Colorado Springs Business Journal (CO) articles from August 2008

Colorado Springs Business Journal (CO) archives from August 2008

Construction employment holding firm in Colorado Springs.
August 1, 2008... Byline: Becky Hurley A steady stream of construction job seekers walks through the door at SOS Staffing at 2 p.m. on a Tuesday afternoon, an hour when skilled tradesmen and general laborers are traditionally on the job. Seeing unemployed...

Colorado Springs Utilities: Price spike looms.
August 1, 2008... Byline: John Hazlehurst Driven by both supply bottlenecks and soaring demand, the price of coal has increased dramatically during the last year. That's of more than academic interest to Colorado Springs residents, since most of the city's...

Power play.
August 1, 2008... Byline: John Hazlehurst Data centers house the servers and associated components that enable the World Wide Web to exist. They can be smaller than 5,000 square feet or as large as 500,000 square feet. They can serve single companies or...

Commentary: Colorado Springs isn't only place for down and dirty political primaries.
August 1, 2008... Byline: John Hazlehurst With less than two weeks to go before the August primaries, it's time for careful analysis, snarky remarks and (largely inaccurate) predictions. Here in El Paso County, we've tended to focus upon the...

Tim Merritt, General manager of KKTV in Colo. Springs: When opportunity has knocked he.
August 1, 2008... Byline: CSBJ Staff Tim Merritt got his start in television advertising sales on the East Coast as an account executive. During 1999, Gray Television Inc. transferred him to WHSV, an ABC affiliate in Harrisonburg, W.Va., where he was...

State of Colorado.'s economic mood improving.
August 1, 2008... Byline: Rebecca Tonn The quarterly Colorado Business Leaders Confidence Index showed a slight uptick for the first time in four quarters, advancing from 41.7 to 43.6. Four out of six component indices on the survey increased. The economic...

Colorado Springs Medical Briefs: August 1, 2008.
August 1, 2008... Byline: Amy Gillentine The Colorado Rural Health Care Grant Council has awarded more than $1.9 million in grants to strengthen health care delivery in rural communities. The council awarded 52 grants, ranging from $1,600 to $50,000, to...

Colorado Springs Real Estate Briefs: August 1, 2008.
August 1, 2008... Byline: Becky Hurley Formerly a woody walk-up, according to California owners Roberts and Melanie Pedrick, a 40,000-square-foot retail center on the northwest corner of Vickers Drive and North Academy Boulevard is embarking on a...

Colorado Springs Retail Briefs: August 1, 2008.
August 1, 2008... Byline: CSBJ Staff Nearly one-fifth of parents nationwide have set aside a portion of their economic stimulus checks for back-to-school purchases. The National Retail Federation conducted a survey which showed that the average family with...

Colorado Springs Nonprofits Briefs: August 1, 2008.
August 1, 2008... Byline: CSBJ Staff CSU ranks among best for undergraduate programs Colorado State University is one of the nation's best institutions for undergraduate education, according to The Princeton Review. Academic and co-curricular programs were...

Options abound: Determining right loan program no easy task.
August 1, 2008... Byline: Rebecca Tonn Business loans are not one-size-fits-all. That's particularly true for loans that are backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration. While SBA loan guarantees alleviate some of the risk of default for lenders,...

Construction, cost-shifting driving surge in health care costs.
August 1, 2008... Byline: Amy Gillentine While health care costs rise every year, the rate of increase will be much higher during 2008 and 2009. That's the word from a Pricewaterhouse-Coopers study, which shows that costs are expected to increase nearly 10...

As the price of coal goes, so goes the price of electricity.
August 1, 2008... Byline: John Hazlehurst The average retail price of electricity rose 2.3 percent during 2007, according to the U.S. Energy Department, and industry analysts predict that higher coal prices will lead to larger increases this year. The...

Maybe it's time to get a life -- coach that is.
August 1, 2008... Byline: Amy Gillentine Life coaches are living, breathing self-help books. Nine to Five Magazine says that life coaching is the second fastest growing industry in the United States and calls it the latest must-have lifestyle and business...

