JANUARY 7 - 14, 2026
VOLUME 33, ISSUE 2
THE DEFINITIVE SOURCE FOR GRAND JUNCTION BUSINESS & COMMUNITY NEWS SINCE 1994
Amendment to city code would save builders time, reduce costs
THEBUSINESSTIMES.COM
Elevating Jiu Jitsu in GJ
Brandon Leuallen
T
The Business Times
he Grand Junction Planning Commission voted Dec. 23 to recommend approval of three zoning and development code amendments, including a proposal to eliminate the city’s mandatory pre-application meeting requirement from the zoning code. City staff framed the preapplication change as a procedural cleanup rather than a substantive change to development standards, saying the amendment would not alter what information applicants must ultimately submit. But it would remove a required step that staff and applicants say has produced inconsistent results and added time and cost to the planning process. Pre-application meetings would become optional, not codified The proposed amendment, filed as ZCA-2025-699, would remove mandatory pre-application meetings added during the city’s 2023 zoningcode update and currently required for major site plans, major subdivisions and planned developments, according to the staff report included in the agenda packet. See story Page 5
Elevate Jiu Jitsu opened its shiny new facility in mid-November and already has plans to expand— See story on Page 2 Axel Geiger, top, trains with his dad, Tanner Geiger, during a class at Elevate Jiu Jitsu Academy, 1027 S. Seventh St., on Dec. 23, 2025. Elevate Jiu Jitsu co-owner Shawn Montgomery said the academy is family friendly, kid friendly and gender friendly. Tanner Geiger also practiced ground fighting that day with Elevate coach Hailee Wemple, and that led Montgomery to say, “That’s so perfect. The little guy training with the female, that’s a good one, right? Because, you know, a lot of people think it’s got to be a dude that’s big and buff and mean.” Instead, jiu jitsu is for anyone who wants its physical and mental health benefits, and Montgomery added, “If you haven’t tried jiu-jitsu, regardless of where you go, you should try it.” Photo by Tim Harty.
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January 7 - 14, 2026
Jiu jitsu gym with elevated amenities Elevate Jiu Jitsu takes down stereotypes with clean, modern facility Tim Harty
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Elevate Jiu Jitsu Academy co-owner and coach Joel Arellano talks to Raef Carter, left, and Tanner Geiger, during a class Arellano led Dec. 23. Behind him is one of the large garage doors that serves as a wall of windows in the building at 1027 S. Seventh St., where the natural light helps provide the bright, white, clean look the owners wanted for the facility. Photo by Tim Harty.
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nter without sunglasses at your own peril. When you step inside Elevate Jiu Jitsu Academy, it’s bright and white with walls of windows welcoming daylight. And it’s oh so clean. That’s intentional. Elevate Jiu Jitsu co-owner Shawn Montgomery knows the stereotype that prevails – no thanks to pretty much every boxing movie ever – when it comes to local gyms for martial arts, boxing, wrestling, etc. They’re in dark, austere, grungy, dirty buildings, like old warehouses. Montgomery and fellow co-owners Joel Arellano and Justin Branch weren’t having any of that. When they leased the space in March at 1027 S. Seventh St, where they opened Elevate Jiu Jitsu Academy on Nov. 15, they knew what they wanted. The walls are primarily white with some gray as a complement. Warehouse garage doors, tall and wide, serve as walls made of glass panels. The floor is light gray. The training area is a nearly 1,000-squarefoot elevated mat system, and it’s white, framed by a gray perimeter. “Most jiu jitsu gyms are kind of like dungeons or, you know, kind of old… We really wanted a modern, super-clean
facility, especially for the Grand Valley,” Montgomery said. “We could have done what a lot of other gyms do and, you know, really focus on just laying some mats down and going, but we really wanted to build something that was more of a studio vibe, just a place that everybody felt welcome.” Montgomery and the other owners and instructors at Elevate Jiu Jitsu have traveled around the nation and the world, and he said they took stock of the things they liked at the places where they trained. They took “little nuggets of things that we saw at those gyms that we liked and kind of envisioned it here as much as possible, and then we put our own little flair on there,” Montgomery said. “The clean, modern facility is set up for that reason, so you can actually tell if this place is dirty.” That’s an important selling point to clients, as Montgomery said he and his business partners and fellow instructors all have experienced the skin infections “that come from just this type of training.” Then, he added, “But it’s avoidable.” Dirt detection begets a cleaning correction. In addition to a bright, clean facility, the owners sank money into other niceties that set Elevate Jiu Jitsu apart from much of the competition. See ELEVATE JIU JITSU on Page 6
