Denver Business Journal articles from April 2001

Denver Business Journal archives from April 2001

Fight rages over pharmacy bill.
April 6, 2001... While Congress works on making prescription drugs more affordable for senior citizens, some Colorado lobbyists are trying to tame a bill they say will drive up costs for consumers. It's an issue brought up periodically in the state...

Dailies cancel bargains.(Company Business and Marketing)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Escalating advertising rates at both The Denver Post and the Rocky Mountain News aren't the only . things going up. Soon, readers of the two daily newspapers will get hit with dramatically higher subscription rates for home delivery. Gone...

Baseball tries squeeze play with press over game news.(Industry Trend or Event)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... As the first balls were thrown this week to open the 2001 professional baseball season, the sport's governing body threw down a gauntlet to the nation's media. New York-based Major League Baseball recently unveiled new conditions for...

Experts: Water won't dam state's growth.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... The oft-heard belief that lack of adequate water supplies will somehow stop Colorado's sprawling growth is a pipe dream, according to water experts from around the state. About 90 percent of the state's water supply is to grow used crops...

Vendors say stadium shut them out.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... American Indian-owned businesses claim they can't compete For some local American Indian-owned businesses interested in selling their food products at the new Denver Broncos stadium, the idea sounds good, but the reality is harsher. ...

The battle of the burritos.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Bocaza takes on Chipotle and Qdoba in fast-food war Burritos are big business these days, especially in the booming casual-dining niche. With Chipotle and Qdoba Mexican Grill having established recognized brands thanks to their signature...

Upgrade planned for Wells Fargo Center.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Building's owner spending $1M on renovation project Downtown Denver's Wells Fargo Center is arguably the most striking form on the Denver skyline, but the interior of the "cash register building" leaves something to be desired. So...

Country's own MTV.(Company Business and Marketing)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Donning headphones and a makeup brush, Scott Durand fixes the musician's shiny forehead and asks for quiet on the set. It's just a typical day for Durand, the floor director for Great American Country, a country music video network owned by...

A law school for ski bums.(Industry Trend or Event)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Got $70,000 a year for law school tuition? If so, the Aspen College of Law, Colorado's newest law school, wants you. The school already received 5,000 applications, of which 1,000 are expected to be accepted, Dean Ralph Acheson told...

All's fair in love and war.(Company Business and Marketing)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Furniture man Jake Jabs had barely let the ink dry on his civil lawsuit trying to undo the joint operating agreement between The Denver Post and the Rocky Mountain News when he reportedly called up some Post pals to ask a favor. Jabs...

A higher class of takeout.(Company Business and Marketing)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Downtown Denver's Cafe Odyssey is branching into the catering business. The popular Denver Pavilions eatery is creating a new express lunch program to bring together Odyssey's award-winning cuisine and downtown delivery. With just a bit of...

That's a lotta lager!(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 6, 2001... Speaking of restaurants, competition was intense again this year in the coveted Institute for Brewing Studies (how do we enroll?) competition among brewpubs. The Rock Bottom Brewery folks claim top honors as the highest-selling brewpub...

Xcel's conservation plan aimed at heat of summer.
April 6, 2001... Xcel Energy Inc. expects to set a new record for peak electricity usage this summer, just as it has every summer. But the company also has a raft of programs it hopes will reduce the demand for electricity and save consumers the cost of...

Energy savings plan nixed.
April 6, 2001... When state agencies, environmental groups and Xcel Energy Inc. last year signed a deal to have the utility spend as much as $75 million to conserve 124 megawatts by December 2005, the agreement was hailed as a savings for consumers. ...

Corrections and amplifications.(Correction Notice)
April 6, 2001... * In the March 23-29 Estate Planning section, an incorrect phone number was listed for columnist Greg Wambolt. His correct phone number is 720-962-6700. * In the March 16-22 list of largest assisted-living facilities, the correct ratio of...

Federal cash coming for sixth DIA runway.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Denver International Airport has received another $11.7 million to help pay for the airport's sixth runway. The award from the Federal Aviation Administration's Airport Improvement Program was announced on April 3. "This $11.7 million...

Businesses, banks now absorb bad check charges.
April 6, 2001... Recent changes in the Uniform Commercial Code have shifted some of the losses from bad checks from banks to their business customers, and businesses are still getting used to the new responsibility. Those updates in the UCC, which is a...

