Springs still in top 10 for tech workers

Colorado Springs ranked seventh in the nation in the percentage of its work force employed in high-technology industries during 2006, according to a report by the American Electronics Association using the most recent data available.

That is down from fourth in 2001, mostly because the city had the second-highest percentage decline in technology employment among the 60 cities included in the Cybercities 2008 report, the first published by the Washington, D.C.-based organization since 2000. Boulder kept its second-place ranking in the percentage of its work force employed in technology despite losing more high-tech jobs on a percentage basis than any of the 60 cities.

Despite a decline in technology employment of 9,700 jobs between 2001 and 2006, the Springs still had 12.2 percent of its private-sector work force employed in technology jobs in 2006, the report found. San Jose, Calif.; Boulder; Huntsville, Ala.; Durham, N.C.; Washington, D.C., and Manchester, N.H., all ranked ahead of Colorado Springs in percentage of their work force in technology jobs.

Most of the city’s technology employment is in computer systems design, engineering services and semiconductor manufacturing, where the Springs still ranked 10th highest in chip making employment. The Springs isn’t likely to move in the rankings in coming years — Intel Corp. shut down its 1,000-employee Colorado Springs semiconductor plant late last year and Hewlett-Packard Co. is moving a 800-employee technical and customer support center to New Mexico next year.

The report uncovered a couple of bright spots for the local technology industry — local technology workers earned an average of $74,673 in 2006, or nearly twice the average annual private-sector wage, and the number of technology businesses grew by 15.1 percent between 2001 and 2006.

For more information, go to http://www.aeanet.org/publications/idjj_cc2008_overview.asp.

Three local students win young entrepreneur awards

Three local students have received scholarships from the National Federation of Independent Business Young Entrepreneur Foundation.

The program awards scholarships toward tuition to universities, colleges, community colleges and vocational training programs to reward and encourage entrepreneruial talents among high school students.

More than 8,000 students applied this year; 400 scholarships were awarded. Students had to write an essay describing their entrepreneurial endeavors and future goals. Academic performance also was considered.

Rampart High School senior Davis Vantilburg, Coronado High School senior Steven Woolridge and Pine Creek High School senior Andrew Yoder all won scholarships.

Gold Rush Casino allows smoking

A fourth Cripple Creek casino is allowing smoking. On Friday, the Gold Rush Casino posted signs declaring that it was a cigar bar, an exemption under state’s smoking ban, and smoking was allowed. Cripple Creek police wrote one of the casino managers a $200 ticket on Saturday. That case won’t be heard in court until Sept. 29. Three other casinos that claimed the exemption in June — Bronco Billy’s, the Midnight Rose and the Double Eagle — will appear in court on Thursday for their smoking citations. The Double Eagle stopped allowing smoking after receiving a ticket, but both Bronco Billy’s and the Midnight Rose continue to permit smoking.

Catholic Health Initiatives largest Catholic hospital system in U.S.

Catholic Health Initiatives, the parent company of Penrose-St. Francis Health Services, was the largest Catholic hospital in the nation last year, according to Modern Healthcare magazine.

The system operates 72 hospitals in 19 states, including Colorado, and runs Centura Health through a joint operating agreement with PorterCare Adventist Health System.

Health care systems were ranked by ownership type and size. Catholic Health Initiatives was No. 6 in the ranking by patient revenue, at $7.21 billion, up from $6.83 billion in 2006. The hospital system's net operating income increased to $359.6 million in 2007, up from $282.9 million in 2006. Total assets rose to $11.38 billion from $9.57 billion the previous year.

Nationwide, revenue from patient care at hospitals grew 8.4 percent in 2007. Hospital system profits increased by 23.8 percent.

Parker gets E85 pump

A new E85 pump has opened at the Western Convenience store at 11515 N. Highway 83 in Parker for drivers who have flexible-fuel vehicles.

Western Convenience has 17 locations that offer E85, including in El Paso and Teller counties.
E85 contains 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline.

The Governor's Biofuels Coalition and the Colorado Corn Growers Association have provided funding for the state's renewable fuels stations.

Ex-Laing executive launches home building company

Ron Covington, the former Colorado Springs division president of California-based John Laing Homes, has launched his own Springs homebuilding company: Ron Covington Homes. Covington is partnering with developer LandCo Equity Partners in the creation of the company, which will build in four Springs-area neighborhoods. Covington launched Estate Homes in 1998, which was later acquired and became the Colorado Springs division of John Laing Homes. “We have worked with some of the same contractors and partners for close to 20 years and we are excited to continue these relationships,” Covington said. Eric Ashcroft, whose father started Ashcroft Homes, will serve as vice president of the company.

Experience Colorado Springs takes the gold

Experience Colorado Springs at Pikes Peak, the local convention and visitors bureau, earned the Gold Service award from Meetings & Conventions magazine for the fourth straight year. Experience was one of 77 CVB's nationally to earn the honor, which is voted on by the magazine's readership.