MORE ABOUT ELEVATE JIU JITSU Elevate Jiu Jitsu Academy is located at 1027 S. Seventh St. in Grand Junction. For business hours, class schedules, membership rates and more, go online to www.elevatejjacademy.com. If you have questions: n Email hello@elevatejjacademy.com. n Call 970-822-5888. If you want to try a new workout ... The new year is prime time for resolutions, and a whole lot of people resolve to get fit. If that’s you, and you’re willing to consider something different, Elevate Jiu Jitsu Academy co-owner Shawn Montgomery suggests giving jiu jitsu a look. He said it doesn’t even have to be at his academy. Just give jiu jitsu a try. “It is a wonderful workout,” Montgomery said. “It is a phenomenal martial art for self defense. And
the community that you will be a part of is going to change your life in a special way. “It’s just one of those things that you gotta step on the mat and trust that when you do step on the mat that you’re in a safe, supportive, protective – you know all the buzzwords – inclusive environment. Everybody’s welcome.” For those who want to hit stuff The new year is bringing a new, female coach and a striking program to Elevate Jiu Jitsu. Montgomery said she is a former MMA fighter who has been training striking for a long time. He said she approached Elevate Jiu Jitsu recently and asked about offering a striking program during one of the open-mat times. To that, Montgomery responded, “I think it’s a great idea.” He added striking is also interesting, because “the true jujitsu practitioner does not want to be
around the striking.” So, he kept that in mind and said Elevate “compartmentalized our striking program to where that is the only thing taking place in this facility at that time.” Relax, take a seat Montgomery said the nicely furnished seating area at Elevate Jiu Jitsu is not something you’ll find in many gyms, but he views it as essential. “It just invites collaboration,” he said. “We have members that just come here and, you know, drink coffee and watch training. We have members that are remote employees for other corporations and companies, and they’ll come in here and fire up their computer and get some work done before training or after training. “But we just really wanted this modern space for people to be able to just enjoy it.”
January 7 - 14, 2026
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January 7 - 14, 2026
Time to get active in retirement
After 4 decades of selling health insurance, Randy Pifer retires from Active Insurance Solutions Tim Harty
The Business Times
Randy Pifer has had a foot out the door the past few years at Active Insurance Solutions, where he has worked the past 40 years, owning it for the first 39 of those years. Retirement loomed, but each year that he said might be his last passed with him still in his office at 940 Colorado Ave. in downtown Grand Junction, ready for another year of selling health insurance. With the close of 2025, however, the talk turned into a walk. The second foot crossed the threshold. Retirement is officially here for the 68-year-old who spent 41 years overall in insurance. The reason Pifer could bid adieu after 2025 is because he had the successor he required, the person he trusted to continue the good work that Active Insurance Solutions has long offered its customers. Active Insurance Solutions employee CJ Rhyne took ownership on Jan. 1, 2025, and Pifer stuck around for the year to help him transition into the role. Now, Pifer is walking away from what he deems a successful run, and being able to say that is a blessing from God. “God’s kind of been in the forefront of everything for me,” Pifer said. “That’s what’s blessed my business, just having that relationship there and knowing that Randy Pifer, who owned Active Insurance Solutions for 39 of his 40 years there, sits at his desk in his office at 940 Colorado Ave. God’s guiding my path. That was really a on Dec. 30, 2025. He inherited the desk 40 years ago when Dave Glanzman essentially gave him Employee Benefits Consulting, which became Active Insurance Solutions in 2012. Pifer said his office has a credenza, a metal trash can, a tape dispenser, a pencil critical component for me.” Then, he made sure to add his wife sharpener and two file cabinets that Glanzman left for him. “Maybe we had 10 clients at that time,” Pifer said of his start. “That’s of 45 years, Beth, made a lot of things where Employee Benefits Consulting got off the ground.” He also remains friends with Glanzman, who went to Texas and thrived possible. For example, as an accountant, she selling canvas tents. “He moved on to a whole different industry, became a millionaire doing it,” Pifer said. Photo by Tim Harty provided complimentary bookkeeping to MORE ABOUT RANDY PIFER’S RETIREMENT her husband’s business when it desperately needed it. Pifer plans to do more volunteer work, which led him Too much to do to be bored “I credit her for hanging in there, With his retirement from Active Insurance Solutions, to quip, “I’ve never met a food bank that I don’t like.” He particularly in the early years,” Pifer also hopes to help with natural-disaster responses, as he Randy Pifer has free time to fill. said, adding the business then known as The suggestion that some people get bored in re- said, “When I see people out there doing that work, I’m Employee Benefits Consulting Group tirement and go back to work drew a chuckle, and Pifer sitting there thinking, ‘I’m physically fit enough and able “literally started from the carpet up. And responded, “I promised my wife that was not going to bodied enough to go help do that stuff.’” those early years were just terrible.” He sees more trail hiking in his future along with a happen.” Pifer knocked on doors of businesses Instead, he said, “We’re gonna do a whole lot of sport