Rhythms loses CEO, considers selling out.(Rhythms Net Connections)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Word that Englewood-based Rhythms Net Connections is considering selling the company was quickly followed the next day by Catherine Hapka's resignation as chairman and CEO of the troubled company. Hapka's last day on the job is May 1. She's...

Level 3 to cut jobs.(Level 3 Communications)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Denver-based Level 3 Communications will cut 325 jobs company-wide over the next few weeks. That represents about 6 percent of the total work force of the telecommunications company. The layoffs come with the completion of the...

Keebler's plant will close.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Three days after buying Keebler Foods Co., new owner Kellogg Co. announced its intent to shut the Keebler bakery in Denver. The bakery will close by May 31, throwing 470 people out of work. The closure is part of a cost-cutting measure....

Katy reports loss.(Katy Industries Inc. 2000 earnings report)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Englewood-based Katy Industries Inc. (NYSE: KY) reported a net loss of $5.48 million, or 65 cents per share, for the year 2000, compared to net income of $10.45 million, or $1.21 per share, in 1999. The company, which makes electrical and...

Contest to decide owner.
April 6, 2001... Terry Williams is giving his business away. The owner of the Thrifty Framer store in southeast Denver is holding an essay contest, with the winner walking away with the keys and title to the store. The essay contest, which Williams has...

Businessman sentenced.
April 6, 2001... Denver businessman Benedict Palen has been sentenced to probation and community service for his role in the starvation of more than 30 head of cows and calves. The herd belonged to two Texas ranchers, who had leased the animals to Palen...

Invesco fund returns down.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... The total return for Invesco Global Health Sciences Fund was down 18.44 percent during the first quarter, which ended Jan. 31. That's based on the net asset value of the fund. It's only down 3.31 percent based on market price. Invesco...

Denver online.(Internet market penetration statistics for Denver)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 6, 2001... The Internet continues to make inroads in Denver. A new report from Nielsen/Net Ratings Inc., an Internet measuring service, says Internet penetration in Denver was at 63.2 percent in March. That's a 34 percent increase in a year's...

CPR to debut new station.(Colorado Public Radio)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... At 11 a.m. April 10, Colorado Public Radio will split its single-station news and classical music offerings into two radio stations. Listeners in the Denver area will be able to hear classical music on KVOD 90.1 FM and round-the-clock news...

It may not be much, but REITs show gain.(real estate investment trusts' share price gains)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Publicly traded real estate investment trusts, or REITs, ended the first quarter in the black, according the to SNL Securities LC, which tracks the industry. The SNL "All Equity REIT Index," which includes all publicly traded REITs, ended the...

Uninsured residents issue being studied at length.
April 6, 2001... If Colorado does not find a way to provide quality health care to a growing number of uninsured residents, it won't be from a lack of task forces, research and meetings. Consumer groups and some politicians want to continue studying this...

Medical simulator at CU.
April 6, 2001... Tiffany lies on a procedure table, provides a thorough medical history and tells the doctor how she feels during the procedure. Tiffany also can die. But she is not a real woman; Tiffany is a life-sized mannequin developed by...

Christoffersen leaving.(Ribozyme Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s CEO Ralph Christoffersen)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... After 10 years with the company, Ralph Christoffersen plans to step down as Ribozyme Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s chief executive in July. President and Chief Operating Officer Howard Robin, who joined RPI in January, will take over as CEO. The...

Call to Protect project needs old cell phones.
April 6, 2001... It's estimated there are 24 million outdated cell phones sitting in closets and drawers throughout America. But they can become valuable once again if they are donated to the Call to Protect program, partnered with the Wireless Foundation....

Two Cushman firms may soon become one.(Cushman and Wakefield Inc. may acquire Cushman Realty Corp.)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... You might call it a family reunion. Or a way to end a lot of confusion. And while both companies are officially giving no comment, word on the street is that commercial realty giant Cushman & Wake-field Inc. will acquire Cushman Realty...

Grand County target of developing ideas.
April 6, 2001... Caribou Ranch packed with amenities Years ago, when he was a vice president at Keystone, Jerry Jones called together the four ski areas in Summit County. Owned individually, they also competed individually against Winter Park and Vail....

