rand Junction’s sales tax base comes from a mix of retail corridors, shopping centers, and online transactions. Through July 2025, collections are up 1.5 percent compared to last year, yet the city remains below budget projections.
A report provided to The Business Times breaks down revenues across 14 districts, showing where tax dollars are generated and which areas are growing or declining.
The Big Three Economic Nexus (21 percent of total, about $7.7 million, up 5 percent)
The single largest “district” is not a physical location at all. Economic Nexus collections account for about $7.7 million and roughly 21 percent of the city’s sales tax revenue and include online purchases, commercial utilities and short-term rentals such as Airbnb and VRBO.
Jodi Welch, who worked for the city of Grand Junction’s finance department for 32 years and continues advising the city as a consultant, said the category grew significantly after state legislation required online retailers to collect local taxes.
“The bigger ones are going to be the Amazon and the eBay and the Wayfair,” she said. “That’s why this is our largest district. It reflects the shift in how consumers are buying.”
See story on Page 5
Bright idea for a business
A former electrician and worker in water distribution, Adam Gentzler applied that experience to the lamps and light fixtures he creates for the business he started this year: Wrench-Marked Lighting. He makes multifunctional lamps that all have at least two functions, and some have as many as seven functions.
Photo by Tim Harty.
Lampmaker bets on himself
Wrench-Marked Lighting goes for unique creations with its light fixtures and multifunctional lamps
Tim Harty The Business Times
He saw the light.
A light bulb went on in his head.
He had a bright idea.
Pick your cliché. Just know Adam Gentzler’s new business, WrenchMarked Lighting, shines light via a craftsman’s hands and mind, and he envisions homes around Colorado and the nation being lit by his unique fixtures and multifunctional lamps.
It’s extremely easy to identify a lamp made by Gentzler. Just look for the brass, copper and iron plumbing fittings, valves, pipes, spigots, etc., that make up the unique lamp bases. A valve likely serves as the on-off switch.
And by unique, he means unique. No two lamps are the same.
“I never make the same one twice,” he said. “Some of them, I couldn’t make again if I tried.”
That he’s making them at all required a career change that falls back on his prior employment. The 39-year-old Gentzler said he worked for 10 years as an electrician, then 10 years in the water-distribution industry for Ute Water in Grand Junction.
“Kind of what made me think of it and get into it was I saw these water meters, and working in the water-distribution industry I learned I could do so much with them,” he said. “I can then lay clocks into them. I can put outlets into them. I can make cup holders out of them, cell phone holders.”
After saying he didn’t recall where the inspiration came from directly, Gentzler thought again and remembered the “light bulb” moment.
“I was laying in bed, and my nightstand was cluttered. I was like, ‘Man, I hate having to get up to turn the light on, so why don’t I make a lamp that will actually free up space on my nightstand?’” he said. “And so I came up with the functional lamp with the cell phone holder, cup holder, pencil holder, clock, outlet. It’s even a light, too.”
Every lamp has at least two functions to it. Some of them have seven, including – yes, you’re about to read this right – a water dispenser. Or perhaps better put: a beverage dispenser.
In addition to electrician and water-distribution skills getting used in Gentzler’s creations, a little bit of philosophy and humanity go into them as well.
Adam Gentzler kneels next to one of his Wrench-Marked Lighting lamps that’s part of his limitededition “It’s Time For A Drink” line and is on display at Legacy Furniture, 1048 Independent Ave., Unit A-106. A bottle and a drinking glass are incorporated in the lamp base for pouring a drink of whatever you decide to put in the bottle. This lamp also uses half of a 3-liter oak barrel, which actually was used for aging spirits. Photo by Tim Harty.
“One of the main characteristics of Wrench Marked Lighting is that you can take a piece of brass that’s blemished, broken, been cast out, and you can do the hard work to it, and you can make it shine again,” he said. “And I think that’s something we can all relate to as people.”
Gentzler registered Wrench-Marked Lighting LLC with the state in March, and the business is based out of his Grand Junction home.
While his lamps are ready for sale, his light fixtures – a pendant, two types of chandeliers and two types of vanity fixtures – await inspection by an Underwriters Laboratories engineer. That may happen as soon as Sept. 10, and if they pass inspection, the fixtures will get the UL listing required for Gentzler to “market to interior designers and furniture showrooms across the nation.”
In recent weeks, some of Gentzler’s lamps have been displayed at Legacy Furniture, 1048 Independent Ave., Unit A-106, and Holman House Furniture, 2494 U.S. Highway 6&50. Now, he’s working on getting Up Valley, which for him means Glenwood Springs and Aspen, where he thinks his handiwork can find more customers with the means and mindset for his product.
“I really think people are going to get on board with the branding concept of: This doesn’t come off an assembly line,” Gentzler said. “These are tough-built light fixtures by tough people, and they are conversation pieces. You make a statement with them. ... I think this will appeal well Up Valley, because a lot of people, they just want something nobody else has.”
See LAMPMAKER on Page 4
Lampmaker
Continued from Page 2
Unique items that no one else has? Appealing to Aspen residents?
This is sounding expensive. Hence, it’s time to discuss price, and to be blunt: Gentzler’s lamps and fixtures aren’t cheap.
He does make some simpler ones that sell for a couple-hundred dollars to $1,000. After that, his lamps more likely reside in the $1,500 to $7,000 range.
Gentzler said he has sold eight lamps to date, and one went for $7,000.
“I’ve got something different here, that nobody else has come up with yet, and not only that, the materials I have to manufacture these, they’re very hard to come by,” he said.
Actually, Gentzler’s background in water distribution opens some doors for him. He knows people who are happy to help him, such as Ty Jones from Clifton Water, whom he said has been “awesome support.”
Gentzler believes in what he’s doing, so much so he didn’t go into
Wrench-Marked Lighting as a side hustle. He went all in. This is his future.
“I’ve cashed out my retirement,” he said “I’m betting it all on myself. And this is what I’m gonna do.”
Gentzler mentioned he wrote a quote on a piece of cardboard that he held for a photo. It was an affirmation that he said was relevant to him at the time.
“I went with ‘No risk, no story,’” he said. “And I do believe that’s the case with my business, you know? I think we can play it safe in life, but we’re only going to get safe outcomes. I don’t want to be normal. I want to be exceptional.”
And he expressed his determination when saying he has the belief of: “I can make this work, and I’m going to make this work. You know, it might be 16-hour days. That’s OK. This is what I love to do, and it’s nice to have something of your own and be able to express your artistic abilities through your business.”