many seniors gravitate toward: pickleball. and individuals, trying to sell them health “I haven’t taken up pickleball yet, but that’s on my traveling and hopefully going around seeing family and insurance. Even during the difficult early friends. ... We have a cabin outside of Montrose, so we’re list of things to do,” Pifer said. “I used to play tennis, so it years, he resisted the temptation to expand can’t be too far out to play pickleball.” going to spend a lot more time down there, for sure.” into other lines of insurance. “I didn’t want to be the jack of all trades and master of none. That was not hired him, it was with the expectation – Pifer laughs about it now, acknowledging it was me,” he said. “I just wanted to be the master of one. ... People that are trying to do it all more of a threat – that Rhyne learn the business and become capable of taking over Active end up, a lot of times, not doing it well. And I just, I never wanted to be that.” Insurance Solutions. He said Beth had a good job, which helped pay the bills at home while Employee “And he has,” Pifer said. Benefits Consulting slowly built a customer base and gradually became more profitable. Throughout the past year Pifer said he has been introducing Rhyne to customers Pifer reiterated, “Those early years were just brutal,” but, “Like I said, God and as the new owner, and he’s been telling those customers, “Look, I would have never family and friends got us through a lot of those early times.” transferred this business over to him if I didn’t trust him explicitly to take care of my Eventually Employee Benefits Consulting established a solid customer base, clients the way I have in the past.” and things got even better around the time Pifer changed the business name to Active Pifer walks away confident Active Insurance Solutions and its customers are in good Insurance Solutions in January 2012. That was in the midst of the Affordable Care Act hands, but it’s still hard to leave a business he said has treated him extremely well. being implemented, and Pifer said it was a boon for his business. He said he’s been receiving well-wishes from customers and colleagues in recent weeks. People who tried to sign up for the Affordable Care Act online would get routed to a local “Oh my gosh, it’s been incredibly humbling,” he said. agency that could help them, an agency like Active Insurance Solutions. As a result, Pifer’s Pifer mentioned hearing from two men who work in agencies that do property and agency added a lot of new customers to the long-term customers that had buoyed his business. casualty insurance, but not health insurance, so they have to refer customers looking for Well, now it’s Rhyne’s business, and Pifer is glad a mutual friend sent Rhyne his way. health insurance to a different agency. Rhyne has worked at Active Insurance Solutions since August 2021, and when Pifer See RETIREMENT on Page 9
Kevin B
January 7 - 14, 2026
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Amendment to city code would save builders time, reduce costs
Continued from Page 1 Staff wrote that while the meetings were intended to improve application completeness and early coordination, city experience and applicant feedback indicate the required meetings “have produced inconsistent results,” and applicants who benefit from the meetings tend to selfKevin Bray select into the process regardless of whether participation is mandatory. Pre-application meetings and general meetings would continue to be offered as optional customer-service tools, either at staff discretion or at an applicant’s request, even though they would no longer be codified in Title 21. Housing Task Force recommendation cited in support The agenda packet includes a formal recommendation from the Housing Affordability Committee Task Force, which advised eliminating mandatory preapplication meetings as a way to reduce cost, delay and uncertainty in the housingdevelopment process. According to the task force’s letter included with the packet, making preapplication meetings optional could save some applicants between $9,000 and $15,000 and reduce timelines by three or more weeks, depending on project complexity. During the meeting, Housing Affordability Task Force co-chairman Kevin Bray told commissioners the group was created through a city-run application process and appointed by Grand Junction City Council to identify targeted regulatory changes that reduce cost and time without compromising safety or core development standards. Bray emphasized the task force is not advocating sweeping deregulation, but focused adjustments intended to remove friction in the housing delivery system. “This is not about removing health and safety standards. We want to build quality housing, and it needs to be safe and functional,” Bray told the planning commission. “Recommendations coming from the Housing Task Force are things that reduce costs, increase supply, improve the process, eliminate unnecessary burdens, establish more predictability or create flexibility in the code.” Bray added the task force’s work is aimed at specific obstacles rather than broad regulatory rollbacks. “These are targeted changes,” he said. “This is not sweeping reform.” Bray also framed the task force’s recommendations within broader affordability trends, pointing to generational shifts in the housing market. “Right now, the average first-time homebuyer age is 40 years old,” he said. “Our average homebuyer age is 62.”