Learning the ropes easy at DU course.
April 6, 2001... At first blush, an innovative new University of Denver classroom looks like it was designed with a daring troupe of high-flying trapeze artists and tightrope walkers in mind. However, it's the business professional who soars with the...

Bill to limit telemarketers wins OK in Senate.(Colorado)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... The telemarketing bill that will require telemarketers to purchase statewide "do not call" lists passed out of the Colorado Senate on April 3 on a 30-4 vote and was headed to the House. If Senate Bill 93 becomes law as it is now written,...

Equitable pay.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... The state Senate Appropriations Committee has agreed to support Senate Bill 41, dubbed the Wage Nondiscrimination Act. The measure, sponsored by Sen. Sue Windels, D-Arvada, aims to reduce pay inequities due to gender and race. ...

Growth control.(real estate development projects, Colorado)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... House Bill 1225, a comprehensive growth bill sponsored by Rep. Joe Stengel, R-Littleton, passed the full House after it was amended to include some controversial measures that had been removed in committee. These measures include the...

Richmond Homes has record sales.(Richmond American Homes, first quarter of 2001)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... M.D.C. Holdings Inc., whose subsidiaries build houses under the name Richmond American Homes, reported the most quarterly home orders, first-quarter home closings and quarter-end backlog in the company's history. The Denver-based company...

Bond sale gives highway work green light.(Colorado Department of Transportation)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 6, 2001... CDOT has no problem finding buyers for more than $500 million worth of bonds More than $500 million worth of bonds to pay for transportation projects around Colorado sold out in less than two days at a yield rate ranging from 3.85 to 4.08,...

Building grant goes to museum.(Arvada Flour Mill Museum, Colorado)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Lafarge Corp., the Rocky Mountain region's largest supplier of construction materials, will help the Arvada Historical Society build an addition to the Arvada Flour Mill Museum Complex. The company donated $30,000 worth of concrete and...

New biz center rents cubicles, meeting space.(My Office Executive Business Center, Denver, CO)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 6, 2001... Minding your own business in downtown Denver just got a little more professional with the arrival of the newly opened My Office Executive Business Center. Located at 1520 Stout St., My Office is modeled after airport and hotel business...

Museum's old name now part of history.(Denver Museum of Nature and Science)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Next month marks the one-year anniversary of an image evolution for the centurial Denver Museum of Nature and Science. The former Denver Museum of Natural History spent about $100,000 last year to have Denver-based Monigle Associates Inc....

Ergonomics-related injuries keep falling.(Bureau of Labor Statistics report)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 6, 2001... A new report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows a decline in the number of work-related musculoskeletal disorders -- the soft-tissue injuries targeted by the recently repealed ergonomics regulation. Employers reported 582,300 cases...

Group demands cuts in H-1B visas.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... An anti-immigration group called for a reduction in the number of H-1B visas granted to foreign workers now that demand for high-tech professionals has slackened. The Federation for American Immigration Reform, or FAIR, wants the limits on...

Quick action likely in House pension bill.(on small businesses' retirement plans)(Statistical Data Included)
April 6, 2001... The chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee promises quick action on legislation to encourage small businesses to set up retirement plans for their employees. The committee, which handles all tax legislation, will take up pension...

CRM software gives businesses an edge.
April 6, 2001... A monotone greeting that says "all of our representatives are busy handling other calls right now" is probably the last thing a customer wants to hear. Especially when the customer happens to be calling to complain about a mistake, the company...

Words only a middle manager could love.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Some of the business world's most trite, generic, hokey, overused cliched or unmotivating motivational slogans have been compiled in a new book, "Think Outside the Box: The Most Trite, Generic, Hokey, Overused, Cliched or Unmotivating...

Sales Professionals to honor entrepreneurs.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... The Colorado District of Sales Professionals-USA, an organization of sales people, entrepreneurs, consultants and others, will host its annual Champions of Free Enterprise Banquet on April 27 at the Valley Country Club in Aurora. Master of...

Doing deals abroad.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... The law firm of Patton Boggs LLP will present a breakfast briefing on "Doing Deals Abroad: A Lawyer's View of International Transactions" on April 25 from 7:45-9 a.m. at the firm's Denver office, 1660 Lincoln St., Suite 1900. The program,...