MORE ABOUT WRENCH-MARKED LIGHTING
Find more information about Wrench-Marked Lighting and view photos and prices of its products online at wrenchmarkedlighting. com.
And a name and style were born
Wrench-Marked Lighting owner Adam Gentzler knows you’re going to look at his lamps and think: steampunk.
He gets it, but he says his products are a new genre: WrenchMarked.
The name comes courtesy of an observer of Gentzler’s work, as he said, “I was at an art show, and there was a customer, he was just going on about my stuff. And another customer walked by and he said, ‘Nice steampunk lamps.’ And the guy said, ‘That’s not steampunk. That’s wrench-marked.’
“So, it was kind of then I realized, ‘Maybe I’m building my own style here.’”
For what makes his lamps distinctive, Gentzler offered: “I’ve seen steampunk lamps, but nothing this functional. And nothing this unique.”
With his company named Wrench-Marked Lighting and manufacturing everything it sells, Gentzler wants to make the name resonate, and he revealed his ambition in saying: “I want to make Wrench-Marked Lighting a staple amongst lighting designs in Western Colorado to start, then Colorado as a whole, and then I want to move nationwide.”
Getting some national exposure
Gentzler talks about selling his lamps and light fixtures nationally, and he’s already taking initiative to make it happen.
He applied to be on a TV show called Legacy Makers, “and they liked my story,” he said. “They loved my product, so I packed the lamp and my luggage, flew down to Miami, and we shot the studio time, August 12th. ...It was a pretty cool experience.”
Gentzler said it will air on Inside Success TV.
Gentzler and Wrench-Marked Lighting also were featured in an Inside Success podcast.
Gentzler believes in his company, which is why he walked away from 20 years of blue-collar work.
He doesn’t lack confidence, but it never hurts to receive national affirmation, as he said, “When you see it can be recognized on that level, that gives me some confidence as well.”
Wrench-Marked Lighting owner Adam Gentzler, right, went to Miami for filming of a TV show called “Legacy Makers” and to participate in a podcast with Inside Success. Photo courtesy of Wrench-Marked Lighting.
A look at which districts bring in the most revenue to the City of GJ
Continued from Page 1
By contrast, small local businesses with a single license report all sales, both in-store and online, under their physical district rather than in the Economic Nexus category.
Not all online retail and restaurant revenues come from out-of-town. Economic Nexus also includes delivery platforms such as DoorDash that deliver from local restaurants and home-based businesses without physical storefronts.
Highway 6 & 50 Corridor (21 percent of total, about $7.7 million, down 1 percent)
Tied with Economic Nexus for the largest share, the Highway 6 & 50 Corridor is anchored by stores such as Rimrock Walmart, Lowe’s, Sam’s Club, Sportsman’s Warehouse, and a cluster of auto dealerships.
Welch said the corridor stretches west from Grand Avenue and North First Street to the western city limits, excluding Mesa Mall and 24 Road Corridor. She said it also contains Grand Junction’s first large retail center, once home to Bed Bath & Beyond and still housing national chains like Ross and Old Navy.
Revenues here are down 1 percent compared to last year, with nearly $7.7 million of revenue brought into the city.
Mesa Mall & 24 Road Corridor (18 percent of total, about $6.6 million, up 1 percent)
The Mesa Mall and other large retailers also draw shoppers from surrounding communities that lack those options, bringing in revenue beyond city residents. The Mesa Mall and 24 Road area, including Mesa Mall, City Market, Home Depot and nearby restaurants, represents 18 percent of total sales tax revenue, or about $6.6 million. Collections are up 1 percent over 2024.
The current figures only cover sales through July and do not yet reflect the holiday season, which historically generates the highest sales of the year.
Citywide, nongrocery items in department stores, warehouse clubs and supercenters are up 6 percent so far in 2025, highlighting the strength of big-box retail despite slower growth in other areas.
Top Three vs. the Rest
Together, the top three districts of Economic Nexus, Highway 6 & 50, and Mesa Mall/24 Road have generated about $22 million, or 60 percent of all city sales tax revenues. The remaining $14.6 million come from 11 smaller districts, led by Downtown and North Avenue.
Downtown District (8 percent of total, about $2.9 million, down 1 percent)
Downtown provides about $2.9 million, or 8 percent of revenues, supported by restaurants, boutiques and specialty shops. Collections are down 1 percent from last year.
When asked about possible reasons for the decrease, Welch cautioned against attributing the dip to a single cause.
“Unless you look at every single business, it is very difficult to specify reasons,” she said. “But when online sales are up 5 percent and several physical districts are down, it is fair to say they lost some business to online sales.”
She added downtown’s long-term
strategy is about creating experiences to attract consumers.
That is a shift municipalities dependent on sales tax have to pay attention to,” Welch said.
Horizon Drive/Airport (4 percent of total, about $1.5 million, down 3 percent)
The Horizon Drive corridor, including Grand Junction Regional Airport and surrounding hotels, makes up about $1.5 million, or 4 percent of total sales tax revenues.
Collections are down 3 percent compared to last year. Welch suggested one factor may be hotels shifting toward more long-term rentals, which are not subject to sales or lodging taxes after 30 days.
Other Districts
F North Avenue Corridor (8 percent of total, about $2.9 million, flat). Includes restaurants, retail stores, and grocery outlets.
F Orchard Avenue Area (2 percent of total, about $732,000, down 9 percent). Includes the Colorado Mesa University area and nearby businesses.
F I-70 Business Loop (2 percent of total, about $732,000, up 14 percent). The fastest-growing district this year.
F Patterson Road (4 percent of total, about $1.5 million, mixed). Includes retail, services and restaurants.
F Southern Industrial and Riverside Parkway (4 percent of total, about $1.5 million, mixed). Consists of industrial and service-based businesses.
F Northwest Industrial (3 percent of total, about $1.1 million, mixed). Contains manufacturing and distribution operations.
F Highway 50 (2 percent of total, about $732,000, mixed). Covers retail and services near Orchard Mesa.
F Northwest Commercial (2 percent of total, about $732,000, mixed). Includes various smaller retailers and services.
F Highway 340 (Broadway) (1 percent of total, about $366,000, mixed). Includes businesses along the Redlands corridor.
Vulnerable to consumer shifts
The city’s sales tax base is highly concentrated. The top three districts of Economic Nexus, Highway 6 & 50 and Mesa Mall/24 Road generate the majority of Grand Junction’s sales tax revenue, while a handful of other districts contribute steady but smaller shares.
