SEPTEMBER 23 - 30, 2026
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Jon Carmichael to give keynote at Business Incubator event
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on Carmichael, a world-renowned astrophotographer, entrepreneur, storyteller and speaker, will be the keynote speaker for the Business Incubator Center’s inaugural Entrepreneur Exchange 2026 | EN/ EX26, launching during the incubator’s 40th anniversary year. Entrepreneur Exchange 2026 | EN/EX26, pronounced “En-Ex,” will take place Friday, Oct. 16, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Grand Junction Convention Center. The Business Incubator Center said in a news release that the event will bring together entrepreneurs, business leaders, innovators, partners, alumni, sponsors and community champions for an afternoon of inspiration, recognition, thought leadership and meaningful connection. Created as the Business Incubator Center’s annual forum for entrepreneurship, EN/EX26 is an exchange of ideas, leadership, innovation, and vision for the future of Western Colorado. The event will feature Carmichael’s keynote address, a plated luncheon and the Outstanding Entrepreneur Awards. Carmichael is celebrated for capturing the 2017 Great American Eclipse from an airplane at 39,000 feet after years of meticulous planning. See story Page 8
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Grand Junction feeling Fuzzy for tacos
Fuzzy’s Taco Shop owner says restaurant chain has a cult following in Colorado for its tacos and margaritas — See Page 2 Customers are lined up outside Fuzzy’s Taco Shop at 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 14, a half hour after the restaurant opened for the first time and rewarded its first 50 customers with free tacos for a year. Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, a national chain that opened its first restaurant in Forth Worth, Texas, in 2003, was acquired in December 2022 by Dine Brands, which also owns the Applebee’s and IHOP restaurant chains. Fuzzy’s Taco Shop now has more than 100 locations across the nation, including 16 currently listed in Colorado. Photo by Jackie Young.
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Wait is over for Fuzzy’s fulfillment Fuzzy’s Taco Shop finally opens with fresh, made-to-order menu and lots of Fuzzy’s Dust Tim Harty
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ohn Cassity said 15 to 20 people camped overnight to guarantee they would be among the first 50 customers when Fuzzy’s Taco Shop opened its doors for the first time in Grand Junction at 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 14. Earning that designation came with free tacos for a year (two free tacos per week for 52 weeks). Cassity said others started joining the campers at 2480 U.S. Highway 6&50 in the Grand Mesa Center around 4:30 that morning, and the last of the Fuzzy’s fans to make the First 50 got in line around 6:30 a.m. Cassity understands their devotion. It’s why the veteran restaurateur – he owns several Einstein Bros. Bagels restaurants, including the one in Grand Junction, and several Subway sandwich shops along Interstate 70 in Colorado – decided to open Fuzzy’s Tacos in the Grand Valley. He encountered Fuzzy’s Taco Shop on the Front Range, loved it and figured the Texas-based chain restaurant would thrive on the other side of the mountains. What he didn’t anticipate was what he’d have to endure to make that happen. Those customers who waited in line to be the first in Cassity’s Fuzzy’s location? That wasn’t waiting. Try waiting nearly four years. Cassity intended to open Fuzzy’s in the second half of 2022 or early 2023. Nation’s Restaurant News reported on June 7, 2022, that Fuzzy’s Taco Shop announced a four-store agreement with Cassity to expand the brand into Colorado and Utah, with the first two slated for Grand Junction and St. George, Utah. Instead, a lot of unforeseen delays made Cassity wait until the waning days of summer 2026 to finally open his first Fuzzy’s location in Grand Junction. Cassity chose not to detail all of the obstacles beyond a general acknowledgement that issues with zoning, planning, permitting, building codes and city requirements upended the first location he sought for Fuzzy’s. Then, after getting the 2480 U.S. 6&50 location in December 2025, a few more hurdles extended the opening well past Cassity’s desired opening date. “It’s been a long time coming,” he said. “We have still had a lot of different hiccups, and I’m a man of