World Waterpark Association.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... The World Waterpark Association, based in Lenexa, Kan., has honored Greg Mastriona, executive director of Hyland Hills Water World, by inducting him into the newly formed World Water park Association Hall of Fame. Mastriona has been at the...

Twist & Shout.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Twist & Shout, an independently owned record store located at 300 E. Alameda in Denver, was chosen for the Retailer of the Year Award given by the National Association of Recording Merchandisers. The award honors the store for its outstanding...

Colorado Council on Compulsive Gambling.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... The Colorado Council on Compulsive Gambling has given its 2001 Senator Jim Dyer Award to the Casino Owners Association of Colorado for its work to prevent underage and compulsive gambling. The association was recognized specifically for its...

On the move.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... The Basis Group, a full-service marketing communications firm, moved its operations to Longmont's Prospect development on Highway 287 and Pike Road. The new address is 1924 S. Coffman St., Longmont, 80504. The company's phone number is...

Long-term disability insurance: pros and cons.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... What would happen if a simple fall left an employee with a badly broken arm and unable to work for months? Technically, he would be disabled. And if he was not protected by long-term disability insurance, his wages would be cut off. You...

Crossing the border with consumers in sight.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Editor's Note: This is the second in a series on how companies scope out and enter global markets. This installment concerns FiberLok, the manufacturer of a consumer product called MouseRug, but its primary business is producing decorative...

Great 'benefits' depend on your perspective.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... One of my home-based business friends has decided to go back to work. He's taken "a veal job" in downtown Denver. He has many reasons for making the change, but the one that jumps out at me is when he says, "They have incredible benefits." ...

Businesses likely to get back interest earnings.(Government Activity)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... The Depression-era ban on banks offering interest on business checking accounts could soon be history. Legislation to repeal the prohibition cleared the House Financial Services Committee March 28 and was expected to be passed by the full...

Senators targeted.(Government Activity)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Senators will hear a lot about the estate tax when they go home for spring break. The Family Business Estate Tax Coalition, a group of 100 business organizations, will run $200,000 worth of ads in family-owned newspapers this month urging...

Business applauds repeal.(Government Activity)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... The Bush administration began the process to repeal regulations issued by the Clinton administration that require federal procurement officers to consider a company's record of compliance with labor, environmental and consumer laws before...

States upgrade incentives.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Attracting high-tech companies continues to be a top priority for states and localities despite the dot-com crash, according to a KPMG survey of economic development officials. Most states and localities also are enhancing their incentive...

Belgium chef to make benefit dinner unique.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... The Mile High Child Care Belgium Dinner, a benefit for underprivileged children in this area, is scheduled for April 20 in the Grand Ballroom of the Oxford Hotel, 1637 Wazee St. The chef for the dinner is coming from Belgium to prepare a unique...

Award winners named.
April 6, 2001... The eighth annual SAVVY Award will be presented April 17 to Mickey Ackerman, Keith "KC" Matthews and Sue Miller for their contributions and dedication to the betterment of life in the Denver community. The awards will be presented during a...

Jazz event to raise funds.
April 6, 2001... The Denver Victims Service Center will present "That Jazz Thing" with national recording artist Linda Spruell and guest Ron Ivory on May 3. The show, which will start at 6 p.m., will be held at the Soiled Dove at 1949 Market St. Proceeds...

Gray to be honored.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Denver business leader Jerry Gray will be the Community Service Award honoree at the eighth annual Shalom Park Award Dinner on May 9. The event will begin at 6 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Denver. Shalom Park is a Jewish continuum-of-care...

Computer Classic to tee off.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... The 25th annual Computer Classic golf tournament is set for June 4 with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. at Green Gables Country Club in Lakewood. The event is a benefit for the Computer Training for People with Disabilities program at Community...

Frontier makes donation.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Frontier Natural Products Co-op, based in Boulder, helped to bring electricity to the 1,000 people of Tamborapa Pueblo in a remote, coffee-growing region of northern Peru. Frontier, the largest organic coffee roaster in America,...

Exline chosen to promote Moosehead beer.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Exline, a Denver-based advertising, marketing and promotions firm, has been hired by The Gambrinus Co., the exclusive U.S. importer for Moosehead Beer, to create and carry out new promotions and media-buying programs to increase the beer's...

