food services and drinking places.

Still, employment in the sector is down

Labor index rises

A measure of labor conditions in the United States continues to increase, signaling job growth.

The Conference Board reported its Employment Trends Index rose 2.42 points to 102.44 in March. The index has increased 7.7 percent from a year ago.

Gad Levanon, head of the Conference Board Labor Markets Institute, said he expects job growth will be “very strong” over the coming months.

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3.1 million since February 2020.

Payrolls rose 110,000 in construction, 76,000 in local government education, 66,000 in professional and business services and 53,000 in manufacturing.

The average workweek for employees on private, nonfarm payrolls lengthened three-tenths of an hour to 34.9 hours.

The manufacturing workweek lengthened two-tenths of an hour to 40.5 hours.

Average hourly earnings for employees on private, nonfarm payrolls fell 4 cents to $29.96.

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Consumer Confidence Index soars

A monthly measure of consumer confidence has soared to its highest level since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic on more upbeat assessments of business and labor conditions.

The Conference Board reported its Consumer Confidence Index jumped 19.3 points to 109.7 in March and the highest reading in a year.

“Consumers’ assessments of current conditions and their short-term outlook improved significantly, an indication that economic growth is likely to strengthen further in the coming months,” said Lynn Franco, senior director of economic indicators at the Conference Board.

“Consumers’ renewed optimism boosted their purchasing intentions for homes, autos and several big-ticket items.

Lynn Franco However, concerns of inflation in the short-term rose, most likely due to rising prices at the pump, and may temper spending intentions in the months ahead,” Franco said.

Assessments of current conditions pushed the present situation component of the index up 20.4 points to 110.

The proportion of consumers responding to the survey upon which the March index was based who characterized business conditions as “good” rose 2.4 points to 18.5 percent. The share of those who described conditions as “bad” fell 9.2 points to 30.5 percent.

The proportion of those who said jobs were “plentiful” rose 4.7 points to 26.3 percent. The share of those who said jobs were “hard to get” fell 3.9 points to 18.5 percent.

An improving short-term outlook pushed the expectations component of the index up 18.7 points to 109.6.

The share of survey respondents who expect business conditions to improve over the next six months rose 10.1 points to 40.8 percent. The proportion of those anticipating worsening conditions fell 6.7 points to 11 percent.

The share of those who expect more jobs to become available in coming months rose 8.7 points to 36.1 percent. The proportion of those anticipating fewer jobs declined 7.9 points to 13.4 percent.

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Small Business Optimism Index up, but so are labor concerns A monthly measure of optimism among small business owners has increased, but so have concerns over finding qualified employees to fill job openings.

The National Federation of Independent Business reported its Small Business Optimism rose 2.4 points in March to 98.2. With the gain, the index topped its 47-year average of Bill Dunkelberg 98 for the first time since November.

Bill Dunkelberg, chief economist of the NFIB, said small businesses have fared better as state and local pandemic restrictions have eased.

“But finding qualified labor is a critical issue for small businesses nationwide,” Dunkelberg said. “Small business owners are competing with the pandemic and increased

unemployment benefits that are keeping some workers out of the labor force. However, owners remain determined to hire workers and grow their business.”

The NFIB bases the index on the results of monthly surveys of members of the small business advocacy group, most of them small business owners.

For March, seven of 10 components of the index advanced and three retreated.

The proportion of those who responded to the survey upon which the March index was based who expect the economy to improve over the next six months rose three points from February. But at a net negative 3 percent, more respondents said they expected worsening conditions.

A net 20 percent of those who responded reported plans for capital outlays, down three points. A net 11 percent said they consider now a good time to expand, up five points.

A net 22 percent said they plan to increase staffing, up four points. A net 42 percent reported unfilled job openings, up two points to a record-high reading.

Asked to name their single most important problem, 24 percent cited the quality of labor, ahead of taxes, government regulations and poor sales.

The proportion of those expecting higher sales over the next three months rose eight points to a net 0 percent.

A net 4 percent reported plans to increase inventories, up two points. A net 3 percent said they consider current inventories too low, down two points.

The share of respondents reporting higher earnings fell four points to a net negative 15 percent. Among those reporting lower earnings, 46 percent blamed weaker sales, 15 percent cited seasonal changes and 10 percent said material costs had increased.

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Trends Contributors Opinionand inclusive Diverse Business Briefs Business People Almanac

April 15-28, 2021

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pAge 21

COMING ATTRACTIONS

n The Business Incubator Center in Grand Junction has scheduled events offering information about startups and bookkeeping.

The next sessions of a business startup workshop are set for 1 to 3:30 p.m. April 28 and 6 to 8:30 p.m. June 8 at the center, 2591 Legacy Way. A startup webinar is set for 9 to 10:30 a.m. May 18 and 19.

The workshops and webinar will cover the business planning process, including financing options, licensing requirements and legal structures. Admission is $55, which also includes admission to Fast Trac classes at the center.

A bookkeeping boot camp is set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 4.

Participants will learn how to set up and track accounting records and gain better control of their business by learning how balance sheets, income statements and cash flow projections are prepared and what they indicate about operations. Admission is $75, which includes lunch.

For more information about upcoming events, services and programs offered at the center, call 243-5242 or visit the website at www.gjincubator.org. n The Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce has scheduled a quarterly luncheon presentation and virtual trip to the Colorado Legislature.

The luncheon is set for noon April 19 at the Mesa County Workforce Center, located at 512 29 1/2 Road. Jeff Kuhr, director of Mesa County Public Health; Jon Maraschin, executive director of the Business Incubator Center; and Michael Santo, partner at the Bechtel & Santo law firm, will discuss the return to normal business operations in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Admission is $18 in advance for chamber members, $15 for a Zoom presentation.

The virtual trip to the Legislature is set for 9 a.m. to noon April 22 and 23. The event will include meetings with the directors of four state departments and office of planning and budgeting as well as the state demographer.

The event also will include meetings with West Slope legislators and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis.

Admission is $25.

To register for or obtain more information about chamber events, call 242-3214 or visit https://gjchamber.org. n The Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Women in Business networking group has scheduled a conference offering information about wellness, marketing and entrepreneurship.

The Conference in the Country is set for 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 22 at the Absolute Prestige Ranch at 1351 Q Road in Loma.

The conference will include presentations and panel discussions on mental and physical wellness, marketing, entrepreneurship and creativity. Admission is $35 for chamber and Women in Business members, $40 for others.

For tickets or more information, log on to the website at https://fruitachamber.org.

Cultivating these factors makes a difference in the workplace Accept this challenge. Pretend you’re a scientist and note your immediate response to reading the following words: Diversity. Equity. Inclusion.

Did you bristle? Did you feel hope?

Or did you think, “Ugh, buzz words?”

Don’t judge your response. Just notice it. With curiosity, consider whether it’s possible no matter how you felt reading those words, they could play an increasingly important role in the long-term viability of your workplace.

That’s not a political statement. It’s a recognition of the undeniable signposts that point in that direction.

Rebecca According to the results of a Weitzel recent Gallup poll, workers born between 1989 and 2001 — Gen Z and young Millennials — say one of the top three factors they consider in choosing an employer is whether or not the organization is diverse and inclusive of all people. Since this group now comprises nearly half the work force, that wish-list item can’t be dismissed if we want to compete for top talent.

Another signpost can be found in the growing body of research showing organizations that prioritize diversity and inclusion perform better than organizations comprised of people who look, think and act alike. When teams trade the coziness of homogeneity for the discomfort of diversity, they innovate six times more and hit performance targets twice as often. An effort at Google called Project Aristotle found that psychological safety on a team — the sense of belonging — constitutes the No. 1 predictor of high performance.