Bray said that gap reflects a structural challenge that did not exist for earlier generations. Local engineer supports reverting to optional process Mark Austin, a civil engineer in Grand Junction who said he has processed applications with the city since 1999, told commissioners he supports removing the mandatory pre-application meeting requirement and returning the process to an optional tool. “I suspect our firm is probably the biggest user of these pre-application processes,” Austin said, adding his experience spans the period when the meetings were optional and the more recent period when they were codified. Austin said once pre-application meetings were incorporated into the zoning code, the process became longer and more rigid, often requiring multiple meetings before applicants could receive project-specific feedback. He described the sequence as time-consuming and “really long and clunky,” and said making the meetings optional allows applicants to move more directly into the application process when early coordination is unnecessary, while still preserving the option for more complex projects that benefit from it. Planner of the Day cited as faster alternative Austin pointed to newer city tools as positive changes that provide early guidance without requiring a formal preapplication meeting. “One of the new changes that the city staff has made is the Planner of the Day, and that’s a pretty convenient process,” he said. “We can just walk up to the counter, talk to the planners, say this is what we need to do, clarify what those checklist items are, and we’re out.” Austin said the walk-in service has helped speed up early coordination, adding, “That’s been a great help to expedite that process.” Before the commission voted to support the changes, staff said preapplication meetings would still be available and promoted through the city’s website, handouts and planner consultations. Additional zoning amendments advanced In a separate action, the commission recommended approval of ZCA-2025-697, an ordinance amending outreach-meeting requirements and accessible-parking standards related to electric-vehicle charging. According to the agenda packet, the outreach amendment would remove the requirement for a neighborhood comment meeting for code text amendments and vacations of easements, while retaining the requirement for vacations of a public rightof-way. Staff wrote that requiring outreach meetings for easement vacations was an unintended error in the last code update and inconsistent with prior city practice. See CITY CODE on Page 8
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Elevate Jiu Jitsu Continued from Page 2 It provides two bathrooms, a couple showers, a changing room and a real rarity: a sauna. “We’ve got a six-person, legit sauna,” Montgomery said. “That’s one of the things that we thought about. So, not only training, but our recovery, we take that very seriously, not only just for the physical recovery, but the mental health recovery that comes with it.” The facility has an area with couches and comfortable chairs right next to the training area for watching others train or just to relax and hang out. Plus, there’s a retail area where members can buy t-shirts, sweatshirts, training gear, supplements, etc. The investment to start Elevate Jiu Jitsu Academy was significant, as Montgomery acknowledged, “We’re definitely in over six figures,” which included the buildout, inventory and mats. He said the mat system alone cost $25,000. Montgomery believes the investment is worth it. He said he, Arellano and Branch “did a lot of market research,” and they “felt cautious but confident” that the Grand Valley wants what they’re offering and will support it. “We believed in the community so much,” Montgomery said. “I mean, of course, we had trepidation going into it, like every business owner, you know? But we believed in the community, and we knew that if we brought a good product to market, that the community was gonna support it, and man, they really have. “We’ve been truly blessed with a great start to this.” Montgomery said a lot of that great start can be credited to another area the owners committed to getting right: the programming. Be it kids programs, women-only programs or the regular jiu jitsu instruction, he said effort and time and care went into the programming and the selection of the coaches for the programs. With nine coaches in place, Montgomery said Elevate Jiu Jitsu is fully staffed. Another factor deserving mention is the location of the academy. Elevate Jiu Jitsu didn’t just settle for whatever it could get. Montgomery said location was important, and 1027 S. Seventh St. is an ideal spot for access and getting noticed. “We’re down here by the Riverside Parkway, and this corridor is growing and building out towards us,” he said. “We’re literally right down here by Las Colonias Park, across the street from Botanical Gardens. The movement of this whole kind of revitalization of this little corridor here is something we were like, ‘This is a great spot.’
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“Also, the other gyms are on the other side of town. They’re in the north area of town, so we knew that if we were more downtown, centrally located, but on some big throughways, that we were gonna be able to take care of the people in the north that wanted to come train here, Clifton, also Orchard Mesa.” People clearly have figured out where Elevate Jiu Jitsu Academy is and what it offers. Speaking to The Business Times on Dec. 23, about five weeks after the academy opened, Montgomery said, “We are over 100 students strong and growing.” The community response exceeded expectations and encouraged the owners to start talking about implementing what they call Phase 2. Montgomery then opened a door at the back of Elevate’s training room and, lo and behold, stepped into a low-lit and dingy warehouse space, a place where it’s easy to visualize Rocky Balboa whaling on a heavy bag. But Phase 2 will sanitize that, all 3,000 square feet. Montgomery said there is a trigger in Elevate Jiu Jitsu’s lease that allows its owners to notify the landlord, Atlasta Solar Center, that they want to move into that space. “We’re already having that conversation between the owners about expansion, because the capacity, especially of our kids programs, they’re getting pretty big already, so we’re reimagining this space,” Montgomery said. The vision calls for half of that space to have locker rooms, a cold plunge, red-light therapy, compression, “all recovery stuff from training and life,” he said. And the other 1,500 square feet? “Just mat space,” Montgomery said, then listed it being populated with equipment such as punching bags, Muay Thai bags, CrossFit-type racks, echo bikes and rowing machines. “Members would literally be able to have a one-stop shop,” he said. “So, they pay a certain amount, they can do jiu jitsu, they can do striking, they can come get their workouts in. “We’ll also have personal trainers here then that will be available. And then afterwards, they have the recovery … a nice, clean, modern, secure spot to change, shower and all of that stuff.” Montgomery reiterated the conversation about Phase 2 has begun, but no timeline has been established. “We’re working on all of that,” he said, “but then trying to figure out, financially, what’s the trigger point for us to launch into here?” F
January 7 - 14, 2026
Elevate Jiu Jitsu Academy co-owners and coaches Joel Arellano, left, and Shawn Montgomery pose for a photo. The other co-owner is Justin Branch, who is the academy’s head instructor. Photo by Tim Harty.