faith, so this has been a test and a trial, for sure, with patience to get where we are. Just, it’s a miracle to get it open.” He added, “I’m blessed that we are still here, still moving forward, still have the ability to open this up. And I think the community is gonna receive us well.” Now that the wait is over, the Grand Valley can find out what Fuzzy’s Taco Shop is all about. Cassity said that’s flavorful, craveable and affordable tacos, margaritas, a family focus and sports. “You know, Fuzzy’s taco shop is a different concept than your normal Mexican taco establishments in town,” he said. “It is very unique flavor profiles with a patented Fuzzy’s Dust that gives us a very unique, craveable flavor. “And we have a very affordable entry point to tacos. We also have taco plates, Mexican plates, burritos and other Mexican dish offerings. And we carry a full bar, so this allows us to complement a variety of pairings and proteins in our tacos, in our Mexican plates, with a full bar of different beer, wine, liquor, spirits.” See FUZZY’S TACO SHOP on Page 6
ABOVE — Fuzzy’s Taco Shop owner John Cassity stands in front of the bar area on Sept. 16, the third day of the restaurant being open at 2480 U.S. Highway 6&50. His T-shirt includes one of the restaurant chain’s taglines: Building Badassery. Fuzzy’s Taco Shops also do a lot of marketing with “Good Vibes” in their message, such as: “Good Vibes. Stellar Food. Badass People. Fuzzy’s is proud to be a place where people bring their dogs, party on our patios and feel the good vibes every time they walk in.” Cassity said, “The fun, good vibes, that’s our brand, and it has been, and it’s grown to a cult following because of that.” BELOW — Fuzzy’s Taco Shop restaurant manager Jeremy Tuck, left, and line cook Gabe Madrid, center, at the kitchen’s production line. Photos by Tim Harty.
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Need for welders bonds RK Steel with CMU Tech Tim Harty
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Shane Barber knows how hard it is to find welders to hire, because it’s his job to scout and hire them for Denver-based RK Steel, a fast-growing company that does three things: modularized construction; building erection; and manufacturing multi-trade racks. “I’m hiring welders all across the U.S., and so I’ve been scouting. I hired 100 last year, 120 this year. Next year, I’m sure I’ll need another 150,” Barber said. There is, however, a rather monumental obstacle to overcome in supplying RK Steel with welders. It isn’t the only company who wants them, and Barber said the top three jobs in the United States for scarcity of labor includes – you guessed it – welders. So, Barber goes to trade schools looking to establish partnerships with them in hopes a pipeline of welders can be established. That’s what brought him to Grand Junction, specifically Colorado Mesa University Tech, on Sept. 15. CMU Tech has a welding program that produces people who will one day be seeking jobs as welders. RK Steel has a seemingly never-ending need for welders. And now the school and the company have a partnership that stands to benefit each greatly, which CMU President John Marshall and Barber announced that day during an event on the CMU Tech campus. CMU Tech has many existing partnerships, most of them local, so another industry partnership is nothing new. But it is a noteworthy addition that Marshall feels good about “because RK is a big outfit, and they’ve got a lot of divisions that potentially map to our programs.” He added, “The hope is that this pilot grows into electricians and plumbers and HVAC mechanical, and that as we continue to grow our footprint, every single student that comes through the door has an opportunity for an apprenticeship, an internship, and ultimately a great job that they can support a family, and they can build a career around.” Partnering with RK Steel also serves as a recruiting tool, as the likelihood of a job post-graduation is a powerful reason to choose CMU Tech’s welding program. Barber said he approached CMU Tech about a partnership for welding, like he has done with many other trade schools in Colorado. But he got a much warmer reception from CMU Tech and appreciated its enthusiasm and willingness to tailor some of the welding curriculum to directly correlate with the type of welding RK Steel needs. That was refreshing, because Barber said some of the other schools he approached wanted nothing to do with accommodating RK Steel’s needs in its curriculum.
