cross Western Colorado, the 2025 hunting season began under the weight of an intense drought, yet a few timely rainstorms brought at least some temporary relief.
Local guide and outfitter Rod Cogburn said it is one of the worst years of drought he has ever seen during his lifetime of hunting and guiding in Western Colorado.
A drought of exceptional severity Colorado State University’s August drought assessment provides sobering context. The U.S. Drought Monitor marked the return of exceptional drought (D4) across Western Colorado for the first time since early 2023. D4 is the highest level of drought intensity, signifying widespread water emergencies and long-term damage to crops, rangeland and ecosystems.
Those conditions now span about 7 percent of the state, covering parts of Mesa, Delta, Garfield, Eagle, Pitkin, Routt, Gunnison and Rio Blanco counties. That includes ground where Cogburn guides hunts on Grand Mesa and north of De Beque, placing much of his operating area inside the most extreme drought category.
See story on Page 2
Co-owner of Roosters Guide and Outfitting Services Ray Cogburn, on the right, and a hunter named Rick (no last name provided) celebrate a successful elk harvest on the rugged slopes near De Beque. Photo courtesy of Roosters Guide and Outfitting Adventures.
Roosters Guide and Outfitting Services hunting guide Cauy Etcheverry, on the left, and his
courtesy of Roosters Guide and Outfitting Adventures.
Drought deepens challenges for outfitters
A few rains spark hope for the 2025
hunting
season
Continued from Page 1
According to the assessment, stream flows are plummeting. The White River at Meeker has fallen into the first percentile of its 121-year record, nearing its all-time low. Other rivers including the Yampa, Colorado, Animas and Dolores are also running well below the 10th percentile.
For hunters, that means more than just brown fields and empty ponds. It means the elk themselves are harder to find.
“The ponds that are normally full from rainfall are gone,” Cogburn said. “Animals leave their normal country and go to bigger water where they have reliable water. That makes it much more difficult to hunt during this drought.”
When the season started, grasses were dead and dormant, and with cattle still on the range, there is extra competition for the remaining feed. Cogburn said he began noticing the drought’s severity in midsummer.
“In July, it was just cooking, and there hadn’t been any rain since,” he said.
Drought shifts animal behavior
Dry conditions and high heat change how elk behave, making them much harder to track.
“When we have the drought, and the animals are totally nocturnal, even for us humans, it’s hard to be out there in that heat. You have to be in the shade,” Cogburn said.
Rains bring brief window of opportunity
Yet, amid the severity, a few rain events during the first season tipped the balance, at least temporarily.
“Thank goodness, we got a couple of rains the other day, and we had some success,” Cogburn said. “We had an opportunity for all of our clients.”
The rains and cooler temperatures made a difference.
“It sure did help,” Cogburn said. “We started seeing animals coming out after that. A little rain can make a big difference, even now.”
From childhood tradition to family outfitting business
When asked about how he got started in the outfitting business, Rod talked about learning to hunt in western Colorado in his childhood.
“I grew up on a ranch south of Silt. As young boys, as soon as we were old enough we started hunting, and from the time I was 12 I was already guiding my uncles,” Cogburn said. “It’s been in my blood ever since I was young.”
Seventeen years ago, Cogburn and his family turned that heritage into a full-service guide operation, securing U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management permits and expanding across Grand Mesa and De Beque.
Last season, they added a new operating agreement and are preparing to launch summer touring ventures as well.
“It takes a lot more work than people realize to run an outfit,” he said. “It’s tough work, and with food and expenses going up, it’s even worse this year.”
Though there are challenges, Cogburn lights up when talking about giving hunters the experience of a lifetime.
“We just took the CEO of Huntin’ Fool, and he had a blast,” Cogburn said.
See DROUGHT on page 8
COLORADO’S DROUGHT AT A GLANCE
Source:
Colorado State University, August 2025
About 7 percent of Colorado is in Exceptional Drought (D4), the highest drought intensity. Impacted counties include Moffat, Routt, Rio Blanco, Garfield, Eagle, Pitkin, Gunnison, Delta and Mesa.
The White River at Meeker is in the 1st percentile of its 121year record, near an all-time low.
Other rivers, including the Yampa, Colorado, Animas and Dolores, are flowing below the 10th percentile.
Vegetation and soil moisture are severely stressed, with satellite indicators showing levels below the 5th percentile.
June and July 2025 ranked among the top-10 hottest and driest on record for northwest Colorado.
hunter Danny (no last name provided) pose with a trophy mule deer. Photo
Behind the Builds: Meet three of the Parade of Homes Builders
Brandon Leuallen The Business Times
The 44th Annual Parade of Homes is a chance for the public to tour new designs and for builders to showcase their craftsmanship. It also highlights the economic reach of the industry.
The Home Builders Association of Western Colorado represents more than 150 companies that collectively employ thousands of people across the region. Beyond their own employees, builders rely on subcontractors from every corner of the construction sector, from electricians and plumbers to framers and finishers, multiplying the number of local jobs supported by the industry.
According to Colorado Mesa University’s Q2 2024 Economic Update, all construction in Mesa County employs an average of 5,354 workers with total quarterly wages of $87.7 million. The industry ranks 10th in overall employment, sixth in total wages and fourth in average weekly wages at $1,261. That makes construction a mid-sized employer in Mesa County, but among the top-paying industries when looking at weekly earnings.
This year’s Parade of Homes features 17 homes from 16 builders. Here are three of the builders, each with a unique story, vision, and the home they are unveiling to the community.
BOA Builders:
Energy Efficiency and Community Building
BOA Builders has been part of the Grand Valley since 1982. The company was started by the father of Wendi Gechter and is now operated by Wendi and her husband Charlie. In recent years the company has focused on semi-custom homes.
BOA Builders, left to right: Gary Raum, site superintendent; Tammi Brophy, executive administrator; Kenny Jolly, purchasing agent; Wendi Gechter, operations/broker; Charlie Gechter, builder; Abby Schaefer, new home sales consultant; Chuck Furlano, superintendent/project manager. Photo courtesy of BOA Builders.
“We do commercial, residential and custom builds, but our main focus recently has been semi-custom homes,” BOA Builders New Home Sales Consultant Abby Schaefer said. “We are building three different communities right now in Orchard Mesa.”