Commentary: Dark underside of Olympic Games: Citizenship for sale.
August 1, 2008... Byline: CSBJ Staff Pierre de Coubertin, who launched the modern Olympics during 1896, envisioned games free from the scourge of nationalism, where athletes of all countries would come to engage in friendly competition. And during the first...

Commentary: Full research capabilities for businesses are right up the road.
August 1, 2008... Byline: Lon Matejczyk Every airplane has a crack in its structure somewhere. Nice thought, huh? This is just one of the eye-opening things I discovered during a tour of the Air Force Academy's research facilities. This little tidbit of...

Cost to cool key to attracting, maintaining data centers.
August 1, 2008... Byline: John Hazlehurst Data centers need massive quantities of electricity not only to run servers, but also to cool them -- and as electricity costs increase, companies are seeking efficiencies in every conceivable area. Manufacturers...

Grants available for Colorado's on-farm energy projects.
August 8, 2008... Byline: CSBJ Staff The Advancing Colorado's Renewable Energy program has $500,000 available to help pay for agricultural energy related projects. Grants will be allocated in three categories: feasibility studies, project participation and...

Colorado Springs LearningRx wins two awards at convention.
August 8, 2008... Byline: CSBJ Staff The Colorado Springs North LearningRX center received the Community Impact Award and the 5-Star Customer Service Award during the company's 2008 national convention. The service award is based on a franchisee's Net...

U.S. Small Business Administration revises small business size standards.
August 8, 2008... Byline: CSBJ Staff The U.S. Small Business Administration has revised its small business size standards for the heating oil and liquefied petroleum gas dealers industries. The new rule will convert the receipts-based size standards from...

Hydro power loan program available in Colorado.
August 8, 2008... Byline: CSBJ Staff The Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority has $10 million available to help governmental agencies with the installation of small hydropower units at their water facilities. The loans have a term of up...

Ecumenical Social Ministries offering free GED classes.
August 8, 2008... Byline: CSBJ Staff Ecumenical Social Ministries is offering free GED training classes for low-income participants, with the exception of a $30 placement test fee. Classes are held from 9:30 a.m. to noon Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays...

Small rental cars -- growing trend in Colorado.
August 8, 2008... Byline: Rebecca Tonn If you want to rent a small, fuel-efficient car for a road-trip this summer, get in line. Rising gas prices have spawned a trend among truck owners who commute long distances to work -- renting cars to save money. Some...

Condo project under way at Monument Valley Park.
August 8, 2008... Byline: Becky Hurley The lot sat vacant -- for years -- as former owners tried to make the numbers work. But last month, site work began on a mid-rise condominium building overlooking Monument Valley Park. By next spring, the one-acre...

Commentary: Wind corridor: Energy salvation or hot air?
August 8, 2008... Byline: John Hazlehurst T. Boone Pickens is pushing a plan to remedy America's addiction to foreign oil by replacing electricity generated by natural gas with wind-generated power. The 82-year old oil and gas entrepreneur and corporate...

Commentary: Oh, but doesn't the city know a swell way to celebrate a historic event.
August 8, 2008... Byline: John Hazlehurst It's never easy to understand the collective mind of public bureaucracies, which often seem maddeningly obtuse. Case in point: last weekend was the 150th anniversary of Julia Archibald Holmes' ascent of Pikes Peak....

Q&A with Duncan Stewart, CEO of Colorado Springs Technology Incubator.
August 8, 2008... Byline: CSBJ Staff Duncan Stewart first came to Colorado Springs to attend the Air Force Academy -- now he's back and operating the city's technology incubator. Opened during March 2001, the Colorado Springs Technology Incubator fosters...

Colorado Springs Financial Briefs: August 8, 2008.
August 8, 2008... Byline: Rebecca Tonn Companies should plan now in order to maximize business tax breaks from the 2008 Economic Stimulus Act, said Ken Majerus, senior manager at BiggsKofford. The bulk of the relief expires at the end of this year, and...