CMU Tech alum Crimson Moriarity is shown doing shielded metal arc welding (stick welding) on a welding test coupon that would be cut and bent to inspect for surface or procedural issues. Photo courtesy of CMU Tech. He said some of those programs produce graduates who “don’t know how to read a weld symbol. They’ve never run on the equipment we run. They don’t get trained on the processes that we run, and they were very rigid.” So, Barber said he offers them: “Hey, let us help adapt that curriculum.” And he gets a response of: “No, we’re fine. We know what we’re doing here.” Barber added, “And most of the welding, tech schools are marketing towards pipeline, oil, very different culture, not one that works in a manufacturing facility. And so I wanted to find a school that would allow us to reach in, partner, build that curriculum.” That’s CMU Tech. See CMU TECH on Page 15
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The Business Times
Parade of Homes showcases local craftsmanship, supports small businesses
The 2026 Grand Junction Parade of Homes will give residents two weekends to tour new homes while supporting an event that reaches well beyond the builders whose names appear on the projects. The Parade will run Sept. 25 through 27 and Oct. 2 through 4. Homes will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. The annual event allows visitors to see new homes, emerging design trends and the work of local builders. It also showcases the larger network of subcontractors, suppliers, artists and other small businesses involved in completing and furnishing each home. The Parade is the Housing and Building Association of Western Colorado’s largest annual fundraiser. Proceeds help the association advocate for housing policies and operate programs throughout the year, including its Careers in Construction program for area high school students. The program connects students with hands-on construction training, industryrecognized certifications and opportunities to learn about careers in the skilled trades. It also helps connect students with local employers for jobs and internships, strengthening the future construction workforce. Dahl Built Homes is among the local companies participating in this year’s Parade. Greg Dahl said the company has one home in the event, located in Independence Estates in the Redlands. Dahl estimated this will be the company’s sixth year participating. The approximately 2,362-square-foot, ranch-style home has four bedrooms, three bathrooms and a three-car garage. Dahl described its design as rustic modern or mountain modern. The home also features distinctive tile and cabinetry, a fully landscaped yard and an outdoor fireplace. Dahl said accessibility was considered in the home’s design, including smooth
transitions through the house and shower features intended to make the home easier to navigate for older residents and people with mobility limitations. The house also demonstrates how Parade projects can provide exposure for businesses and professionals outside the construction industry. Dahl Built Homes partnered with Grand Junction artist John Lintott to display his Western landscape artwork throughout the home. A local furniture company also provided the dining room table. The partnerships allow the house to showcase the work of other Grand Valley businesses alongside the builders and subcontractors involved in its construction. Dahl Built Homes is currently operated by Greg and his wife, Jenna. Greg manages construction and scheduling, while Jenna handles much of the design and accounting. The company hires subcontractors to complete much of the work, supporting other local companies that employ workers throughout the valley. The Parade also gives builders an opportunity to meet prospective customers, and Dahl said participation is about more than marketing an individual company. It is an opportunity to support the HBA and the organization’s work on behalf of the broader building community. “Yes, it’s marketing for us, but it’s a good opportunity for the community to see some cool homes with a great organization,” Dahl said. Tickets cost $20 per person and are valid for both weekends. Children age 4 and older must have a ticket, and children must remain under parental supervision. Tickets are available online at GJParade.com and at the three Grand Junction Safeway stores at 2512 Broadway, 681 Horizon Drive and 2901 F Road. Online ticket buyers can bring their electronic ticket to any Parade home to receive the event magazine, map and ticket lanyard. F
Colorado authors featured at Applefest Eleven Colorado authors, representing a variety of genres, will be on hand to autograph and sell their books during this year’s annual Applefest celebration. A Local Author’s Book Sale will take place indoors at the Grand Mesa Arts & Events Center’s Bank of Colorado Theatre on Oct. 3-4, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Featured in the book sale will be Shawnee Barnes, D.P. Benjamin, Joseph Colwell, Laura Padgett, David Rasmussen, Katherine Sparacino, PK Stuart, Denise Theobald, Barbara Torke, Sierra Williams Rhode and Wayne Wolf. Featured titles include: “Through the Keyhole” by Shawnee Barnes; “The Park Bench at the Edge of the World” by D.P. Benjamin; “Flight of the Raven” by Joseph Colwell; “Jesus in Shorts” by Laura Padgett; “The Man Who Moiled for Gold”