ISIS hires consultants.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Integrated Spatial Information Solutions Inc. (OTC BB: ISSS), an IT company based in Parker, has engaged two financial advisory firms, Brean Murray & Co. Inc. and Crossways Consulting Group Inc., to assist with its forthcoming shareholder...

Meyer gets new accounts.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Meyer Direct Inc. of Denver was retained to create a direct-mail marketing campaign for Wells Fargo Bank in San Francisco. The campaign will focus on Wells Fargo's co-branding relationship with the warehouse retailer Sam's Club. Wells Fargo...

MEDtech signs agreement.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Colorado MEDtech Inc., a Boulder-based provider of medical technology outsourcing services and medical imaging products, has entered into a multiyear manufacturing agreement with Xanthon Inc., a biotechnology solutions company. MEDtech will...

Qwest taps Schenkein.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Schenkein, a Denver-based public relations agency, has been named the agency of record for Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Small Business and Consumer Markets division. Schenkein will work on public relations effort primarily related...

Firm gets new client.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Johnson Communications, a public relations firm based in Lafayette, is developing a campaign for MESA-Boulder County Rape Crisis Team to promote its name change and new identity. The group was previously known as The Boulder County Rape Crisis...

NCMIC buys Atlantic.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Atlantic Financial Marketing, a Denver-based insurance sales and marketing organization was acquired by NCMIC Group of West Des Moines, Iowa. Under the terms of the acquisition, Jeffrey K. Adams will continue as AFM's president. Adams...

NEWSMAKERS.
April 6, 2001... Architecture and design RNL Design elected its 2001 officers. They are: Karl Berg, principal, Ira Goldschmidt, associate principal, and Steven J. Radomski, associate principal. RNL design also elected nine senior associates and eight...

The basics of acquiring a first-time passport.(Government Activity)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Home-insurance policy may cover cost of lost luggage; What to do while in Kansas City Question: Two associates and I are being sent overseas on a business trip. One associate needs his first passport, another needs to replace hers and I...

Real time romance wins out.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Someone Like You is a romantic comedy, but one of a high order because of the lead actors' performances. Ashley Judd is a wonderful combination of smart, insightful and a little neurotic as a talent booker for a New York talk show who's...

Classy culinary combination.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Mizuna's is getting rave reviews from diners in just its first month Although Mizuna takes its moniker from a fancy type of lettuce found only in gourmet salads, there is nothing pretentious about the intimate and inviting restaurant. ...

Saab follows a path all its own.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Saab owners love their quirky cars. Why else would they put up with weirdness like the ignition key located between the front seats or having to put the car in reverse to get the key out of a manual transmission-equipped model? General...

DBJ STOCK REPORT.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... DBJ STOCK REPORT DBJ Index 0.61% 1598.51 NASDAQ 4.5% 1840.26 S&P 500 1.8% 1160.33 Dow Jones Industrial 3.9% 10650.92 Top 10 Weekly...

DBJ FUNDWATCH.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Our exclusive weekly report ranks the top Denver-managed mutual funds, ranked by year-to-date total return. The information is derived from a database of more than 2,000 mutual funds. Data provided by Lipper Analytical Services inc. For week...

Winners, losers in census game.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 6, 2001... The counting is finally over. The U.S. Census Bureau released its 2000 census results in a scattershot fashion during the past month -- a state here, a state there. The job is now complete, with statistics available for all 51 states...

Finally, some good news about the economy.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... A few selected indicators reveal not all is doom and gloom on the economic horizon The Nasdaq seems to be in free fall. Dot-coms are disappearing as fast as they once were created. Established companies are announcing layoffs every day....

Business basics beat tech hype every time.(Analysis of telecommunications sector)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... "Tech Wreck." That's what the nation's pundits are calling the, recent precipitous decline in the value of many New Economy stocks. In the sub-category of telecommunications, the news hasn't been very good either, but so far, no one...

Maybe Jake needs a vacation.(Jake Jabs )(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Americans ought to take more vacations. They're good for the soul. The Europeans have a better attitude about time away from work. They expect a lot of holiday time. In America, we're too busy working to take vacations, which explains why...