Colorado wine industry passes million-liter milestone

Phil Castle, The Business Times:  Doug Caskey sees another sign of growth for the Colorado wine industry in the latest production numbers. Wineries reported passing the million-liter milestone in total volume for the 2010-2011 fiscal year. “It’s a pretty positive trend,” said Caskey, executive director of the Colorado Wine Industry Development Board. The board promotes and […]

Leading index rises, but also raises concerns

A monthly measure of future economic activity in the United States continues to increase, but slowing growth in the index raises concerns about recovery. The Conference Board reported its Leading Economic Index (LEI) rose three-tenths of a percent to 116.2. While the index has advanced four consecutive months, growth over the past six months was […]

Colorado ag exports on the rise

Agricultural exports from Colorado remain well ahead of last year with increases in the sale of beef, dairy products and grain. The value of agricultural exports through the first seven months of 2011 totalled $718 million, up 20 percent over the same span last year, according to figures reported by the Colorado Department of Agriculture. […]

Drill bit service caters to boring customers

Phil Castle, The Business Times: Don’t call this Grand Junction repair facility a two-bit operation. In August, in fact, Halliburton Drill Bits and Services refurbished a record 544 drill bits and sent them to rigs boring oil and natural gas wells throughout the region. The facility is in business to keep its customers in business. And […]

Activity slowing, but foreclosure rate still highest in Mesa County

The latest results of a monthly report confirm property foreclosure activity is slowing in Mesa County. Nonetheless, Mesa County continues to experience the highest foreclosure rate among 12 metropolitan counties in Colorado. According to the statistics from the Colorado Division of Housing, Mesa County reported 86 foreclosure filings and 99 foreclosure sales in August. Compared […]

New Web site offers insurance information

Dede de Percin, Executive Director of the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative (CCHI), released the following statement regarding the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies’ (DORA) new consumer-friendly website for insurance rate information: “This announcement from the Division of Insurance (DOI) is a step forward for Coloradans. This website and the grant from HHS, made possible by […]

Pinnacol Assurance recognized by AARP

For the sixth time since 2005, Pinnacol Assurance, Colorado’s leading workers’ compensation insurer, has been recognized nationally as one of America’s “Best Employers for Workers Over 50.” Pinnacol placed 15th on the list of 50 companies nationwide and is the only Colorado company to be recognized. “Having workers over 50 is a tremendous benefit to […]

Mesa County jobless rate drops to lowest level of the year

Phil Castle, The Business Times: The monthly unemployment rate in Mesa County has slipped back into single digits even as increasing labor demand offers encouragement conditions are improving. “We’re seeing some life in the economy. It might be little, but it’s in the right direction,” said Suzie Miller, an employment specialist with the Mesa County Workforce […]