by David Rasmussen; “Where Horses Run Free” by Katherine Sparacino; “Inside the Tree Line” by PK Stuart; “Toliver in Time for a Journey West,” illustrated by Denise Theobald and written by Connie Hein; “Hiking the Grand Mesa: A Clementine the Rescue Dog Story,” illustrated by Barbara Torke and written by Kyle Torke; “Connecting the Divine Dots” by Sierra Williams Rhode; and “Make America Civil Again” by Wayne Wolf. For readers unable to attend the Applefest gathering, the books are available in a variety of formats online at the Amazon and Barnes & Noble marketplaces. Some books are also on the shelves at the Grand Junction Barnes & Noble Bookstore, Cedaredge Foodtown, and Whispering Willow Bookstore in Delta. F
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Fuzzy’s Taco Shop
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Continued from Page 2 While Fuzzy’s Taco shop also serves quesadillas, enchiladas and burritos, and “everything is made fresh,” Cassity said, “You’d be remiss if you didn’t really pan in on the tacos and find one that’s your personal favorite.” For the atmosphere, he spoke about creating a big, family atmosphere, fun for all types of demographics, welcoming the various youth sports teams after their games, and, of course, their parents. And the televisions scattered around the restaurant will be showing sporting events. Now that the National Football League’s latest season has begun, Cassity made it a point to say Fuzzy’s has NFL Forget Taco Tuesday; this sign on the wall at Fuzzy’s Taco Shop says, “Every Day Sunday Ticket, something Is Taco Day.” Dine Brands, which owns the restaurant chain as well as Applebee’s that has disappeared from and IHOP, says on its website that Fuzzy’s Taco Shop sells 17.5 million tacos, 2.6 some restaurants and bars, million cups of queso and 375,000-plus margaritas annually. Photo by Tim Harty. Of course, there are tacos on the menu that cost because the cost increased more than $3.49, but he emphasized there will be “plenty substantially this year. More succinctly, Cassity said what Fuzzy’s Taco Shops of protein and not overfilling with stuffing, but just the across the nation are going for is “good vibes, good tacos.” quality ingredients.” And the freshness is real. They’re also going for affordability, as Cassity said, “Everything is freshly made to order. Everything is “You’re gonna be able to eat multiple tacos without breaking your bank. You can buy three, four tacos – I cooked the same day,” Cassity said. “Nothing’s pre-made or sitting in a warmer.” mean, they’re starting at $3.49 a taco.”
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More About Fuzzy’s Taco Shop Defying the doubters Fuzzy’s Taco Shop is leasing its location at 2480 U.S. Highway 6&50, which previously was home to Italian restaurant Johnny Carino’s and Asian restaurant 476 Food District. Fuzzy’s Taco Shop owner John Cassity is aware that those restaurants came and went, and if he didn’t know, some people are happy to remind him. “A lot of people have said, ‘Nothing’s worked over there.’ Well, they were all startup concepts, first-time restaurateurs, and they got into an excessively high rent in this building. I didn’t,” he said. “They just didn’t know what they were doing.” What is Fuzzy’s Dust? Cassity said Fuzzy’s Dust gets sprinkled on darn near everything – tacos, burritos, quesadillas, chips, queso, guacamole, etc. – at Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, because it’s so darn craveable. “And when I say crave,” he said, “it’s just addictive, you know?” Why is that? Cassity had to be careful answering the question. “I can’t give out the exact ingredients,” he said. “It’s just a unique Mexican/Southwest flavor. Southwest is more indicative to what we have.” He compared it to another spice for its versatility (not its taste), saying, “Think of Tajin, how Tajin is used in so many applications, right? It’s really that kind of an applicator to accentuate other flavor profiles and food to kind of expand them. “So, Fuzzy’s Dust is unique. And we sell it. That’s how good it is, the fact that we even will market it and sell it as a seasoning to take home, right?”
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Continued from Page 1 His bio describes the story behind the photograph as one of audacity, obstacles and aiming higher. Through his keynotes, Carmichael shares messages of vision, grit,
Jon Carmichael
SePtember 23 - 30, 2026 bold thinking, resilience and navigating uncertainty. His storytelling encourages audiences to push past perceived limitations, take risks, and turn obstacles into stepping-stones for success. “For 40 years, the Business Incubator Center has been rooted in the people who build here,” said Dalida Sassoon Bollig, CEO of the Business Incubator Center. “EN/EX26 gives us an annual stage to celebrate the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping Western Colorado’s future. Jon’s story speaks directly to the courage and resilience it takes to build something that lasts.” The event will also recognize outstanding entrepreneurs and community leaders through the Outstanding Entrepreneur Awards, honoring individuals whose leadership, innovation, resilience and impact are helping shape the future of the regional economy.
