HBA event serves as early-season economic driver for Western Colorado’s building industry

Brandon Leuallen, The Business Times

The Housing and Building Association of Western Colorado will host its annual Home Improvement & Remodeling Expo on March 6-8 at the Grand Junction Convention Center, bringing together more than 100 local builders, contractors and suppliers in one of the region’s largest annual showcases for residential construction and remodeling.

The three-day event runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.

For many contractors, the expo represents the unofficial kickoff to the spring building season. Early conversations often translate into booked projects throughout the season, helping stabilize crews and sustain local employment across the trades.

The expo also serves as a major annual fundraiser for the Housing and Building Association of Western Colorado. Funds raised support the HBA’s year-round initiatives, including local housing-policy advocacy, collaborative efforts such as its housing summit, and the Careers in Construction program in partnership with Mesa County Valley School District 51. 

Four returning exhibitors illustrated in interviews with The Business Times how the expo supports local employment and long-term industry sustainability.

Tile Meister: Residential kitchen and bath remodels

Founded in 1994, Tile Meister has exhibited at the HBA show every year since its inception.

Co-owner Tony DiDonato said, “We started with one booth with some tile samples there,” and over time expanded into full kitchen and bath remodels. Today, the company employs approximately 16 people and focuses primarily on residential remodeling rather than new construction.

For this year’s expo, Tile Meister will occupy four booths and bring full shower displays directly from its showroom, along with dozens of tile samples, cabinetry and countertop selections. The company also manufactures and installs slab shower systems, which use large-format panels instead of traditional grout-heavy tile.

Saenz Roofing: Residential and light commercial roofing

Saenz Roofing is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and will also be on the expo floor connecting with homeowners ahead of roofing season. The Grand Junction-based contractor provides roof replacements, repairs and storm-restoration services throughout Mesa County and surrounding areas, employing approximately 15 people.

Blanca Saenz, who helps lead the family-owned operation, said the company has participated in the expo for about eight years and values the face-to-face connection it provides with customers.

“We are a local family-owned and operated roofing company,” she said. “That’s what we do, advertising, connecting face with the name. That connection is really important for us, for our clients in the community to know us.”

Monarch Heating & Air Conditioning: Residential HVAC

Monarch Heating & Air Conditioning enters the expo with 32 employees across seven installation crews and plans to add approximately six more workers ahead of peak cooling season.

Company President Toby R. Monger said Monarch focuses heavily on the “add-on replacement market,” also known as retrofit work. That includes replacing aging furnaces and air conditioners, upgrading systems for higher efficiency and converting homes from evaporative cooling to central air conditioning.

Monger said roughly 40 percent of new builds the company services are now going full electric, with some subdivisions moving entirely away from natural gas. Monarch is also installing more high-efficiency heat pumps.

“The heat pumps have been redesigned in such a way that they’re a lot more efficient than they used to be,” he said.

Utility incentives are accelerating that shift.

“Xcel Energy has huge rebates for those,” Monger said, noting rebates can reach into the thousands of dollars and help homeowners afford system upgrades.

Monger said the company encourages homeowners to schedule upgrades before peak demand hits.

Ambassador Blind N’ Shutter: Window coverings and outdoor living

Ambassador Blind N’ Shutter has operated in Grand Junction for 22 years and has participated in the expo for roughly a decade.

Patty Deters, co-owner of Ambassador Blind N’ Shutter, said she and her husband started the business in 2005 after relocating to Grand Junction, initially working out of their home before opening a commercial showroom in 2021 and expanding it last year.

“We are a family-owned and operated business,” Deters said, noting their son and daughter-in-law have returned to Grand Junction with the intention of eventually taking over the company.

At this year’s expo, Ambassador will feature custom high-quality window coverings, patio shades, drapery displays and new outdoor patio furniture offerings. Drapery is a newer emphasis for the business.

Like many exhibitors, Ambassador Blind N’ Shutter uses the expo to connect directly with homeowners and help build its spring and summer project pipeline.