Outdoor recreation contributes more than $62 billion to the Colorado economy, according to a new analysis conducted by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Gov. John Hickenlooper announced the numbers and signed an executive order creating a council to promote outdoor recreation and conservation in Colorado. “Coloradans and visitors are taking advantage of our beautiful outdoor spaces,” […]
Colorado employers can expect a reduction in a component of the workers’ compensation insurance premiums they’ll pay in 2019. The Colorado Division of Insurance approved a 16.7 percent decrease in the average statewide loss costs component of premiums. The cut follows a 12.7 percent decrease for 2018 and will mark a fifth consecutive year in […]
More than $112.5 million was dispersed to Colorado during the 2018 fiscal year, the latest revenues from energy production on federal land in the state. The dispersement was part of $8.93 billion in payments nationwide from the Interior Department Office of Natural Resources Revenue. “For a second year, energy disbursements are up, this year by […]
A Grand Junction hospital executive has been selected to serve as the only Western Colorado representative on a committee searching for a new president of the University of Colorado. Dr. Brian Davidson, president of St. Mary’s Medical Center, will serve on a committee tasked with finding a successor to Bruce Benson. Benson plans to retire […]
Mesa County Public Health has expanded a program recognizing local businesses that meet high standards for health, quality and safety. The Blue Ribbon Award program applies not only to retail food establishments, but also child care facilities, schools, swimming pools and body art businesses. “Our restaurants, grocery and convenience stores, food trucks, care facilities and […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times With nearly two months still left to go, the dollar volume of real estate sales in Mesa County in 2018 already has exceeded 2017. The question is whether 2019 will top 2018. While industry observers expect the real estate market to remain strong, rising interest rates and residential prices could […]
Payrolls swelled in the United States in October, a gain that helped keep the unemployment rate at a nearly 50-year low and wages growing. According to the latest Labor Department estimates, nonfarm payrolls increased 250,000. The jobless rate remained unchanged at 3.7 percent, the lowest reading since December 1969. Estimated payroll gains for September were […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times From its nondescript exterior, the building housing Reynolds Polymer Technolgy doesn’t appear extraordinary — a large manufacturing facility by Grand Junction standards, perhaps, but nothing special. The inside tells a far different story. That’s where executives with the company say dreams come true. Workers construct and polish the massive acrylic […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Chris Thomas foresees what he considers a number of benefits to Community Hospital joining a regional health care organization — relieving debt, implementing a new electronic medical records system and gaining funding for new service lines and equipment. The biggest benefit, though, is the assurance the hospital will continue to […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times A ballot measure increasing setbacks on oil and natural gas development in Colorado has been blasted as a virtual ban on energy exploration that would hurt an important industry as well as hailed as needed protection for health and safety. Both perspectives on Proposition 112 were debated at a meeting […]