About Entrepreneur Exchange 2026 | EN/EX26 Date and time: Friday, Oct. 16, 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Location: Grand Junction Convention Center, 159 Main St. Seats are limited. Registration, sponsorship information and award nomination details are available at: enex.gjincubator.org. About Jon Carmichael Jon Carmichael is a world-renowned astrophotographer, entrepreneur, storyteller and keynote speaker who is known for his extraordinary image of the 2017
Great American Eclipse, captured from an airplane at 39,000 feet after years of planning. His work has been featured by national media outlets including Good Morning America, The Wall Street Journal, INC Magazine, USA Today, and Times Square. Through stunning visuals and compelling storytelling, Carmichael helps audiences reimagine what is possible, push past perceived limitations and approach challenges with vision, grit, creativity and purpose.
Criminal Justice Services seeks job applicants Mesa County Criminal Justice Services encourages community members with diverse backgrounds to apply for fulltime and part-time jobs in its department. According to a Mesa County news release, the county’s Criminal Justice officers are from all walks of life, many with no law-enforcement background, but they all share the desire to make a difference in people’s lives. “If you care about people, value service, and want to make a lasting impact every single day, we want you on our team,” Criminal Justice Services Director Michelle Cooley said. “We provide the training, the tools and the support. All you need to bring is your commitment.” Criminal Justice Services operates the Community Corrections program in
Mesa County. It’s a sentencing alternative that keeps individuals connected to local support rather than sending them to prison. Residents live on site at a building in Grand Junction while receiving tailored support designed to help them successfully rebuild their lives, whether they are sentenced directly to the program or are transitioning out of prison at the end of their sentence. Community Corrections provides a range of services, from practical life skills like job hunting and budgeting, to therapeutic treatment delivered directly on-site or through trusted local community partners. If you’re interested in a Criminal Justice Officer position, or other jobs at Mesa County, find more information on the careers page at www.mesacounty.us.
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Intermountain Health opens physical-therapy clinic Sept. 28 Intermountain Health Rehab Services Manager Tom O’Donnell, right, demonstrates how new equipment will be used with St. Mary’s Regional Hospital Chief Medical Officer Michele Arnold posing as a patient. Photo courtesy of Intermountain Health.
The new Intermountain Health Matchett Park Clinic will open Sept. 28, expanding access to physical therapy, rehabilitation and wellness services on the Western Slope. Matchett Park Clinic is located inside the new Grand Junction Community Recreation Center, 2836 Recreation Way. The clinic offers physical therapy and rehabilitation, including aquatic therapy, primary care and orthopedic-related rehabilitation services. “The clinic is designed to connect healthcare and wellness in one location, allowing patients to continue their recovery and fitness journey in a community recreation setting,” said Bryan Johnson, Intermountain Health Western Colorado market president. “It represents our vision for a healthier community, where people have the resources and support they need to live their best lives.” Within the physical therapy and rehabilitation services, therapists will focus on recovery after surgery, injury rehabilitation, pain management, strength and mobility improvement, and helping people return to everyday activities. “Movement is medicine. Our partnership with the CRC creates a natural bridge between physical therapy and
lifelong wellness, allowing patients to transition into active, healthy lifestyles with confidence and support,” said Tom O’Donnell, manager of Rehab Services for Intermountain Health. “After completing their therapy, patients can continue exercising and building strength using the recreation center’s facilities or another gym of their choice.” Primary-care services offered at the clinic will focus on wellness rather than acute patient needs. People will visit for wellness exams, sports physicals and annual vaccines. Intermountain Health St. Mary’s Regional Hospital is the official health and wellness partner of the Grand Junction Community Recreation Center. As part of the partnership, St. Mary’s will offer free wellness classes and educational programs to help people stay active, prevent injuries and make informed health decisions. Two free classes already are scheduled: • Nov. 12, 6:30-8 p.m. – Get Ready for Ski Season: Improve your performance and reduce your risk of injury. • Wednesday, Dec. 9, 1 p.m. – Defying Gravity Fall Prevention: Build strength, improve balance and learn how to prevent falls.
