Colorado Springs Business Journal (CO) articles from May 2006

Colorado Springs Business Journal (CO) archives from May 2006

BKD buys Colorado Springs office of Grant Thornton.
May 5, 2006... Byline: Rob Larimer BKD has purchased the Colorado Springs office of Grant Thornton.The acquisition comes as the nation's fifth largest accounting firm shifts its focus to larger clients associated with the "Big Four" firms, said Brett...

New Bijou Street bridge to be erected as part of CO Springs Metro Interstate Expansion project.
May 5, 2006... Byline: Rob Larimer Many people in Colorado Springs see the Bijou Street bridge as a sad, sagging Interstate 25 overpass with little flair to attract passersby into the city's downtown business district. But that image could change when a...

Colorado trade officials hope to increase untapped markets.
May 5, 2006... Byline: Amy Gillentine Colorado exports increased almost 2 percent last year and have risen 11 percent since 2001, thanks in part to a federal government program that assists small businesses with their initial foray into foreign markets....

Interview with B.J. Hybl, new president of Colorado Springs-based Griffis/Blessing.
May 5, 2006... Byline: Staff Report B.J. Hybl is the new president and chief operating officer of one of Colorado Springs' most recognizable real estate services firms, Griffis/Blessing Inc.While Hybl is not a newcomer to the company, some things about...

Colorado Springs Financial Briefs: May 5, 2006.
May 5, 2006... Byline: Rob Larimer The nation's banking industry is in particularly good health these days, according to an independent ratings firm.Bauer Financial, known for its star rating system that assesses banks based on performance, says...

Colorado Springs Medical Briefs: May 5, 2006.
May 5, 2006... Byline: Amy Gillentine Rocky Mountain Health Care Services has received a $100,000 grant from the Denver-based Daniels Fund to support the development of the Program for All Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)."The goal of the RMHCS PACE...

Colorado Springs Real Estate Briefs: May 5, 2006.
May 5, 2006... Byline: Becky Hurley Just when it seemed like all the prime eastside land parcels had been scooped up by retail, multifamily and residential development investors, news of yet another large transaction came across the real estate...

Colorado Springs Retail Briefs: May 5, 2006.
May 5, 2006... Byline: Joan Johnson U.S. Internet advertising revenue reached $12.5 billion in 2005, a 30 percent increase compared to 2004, according to The Interactive Advertising Bureau and PricewaterhouseCoopers. The organizations' Internet...

Former Colorado Springs industrial park readying for retail use.
May 5, 2006... Byline: Becky Hurley What was once a 10.8 acre vacant industrial park near the northwest corner of Garden of the Gods Road and Centennial Boulevard has been transformed into a retail shopping center.Market Center at the Garden will cover...

Tapping into culture key to doing work in China, advises University of Colo. professor.
May 5, 2006... Byline: Amy Gillentine China is a place of paradoxes, and opportunities - but only for business people who take the time to learn about the country's diverse culture.That's the message from Dr. Richard Kwor, a professor at the University...

Pikes Peak Workforce Center helps ease burdens of job misfortunes.
May 5, 2006... Byline: Joan Johnson Job security is something that many workers wish came with their employment package. Because it doesn't, many people spend their workdays fearing sudden unemployment.The Pikes Peak Workforce Center is helping alleviate...

City seeking volunteers for investment committee.
May 5, 2006... Byline: Staff Report The City of Colorado Springs is seeking applicants to fill two vacancies on the City Investment Advisory Committee.The Committee advises City Council and city staff about investment policies and procedures. Applicants...

Goodwill Industries of Colorado Springs holds its annual dinner.
May 5, 2006... Byline: Diane Wengler John Armstrong received the Guiding Light Award in recognition of his leadership, stewardship and personal commitment to Goodwill Industries of Colorado Springs at the organization's annual dinner April 18 at The...

Commentary: What's wrong with health care can be clearly seen in my colonoscopy.
May 5, 2006... Byline: Allan Roth For those confused as to why I am writing about my colonoscopy in a personal finance column, let me simply say that it has turned out to be a microcosm of why health care costs are out of control.Medically or legally...