Hailee Wemple, top, trains with Joel Arellano during a Dec. 23 class at Elevate Jiu Jitsu Academy, where both are coaches. Wemple also has a background in Muay Thai, boxing and mixed martial arts. Arellano is a first-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Photo by Tim Harty.
Raef Carter, top, and Tanner Geiger train together during a Dec. 23 class at Elevate Jiu Jitsu Academy. Photo by Tim Harty.
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City Code
Continued from Page 5 The same ordinance includes updates to maintain compliance with Colorado House Bill 24-1173, which requires local governments to adopt or comply with the state’s Electric Vehicle Charging Model Land Use Code. According to the staff report, the amendment clarifies how EV-served parking spaces are counted toward minimum parking requirements, including allowing a vanaccessible EV charging space, when not designated as disabilityreserved parking, to count as two standard automobile spaces. The commission voted unanimously in favor of the changes. Planning commissioner term limits clarified Earlier in the meeting, commissioners also voted to recommend approval of a separate text amendment clarifying planning commissioner term limits, allowing reappointment after one year, instead of four years, following two full terms. According to the agenda packet, while commissioners currently serve four-year terms and are limited to two consecutive terms, the code does not specify when a former commissioner may be eligible for reappointment. Staff said the city has traditionally
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waited at least four years before reappointing former members. The amendment would clarify that a former commissioner may be reappointed after being off the commission for at least one year, while maintaining the two-term consecutive limit. The reason cited for the change is difficulty in recruiting applicants. Commissioner Orin Zyvan said the change was likely necessary due to a lack of applicants, but expressed concern it could be abused in the future. “I guess I hope that we can have more applicants in the future and this is not an issue,” Zyvan said. The commission voted unanimously in favor of the change. Next steps All three recommendations now advance to the City of Grand Junction City Council for public hearings and final consideration. City Council may approve, modify or reject the proposed ordinances, and members of the public may continue to provide feedback by email or through public comment at a regular City Council meeting before a final vote. F
January 7 - 14, 2026
Grand Junction tabs Skeris as next fire chief
The City of Grand Junction has selected Peter Skeris as its next fire chief, concluding a national recruitment process that began this summer. According to a City of Grand Junction announcement issued Dec. 31, Skeris is scheduled to begin his new role Feb. 17, and he brings nearly 30 years of fireservice experience, most recently serving as a deputy chief with the Charlotte Fire Department in Charlotte, N.C. In the same announcement, City Manager Mike Bennet said Skeris emerged as the top candidate during what the city described as a competitive national search, citing his leadership experience and operational background. The appointment follows the retirement of longtime Fire Chief Ken Watkins earlier this year and a period of interim leadership as the city worked to identify a permanent chief, according to the city’s announcement.
CPW to host sportsperson meeting in GJ Colorado Parks and Wildlife will host a Northwest Region sportsperson meeting Jan. 8 in Grand Junction, inviting hunters, anglers and other outdoor-recreation stakeholders to discuss regional wildlife, hunting and fishing issues. According to a Colorado Parks and Wildlife news release, the meeting will run from 6 to 8 p.m. at the CPW Northwest Region Office, Hunter Education Building, 711 Independent Ave., with a virtual participation option available for those who register in advance. CPW said staff will provide updates on hunting and fishing topics affecting the Northwest Region, followed by an open discussion led by members of the Sportsperson’s Roundtable. The agency said the meeting is designed to be driven by sportsperson input rather than a fixed agenda, giving attendees an opportunity to raise concerns and share priorities directly with wildlife managers.
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January 7 - 14, 2026
tion Retirement as ief Continued from Page 4 Pifer said they told him, “We’ve always sent people over to you, and without fail they’ve always come back and said, ‘Oh man, that guy did a really good job for me over there.’ And so that’s always been important to me.” Pifer said many of his clients have become personal friends. So, when he deems his career a success, it’s as much personal as financial, “The insurance business is incredibly personal, and it’s deeply personal to me,” he said. “A lot of the people, I see them on the streets. I’ve been through so many traumatic times with people with cancer issues, heart
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issues, you know, devastating family injuries. And I’m the guy that sold him the policy that’s going to keep him out of bankruptcy. And so it’s always been a big deal to me.” Now, as Pifer looks back at the past 41 years in insurance, he says, “I couldn’t imagine anything better that I could have done with my life. … It’s been a blast. It really has. “And I think – there’s so many of these sayings – the one I always liked, though, is: If you love what you do, you’ll never really work a day in your life. And that’s kind of the way I felt about the insurance business. I’ve loved doing this. It’s been a blessing.”