Wanted: Spellcheck in Meridian Ranch

Home builders get style points for architecture, floor plans and amenities -- not spelling. In the unincorporated Falcon area of El Paso County, north of Meridian Road and Stapleton Drive, Denver-based builder Richmond American Homes has parked a large semi-tractor trailer that serves as a billboard-like advertisement for its houses being built in the Meridian Ranch development across the street. However, the truck, emblazoned on both sides with Richmond American's logo and colors, beckons potential home buyers to Meridan Ranch, not Meridian Ranch. Oh well. Just so that the windows don't stick, the doors shut tight and the toilets flush. More information about Meridian Ranch: www.meridianranch.com/.

CNBC ranks Colorado on list of top states for business

Gov. Bill Ritter today praised a new report that names Colorado to CNBC’s prestigious annual list of America’s Top States for Business, which ranks Colorado No. 5 and specifically cites the state’s "new energy economy."

CNBC analyzed 40 factors in 10 broad categories. Colorado’s highest rankings came in the categories of business friendliness (Colorado ranked 5^t) and quality of life (Colorado ranked 7^t).

The report said Colorado’s new energy economy was one of the biggest reasons the state climbed to No. 5 from No. 7 last year. “Colorado has been actively courting what it calls the New Energy Economy, like wind and solar, and the efforts are paying off.”

In all, Colorado scored among the top 15 states in six of the 10 categories, including overall economic climate, access to capital, workforce quality and state support for technology and innovation.

“This is great news for Colorado,” said Gov. Ritter, who was in Spain this week on an energy economic-development mission. “It’s another positive sign that our aggressive efforts to build a New Energy Economy by attracting local, national and international companies and expanding our employment base are paying off. One thing that separates Colorado from other states is our unique combination of intellectual capital and entrepreneurial Western spirit. The CNBC recognition is an acknowledgment of that.”

Central Bancorp completes Van Gilder deal

Central Bancorp Inc. completed its purchase of Van Gilder Insurance Corp.'s Colorado Springs office on July 1, making its CB Insurance unit one of the largest locally owned insurance brokers in the Colorado Springs area.

"This acquisition creates tremendous opportunities, both for our firm and our new insurance clients," said Steve Schneider, president of CB Insurance. "We are anxious to move forward with our business strategies now that this acquisition is closed, and will continue to add resources and talent to better serve clients of CB Insurance and the other divisions within Central Bancorp."

The Van Gilder office employed 23 and last year generated $3 million in commissions on premiums totaling about $35 million. The local operation was founded as Bennett-Shellenberger Co. in 1890, was acquired by Norm Coleman in 1959 and was sold to Van Gilder in 1998. Central also owns mortgage, title insurance, wealth management and trust operations and plans to open a bank later this month.

Colorado ranks high in biotech, science

Colorado ranks among the 20 best places for the biotechnology industry, according to Genome Technology magazine, a speciality print and online publication for molecular biology scientists, professionals and engineers.
The publication listed the Denver-Boulder area as one of nine emerging biotechnology regions along with Alabama, New York, Tennessee, Texas, the St. Louis-Kansas City area; Oslo, Norway; China and India. The 11 established regions included Boston, San Diego, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Research Triangle, N.C., Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Ontario, Canada and Singapore.
The Denver-Boulder area was selected, Genome Technology said in its June issue, because of its 10,000 biotechnology workers, a $150 million expansion planned by Amgen Inc. in Boulder and the recent conversion of the former Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center to a bioscience business park that includes the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Children’s Hospital and a biotechnology incubator.
Colorado also scored a fourth-place ranking from Families USA’s Global Health Initiative among states generating the most economic activity per dollar of funding from the National Institutes of Health. Colorado generated $787 million in business activity from $336 million in NIH funding, or $2.34 for each dollar of funding from the agency, which ranked the state behind Texas, California and Georgia.
The Milken Institute’s State Technology and Science Index ranked Colorado third after Massachusetts and Maryland, based on 77 indicators ranging from research and development, risk capital, entrepreneurial infrastructure to human capital investment, technology and science work force and technology concentration and dynamism. Colorado previously was ranked third in 2004 and second in 2002 by the institute.

Allegory Marketing sold

Allegory Marketing, one of Colorado Springs largest advertising agencies, is changing hands as founder and president Tom DeNardin sells the company to Victoria Stone, president of ACTUATE Inc. and former marketing director for Todays Homes.

Terms for the deal were not disclosed.

Stone is merging Allegory and ACTUATE and will name the combined company Allegory Advertising. Allegory’s 10 employees and two contractors are staying with the agency. Allegory’s clients include the Double Eagle Hotel and Casino, Ferguson Pontiac Buick GMC, Famous Dave’s, Todays Homes and Sunshine Car Audio.

DeNardin, who started Allegory in 2001, said the time was right for him to move on.

“Everything seemed to fall together,” DeNardin said. “I had some other opportunities to sell the business, but some of them were more interested in our clients and less interested in our employees.”

Stone said she’s worked with Allegory as a client and that she and DeNardin have similar philosophies for developing advertising campaigns, which should make for a smooth transition.