Commentary: Annual PeakCO Challenge right around the corner.
May 5, 2006... Byline: Mike Boyd If you're looking for fun way to promote teambuilding within your organization (while at the same time contributing to a good cause), consider entering a team or two in the Fourth Annual PeakCO Challenge.The event, which...

City of Colorado Springs seeking volunteers for investment committee.
May 5, 2006... Byline: CSBJ Staff Report The City of Colorado Springs is seeking applicants to fill two vacancies on the City Investment Advisory Committee.The Committee advises City Council and city staff about investment policies and procedures....

Business Week recognizes Denver University undergraduate program.
May 5, 2006... Byline: CSBJ Staff Report The Daniels College of Business' undergraduate program at Denver University has been recognized as one of the top 50 in the United States by Business Week.Daniels ranked 49th, and was the only undergraduate...

City of Colorado Springs seeks TOPS volunteers.
May 5, 2006... Byline: CSBJ Staff Report The Colorado Springs Parks and Recreation Advisory Board is seeking volunteers to serve on its TOPS Working Committee. The committee meets bimonthly and determines spending priorities for the Trails, Open Space...

OSI cuts its losses.
May 9, 2006... Byline: David Reich-Hale OSI Pharmaceuticals Inc. reported Monday that its first-quarter losses fell to $17.9 million, or 31 cents per share, because of higher sales of its cancer drug Tarceva. OSI had lost $32.5 million, or 64 cents...

Fight to keep Pro Rodeo Cowboy Assn. in Colorado Springs continues.
May 12, 2006... Byline: Amy Gillentine A behind-the-scenes movement is under way to keep the Pro Rodeo Cowboy Association, and the Hall of Fame and Museum of the Rodeo Cowboy in Colorado Springs, despite a February vote by the PRCA board to move to...

Tort costs hit $260B annually in U.S.
May 12, 2006... Byline: Rob Larimer $886 a year.That's the average cost the tort system is expected to pass along to each American, after litigation awards and settlements reached a record $260 billion in 2004.The estimate is part of an annual study by...

Oil impact felt beyond the pump.
May 12, 2006... Byline: Becky Hurley Construction material costs have outpaced overall consumer and producer prices by a wide margin, according to Ken Simonson, chief economist for the Associated General Contractors. Simonson predicted in March that if...

Commentary: Primary possibility, lost art, immigration.
May 12, 2006... Byline: John Hazlehurst I received an invitation from gubernatorial hopeful Marc Holtzman to attend a campaign breakfast at Giuseppe's the other day - so I did what any good reporter would do, and made a mad dash for the free food....

Interview with Clay Turner: Rode shotgun for NRA in Gore country.
May 12, 2006... Byline: Colorado Springs Business Journal Staff During the 2000 presidential election, Clay Turner targeted Al Gore - and was instrumental in helping defeat the former vice president in two key states: Arkansas and Tennessee. As advertising...

Colorado Springs Financial Briefs: May 12, 2006.
May 12, 2006... Byline: Rob Larimer The Colorado House of Representatives approved an identity theft bill this week that has become model legislation for other states.HB1347 was drafted by the Colorado Bankers Association. As worded, it would supply...

Colorado Springs Medical Briefs: May 12, 2006.
May 12, 2006... Byline: Amy Gillentine For the second consecutive year, Penrose-St. Francis Health Services has been named one of the nation's top performance improvement leader hospitals by Evanston, Ill.-based Solucient, a source of health care...

Colorado Springs Real Estate Briefs: May 12, 2006.
May 12, 2006... Byline: Becky Hurley The surveys just keep on coming. Both the National Association of Realtors and the Experian-Gallup Personal Credit Index have taken a look at the homebuilding industry and the much touted housing bubble. Their...

Colorado Springs Retail Briefs: May 12, 2006.
May 12, 2006... Byline: Joan Johnson Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will start selling build-your-own-computer components in more than one-third of its U.S. stores this month. While the discount retailer has been blamed for bankruptcies in sectors ranging from...

Retail space slow to fill along downtown corridor in Colorado Springs.
May 12, 2006... Byline: Joan Johnson Through the years, downtown has lived with changing storefronts. Now walking down Tejon Street, windows are littered with "for lease" signs with window shoppers few and far between."There is some available space that...

