State revenues for the coming fiscal year are expected to increase $149 million more than what was forecast in December. The revised projections not only bode well for a state government facing budget cuts, but also reflect an improving economy. “There are lots of reasons to be optimistic about the direction of Colorado’s economy,” said […]
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, […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Anirban Basu offers a measure of hope to a beleaguered construction industry in Western Colorado: “We’re seeing some significant improvement.” As chief economist for Associated Builders and Contractors, a national trade association, Basu monitors a construction sector he says has only just begun to recover three years after the official end […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Christine Sartoris sees signs of a slowly recovering economy in generally improving conditions in Colorado, rising sales tax collections in the Grand Valley and even growing interest in membership in the regional trade group she oversees. Signs of recovery are far less evident, however, for the commercial construction industry in […]
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 […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times: Monthly sales tax collections in Mesa County have jumped more than 15 percent — a double-digit increase over last year that bodes well not only for government coffers, but also the local economy. “I’m very happy about that,” said Marcia Arnhold, finance director for Mesa County. Arnhold said the gain […]
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 […]