“The strength that Allegory has is that they’ve always done strategy-based marketing,” she said. “We look at every client as a clean slate. I think that’s the power behind why Allegory is poised for growth in a down economy.”

DeNardin said the deal had been in the works for a month and that he and Stone told the firm’s employees about the sale on July 1.

“When I started talking to the staff, I started feeling a little bit of seller’s remorse,” he said. “It was a lot harder than I thought it would be. I know the company is in good hands.”

DeNardin, 51, said he will continue to do consulting and business plans and he also hopes to move into teaching.

“It’s been a great ride,” he said. “Most of the clients, they’ve turned into very good friends and to me that’s more important than anything.”

Airline service hobbled by rising fuel prices

High fuel prices could mean major reductions in airline service at the Colorado Springs Airport, according to an analysis published late last month by the Pennsylvania-based Business Travel Coalition.

The group ranked the Springs as one of the 50 large markets most likely to lose some or all air service as a result of higher fuel prices. Among the factors making airports vulnerable to higher prices are proximity to other airports with low-fare service, airline mergers, previous fluctuations in airline service, widespread use of regional jets, service from regional carriers that are at risk of losing their contracts with major airlines.

“The fuel crisis is having an impact beyond the gas pump and is now likely to cause irreparable harm to businesses large and small through a significant reduction in air service,” Kevin Mitchell, chairman and founder of the coalition, said in a news release. “Liquidations at major airlines would have catastrophic effects on the economy, reduce services in cities large and small and impact people in Colorado Springs.”

An earlier study by the group estimated that at current fuel prices, airlines would have to boost fares another 21 percent to 24 percent and cut flight capacity by 18 percent to 20 percent, eliminating between 74,000 and 84,000 jobs.

For more information, go to http://www.businesstravelcoalition.com/

Skyrocketing fuel prices eat mine's profits

Having a hard time dealing with rising fuel prices?

Be glad you’re not trying to pay the fuel bills for Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mining Co., which operates a fleet of 10 300-ton dump trucks that haul gold ore from its open-pit mine between Cripple Creek and Victor to a nearby crushing facility. Each of the mine’s trucks burn three-quarters of a gallon of diesel fuel a minute, which means each truck uses more than $200 in fuel during an hour of operation. That’s about $50,000 a day for the fleet.

Skyrocketing fuel prices have increased the cost of producing gold at the mine by a third during the past year, said Larry Newcomer, general manager of Cripple Creek & Victor Gold. Every $1 increase in the cost of a barrel of oil increases the cost of producing an ounce of gold at the mine by about $1. That means the cost of gold being mined now will be more than $400 an ounce when it completes the production process in two years.

That wouldn’t be so bad if the mine’s parent company, AngoGold Ashanti Ltd., hadn’t sold off much of the mine’s production under hedging contracts at $450-$550 an ounce. That means gold produced at more than $400 an ounce will barely produce a profit and might even result in a loss depending on how much higher fuel prices climb in coming months.

“Four years ago, we were paying 85 cents a gallon for fuel and now we paying $4 a gallon. The price of gold hasn’t kept up,” Newcomer said, noting gold prices have gone up a little more than a third as fast as fuel prices during the same period.

COPT buys Northrop building

Corporate Office Properties Trust, a Maryland-based real estate company, added to its local holdings Tuesday by paying $23.2 million for the Northrop Grumman building that opened in May in the Cresterra business park at the Colorado Springs Airport.
The 124,305-square-foot building, southeast of Powers Boulevard and the Milton E. Proby Parkway, houses 400 of Northrop Grumman’s 1,150 local employees. City officials selected Corporate Office Properties Trust last year as the business park’s master developer.
The company now owns 15 office buildings in the Springs, totaling 1 million square feet. It also is building three office buildings with 232,000 square feet, developing two others with 235,000 square feet and owns 192 acres that could accommodate 2.5 million square feet of space.

State releases new data on hospital infections

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has released new data on hospital-acquired infections for Memorial and Penrose Hospitals. The information is available online at www.cdphe.state.co.us/hf/PatientSafety/HFAI/index.html.
The semi-annual bulletin shows the first six months of data collected from a new reporting system established by a state law approved in 2006. Hospital-acquired infections, infections that occur during or after treatment for a different condition, usually occur when medical procedures such as a central line, a type of catheter placed near the heart, introduce infections into the bloodstream.
Memorial Health System’s central hospital and Penrose-St. Francis’s Health Services’ central hospital, the only two listed in the bulletin, both ranked average. Additional reports will be released later this year.