International franchises a balance of risk, reward.
May 12, 2006... Byline: Joan Johnson Travel abroad and you're likely to encounter many reminders of Western civilization. But while the Golden Arches of McDonald's and the brown vans of UPS are becoming more commonplace in foreign countries, entrepreneurs...

Job seekers turn tables at 'reverse' career fair in Colorado Springs.
May 12, 2006... Byline: Joan Johnson A first job interview is usually done to determine whether an applicant is a good match for a position, and when a candidate's expertise doesn't match the job description, it can be daunting. With this in mind, the...

Governor recognizes exporting excellence.
May 12, 2006... Byline: Staff Report Governor recognizes exporting excellenceGov. Bill Owens has announced the winners of the Governor's Award for Excellence in Exporting, which recognizes Colorado companies that have made outstanding contributions to...

Mozart project music to small business owner in Colorado Springs.
May 12, 2006... Byline: Rob Larimer What could 18th-century composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart really do to promote a small business?Dave Fernholz is hoping the answer is: a lot.Fernholz owns In-Sight Optical at 12 E. Pikes Peak Ave, and by summertime, the...

Colorado Gov. Owens recognizes exporting excellence.
May 12, 2006... Byline: Colorado Springs Business Journal Staff Gov. Bill Owens has announced the winners of the Governor's Award for Excellence in Exporting, which recognizes Colorado companies that have made outstanding contributions to exporting during...

U.S. Post offices again rate high in on-time delivery.
May 12, 2006... Byline: Colorado Springs Business Journal Staff Post offices in Colorado and Wyoming scored 96 percent in on-time delivery for First Class Mail during the first quarter of 2006.It is the 11 straight quarter that the offices have scored 96...

Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado launches new Web site.
May 12, 2006... Byline: Colorado Springs Business Journal Staff The Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado has launched a new Web site, www.bbbsc.org.The site contains more information and is easier to navigate.Consumers can get instant access to...

El Paso County seeking Development Fund Advisory Board volunteer.
May 12, 2006... Byline: Colorado Springs Business Journal Staff The El Paso County Board of Commissioners is seeking a volunteer to serve on the Development Fund Advisory Board.The board needs an at-large member to review, monitor and make recommendations...

Colorado Springs-based Weathercraft receives Firestone recognition.
May 12, 2006... Byline: Colorado Springs Business Journal Staff Weathercraft Co. has received the 2006 Firestone Master Contractor Award from Firestone Building Products Co.The award recognizes Weathercraft for its dedication to installing quality roofing...

Colorado Springs-based Configuresoft's manager receives MMS award.
May 12, 2006... Byline: Colorado Springs Business Journal Staff Configuresoft's Enterprise Configuration Manager was named the overall winner at the Best of Microsoft Management Summit 2006 Awards.By standardizing and monitoring server and client...

Falcon School District 49 bus drivers win skills event.
May 12, 2006... Byline: Colorado Springs Business Journal Staff Falcon School District 49 bus drivers won first place in the team category at the 2006 Bus Driving Road-e-o in Denver.Twenty-two school districts participated in the event. Falcon bus drivers...

City of Colorado Springs recognizes Child Nursery Centers.
May 12, 2006... Byline: Colorado Springs Business Journal Staff Child Nursery Centers has received the 2006 Excellence in Human Services Award from the City of Colorado Springs.CNC has five centers and serves almost 400 children daily.

U.S. Small Business Administration hurricane loans top $9 billion.
May 12, 2006... Byline: Colorado Springs Business Journal Staff The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved more than $9 billon in financing to small businesses, homeowners and renters who were victims of hurricanes Katrina, Rita and...

Changing skyline in the works for Colorado Springs.
May 19, 2006... Byline: Becky Hurley RDS Development is planning to build a high-rise, multi-use complex adjacent to City Auditorium, on the southeast corner of Nevada Avenue and Kiowa Street.Development plans for the project were expected to be submitted...

