Colorado Springs Business Journal (CO) articles from April 2007

Colorado Springs Business Journal (CO) archives from April 2007

Kitchen provides recipe for tasty team building in Colorado Springs.(Recipe)
April 6, 2007... Byline: Lon Matejczyk The sales force and some managers here at CSBJ participated in an interesting team-building exercise last week at the Paragon Culinary School. The learning lab combines team-building strategies and techniques within a...

Commentary: Bicycling doesn't top list of my favorite activities.
April 6, 2007... Byline: Mike Boyd The Colorado Department of Transportation issued a warning last week that drivers of internal combustion machines (i.e. cars, trucks, hulking SUVs, etc.) should be on the lookout for riders of muscled-powered vehicles...

Is crusaders' castle in the Springs key to holy land?
April 6, 2007... Byline: John Hazlehurst "When a fellow says, it hain't the money but the principle o' the thing, it's th' money." Kin Hubbard (F. [Frank] Mckinney Hubbard) (1868-1930), U.S. humorist, journalist. "Hoss Sense and Nonsense" (1926). On...

For some consumers it's all about the tags.
April 6, 2007... Byline: Joan Johnson Brand loyalty keeps consumers coming back, but what about private labels -- joke, or no joke, the joker tag is real. You see it on every garment. It lists the size, the style, the content and the company's label. If a...

Commentary: Changes in attitudes, and in platitudes.
April 6, 2007... Byline: John Hazlehurst Now that the municipal election is history, it's time to pay attention to 2008. We could, I suppose, do the usual -- write columns, pontificate, complain, praise, blame and generally do the impotent journalist thing...

Centennial Professional Building in Colorado Springs joins west side.
April 6, 2007... Byline: Becky Hurley The North Powers Boulevard and Briargate Parkway hospital and medical office development is not the only new construction game in town. Another key campus for doctors' practices, clinics and other professionals is...

David Vallado: Senior research astrodynamicist Center for Space Standards and Innovation.
April 6, 2007... Byline: CSBJ Staff David Vallado has been tied to Colorado Springs for the last 30 years. He originally came here to attend the Air Force Academy, and witnessed the area's dynamic growth first-hand during the ensuing decades. As a senior...

Colorado Springs Financial Briefs: April 6, 2007.
April 6, 2007... Byline: Lorna Gutierrez The Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index dropped four points during the first quarter of 2007 to 110, compared to a record high of 114 during the fourth quarter of 2006. The index tracks six measures (financial...

Colorado Springs Medical Briefs: April 6, 2006.
April 6, 2007... Byline: Amy Gillentine Colorado's economic loss during a severe flu pandemic could be nearly $12 billion. According to a report by Trust for America's Health, Colorado's economy could face a 5.4 percent loss -- or $11.7 billion -- during a...

Colorado Springs Real Estate Briefs: April 6, 2006.
April 6, 2007... Byline: Becky Hurley Bethesda Real Estate Co. has purchased an 83,000-square-foot office building at 1155 Kelly Johnson Blvd. from Presidio DD LLC for just under $11.6 million. Ted Link and Brian Norton of Cascade Commercial Real Estate...

Colorado Springs Retail Briefs: April 6, 2007.
April 6, 2007... Byline: Joan Johnson Starbucks is offering a store-locator service in North America for cell phone and wireless computing device users who have access to text messaging or Internet browsing. Consumers can receive a list of nearby Starbucks...

Colorado Springs expanding its international reach.
April 6, 2007... Byline: Amy Gillentine Making connections is what George Boutin does -- and those connections bring billions of dollars into the Colorado Springs economy. As director of the Office for International Trade, Boutin spends most of his time...

Colorado Springs Agriculture Briefs: April 6, 2007.
April 6, 2007... Byline: CSBJ Staff Ag Department goes online for good measure For owners of commercial scales and meters, acquiring a state license is easier than ever before, thanks to an online licensing system implemented last week by the Colorado...