Simtek tells shareholders "process is still very much alive"

More than two months after Simtek Corp. turned down a $36.4 million acquisition offer from Cypress Semiconductor Corp., stockholders are still waiting for news about what comes next.
Simtek Chairman Robert Pearson told stockholders at the company’s June 19 annual meeting in Colorado Springs that “the process is still very much alive and we are actively working with our (financial) advisers,” but declined to answer questions.
The company released a statement last week that it continues to “explore various strategic alternatives in order to maximize long-term value for stockholders” and it continues to “actively work on such alternatives with our advisors,” but offered no specifics on what those alternatives might be or when it might choose one of the options.
Simtek hired Palo Alto, Calif.-based Pagemill Partners LLC in February to evaluate its “strategic options.”
Simtek turned down a $2.20-a-share offer in April from Cypress, one of its largest shareholders, saying it “significantly undervalued” the company.
Simtek’s stock fell Tuesday to a five-year low of $1.70 before rallying back to $1.86 on Wednesday

CSHP names new CEO

Deborah L. Chandler has been named executive vice president and chief executive officer of Colorado Springs Health Partners, the city’s largest physician-owned practice said Monday. Chandler previously served as chief executive of Anchor Health Centers in Florida. CSHP has 90 physicians and 11 locations.

Longtime banker on way back to Springs

Four years after he sold First National Bank of Colorado Springs to a Nebraska holding company, Rob Alexander is on his way back into the Colorado Springs banking industry.
State Bank of Bartley, a Nebraska institution of which Alexander is chairman and co-owner, is acquiring one of two Colorado banking charters of the Evans-based Bank of Choice as a way for it to expand to Colorado Springs, where it will operate as Stockmens Bank, Alexander said.
The move still requires approval by Nebraska and federal regulators, but could happen in as few as three months, he said.
State Bank, which has $35 million in assets, already operates a lending office with five employees in downtown Colorado Springs and will convert it into a full-service banking branch if it gets the required approvals, Alexander said. The bank would focus mostly on business lending, he said.
An investor group led by Alexander sold First National to Nebraska-based Pinnacle Bancorp Inc., which operates in Colorado as Bank of Colorado, after making it El Paso County’s fastest-growing financial institution during the previous five years.
He began his banking career at what is now Chase Bank and later started a lending firm he eventually sold to Wells Fargo & Co

Russell 3000 shuffles index

After bouncing in and out of the Russell 3000 index at least twice in recent years, Colorado Springs-based Westmoreland Coal Co. will be back in the popular stock market barometer as of June 27, based on preliminary calculations.
Westmoreland and Springs-based Century Casinos Inc. were deleted last year from the index and instead became part of the Russell Microcap Index. Locally based Spectranetics Corp. remains part of the Russell 3000 index. Among other local public companies, Golden Cycle Gold Corp. will temporarily join the Russell Microcap index until it is acquired June 30 by South African mining giant AngloGold Ashanti Ltd., while Simtek Corp. will be dropped from the Microcap index. Ramtron International Corp. remains part of the Microcap index.
The changes are part of an annual reshuffling of the indices, which include the nation’s largest public companies based on the total value of each company’s stock. The Russell 3000 index includes the nation’s 3,000 largest public companies, while the Microcap index includes the smallest 1,000 members of the Russell 3000 and 1,000 additional smaller companies. Tacoma, Wash.-based Russell Investment Group will post revised lists of companies it is adding and dropping from the indices on at www.russell.com/Indexes/membership/Reconstitution/default.asp.
Russell’s indices are used as benchmarks for more than $4 trillion in investments.

Fourth of July travel stable, AAA says

High gas prices apparently won’t keep people from traveling over the Fourth of July holiday. According to projections released Thursday by the American Automobile Association, a scant 0.8 percent fewer people in the western states were planning to travel this year compared with 2007. In total, AAA is projecting 10.48 million people in the West will leave home for the holiday. Nationwide, the agency predicts travel will be down 1.3 percent.
Those figures come despite climbing gas prices. AAA figures that a round trip between Colorado Springs and Denver will cost $19.14 this year, compared with $14.97 last year

Spectranetics makes Fortune list

Spectranetics Corp. has made Fortune magazine’s annual list for a third time - a list of the nation’s fastest-growing small companies published by its small business sibling rather than the better-known list of 500 largest U.S. corporations.
The Colorado Springs-based medical laser manufacturer ranked 33rd in the Fortune Small Business 100 list published in the magazine’s July-August issue. Spectranetics ranked 62nd last year and 56th in 2006 among public companies with revenues of less than $200 million and a stock price of more than a $1 compiled by Zacks Investment Research Inc.
Spectranetics reported growth of more than 30 percent annually for the past three years in revenue, profit and total return to shareholders. The rankings are based on a composite of where the company ranks in growth of all three measures. No other Colorado Springs companies made the list. Dynamic Materials Corp. of Boulder, Health Grades Inc. of Golden, Mesa Laboratories Inc. of Lakewood and Royal Gold Inc. of Denver were ranked sixth, 35th, 62nd and 89th, respectively.
East Aurora, N.Y.-based aviation-parts manufacturer Astronics Corp., one of 24 manufacturing firms on the list, was ranked first.

Sportique will putter across downtown

Later this year, Sportique Scooters is moving from its current location at 431 E. Pikes Peak Ave. to a spot on S. Tejon St., across from McCabe's. Employees at Sportique said they'd planned to make the move sooner, but skyrocketing scooter sales - driven by $4 a gallon gasoline - will probably push the move off 'til the colder months.