One of those neighborhoods is Shadow Mesa, which is where BOA’s Parade home is located. The home is a four-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath, two-car-garage model. The development is already about 80 percent sold.
The home reflects the company’s commitment to energy efficiency.
“All of our homes are certified Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready,” Schaefer said. “They are certified Energy Star 3.1 and Indoor AirPlus for clean indoor air. They are also solar ready and EV ready.”
The homes also feature advanced ductwork systems and energy-recovery ventilators that bring in fresh air while removing pollutants and allergens. These features make a difference on utility bills, and BOA estimates those bills for its homes average about $100 per month.
Shadow Mesa’s homeowners association fee is $130 per month and includes fiber internet, front-yard maintenance, snow removal and trash service.
“It is a pretty good deal,” Schaefer said.
BOA Builders is also preparing for its next major development, Plum Ridge, a 55plus community in Orchard Mesa in partnership with Epcon Communities. Reservations are scheduled to open Sept. 21.
The company is led by Wendi Gechter, operations/broker, and Charlie Gechter, builder. The team also includes Tammi Brophy, executive administrator; Kenny Jolly, purchasing agent; Chuck Furlano, superintendent/project manager; Gary Raum,
superintendent/project manager; and Abby Schaefer, new-home sales consultant.
Creative Design Builders: A First Parade Showcase
Creative Design Builders, owned by Brian and Kaila Chesney, is new to the Parade of Homes but not to homebuilding. Brian started the company in 2006. This year marks their first Parade entry.
The Chesneys are featuring a 2,100-square-foot home in the Spyglass neighborhood of Orchard Mesa. The property backs to open space with unobstructed views of Colorado National Monument.
The home includes three bedrooms, an office and a large master suite. Features include white-oak hardwood flooring, two large sets of accordion-style glass doors opening to the back patio, and custom built-in cabinetry.
Kaila pointed out the flooring in this home as a major highlight
“It is a real-white-oak, floating floor where if one plank gets scratched, you can pull it out and either fix it or replace it. You do not get that with other flooring,” she said.
The design combines stone, wood and glass on the interior and a mix of stone and stucco on the exterior.
Although Brian currently manages four or five other projects, this Spyglass home is the Chesneys’ personal showcase.
“When we started building, we realized some of the features that we had going into the home would really showcase well,” Kaila said. “The timing just happened to work out.”
The home is nearly complete with only finishing touches and landscaping remaining. See BUILDERS on Page 6
Stove Depot and Chimney Works owner Bryce Wynne stands by a row of free-standing stoves that the store sells. They range from wood, gas, electric and pellet heating stoves. For more information about the business and its offerings, go online to stovedepotcw.com. Photo by Tim Harty.
Growing like wildfire
Stove Depot nearly doubled its store size four months ago and already has outgrown it
Tim Harty
The Business Times
Four months ago, Stove Depot and Chimney Works left the 5,000-square-foot building it occupied at 330 North Ave. for a 9,000-square-foot space at 1915 Interstate 70 Business Loop.
It had to move. It had outgrown its home of the previous five years.
Today, Stove Depot and Chimney Works is about a month away from finishing renovations to its new location. Then, it will look to add 3,500 square feet to the existing building, because it has to. It’s already outgrown the space.
And owner Bryce Wynne already knows that addition won’t be enough, so in January or soon after he expects to break ground on a 15,000-square-foot warehouse building a couple lots to the east.
When that building is done, he will see how long that’s sufficient.
Life’s been good since Wynne bought Clean Sweep Chimney from his father, Steve Wynne, six years ago and immediately renamed it Stove Depot and Chimney Works. Where his father’s business had been strictly service work, Bryce Wynne added retail and wholesale sales to the business with the rationale of “there’s a need in the valley for just a hearth store.”
“We sell wood, gas, pellet and electric fireplaces and the stoves, and we’ve been growing every year since,” Bryce Wynne said.
He said the business outgrew his dad’s location within six months, so he moved Stove Depot and Chimney Works to 330 North Ave.
“It took us five years to grow out of that building,” Wynne said, necessitating the move to 1915 I-70 Business Loop.
There was no five-year wait to fill up the space this time.
“Now I need a full-fledged warehouse and a big showroom with offices,” Wynne said, “because now we’re up to 18 employees, so we just need room, room for everything.”
Wynne wants to hire three more employees.
“My dad had one part-time guy,” Wynne said. “And when I bought him out, we just kept growing, and we kept adding and adding, and we’re hiring three more guys.
“I want to get up to about 25 employees by the end of the year. That will be, I think, a good position, because we have a store in Montrose as well.”
Rather than move Stove Depot and Chimney Works to another location, Wynne is staying put and adding space to the existing building and the aforementioned lot that’s a stone’s throw away.
The large warehouse will allow Wynne to convert the warehouse space at 1915 I-70 Business Loop to more showroom. Specifically, an outdoor showroom “where then I can show big outdoor kitchens, outdoor furniture and all of that,” he said.
Builders
Michael and Kelly Maves, owners of Maves Construction Inc. This year Maves Construction’s 4,200-square-foot Dream Home at Bookcliff Country Club features three bedrooms, an office and a recreation space with a golf simulator. Photo courtesy of Maves Construction.
Continued from Page 4
Maves Construction:
A Family Legacy and a Dream Home
Maves Construction has been part of the Western Colorado building industry since 1989, when the company was founded by Dave Maves. In 2003, his son-in-law Michael Maves purchased the business.
Over the years the company has built a reputation for custom homes that combine striking design with lasting quality.
The company has been a Parade of Homes regular. Kelly Maves said they have entered about 28 homes over the years.
“We have been doing Parade homes almost every year since the company started. It is an opportunity to put our best work forward and connect with the community,” she said.
This year’s entry is in the Dream Home category, reserved for homes valued at $1.5 million or more that are fully landscaped and furnished. The Maves home is 4,200 square feet and located at 7114 Gulf War Drive at the Bookcliff Country Club. Kelly said it was built for repeat clients.
One of the highlights is a recreation space. Kelly explained that it includes a golf simulator and theater room.
“It is just a really cool hangout space,” she said.
The home also includes three bedrooms, an office and expansive living areas that look out across the golf course.
Kelly highlighted the scope of collaboration and the amount of local jobs
one home like this can involve.