Diverse and inclusive teams don’t happen by accident.

We must overcome cognitive wiring that influences us to gravitate toward people like us over people who are not — a bias that in today’s world leads to pain, not survival.

Think about how many of us felt in middle school when we were excluded for wearing the wrong shoes; earning good grades; or being too small, too big, too slow or too fast. In an effort to belong, we formed groups of us and them that ultimately hurt more than helped.

As adults, we still form these groups, even if unintentionally. We give those who are like us more of our attention, information, resources and time. We share more positive feedback. We ask them for their opinions.

We involve them in our decision-making.

When we do this as leaders in the workplace, we make those not like us feel like outsiders. This signals to them not to bother to step up to speak or lead — and this further limits their visibility and opportunities. The result is an environment that undermines their self-confidence and ability to perform — which ironically, reinforces our unconscious or conscious beliefs people unlike us are inferior.

When teams trade the coziness of homogeneity for the discomfort of diversity, they innovate six times more and hit performance targets twice as often.

While this often happens along lines of ability, age, gender, race, religion and sexual orientation, it can also happen along the divides of body weight, parenthood status, past conflicts, personal interest, personality traits and any other quality we perceive as different.

To avoid this trap and reap the benefits of diverse and inclusive teams, start with these basic action items: n Assess the fairness of your hiring practices. Do you tend to hire mostly people with whom you hit it off right away? Do you believe you “know it when you see it” in spotting top talent? If so, put some checks and balances in place to ensure you’re filling the gaps in the mosaic you want to create on your team rather than hiring only those who look, think and act the same. n Evaluate and eradicate discriminatory pay, promotion and termination practices. Collect data and review it regularly.

You can’t trust you’ll see discrimination on your own because as humans our fragile egos conceal from our awareness any behaviors that contradict with our self-concepts. Data provides insights we’ll otherwise miss. n Monitor and ensure everyone on your team is offered learning, development and growth opportunities.

Don’t assume those who want to grow will simply raise their hands. Not everyone has been taught to see growth is possible, let alone take the risk of asking for opportunities. n Eliminate and never tolerate harassment or abuse.

Now, take notice of your response to these words: Innovation. Untapped potential. Belonging. If these words resonate with you, focus on them. Take one small step today to cultivate them in your workplace. As author Grace Lee Boggs said: “You cannot change any society unless you take responsibility for it, unless you see yourself as belonging to it and responsible for changing it.”

Rebecca Weitzel is president and co-founder of Good Life Wellness Solutions, which provides workplace well-being programs and an online wellness platform tailored to small businesses. She also serves as director of employee success at Hilltop Community Resources. With a master’s degree in organizational psychology and training in behavior design, she helps people and organizations thrive. Contact Weitzel at rebecca@goodlifewellnesssolutions.com or rebeccaw@htop.org or visit the website located at www.GoodLifeWellnessSolutions.com.

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Registration still open for employment law conference Registration remains open for an employment law conference in Grand Junction.

The Western Colorado Human Resource Association and Bechtel & Santo law firm have scheduled the spring and legislative conference for 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 21 at the University Center ballroom on the Colorado Mesa University campus in Grand Junction. A virtual presentation of the event also is planned.

The conference will offer updates on legislative

changes that affect employment laws. Various presentations will address other employment law issues.

A vendor expo also is planned in conjunction with the conference.

Registration is $349 for WCHRA members, $399 for others. Students pay $199.

To register or obtain more information, visit the website at www.wchra.org.

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Trust and loyalty critical to business success If you’ve been in business for any length of time, you likely understand how lack of trust and loyalty hurts your culture, business success and overall happiness. You probably also recognize the tremendous benefits trusting and loyal team members bring to your customers and business.

Trust promotes loyalty in team members — if you have my back, I’ll have yours. Anytime trust between you and a team member is broken, any loyalty that existed is damaged to some degree. Once seriously damaged, it can be a lengthy process to rebuild trust.

It might be impossible.

As the leader of your company, the trust and loyalty of team members begins with you.

Marcus When a team member is Straub mistreated, their trust for and loyalty to that person and the organization is compromised. Examples of this include not listening to team members, speaking in a derogatory or condescending manner, demeaning or humiliating a team member in front of others, not paying them what you agreed or what they’re worth, failing to appreciate quality work or recognizing solid effort. If these actions go on repeatedly, trust and loyalty will be destroyed.

Breaking promises and lying to team members constitutes yet other way to damage their loyalty. Lying to someone doesn’t foster trust. Doing so demonstrates you can’t be trusted. If you string people along or make promises you don’t intend to keep to get more out of them, you’ll create a mindset against you and your company.

Taking advantage of people for personal gain is yet another way to damage and even destroy professional relationships. Repeatedly demanding a team member

When you treat people with dignity and respect — as human beings and not merely cogs in the wheels of your business — you nurture trust and loyalty. Team members want to be treated fairly. And when they are, in most cases they return the favor.

put in more and more time, perform additional tasks or otherwise go above and beyond without meaningful recognition, verbal appreciation or even financial rewards fosters mistrust and disloyalty. People don’t respond well to being used.

Reflect on times when you’ve been mistreated and remember how you felt, how it damaged the trust and loyalty you once had and how it altered your perspective of that person and the company they represented.

When you treat people with dignity and respect — as human beings and not merely cogs in the wheels of your business — you nurture trust and loyalty. Team members want to be treated fairly. When they are, in most cases they return the favor.

Impeccability of your word — saying what you mean and meaning what you say — goes a long way in building trust and loyalty. Don’t lie to your team members. And when you make a promise, do everything in your power to keep it. If you can’t, make sure to let them know why so they’ll understand and see you did your best.

The more you value your team members, the more they’ll value you and your business. Most people who go

to a safe and supported work environment are appreciative.

They want to be there, give more of themselves and work to preserve what they enjoy. Creating a friendly and supportive work environment strengthens trust and loyalty.

Providing team members with opportunities to learn new skills, take on more important tasks and advance within your business instills trust and loyalty, too. This demonstrates you believe in them, recognize and appreciate their time and efforts and, perhaps most importantly, confirms you care.

Trust and loyalty are a two-way street. Sometimes you can be the most integrity based, supportive, fair and opportunity giving business owner and team members will still take actions that damage or destroy your trust and loyalty in them. This is rarely the case, though, when you hire effectively and foster these things in them first.

Those team members who don’t lend themselves to trust and loyalty should be let go.

When your leadership fosters trust and loyalty in your people, your top talent will return the favor, usually to an even greater degree. There’s tremendous benefits to you and your customers when you build a culture of trust and loyalty with your team members.

Marcus Straub owns Life is Great Coaching in Grand Junction. His personalized coaching and consulting services help individuals, business owners, executives and companies build teams, organizations and lives filled with happiness and success. Straub is winner of the International Coach of the Year Award and author of “Is It Fun Being You?” He’s available for free consultations regarding coaching, speaking and trainings. Reach Straub at 208-3150, marcus@ligcoaching.com or through the website located at www.ligcoaching.com.

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April 15-28, 2021

The Business Times

Key person insurance offers benefits What would happen to your business if your partner, top sales rep, chief engineer or technical specialist suddenly died? Coping with death is difficult enough. Now your business could take a hit in revenue and credibility. How would you cope with the loss and keep operations going?

The simplest — and likely least expensive — solution is called key person life insurance.

This insurance offers protection if: n The death of a key employee threatens the company with financial ruin. n A cushion is needed when the financial viability or ongoing operations of a business depend on a key employee’s name, reputation or skills and that employee dies. n A business loan requires the option of putting a lien on a key person policy. This lien Janet is often referred to as a collateral assignment.