Colorado Springs Medical Briefs: August 8, 2008.
August 8, 2008... Byline: Amy Gillentine A law went into effect earlier this week that makes Colorado the 16th state in the nation to support breastfeeding in the workplace. The law requires employers to provide reasonable break time and make efforts to...

Colorado Springs Real Estate Briefs: August 8, 2008.
August 8, 2008... Byline: Becky Hurley Every year, the Housing and Building Association of Colorado Springs' Parade of Homes tantalizes the community with fresh new home design and decor. This year will be no exception. The event opens this weekend and will...

Colorado Springs Retail Briefs: August 8, 2008.
August 8, 2008... Byline: CSBJ Staff Steve & Barry's LLC has received a $163 million offer for some of its assets from Bay Harbour Management. The teen apparel retailer, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last month, has filed a stalking horse...

Children's Literacy Center in Colorado Springs: Spread the gift of reading.
August 8, 2008... Byline: CSBJ Staff The Children's Literacy Center needs volunteers to provide one-to-one tutoring in reading. Volunteers will tutor one child, two hours a week. Orientation and training sessions are scheduled for 5:30 to 8 p.m. Aug. 26, 27...

Tax-free money does double duty in cash-value life insurance.
August 8, 2008... Byline: Rebecca Tonn Life expectancy has increased dramatically during the last 100 years, and the two main fears that people have are outliving their retirement savings and not having something to bequeath to their heirs. Many investors...

Commentary: Don't forget your right to vote.
August 8, 2008... Byline: CSBJ Staff Round One of this year's political season concludes at 7 p.m. Tuesday, when the Democratic and Republican primary polls close. Here in El Paso County, the results of the Republican primary are particularly significant...

Commentary: Senior Open provided memories both on and off links.
August 8, 2008... Byline: Lon Matejczyk As were many of you, I was transfixed with the U.S. Senior Open last week. Steve Bartolin and all the people at The Broadmoor (I still haven't figured out how to get that little A in there) were wonderful hosts. Doug...

U.S. Senior Open volunteer party in Colorado Springs.
August 8, 2008... Byline: Diane Wengler Excitement was in the air as about 2,000 volunteers and guests gathered on the West Course of The Broadmoor for a party July 26, just two days before the opening of the 2008 U.S Senior Open. Volunteers were not only...

Agriculture grants available in Colorado.
August 8, 2008... Byline: CSBJ Staff The Colorado Department of Agriculture is accepting grant applications from companies that research and develop new uses and markets for food and agricultural products that are grown, raised or processed in Colorado....

Colorado Springs: Where's Big Brother?
August 15, 2008... Byline: John Hazlehurst Surveillance is big business throughout the world, and many cities use video cameras to deter serious crime or catch traffic scofflaws. But Colorado Springs, despite the presence of several sensitive military...

Downturn boosting resale business in Colorado, nationwide.
August 15, 2008... Byline: Amy Gillentine Starbucks is closing 600 stores and Linens 'n Things has shuttered all its stores. Mervyns and Steve and Barry's are in bankruptcy. But one sector of the retail market is doing fine -- sales at consignment shops and...

A housing act that only a CPA could love.
August 15, 2008... Byline: Rebecca Tonn Perhaps it's time to reinvent an adage -- there is no silver lining without a cloud. While the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 includes $15.1 billion of tax incentives, they are wholly offset by long-term...

Commentary: Cyclists' deaths a wakeup call to all of us who travel the open road.
August 15, 2008... Byline: John Hazlehurst A few years ago, the knees decided that running was no longer on the menu. Goodbye 10Ks, goodbye marathons, goodbye Pikes Peak Ascent. So like most creaky old guys who still think they can stay in shape, I returned...

Q&A with Mike Cecere, founder of Colorado's Innovative Financial Management.
August 15, 2008... Byline: CSBJ Staff Longtime Colorado Springs resident and financial planner Mike Cecere says that there are two stories about debt in this country. There's the negative story about soaring credit card debt, about $900 billion in card...