“Over the course of construction, probably 300 people have touched this house. At one point we had 50 people on site in a single day,” she said.
Maves Construction employs 10 staff members themselves and works with a wide range of subcontractors. F
Brian and Kaila Chesney of Creative Design Builders. This is their first year in the parade of homes, featuring a 2,100-square-foot home in the Spyglass Neighborhood. Photo courtesy of Creative Design Builders.
Drought
Continued from page 2
Roosters remains a family operation with other locals being part of the team. Team Roosters includes Rod, Ava, Ray, Sheree, Ben, Hayden, Olivia, Cauy, Klayton, Jaryn and Vince, who doubles as camp cook and guitar player. Everyone plays a role, from guiding hunters to baking treats.
“My granddaughter bakes goodies for the hunters, and we put a tip jar out. She does quite well, and it helps her basketball program at Grand Valley High School,” Cogburn said.
The family approach fosters a sense of tradition, and many clients return year after year. According to Cogburn, one longtime hunter from New York came 17 years ago
and returned every year for 17 consecutive seasons.
Beyond trophies, Cogburn highlights the value of elk meat to whoever he can.
“The safest, best piece of meat you can put in your mouth comes from an elk. I think that deserves more recognition,” he said.
He also takes pride in youth hunts for the next generation and ensuring no meat goes to waste. While most clients take their meat home, when one does not, the Cogburns cover the processing costs and donate the meat to local families in need.
Despite the challenges, Cogburn said his hope is that cooler weather and a shift in conditions will improve the odds as the season moves along.
LEFT: Roosters Guide and Outfitting Services owner Rod Cogburn on the right stands with a bull elk taken by hunter Andreas (no last name provided) during the 2024 season. Photo courtesy of Roosters Guide and Outfitting Adventures.
August annual real estate sales drop 5 percent
August 2025’s 260 residential real estate sales in Mesa County were down 5 percent compared to August 2024, while active listings were 38 percent higher year over year for August with 822, according to data gathered by Bray & Co. Real Estate.
The active listings increased by 41 from July.
August’s median price of $400,000 was up 4 percent year over year, while the average of 58 days on the market was two days more than August 2024.
Sellers also received an average of 97.8 percent of the list price, compared to 98.0 percent the previous July.
Year-to-date figures through August reflect growth over 2024 numbers. So far in 2025, units sold have increased by 5.2 percent, rising from 1,977 to 1,879, while total sales volume has increased 11.2 percent, with a total of $931.4 million compared to $837.7 million in 2024.
The most popular price range for residential sales is $300,000 to $399,000 with 574 sales year to date (as of Aug. 31), followed by 424 sales in the $500,000–$749,000 range, 386 sales in the $400,000–$499,000 range and 258 sales in the $200,000-$299,000 range. Six residential properties sold for $1 million or more in August, bringing the year-to-date total to 84. Through Aug. 31, the most popular area to buy is North Grand Junction with 286 sales, followed by Grand Junction City at 274, Northeast Grand Junction at 253, Southeast Grand Junction at 207 and Orchard Mesa at 199. Fruita has 193 sales so far in 2025, while Redlands has 189, Clifton has 135, and Loma/Mack/Northwest/West has 111.
Single-family building permits are down 2 percent year-to-date at 454, compared with 465 a year ago.
Months of inventory currently sit at 3.1 months.
The North Grand Junction area currently has the most active listings with 112, followed by Redlands with 102 and Northeast Grand Junction with 98.
estate percent residential real were down 5 2024, while higher year according to Estate. increased by 41
$400,000 while the was two average of 97.8 compared to 98.0 August numbers. So far increased by 5.2 1,879, while 11.2 percent, compared to range for $399,000 Aug. 31),
$500,000–
$400,000–in the residential more in total to 84. popular area 286 sales, City at 274, Southeast Orchard Mesa in 2025, 135, and 111. are down compared with currently sit at
Junction area listings with 102 and 98.
GJ Chamber letter reminds CDOT of Western Colorado’s importance
The Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce sent a letter to the Colorado Department of Transportation to express its concerns about the proposed 2050 Statewide Transportation Plan.
The letter, dated August 28 and signed by Grand Junction Chamber President and CEO Candace Carnahan, listed its main concerns as: “the growing gap in highway funding, the lack of inflationary adjustment in revenues, and the absence of a plan to close this gap.”
It also emphasized the impact of Interstate 70 closures, particularly in Glenwood Canyon, and their direct harm
to Western Colorado businesses.
On its LinkedIn page, the Grand Junction Chamber said, “As our letter states: ‘Funding formulas based on population alone ignore the true demands of maintaining critical lane miles that keep rural economies connected to statewide markets.’”
The GJ Chamber wrote on its website, regarding Western Colorado businesses:
“This plan is not just a roadmap for infrastructure – it is a roadmap for economic stability, competitiveness, and growth.”
It added, “Funding formulas heavily weighted toward population centers overlook the significant responsibility rural counties like Mesa carry in maintaining hundreds of lane miles that connect our communities and industries to statewide and national markets.
See LETTER on Page 12
August 28, 2025
On behalf of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce and the employers we represent across Western Colorado, I urge CDOT to address the growing gap in highway funding, the lack of inflationary adjustment in revenues, and the absence of a plan to close this gap. Without decisive action, rural economies like ours in Mesa County will continue to shoulder disproportionate burdens that ultimately weaken Colorado’s competitiveness.
Mesa County illustrates this challenge clearly. The state highway system here covers 752.3 lane miles, including 262.1 interstate miles. That is nearly the same as Larimer County (787.7 lane miles), despite Mesa having a far smaller population and tax base. Yet businesses on the Western Slope rely on this network every day to move products, workers, and visitors. Funding formulas based on population alone ignore the true demands of maintaining critical lane miles that keep rural economies connected to statewide markets.
Colorado’s roads overall are in poor condition. The 2025 Infrastructure Report Card gave our state a D+, with only 34% of roads in good condition. Deferred investment translates directly into higher costs for employers – vehicle repairs, shipping delays, and workforce disruptions. Rural counties like Mesa, with extensive lane miles and limited alternatives, are hit hardest.