Welch pointed out Grand Junction’s revenue structure is more vulnerable to consumer shifts than in some nearby communities, because the city does not collect sales tax on groceries or residential utilities. That means when households tighten their budgets, taxable purchases such as dining out, clothing, vehicles or entertainment are the first to be cut.
“You are still going to buy groceries and pay your utility bill, but you may cut back on dining out, clothing or big-ticket items like vehicles,” Welch said. “For Grand Junction, when people pull back on discretionary spending, it impacts us directly.”
One busy dragon
While working toward her degree and CPA, Alleepra Stutzman already owns her own bookkeeping business
Tim Harty The Business Times
Full-time college student, president of the Colorado Mesa University Accounting Club, part-time business owner, wife, mother of a toddler.
That’s Alleepra Stutzman, a CMU senior whose level of busy leads her friends to ask her if she’s crazy, and the question begets a fitting answer from a person who sees no sense in twiddling her thumbs: “Well, I don’t know what to do otherwise.”
If it doesn’t sound like Stutzman is wired for fun, there’s this revelation from her: “I discovered very much accounting is fun to me.”
That knowledge tells her she’s going into the right career field as she intends to become a certified public accountant. Starting her bookkeeping and payroll company, Dragonfire Financials, a year-and-a-half ago was another pretty good indication she’s on the right career path.
After a recent move from Orchard Mesa to Mack, Stutzman joined the Fruita Chamber of Commerce, which then welcomed her with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Dragonfire Financials on Aug. 15. Three days later, Colorado Mesa’s fall semester began, marking the start of her final year, which has a May 2026 graduation at the end of it.
Then, her mission becomes getting her CPA license and growing her business, which already is serving her well.
“The whole reason I started the business before I graduated was because I have my daughter, who is now two-and-a-half, and I just didn’t want to go back to work. I wanted to be able to spend quality time with her and be there for this part of her life,” Stutzman said. “But we all know the economy is kind of scary right now, so living on one income is not ideal, so I had to figure out: How can I get the best of both worlds, where I can make money working from home, stay with my daughter and still do something that is not diverting from my career path?”
She figured it out, opening her home-based business with fully remote services to serve the Grand Valley.
See DRAGONFIRE on Page 15
During a Fruita Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony on Aug. 15, Dragonfire Financials owner Alleepra Stutzman holds her daughter, Makenna, while standing front and center amidst family and friends, of whom she said, “I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing without their love and support.” Photo courtesy of Dragonfire Financials.
Back and better than before
New location and time to recover revive Metamorphosis Wellness & Beauty
Tim Harty The Business Times
A Feb. 3 fire at 1141 N. 25th St. temporarily left Metamorphosis Wellness & Beauty without a home, and though they signed a lease for a new location in mid-March, the fire essentially disrupted the business for six months.
But clients have slowly returned, and about the time their business sign was installed Aug. 14 at their new location, 436 Independent Ave., things started feeling fairly normal again for the three sisters who own Metamorphosis: Amanda Jones, Alesha Nadeau and Chelsey Abram.
Now, Metamorphosis Wellness & Beauty is ready for a grand reopening this coming weekend with events planned for Sept. 12-14. The owners are excited and relieved, because this little celebration of their business required a long walk down an arduous road.
“It’s definitely kind of like our phoenix-rising moment,” said Jones, the eldest of the sisters at 41 years old. “Or, like, what’s metamorphosis? It’s all about transformation.”
This phoenix didn’t rise from the ashes so much as it emerged from the smoke. Most of the harm done by the fire was smoke and heat damage. Items may not have burned up, but the sisters said 99 percent of their unit’s contents were no longer usable and needed to be replaced.
That led to an insurance claim and all of the tedium that comes with trying to get back all that they lost.
Then, the new location needed to be renovated, and that took a month. And though Metamorphosis Wellness & Beauty was open by April 15, it took about two weeks for a customer to walk in the door.
Even in mid-July when the sisters dared to think they had all of the things they needed at the new location, they then started to realize all of the things they still needed. So, they weren’t as close to normal as they thought.
But normalcy is nearing.
“We’re trying to get the last of the insurance money and get back on track,” Jones said.
And Abram said there’s a silver lining amidst all of the devastation and heartache.
“Now that we’re on the other side of it, we’re in a bigger place with nicer, more effective equipment,” she said. “The silver lining is it’s, like, everything is brand new.”
For example, Nadeau does body sculpting, and she now has much nicer body sculpting equipment for her clients.
“So,” Abram said, “after you go through all of the dark night of the soul and walk through the valley, you’re like, ‘See, the fire wasn’t that bad.’”
That brings them back to the grand reopening, and the purpose they hope it serves, reminding people what Metamorphosis Wellness & Beauty is, how well it takes care of its clients, and it’s better than ever.
“Some of our clients still haven’t came back to us yet, and I understand that, when you have a lapse in service,
because of things in life and all this stuff,” Abram said. “So now we’re just trying to kind of get back up to the point where we can kind of re-inform all of the public and our people that we are back at it and open in a brand new, beautiful place and actually expanded services.”
Among the things that are obviously different are the size of the store. Abram said Metamorphosis had about 1,100 square feet at its North 25th Street location, and now it has 2,300 square feet.
Nadeau said there were only four rooms in the previous unit. Now there are six “much, much larger” rooms, and she said the smallest room at 436 Independent Ave. is larger than the largest room was at the former location.
For examples of what the additional space allows Metamorphosis to do, the sisters immediately mentioned “more services simultaneously” and hiring more staff members, bringing the total to 10.
They also mentioned the crystal healing tools, more specifically crystal singing bowls and tuning forks for sound therapy.
And there are more nails services, as in they now can offer a full nail-service menu.
Whatever the service, old or new, one thing hasn’t changed, as Nadeau said clients can expect the same caring approach Metamorphosis Wellness & Beauty always provided.
“We’re not like burn and turn, where you come in for your massage, you get roomed, you’re out,” she said, snapping her fingers at the mention of each step. “We’re like, we know who your kids are.
We want to know what your ailments are, and we’re going to remember the next time you come in, like, how is your knee feeling?”
MORE ABOUT METAMORPHOSIS
Metamorphosis Wellness & Beauty is located at 436 Independent Ave.
To find out more about the business, go online to metamorphosisgj.com or call 970314-9689.
For a sense of what you can expect, the website offers the following: “Whether you’re here for a facial, massage, lashes, body sculpting, or energy healing, you’ll be welcomed with care and treated like family.”
