Colorado Springs Business Journal (CO) articles from February 2006

Colorado Springs Business Journal (CO) archives from February 2006

Colorado Springs ski shops benefit from record snows.
February 3, 2006... Byline: Amy Gillentine With some ski resorts reporting snow packs of up to 239 inches, the high country's record winter precipitation has led to record sales at Colorado Springs equipment shops. "It's been a phenomenal season," said Kevin...

Branch Banking & Trust no longer lends to developers building on land acquired by eminent domain.
February 3, 2006... Byline: Rob Larimer A big bank took a bold step last week when it publicly put its foot down against the practice of eminent domain.North Carolina-based Branch Banking & Trust Co. officials announced that they will no longer lend to...

Colorado Bankers Association taking lead in combating identity theft.
February 3, 2006... Byline: Rob Larimer The Colorado Bankers Association is working to create a statewide task force to combat what many call America's fastest growing crime identity theft.The effort may be the first of its kind in the country or at least the...

Univ. of CO at Colorado Springs nourishes progress through Center for Entrepreneurship.
February 3, 2006... Byline: Marylou Doehrman No matter how fertile the seeds of entrepreneurship, they wither without the proper economic soil. In order for entrepreneurship to germinate, take root and yield the fruit of economic progress, it has to be...

Colorado Springs cycle shop owner does more than peddle bikes.
February 3, 2006... Byline: Amy Gillentine Collin Becker, one of the top mountain bike racers in Colorado, credits a local bike shop owner with his success. Becker said his professional status, which includes wins at the Colorado State Championship and the...

President/CEO of Imagination Interactive fights to stay at the forefront of tech advances.
February 3, 2006... Byline: CSBJ Staff Report For Scott Koons, time is technology.That's why he and his company, Imagination Interactive, are in a never-ending fight to stay at the forefront of advances for the Internet.If Koons is on top of his game, so are...

Colorado Springs Financial Briefs: February 3, 2006.
February 3, 2006... Byline: Rob Larimer In the latest step of an aggressive expansion plan, Ent Federal Credit Union opened its 20th service center in Stetson Hills on Jan. 28, and the event was a peek at things to come in the Colorado Springs banking world....

Colorado Springs Medical Briefs: February 3, 2006.
February 3, 2006... Byline: Marylou Doehrman Last week, the Memorial Hospital Blood Donor Center recognized blood donors and businesses that hosted mobile blood drives during 2005 at a ceremony at the Antler's Hilton. Kathy Hook, donor resource coordinator...

Colorado Springs Real Estate Briefs: February 3, 2006.
February 3, 2006... Byline: Becky Hurley Reports of local real estate deals have been coming in fast and furious to the CSBJ. Here's just a sampling, and there's lots more to come.Front Range Commercial Real Estate brokerage spent the first half of January...

Colorado Springs Retailing Briefs: February 3, 2006.
February 3, 2006... Byline: Amy Gillentine Maggie Mae's restaurant, a mainstay of Colorado Springs, has a new owner but the same management team.Chuck Graybill, who has managed the diner for nine years, bought the building that houses the restaurant."Our...

Recruiting entry level talent? Take a number.
February 3, 2006... Byline: Becky Hurley National corporate college recruiting is back in a big way, and the Pikes Peak region appears to be prime hiring territory.Local employers in need of new blood may want to take note as this year's pool of degreed...

Businesses in Monument, CO, don't fear retail goliaths.
February 3, 2006... Byline: Amy Gillentine As construction crews continue plans for Wal-Mart and developers sign leases for other national retail stores and restaurants, Monument Marketplace looms large in the minds of residents and businesses.Many businesses...

Foxworth Galbraith set to expand into Colorado Springs marketplace.
February 3, 2006... Byline: Amy Gillentine Reports of the demise of Foxworth Galbraith in El Paso County have been greatly exaggerated.Instead of leaving the Monument market because of competition from Home Depot, the 105 year old lumber company is scheduled...

Chiropractors do more than crack the back.
February 3, 2006... Byline: Colorado Springs Business Journal Staff There's no doubt a slipped disc is a pain in the back.But, pain aside, a vertebrae that slips out of place can strain nerves, which can cause the body's organs to malfunction.It's a...

Commentary: Two and a half market myths.
February 3, 2006... Byline: Allan Roth I wanted to wait a month or so to let all the gurus tell you what happened last year so I could set the record straight on myths that were created. Myth No. 1: 2005 was a bad year for the stock market.You've probably...

Commentary: Art, culture important to Colorado Springs' future.
February 3, 2006... Byline: Lorne Kramer Not too long ago, The Gazette ran an article about the increasing number of young professionals leaving our community. The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment reported that, from 2001 to 2004, El Paso County...