Colorado Springs Financial Briefs: August 15, 2008.
August 15, 2008... Byline: Rebecca Tonn In El Paso County, employment and wages are higher than a year ago, but the unemployment rate has increased slightly because workers are entering the labor force at a faster rate than job growth can accommodate, said...

Colorado Springs Medical Briefs: August 15, 2008.
August 15, 2008... Byline: Amy Gillentine People who lose weight after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes have better control of their blood pressure and blood sugar, and are more likely to maintain that control even if they regain their weight. A Kaiser...

Colorado Springs Real Estate Briefs: August 15, 2008.
August 15, 2008... Byline: Becky Hurley A tenant-in-common investment partnership that includes the Griffis Group, Griffis Blessing, Seagate Properties and Gruber Properties has sold its interest in the 196-unit Garden Terrace Apartments to Capital Real...

Colorado Springs Retail Briefs: August 15, 2008.
August 15, 2008... Byline: CSBJ Staff One might think that during the Olympic Games in Beijing, merchandise at Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center's retail store would be flying off the shelves. But, that's not so, said store manager Paul Duran. The...

Pikes Peak-area merger signals new era for Classic custom homes.
August 15, 2008... Byline: Becky Hurley In what might be described as a marriage of convenience, two Pikes Peak region companies have joined forces. Classic Cos., the region's largest privately held local home building company, merged this month with Scott...

Colorado Springs Business Journal News Briefs: August 15, 2008.
August 15, 2008... Byline: CSBJ Staff Spread the gift of reading The Children's Literacy Center needs volunteers to provide one-to-one tutoring in reading. Volunteers will tutor one child, two hours a week. Orientation and training sessions are scheduled for...

Commentary: Douglas Bruce is at it again.
August 15, 2008... Byline: Lon Matejczyk Here we go again. Doug Bruce is at his anarchist antics once more. On the ballot this fall, he will have two initiatives. They are both extremely detrimental to our community. The first one would eliminate stormwater...

Private 'eyes,' security systems thriving, growing businesses.
August 15, 2008... Byline: John Hazlehurst Security cameras are an ordinary feature of the business landscape, as well as a part of many home security systems. The United States is the world's largest market for security and surveillance equipment, with...

Colorado Festival of World Theatre: Singing with the Stars.
August 15, 2008... Byline: Diane Wengler Supporters of the Colorado Festival of World Theatre enjoyed a picture perfect summer day at Pete Kuyper's Lost Dutchman resort near Divide on July 19. They were there to watch the performances of 12 semi-finalists in...

Big Apple slow to implement high-tech surveillance.
August 15, 2008... Byline: John Hazlehurst Following 9/11, New York City began planning for a protective cordon of sensors and security cameras around Manhattan, in subways and at every entry point to the island. But the plans have been blocked by aging...

London, Chicago lead the way for cities in focus.
August 15, 2008... Byline: John Hazlehurst While Colorado Springs is devoid of government-controlled public surveillance cameras, residents of other major cities appear to be comfortable with the eyes in the sky, whether they're used to catch traffic...

Every special interest group and its brother expected to descend on Democratic convention.
August 22, 2008... Byline: Amy Gillentine Special interests will be vying for the attention of delegates, congressmen, state legislators and local politicians next week at the Democratic National Convention. But how much of the noise will get heard by...

Commentary: Political issues of 1908 eerily mirror those of today.
August 22, 2008... Byline: John Hazlehurst As Republicans and Democrats settle down to the task of writing their respective party platforms, they might find an unexpected source of ideas, not to mention powerful ways of expressing them, in the platforms that...

There's still so much to do at Michael Garman Galleries in Colorado Springs.
August 22, 2008... Byline: Becky Hurley Local admirers and out-of-town visitors pour into the Michael Garman Galleries on West Colorado Avenue in search of a uniquely Colorado Springs experience. Some want to add another sculpture to their collection. Others...