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Randy Pifer points to a framed display with football cards of Pittsburgh Steelers players from the 1970s, when Pittsburgh’s Steel Curtain defense led the way to four Super Bowl championships in six years. A native of western Pennsylvania, Pifer decorated his office with many other Steelers photos and memorabilia, and he relished being a Steelers fan in Denver Broncos country. Photo by Tim Harty.
MORE ABOUT ACTIVE INSURANCE SOLUTIONS’ NEW OWNER New owner grateful for opportunity CJ Rhyne’s route to owning an insurance agency defies convention. A former general manager at the Golf Club at Redlands Mesa, where he worked for 15 years, Rhyne left there to work at the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce, focused on business retention and expansion. Insurance entered the picture unexpectedly via a mutual friend of Rhyne and Pifer, and it led to Rhyne joining Active Insurance Solutions in August 2021. There, Pifer immediately put Rhyne on the path to ownership, and Rhyne met the challenge. He said he signed the papers to purchase Active Insurance Solutions on Christmas Eve 2024, and he assumed ownership on
Jan. 1, 2025. A year later, Rhyne expressed gratitude to Pifer, who stayed with Active Insurance Solutions until the end of 2025 to help Rhyne with the transition. “I think that’s very rare for two guys that haven’t known each other previously to work together for two or three years and then have this relationship where he trusts me enough to take over the company,” Rhyne said. “I just know that I’m never gonna forget that. “I just can’t reiterate enough how important it was for me to meet someone like Randy and to mutually trust each other to the level that we have in the amount of time that it’s been, because that doesn’t happen.”
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January 7 - 14, 2026
District 51 outlines SEL goals, invites community input Brandon Leuallen The Business Times
As Mesa County Valley School District 51 prepares to consider new Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum resources, district officials are encouraging parents and community members to review the materials and provide feedback through an upcoming curriculum open house. District 51 has scheduled public sessions on Jan. 7 and Jan. 8 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. in the Harry Butler Board Room at R-5 High School. According to district communications, the open house is intended to give community members a chance to examine recommended SEL resources for elementary and secondary students, ask questions of staff and share feedback before any final adoption decision is made. The invitation follows the completion of an evaluation
process conducted by District 51’s Social Emotional Learning Resource Selection Team, which reviewed multiple instructional options and identified recommended resources for potential districtwide use. How District 51 defines, communicates SEL District 51 maintains a dedicated Social Emotional Learning page on its website describing SEL as instruction focused on skills such as self awareness, self management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision making. The district aligns its definition with nationally recognized SEL frameworks and emphasizes connections between these skills and academic success, workforce readiness and long-term life outcomes. According to the page, SEL instruction is intended to support students’ ability to manage emotions, build healthy relationships and make constructive choices, alongside traditional academic learning. District communications
describe SEL as “explicit instruction of skills that are crucial for success in life and career.” National debates over SEL and local control National debate over Social Emotional Learning has intensified in recent years, with federal actions and parent advocacy groups having sharply different interpretations of what SEL represents and how it should be used in schools. A March Education Week article reported that recent U.S. Department of Education guidance, warning that SEL could be used to “veil discriminatory policies,” has drawn criticism from SEL proponents while energizing opponents. Lakeisha Steele, vice president of policy for the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL), told Education Week the federal government was “misusing the Office for Civil Rights to violate state and local control and to mislead the public about social and emotional learning.” At the same time, Tina Descovich, cofounder and executive director of Moms for Liberty, said she hopes the guidance will result in the removal of SEL from schools, arguing that while “all parents want children to be able to regulate their emotions,” she is concerned SEL encourages an equity lens that she believes ties the practice to critical race theory and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Contrasting views nationally underscore why local community input is more important than ever with curriculum decisions ultimately resting at the district level. F
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January 7 - 14, 2026
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January 7 - 14, 2026
January 7 - 14, 2026
The Business Times