The consequences are most visible during closures on I-70 through Glenwood Canyon, when the state loses an estimated $2 million per hour – adding up to nearly $200 million last year alone. For Mesa County, those closures stranded shipments for manufacturers, stalled tourism, and increased costs for nearly every sector. When the canyon shuts down, the entire state economy feels the impact.
Meanwhile, revenues have not kept pace with inflation, leaving fewer real dollars each year for maintenance and capacity projects. Colorado now ranks 47th nationally in rural interstate pavement condition, evidence of how this gap shows up on the ground. To address these realities, CDOT must prioritize funding allocations that account for lane miles and economic impact – not just population – while also implementing inflationary adjustments so revenues keep pace with rising costs. Just as importantly, a clear plan is needed to close the funding gap, with particular attention to freight-critical corridors like I-70, US50, and regional arterials that sustain Western Slope businesses.
Mesa County businesses are not asking for extras. We are asking for infrastructure funding that reflects the realities of our system: miles that must be maintained, industries that depend on them, and the statewide losses when they fail. Strong, reliable transportation in all corners of Colorado is not optional –it is essential to keeping our economy moving.
Respectfully,
Candace Carnahan
President & CEO Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce
Below is the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce’s letter to the Colorado Department of Transportation regarding the proposed 2050 Statewide Transportation Plan:
Colorado Department of Transportation Leadership,
COPY OF LETTER TO CDOT
Candace Carnahan
Stove Depot
Continued from page 5
Also, he’ll be able to run four salespeople from that building instead of the current two.
Until then, Stove Depot and Chimney Works will do what it can with the space it has, which is a lot more than it could before.
“My warehouse has doubled in size, so we’re stocking a lot more,” Wynne said. “And we have a bigger showroom to show more things like grills. Before, we didn’t have room to show some outdoor stuff. Now we do. So now we’re going to show a little more fire pits, a little more grills and things like that.
“But I want to create a showroom that you come into, and it’s kind of worthy of the dollar worth that you’re spending. Because our industry, each of our customers
spends quite a bit of money, and I appreciate that. I feel it’s in my best interest to give them a place that it feels like their money’s well in hand.”
More fireplaces will be displayed, and more importantly they’ll be spaced out.
“What we found is we used to have fireplaces doubled up all over our showroom, and it was packed full, and it was overwhelming,” Wynne said. “People would come in and would just get discouraged ... just like, ‘This is too much.’
“So, really, we have our top sellers. We have, I think, 45 stoves on flue, gas fireplaces, so that’s still quite a bit. We have 30 freestanding stoves, so we’re not lacking. … We’ve been in business long enough that we can kind of through our own data see what sells the best in this market, so we concentrate on our best sellers.”
Wynne also is eyeing another type of growth: Stove Depot and Chimney Works’ geographic footprint.
“We’re going to eventually service Western Colorado,” he said. “My goal is to have five stores here in the next couple of years. I want to be a brand that’s recognized in western Colorado, that goes from Vail to Telluride.
“We already do a lot of business in Telluride, a lot of business in Aspen, a lot of business in the Roaring Fork Valley. I’ve been asked several times to have a store up there, because we have a lot of builders up there that really want us to have a store to bring their clients. So, hopefully next year we’ll expand up there as well.”
SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR SETTLES DOWN – FOR NOW
Bryce Wynne grew up helping his dad, Steve Wynne, at Clean Sweep Chimney, so he was well-acquainted with the business that he eventually bought from his dad and turned into Stove Depot and Chimney Works six years ago.
But upon getting his master of business administration from Mesa State College (now Colorado Mesa University), he decided to try his hand at something else. Well, a lot of something elses.
Bryce Wynne, who is 41 years old, said he has owned 11 different businesses.
“I’m a serial entrepreneur,” he said. “I buy and sell businesses, anything from crypto – I had a mining farm for crypto – to a window-washing company. It’s just if there’s opportunity, I’ll look at it and see.”
He admitted he gets bored easily, so “when things smooth out, I usually sell the business and start something new.”
He also admitted, “It drives my wife crazy.”
So, he promised her he’ll stay with Stove Depot and Chimney Works for a little longer, “and we’ll grow it out to be a pretty good-size business.”
He’s on his way to doing exactly that.
“We’ve grown every year, we haven’t had a down year, and we just keep on growing,” Wynne said. “So, I feel we’re finally at the starting line of where I want to be. The next five years are going to be a lot of fun, a lot of great expansion. A lot of great things are going to happen.”
Bryce Wynne, owner of Stove Depot and Chimney Works, 1915 Interstate 70 Business Loop, stands next to a fireplace display area in the store, which is nearing completion of renovations that began when the business moved there four months ago. Photo by Tim Harty.
Continued from page 9
“Nowhere is this more evident than along I-70 through Glenwood Canyon. Each closure on this corridor costs the state an estimated $2 million per hour. For Western Colorado, those closures stall shipments, deter visitors, and disrupt nearly every industry...”
A single stretch of highway should not be able to grind our statewide economy to a halt – but without stronger investment and resiliency planning, that remains our reality.”
The Grand Junction Chamber said it is not alone in its message and listed the following leaders and organizations as “raising their voices alongside ours”:
• Mesa County Commissioner Bobbie Daniel.
• Former El Paso County Commissioner Longinos Gonzalez.
• The American Concrete Pavement Association of Colorado/ Wyoming.
• Arnusch Farms.
• Associated General Contractors.
• The Colorado Contractors Association.
• The Colorado Stone, Sand and Gravel Association.
• The Colorado Ready Mixed Concrete Association.
• The Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce.
• The Grand Junction Economic Partnership.
• Club 20.
• The Industrial Property Owners Consortium.
The Grand Junction Chamber wrote on its website, “There is a shared recognition: Colorado cannot build a competitive future on crumbling roads,” and the 2050 transportation plan must address three critical issues:
• “Equitable funding that reflects lane miles and economic impact, not just population.
• “Inflationary adjustments that ensure revenues keep pace with rising costs.
• “And a clear strategy to close the funding gap that has left Colorado’s rural highways ranked among the worst in the nation.”
The Grand Junction Chamber said it “will continue to advocate for strong, reliable transportation infrastructure because it is the backbone of business,” and it urged CDOT to “take these comments seriously and ensure that the 2050 plan delivers a future where all corners of Colorado can thrive.”