Commentary: After the dust settled, only one Doug emerged from political rubble.
August 22, 2008... Byline: John Hazlehurst The prelims are over, and now it's time for the main event. Jeff who? Bentley who? Doug who? Gone. Swept away by the stolid Republican primary voters of Colorado Springs and the 5th Congressional District. U.S. Rep....

Weighing in on Michael Garman's departure: fans still flocking.
August 22, 2008... Byline: Becky Hurley It's overcast on this lazy August morning as dozens of local admirers join wide-eyed out-of-towners at Michael Garman Galleries in Old Colorado City. The artist has just entered the showroom to have his picture taken....

Q&A with Susan Davis, Executive Women International, Colorado Springs Chapter.
August 22, 2008... Byline: CSBJ Staff After working toward a nursing degree, Susan Davis detoured into the banking world as an entry-level teller during the 1970s. She's been vice president and trust officer for Wells Fargo, The Private Bank, for 11 years,...

Colorado Springs Financial Briefs: August 22, 2008.
August 22, 2008... Byline: Rebecca Tonn Despite the headwinds and shocks we've received, the economy has been holding up quite a bit better than most economists expected, said Scott Anderson, senior economist for Wells Fargo Economics. Notwithstanding the...

Colorado Springs Medical Briefs: August 22, 2008.
August 22, 2008... Byline: Amy Gillentine Colorado will soon have one of the largest health care information networks in the country. A grant from the Federal Communications Commission will allow the Colorado Hospital Association to develop a telehealth...

Colorado Springs Real Estate Briefs: August 22, 2008.
August 22, 2008... Byline: Becky Hurley The board of directors of the Colorado Springs Charter Academy has purchased most of the Benet Hill Monastery at 2555 and 2560 N. Chelton Road for $4.75 million. The school acquired the two-story school building, the...

Colorado Springs Retail Briefs: August 22, 2008.
August 22, 2008... Byline: Scott Prater Tween Brands plans to convert about 560 Limited Too stores to its higher value-oriented Justice brand, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers. Both stores sell fashion basics to the 7- to...

Colorado accountants OK with fingerprinting requirement.
August 22, 2008... Byline: Rebecca Tonn A controversy swept through the accounting world -- but no dirt was found under the broom. A one-man campaign launched by Jason Giaimo against the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy's new rule --...

Exotic car enthusiast in Colorado Springs betting others will want to share his collection.
August 22, 2008... Byline: Scott Prater They say you can tell the age of the boy by the price of his toys. But what do you do when the cost of maintaining those toys becomes prohibitive? If you're Ray Steiner, you loan them to other people to play with --...

Colorado Springs Business Journal News Briefs: August 22, 2008.
August 22, 2008... Byline: CSBJ Staff Melting Pot wins Wine Spectator award The Melting Pot has received the Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator magazine. Winners are selected based on having a wine list with a sufficient selection of better producers,...

Best way to beat Uncle Sam is to give it away now.
August 22, 2008... Byline: Rebecca Tonn Don't be morbid or mawkish about your ultimate demise -- the best time to give away money is while you're still living. Many people are under the impression that if they die, the unlimited marital deduction will...

Commentary: Time to end the sniping and develop a reasonable national energy policy.
August 22, 2008... Byline: CSBJ Staff During the next two weeks Democrats and Republicans will issue convention platforms. You can be sure that each party will devote a great deal of rhetoric to national energy policy -- and promise sweeping, positive...

Commentary: Crime hitting too close to home.
August 22, 2008... Byline: Lon Matejczyk What is going on in our community? In the last week I have had three acquaintances who have been violated. One just had his car window smashed and some incidentals stolen. Another had his house cleaned out by robbers...

Commentary: C'mon, you knew it was going to end sooner rather than later.
August 22, 2008... Byline: Mike Boyd No, it doesn't count. Why? I lasted six months. Surely, that in and of itself deserves some tiny bit of recognition. New Year's resolutions aren't meant to be pro-rated. If you'd like to finally admit you have a weakness...

