Registration to soon begin for Colorado hemp growers

The Colorado Department of Agriculture has adopted rules governing the growth of hemp, a variety of marijuana cultivated for its course fiber. Producers can begin to register with the department’s industrial hemp program on March 1. They must do so by May 1 to  grow hemp during the 2014 season. “These rules are the first […]

Author draws on legal career in writing three new titles

A retired lawyer and judge in Grand Junction has once again drawn on the experiences of his more than 40-year legal career in writing three new books. Carroll Multz has simultaneously added three new titles to the growing list of books he’s written — “The Chameleon,” “The Devil’s Scribe” and “Shades of Innocence.” Each of […]

Index: Grand Junction home prices up 5 percent

Not counting foreclosures, short sales and other so-called distressed sales, home prices in Grand Junction have increased more than 5 percent over the past year, according to the latest results of a monthly analysis by a California-based firm. CoreLogic reported that its Home Price Index for Grand Junction increased 5.1 percent in November compared to […]

Math & science center unveils plans for new facility

Administrators of a Grand Valley center that for more than a decade has helped educate youth about math and science concepts have announced plans to build a new, free-standing facility in Fruita. The John McConnell Math & Science Center will be located adjacent to the Museum of Western Colorado’s Dinosaur Journey. Locating the museum and […]

Legislator calls for meeting to address West Slope slump

Kelly Sloan, The Business Times A Grand Junction legislator has requested an urgent meeting to address an underperforming economy in Western Colorado. “Western Colorado is on life support,” State Rep. Ray Scott warned in a letter to Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper. Scott, a Republican, asked for an emergency meeting with Hickenlooper and the Office of Economic […]

State lawmakers set sights on regulatory “hurdles”

Kelly Sloan, The Business Times Two Grand Valley lawmakers say the Colorado Legislature must remove what they consider regulatory “hurdles” that hinder job growth in the state. That includes an increase in renewable energy standards for cooperative electrical associations enacted last year as well as  the effects of federal health care legislation, according to State Sen. […]

Alliance promotes regional manufacturing

Phil Castle, The Business Times When Eric Goertz envisions the future of manufacturing in the region, he likes what he sees. “I think we have an opportunity right now in Western Colorado to take part in a manufacturing renaissance.” A number of factors play into his expectations, among them educational and economic development programs that promote […]

Mesa County real estate rebounds to five-year high

Phil Castle, The Business Times While real estate activity continued to slow in Mesa County during December, year-end totals for transactions and dollar volume climbed to their highest levels in five years. “Overall, I’m pretty encouraged about this last year and where we’re going to go,” said Robert Bray, chief executive officer of Bray Real Estate […]

Index: Colorado business leaders upbeat heading into 2014

An index tracking confidence among Colorado business leaders reflects upbeat expectations heading into the new year, stretching to record length the string of optimistic responses to quarterly surveys. “Strong signals from the market are keeping confidence up, including the acceleration of GDP growth, employment gains and a federal budget compromise,” said Richard Wobbekind, executive director […]