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Summit offers top-tier connections and content for Western Slope businesses
The Spark Leadership Summit, a one-day event designed to ignite growth, leadership and innovation for second-stage companies and growing entrepreneurs, will take place Sept. 24 at Colorado Mesa University.
The summit is a program from C-Suite Initiative, which was founded by business coaches Kristin Donahue and Robert Bever in 2023. It brings world-class thought leaders, masterclass facilitators and growth strategists directly to the Western Slope. Keynote speakers at the event include:
• Carolyn Strauss presenting “Spark your Irresistibility: How to Make Them Lean In, Light Up, and Say Yes.”
• Susan Frew presenting “Compete on Awesome with AI,” discussing how to implement AI tools in your business.
• Carl Lubbe, CEO of the Curiosity Coach, presenting “Curious Conflict,” exploring how to turn conflict into collaboration.
Featured masterclasses include:
• “Outgrow: How to Expand Market Share and Outsell Competition,” by sales growth expert Jennifer Lewis.
• “Executive Presence,” by Hilary Blair, communication expert and executive coach.
• “What Do I Need To Do –Expectation Management,” by Carl Lubbe of the Curiosity Coach.
• “How To Sell Your Business,” with a panel of experts.
• “From Spreadsheets to Strategy: Turning Data into Decisions,” by Kelly Johnston of JFS LLC.
• “Think Wrong to Win More Customers,” by Spencer Ingram of Energize Colorado.
• “Right People, Right Jobs,” by David Reeves of Culture Index.
• Two from Kristin Donahue, certified EOS implementer: “Get a Grip on Your Business – Secrets to Scaling with EOS” and “Make More Money – Master Data to Improve Cash Flow.”
• Two from Robert Bever of RLB Partners: “Autopsy of a Dead Company: Seven Deadly Diseases” and “Customer Experience – Your Competitive Battleground.”
In addition to speaker sessions, Spark Summit offers opportunities for networking, peer-to-peer discussion and
actionable workshops, giving leaders practical tools they can immediately apply to strengthen their companies.
“Running a company can be lonely and overwhelming, said Donahue, co-founder of The C-Suite Initiative. “Owners and leaders want to learn new things and connect with people who feel their pain. So, we created an event, Spark Summit, to provide top-tier content and connection for business owners without the cost or time commitment of traveling to a larger metro area.”
For registration and to view the event’s full agenda, go to: thecsi.biz.
Spark Summit 2025 is made possible thanks to community sponsors, including: Hormone Health and Wellness; CommWest; Shelter Insurance – Kerry Phillips and Carrie Konakis; PBG Advisors; MB Insurance; Hourglass Strategy; and Davis Law Group.
About C-Suite Initiative
The C-Suite Initiative was founded in 2023 by seasoned business coaches Kristin Donahue and Robert “Bob” Bever to elevate leadership excellence across Western Colorado.
Designed to empower CEOs and business leaders, The CSI offers programs –including the Spark Summit – that connect local leaders with world-class practitioners. Through tailored coaching, dynamic events, and a shared vision, The CSI equips business leaders to bridge performance gaps, drive growth and make a positive impact within their organizations and communities.
Carolyn Strauss
Susan Frew
Carl Lubbe
and businesses
workshops, leaders tools they immediately apply strengthen their a be lonely overwhelming, said co-founder of Initiative. leaders learn new connect with feel their created an Summit, top-tier connection owners cost or commitment of a larger registration the event’s go to: Summit possible community including: CommWest; and Carrie Insurance; Law Group.
Initiative founded coaches “Bob” Bever excellence across CEOs and programs –that connect practitioners. dynamic CSI equips performance positive organizations and
Press releases: A classic tool in a modern world
If you run a business on the Western Slope, you probably juggle a dozen ways you try to market your business. But, there’s a quiet powerhouse many overlook: the classic press release.
Lauren Jobe
From a marketing perspective, the press release is one of the most effective ways to earn credible coverage, control your message and create content that works across every channel.
Whether you’re a small business or a large company, knowing how (and when) to use a press release can make the difference between being overlooked and being featured.
So, what is a press release? How do you create one? When and who do you send it to? And, why it matters.
A press release is a short, formal announcement written with the media in mind. Unlike advertising, which is paid for, a press release is “free” or earned media. At its best, it is both informative and newsworthy, written in a way that makes it easy for media outlets to share your message.
So, how do you create one an editor will use? Think like a journalist and structure your release so the most important information arrives first.
Start with a clear, specific headline that tells the story in one line. The first paragraph hits the who, what, when, where and why. Paragraph two gets to the details: the scope; the benefit to customers; and how it fits the local or industry context. Then, include one or two quotes ideally from a company leader. Close with details and next steps, then a short “boilerplate” about your business and your media contact info.
A few quality checks: Keep it concise – one page, written in plain, professional language; avoid hype words; use an active voice; and include a dateline.
When to send it? Not every update deserves a press release. Save them for moments that matter beyond your four walls, such as opening a new location or expanding services, launching a product or rebrand, hosting a community event, welcoming a key hire or strategic partner, earning an award or notable recognition.
If you’re on the fence, ask yourself: Would the average reader care about this? If yes, write the release. If not, it’s probably a social post, blog, or an email newsletter blurb.
Timing helps, too. Midweek mornings often work best. If your news is tied to an event, send an initial “media advisory” five to seven days ahead and the full release with final details 24 to 48 hours before go-time.
Who to send it to? Build a media list that includes local print publications, radio and TV desks, chamber of commerce contacts, city and county PIOs, relevant newsletters, trusted community blogs or podcasts and any industry-specific trade publications.
When you send it, personalize the email, show you know their audience and why your news is important. Use a subject line that states the news plainly, not “Exciting Announcement!!!” Paste the release into the body of the email (attachments can get
filtered), and include links to images and a contact who will actually pick up the phone. Don’t forget to share it with your own audience. Post it on your website, share it in your email newsletter, and adapt it for social media. This multiplies the impact whether or not a newsroom picks it up.
From a marketing lens, a strong release earns you four things at once:
• Credibility – coverage in a trusted outlet like The Business Times carries social proof money can’t buy. It signals you’re real, reliable and worth paying attention to.
• Consistency – the same facts flowing across your own channels, so every audience hears the same message.