Photo Stencil receives ITC award.
April 6, 2007... Byline: CSBJ Staff Photo Stencil has received an Innovation Technology Center Award for its area ration calculator tool, which checks stencil and aperture design. The calculator makes recommendations for redesigning the stencil/aperture if...

City of Colorado Springs seeking members for multiple committees.
April 6, 2007... Byline: CSBJ Staff The City of Colorado Springs is seeking volunteers to serve on the Art Commission of the Pikes Peak Region, the Telecommunications Policy Advisory Committee and the Urban Renewal Authority. There are no qualifications...

SBA publishes Guide to Flexibility.
April 6, 2007... Byline: CSBJ Staff The Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration has published a "best practices" guide to help states that are implementing regulatory flexibility programs for small businesses. Regulatory flexibility...

Jacking up the cost of torts in the U.S.
April 13, 2007... Byline: Amy Gillentine So what exactly is $865.37 billion? It's the total annual sales of the U.S. restaurant industry. It's also the combined annual output of all six New England states. And it equates to $9,827 per U.S. family of four...

Leaders fear new casino will put them up Cripple Creek.
April 13, 2007... Byline: John Hazlehurst In most industries, new market entrants are signs of a healthy business climate and an expanding economy. In Colorado Springs, politicians and business owners actively recruit companies and roll out the welcome mat...

Commentary: There's trouble ahead, trouble behind.
April 13, 2007... Byline: John Hazlehurst To recapitulate: State Rep. Larry Liston gets caught sending a foolishly inflammatory e-mail, and then his Democratic counterpart Mike Merrifield gets tripped up by one as well. And before them there was Rep. Jim...

Wal-Mart pulls suppliers onto sustainability train.
April 13, 2007... Byline: Amy Gillentine When Wal-Mart speaks, its suppliers listen. That's why Unilever now provides the world's largest retailer with a concentrated detergent in a smaller package. It's also why more than 2,000 suppliers agreed to reduce...

Interview with Lee Rabidoux: First female president, BPO Elks Lodge in Colorado Springs.
April 13, 2007... Byline: CSBJ Staff Lee Rabidoux made history at one of Colorado Springs' prominent nonprofit organizations when she became the first female president of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks Lodge 309. Rabidoux considers the...

Colorado Springs Financial Briefs: April 16, 2007.
April 13, 2007... Byline: Lorna Gutierrez Taxpayers are creative when it comes to explaining why they haven't filed their income tax returns. According to a survey commissioned by H&R Block, more than half said they are too busy, too scared or too good at...

Colorado Springs Medical Briefs: April 16, 2007.
April 13, 2007... Byline: Amy Gillentine With the date for complying with National Provider Identifier regulations looming May 23, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has developed a contingency plan for health care providers who will not meet the...

Colorado Springs Real Estate Briefs: April 16, 2007.
April 13, 2007... Byline: Becky Hurley Downtown loft and retail developer Dan Robertson has purchased the Goodwill Industries retail building at 324 E. Pikes Peak Ave. for $1.5 million. The nonprofit organization will lease the building for at least another...

Colorado Springs Retail Briefs: April 16, 2007.
April 13, 2007... Byline: Joan Johnson Billions of dollars of merchandise are stolen every year through organized retail crime, but a Web-based database launched this week will allow retailers to share information to help fight organized theft, burglaries,...

Commentary: Getting involved in the nonprofit community is good for young professionals.
April 13, 2007... Byline: Tessa Nelson A great way for young professionals to get involved in the nonprofit community and support an organization whose cause they believe in is to join a board. So, all you need to do is flip through the Nonprofit Directory,...

Don't discover that you haven't e-archived too late.
April 13, 2007... Byline: Amy Gillentine When Philip Morris was sued, the judge considered the inadvertent deletion of e-mail as if it were purposeful destruction of evidence. In a case involving Morgan Stanley, the company did not have a central repository...

Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce honors Makepeace.
April 13, 2007... Byline: Diane Wengler The first woman to be mayor of Colorado Springs was honored April 5 with the 2007 Athena Award, presented by the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce. Mary Lou Makepeace received the award during the annual...

Successfully rolling dice on a gambling business in Cripple Creek.
April 13, 2007... Byline: John Hazlehurst Eighteen years ago, Marc Murphy and Mike Chaput were living in California, when a friend contacted them with an unusual proposition. Colorado had just legalized limited-stakes casino gambling in three mountain...

Commentary: Aren't any Paul Massons, Mogen Davids on this list.
April 13, 2007... Byline: Mike Boyd Trolling through the major news-related Web sites last week, I came across a link on msn.com for a story about the 10 most expensive bottles of wine. The story had a link to a slide show on forbestraveler.com showing...

Commentary: Leadership programs in Colorado important to keeping grads close to home.
April 13, 2007... Byline: Lon Matejczyk The Colorado Leadership Alliance (CLA) is an organization that includes most of the leadership programs at the state's higher learning institutions. There are nine schools in Colorado with leadership programs,...

Interview with John R. "J.D." Dallager: President/CEO, Pikes Peak United Way.
April 20, 2007... Byline: CSBJ Staff John R. "J.D." Dallager was recently selected to lead the Pikes Peak United Way, one of Colorado Springs' most visible nonprofit organizations. Dallager, a retired Air Force major general, has lived in the Springs for...

Colorado Springs Real Estate Briefs: April 20, 2007.
April 20, 2007... Byline: Becky Hurley Since the first of the year, six apartment properties have sold in the Pikes Peak region. Two of the most recent transactions include mid-size complexes, both built in 1969. The Amber Meadows apartments were purchased...

Colorado Springs Retail Briefs: April 20, 2007.
April 20, 2007... Byline: Joan Johnson Where's Wilma? Filthy Wilma's, a small art gallery that for more than 20 years was at 10 Ruxton Ave. in Manitou Springs, has received a facelift, along with a new location. Starting May 1, its new home will be 729...

Colorado Springs Technology Briefs: March 20, 2007.
April 20, 2007... Byline: Lorna Gutierrez The Colorado Springs Economic Development Corp. has been working with the Colorado BioScience Association to establish a chapter of the organization in Colorado Springs. The Springs currently has more than 25...

Colorado Springs Non-profit Briefs: March 20, 2007.
April 20, 2007... Byline: CSBJ Staff Susan Matthews Brown, president and founder of The Boppy Co., has been named the U.S. Small Business Administration's 2007 Colorado Small Business Person of the Year. The Golden-based company makes nursing and infant...

Commentary: Some people got it, some people didn't come close.
April 20, 2007... Byline: Mike Boyd Just in case you haven't heard/read, I'm not very popular among some in the bicycling community. It seems the tongue-in-cheek sarcasm and caustic whit in my April 6 column didn't resonate with everyone who read it....

Jan-Pro of Colorado Springs inducted into Gold Circle Club.
April 20, 2007... Byline: CSBJ Staff Jan-Pro of Colorado Springs has been inducted into the Gold Circle Club, which recognizes top revenue and performance leaders in North America. The local franchise is owned by Becky and John Kolb.

Colorado Springs Hospitality Briefs: April 20, 2007.
April 20, 2007... Byline: CSBJ Staff Public input needed for Palmer Lake master plan The El Paso County Parks and Leisure Services and the Town of Palmer Lake are asking for the public's help in updating the master plan for the Palmer Lake Recreation area....

Colorado Springs-based Rusinak Real Estate recognized for achievement.
April 20, 2007... Byline: CSBJ Staff Rusinak Real Estate has received the 2006 Award of Excellence for Outgoing Referral Production and a first place award for promotional items from the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World. The company also received...

Trial lawyers in Colorado take aim at medical insurer.
April 20, 2007... Byline: Amy Gillentine A bill being considered by the Colorado General Assembly would either provide more transparency about medical malpractice insurance for consumers, or would drive doctors out of Colorado -- depending on whom you ask....