I always wanted some national recognition. Just had to sort through death threats to find it. For the past 25 years I’ve had folks (usually on the left) tell me one of these days you’re gonna get threats for what you write. And before anyone celebrates (which is its own problem) on either side, please note what I woke up to New Year’s Day was ALL coming from the right side of our increasingly messed-up political spectrum. Craig Hall It all started with a column I wrote several weeks back about Mesa County’s most famous “political prisoner”, Tina Peters, and an intellectually lazy, right-wing pundit who decided to attack me personally by the name of Joe Hoft. Joe Who? Never heard of the guy. Let’s just say after reading his defense of Tina while coming after me (along with many of his “fan base,” hence all the threats), I’ve found him to be a much less than average Joe even though his Amazon page describes him thusly: “Joe Hoft is world-renowned for his important interviews with the most important figures of the day and his earth-shattering reporting backed by his knowledge gained from years of study, hard work and experience.” For the record Joe, my inference about you being less than average is not an insult, it’s simply making a comparison about what you wrote versus what your Amazon page says about you, although my instinct says you wrote that tripe, not Amazon. To digress for those of you interested, you can find Joe’s handiwork at joehoft. com. Look for the picture of Tina you may not recognize because she isn’t wearing prison garb along with this headline: Publisher at Tiny Colorado Website Labels Tina Peters a “Criminal” and “Political Penitentiary Populator, Peters the Great.” Note here, that’s about all Joe’s “earth shattering reporting backed by his knowledge gained from years of study, hard work and experience” got correct. Yes Joe, I did call Tina a criminal. That’s what one calls someone who’s been convicted in a court of law for crimes committed, a criminal. Folks who’ve committed crimes have no problem with the label. As for the alliteration and Russian emperor play on words, those were just for fun. After all, doesn’t your idol, who is pushing the false Tina narrative you so blindly follow, like to use funny nicknames and play creatively with words? I would have thought you’d find those amusing. Boy was I wrong. Just as you are. Let me help since your “earth shattering” efforts seem to be lacking here. Your idol is President Donald Trump who is pushing a narrative on Tina – to what ends I cannot decipher, because I can’t get my head around the cognitive dissonance required to understand it.
First off, Tina is NOT in a maximumsecurity prison. Secondly, Tina is not in jail for proving election fraud or for simply “preserving” election records as required by federal law. Finally, even the most ardent supporters of Tina in our “tiny” end of Western Colorado understand what Tina was convicted of, which were the actions and crimes she committed. Here’s where you are wrong when it comes to who I am. You open with this doozy: “Many liberals believe anything pushed to them by the corrupt mainstream media (MSM). They eventually reach a point where logic and facts hold no meaning. Their emotions at that point take over, and they become angry and belligerent when faced with the facts. They no longer search for the facts because it hurts their egos too much, forgetting that the truth will set them free. These people can not come to grips with the fact that the MSM is lying to them. This appears to be the case for a local writer of a small publication in Colorado, where Tina Peters lived. Craig Hall wrote an opinion piece in his small publication, and his ignorance of the facts is apparent as he rips Tina Peters, labeling her a “criminal” and “Political Penitentiary Populator, Peters the Great.” After years of believing the MSM lies, Hall himself has become a mouthpiece and parrot for the MSM. His recent opinion piece proves it. This shows how powerful the MSM propaganda machine has become, where a small percentage of Americans still believe everything the MSM pushes at them. This also highlights the danger of having media that can be easily manipulated and exploited to spread lies for small amounts of money.” Now as a “world renowned, earthshattering” reporter, you know none of what you wrote in that load of bull-pucky was true – unless you are referring to your followers. Fact is, you did no “earth-shattering” investigating and just wanted to bully someone to make you feel better. I defy you, talk to ANYONE, left or right, who has read my columns over the past 25 years who would describe me as a liberal or part of the MSM. You’d have as difficult a time finding that as Tina did finding election fraud in Mesa County. None of it exists. I’ll skip over the whole “paid off” reference. What does exist are the myriad, vile, angry, profane and vicious threats on my cell phone, work phone, email and website (and YOUR website) from your minions. Yes Joe, even death threats and threats against my children. All because I disagreed with you on “proof” regarding Tina Peters. The only thing you proved is you and your followers can be just as evil as those you vilify. How proud you must be being “world renowned” for that. In Truth and freedom. F Craig Hall is owner and publisher of The Business Times. Reach him at 424-5133 or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com
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Choose harmony: A better way to lead, work and live
As we move into 2026, it’s worth rethinking a phrase we’ve all heard but rarely examine deeply: work/life balance. I prefer a more accurate and intentional framing: life/work harmony. Life first, because without your life there is no business. Harmony, because the goal isn’t to split time evenly, but to create a rhythm where the Marcus Straub different parts of your life support one another rather than compete. Running a business demands enormous amounts of time, energy and emotional bandwidth. There is always something to fix, improve or chase. In that constant motion it becomes dangerously easy for business owners to sacrifice the very things that make life meaningful. Most don’t consciously choose to give up their personal lives; they simply drift into patterns where work expands to fill every available space. Before long, the business becomes the center of gravity, and everything else is forced to orbit around it. But your business is only one dimension of your life. You also have relationships that need nurturing, a body that needs care, passions that bring you joy, and interests that remind you who you are outside of your role as an owner or leader. When these parts of your life are neglected, your well-being erodes. Happiness fades. And ironically, the business you’re sacrificing everything for begins to suffer as well. There is no reward for working yourself into the ground. Exhaustion doesn’t make you a better leader; it makes you a diminished one. When you’re fatigued, you lose clarity, creativity and composure. You become reactive instead of intentional. You push instead of inspire. You survive instead of thrive. Conversely, when harmony exists between your life and your business, everyone benefits: your team; your customers; your family; and most importantly, you. A business owner who is rested, grounded and fulfilled is far more capable of building a thriving company than one who is running on fumes. Financial success loses its meaning when it comes at the cost of what matters most. You can’t rewind time and relive your children’s early years. You can’t undo the damage caused by neglecting your marriage. You can’t always restore your health once it’s been compromised. The price of imbalance is steep, and it’s paid in moments you can never get back. The encouraging truth is that creating harmony doesn’t just improve your life, it strengthens your business. When you invest in self care and engage in the parts of your life that energize you, you return to