• Search Value – when your release appears online with links back to your site, you gain visibility and traffic.
• Relationships – newsrooms remember clear, accurate, community-oriented pitches. Even if today’s story doesn’t run, your next one might.
Details: What’s changing, who it affects, relevant numbers or milestones, local tie-in.
Quotes: One from a leader (why we did this, why it matters).
Call to Action: RSVP link, product page, sign-up info, hours/location. Boilerplate: 3–4 sentences about your company.
Media Contact: Name, title, direct phone, email, website. (If you’re announcing an event, add a short “Media Advisory” section up top with the five essentials: what, who, when, where, and visual opportunities.)
A press release isn’t glamorous, but it is effective. It helps tell your story, invites the community into what you’re building, and gives journalists a ready-to-go foundation for fair coverage. If you treat it as a strategic asset, you’ll get far more value from every milestone: credibility in print; reach online; and a growing list of people who know and trust your brand.
So the next time your business has something worth sharing, don’t just post it on Instagram and hope for the best. Write a press release. Your story deserves to be heard –and the community is listening.
F
Lauren Jobe is a Grand Junction-based marketer with 15-plus years of experience and the owner of Salt N Light Design, a local marketing firm focused on making marketing easy for small businesses. Learn more at saltnlightdesign.com.
Yoga combines peace, power and positivity
Learning to balance life with calmness and positive thinking is what Yoga is all about. Yoga means “to join or yoke together” the body and mind into one experience.
Practicing Yoga dates back more than 5,000 years. It combines three main areas: breathing; exercise; and meditation.
Breathing techniques are taught on the concept that breathing is the source of life in your body.
The exercises in yoga are designed to put pressure on the glandular systems and promote total body health and well-being.
The meditation part is learning how to quiet your mind. This silent time is to help heal from the stresses of life outside. There are more than 100 different schools of Yoga. The most common type and the one that most people associate with is Hatha Yoga. This is an easy-to-learn form of Yoga that combines physical movements and postures with breathing techniques.
Another type is Bikram Yoga that includes muscular strength, endurance, cardiovascular, flexibility and weight loss. This type of Yoga is performed in a 95- to 105-degree environment. This promotes flexibility, detoxification and prevention of injuries. Warm Yoga is a similar type, but in
a warm environment, not so extreme in temperature.
Power Yoga is a practice that combines stretching, strength training and meditative breathing. Many of the poses resemble basic calisthenics, such as push-ups, handstands and side bends. The pace of this type of Yoga is much faster. Each move flows into the next without pausing.
Although there are many more forms of Yoga, these give you an idea of what is available. Many instructors will use different forms of Yoga incorporated into one class.
Yoga can be practiced by most adults with varying degrees of abilities. There are some advanced classes that are not suitable for pregnant women or people with physical limitations from injuries. Always ask your doctor before engaging in an exercise program.
However, there are special classes that incorporate Yoga into a workout with modifications. Do not hesitate to ask questions, and always listen to your own body.
Taking your first Yoga class, you can expect to enter a low-light room with soft music. You should wear comfortable clothing. You don’t need special shoes; most people are barefoot. You will have a mat and props, such as bands, blocks and blankets. Your instructor will tell you how and when you may use these.
At the end of each Yoga class, most teachers bring their hands together in front of the heart, bow their head and say “Namaste,” and the students bring their hands together and respond back. The definition of Namaste is “I
bow to the divine in you.”
The benefits of practicing yoga are numerous. Some benefits include flexibility, strength, posture and breathing. Many people will say they are too old or unfit for Yoga. The truth is you are never too old to improve flexibility. It not only stretches your muscles, but also soft tissues of your body, including ligaments and tendons.
Nearly all of the poses in Yoga build core strength in the abdominal muscles. With this stronger core strength comes better posture. You also become more aware of your posture in daily activities.
Most forms of Yoga concentrate on breathing. Learning to deepen or lengthen your breath will stimulate relaxation. Yoga also has mood and concentration benefits.
If you are already a “yogi,” then you understand all this. If you’re not, hopefully this helped answer some of the questions you may have had about Yoga.
Challenge yourself to try a few classes for a couple weeks and see if you don’t feel what amazing qualities you can attain from this form of exercise.
Namaste F
Paula and Dale Reece own Crossroads Fitness Centers in Grand Junction with a downtown location at 225 N. Fifth St. and north location at 2768 Compass Drive. For more information, call (970) 242-8746 or visit the website crossroadsfitness.com.
Paula Reece
Will Charlie Kirk’s assassination really be the turning point?
Yes, I have to write about it. What happened on September 10th is simply too big to ignore.
But don’t start thinking I have some poignant or uber-intellectual thought to add that is above and beyond. I don’t. Many will use those last two lines as the source of some low-level humor or insult. And those many will come almost exclusively from the left, as they always have historically in my writing career.
Why do I know this? Simple.
It’s because any point I make or fact I state isn’t some original thought (oh, I might regurgitate a pearl here and there), but rather just my take on self-evident, eternal truths spoken by someone greater than me. Charlie Kirk was one such individual. Maybe that’s because of the source of his beliefs came from the greatest individual who ever lived: Our Savior Jesus Christ.
That’s why I know so much of the criticism of this column will come from the left. Because the left has been fighting the teachings of the Bible for as long as I’ve been on the planet, as long as this country has been founded, as long ago as Jesus walked the Earth and from what I can tell, pretty much since God said, “Let there be light.”
They also write to me and leave messages.
Does this mean everyone on the left? Nope. Well, at least not to the extreme the assassin took things as we all saw on September 10. But all too many fight, and hate, and assault, not because someone on the right is attacking them, but rather for how that someone on the right thinks.
No wonder leftists put so much emphasis on changing the meaning of words, convincing themselves they are the victims of verbal attacks. It excuses their reactions. And while the majority of those reactions are simply vulgar or insulting, every so often they end up with kids praying in church being shot, high schoolers hiding in classrooms while their classmates are murdered and now, Charlie Kirk being assassinated while having a debate at an institution of higher learning.
All because of how Charlie thought about some things. I say some, because I think if anyone whoever called Charlie a Fascist or hater or evil ever had the chance to sit down and talk with him across the spectrum, they’d find out he was a lot like they are in so many ways. A husband. A father. Amicable. Funny. Curious. Ambitious. Faithful. Caring. Loving.