Arrowood Loans backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration almost always require key person life insurance on the loan guarantors and sometimes other key employees. n The business is a partnership and each partner wants to buy out the others’ shares in the event of an untimely death. Depending on how the purchase, covered persons and ownership are structured, key person life insurance also could support the funding requirements of a buy-sell agreement.

What are the types of life insurance most commonly used to fund key person needs?

If there’s no need for cash value, the most common choice is a 10-, 20-, 30-year or longer level term life insurance policy.

This type of term life insurance is reasonably priced as long as the proposed insured is relatively healthy. The most important consideration is to ensure the duration of the policy is at least as long as the anticipated need to cover the key person. If, for example, the proposed insured is 30 years old, you might want

to consider a 30-year level term life insurance policy. While the insured person could move before the end of the 30-year guarantee, her or she might not. And you’ll have acquired a valuable financial tool at a reasonable cost.

If there’s a team of two or more people essential to business operations, you might want to consider first-to-die life insurance.

This is a more permanent form of life insurance with a cash value.

The premiums are higher than for term life insurance. But if you’re insuring several people on this policy, the cost might not be that much more. It’s important to look for a first-to-die life insurance policy that allows you to insure more that two people if that is your need and is reconstitutable to cover the remaining insureds after the first death.

If there’s a team of two or more people, any one of which provides the support or knowledge your business needs, you might consider second- or last-to-die life insurance. Since one or more people need to pass away before the policy pays a benefit, it can be comparable in cost to having several longer duration term life insurance policies.

In most cases, the company purchases, pays for and owns key person life insurance. The proposed insured needs to agree, in writing, to allow the policy to be purchased. The premiums aren’t tax deductible. On the other hand, the death benefits are usually tax-free.

Disclaimer: The examples and information presented here are for illustrative purposes and aren’t intended as financial, legal, tax or other forms of advice. Always consult with financial, insurance, legal and tax advisors.

Janet Arrowood is founder and managing director of the Write Source, a Grand Junction-based firm that offers a range of services, including grant and proposal writing, instruction and technical writing. Reach her at janet.arrowood@thewritesourceinc.com.

For more information, visit www.TheWriteSourceInc.com.

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pAge 23

Page 24

The Business Times

aPril 15-28, 2021

To require or not to require: Vaccine questions arise The questions I receive most frequently these days relate to COVID-19 vaccinations. Can employers require vaccination? Should they? What issues arise with mandatory or voluntary vaccination programs?

This column will cover basic considerations and provide resources for further information.

The three COVID-19 vaccines currently available are those from Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. These vaccines are available under emergency use authorizations (EUAs). This is a level lower than full U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval and licensure.

Dean EUAs are granted when information Harris shows a drug is effective and the known or potential benefits outweigh the known and potential risks. Fact sheets on the three vaccines and further information are available at https://www.fda.gov/ emergency-preparedness-and-response/coronavirus-disease2019-covid-19/covid-19-vaccines.

Courts have a long history of enforcing mandatory vaccination programs. In 1905, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the right of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to mandate smallpox vaccinations in Jacobson v. Massachusetts.

As recently as 2016, a federal circuit court ruled that mandating influenza vaccination didn’t violate Title VII prohibitions against religious discrimination in Robinson v.

Children’s Hospital.

But those cases didn’t involve a new vaccine offered under an EUA. The Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act allowing EUAs states the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services must “ensure that individuals to whom the product is administered are informed … of the option to accept or refuse administration of the product, the consequences, if any, of refusing administration of the product … .”

So we’re left with an apparent dilemma. The plain language of the federal statute is clear. But in addition to case law, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued updated pandemic guidance on Dec. 16, 2020. The guidance explicitly recognizes the statutory option for recipients to refuse the vaccine, but still permits employers to require employees to be vaccinated.

Unfortunately, the EEOC didn’t explain its rationale.

One reasonable explanation is the prohibition on forced

vaccination applies to entities authorized to administer the vaccinations, not a third-party employer.

In February, a corrections officer at the Doña Ana County Detention Center in Las Cruces, N.M., brought what could be the first lawsuit to assert a violation of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Doña Ana County imposed a requirement for all county employed first responders — including sheriff’s deputies, firefighters and detention officers — to be vaccinated. On March 4, the court refused to grant injunctive relief, ordering the county to rescind its order. But the case is moving forward.

Employment law attorneys are sharply divided over whether an employer may establish a mandatory vaccination program. The majority of attorneys recommend employers instead encourage voluntary employee vaccination.

Many employers provide incentives as part of a wellness plan or separately. I recommend an employer considering financial or other incentives consult an attorney before starting this type of program.

The EEOC provides specific guidelines of which employers must be aware to avoid discrimination claims when requiring vaccination or providing incentives for voluntary compliance. Some employees could raise either medical or religious objections to vaccination.

In the case of medical objections, an employer should reasonably accommodate employees unable to receive the vaccine because of a medical condition unless such accommodation poses an undue hardship on the employer.

This is an individualized inquiry that will differ among employers and employees.

The EEOC guidance requires employers to show that an unvaccinated employee poses “a significant risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of the individual or others that cannot be eliminated or reduced by reasonable accommodation” before excluding an unvaccinated employee from the workplace.

The Job Accommodation Network, a public-private partnership funded in part by the U.S. Department of Labor, recommends such accommodations as: n Allowing the use of an approved mask as an alternative to vaccination. n Allowing the use of other types of appropriate personal protective equipment, such as a face shield, hood, suit and gloves. n Temporarily assigning job duties that don’t require a vaccination to perform — non-direct patient care, for example. n Reassigning an employee to a vacant position or

department that doesn’t require a vaccination.

For more information on this and other accommodation questions, visit https://askjan.org.

As in any situation involving the accommodation of a disability, an employer may require enough medical information to describe the nature of the medical condition, the limitations it causes and the accommodations employees and their medical care providers recommend.

Employees may also raise religious objections to receiving a vaccine. The duty to accommodate is lower in these situations, however.

As with disabilities, an employer must accommodate religious beliefs and practices unless doing so poses an undue hardship to the employer. But in religious accommodation situations, an undue hardship is an accommodation that poses more than a minor hardship to the employer. While courts and the EEOC are reluctant to judge the sincerity of employees’ religious beliefs, the employer may ask the employee to explain the sincerely held religious belief upon which he or she relies to object to the vaccine and why or how that religious belief is affected by the vaccine.

Again, each situation is different. Employers with vaccination programs should consult with an attorney to discuss their duty to accommodate employees who can’t receive a vaccine.

So what are the next steps for employers? Employers should ask the following questions: n Does my organization need a vaccination program?

Should it be mandatory or voluntary? n Why does my organization need a vaccination program? Does the presence of unvaccinated employees present a direct threat to the safety of employees or clients? n Can my organization accommodate those who can’t receive a vaccination? If so, how will the organization do so? n If my organization encourages voluntary vaccination, will the organization provide incentives to employees who present proof of vaccination?

Here’s looking forward to a safer and easier 2021 than 2020 for employers.

Dean Harris is an attorney and Western Slope Area Manager for the Employers Council. The Employers Council counsels, represents and trains member employers in all phases of employment relationships. Contact Harris at dharris@employerscouncil.org or 852-0190.

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The Business Times

April 15-28, 2021

After the pandemic, what’s next?

What will happen after the coronavirus pandemic subsides?

A Roaring Twenties repeat or post-World War II recession? Both eras followed extreme events in United States history with very different outcomes.

The Spanish flu that killed millions was followed by an expansion during the Roaring Twenties — until October 1929, when a stock market crash heralded the onset of the Great Depression. World War II was a period of expansion in supply materials for the war effort. But once victory was obtained, the economy had to switch from a war-time to peace-time economy. The transition disrupted markets and recession followed.