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Continued from Page 4 “Part of that curriculum is building good work habits, attendance habits, policies, and so this is greater than just weld specifications,” Barber said. “It’s gonna be a program where we’re gonna take our policies and guidelines, infuse them in with their policy guidelines for students, and my hope is they transition them like a new hire.” After Marshall and Barber addressed a sizable audience of CMU Tech students, Barber fielded questions, addressing such things as: • What the work entails. Figure working 50 hours per week minimum, and the average last year was 57.5 hours per week. • How much RK Steel pays welders. They start at about $26 per hour and go up to about $48 per hour. “That kind of rate with overtime, it’s more than competitive,” Barber said. • The benefits it provides. Barber said they’re good, because they have to be. “We have to pay top tier to recruit folks. … We try to give as much benefits as we can at the lowest cost to the welder. ... You’ve got to be competitive. If you’re not, you’re not competitive in the industry.” • It offers internships. One of the members of the audience, Owen Slater, a CMU mechanical engineering student, had an internship as a modular assembler with RK Steel this past summer, and that was before the partnership with CMU Tech was formed. Barber asked him how it went, and Slater said, “It was honestly a great experience.” • It has apprentice programs. • RK Steel needs and hires other trades, such as HVAC and electricians, or as Barber calls the latter, “sparkies.” Slater further addressed his internship with RK Steel, saying it provided the kind of in-field experience he sought, the kind of experience every student should be seeking. Slater also respected that RK Steel respected him. He wasn’t a throw-away intern. He wasn’t treated like he was less than the veteran welders. “They wanted your input,” Slater said. “They wanted to know what’s going on on the shop floor, or just if you needed help with anything. They communicated very well, made sure you have everything you need, and they made it extremely easy to go talk to the upper people in the company. “And it was just an overall great experience to work with new people, get the good in-field experience that you want to be gathering.” F
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Chris Calver, a technical instructor of welding at CMU Tech, is shown demonstrating shielded metal arc welding on pipe during a sophomore tour for the concurrent program. Photo courtesy of CMU Tech.
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‘Bring out your dead’ has a whole new meaning For our federal government, that is. Historically, it refers to the calls of “cart drivers” who roamed villages collecting corpses during plagues during the darker ages of civilizations that have come and gone before us. In the United States today, it means one of the houses of Congress really needs your vote. Then again, laws passed in Congress have literally become a plague on the supposed “free peoples” of our once great nation. No wonder MAGA struck a chord with so many. The desire to not be stiff and stacked in a cart is a powerful motivator against tyranny. Then again, our presidents don’t exactly do a great job of Making America Great Again. As a matter of fact, the previous one was a good candidate for cart stacking himself, and the current one Craig Hall is so Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde we don’t know what we’re gonna get. So what spurred this column you may ask? Look through the Rear Window to the squeaky wheels propping up Mitch McConnell and the need for staffers to tell him, “No, Mitch, we’re voting yes on this latest money-laundering fed scheme known as the ‘Farm Bill.’ Now, make sure as you suck for oxygen in the transport van, you turn your head and wave so people don’t think the catatonic state we’ve drugged you up out of is real. And … action.” After all, you can’t run a quality, high-level, congressional, costly, moneylaundering scheme without a legal vote, according to congressional rules. But more important, we need to show Mitch doing something “congressional” for folks to be mind-melded into thinking Congress and (this time) republicans are doing something. But what they don’t realize is that most folks already know Congress does braindead stuff every day; they just vote for the party that votes to do the brain-dead stuff they want. Which leads to the even bigger problem of just how much the lifeless, greymatter decisions are gonna cost us. And let me tell you, it’s a ton more than a few bombs dropped on Iran. I know folks have glommed onto the “cost” of the war in Iran. But that’s simply because it’s an emotional, political talking point, and there’s an election coming up. But honestly, how much is several billion dollars over a few months (remember, it was nothing to give billions to Ukraine for democrats, or republicans in picking any one of several Middle East wars) in the grand scheme of things for an entity that spends over $7 TRILLION every year. Seriously, in comparison, how much has subsidizing Iowa corn cost us over the decades? And yet the republicans had to wheel out the ghost of his China-loving past for an episode of “Weekend at Mitch’s” to keep the gravy train flowing. I wonder how much “gravy” has been slathered, costing trillions over the centuries since Congress yelled “all aboard” that train? I suppose I could have used Christmas tree ornaments with bells as a reference as well here, right Clarence? But they do it every year, and for the past several with “continuing resolutions,” which are just simply words to cover up the fact Congress operates without a budget – and in any way it damned well pleases – while blaming the other guy for overspending. Or not taxing enough (or too much, depending on party) or telling us who to blame. Or worse, which citizens to be jealous of, so they can create laws to harm them or take their money. Or the worst, make criminals out of them. Because that’s mainly what laws do: make criminals out of people, unless you are a person affiliated with government. That’s why they wheel out Mitch McConnell. Or Diane Feinstein. Or Joe Biden. To create public displays for all to see while tying a rope to their arms to make it look like they’re waving like Bernie in the Hamptons, and everything is just another fabulous day