Variety of contributions
Speaking of family, the three sisters who own and work at Metamorphosis have their own specialties as noted on their business cards: Amanda Jones is a licensed massage therapist and reflexologist; Alesha Nadeau is a certified body sculptor and SunnaSmile tech (teeth whitening); and Chelsey Abram is a licensed esthetician.
Grand reopening Sept. 12-14
The daily events are as follows:
• Sept. 12 – Meet & Greet New Studio Tour. Open house 5-8 p.m.
• Sept. 13 – Wellness, Wine & the Women Behind it. Meet the staff, tour the new studio, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Sept. 14 – Customer Appreciation. Giveaways, music, food, hair tinsel, temporary tattoos and much more.
The three sisters who own Metamorphosis Wellness & Beauty — front to back, Alesha Nadeau, Chelsey Abram and Amanda Jones — show off the singing bowls they added to the business for sound therapy at their new location, 436 Independent Ave. in Grand Junction. Photo by Tim Harty.
118 of the USA’s Greatest Hits (According to a Guy Who Visited Them All),” lists 11 different Colorado destinations, including Colorado National Monument, among the must-see spots in the country.
With his new book, writer and filmmaker Matt Tory aims to take readers on a humorous, heartfelt tour of the most unforgettable spots across the USA – all places he actually visited.
Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park, Million Dollar Highway, Garden of the Gods, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Maroon Bells, Independence Pass, Glenwood Springs, Colorado National Monument, Last Dollar Road, Great Sand Dunes and Mesa Verde National Park were all chosen for their incredible views and adventure opportunities.
“[Colorado] is where America unapologetically shows off,” Tory wrote in the book.
After exploring all 50 states and every national park in the contiguous United States, Tory decided to share tips, stories and personal photos he collected along the
way. The result is a travel book that’s not just another boring bucket list.
“This book is a nudge to get out there, let yourself be wowed, and remember there’s something worth seeing in just about every corner of the USA … It’s an encouragement, basically, to go see America,” Tory wrote in the book’s introduction.
Blending iconic destinations with overlooked gems, “Go See America” is a fun, lighthearted journey through the most wonderful, wild and weird corners of the country.
The book is available now on Amazon.
About the author: Matt Tory is a writer and filmmaker who has written and directed a wide range of films and streaming series, including the comedy series “The Beech Boys” as well as the mockumentary “We Make Movies,” which was called “one of the best films of the year” by Cinescape Magazine. He spends most of his time creating things that aim to make people laugh, feel encouraged, or – on a good day – both.
Author Matt Tory holds up a copy of his new book, “Go See America: 118 of the USA’s Greatest Hits (According to a Guy Who Visited Them All).” He put Colorado National Monument on the list and was impressed overall with Colorado, listing 11 spots in the Centennial State. Photo courtesy of Matt Tory.
Parade of Homes powers advocacy for Western Colorado builders
Brandon Leuallen The Business Times
The Parade of Homes is not just about stunning kitchens, bold design choices and dream houses. For the Home Builders Association of Western Colorado (HBA), it is the single largest fundraiser of the year and the reason the organization can advocate across the Grand Valley for builders and homeowners of all walks.
“This is what helps us turn around and be advocates for all of the builders and homeowners in the area. It allows us to support our members and highlight the incredible work that local contractors are doing,” 2025 Parade of Homes Chair Karrie Gutzwiller said.
Proceeds from the Parade of Homes fuel the HBA’s ability to lobby on housing-related issues, provide resources for members and promote construction careers in Western Colorado.
Part of that mission includes the Careers in Construction program, which partners with School District 51 high schools to introduce students to the trades and prepare the
next generation of builders. Organizers say the program is essential to addressing the skilled-labor shortage and opening meaningful career pathways for local students.
The HBA now represents more than 150 member businesses. Together, those companies employ thousands of workers across the region, showing the economic reach of the industry and the importance of the Parade of Homes as its top fundraiser
A Record Year Ahead
Now in its 44th year, the Parade will showcase 17 homes from 16 builders. That is six more than last year. Houses range from under $400,000 to more than $3 million, offering a wide spectrum of price points and design styles.
New “Dream Home” Category
The 2025 Parade of Homes also debuts a Dream Home category reserved for properties priced at $1.5 million and above.
Dream Homes must be fully furnished and landscaped. Participating builders also receive additional marketing support, including live radio broadcasts from the sites.
The category is designed to add extra excitement and shine a light on some of the region’s most ambitious builds and the expert local craftsmen that build them.
Community Celebration
The Parade of Homes runs September 26-28 and October 3-5 with homes open Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets cost $15 and are available at Safeway locations in Grand Junction or online at gjparade.com.
Locations span Grand Junction, Clifton and Fruita, offering visitors a self-guided tour through homes that highlight the craftsmanship and creativity of Western Colorado’s builders.
Garfield continues in employment, 2025 Garfield released Davis School CMU Perry, who said Garfield employment then fell risen to a June. He number July of low, with percent, significantly and Mesa The construction waste services were in arts, (minus 88), Overall
Garfield County labor market continues to grow
Garfield County’s labor market continues to see a slow but steady increase in employment, according to the August 2025 Garfield County Economic Update released by Colorado Mesa University’s Davis School of Business.
CMU economics professor Nathan Perry, who compiles and analyzes the data, said Garfield County peaked with an annual employment average of 31,542 in 2019, then fell to 28,830 in 2021, but has now risen to a 2025 average of 33,320 through June. He wrote the June employment number was 34,089, the highest since July of 2018. Unemployment is staying low, with June unemployment rate of 3.2 percent, significantly lower than the nation and Mesa County.
The biggest jobs gains were in construction (337) and administrative and waste services (262). The biggest job losses were in arts, entertainment, and recreation
strong year over year, Perry wrote.
Perry noted the employment data is from the state and has a fairly small sample size at the county level. Employment estimates are by place of residence, and individuals are counted as employed once even if they have multiple jobs.
A couple other indicators that Perry highlighted were:
• Garfield County new business entity filings are on pace to surpass the 2024 number of 1,735, with 1,176 business entity filings through May already.
• Rifle sales taxes are up 2.7 percent through June, while Garfield County sales taxes are only up 0.8 percent.
“Sales tax stagnation reflects a consumer that is pulling back due to inflation and labor market fears,” Perry wrote.