Commentary: Business of innovation - resort style.
February 3, 2006... Byline: Lon Matejczyk Business continues to amaze me. Different business models, different types of business. I find it quite fascinating to watch how people innovate and set themselves apart from the competition. I am writing this...

Commentary: Finding the right volunteer opportunity a click away.
February 3, 2006... Byline: Mike Boyd Pikes Peak United Way, in collaboration with the Center for Nonprofit Excellence, is making it easier for people to match themselves with volunteer opportunities.Volunteer Pikes Peak (www.volunteerpikespeak.org) is a...

El Paso County's Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign is 'Best in West'.
February 3, 2006... Byline: Colorado Springs Business Journal Staff The Salvation Army's Red Kettle campaign raised $480,310, breaking 2004's record of $379,000 and surpassing the 2005 goal of $400,000.El Paso County raised more money than any other Red Kettle...

Volunteers need for Colorado Springs/El Paso County Comm. on Children and Families.
February 3, 2006... Byline: Colorado Springs Business Journal Staff The City of Colorado Springs and El Paso County need volunteers for the Commission on Children and Families.Members meet once a month and make recommendations to City Council about issues...

Colorado Springs-based Space Foundation names board officers, members.
February 3, 2006... Byline: Colorado Springs Business Journal Staff The Board of Directors of the Space Foundation has elected new officers and directors of the corporation. They are Robert S. Walker, chairman of Wexler & Walker Public Policy Associates,...

Goodwill Industries of Colorado Springs elects 2006 board of directors.
February 3, 2006... Byline: Colorado Springs Business Journal Staff Goodwill Industries of Colorado Springs has elected Phil Price of Ramsay, Stattman, Vela & Price as its board chairman for 2006 and Jim Spittler of NAI-Highland Commercial Group LLC as...

Colorado chapter of Business Marketing Association seeks nominations for Gold Key awards.
February 3, 2006... Byline: Colorado Springs Business Journal Staff The Colorado chapter of the Business Marketing Association is seeking nominations for the 2006 Gold Key awards, an annual event that recognizes business-to-business marketing...

2006 Colorado Springs Press Association Media Guide available for purchase.
February 3, 2006... Byline: Colorado Springs Business Journal Staff The 2006 Colorado Springs Press Association Media Guide is available for purchase. The guide contains El Paso/Teller County area listings of newspapers, radio and television stations, as well...

test story please dont delete.
February 7, 2006... Byline: test test

Commentary: Economic panel proposes some major changes fo Colorado.
February 10, 2006... Byline: Mike Boyd The Colorado Economic Futures Panel has released its final report, and if even half of the proposals included in "Principles for Progress: Shaping the Economic Future of Colorado" are implemented, life as we know it in...

Colorado Springs' City Auditorium is key player in urban renewal zone.
February 10, 2006... Byline: Becky Hurley It's seen its share of cat shows, organ concerts, revivals and raves. Even rock stars have graced its stage. But, as part of a newly designated urban renewal block, City Auditorium is a key player in a major downtown...

Men bearing brunt of high cost of love on Valentine's Day.
February 10, 2006... Byline: Amy Gillentine The Beatles sang "all you need is love," but on Valentine's Day, it doesn't hurt to bring along roses, chocolate and jewelry. Consumers are preparing for Cupid's holiday, expecting to spend an average of $100.80 on...

Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame and Museum may move to New Mexico.
February 10, 2006... Byline: Amy Gillentine The Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboy is considering ending a nearly 25-year association with Colorado Springs, and accepting a proposal to move to Albuquerque, N.M.While neither pro-rodeo...

Colorado Springs businessman Gary Thuerk was first to send spam e-mail.
February 10, 2006... Byline: Marylou Doehrman They call him the "father of spam" but he didn't conceive ham in a tin can. Colorado Springs businessman Gary Thuerk has been listed in the last three Guinness World Record books as the first person ever to send...

Alternative fuel sources are blowing in the wind.
February 10, 2006... Byline: Amy Gillentine With energy prices soaring, traditional petroleum companies are embracing new technology, such as biodiesel and ethanol, while newer companies are creating demand for wind energy to power homes and offices.At Acorn...

El Paso County's new coroner and medical examiner seems content being part of a dying business.
February 10, 2006... Byline: Staff Report You could come face to face with Robert Bux someday and never know it.Bux is El Paso County's new coroner and medical examiner. His office investigates more than 1,000 deaths a year, and he works to discover the...