I could write an entire column using just single words to describe Charlie and, frankly, none of them would need to be bad.
No wonder the left had to use words it
did to describe Charlie. It was his thought process that offended the left. A kind, compassionate, loving process backed by fact and faith. Of course, Charlie had to be destroyed. And to the left, that means it had to dehumanize Charlie. That’s why they called him by the names they did. It’s why the left insulted him and anyone who joined in his crusade. This tactic to make someone less, or non, human has been in place throughout history. Ask any slave, or serf or conquered people. This is what tyrants do.
Some believe Charlie was assassinated because of the way he thought. I think that’s only partly true. To me, Charlie Kirk was assassinated because of the way the left made too many people think of him. Less than human. Evil. Hateful. Hitler. Stalin. Satan. It always starts as someone who should shunned from participating in civil society. If it’s a business, it’s boycotting. Then it’s confronting. Then destroying. And when none of that works, the next steps only get darker. And sometimes, they get as dark as humankind can be.
Don’t believe me? Try this. Thirty years ago, Donald Trump was highly regarded on the left and in minority communities. And today? The only difference between Trump and Charlie? The gunshot killed Charlie.
And if social media is indeed the mirror image of America today, it appears a lot of folks on the left are just fine with Charlie being eliminated. I shouldn’t have to tell you to take a step back and think about that, but many of you need to hear it.
I must admit I always had trouble watching Charlie’s videos. My reaction was always, “Oh my God, Charlie, why even try? These folks have one goal, to overtalk you, insult you and claim some sort of victory to justify their belief system.” Their truth, if you will. The problem is that their truth has become their identity, their life. Their very existence. And the “debating” with Charlie was a fight for their lives they were convinced Charlie was trying to take.
To a few who’ve been lost, there is sadly only one solution.
Yet Charlie tried to talk to them. Help them see life isn’t in the world. True life is lived outside the world. The world they’ve been absorbed into. The world they need to be freed from.
That’s why Jesus knocks on the door, hoping to be invited to dinner. Just to talk. That’s what Charlie was doing. So yes, you’re right when you say these are the people Jesus would talk to. To be in company with.
The only difference? Jesus isn’t the one whose life would change from the conversation.
In Truth and freedom.
F
Craig Hall is owner and publisher of The Business Times. Reach him at 424-5133 or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com
Letter to the Editor
Understanding leads to reversal of opinion
Dear Editor,
For two years, I taught math and science at East Middle School, and I experienced the school’s closure firsthand alongside our determined, passionate and accomplished staff.
It is vital to share that I signed onto the petition to recall Andrea Haitz from the School District 51 Board of Education in the midst of a confusing and overwhelming 2023. In reflection, my wish is that I reached out to the board directly beforehand: seeking to understand rather than react.
Below is my revelation to the remarkable leadership she and Angela Lema have demonstrated in response to my misplaced expression of frustration. An experience that now compels my wholehearted advocacy for their re-election.
Deeper research and consistent visits with the school board members reveal the challenges our district faced before the 2022-23 school year. Our newly elected board discovered that D51 had critical deadlines for building safety, and our kids were at extreme risk. An issue has been created by years of deferred maintenance, which is further compounded by a lack of funds for staff health insurance. When the largest employer in the valley has that much momentum in the wrong direction, the correct choices are inescapably tough.
Still, all of those facts are hard to contextualize when one finds out in the early spring that your school is closing down, at no fault of those in the building. For us, the closure seemed to contradict all the progress we had made with our students at East Middle School. We were at a loss as to why our school was chosen to be closed.
Reflecting on the spring of 2023, I remember the challenges our incredible staff and community faced. Our students, families and even some teachers remember EMS as their home during their formative middle school years.
To better understand our options as teachers, union members instinctively reached out to the Mesa Valley Education Association for discussion. We teachers felt abandoned when the MVEA locked us out of their building after teachers from across all grade levels arrived in unison to express our lack of clarity and collaboration from them. We all stood outside their windowed doors, in the rain, being fed excuses through a cracked door as to why it was not a good time for them to have a conversation with us.
This avoidance from the MVEA is what highlights my great appreciation for Andrea Haitz and Angela Lema. In contrast to what I saw from MVEA, both of those leaders stood steady in the face of all I shared about where the district fell short.
In an incredible demonstration of steadiness (grace), Andrea remained composed when I informed her of my decision to sign the petition for her recall; she was open and receptive to hearing what I had to say. Andrea and Angela’s reactions were purely collaborative. They listened for hours, asked me questions and compelled me to invite other EMS teachers to share their stories. They were genuine, compassionate and determined.
A testament to their efficacy, at the subsequent board meetings, Andrea and Angela shared my feedback with the district leaders. They created a community review committee that utilizes transparent guidelines to determine which school is selected for closure. Creating a collaborative process is never an easy choice.
So has all the hard work paid off? Are our children in a more sustainable school district?
Yes. Despite extraneous funding challenges, the school board raised starting teacher pay by 33 percent. They also built average salaries up an average of 38 percent, all without raising taxes. Their choice to cut administrative costs was a representative choice, restoring respect to school staff who only saw their jobs being eliminated. Our schools are safer to use and more secure to be in.
This board has accomplished all of its Early Literacy goals. Five of six Colorado Measures of Academic Success categories for reading and mathematics just arrived above the state averages. Our middle school scores are growing. Our high schoolers are growing and even exceeding state averages.
All of this was accomplished with one of the lowest budgets in the district.
The COVID pandemic uncovered an existing nationwide issue: Public schooling is far from what our families deserve. Our Mesa County children still need the strong leadership of Angela and Andrea in order to achieve all that they’re capable of, to keep pushing us forward.
Andrea and Angela are models of determination and progress. It is my honor to both vote and advocate for them.
I implore us all to rise above our laurels and to be vigilant in re-electing them this November.
Eric Gil, Grand Junction Founder/CEO of Strong Branch Learning
SHARE YOUR OPINION
The Business Times welcomes submissions for publication in the opinion section. Email submissions to publisher@thebusinesstimes.com Please include full contact information with submission.