Glenwood Springs sales tax is up 2.9 percent, comparing 2023 to 2024. Perry noted Rifle and Garfield County data are
GJ Symphony opens 47th season with Asteria Theatre concert
The Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra will launch its 47th season with concerts at Colorado Mesa University’s Asteria Theatre on Sept. 13 at 7:30 p.m. and Sept. 14 at 3 p.m.
The Fate Meets Fire concerts feature two of the arguably most electrifying works in the classical repertoire: Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, instantly recognizable for its iconic four-note motif, and Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1, performed by internationally acclaimed pianist Xiaoliang Qian, winner of the GJSO Young Artist Competition.
GJSO will open the show with Rossini’s L’italiana in Algeri (The Italian Girl in Algiers).
“Season 47 is all about bringing more of everything to our audiences – more energy, more artistry and more unforgettable experiences,” said Andrew Price, executive
director of GJSO. “We could think of no better way to begin than with Beethoven’s Fifth, a work that has inspired generations, paired with Tchaikovsky’s fiery Piano Concerto No. 1.”
The concert will be conducted by Maestro Charles Latshaw, leading the orchestra for his 10th season.
“What better way to open our concert season than with music that is thrilling, deeply moving and universally beloved?” Latshaw said. “Rossini’s charming wit, Tchaikovsky’s passion and Beethoven’s ever-famous Fifth symphony remind us why orchestral music continues to captivate audiences year after year and century after century.”
Tickets for Fate Meets Fire and the remainder of the season are available now at gjso.org or by calling the GJSO Box Office at 970-243-6787.
Dragonfire
Continued from Page 6
The business already has grown as Stutzman has one part-time employee and an intern helping her.
And when she thinks about the future of Dragon fire Financials, it’s with a vision of providing to others the opportunity she needed as a young mother who also wants a career.
“I want to open a physical location someday and have a daycare attached to it, so that way moms or dads that are like me – they want to be part of their kids life, but they can’t either afford daycare or they don’t want to have that separation – they can bring their kid to work. So, firm em ployees, they would have free daycare provided in-house, so they could go and have lunch with their kiddo if they wanted, or if their kid was sick and they needed to stay home, not a big deal.
“I want to have it where it’s flexible around situations that I’ve experienced myself, especially like being a student, too, and navigating parenthood. I want to be able to accommodate people who are trying to grow their family and do something to better themselves … and they just need something that’s more flexible.”
Other dreams for her business are for it to add a tax branch and an auditing branch, “so we can be kind of a one-stop shop for all that the business owners are looking for.”
When a customer says, “I need this. Can you provide this service for me?” Stutzman wants to be able to respond, “Yes, we can. Come on in. We’ll get you taken care of.”
These are long-term goals, though, because the short-term has its requirements that must be met first.
Upon graduating from CMU, Stutzman knows she’s going to have to work at another firm to get experience working directly under a CPA, which is required for her CPA license.
She already has some experience working with another CPA, that being Travis Boyd of Boyd PC in Grand Junction.
“He’s taught me so much already that I am very thankful for, because it’s taking my accounting school and applying it to real-world
Dragonfire Financials owner Alleepra Stutzman is shown here with her husband, Brian Stutzman, whom she calls “my grounding force through all of the turbulence,” and their daughter, Makenna, whom she says “is the reason I started my business and intend on growing it.” Photo courtesy of Photography by D.E.B.
stuff,” Stutzman said. “The way he explains things is like, ‘That makes so much sense that I get it now.’ Because there’s all kinds of things with the books that you can learn and learn and learn, but you’re never gonna know until a scenario comes up and is in your face on how to navigate it.”
Stutzman also has spent some time with Kristi Redlinger of The
“She’s also been another kind of mentor and friend, and we’re kind of tag-teaming this, navigating the bookkeeping world together, and it’s been a really fun adventure,” Stutzman said.
Last but not least, Stutzman expressed gratitude to Joanne Chauncey of Chauncey and Chauncey Bookkeeping in Boise, ID, for helping Dragonfire Financials take flight.
“She has been there from the start,” Stutzman said. “She found me on one of the QuickBooks Facebook pages, and she’s been really, really awesome from the very beginning. And I feel like I owe credit to her for helping me kinda get off the ground and not just standing still in one place.”
The results have been a steadily growing client base and confidence to take the next steps with her business as Stutzman dares to look ahead.
“It might seem like I’m stretching for the future right now, but for me, I feel like if I don’t plan for that, I’m never gonna be able to get to that,” she said. “It’s gonna be a long path. I don’t think it’s gonna happen in the next couple years. It would be amazing, and I would love it if it would happen in like two or three years. But long-term goal is if it can happen within 10 years, then we’d be set.”
MORE ABOUT DRAGONFIRE FINANCIALS
To find out more about Dragonfire Financials, go online to www.dragonfirefinancials.com.
Email owner Alleepra Stutzman at astutzman@dragonfirefinancials. com, or call her at 970-737-8077. Stutzman got her bookkeeper certification through Universal School of Accounting as well as the QBO Bookkeeper training.
“All members of my firm,” she said, “will have training similar to my own, so there are no gaps, and work will be thoroughly reviewed until they are confident in what we do.”
You probably already guessed this... Stutzman said she loves dragons, “have since I was a kid,” and that’s why she named her business Dragonfire Financials LLC.
Keeping with the dragon theme, she said, “I like to call the internship position or junior bookkeeper positions ‘apprentice of the books,’ and mine would be the ‘guardian of the books.’” Stutzman added, “A motto I have recently started using is: ‘Your books, our watch – Your success.’ Because dragons protect their treasure.”
Intermountain Regional
“Our at St. Mary’s, to give reflects the behind the Dr. Alicia medical
Dr. Alicia
St. Mary’s Hospital Unveils Cancer Center Expansion
Intermountain Health St. Mary’s Regional Hospital announced it completed the remodeling and expansion of the Cancer Centers of Colorado in Grand Junction, and it is hosting an event Sept. 10 to unveil it.
The remodel and expansion increased the space for infusion by 30 percent and medical oncology exam rooms by 20 percent, meaning more patients can readily access appointments that are convenient to them, the hospital said in a Sept. 4 news release. This project emphasized improving safety and comfort for patients and their families. The clinic also has more workspace for caregivers.
The cancer center remained open throughout the construction, which took place in previously used office areas, and work didn’t impact patient care, according to Media Relations Manager Sara Quale. Caregivers started using the new infusion space in early July, and the last work on office spaces wrapped up in August.