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in the lifestyles of the rich and famous. It’s a wonderful club, and you have no part in it except in funding it. The sad truth? The only rich and famous lifestyle they care about is their own. Sure, occasionally Oliver gets a second bowl of gruel, but only if our taskmasters permit it or one gives Pauley his cut to play in the schemes, where the real “trickledown economics” exists. And to do that in America, one must participate in the new November, Día de los Muertos holiday, known as Election Day and vote for another favorite corpse who promises to bring back the spoils for the select few. After all, if the winners weren’t brain-dead before being elected, they come back chanting “Imhotep” after the feast of monkey brains from their first term. I know, just how many bad (not all dead) Hollywood references can one columnist make in 1,200 words? Don’t worry, I’m sure there will be another. But here’s the real problem at the core of all of this. We keep electing these folks. Just how many terms in office does Nancy Pelosi get to keep winning to continue the literal pickling of her brain? And even when Nancy’s ghost sobers up and gets us “out,” who are we electing next “to pull us back in?” How long before Chuck Grassley, in office since 1981 (or is it 1891?), mumble-stumps himself into a boat full of kindling being set into the water for burning-arrow practice for the Vikings before someone else takes his spot in this Game of Thrones. It’s gonna happen. And all because of the lust for power, money and control, which our elected betters are full of, and it controls everything they do. And that lust oozes onto their staff along with pretty much everyone elected now at the state level and all too many local folks like the Blob at a bowling alley. But the root of this evil, the virus (remember Covid, anyone?) itself is power. Remove the power, the money goes away and with it the control over what should be the people’s freedoms and, even better, the politician. Yet, from a quick and dirty glance at who’s running for this November’s Day of the Dead, it won’t happen this election. Here’s hoping in the next election the I-gors running our political parties won’t go out and get another bunch of Abby Normals to run for office. Sorry, I can’t help it with the movie stuff, I’m on what I think is a roll. And just in case you think this is only about democrats doing this, think about the fact Lauren Boebert (speaking of theater performances) is running now for a FOURTH term, I’m sure with eyes on bigger prizes as they all are wont to do. And let me know when you find something she’s done for your freedom. Chances are you’ll be late for your own funeral as you do. Always a problem if your lifeless body is on the bottom of the cart. Just how many more “Night of the Living Dead” votes are we going to have to suffer through before it makes us all Zombies? I know, several more bad movie references didn’t make this a better column. Personally, I don’t think this is near my best – I just can’t find a way to relate it more professionally, at least not this morning. I just hope to get a message through: Until we elect folks who don’t want power, nothing changes. The struggle will continue across the board, because they don’t care about real problems for real people. They can’t, because they need the problems. Otherwise, there’s no reason for them to exist. Much like how I struggled with this topic “From Dusk ‘til Dawn.” (I’m so sorry). 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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n Record $10 million donation to CMU for student housing
n ExoPower gets $1.25 million grant for charging technology
Colorado Mesa University on Sept. 16 announced it received a $10 million donation, the largest philanthropic donation in the school’s history, from the Denver-based ZOMA Foundation. The announcement came during a ribbon-cutting event for CMU’s Centennial Apartments, the university’s newest student-housing development. CMU also celebrated the official groundbreaking for another residence hall, Formation Commons. “Over the past two decades, CMU has grown exponentially and a crucial part of our growth has been our ability to provide high-quality housing options for our students,” CMU President John Marshall said. “It’s impossible to overstate the impact of this incredible investment by ZOMA Foundation in helping CMU not only make Formation Commons possible, but to truly catalyze the continued development of campus in a way that supports our entire community.” Ben Walton, principal of ZOMA LAB, said the $10 million donation “celebrates the innovative and unique ways CMU is meeting students’ needs. Its willingness to think differently is driving growth and expanding opportunity in the region and across the state.” CMU said in a news release more than 3,200 students currently live on campus across more than 17 residence halls. Centennial Apartments added 310 beds to the campus total and offers apartment-style living with kitchens, shared community spaces and a yearround lease that allows students to remain on campus through the summer.