The question that keeps coming to my Sid mind is how, with our high standard of living Squirrell and modern medicine, could we fall prey to a pandemic? The next question is why did it take 100 years after the Spanish flu pandemic to happen again?

As a country, we didn’t have the same safeguards in place or government support in 1918 that we have today. Yet, the economy rebounded.

How will the economy react this time? My first concern going into a lockdown was our economy had no chance to survive and depression would follow. While many businesses were hit hard — airlines, hotels, restaurants and theaters among them — other businesses weren’t affected to the same degree. Some businesses actually flourished, including online retailers as well as those supplying home workout equipment and recreational vehicles.

There were winners and losers through no fault of their own — just being in the wrong type of business. Many businesses won’t survive, which will create opportunities for others.

Even as we recovered last summer and headed into the fall, I still thought there was no way we could avoid some kind of economic turndown. The only question was how great of a downturn. I thought

I believe we’re going to see a robust economy for the next couple of years.

you couldn’t shut down a country for two months and survive it, but we did. Then I thought with such a high unemployment, how could people pay their rent, mortgages and bills? But they did to a much greater degree than I ever would have guessed.

On top of it all, the federal government pumped trillions of dollars into the financial system. How are we ever going to ever pay it all back? What would that do to the economy? Surely it would cause rampant inflation and higher interest rates that would drive the economy into the ground. But that hasn’t happened yet to any great degree.

So where does this put us with COVID-19 vaccines rolling out at an impressive rate, infection rates falling, payroll growth almost reaching a million a month and unemployment dropping to 6 percent? Children are back in school, which allows parents to rejoin the work force. Inflation remains in check, although supply chain issues have caused some prices to increase. Higher demand has bolstered gasoline prices.

I believe we’re going to see a robust economy for the next couple of years with pent-up demand for doing all things “normal.”

High level of savings due to the lack of spending and government stimulus checks as well as the Paycheck Protection Program and other government efforts will drive spending to new levels that will in turn drive the economy to new heights. The scary thing is the price we’re going to eventually pay for this roller-coaster ride.

Sid Squirrell, a Certified Commercial Investment Member, is a broker associate with Bray Commercial in Grand Junction.

For additional information, call 241-2909 or visit the website at www.braycommercial.com.

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Initiative designed to speed return to pre-pandemic lives COVID-19 vaccine supply has increased significantly, and a largely volunteer-run community vaccination site operates in Mesa County. Summer events are on the horizon, and Mesa County continues to lead Colorado in reopening after the pandemic.

The next initiative as our community continues on it return to pre-pandemic life is the Free to Choose Resolution.

The resolution — which allows businesses to choose whether to limit capacity or require Jeff Kuhr face coverings, social distancing or other safety measures — will go into effect when all Mesa County residents age 16 years and older have adequate access to vaccines.

Given the number of available vaccine appointments in the community, we’re confident an appropriate level of immunity will be accessible for the initiative to go into effect mid-April.

The resolution aligns with the Mesa County Public Health 5-Star Program that began last summer.

MCPH partners with businesses participating in the program that follow

safety measures and advertise their efforts.

The purpose of the program has always been to give businesses and customers the information they need to make a choices about safety measures and the places they visit.

In the next phase, the program will re-launch with a new website and focus on reopening. Visit safepathforward.com to see our full list of partners.

Under less restrictive levels of the dial and the Free to Choose Resolution, Mesa County Public Health continues to encourage all residents to wear a face covering when social distancing is not possible and maintain social distancing from others.

We also encourage residents to get the life-saving vaccine at our community vaccination site. Immediate scheduling is open to all residents 16 years and older with appointments as soon as the next day.

Visit the website at health.mesacounty.us/ covid19/vaccine to schedule an appointment or call 248-6900.

Jeff Kuhr is executive director of Mesa County Public Health. Connect with the health department through social media on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ MesaCountyPublicHealth and Twitter @ WeAreHealthyMC. F

pAge 25

Free webinars offer marketing help to food businesses

A series of marketing webinars will offer food business owners assistance in connecting with their customers.

The Colorado Department of Agriculture and ROOT Marketing & PR will offer the free Zoom webinars from noon to 1 p.m. every other Thursday through June 17. The webinars will be recorded and available at any time.

To register or obtain information, call (303) 869-9176.

“These webinars will connect business owners with industry leaders and provide valuable information to help them succeed,” said Danielle Trotta, manager of the Colorado Proud program.

Here’s a look at what’s planned: n April 22 — How to plan a social media content calendar. n May 6 — Branding: Stand out for success. n May 22 — Planing, strategy and PR tactics for 2021. n June 3 — Instagram strategy for small business. n June 19 — Marketing strategy: Determine the right marketing channels to maximize your investments.

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Contributors Opinion Bold predictions 2015laws, Lawmakers makefor infinite There’s the end but A new light yearatBusiness affords Briefs even criminals ... more likemore not-so-bold repeats of the pandemic tunnel a new opportunity Business People Almanac to meet local needs THE he BUSINESS usiness T T Times IMES

PAGE age 26 22

It appears there’s some light at the end of the proverbial pandemic tunnel.

The latest results of surveys of Colorado business leaders, small business owners and consumers reflect increasingly upbeat expectations for the months ahead. That’s welcome news for weary business owners and managers who’ve endured theyear effects and restrictions of COVID-19 for more than astart year.and A new almost always brings an opportunity for a fresh The ambition Leeds Business Confidence renewed to do things better.Index rose 16.5 points to 64.4 for the second quarter.

The indexthat moved even higher to to 68.8 for the third quarter, the highest In business, usually boils down providing customers better products overall score faster in the and 19-year history the index. and services at lower costofthan competitors. Part of the process must Thelistening Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado at Boulder include to customers to determine what they actually need and then calculates theneed. indexAfter basedall, on itthedoes results surveys of business leaders meeting that littleofgood to offer the latest and across greatesttheif state andactually industrywants sectors.

Readings nobody what you’re above selling.50 reflect more positive than negative responses.

Forthe thebusinesses second quarter, all six to of the the group, metricsthe theGrand index tracks increased Just like that belong Junction Area to levels above 50. Confidence in the Colorado jumped points to 68.3.

Chamber of Commerce invariably starts out economy the new year with21.4 a reassessment of On a national scale, small business owners werethey alsomatch more with upbeat in their the services and resources it provides and how well members latest to a survey whichofthe Business Index needs.responses Jeff Franklin, the newupon chairman theSmall chamber boardOptimism of directors, is based. The index rose 2.4 points in March to 98.2.

Withhis therole gain, personifies this approach in describing what he considers forthe theindex coming topped its 47-year average of 98 fortheir the first time year: listen to members, determine needs andsince then November. meet those Seven needs. of It’s10 a components of the index is advanced, outlook the of economy, capital role with which Franklin familiar including as market the president offor Bank Colorado. outlays staffing.

Theand process will take on a more structured approach in what the chamber of consumer soared in March to itstohighest level sincethe plansAasmeasure the resumption of a confidence program aptly called Listening Business.

Under the onset of the pandemic more upbeat assessments of business and labor program, business ownerson participate in in-depth interviews to identify barriers to conditions.

Index jumped 19.3 points to 109.7 in March. growth and The otherConsumer problemsConfidence they encounter.

Consumer sentiment is important because consumer spending accounts for more The new year offers a good time to join the proverbial club. than As two-thirds of all economic theneed United States. an advertiser or reader, activity what doinyou from the Business Times?