Colorado Springs couple holds tea for Home Front Cares; celebrates daughter's book awards.
August 22, 2008... Byline: Diane Wengler Marshelline and Ray Purl hosted three elegant teas to celebrate their daughter Mara's recent book awards and support the efforts of The Home Front Cares, a local nonprofit organization that helps the families of...

The Colorado Springs commercial real estate market tightens.
August 29, 2008... Byline: Rebecca Tonn During a slow commercial real estate market, some people stop expanding and run toward proverbial shelter. However, some business owners know that down is not out but an opportunity to expand. Quite a few people are...

Street vendors in Denver offer insight into party politics.
August 29, 2008... Byline: Amy GIllentine The Democratic National Convention served as both creative outlet and job stimulus package for hundreds of vendors who lined the streets of downtown Denver -- hawking political pins, jewelry, hats and T-shirts. Some...

Water washes away Dems united front.
August 29, 2008... Byline: John Hazlehurst During an interview with the Pueblo Chieftain's Charles Ashby, Sen. John McCain said that he supported the renegotiation of the 1922 interstate compact, which governs the distribution of the waters of the Colorado...

Commentary: It's time to roll up the sleeves and let the mud fly.
August 29, 2008... Byline: John Hazlehurst Attack ads! They're everywhere, inescapable unless you've managed to leave the 21st century and dwell in an idyllic, undefiled wilderness, without TV, Internet access, cell phones, newspapers or mail. Otherwise, you...

Q&A with Debbie Chandler, executive director of Colorado Springs Health Partners.
August 29, 2008... Byline: CSBJ Staff Debbie Chandler spends most of her time herding cats -- managing teams of doctors as the executive director of the Colorado Springs Health Partners. Chandler works with more than 90 doctors in more than 20 medical...

Colorado Springs Financial Briefs: August 29, 2008.
August 29, 2008... Byline: Rebecca Tonn Although some economists thought the U.S. housing market's crisis wouldn't affect the world's economy, Bill Greiner, chief information officer of UMB Asset Management, thought otherwise. We've always been skeptical of...

Colorado Springs Medical Briefs: August 29, 2008.
August 29, 2008... Byline: Amy Gillentine Adult obesity rates continue to rise in 37 states, including Colorado. But the state is still the thinnest in the nation, according to a report from Trust for America's Health. The annual survey shows that no state...

Colorado Springs Real Estate Briefs: August 29, 2008.
August 29, 2008... Byline: Becky Hurley The Palo Verde Apartments have been purchased for $3 million by Carefree Partners LLC. The 72-unit complex is at 175 N. Murray Blvd. Tammy Gilbert, president of First Properties Inc. handled both sides of the...

Colorado Springs Retail Briefs: August 29, 2008.
August 29, 2008... Byline: Scott Prater For many, the Labor Day weekend signifies the turning of the seasons, and for retailers it's no different -- the weekend is a time to get rid of the summer merchandise and debut the fall fashions. Labor Day is big for...

Democrats abandoning war in favor of focus on economy.
August 29, 2008... Byline: Amy Gillentine Business issues and the economy replaced the Iraq War as the top issue during the Democratic National Convention. From discussions hosted by the AFL-CIO to the First Americans Council to the Women's Caucus --...

Katie Bar the door: Identity theft digging deeply into home equity.
August 29, 2008... Byline: Rebecca Tonn Identity theft is on the rise -- and it's wearing a new face mask. It's not enough to guard your passwords, refrain from giving out your Social Security number or delete all the you've-won-$50...

Colorado Springs Business Journal News Briefs: August 29, 2008.
August 29, 2008... Byline: CSBJ Staff Roan Plateau lease sales set record The Roan Plateau lease sales netted $113.9 million, making it the highest grossing onshore oil and natural gas lease sale in Bureau of Land Management history in the lower 48 states. A...

Commentary: One blatant self-promotion down, and only one to go.
August 29, 2008... Byline: CSBJ Staff One down, one to go. We'll barely have time to recover from the sturm und drang of Denver's weeklong Democratic lovefest before the Republicans roar into Minneapolis for their turn in the limelight. Political conventions...