Kevin Dryanski, Intermountain Health regional service line director, said the expansion and remodeling were prompted by a 40 percent growth in patient volume for these services over the past three to four years.
“Our patients receive the very best care at St. Mary’s, and we are proud and excited to give them this beautiful space that reflects the quality, compassion and love behind the excellent care we provide,” said Dr. Alicia Swink, Intermountain Health medical oncologist and regional service
line medical director. “This remodel is designed specifically for patients on the Western Slope – for their comfort, healing and safety. We feel the cancer center now better visually represents the heart of the care we give each patient.”
Since the early 1940s, St. Mary’s Regional Hospital Cancer Centers of Colorado has touched many lives on the Western Slope through the detection and treatment of cancer. Currently, the cancer center sees more than 1,500 new cancer patients each year. Providers offer medical oncology, hematology, radiation oncology and gynecologic oncology care and treat cancers of the blood, breast, head and neck, lung and more.
The cancer center provides supportive programs including social and psychological, spiritual care and palliative care, nutritional resources and wellness, cancer survivorship and clinical trials.
St. Mary’s Cancer Centers of Colorado is a regional leader in cancer care, extending its reach through partnerships and outreach clinics in Moab, Utah and Rifle, plus telehealth services in Craig. These initiatives ensure access to specialized and advanced cancer care for the entire region.
To celebrate the expansion and remodel, the public is invited to an open house and health fair from 9 a.m. to noon on Sept. 13 at the Cancer Center, 750 Wellington Ave. Caregivers will offer education and expertise on topics ranging from clinical trials and palliative care to nutrition and screenings.
Community members also can schedule appointments for preventative screenings. More information is available at St. Mary’s Cancer Center. F
Sept. 13 open house marks expansion of St. Mary’s cancer care
The community is invited to celebrate a major milestone in cancer care with the expansion of the Cancer Centers of Colorado at Intermountain Health St. Mary’s Regional Hospital.
This expansion increases St. Mary’s medical oncology and infusion capacity, allowing it to serve more patients close to home, the hospital said in a news release.
Guests can tour the newly expanded cancer center, meet local providers and explore the latest advancements in comprehensive cancer services. The event is 9 a.m. to noon on Sept. 13.
Also, a free Cancer Prevention Health Fair will feature interactive
booths and educational stations focused on cancer prevention and wellness, including the opportunity to schedule a mammogram and other cancer screening, blood-pressure checks, skin-cancer-prevention education and use of UV cameras, nutrition station and stress relief, exercise demonstration and more.
People also can walk through an inflatable colon to learn more about risks of colorectal cancer and the importance of screenings.
To attend the event, go to Entrance 25 at St. Mary’s Cancer Centers of Colorado, 750 Wellington Ave. in Grand Junction. F
Dr. Alicia Swink
The Business Times 609 North Ave., Suite 5 Grand Junction, CO 81501 (970) 424-5133 www.thebusinesstimes.com
The Business Times is published weekly and distributed throughout Grand Junction, Fruita and Palisade.
Beyond the bottom line: Building a business that uplifts everyone
In the world of business, there’s a long-standing belief that success is defined by maximizing sales, minimizing costs and generating the highest possible profits.
Marcus Straub
This transactional mindset – sell more, spend less, earn more – has shaped countless companies and strategies. But it’s also left many people feeling undervalued, exploited and disconnected from the very organizations they support or work for.
This narrow view of success misses the mark. It reduces business to a numbers game, ignoring the human beings behind every transaction, every paycheck and every decision. When profit becomes the sole pursuit, relationships suffer, trust erodes and the workplace becomes a breeding ground for dissatisfaction.
But business doesn’t have to be this way. In fact, it shouldn’t be.
Over the past 21 years, I’ve worked closely with companies across many industries. I’ve seen the difference between organizations that genuinely care about their people – customers, employees and communities – and those that don’t. The contrast is stark. Businesses that prioritize human connection and shared success consistently outperform those that chase profits at the expense of people.
True business success is not about extracting as much value as possible from others. It’s about creating value with others. It’s about building something that benefits everyone involved: owners; employees; customers; and the broader community. This is the essence of a symbiotic relationship: mutual benefit; shared growth; and collective well-being.
interchangeable parts in a machine. This approach breeds disengagement, resentment and turnover.
Your team members are not cogs. They are people with dreams, families and aspirations. They’ve chosen to invest a significant portion of their lives in your business. That choice deserves respect.
When you treat employees with care – when you listen, support and empower them –they typically respond with loyalty, creativity and excellence. They become ambassadors for your brand and stewards of your mission.
“True business success is not about extracting as much value as possible from others. It’s about creating value with others. It’s about building something that benefits everyone involved”
— Marcus Straub, owner of Life is Great Coaching in Grand Junction
When businesses operate from this perspective, they become more than economic engines. They become forces for good, spaces where people thrive, relationships deepen and purpose is found.
Let’s start with the cornerstone of any business: the customer. Without them, there is no revenue, no growth, no future. Yet too often, customers are viewed as little more than dollar signs, targets to be persuaded, upsold and retained.
This mindset is not only shortsighted, it’s damaging. Customers are human beings who choose to spend their hard-earned money with you. They’re looking for value, yes, but also respect, integrity and care. When they receive that, they don’t just return. They become advocates. They tell their friends. They become part of your story.
Treating customers with dignity isn’t just good ethics. It’s good business.
Equally vital are your team members. These are the people who show up every day, dedicate their time and energy and help bring your vision to life. Without them, your business wouldn’t function. Without their commitment quality would suffer, and customer relationships would falter.
Yet in many organizations, employees are treated as expendable resources,
When you operate from the understanding that everyone wants to be happy and successful – just like you – you begin to see people differently. Customers and employees stop being tools for personal gain. They become partners in a shared journey.
This shift in perspective changes everything. It fosters trust, deepens relationships and creates a culture of mutual respect. And in that culture, success becomes sustainable. It’s no longer a zerosum game. It’s a rising tide that lifts all boats.
Of course, not everyone will align with your values. Some customers will never be satisfied. Some employees won’t thrive, despite your best efforts. That’s part of the journey.
In the pursuit of a healthy, values-driven business, you’ll need to make tough decisions. You’ll need to part ways with people who don’t share your vision. But when you do so with clarity and compassion, you preserve the integrity of your mission and make space for those who do align.
Companies that embrace a win-win-win philosophy, where customers, employees and owners all benefit, are the most rewarding to work for, buy from and lead. These businesses give as much as they receive. They honor the contributions of every individual and serve a purpose beyond profit.