your work with more capacity. You think more clearly. You solve problems more creatively. You lead with more patience and presence. You expand your own potential, and in doing so, you expand the potential of your business. When you are in harmony, you treat people better. Your perspective widens. Your attitude softens. Your patience grows. You become someone others want to follow, work with and support. And because people tend to mirror the energy they receive, your relationships, both personal and professional, improve naturally. Harmony is built through small, intentional choices. When you go on vacation with your partner or take your kids skiing, be fully present. When you attend a family gathering, meet a friend for coffee, ride your bike, read in the hammock or take a swim, let yourself enjoy the moment without mentally drifting back to your inbox. Presence is a gift, and it’s one only you can give. It’s tempting to believe you can blend work and life seamlessly, that you can answer emails on the beach or take calls during family time without consequence. But divided attention divides the quality of both experiences. A working vacation is not a vacation; it’s simply working in a different location. One part of your life will always suffer when you try to live in two places at once. The real secret is learning to step away. Turn off your phone. Close the laptop. Leave your business concerns at the office door. You can disconnect far more than you currently believe. And when you do, the moments of your life become richer, more meaningful and more memorable for you and for the people who share them with you. As a business owner, you are the foundation of your enterprise. When you are energized, inspired and balanced, your company becomes stronger. When you live with the intention of creating harmony among the different parts of your life, you don’t just build a successful business, you build a fulfilling life. Let 2026 be the year you choose harmony. The year you lead from a place of wholeness. The year you stop sacrificing what matters most and start living, and working, in a way that allows you to thrive. F Marcus Straub owns Life is Great Coaching in Grand Junction. 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.
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The Business Times
January 7 - 14, 2026
Prevention is key for workforce during flu uptick in Mesa County
Flu activity is rising in Mesa County, with a sharp increase in hospitalizations and outbreaks that could impact workplaces to start the new year. From Oct. 1 until the time this column was written on Dec. 31, there have been 73 flu-related hospitalizations, and 71 of these hospitalizations occurred since the beginning of December. “We have seen a substantial jump in flu hospitalizations recently,” said Kathleen Satterfield, epidemiologist supervisor at Mesa County Public Health. “With more gatherings and travel during the holidays, businesses may see increased absenteeism. Taking preventive steps can help protect employees, maintain operations and reduce the Sarah Gray now spread of illness, especially among workers who may be at higher risk, such as older adults and those with weakened immune systems.” Mesa County Public Health’s Disease Surveillance Team monitors flu-related hospitalizations to understand illness severity and potential strain on the community. Mesa County Public Health has also investigated 12 respiratory illness outbreaks since Dec. 9, compared to none at this time last year. Many of these outbreaks have occurred in congregate settings, where people spend extended time together in close proximity, highlighting the importance of prevention measures in shared environments. Employees should monitor for flu symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat,
fatigue, body aches and headache. We encourage everyone to seek testing or medical guidance from your doctor if symptoms develop. It is not too late to get vaccinated. The flu vaccine is safe and effective, and it takes about two weeks after vaccination for immunity to develop. Annual vaccination helps protect against the most current strains of the virus and can reduce the severity of illness if infection occurs. The Mesa County Public Health Clinic offers flu vaccines for insured and uninsured patients, including high-dose influenza vaccine for adults 65 and older and standard influenza vaccine for anyone six months and older. Call 970-248-6906 to schedule an appointment. Mesa County Public Health encourages employers to support other prevention efforts by reinforcing stay-home-when-sick policies and encouraging good hygiene practices in the workplace. Simple actions such as frequent handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes and regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces with bleach-based products can significantly reduce transmission. These steps not only help maintain a healthy workforce, but also protect the most vulnerable members of our community, including older adults, young children and those with weakened immune systems. 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.
January 7 - 14, 2026
The Business Times
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The Business Times
January 7 - 14, 2026