Experience Colorado Springs at Pikes Peak reports revenue highest in five years.(Financial report)
April 20, 2007... Byline: Sarah Colwell About 6.2 million people visited the Pikes Peak region in 2006, generating more than $1 billion in travel-related revenue and more than $19 million in tax receipts in El Paso County, according to Experience Colorado...

The art of resale, 'the thrill of the hunt' is a a multi-billion dollar a year industry.
April 20, 2007... Byline: Joan Johnson The inventory comes to you. You determine the pricing and the items that match the seasons. Sounds easy right? Not necessarily. Other than the inventory, operating a thrift/consignment shop requires the same business...

Commentary: Colorado Springs used to lead way in tolerance.
April 20, 2007... Byline: John Hazlehurst Here's what City Councilwoman Margaret Radford said last week, during the council's discussion about a summer "multicultural festival" supported by the Colorado Springs Diversity Forum. The event organizers had...

Colorado Springs Financial Briefs: April 20, 2007.
April 20, 2007... Byline: Sarah Colwell The Internal Revenue Service recently announced that more than one million business taxpayers have electronically filed tax returns so far this year. Corporate e-filed returns have increased by nearly 50 percent...

Colorado Springs Medical Briefs: April 20, 2007.
April 20, 2007... Byline: Amy Gillentine Bibs for babies and a Web conference for local doctors' offices about vaccination updates top the list of a month-long push to increase immunization rates in El Paso and Pueblo counties. The bibs will be handed out...

Colorado Springs Real Estate Briefs: April 27, 2007.
April 27, 2007... Byline: Becky Hurley Golfers in the Woodland Park area can look forward to a Memorial Day weekend opening at the 18-hole Shining Mountain golf course. Escalante Golf will manage the course for the club's new owners. "The course is in good...

Colorado Springs Retail Briefs: April 27, 2007.
April 27, 2007... Byline: Joan Johnson Mom's family role appears to be "chief family historian," according to a Circuit City Mother's Day shopping survey. Digital cameras were listed as the gift of choice, and electronics ranked second. More than 3,000 moms...

Tech simplifies, sterilizes job application process for City of Colorado Springs.
April 27, 2007... Byline: Joan Johnson Handwritten applications and hardcopy resumes are hitting the trash can. It's out with the white out and in with the Web application. Today, the only way to apply for a job, especially with the larger companies, is...

Print business passing to next generation Ed Koback is selling Kwik Copy Printing to his son, Justin Koback.
April 27, 2007... Print business passing to next generation Ed Koback is selling Kwik Copy Printing to his son, Justin Koback. The elder Koback had operated the franchise for 25 years. Justin Koback has been working for the company for five years. Staging,...

Women's Foundation of Colorado honored.
April 27, 2007... Byline: Diane Wengler Jacqueline Lundquist greeted guests to her home, the president's house at The Colorado College, for a high tea honoring the Women's Foundation of Colorado on April 4. Lundquist is the Colorado Springs board member of...

Commentary: After 10 minutes, you're either in like Flynn or toast.
April 27, 2007... Byline: Mike Boyd Last-second comebacks might be exciting in the world of sports, but if the latest survey from Robert Half Finance & Accounting is indicative of the world of business, you'd better be a fast starter. The mean response of...

Planning for tomorrow: Colorado Springs on the brink.
April 27, 2007... Byline: Becky Hurley State demographers predict that by 2015, the Colorado Springs population will grow to 653,000; by 2025, that figure will increase to more than 750,000 residents within the city's 200-square-mile area. And those figures...

Cruise industry predicts smooth sailing.
April 27, 2007... Byline: CSBJ Staff The 2007 Cruise Holidays Travel Trends Survey has identified several trends and preferences among travelers. Based on bookings between Jan.1 and March 31, the top cruise destinations are the Caribbean, Alaska, the...