ExoPower Inc. has been awarded a $1.25 million National Science Foundation Small Business Innovation Research Phase II grant to advance its in-motion wireless-charging technology toward commercial deployment. ExoPower operates its research and development laboratory on the Grand Junction Business Incubator Center campus and has worked with the incubator across several of its core pillars, including business incubation, business development, business innovation and business incentives. ExoPower is developing capacitive wireless-charging systems that allow industrial mobile robots and material-handling equipment to recharge while they work and move. The technology is designed to reduce or eliminate charging downtime, improve equipment utilization and lower the infrastructure and battery costs associated with operating electric robotic fleets. “This Phase II grant is really about taking our research to the next level and developing a pilot system that we can give to customers to test,” said Brandon Regensburger, CEO and co-founder of ExoPower. “Having a pilot will help take out a lot of the risk. It opens the door to customer contracts, additional investment and ultimately getting this technology into the market.” Unlike the inductive wireless charging technology commonly used in applications such as cell-phone chargers, ExoPower’s patented capacitive wireless-charging technology can be significantly less expensive at higher power levels and is particularly well suited to charging equipment while it is in motion, according to Regensburger. Phase II funding began Sept. 15, and ExoPower plans to expand its team as pilot development accelerates. Regensburger said the company hopes to draw from Western Colorado’s growing engineering and technical talent pool as it builds.
n $4.6 million approved for Phase II of 32 1/2 Road project During the Mesa County Commission’s Sept. 15 public hearing, commissioners approved a $4.6 million contract for construction of Phase II of the 32 1/2 Road improvement project. The county said in a news release that this will enhance traffic safety, pedestrian mobility and stormwater management along 32 1/2 Road from the north side of the Grand Valley Canal to Front Street in Clifton. Work will start in late September or early October. The project is scheduled for completion at the end of 2027. The roadway will be completely rebuilt and widened. Sidewalks with accessible curb ramps will be added, and better drainage infrastructure will help with stormwater management. Because of the high number of broadside crashes at the intersection of 32 1/2 Road and E 1/2 Road, a roundabout will be put in as part of this project. According to the news release, following a thorough review of seven bids that were submitted, Mountain Valley Contracting Inc. was determined to be the most qualified, lowest bidder. Previous work on 32 1/2 Road included replacing the bridge over the Grand Valley Canal and connecting the roadway south of E Road, where it previously didn’t go all the way through.
Business Bites n Famous Dave’s closed: The Business Times reported in its Sept. 9 edition that Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers is looking at building a 2,821-square-foot, drive-through restaurant on the property where Famous Dave’s barbecue restaurant resides: 2440 U.S. Highway 6&50. Now, we know what that means for Famous Dave’s, as it closed its doors permanently on Sept. 14. The Famous Dave’s website no longer lists Grand Junction among its Colorado locations. An online liquidation auction for the restaurant’s equipment, furnishings, decor and supplies is scheduled to conclude Sept. 23. Two requests for an interview submitted online by The Business Times to BBQ Holdings Inc., the owner of the Famous Dave’s chain headquartered in Minnetonka, Minn., received no reply before this edition went to press. n Tepanyaki closed: Japanese steakhouse and sushi bar Shiro Tepanyaki, 752 1/2 Horizon Drive, has closed permanently, and a “For Sale” sign is posted on the building.
September 23 - 30, 2026
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