A "bigg" grand opening

Li'l Biggs is celebrating its recent opening with a grand opening celebration Friday and Saturday. Visitors will get free entrance to Little Biggtown, $5 in arcade credits and a free slice of pizza and a drink. Donations of $3 per person are encouraged; the money goes to the nonprofit America's Family.

Li'l Biggs, a restaurant and fun center geared toward kids 10 and younger, is the latest brand extension for Mr. Biggs Family Fun Center. It's at the northeast corner of Powers and Stetson Hills boulevards. Hours for the grand opening are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Active adult community might be headed to Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs might be getting a maintenance-free housing community for 55-and-older residents. Ohio-based Epcon Communities, which has developed similar projects in 30 states, plans to launch construction of an 80- to 120-home neighborhood in the Springs in 2009. The project isn't a done deal, yet; Epcon looks for franchisees to develop most of its properties, and is still talking to potential owner-operators, said Dan Noreen, business development manager for Epcon Franchising. Also, Epcon is scouting sites for the neighborhood, he said. Based on its research, however, Epcon targeted the Springs because it has an increasingly older population that doesn't move around a lot, and solid incomes to support the purchase of Epcon homes, Noreen said. Epcon homes essentially are middle-range properties -- nicer than starter homes, but not in the luxury class, he said. Homes would range in size from about 1,100 to 1,800 square feet. Prices vary from city to city, but Colorado Springs' homes would start under $200,000, Noreen said. Each Epcon neighborhood has a community center and pool, among other amenities, he added. More information: http://www.epconcommunities.com/ and http://www.epconfranchising.com/.

Panera Bread teams up to help Care and Share Food Bank

Panera Bread is rolling out a line of new breakfast sandwiches, and, in the process, hopes to help fill up the shelves at the Care and Share Food Bank of Southern Colorado. Starting Friday, June 20, Panera Bread will launch a line of grilled breakfast sandwiches in Colorado Springs and around the state. Through June 29, Panera customers who donate a non-perishable breakfast item to Care and Share will receive a free breakfast sandwich. Panera has three varieties of its new breakfast sandwiches: egg and cheese; bacon, egg and cheese; and sausage, egg and cheese. Breads of the World, a Panera franchisee, owns and operates 22 Panera Bread locations in Colorado, including four in Colorado Springs. More information: www.panera-colorado.com.

Watch out for phone scam using Wal-Mart's name

The Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado is warning local residents not to fall for a new phone scam that uses the Wal-Mart name. According to the BBB, someone who identifies himself as "Victor Vasquez" and claiming to represent “Wal-Mart Computer Systems” has called area consumers to tell them they've won a second prize of $9.8 million in a Wal-Mart sweepstakes. To claim their winnings, consumers are told to pay an insurance fee of $1,600 via Western Union, which "Victor" says would pay the cost of shipping the prize via United Parcel Serve and having it delivered by a U.S. Marshal. In one case, the insistent "Victor" suggested a consumer obtain a loan or borrow money to send him the money. The BBB says “Victor” actually is a con artist calling from Jamaica and the Wal-Mart name is being used fraudulently to lend credibility to the scheme. Wal-Mart is not running a sweepstakes or using the name Wal-Mart Computer Systems, according to the BBB. To protect themselves, consumers should remember that legitimate lotteries and sweepstakes don't charge insurance or processing fees to claim prizes. Also, don't fall for the use of familiar names, such as Wal-Mart. If in doubt, consumers should ask for contact information and verify it with a reputable source. And, never send money to strangers using a money transfer service. More information: 636-1155 or bbb.org.

Local tanning spot closes, another offers customer help

Electric Beach Tanning Salon has closed up shop, according to a sign posted on the 57443 N. Academy Blvd. site.

“Due to a legal disagreement with our landlord we are forced to move our salon to a new location,” reads the sign. “...We have all your contact information and will be mailing you our new location info.” Meanwhile, Electric Beach's phone number has been disconnected and neighboring businesses said confused tanning customers have stopped by looking for answers about the salon's disappearance.

Southwestern Commercial Properties, which owns the property, declined to comment due to company policy.

Sun Spot Atlantis, another local tanning salon, has offered to help Electric Beach's clients. Sun Spot will honor the membership of any customer who brings in current contract from Electric Beach Tanning Salon, said owner Ric Rooney. At 6,000 square feet, Sun Spot Atlantis is the largest tanning salon in the state, Rooney said, and offers the same services as Electric Beach tanning.

Sun Spot Atlantis is located at 4310 Austin Bluffs Parkway, 531-6000.

Regional business partnership grows

A regional business alliance that hopes to foster better communication and speak with a common voice on business issues has added another member.
The Greater Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce agreed earlier this month to become the latest group to join the Pikes Peak Regional Business Partnership, which was formed a year ago, said Dave Csintyan, chief executive officer of the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce.
Other members include the Springs Chamber, the Hispanic and black chambers, Experience Colorado Springs at Pikes Peak, the Tri-Lakes Chamber, the Fountain Valley Chamber, the Southern Colorado Women's Chamber and the Eastern Plains Chamber.