They become catalysts for happiness, success and positive change.
In truth, your customers, your team and you are all in business together. You’re part of a shared ecosystem, one that thrives on trust, respect and mutual benefit. When you embrace this symbiotic relationship, your business becomes more than a source of income. It becomes a source of meaning.
It becomes a place where people grow, relationships flourish, and the world gets just a little bit better.
FMarcus 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 (970) 208-3150, marcus@ligcoaching.com or through the website located at www.ligcoaching.com.
Suicide report highlights progress, opportunities for prevention
Mesa County Public Health, in partnership with the Mesa County Coroner’s Office and the Mesa County Suicide Prevention Coalition, released its annual Suicide Report.
Sarah Gray
The findings shed light on the ongoing challenges surrounding suicide in our community, but also highlight how prevention efforts are making a difference and where opportunities exist to build a stronger, healthier future.
For employers, the report is a reminder that prevention is not just a health issue, it’s a workforce and economic issue. Supporting employees with resources, flexibility and awareness can reduce stressors that may lead to crisis.
Mesa County businesses are already playing an important role by encouraging conversations about mental health and connecting staff to resources.
Local programs such as Grand Valley Connects,
which links residents with essential services, and Find the Right Fit, which helps connect people with the right mental health care, are expanding access to support. There is also support for survivors after suicide loss through Heartbeat GJ, as well resources for veterans, such as the VA Keep It Secure program.
“The progress we’ve made shows that prevention is possible, and that every sector, from health care to business, has a part to play,” said Jennifer Daniels, Behavioral Health Division director at Mesa County Public Health. “We spend a lot of our time at our place of work. Workplace wellness programs and efforts can provide employees timely support and education to build resilience, which is a protective factor for suicide.”
On average, 50 Mesa County residents die by suicide each year. While this number remains higher than state and national averages, the annual report offers valuable insights that are helping community leaders, businesses and families better understand risk factors and strengthen prevention.
“This report gives us the knowledge we need to take
action,” Daniels said. “It shows us not only where the challenges remain, but also how our community is coming together to save lives and support each other.”
The data reflects long-standing trends: Suicide most often impacts working-age adults, and men remain at higher risk than women. More than half of recent deaths involved a firearm, underscoring the importance of lethal means safety and timely intervention.
The full report is available on the Mesa County Public Health website. Community members are encouraged to explore the findings, learn about available resources and consider how they can contribute to a culture of prevention and support.
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Call or text 988 for the Colorado Mental Health Line, or text CO to 741741 to connect with the Crisis Text Line and be connected with a trained counselor.
F
Sarah Gray is a communication specialist with Mesa County Public Health. For additional information, call (970) 248-6900 or visit mesacounty.us/public-health.
It’s not just people who come into our lives to bless us, pets do, too.
I’ll ask for grace as this column is being written with no notes, outline or even a topic on my mind.
Sadly ironic, I just wrote my last column all about how I write columns with what’s on my mind the night before, morning of deadline. Also noted how my thinking would now change as my daughters both live on the other side of the mountains, and they aren’t always top of mind after God. Oh, they are still up there, but as life for empty-nester me and my work, I just look at things differently.
You may have noticed in that column I also mentioned (although not by name) another member of my family who was still hanging around my humble abode, my cat.
For the record, her name was Luna. And more sadly for the record and the reason I write this is Luna passed this morning, literally in my arms as she took her last breath
My little rescue cat, who was purring next to me in bed last night in our before-the-lights-are-turned-off ritual, was gone before the sun came up the next day. So yes, this column is gonna be all about Luna. And while deadline looms along with a few straggling ads and this column is due, Luna takes top spot.
This morning, about 5 a.m. Luna came running into my room. I woke from sleeping because as a dad (yes, I was Luna’s daddy) you notice when one of your loved ones approaches your room differently. With my girls, I got to the point where I’d stay asleep if they were just coming in to tell me something versus snapping awake when I could “sense” something was wrong. With fur baby Luna, it was something different in her gait this morning.
Normally she was a bat-out-of-hell, full-blast running to jump on her perch by the window where she slept away most days and nights, just to look out over her Queendom. Every so often those full speed charges came with growls if she detected an invader in our back yard. Those always startled me awake where another ritual took place. The one of me getting out of bed and turning on the back-porch light only to see some darned cat staring at me. Until I grabbed a rock and pelted the fence to send the trespasser scattering.
But not last night. Last night, Luna slipped under the bed and softly meowed, what I could only describe as a sad moan. I tried calling to her to come out (which rarely, if ever, worked before unless she was hungry or I had been gone a few days), and she
slowly appeared. Then, with all the strength she had left, she struggled, scratching and clawing her way up to her throne. Once there I could see something was stuck in Luna’s mouth.
Pardon if this is gross, but anyone who’s ever owned a long-haired cat knows what this usually is, a furball being exited. But this time it was different. My baby was bleeding and struggling mightily. As I reached to try to get to whatever it was, Luna did what she’s always done since being abandoned in a ditch when only a few weeks old. She fought. I have scratches and teeth marks for my efforts. Luna fell to the floor and walked a few steps and collapsed motionless and all I could do was pet her as she took her few last breaths. Whatever was hindering her breathing had already won.
I couldn’t help my baby. It sucked. It hurts. Now the house is truly empty. But while Luna was here, she sure helped fill it.
We adopted Luna from Roice Hurst around Father’s Day in 2019. It was the compromise from my kiddos insisting I get a dog. A rare compromise I won with my girls. Evin found Luna from a picture on Roice’s website, and when Maya and I went to the shelter, out of all the black cats they had (and they were legion), Luna was the one who jumped on Maya’s leg to be held. There was no question who was coming home with us.
Luna was a sweet kitten when we finally got her home. She had to make weight at Roice Hurst before they’d release her. Abandoned kitties tend to be malnourished. But once home, she loved to climb all over the closest human. She even slept at night on my pillow above my head for several months.
As time went by, her “street” attitude came back to a degree. She wasn’t a lap-sitter like our previous kitties, but she’d always sit somewhere nearby in the room the family was occupying. Over the past year she developed a habit of jumping onto my bed each morning and evening for some loving, along with an occasional lap sitting.
Luna was never a problem and had only a few visits to the veterinarian over the years, usually for a much-needed haircut. And she was for all appearances recovering from this last visit. So, what occurred this morning was quite the shock.
And I don’t want to know what happened beyond what I experienced. I only want to put her to rest properly.