Craig Hall
n Veterans Stand Down & Resource Fair is Sept. 19
The Division of Veterans Affairs’ Western Region One Source is partnering with Veterans of Foreign War and Auxiliary 3981 to host a Stand Down and Resource Fair for military veterans in the Western Region of Colorado on Sept. 19.
The event will run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Western Region One Source, 482 28 Road in Grand Junction. Community support and resources for veterans, service members and their families will be available inside the Western Region One Source.
Seasonal clothing will be available to veterans in need, and snacks will be provided, while quantities last. Hair Cuts will be available and provided by Great Clips, at no cost to veterans as time permits.
n Seriani returns in new role to Christi Reece Group
The Christi Reece Group hired a familiar face, Kerry Seriani, to take on a new role of development and builder coordinator at the real estate agency.
Seriani, a real estate administrative professional with more than six years of experience, left the Christi Reece Group a year-and-ahalf ago to focus on her family, the agency said in a news release. From office management to transaction coordinator, she is known for her attention to detail, organizational skills and client-focused approach. Now, she will have a key role maintaining builder and developer relationships, providing project tracking and internal coordination for all new construction.
“We’re so excited to have Kerry back on the team,” CEO Christi Reece said. “Her experience, thoroughness and knowledge are a huge asset as we focus on new construction in the Grand Valley.”
n VA hospital receives top scores from CMS
VA Western Colorado Health Care System earned a five-star rating as part of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services 2025 hospital quality ratings, according to a news release from the hospital.
CMS’s hospital ratings are based on five categories: mortality; safety of care; readmission; patient experience; and timely and effective care. A higher star rating, out of 5, indicates better performance on these quality measures.
Within the past year, VA Western Colorado Health Care System has instituted a number of improvements to better serve veterans, including:
• Expanding services at Montrose Clinic.
• Extending mobile-medical-unit services to Nucla.
• Launching the Virtual Health Resource Center, which offers training and education on virtual health tools, such as My HealtheVet and VA mobile apps.
“These ratings highlight the excellent care VA Western Colorado Health Care System provides,” said Mathew Tekansik, the hospital’s interim director. “Our job is to continue raising the bar for customer service and convenience throughout the department, so VA Western Colorado Health Care System works better for
the veterans, families, caregivers and survivors we are charged with serving.”
As part of CMS’s 2025 ratings, 77 percent of VA hospitals that received an Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating received 4 or 5 stars, and no VA hospitals received a one-star rating. More than 90 percent of VA hospitals with ratings maintained or improved upon their 2024 star rating.
n Community Impact Council hosts forum Oct. 7
The nonprofit Community Impact Council of Mesa County is hosting a forum, “Community Insights: Building a Resilient Public,” on Oct. 7.
The forum is free and open to the public and will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at The Art Center of Western Colorado, 1803 N. Seventh St. in Grand Junction. Doors open at 5 p.m., and snacks and refreshments will be available for attendees.
A panel of community experts will discuss three major topics: people; learning; and lands. Attendees will hear about key issues facing our region, how cross-sector organizations are responding to rapid change, and what resiliency looks like in practice to build a more responsive and stable community.
Audience members will have the opportunity to ask the panelists questions after their presentations.
Registration is encouraged, but not required, at www. communityimpactcouncil.org/events or by calling 970986-5819.
The Community Impact Council is a coalition of some 80 area nonprofits, municipal agencies, businesses and individuals. Its membership represents a wide range of charitable organizations, including those in human services, animal welfare, the environment and the arts.)
n Hospital begins installing new signage
Intermountain Health St. Mary’s Regional Hospital is installing the hospital’s new logo on the building’s exterior, marking a milestone in its rebranding, the hospital said in a new release.
“When Intermountain Healthcare and SCL Health merged in 2022, we knew it would bring changes to our community,” said Bryan Johnson, president of St. Mary’s and Intermountain Health’s Western Colorado market. “We have seen benefits in the form of shared medical and operational expertise as well as financial investments into the community.”
The hospital’s name changed in 2024 to better reflect St. Mary’s evolving brand and vision for the future of healthcare, the news release said.
“St. Mary’s Regional Hospital represents growth, innovation and a passion for helping people live their healthiest lives,” Johnson said. “What hasn’t changed is the high-quality care and services provided here.”
The new signage displays the Intermountain Health logo in the colors of coral and fuchsia on a dark blue background. Blue represents and honors the health system’s legacy and St. Mary’s nearly 130-year history. Coral and fuchsia reflect the beauty in the natural surroundings of the Mountain West communities that Intermountain serves, which includes Western Colorado.
Standing 12 feet tall and more than 90 feet wide, the signage will be visible from miles away, making it a new
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Email stories and headshots to stories@thebusinesstimes.com or submit a news release online at www.thebusinesstimes.com.
landmark for residents and visitors, the news release said. Because of its size, the signs are made up of individual letters with a painted blue background and will be installed on the north and south sides of St. Mary’s Century Tower.
The hospital is working with Colorado-based Chambler & Sons to complete the installation over the next several weeks, weather dependent.
During the installation, various areas of St. Mary’s campus will be cordoned off for safety. There are no anticipated interruptions to patient care, air ambulance operations or main hospital entrances.
Once this project is complete, St. Mary’s will install a large cross to honor and reaffirm the hospital’s commitment to its Catholic health ministry. The cross is expected to be installed in the coming months.
n 57 nonprofits participating in Grand Valley Gives
The number of Mesa County nonprofit organizations participating in Grand Valley Gives has risen to 57 this year. Grand Valley Gives, which formed in 2012 and began with seven nonprofits, is a collaborative effort of nonprofits working together to increase local awareness of and participation in Colorado Gives Day, which this year takes place Dec. 9. Colorado Gives Day is an annual statewide movement to celebrate and increase philanthropy in Colorado through online giving.
Donations are accepted through Coloradogives.org.
“Grand Valley Gives thrives on the heart and collaboration of more than 55 local nonprofits, each devoted to strengthening life in Mesa County,” said Joy Thompson, founder and president of Grand Valley Gives, which kicked off this year’s campaign with an event on Sept. 15. “Together, these organizations serve every corner of our community, from children and families to the environment, animals and beyond. Your generosity makes it possible. By giving on Colorado Gives Day, December 9th, you’re not just making a donation, you’re fueling hope, resilience, and opportunity for your neighbors right here at home.”