Record year for Colorado tourism

Colorado had its best season ever for tourism, both in terms of the number of visitors (28 million) and the amount of money they spent ($9.8 billion), according to the annual Longwoods International Colorado Travel Year 2007 Report released today by the Colorado Tourism Office.

In addition to the raw numbers, Colorado's share of national tourism also grew, from 2.35 percent in 2006 to 2.5 percent in 2007.

Tourism officials say the gains can be attributed to the state legislature boosting the state's marketing budget from $5.5 million to $19 million last year, although the total number of visits to the state has been on an upward trajectory for several years.

Colorado Springs was the state's second-most popular tourist attraction, behind Denver, but ahead of Estes Park and Boulder. The Springs drew 11 percent of out-of-state visitors.

Porchlight launch delayed

Porchlight Communications' plan to launch video service in some parts of Colorado Springs has been delayed to July 1. The company had planned to begin service June 16.

Memorial workers comp audit shows program being conducted properly

Though city auditor Jeff Litchfield found nine deficiencies in an audit of Memorial Health System's Workers' Compensation Fund from May 2005 through December 2006, the program is being handle properly, he said.
"They used proper underwriting techniques and claims' procedures," he said.
Released April 30, the audit found such deficiences as:
The 2006 Annual Review was not filed within 60 days of the permit anniversary date.
A 2006 quarterly analysis of the Worker's Compensation Reserve was insufficient, with no reconcilation between claims' payments in the administrative software and the general ledger.
The policies and procedures manual was out of date.
A lack of controls and maintenance of claimant files, with missing documentation and late filings.

Colorado Springs taking flight

United Airlines' Hemisphere Magazine will be producing a 30-page special section on Colorado Springs in its September issue. The section will look at the city's economy, tourism, lifestyle and culture.

Officials from the magazine's publisher, Pace Communications, were in town Tuesday night for a reception at the Fine Arts Center to kick off the project.

They said the special section, which the magazine produces quarterly, will reach more than 2 million readers on United's planes, plus it will remain on the magazine's Web site for a year.

Cheyenne Mountain Resort named a best place to work

Cheyenne Mountain Resort on Colorado Springs' southwest side has been named one of the "Best Companies to Work for in Colorado" for 2008. The resort is one of 15 companies in Colorado that made the list this year in the large companies category -- 250 employees or more. The award was made by Best Companies to Work for in Colorado, a collaborative effort whose partners include the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Colorado State Council; six local SHRM chapters; Jobing.com; Colorado Biz Magazine; and the Best Companies Group. Cheyenne Mountain Resort was the lone hotel among 2008 winners. “We believe
that when you treat each and every person on the staff as a valued member of a team, who has an important role to play and is rewarded for hard work and achievements, then not only are you going to have employees who are happier but more loyal and effective,” said Laura Neumann, vice president and general manager of Cheyenne Mountain Resort. The Best Companies honors were based on a survey that examined participating employers' policies, practices and demographics and solicited comments from randomly selected employees. More information on Best Companies to Work for in Colorado: http://www.coshrm.org/. The Cheyenne Mountain Resort covers 217 acres and includes 316 rooms and suites, 40,000 square feet of meeting and event space, a golf course, five swimming pools and 18 tennis courts, among other amenities.

Scandinavian footwear store opens at Park Meadows Mall

ECCO recently opened a store in Park Meadows Mall, 8401 Park Meadows Center Drive in Lone Tree.

The store, one of 30 "partnership" stores in the United States, is designed around the company's Scandinavian heritage and uses an arena and gallery approach to showcase shoes for men, women and children. Selections include dress, casual and performance footwear, along with golf shoes.

Hours are Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Founded in 1963 by Karl Toosbuy in southern Denmark, ECCO has more than 11,000 employees worldwide and remains family owned, with headquarters in Tonder, Denmark.

Board members being hit up for donations, survey says

More than half of nonprofits require financial contributions from board members, a trend expected to become increasingly more commonplace, according to a study released earlier this year by Grant Thornton LLP, an accounting, tax and business advisory company.
Results of the fifth annual National Board Governance Survey for Not-for-Profit Organizations show that 54 percent of nonprofit organizations that have an annual budget of less than $20 million expect board members to contribute $1,000 or less annually, 20 percent expect a contribution of $1,001 to $2,500, 12 percent a contribution of $2,501 to $5,000, and 14 percent a contribution of $5,001 or more.
The study concludes that more organizations use a "give or get" policy for board members, in which they're asked to contribute personally and/or solicit contributions from their friends and contacts in order to remain on the board.