Despite vote by PRCA board, don't get too attached.
May 19, 2006... Byline: Amy

Interview with Gretchen Moran, manager of Tejon Street Grocery Deli.
May 19, 2006... Byline: Colorado Springs Staff Report As an increasing number of Colorado Springs residents are choosing downtown jobs and lifestyles, businesspeople like Gretchen Moran stand ready to serve them.Moran is the manager of Tejon Street Grocery...

Colorado Springs Financial Briefs: May 19, 2006.
May 19, 2006... Byline: Rob Larimer An ongoing Internal Revenue Service investigation has uncovered that a large number of tax-exempt credit counseling agencies are not complying with tax-exempt operating laws.During the last two years, the IRS has been...

Coloardo Springs Medical Briefs: May 19, 2006.
May 19, 2006... Byline: Amy Gillentine Parkview Medical Center has acquired a new machine that offers women the option of safer, less traumatic surgery than a traditional hysterectomy.The Gynecare X-Tract Tissue Morcellator provides laparoscopic...

Colorado Springs Real Estate Briefs: May 19, 2006.
May 19, 2006... Byline: Becky Hurley Colorado Springs-based G.E. Johnson Construction has begun expansion on the Estes Park Medical Center. Initial work includes the addition of space to accommodate patient rooms, a surgical suite, the physical medicine...

Colorado Spring Retail Briefs: May 19, 2006.
May 19, 2006... Byline: Joan Johnson The National Retail Federation welcomed a study showing that it costs retailers $6.8 billion annually to collect state and local sales taxes across the nation. The group says the study could help merchants in their...

Colorado Springs Technology Briefs: May 19, 2006.
May 19, 2006... Byline: Amy Gillentine Managed Business Solutions, a global IT consulting and outsourcing firm, has moved its corporate headquarters from Fort Collins to Colorado Springs to accommodate the company's growth.Currently operating 35 locations...

Military explores health care in Colorado Springs.
May 19, 2006... Byline: Amy Gillentine The Colorado Springs health care community is ramping up to ensure services are available for the 30,000 soldiers and dependents who are expected to move to the area during the next two years as part of the Defense...

On the block: task force eyes City Auditorium remodel.
May 19, 2006... Byline: John Hazlehurst For the last several months, a group of community leaders has been meeting under the aegis of the Downtown Partnership to chart the future of the historic City Auditorium.The group includes City Councilman Randy...

Leadership Pikes Peak accepting applications.
May 19, 2006... Byline: Staff Report Leadership Pikes Peak accepting applicationsLeadership Pikes Peak is accepting applications for the 2006-07 Signature Program, a 10-month in-depth look at the Colorado Springs community, its leaders and decision-making...

Expressions of Hope Art Show held in Colorado Springs.
May 19, 2006... Byline: Diane Wengler Members of the Colorado Springs Fire Department were on hand to valet park the cars of more than 400 people who attended the Expressions of Hope Art Show on May 4 at ERA Shields' Tech Center office. The show,...

Dept. of Defense considers hiking some Tricare payments.
May 19, 2006... Byline: Amy Gillentine While the Department of Defense spins it as "sustaining the benefit," veterans groups claim that proposed increases to Tricare fees for retired military and their families are too expensive. Under the proposal -...

Commentary: Diversity just one key to changing our perception.
May 19, 2006... Byline: Lon Matejczyk I have been vacant from these pages for a while. Things are busy here at the CSBJ and around town. Writing this column takes time and I prefer to be with staff and community rather than sitting at my desk.As some of...

BLM May oil and gas lease sale nets $6.8 million.
May 19, 2006... Byline: Colorado Springs Business Journal Staff The Bureau of Land Management Colorado State Office sold 148 parcels at its quarterly oil and gas lease sale, or about 154,903 acres. The sales earned more than $6.8 million in proceeds.All...

RTA Architects opens Pueblo office.
May 19, 2006... Byline: Colorado Springs Business Journal Staff RTA Architects has opened an office in downtown Pueblo at 625 S. Union Ave. The firm has been providing architectural design services for medial, educational, religions, military,...

Leadership Pikes Peak accepting applications.
May 19, 2006... Byline: Colorado Springs Business Journal Staff Leadership Pikes Peak is accepting applications for the 2006-07 Signature Program, a 10-month in-depth look at the Colorado Springs community, its leaders and decision-making...

