Despite low corporate and unemployment insurance tax rates, Colorado fares comparatively poorly in a new analysis of state tax costs on businesses. Colorado ranked 33rd overall among the 50 states for tax costs on mature businesses and 47th overall for tax costs on new firms in the study conducted by the Tax Foundation in Washington, […]
A monthly measure of consumer confidence has retreated on less upbeat expectations for improving business and labor conditions. The Conference Board reported that its Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) fell 1.4 points to 70.2 in March. “The moderate decline was due solely to a less favorable short-term outlook, while consumer assessment of current conditions, on the […]
With gains for five straight months, an index forecasting economic conditions in the United States projects growth through the summer and perhaps beyond. The Conference Board reported that its Leading Economic Indicator (LEI) advanced seven-tenths of a percent to 95.5 in February. Separate measures of current conditions and past performance also rose. “The consistent signal […]
Mesa County experiences the highest property foreclosure rate among 12 metropolitan counties in Colorado, according to the latest results of a monthly report. According to statistics compiled by the Colorado Division of Housing, foreclosure filings and sales increased in February on a year-over-year basis in Mesa County. With one foreclosure sale for every 706 households, […]
A monthly index tracking conditions for small businesses in Colorado continues to rise, forecasting accelerating economic growth. “Don’t look now, but the Colorado economy is likely to pick up speed over the balance of the year,” said Jeff Thredgold, a corporate economist who calculates the Vectra Bank Colorado Small Business Index (SBI). The SBI climbed […]
The founder of an iconic brand of outdoor products will share his experiences and business advice at an annual Western Colorado event celebrating entrepreneurship. Kenneth “Hap” Klopp, founder and former chief executive of The North Face, will deliver the keynote luncheon address at Entrepreneurship Day April 4 at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction. An […]
A monthly measure of optimism among small business owners has increased for a sixth consecutive month despite mixed outlooks for economic conditions, staffing, sales and earnings. The National Federation of Independent Business Reported that its Small Business Optimism Index advanced four-tenths of a point to 94.3 in February. With gains in each of the last […]
A monthly index tracking labor trends continues to rise, forecasting what could be more robust job growth in the United States. The Conference Board reported that its Employment Trends Index (ETI) advanced almost 1.4 percent to 107.46 in February. The index is up more than 6 percent from the same month a year ago. “The […]
U.S. payroll gains have topped 200,000 for three consecutive months. But with more people back in the hunt for jobs, the unemployment rate remains unchanged. According to the latest Labor Department estimates, nonfarm payrolls rose 227,000 in February with gains spread across a range of industry sectors. Initial estimates for job gains for the previous […]
Steve ErkenBrack, president and chief executive officer of Rocky Mountain Health Plans based in Grand Junction, is among four 2012 Father of the Year honorees in Colorado who will be recognized at a fund-raising event for the American Diabetes Association. The event, set for June 6 at the Grand Hyatt Denver, will recognize the honorees […]