Life with Luna, however short, was indeed a blessing. F
Craig Hall is owner and publisher of The Business Times. Reach him at 424-5133 or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com
Craig Hall
n Ojala new executive director of monument association
The Colorado National Monument Association announced Ashley Ojala is its new executive director. She joined the organization in July.
Ojala has a background in outdoor recreation, tourism and nonprofit marketing, the CNMA said in an Aug. 29 news release.
“Ashley’s energy, vision and commitment to our community make her a perfect fit to lead CNMA into its next chapter,” Interim Board Chair Sue Conry said. “Her enthusiasm for both the monument and the people who care about it is inspiring.”
Ojala said she is honored to lead CNMA’s team in supporting, protecting and celebrating Colorado National Monument.
“I’m especially passionate about fostering partnerships, enhancing visitor experiences and serving the local communities that make this backyard monument extraordinary,” she said.
The Colorado National Monument Association is a nonprofit partner to Colorado National Monument, providing funding for educational programs, scientific research, visitor services and conservation initiatives. Learn more at coloradonma.org.
n Western Colorado Pediatrics raises $5,486 for Kids Aid
Western Colorado Pediatrics, a division of Primary Care Partners, recently donated $5,486 to the Kids Aid Backpack Program.
The Kids Aid Backpack Program is a local non-profit dedicated to providing weekend food support to School District 51 children who might otherwise go hungry. To help meet this need, Western Colorado Pediatrics pledged to donate $5 for every well-child check completed between July 1 and Aug. 1. Thanks to the dedication of Western Colorado Pediatrics providers and the families they serve, 1,098 well-child visits were completed during that time.
Western Colorado Pediatrics presented the check to Tessa Kaiser, executive director of Kids Aid.
Primary Care Partners is a physician-owned healthcare group based in Grand Junction. It has served western Colorado and eastern Utah families for more than 20 years. For more information about Primary Care Partners and Western Colorado Pediatrics, go online to www.pcpgj.com.
n Reiner leaves treasury post to fill in as finance director
Sheila Reiner resigned as Mesa County treasurer and public trustee, effective Sept. 9, in order to serve as the county’s acting finance director, Mesa County announced in a Sept. 3 news release.
Reiner takes over as finance director for Pam Noonan, a longtime Mesa County employee who resigned after seven-and-ahalf years in the position.
“It has been an honor to serve the citizens of Mesa County as treasurer and public trustee,” Reiner said. “I have been privileged to work with an outstanding team, and I will miss them greatly. At the same time, I am excited for the opportunity to continue serving
Mesa County in a new capacity as acting finance director.”
By policy, Mesa County requires a strict separation of duties between the Treasurer’s Office and the Finance Department, the news release said. In accordance with this structure, Reiner will formally step down from her elected position before assuming the interim finance role.
Mesa County will begin a formal process to select a permanent finance director, the news release said.
Mesa County’s chief deputy treasurer and public trustee, Jackie Campbell, has assumed leadership of the Treasurer’s Office to ensure uninterrupted service to Mesa County residents until the Mesa County Commission appoints a successor who will serve through December 2026, when the current elected term ends.
“We thank Sheila Reiner for her dedicated service to residents and for stepping into this interim role as Mesa County transitions leadership in our finance department,” Mesa County Administrator Todd Hollenbeck said. “Mesa County remains committed to strong financial stewardship and transparent fiscal management, and services to residents will carry on seamlessly.”
n Film Festival to raise funds for Girls on the Run
In celebration of 25 years of empowering young girls through movement, confidence and community, Girls on the Run is partnering with the No Man’s Land Film Festival for a fundraising event spotlighting women in adventure, sports and storytelling.
The event will take place Oct. 16 at The Aesthetic Collective, 501 Main St., Unit B, in Grand Junction. It will feature a curated selection of short films from No Man’s Land Film Festival, the premier all-women adventure film festival that champions untold stories of bold, unapologetic women pushing the boundaries of outdoor adventure and creativity.
The evening will include light refreshments, a silent auction, raffles and opportunities to donate. Proceeds from the event will directly benefit Girls on the Run programs, helping provide scholarships and expand access to transformative programming for girls across the region.
“Girls on the Run has been changing lives for 25 years, and this celebration is about more than a milestone, it’s about the future,” said Brittany Markert, Girls on the Run office coordinator. “Partnering with No Man’s Land allows us to highlight fearless, authentic stories that echo our mission: empowering girls to know their strength and boldly chase their dreams.”
For tickets and information, visit www.gotrwesterncolorado.org/no-mans-land. Tickets cost $25 in advance or $30 at the door.
n Roice-Hurst waives fees for upcoming adoption weekends
Roice-Hurst Humane Society partnered with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to offer fee-waived pet adoptions every other weekend in September and October as part of the ASPCA’s nationwide Rescue Effect campaign.
Upcoming fee-waived adoption weekends will take place Sept. 20-21, Oct. 4-5, and Oct. 18-19 at Roice-Hurst from 12 to 4 p.m. each day.
The ASPCA’s Rescue Effect campaign aims to raise awareness about the importance of pet adoption and place more animals into loving homes. The initiative highlights the reality that when one pet is adopted, space and resources open for another pet in need.
The first of six fee-waived weekends took place Aug. 9-10 and resulted in 14 adoptions. Cat adoptions were especially popular, with just three adoptable cats remaining by the end of the weekend. With space available, the shelter was able to welcome new cats to take their place, exemplifying the Rescue Effect in action.
“Every adoption opens up resources for another pet waiting for help. That’s why we’re so grateful to the ASPCA for making adoption more accessible and appealing for families ready to welcome a new pet during these fee-waived weekends,” said Jenna Kretschman, communications coordinator at Roice-Hurst Humane Society. “Adoptions at Roice-Hurst come with a lot of value, so with fees covered, we highly encourage the community to take advantage of this fantastic deal.”
Typical adoption fees at Roice-Hurst range from $85 to $300, depending on a pet’s age and species. Each adoption includes not only the love and companionship of a new pet, but also: a spay/neuter surgery; age-appropriate vaccinations; microchip; deworming; a free wellness exam at a local partner veterinary clinic of the adopter’s choice; a month of free behavior counseling; and access to a customized post-adoption support platform called Petszel.
Regular matchmaking and adoption procedures still apply, and only on-site pets are eligible for the promotion. The shelter is located at 362 28 Road in Grand Junction. Potential adopters can browse adoptable pets at RHhumanesociety.org/adopt.