In Mesabusiness County,journals still other indicators signal improving While traditionally gatheran and report theeconomy. relevant news to Salescommunication tax collections,isn’t a measure of retail activity, increased on aespecially year-over-year readers, necessarily a one-way street. That’s true as basis in March as well make as thethe firstdialogue quarter, according to the latest Web sites and e-mail more convenient thanreports ever. from the City of Grand and Mesa the first quarter, city sales GoodJunction publications don’tCounty. exist inFor a vacuum.

They respond to tax the collections needs of increased percent andThey county collections rose 9.3 percent. advertisers7.8and readers. provide what’s needed.

Real estate remains brisk in Mesa County despite low residential So what do activity you need? housing inventories.

Is there additional news coverage that would help keep you informed about the first quarter, real estate transactions increased and or dollar localFor business developments?

Are there features that would22 bepercent interesting volume rose 31.5 percent to the same lasteasier? year. Residential sales useful? Is there advice thatcompared would make your jobsspan a little and dollar volume also increased despite 73.8 percent droplimited in the number It’s equally important to ask what youa don’t need. With time to of active listings between the end of March in 2020 and the end of time March 2021.be produce content and limited space in which to publish it, would andinspace pace of home construction has picked up to fill some of the gap. betterThe devoted to new something else?

For the first good? quarter, 274 isn’t? permits for single-family homes What’s What What’s needed? What isn’t?were issued in Mesa County, increase of 100 permits 57.5 percent the Business first quarter of 2020.

Let an us know.

Send us an e-mail.and Comment onlineover on the Times Web Yetwww.thebusinesstimes.com. another economic indicator isn’t yet as rosy, The seasonallyletter to site at You could even however. write an old-fashioned unadjusted ratefeedback, in Mesa County slippedand two-tenths ofisa point the editor ifunemployment you’d like. Your both positive negative, valuedinand February.

But at 7.8 percent, the jobless rate remains nearly double the level of a year will be carefully considered. ago just before the onset are of the Theonly rate the is expected to their drop,staffs, however.

Good publications thepandemic. result of not efforts of but also As if we efforts neededinvolving the reminder, the pandemic assured everyone nothing in this collaborative advertisers and readers. life isLike certain.

That includes the ongoing influence and its variants any other good business, we want to listenoftoCOVID-19 our customers, find out as well as need the long-term There’s more hope, at least, that as vaccinations what they and then fallout. meet those needs. increase decrease our and businesses will return to something It’s aand newinfections year. Please help us tolives do so. a bit more normal. There’s light at the end ✦ of the tunnel.

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THE BUSINESS TIMES

609 North Ave., Suite 2, Grand Junction, CO 81501 TEL (970) 424-5133 • FAX (970) 424-5134

Publisher/Owner: Craig R. Hall

Editor: Phil Castle

Reach advertising at: publisher@thebusinesstimes.com Reach the editor at: phil@thebusinesstimes.com.

Subscribe or submit press releases online at www.thebusinesstimes.com The Grand Valley Business Times, a subsidiary of Hall Media Group LLC, is published twice monthly and distributed throughout Grand Junction, Fruita and Palisade. Advertising rates and deadlines are available upon request. Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, editor, staff or advertisers.

Copyright © 2015 — AllCopyright rights reserved. © 2021 — All rights reserved.

Perhaps the worst word created It’s that time of year — when in history is “lawmaker” which resolutions prognostications abound. has come toand replace the term “elected My favorite saying applied to New representative” in our republic.

I sayYear’s this resolutions is in saying they’re because of every vote I’ve everbasically cast, nonea bunch promises to put break the firstinweek of themofhave been to someone a of January.

And while won’tGod predict a position to create moreIlaws. knows, can know pretty we much accurately Iwhole knowlot, andI you already have nailmany a few laws things question too onthat the without books, few of them will makeorthe news. You will see these are effective prosecuted. pretty,Which well, ispredictable: why I ■ Prediction one: say lawmakers don’t There will be some really make laws.

They sort of come weather simply up event, with natural disaster or more and more ways heinous occurrence to make law-abiding where someone citizens criminals.will Look be interviewed and no further than to thesay the following: latest tragedy —“I’ve and it never seen anything is indeed a tragedy no like that in my matter which side or lifetime.”

It’s as take you have onifit this — Craig Hall Craig Hall person is a required in Minnesota this past attendee every news week withatthe death of Daunte Wright. reporting event.

While most I’m not going to getI understand into the intent of people’s indeed limited the policeperspective officer whocan pulled the be trigger. or contained within, theirthinking own personal Iby, have no idea what she was at experiences, is too much to ask to the time. I canit speculate based on Wright’s consult some historical perspective actions, her actions and the situation.before But sayingofsuch a thing?

Yes, this response can none that brings Wright back to life. Nor applymy to some events. when it on comes does opinion have But any bearing the to weatherofand I’m pretty reactions hownatural many disasters, different sides will sure this to is simply repeating itself. continue play outhistory — legally and illegally Same as itdeath has for millions millions of — to the of this youngand man. years.

More the planet made But I doimportant, have an opinion about howit!

What didn’t were certainItspecies.

How’sin things like this happen. can be found that for perspective? the headline for this column. It’s also the ■ Prediction two: When comes to a reason why this entire, tragic,itdangerous crime or something thatBecause occurs between situation came about. as each humans, the otherlaw required attendeelaw at all layer of endless after endless is news reporting events is the applied and heaped onto theperson traffic who stop, says this: we’re All just leading the nicest things just“They got worse. to the people,ofand in no way I see have something death someone whodid should never like this coming.” Exactly. No one does been killed. mostLet’s of the timewith when comesthe to entire begin theitreason neighbors and to acquaintances.

People should scenario came happen. Daunte Wright was be surprised atexpired what goes on from time to pulled over for license tags. That’s time in their neighborhoods, towns and it.

Expired tags.

Something thousands, if not with people they know people are millions, of us have done.because Why were his tags good. And for the times that were they shouldn’t expired?

Think about it. Why yours or be shocked —We likecould withsay, politicians, repeat mine expired?

“I forgot.”

But offenders and terrorists theis let’s be honest, NO entity— onwhere’s the planet interview that says,the “This doesn’t better at informing public of billssurprise due than me in the least.” so it really can’t be that. our governments, Prediction three: Something good Then■again, given its penchant for added, will happen economically, unfair, massive penalties forand latethe pay, perhaps government will take it is not as anxious for credit timelyfor payit.asThe we most think. recent example is would gas prices, where More honest be the simplepeople ask me why I won’t creditafford the president for answer.

Daunte couldn’t the amount low gas prices.

MyLook answer is simple: due.

Why is that? no further than the Government never makes the state pricenow of absurd, confiscatory rates our something go raising down and credit charges since feessimply on ourtakes license tags for good news. pricing to over the past 10Gas years.

Why isis subject that? Exactly. many global factors.

Now there Government always needs moreare money. government to addressing someinof Raising fees answers — and creating even more them to keep for least Americans, penalties fromprices thosestable who can afford the but our government hasnew none them way in increase — is a whole andofbetter place.

The only things it has place in the to get money than asking for in a tax increase

March 25-aPril 14, 2015 2021 JANUARY 15-28,

on the ballot. So you know damned well long run always hurt to consumers.

Another government is going enforce that law. It’s fact is thatyou unemployment reaches a certain also how get laws saying no pine trees level based onmirrors the economy.

And running while the hanging from while Fido government the number is low, amok in yourmight car isbrag A-OK. it’s more theand, government Fromthan the likely pullover I assume,did somethingID, to police cause discovered that numbera being low Daunte’s warrant — and notarrest in a good way. Conversely, when out for his for carrying a gun without picks up, it’s because the time people abusiness permit and fleeing officers some last who need to buy widgets who were not year.