IRS has its own version of 'Dirty Dozen' abuses.
February 10, 2006... Byline: Rob Larimer It's tax season, and that also means it's tax-scam season.The Internal Revenue Service has issued the 2006 "Dirty Dozen" its latest tally of some of the most notorious tax scams.In recent months, IRS personnel have...

Colorado Springs Health Care Briefs: February 10, 2006.
February 10, 2006... Byline: Marylou Doehrman After a career in radio, Scott Stafford started his own company, Auxiliary Media, which supported Internet-based radio programs. Stafford left the radio business a few years ago to join Van Gilder Insurance Corp....

Colorado Springs Real Estate Briefs: February 10, 2006.
February 10, 2006... Byline: Becky Hurley Work on the 12-acre Metso Minerals property at the southwest corner of Cimarron and Sierra Madre streets was already under way when the property closed Jan. 31. Oz Architects and NES land planners have been hired to...

Colorado Springs Retail Briefs: February 10, 2006.
February 10, 2006... Byline: Amy Gillentine A family friendly fitness chain with locations across the country is set to open its second location in Colorado Springs this summer. Fitness 19 is building a 7,200-square-foot gym at Union Town Center. The other...

Colorado Springs Real Estate Briefs: Feburary 10, 2006.
February 10, 2006... Byline: Becky Hurley Colorado Springs fares well in the 2006 real estate forecast compiled by the Grubb & Ellis Co. The good news: The Pikes Peak region has recovered from a three-year down cycle. As a result, 20,000 new residents are...

Dating services specialize in striking a match.
February 10, 2006... Byline: Staff Report If you've ever wished you could screen a potential mate before a disastrous dating encounter, a dating service may offer some hope.A rise in the number of businesses that provide matchmaking services shows that more...

Commentary: Young pros using Web to find growing nightlife.
February 10, 2006... Byline: Jon Severson Quite often in this space I write that there is a lot going on in Colorado Springs, that there is a reason to stay in Colorado Springs and not drive to Denver, that there are culture and activities people in their 20s...

Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center presents Peter Max retrospective.
February 10, 2006... Byline: Rob Larimer The staff at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center worked this week to prepare for something that hasn't happened in 35 years the opening of a Peter Max retrospective exhibit.Walls were painted, shipments unloaded and...

Commentary: Brain drain debate just much ado about nothing.
February 10, 2006... Byline: Lon Matejczyk The statistics are saying that El Paso County lost 8 percent of its workers between the age of 25 and 34, and Denver lost even more 13 percent.I agree with Lorne Kramer's column last week. He said that culture, arts,...

Pikes Peak area auctioneers take top awards10.
February 10, 2006... Byline: CSBJ Staff Report Three Pikes Peak area auctioneers took top awards during the Colorado Auctioneers Association annual conference.Kevin L. Holt of Holt & Associates Auctioneers in Colorado Springs was named the 2006 state champion...

2006 Colorado Springs Press Assn. Media Guide available.
February 10, 2006... Byline: CSBJ Staff Report The 2006 Colorado Springs Press Association Media Guide is available for purchase. The guide contains El Paso/Teller County area listings of newspapers, radio and television stations, as well as reporter and other...

Venetucci Farm Council established by the Pikes Peak Community Foundation.
February 10, 2006... Byline: CSBJ Staff Report The Board of Directors of the Pikes Peak Community Foundation has appointed a group of volunteers to serve as the official Farm Council for the Venetucci Farm.The council will provide advice, feedback, information...

Colorado National Bank making Monument plans.
February 10, 2006... Byline: Rob Larimer Colorado National Bank has opened a loan production office in Monument. The bank's senior vice president, David Harline, is managing the office.Harline and CNB Regional President Bill Berenz are planning to open a...

Colorado's franchise growth outpaces nation.
February 24, 2006... Byline: Amy Gillentine Last year, business attorney Michele Fagin noticed something: an increasing amount of her practice involved franchise questions, contracts and user agreements. "I'm spending a lot of time dealing with this," she...

Insuring against ID theft.
February 24, 2006... Byline: Rob Larimer The fear of identity theft may be more real than the threat.Everyone, it seems, is aware of the potential of becoming an identity theft victim. These days, Social Security numbers are whispered around the office,...

Falcon Broadband seeks television license from Colorado Springs.
February 24, 2006... Byline: Rob Larimer Despite a steadfast defense that Falcon Broadband does not need a franchise agreement to offer television services within Colorado Springs company owner Randy De Young has submitted a franchise offer to the city."This...

