The number of small businesses in Colorado providing health insurance to their employees continued to decline in 2011, but at a slower pace than previous years. According to a report from the Colorado Division of Insurance, the number of small group employers offering health insurance dropped 2,210, or about 7 percent from 2010. The number […]
Proposed federal rules regulating hydraulic fracturing to produce oil and natural gas on public lands would impose an estimated $1.5 billion a year in additional costs on the energy industry, according to the results of an analysis prepared for a trade association. Given the potential costs involved, the Western Alliance for Energy has written letters […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Libby Collins and Mary Hughes gush nearly effusively in describing the business support that’s made it possible to preserve a Grand Valley landmark as a recreational area. “Having them as part of this project has been spectacular,” said Collins, a coordinator with the Mesa Land Trust. Hughes, development officer with […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Rosemary Litz grows nearly 50 lavender plants as part of the meticulous landscaping surrounding her Grand Junction home. The rounded bushes with purple blooms add color and fragrance to the serene setting. But for Litz, lavender constitutes a growing enterprise in another sense. She harvests blooms from the plants to […]
A monthly measure of optimism among small business owners remains stuck at an historically low level that reflects continued uncertainty over economic conditions. The National Federation of Independent Business reported that its Index of Small Business Optimism edged down a tenth of a point in May to 94.4. “In the last year, small business optimism […]
Powderhorn Mountain Resort atop the Grand Mesa skipped a downhill slide in reporting an increase in skiers and snowboarders last season even as other Colorado resorts experienced declines in the midst of an unusually dry and warm winter. “Much of the ski industry in the U.S. was confronted with weather challenges last year. But several […]
Dale Beede enumerates the goals he achieved in purchasing a new car that runs on compressed natural gas. Support the energy industry that supports his commercial real estate firm. Check. Help reduce dependence on foreign oil, if only a little bit. Check. Reduce automotive emissions. Check. Save money. Check. “This was a win-win for me,” […]
Coal mining rebounded in Colorado in 2011 even as payrolls increased and the state returned to the ranks of the top producers nationwide. Production remains well below levels of six years ago, however, and the outlook remains uncertain given the threat of government regulations that could curtail the use of coal in power plants to […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times: The pace of real estate activity in Mesa County has picked up with year-over-year gains in sales and dollar volume of about 30 percent in May. What’s more, higher sales and lower inventories have combined to push up home prices. “It is picking up a smidge more momentum,” said Annette […]
A monthly index tracking business conditions in Colorado has slipped to its lowest level in seven months, but continues to forecast growth. The Business Conditions Index fell more than three points to 55.7 in May. With losses in each of the past two months, the index has dropped to its lowest level since it stood […]