Kaiser awards local grants

Kaiser Permanente approved nearly 300 Community Benefit grants and donations totaling $19 million nationwide in the first quarter of this year, the nonprofit health care insurer said.
Locally, Kaiser awarded nearly $100,000 in the first grant cycle of the year to:
Urban Peak's female health program for teens
Harbor House
El Paso County Medical Society Prescription Assistance Solution Service
Pikes Peak Hospice
Ronald McDonald House
Pikes Peak Therapeutic Riding Center
Inside/Out's STD/HIV prevention program
Head Start's childhood obesity program
Girl Scouts' local health and wellness intiative
Colorado Springs Child Nursery Centers' health and nutrition program
Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center and the Sheriff's Department to purchase electronic defibrillators.

And then there were four...

Four casinos allowing smoking, that is. First came the Wild Card in Black Hawk, then Bronco Billy's in Cripple Creek, then, on Saturday, the Midnight Rose in Cripple Creek (but not the other two-thirds of the Triple Crown casinos) and, on Monday, the Double Eagle lit up.

Several other casinos the Gazette spoke with said that if local or county government officials don't take any action against the casinos by the end of the week, they'll bring back smoking, too. Everyone but the Wildwood may be smoking by the end of the month.

It's interesting that no other Black Hawk or Central City casinos have followed the Wild Card's lead.

City officials in Cripple Creek say they don't have the resources to enforce the state's anti-smoking laws. The district attorney's office says they haven't received a complaint and won't investigate until they do. The Teller County sheriff hasn't weighed in yet. The Legislature almost certainly won't do anything until the 2009 session, and even if they agreed on a law, it probably wouldn't take effect until the middle of next year.

A new president at Vladimir

No, not Putin. Vladimir Jones - the agency-formerly-known-as-Praco, today named Meredith Vaughan as president.

Agency founder Nechie Hall, Vaughan's mother, keeps the CEO title.

Vaughan had been the vice president for insight at the 38-year-old advertising and public relations company, overseeing strategic direction for clients. She's worked for Praco/Vladimir Jones since 2000.

If you're living under a business news rock, Praco, the Springs' oldest, most successful ad agency, changed its name to the more evocative Vladimir Jones on June 2.

HBA to sponor housing overview in July

Metrostudy, a Houston-based housing market research firm, will provide an overview of Colorado Springs' new home market at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 16, at the Doubletree Hotel World Arena, 1775 E Cheyenne Mountain Blvd., on the Springs' south side. The cost is $20 and the event is limited to members of the Housing and Building Association of Colorado Springs, which is sponsoring the event. More information: 592-1800, or go to http://www.cshba.com/ and click on "education events."

Mayor Rivera to deliver state-of-the-city address to chamber

Want to know what's good about living in Colorado Springs? Ask Mayor Lionel Rivera (right); he loves to talk about the city. Rivera will deliver his annual state of the city address at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 17, at the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce luncheon, to be held at the downtown Antlers Hilton Hotel, 2 S. Cascade Ave. Rivera is expected to discuss the city's progress and problems, successes and challenges. The event is typically attended by several hundred business people and community leaders. Tickets are $30 for chamber members and $40 for non-members. More information or to purchase tickets: 635-1551, or go to http://www.coloradospringschamber.org/ and click on "calendar of events."

Alamosa, gateway to Colorado?

On the biz e-mail this morning:

"Colorado Opens an Official Welcome Center in Alamosa
Elected officials, community leaders, the Colorado Tourism Office (CTO) and CTO Board of Directors will celebrate the opening of the State’s newest Welcome Center in Alamosa with a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house.
WHO: The grand opening will include remarks from
· State Senator Gail Schwartz (D-Snowmass)
· Kathy Rogers, Alamosa Mayor Pro Tem
· Rob Perlman, Chairman of the Colorado Tourism Office Board of Directors
· Kim McNulty, Director of the Colorado Tourism Office
WHEN: Monday, June 9, 2008
Ribbon Cutting: 10:00 a.m.
Open House: 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
WHERE: Colorado Welcome Center at Alamosa
601 State Avenue, downtown Alamosa

Briargate goes to the dogs

It's time for Bark at Briargate, and we don't mean griping about the quintessential suburban community on Colorado Springs' north side. The Promenade Shops at Briargate, the open-air, lifestyle shopping center southeast of Colorado Highway 83 and Briargate Barkway, er, Parkway, will host its third annual Bark at Briargate from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 14. It's a chance for dog owners to check out the latest pet foods, watch training and obedience demonstrations and talk to groomers and pet salon operators. Shoppers are invited to bring their dogs, while dog-less patrons will have a chance to adopt one, too. Several kennels and other pet-related businesses will be on hand for the event. More information or to participate: 265-6264 or http://www.thepromenadeshopsatbriargate.com/.

First Remodeled Homes Tour takes place June 14-15

The Housing and Building Association of Colorado Springs, which conducts a Parade of Homes annually to show off new houses and building techniques, is putting the spotlight on remodeling. The HBA will conduct its first-ever Remodeled Homes Tour from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., June 14-15, at 17 home sites in the Colorado Springs area. HBA officials want to promote remodeling, which industry experts say includes everything from a fresh coat of paint, to finishing a basement, to making over a kitchen or bathroom, to a home addition. Tickets are $8 for adults and are good for all homes on both days of the event. A portion of ticket proceeds goes to HBA Cares, the organization's charity. More information on home locations and tickets: 592-1800 or http://www.cshba.com/.