Matrix Design Group's headquarters in Colorado Springs provides for growth.
February 24, 2006... Byline: Becky Hurley Matrix Design Group is moving its corporate headquarters to a 3.7 acre parcel near the intersection of Chapel Hills Drive and Research Parkway. The 35,000-square-foot Class A office building is scheduled for completion...

Imagine Downtown begins next phase of revitalization of Colorado Springs' business district.
February 24, 2006... Byline: Amy Gillentine It is going to be a busy year at the Downtown Partnership, as the group begins the next phase of Imagine Downtown, a plan to revitalize and remake the Colorado Springs' central business district. The group spent 2005...

Interview with Mark Iorio, CEO of Colorado Springs Health Partners.
February 24, 2006... Byline: CSBJ Staff Report You may not see Mark Iorio wearing a white lab coat with a stethoscope stuffed in the pocket, but he knows how to keep a physicians' network in good health.Iorio is CEO of Colorado Springs Health Partners, a group...

Colorado Springs Financial Briefs: February 24, 2006.
February 24, 2006... Byline: Rob Larimer If you are one of the many business owners who will need to file an extension this year, you'll be glad to know the Internal Revenue Service has tried to make the process a little easier.In a move the IRS says is...

Colorado Springs Medical Briefs: February 24, 2006.
February 24, 2006... Byline: Marylou Doehrman If the majority of legislators and Gov. Bill Owens agree, Colorado will join 21 other states that have passed bills to protect nurses and other medical professionals who "blow the whistle" on medical errors and...

Colorado Springs Real Estate Briefs: February 24, 2006.
February 24, 2006... Byline: Becky Hurley A report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the construction industry and the financial services industry accounted for 13 percent of total job growth from 2002 to 2003. As a whole, John Burns of Inman News said...

Colorado Springs Retailing Briefs: February 24, 2006.
February 24, 2006... Byline: Amy Gillentine One of Colorado Springs' upscale shoe stores now carries more styles and selections. "We took an area that used to be dressing rooms we were using it for storage," said Saboz owner Linda Bridger. "We remodeled and...

Colorado Springs franchisee seeking SBA loan learns of no-discrimination policy.
February 24, 2006... Byline: Marylou Doehrman When Lindsay Chalfant tried to secure a Small Business Administration loan for a Curves franchise, she had to present a floor plan that included separate facilities for men. Jan Cummer, owner of Curves of Woodland...

Garden of the Gods Bank moving to downtown Colorado Springs.
February 24, 2006... Byline: Rob Larimer Garden of the Gods Bank is moving downtown, but location is not its priority it's all about coming to your doorstep. The bank has a special charter that allows mobile banking, said regional President Megan Harmon. "For...

Plans made for Women's Endowment luncheon at Univ. of CO at Colorado Springs.
February 24, 2006... Byline: Diane Wengler Lynne Fitzhugh's beautiful Broadmoor home provided an elegant place for a special gathering last month to kick off plans for the second annual Karen Possehl Women's Endowment luncheon at the University of Colorado at...

Commentary: Do we truly have effective community leadership?
February 24, 2006... Byline: Lon Matejczyk A headline in your Feb. 10 CSBJ read "Happy trails to you?" The story was about the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame and the Museum of the American Cowboy moving to New Mexico.The PRHC only has about 70 employees, but the move...

Commentary: National Safety Council: Workplace death rates have fallen 17% since 1992.
February 24, 2006... Byline: Mike Boyd The next time someone asks me why I spend so much time at the office I'm going to have a really good answer: It's safer there.According to the National Safety Council, workplace death rates have fallen 17 percent since...

CO-based Westmoreland Coal completes 2005 without lost-time accident.
February 24, 2006... Byline: CSBJ Staff Report Westmoreland Coal Co.'s mines completed 2005 without a lost-time accident and set a company coal production and sales record of nearly 30 million tons. The previous record was 29 million tons in 2004.The Savage...

Colorado oil and gas lease sale nets $11.8 million.
February 24, 2006... Byline: CSBJ Staff Report The Colorado State Office of the Bureau of Land Management sold 129 parcels totaling about 134,582 acres at its quarterly oil and gas lease sale.The transactions earned $11.8 million, which will be divided between...

CH2M Hill named one of America's '100 best' to work for.
February 24, 2006... Byline: CSBJ Staff Report CH2M Hill has been named one of America's top employers by Fortune magazine for the second time in the last three years.Fortunes' annual ranking of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" is determined through a...

UBS places first in Institutional Investor magazine's annual All-Europe Research team.
February 24, 2006... Byline: CSBJ Staff Report UBS has placed first for the fifth consecutive year in Institutional Investor magazine's annual All-Europe Research team. The magazine surveys investors in European equities to determine which brokerage firm...