Whether those two things are related, widgets because economy was Ibuying don’t know.

Nor shouldthe they really matter contracting due to natural (orfrom unnatural, to the topic at hand.

I’ve run cops in government reasons,things decided my past fromcaused) doing juvenile likewe better buy someorwidgets.

The government TP-ing a house throwing snowballs at had nothing to have do with this. traffic.

I might even been identified in Prediction four:have In keeping doing■so.

I might even a benchwith warrant things government does, I in predict out for the unpaid parking tickets some the state. government will manipulate the numbers As for the gun without a permit, the to make the claim the economy is getting Second Amendment says, “Shall not be better because of howsomeone hard it iscreated working to infringed.”

Therefore, a law help allsays of us “working Americans.” which in order for anyone to haveNow a gun might say, “Craig, you say this ityou must be registered with thealways government.

President Obama you don’t Iabout believe any such law tobecause be a violation likethehim.”

You’re right in a “lawmakers” sense. I don’t of Constitution and any knowdisagree the man, but what I know of him and who should resign for violating his thinking, I don’tthe likeConstitution. it or him one iota. their oath to uphold And Before youfleeing go off,warrant however, I didn’ttolike if Daunte’s is related this, President and his sure bailouts, stimulus then those Bush ‘lawmakers” did their job in and his abandoning the free market to save criminalizing the citizenry. the free I don’t know law him upon Themarket. fact is,And laying law upon either. What and the government does, andbad the unenforced bad law does many only thing it can do, is hurt the economy. things.

It creates more opportunities for Unless it does or put in situations like nothing this to not onlycriminals occur, but jail instead of partnering with them, nothing also escalate.

Worse, these laws affect the government doesthose will least help. able Always disproportionately to look at it thishave way, knowledge whatever theofgovernment follow, or pay the says it is doing, the name law it piper — thewhatever government, thatof is the — to is passing, thethat name or goal of steer clear or of whatever them. And makes even the bureaucracy it iscriminals. presenting to the more regular folks people, expect thelaws, polar regulations opposite to occur.

Think of tax and guess what I’m more sayingexpensive. is that fees Ithat make things perhapsmost it’s time to get out of our ownbear Those disadvantaged in society perspective.

There’sprices plentyorofconsequences history the brunt of higher books and historical out laws? there to for nonpayment.

Howresearch about gun begin to understand that all of for this has Those who need or want guns happened before.

And will again, protection are least ableit to obtain them whether—thethink topicChicago is people legally —or orgovernment. perhaps best recommendation is to find haveThe a record disallowing ownership sometobooks or tryofthat Google due the dearth lawswhole making them thing. There’s a lot of information on the “special” criminals.

I don’t know why Great Depression. is it wasn’t Daunte had a gun, The but Itruth guarantee it even a good one until the government got wasn’t to be killed by police. involved.

There’s research And just whenalso youplenty think of it can’t be on the medieval period when worse, rememberwarm our lawmakers alsothe planet was than today with decide whomuch shouldwarmer or shouldn’t be subject a whole lotOf less peoplelawmakers (and warmer to the law. course, and well before man was government typeshere tendattoall). be And first. yep, Lately, been other surprised apeople close have second arekilling “mostly peaceful people sinceGiven history was first protesters.” location, nowritten. doubt a some research will help stop factorMaybe in Daunte’s tragic death. all ofThe these trends.

Otherwise, we’ll be next time you think “there saying we’ve never seen anything it in oughta be a law,” perhaps look at itlike from our lives. point And not in a good way.

Daunte’s of view.

Hall isis owner ownerand andpublisher publisherofofthe the Craig Hall him at at 424-5133 424-5133or Business Times. Reach him or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com. publisher@thebusinesstimes.com. ✦ F

April 15-28, 2021

The Business Times

pAge 27

Here’s what I’ve learned In times of eroding freedom, working in journalism: ideas espoused by Ayn Rand It’s an educational effort more applicable than ever In the constant evaluation of the pros and cons of working in journalism in which I’ve engaged for more than 40 years, the pros always outnumber the cons.

It’s not the attractive hours, prestigious titles or enticing perks.

Or even the fat paychecks, if you can believe that.

Rather, I count myself among the fortunate few who’ve discovered something Phil Castle they enjoy and found a way to making a living at it. I like to write. I like to design newspaper pages. More than anything, I like to meet interesting people and talk with them about their interesting endeavors. People who own and operate businesses are particularly interesting.

Entrepreneurs who start ventures because they believe they can offer better products and services are downright fascinating.

There’s yet another pro to journalism, though, one that continues to motivate me two score years after I brought forth my degree from Colorado State University.

That’s the opportunity to learn new things, often directly from subject matter experts.

It’s like going to college on a scholarship.

Or getting paid to attend TED talks or watch those MasterClass presentations.

As is usually the case, my experiences are hardly unique.

Every job involves learning, doesn’t it? Especially jobs in business management. Those who aren’t constantly learning about changing markets and how to best serve them risk falling behind those who do. Among other things, the coronavirus pandemic presented a perilously steep learning curve, one which nimble businesses surmounted. Thank goodness.

Learning is an aggregative process, too, one step building on the next. It’s the difference between bringing 10 years worth of expertise to a position and a year’s worth of expertise gained 10 times.

It’s been my experience the most successful people in business are those who love learning, who are excited about that prospect and eager to profit from the knowledge they’ve gained.

Still, I’d wager few jobs offer more varied learning opportunities than journalism. Coming to work at a newspaper is a lot like opening a box of Forrest Gump’s chocolates: You never know what you’re gonna get.

Some journalists have experienced more notable opportunities. But a few memorable examples — memorable at least for me — come to mind: n Suspended in a bucket high above the ground, I reached out and latched on

Coming to work at a newspaper is a lot like opening a box of Forrest Gump’s chocolates: You never know what you’re gonna get.

with my bare hand to a transmission line through which hundreds of thousands of volts of electricity coursed. n I prowled the brush-covered hills of Northwest Colorado with a bow hunter stalking elk. n I soared over the rimrocks of the Colorado National Monument in the open cockpit of a Stearman biplane.

Those were remarkable opportunities not just because of the experiences they afforded, but also what I learned. To wit: n The safety protocols crews follow to work on overhead power lines. n The stealth required to hunt elk with a bow. n The business of selling rides in a vintage aircraft.

Of course, not all learning occurs while hunting elk or flying in airplanes.

I wish. Most learning occurs plopped down in a chair.

When I started out in this business, that meant tedious hours spent hunched over dusty books in government offices or squinting at microfilm readers in libraries.

The good old days were anything but.

The internet and search engines have made research not only more efficient, but also more enjoyable. The challenge these days is determining whether or not a source of information is trustworthy.

The best learning opportunities of all come from talking to people.

I’ve interviewed some prominent business executives. Count among them Kenneth “Hap” Klopp, founder and former chief executive of The North Face outdoor products company, and Jerry Greenfield, who joined with Ben Cohen to turn an ice cream shop into an ice cream empire.

My brief brushes with fame notwithstanding, the most rewarding interviews are those with local business owners and managers, the remarkable people who take risks, create jobs and serve their communities in so many ways.

Better still are those opportunities to reconnect with business owners and find out how their ventures have evolved.

There are a lot of pros to working in journalism. But if I’ve learned one thing over the course of my career, the best pro of all is the opportunity to learn new things.

Phil Castle is editor of the Business Times.

Reach him at phil@thebusinesstimes.com or 424-5133.

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Who is John Galt?

John Galt is a character in the Ayn Rand novel “Atlas Shrugged.” Although his presence is more perceived than known until the end of the book, Galt is portrayed as a philosopher and inventor who believed in the power of the human mind and the rights of individuals to use their minds solely for themselves.

