Fourth graders get a free pass to parks

Fourth grade students and their families will be allowed to visit the Colorado National Monument — along with national monuments and parks across the United States — for free as part of the centennial celebration for the National Park Service. “This is a great opportunity for the families in our community to experience the wonders […]

Energy firm praised for funding wildlife research

Energy companies have not only implemented techniques in Western Colorado to reduce the effects of their exploration and production operations on mule deer, but also funded research that bolstered those efforts. “The public needs to recognize that much of what we know was made possible through research generously funded by energy companies,” said Ron Velarde, […]

United Way campaign kicks off with workplace contributions

United Way of Mesa County is more than a third of the way to it’s latest fund-raising goal thanks to workplace contributions. Employees at 24 so-called Pacesetter businesses and organizations pledged a total of $362,713, officials announced during a kickoff event. Those donations constitute more than 36 percent of the $1 million goal for the […]

Community Hospital selected to provide county health care

Community Hospital has been selected to continue providing health care coverage for Mesa County employees. Mesa County commissioners approved a proposal by Community Hospital and Anthem to provide care. Community Hospital was first selected in 2013 through a comprehensive request for proposal process when the county was looking to revise the health care plan for […]

Agency: Sage grouse listing not warranted

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has ruled a listing of the greater sage grouse under the Endangered Species Act isn’t warranted given land conservation efforts underway across the West to protect the bird and its habitat. The ruling follows an evaluation of the bird’s population as well as the collective efforts of the U.S. […]

Colorado reforms also discussed at Club 20

Kelly Sloan, The Business Times An effort called Build a Better Colorado is under way to address what organizers see as structural problems in Colorado, including fiscal policy reform, the ballot initiative process and electoral reform. Reeves Brown, a former director of the Colorado Department of Local Affairs and former executive director of Club 20, […]

Lawmakers share views at Club 20 meeting

Kelly Sloan, The Business Times Scott Tipton and Michael Bennet both emphasize their efforts to push for federal legislation that benefits business, whether its regulatory and tax reforms, trade promotion or transportation funding. The two members of the Colorado congressional delegation disagreed, though, over an agreement with Iran to lift sanctions in exchange for constraints […]

Towering effort: Two more floors open at St. Mary’s

Towering effort: Two more floors open at St. Mary’s

Phil Castle, The Business Times      Eric Mello leads an impromptu tour through the new rehabilitation unit at St. Mary’s Medical Center, pointing out various features as he walks and talks. Small stations spaced along the hallways — one station for every two rooms — allow nurses and other staff to work closely to the […]

Former West Slope manager named DDA director

An administrator who’s worked as city manager of both Fruita and Montrose has been hired as director of the Downtown Development Authority in Grand Junction. John Schneiger is expected to begin his new duties the week of Oct. 5. In addition to ongoing efforts to promote economic development downtown, he will work on a number […]