Despite vote by board, Pro Rodeo Cowboys Assn. still considering relocation.
May 19, 2006... Byline: Amy Gillentine Despite a unanimous vote to "suspend relocation" to New Mexico, the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association might still seek greener pastures. "This action does not, however, preclude future considerations of any action...

Colorado Springs technology company could have a shot at exponential growth.
May 26, 2006... Byline: Rob Larimer If a small, private Colorado Springs technology company like Celis Semiconductor were to go public, it would open a doorway to greater investor capital and a shot at exponential growth.But for small companies, there's...

Why has the Colorado Springs major water project taken so long.
May 26, 2006... Byline: John Hazlehurst For the last 25 years, Colorado Springs has sought to build a major water project - a project which is crucial to the city's future growth and prosperity. Why has it taken so long? What's at stake? And how did we...

Colorado doctors want more contract negotiating power when signing with insurance corporations.
May 26, 2006... Byline: Amy Gillentine Doctors seem to have won the battle over legislation that allows more negotiating power when signing contracts with large health insurance corporations. But leaders of Colorado's health plans say that physicians have...

Colorado Springs citizens upset about the cost of parking tickets.
May 26, 2006... Byline: John Hazlehurst Another beautiful spring day in downtown Colorado Springs - and all is right with the world. Finishing a couple of errands, I'm strolling back to the office - and what do my wondering eyes behold? My car, parked at...

Colorado Springs community development director believes in a vibrant downtown for economic growth.
May 26, 2006... Byline: Colorado Springs Business Journal Staff City director of planning and community development, Bill Healy, believes in a vibrant downtown and in careful residential planning to ensure the area's economic health. The former Oregon...

Wells Fargo president retirirng after 33 years.
May 26, 2006... Byline: Rob Larimer Don Sall will hang up his hat as Wells Fargo's regional president for the greater Colorado region when he retires at the end of the year.Saul, who joined the bank in 1973 and spent the last 13 years in Colorado Springs,...

Colorado Springs Penrose Cancer Center names new director.
May 26, 2006... Byline: Amy Gillentine Dennis P. Bruens has been named director of the Penrose Cancer Center. He is replacing Deborah Hood, who will be leaving after 27 years with the health system. Bruens was the former director of the San Juan Cancer...

Colorado Springs-based Banning Lewis Ranch Company's move signals commitment to grow.
May 26, 2006... Byline: Becky Hurley As the Banning Lewis Ranch Management Co. opens new offices on the ninth floor of the Wells Fargo Tower, Vice President of Operations John Cassiani said the move signals the company's commitment to grow with the...

Radio Shack lures new target market.
May 26, 2006... Byline: Joan Johnson When RadioShack Corp. closed 480 stores, the company's plan was to freshen its merchandise offerings. Part of the new look will include a return to selling televisions, flat-panel TVs, that is. Televisions were phased...

High gas prices keep Colorado Springs shopping sprees local.
May 26, 2006... Byline: Joan Johnson Shopping sprees to Castle Rock or Park Meadows in Denver may be less enticing these days with the soaring price of gasoline, which might explain why owners of retail shops in the Springs say they've seen no slowing of...

Health care costs are 50 percent higher due to reports of high levels of stress.
May 26, 2006... Byline: Amy Gillentine Attention bosses: if your workers are stressed, you could be the one paying for it. Nearly half the country allows worker compensation claims for emotional disorders and disabilities because of stress on the job....

Colorado IRS ruling won't affect Colorado Housing and Finance Authority down payment program.
May 26, 2006... Byline: Colorado Springs Business Journal Staff Ruling won't affect CHFA assistance programThe Colorado Housing and Finance Authority says that an upcoming Internal Revenue Service ruling that will affect certain down payment programs will...

Two Colorado Springs PR professionals who made a good impression.
May 26, 2006... Byline: Mike Boyd Last week I had a couple of interesting interactions with public relations professionals.Because I quite often use this space to subtly moan and groan about what I think is wrong with the PR industry, I'll save everyone...