He portrays the fundamentals of capitalism as innovation, self-reliance and freedom from government interference.

At a time when we watch our freedoms eroded by government, it’s little wonder Ayn Rand is often mentioned.

Rand was born in 1905 and educated in Russia under her birth name, Alisa Zinovyevna Rosenbaum. She moved to the United States in 1926 and became one of the major intellectuals of the 20th century.

Her first works weren’t particularly successful, but “The Fountainhead” published in 1943 brought her fame.

The characters in that novel struggle to maintain their independence from societal influence and remain true to their values. The thesis is that society has a herd mentality Phyllis and individuals must act selfishly to remain free. Not Hunsinger surprisingly, “The Fountainhead” was controversial.

Published in 1957, “Atlas Shrugged” solidified Rand’s philosophy of Objectivism, which she described as “a philosophy for living on earth.” She examined the kinds of actions individual must take to flourish.

In an essay, Yaron Brook and Don Watkins enumerated three actions Rand considered essential: think, produce and deal with others on mutually beneficial terms.

In a collection of essays titled “Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal,” Rand wrote: “Since knowledge, thinking and rational action are properties of the individual, since the choice to exercise his rational faculty or not depends on the individual, man’s survival requires that those who think be free of the interference of those who don’t. Since men are neither omniscient nor infallible, they must be free to agree or disagree, to cooperate or to pursue their own independent course, each according to his own rational judgment. Freedom is the fundamental requirement of man’s mind.”

Having sold more than 30 million copies of her books, Ayn Rand might have been one of the greatest salesmen of capitalism in history. In alignment with her philosophy of Objectivism, she said, “Capitalism is the only system based implicitly on an objective theory of values.” Ayn Rand told the real story of capitalism, a system in which each individual is free to flourish and prosper and deal harmoniously with others.

Ayn Rand died in 1982. Imagine the horror with which she’d view America today: government-created victims, race baiting, book censorship, speech police and government overreach into all aspects of life.

As John Galt demonstrated in “Atlas Shrugged,” there’s no reason why individuals shouldn’t maximize their potential and make the most of life without victimizing others or becoming a victim.

Freedom from excessive government would give all individuals an opportunity to thrive.

Ayn Rand deserves a salute. More importantly, Ayn Rand’s work is worth reading.

Phyllis Hunsinger is founder of the Freedom & Responsibility Education Enterprise Foundation in Grand Junction. The foundation provides resources to students and teachers in Western Colorado to promote the understanding of economics, financial literacy and free enterprise. For more information, visit www.free-dom.us.com. A former teacher, principal and superintendent, Hunsinger wrote “Down and Dirty: A ‘How To’ Math Book” Contact Hunsinger by email at phyllis@free-dom.us.com.

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SHARE YOUR VIEWS The Business Times welcomes letters to the editor and guest columns on issues affecting businesses in Western Colorado. Submissions should be emailed to phil@thebusinesstimes.com and include names and telephone numbers for verification.

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n GRAND JUNCTION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SEEKS NOMINATIONS FOR ANNUAL AWARDS

The Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce will accept nominations through May 15 for annual awards honoring businesses and individuals.

The chamber will present Business of the Year awards to firms with fewer than 25 employees and those with more than 25 employees.

The chamber also will present its Citizen of the Year award.

The award presentations are planned as part of the annual chamber banquet scheduled for June 11 at the Grand Junction Convention Center.

Nomination forms are available on the chamber website at https://gjchamber.org. Nominations also may be submitted directly to chamber staff.

Nominated businesses and individuals will be evaluated on the basis of why they deserve the awards and what they’ve done to make Grand Junction a stronger and more vibrant community. n CROSSROADS FITNESS ANNOUNCES REOPENING OF DOWNTOWN LOCATION Crossroads Fitness plans to soon reopen its downtown Grand Junction location.

The facility, located at 225 N. Fifth St. in the lower lobby of the Alpine Bank building, is scheduled to reopen April 19.

The location closed last year after the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.

The downtown location will operate from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Monday through Thursday and 6 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Fridays.

Crossroads Fitness operates another Grand Junction location at 2768 Compass Drive.

For more information about Crossroads Fitness, visit the website at www.crossroadsfitness.com. n KIWANIS CLUB SEEKS CORPORATE SPONSORS FOR ANNUAL PANCAKE DAY FUND-RAISER

The Kiwanis Club of Grand Junction is looking for corporate sponsors for its annual Pancake Day fund-raiser.

Sponsorships sell for $250 to $1,500 depending on the level.

Sponsors receive publicity and books of tickets to the event.

Pancake Day is set for 8 a.m. to noon to Aug. 21 at the Grand Junction Convention Center. The event also will include live music, other activities for children and families and a silent auction. Proceeds from Pancake Day will be donated to local nonprofit organizations that help children.

For more information about sponsorships, contact John Hildebrand at 260-6822 or log on to www.Kiwanis-gj.org. n GRAND JUNCTION INSURANCE BROKER MOVES OPERATION TO NEW LOCATION Insurance Planning Alternatives has relocated its offices from downtown Grand Junction to 2795 Skyline Court.

The new location offers access off Horizon Drive as well as free parking.

An independent broker, Insurance Planning Alternatives offers customized coverage with different insurers and policies. The firm provides employee benefits, workers’ compensation, individual and family health plans and auto and homeowners insurance.

For more information, visit www.ipagj.com or call 242-7526 .

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Dalby, Wendland & Co. continues to rank among the top accounting firms in a five-state region that includes Colorado.

Accounting Today magazine named the Grand Junctionbased firm a top firm in the Mountain States Region for an eighth consecutive year.

Rankings are based on revenue.

“It’s an honor to be recognized, and we owe our thanks and success to our communities, clients and team members,” said Chris West, chief executive officer of Chris West Dalby, Wendland & Co. Daniel Hood, editor in chief of Accounting Today, praised the firms that made the list.

“The members of our regional leaders list represent the top tier of accounting firms, combining expert services with unparalleled understanding of the needs of clients in their respective parts of the country.”

The Mountain States Region includes Colorado as well as Idaho, Montana, Utah and Wyoming.

“As our communities continue to grow and support diversity in economic development, our people and services grow, focusing more on business planning and advisory as a vital element for success,” West said. “We invest in our professionals to ensure they have the most current knowledge and best technical expertise to continually help our clients be better.”

Dalby, Wendland & Co. is the largest public accounting firm headquartered in Western Colorado. The firm operates offices in Grand Junction as well as Aspen, Glenwood Springs, Montrose, Rifle and Telluride.

For more information about the firm, visit the website located at www.DalbyCPA.com.

n ROCKY MOUNTAIN HEALTH FOUNDATION AWARDS $574,000 IN WESTERN SLOPE GRANTS Four organizations in Mesa County are among the latest recipients of grants from the Rocky Mountain Health Foundation.

The foundation awarded a total of $361,500 in grants to organizations in 11 Western Colorado counties. The foundation also awarded $163,000 in staff care grants to organizations that received funding in 2020 as well as $50,000 grant to ensure communities of color and those who face systemic barriers access COVID-19 vaccinations.

In Mesa County, traditional grants were awarded to Foster Alumni Mentors, Project 1.27, the Riverside Educational Center and Western Colorado Health Network.

Staff care grants were awarded to help organizations support the emotional and physical well-being of their staffs. The $50,000 grant went to Together We Protect: Colorado’s COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Project.