Whole Foods launches loan program to five agriculture, food producers in Rocky Mountain region.
April 27, 2007... Byline: CSBJ Staff Whole Foods Market is providing low-interest, long-term loans to five agriculture and food producers in Rocky Mountain region. The $219,000 is part of $10 million which the company has committed to make available...

City of Colorado Springs seeks TOPS volunteers.
April 27, 2007... Byline: CSBJ Staff The City of Colorado Springs Parks and Recreation Advisory Board is seeking volunteers to serve on the TOPS Working Committee. The committee, which meets bi-monthly, determines spending priorities for the Trails, Open...

Public input needed for Palmer Lake master plan.
April 27, 2007... Byline: CSBJ Staff The El Paso County Parks and Leisure Services and the Town of Palmer Lake are asking for the public's help in updating the master plan for the Palmer Lake Recreation area. To launch the update process, a communitywide...

Separate and nowhere close to equal in Colorado.
April 27, 2007... Byline: John Hazlehurst The arts are a major economic driver in Colorado, but not every city is benefiting equally. The gains flow disproportionately to the seven-county Denver Metropolitan area. In 2005, Denver-area cultural facilities...

Fort Collins company sees pond scum as promising alternative fuel source.
April 27, 2007... Byline: Amy Gillentine In the wake of rising oil prices and depleted oil fields, several companies in Colorado are focused on alternative energy solutions, and one Fort Collins company is using an unlikely source to create petroleum:...

Security continues to spur advances in technology in Colorado.
April 27, 2007... Byline: Lorna Gutierrez Security concerns are promoting innovations in technology -- and the new applications are turning up everywhere, from Cheyenne Mountain to the Terry R. Harris Judicial Complex. At Cheyenne Mountain, new technology...

Commentary: Primary politics no place for indifference.
April 27, 2007... Byline: John Hazlehurst Here's a question for you: Which city raised more for Republican presidential candidates during the first quarter of this year, Boulder or Colorado Springs? You already know the answer, don't you? I wouldn't bother...

Turner dedicated to people with special needs in the Pikes Peak region.
April 27, 2007... Byline: CSBJ Staff As the CEO of a human services organization, Ann Turner has dedicated more than 20 years to promoting compassionate care for individuals with developmental disabilities. Educated as a teacher, today her responsibilities...

Colorado Springs Financial Briefs: April 27, 2007.
April 27, 2007... Byline: Sarah Colwell Colorado Springs-based Air Academy Federal Credit Union has merged with Independent Group Credit Union. The merger brings the credit union's assets to more than $303 million, and membership to more than 45,000....

Colorado Springs Medical Briefs: April 27, 2007.
April 27, 2007... Byline: Amy Gillentine The Health Maintenance Organization industry in Colorado saw massive profits in 2006, according to Colorado Managed Care, a newsletter published by James Hertel. The HMO industry doubled its 2005 profits during 2006....

2007 Colo. Springs Press Assn. Media Guide now available.
April 27, 2007... Byline: CSBJ Staff The 2007 Colorado Springs Press Association Media Guide is now available. The guide provides listings of newspapers, radio and television stations, reporters and other outlet contacts for El Paso and Teller counties. The...

Print business in Colorado Springs is passing to next generation.
April 27, 2007... Byline: CSBJ Staff Ed Koback is selling to his son, Justin Koback. The elder Koback had operated the franchise for 25 years. Justin Koback has been working for the company for five years.

Staging, redesign firms in Colorado receive award.
April 27, 2007... Byline: CSBJ Staff Star Interior Solutions and Presentation Is Everything have received the Best Stage Room award from the Interior Redesign Industry Specialists. Star Interior Solutions is owned by Erica Starich and is based in Highlands...

Colorado Springs-based Beckony Kitchens & Baths wins MAME Award.
April 27, 2007... Byline: CSBJ Staff Beckony Kitchens & Baths has won a 2007 Major Awards of Marketing Excellence award for Best Residential (kitchen or bath) Remodeling Project. The company works on both new construction and remodeling projects.