Rocky Mountain Health Foundation was established in 2017 when United Health Plans purchased Rocky Mountain Health Plans and $38 million was set aside to promote the health and well-being of people in 22 Western Slope counties. A board of representatives from across the Western Slope oversees what’s now an independent foundation. For more information, visit https://rmhealth.org. n COLORADO MESA MBA ALUMNI COMMITTEE SCHEDULES EVENT FOR APRIL 29 The Colorado Mesa University MBA alumni committee has scheduled an event to bring together alumni, students, faculty and community members.

The CMUnite event is set for April 29 at the CMU Maverick Innovation Center at 730 Mesa Ave. in Grand Junction. The event is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. with a social hour followed by a presentation starting at 6. The presentation will be available in person and virtually through a Zoom meeting.

Three companies will be represented at the event: Monumental Beer Works, Phoenix Haus and SG Aerospace and Gas. To make reservations, send an email to Shane O’Neill at shano@gjcity.org or Jared Meier at jmeier@coloradomesa.edu. n ALPINE BANK ANNOUNCES UPCOMING PAYMENT OF QUARTERLY CASH DIVIDENDS Alpine Banks of Colorado has announced it will pay quarterly cash dividends on April 26.

The bank will pay a dividend of $24 per class A common share and 16 cents per class B common share. Those dividends are unchanged from dividends paid the previous quarter.

A $5 billion employee-owned organization headquartered in Glenwood Springs, Alpine Bank operates 39 locations across Colorado and serves a total of more than 160,000 customers.

For more information, visit www.alpinebank.com.

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n ASSOCIATE BROKERS JOIN TEAM AT GRAND JUNCTION REAL ESTATE FIRM

Kauai Alpha Fitt and Samantha Sechrist have joined Bray Real Estate as broker associates in the Grand Junction office.

Fitt relocated to Grand Junction from Alaska. She brings to her duties experience in real estate as well as her work as a project engineer.

“The real estate business allows me to utilize my engineer brain as well Kauai Fitt as my creative energy to help clients buy and sell property,” she said.

Sechrist has been active in the real estate industry since 2012. She said she’s committed to helping buyers and sellers navigate what can be some of the most exhilarating and stressful moments in their lives.

Stewart Cruickshank, sales manager at Bray Real Estate, welcomed Fitt. “Her Samantha Sechrist genuine approach and knowledge of the market and real estate process will be valuable in helping her clients achieve their goals.”

Amanda Hill welcomed Sechrist. “With her knowledge of our valley and passion for real estate, Samantha will be a great addition to my team.”

Bray Real Estate operates offices at 1015 N. Seventh St. For more information, call 242-3647 or visit the website at www.brayandco.com. n EXECUTIVE APPOINTED TO OVERSEE ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND DEVELOPMENT Pat Meyers has been named the new chief economic recovery officer and executive director of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade.

“As Colorado continues driving towards a bold and revitalized economy in the aftermath of the pandemic, Pat’s wealth of expertise and dedication to our state will be Pat Meyers invaluable,” said Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, who appointed Meyers to the positions.

Meyers said he was honored by the appointment.

“I share Gov. Polis’ optimistic view of the bright economic opportunities ahead for Colorado and, along with the OEDIT team, I am committed to building back a strong and dynamic economy that serves all of Colorado.”

Meyers was leader of a team that obtained personal protective equipment and other medical supplies for Colorado at the onset of the pandemic. He also served as chief of staff to former Gov. John Hickenlooper. He previously owned the Quiznos sandwich chain and served in roles with Consumer Capital Partners.

He graduated from the University of Colorado in Denver and University of California Hastings College of Law. He served six years in the Navy.

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SHARE YOUR NEWS The Business Times welcomes submissions for free publication in Business People and the Almanac calendar of events. Email submissions to phil@thebusinesstimes.com or submit a news release online at www.thebusinesstimes.com.

T. Heiden-Moran

Cynthia Castaneda Kathy Tomkins

n GRAND JUNCTION REAL ESTATE FIRM HONORS ITS BEST-SELLING AGENTS Toni Heiden-Moran, Cynthia Castaneda and Kathy Tomkins were honored as the top-performing agents for March at Weichert Realtors-Heiden Homes Realty in Grand Junction.

Heiden-Moran, the owner and broker of the firm, posted the most closed transactions. Castaneda recorded the highest dollar volume in sales. Tomkins had the most new listings.

Weichert Realtors-Heiden Homes Realty operates offices at 735 Rood Ave. For more information, including listings for homes for sale or rent, call 245-7777 or visit www.heidenhomes.com. n GRAND VALLEY ONCOLOGY NURSE RECEIVES TRANSPLANT CERTIFICATION Katie Van Der Merwe, an oncology nurse at Community Hospital’s Grand Valley Oncology in Grand Junction, has received designation as a Blood and Marrow Transplant Certified Nurse.

“With the closest transplant centers being located in Denver and Salt Lake City, there are very few bone marrow transplant certified nurses in the state.

So we are extremely fortunate to have K. Van Der Merwe Katie’s level of expertise to assist cancer patients on the Western Slope,” said Joe Gerardi, chief operating and nursing officer at Community Hospital.

Van Der Merwe coordinates the care of transplant patients and assists with a monthly bone transplant clinic.

The Oncology Nursing Certification Corp. administers certification programs. To earn the blood and narrow transplant certification, nurses must have a minimum of 24 months of experience and at least 2,000 hours of bone marrow transplant nursing practice within the four years prior to application as well as complete 10 hours of continuing education. They also must pass an examination.

For more information about Grand Valley Oncology, visit https://grandvalleyoncology.com.

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April 15 n Grand Junction Master Networks referrals group Zoom meeting, 9 a.m. April 15 and 22. 216-7723 n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Welcome Thursday Friends networking lunch, noon, Fiesta Guadalajara, 103 U.S. Highway 50.

858-3894 or https://fruitachamber.org April 19 n Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce quarterly luncheon and presentation on the return to normal business operations, noon, Mesa County Workforce Center, 512 29 1/2 Road. Admission $18 in advance for chamber members, $15 for Zoom presentation. 242-3214 or https://gjchamber.org April 20 n Free online brand guide workshops, 10 to 11 a.m.

April 20 and 23. https://gjincubator.org or 243-5242 n Networking at Noon free gathering for members of the Fruita and Palisade chambers of commerce, noon April 20 and 27, KAFM Radio Room, 1310 Ute Ave., Grand Junction. Email reservations required. membership@fruitachamber.org n Free presentation on real estate careers, 5:30 p.m., Weichert Realtors-Heiden Homes Realty, 735 Rood Ave., Grand Junction. Reservations required. 245-7777 April 21 n Western Colorado Human Resource Association conference, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Colorado Mesa University Center ballroom, Grand Junction, and virtually.

Registration $349 for WCHRA members, $399 for others and $199 for students. www.wchra.org n Palisade Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Colorado Vintners Collective, 3674 G Road. Admission $6. Registration required.

464-7458 or https://palisadecoc.com April 22 n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Women in Business conference, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Absolute Prestige Ranch, 1351 Q Road, Loma. Admission $35 for chamber and Women in Business members, $40 for others. https://fruitachamber.org or 858-3894 n Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce virtual trip to the Colorado Legislature, 9 a.m. to noon, April 22 and 23. Admission $25. 242-3214 or https://gjchamber.org n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Welcome Thursday Friends networking lunch, noon, Suds Brothers Brewery, 127 E Aspen Ave. 858-3894 or https://fruitachamber.org April 27 n Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce business after hours event, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Timberline Bank, 649 Market St. Registration required. 242-3214 or https://gjchamber.org April 28 n Business startup workshop, 1 to 3:30 p.m., Business Incubator Center, 2591 Legacy Way, Grand Junction. Admission $55. 243-5242 or https://gjincubator.org F

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