Pinnocol pays dividends

Pinnacol Assurance, Colorado’s state-owned workers’ compensation insurer, paid $55 million in dividends in May to 58,000 businesses it insures.
The payments went to 92 percent of Pinnacol’s policyholders, based on their safety records and claims costs. The dividend is the fourth consecutive annual payment to policyholders; Pinnacol has paid $227 million in dividends since 2005.
Pinnacol paid $4.48 million in dividends to 5,372 businesses in El Paso County. The average dividend check in the county was about $830.
“Issuing a general dividend for the fourth straight year is a continuing sign of our policyholders’ commitment to maintaining safe workplaces and to Pinnacol’s financial health and stability,” said Ken Ross, Pinnacol’s president and chief executive.
Pinnacol cut rates 16.5 percent earlier this year because of lower-than-expected claims, its third consecutive annual rate reduction.

Verizon adds towers

Verizon Wireless customers in southeast Colorado Springs and seven other Colorado cities will be more likely to answer yes when asked “Can you hear me now?”
The company added a new cell tower site near Academy Boulevard and South Chelton Road along with seven others in Boulder, Denver, Greeley, Lakewood, Longmont, Northglenn and Thornton in response to rising demand for wireless voice, multimedia and Internet access.
The nation’s largest wireless provider, a joint venture of Verizon Communications Inc. and Vodafone Group Plc, spent $102 million last year adding cell tower sites in Colorado.

Two additions to Briargate shops

Two new stores have opened at The Promenade Shops at Briargate. Bath & Body Works opened May 26, offering shower gels, lotions, candles and accessories. Colorado Co-Op, a contemporary lifestyle store, opened its doors Sunday. It's the second location for Colorado Co-Op; there's also a downtown shop.

It's alive... ALIVE!

The agency-formerly-known-as-PRACO's new Web site is up at http://www.vladimirjones.com/.

Jones, Vladimir Jones - it's for real

Praco is no longer the largest, most successful advertising agency in Colorado Springs.

It’s now Vladimir Jones.

Who, or what, is that?

After 38 years, Praco is changing its name. And it’s changing it to Jones, Vladimir Jones.

Praco founder and CEO Nechie Hall and other agency officials could not be reached on Friday.

In a press release, which was scheduled to be delivered on Monday, June 2, Hall said “I felt strongly that it was time to make some mammoth changes, including moving on from the 38-year-old name that we chose when we founded the company.”

The press release said the name change was part of a change in corporate philosophy aimed at staying relevant and fresh.

Hall started Praco, short for Public Relations and Advertising Co., in 1970 with her husband, Jim. From a mom-and-pop operation, the company has grown to become one of the largest advertising companies in the state, with nearly 80 employees and $53.5 million in billings in 2007.

Praco’s competitors and clients, were surprised by the change. Shocked might not be too strong a word.

“I think it’s a bold move and whatever the reason is, we certainly hope the best for them,” said Bernard Sandoval, owner of Sandia, an advertising and marketing firm.

“Nechie doesn’t do anything unless she feels it’s strategically correct,” said Tom DeNardin, owner of Allegory Marketing. “I can tell you, if they’re changing it, they’re not doing it off a whim.”

Experience Colorado Springs at Pikes Peak, the convention and visitors bureau, contracts with Praco for its print advertising and will spend $600,000 with the agency this year. Lisa Amend, Experience’s public relations manager, said she had received mysterious e-mails and postcards from “Vladimir Jones” promising an announcement on June 2, but didn’t know about the connection to Praco.

“Praco has always been a name to be reckoned with in Colorado Springs,” Amend said. “Since the agency has such longevity and community respect, we will be excited to see how it will evolve under the new identity.”

The change has evidently been in the works for some time. The press release said employees were told about the change on May 16 and given a booklet dubbed “The Tao of Vladimir Jones,” which includes nuggets of wisdom such as, “Don’t do anything without understanding why.”

The Internet domain name vladimirjones.comwas registered with GoDaddy.com on March 19. On Friday, the Web site led to a placeholder page that said only, “If you have an exciting mind, the circus never leaves town.”

Praco is keeping up with the Vladimir Joneses

A press release from Colorado Springs ad agency PRACO announced the 38-year-old company had changed its name to... Vladimir Jones.

"I felt strongly that it was time to make some mammoth changes, including moving on from the 38-year-old name that we chose when we founded the company in our early twenties," PRACO founder Nechie Hall said in the release.

The release came with a booklet dubbed "The Tao of Vladimir Jones" filled with nuggets of wisdom such as, "Relevance is even more important than really good photography" and "If it's never been done before, there may be a reason."

Pithy, to be sure, but it should be noted that they're still answering the phones with "PRACO."

U.S. Bank branch celebrates new lanes

The U.S. Bank branch at 3525 Hartsel Drive has two new drive-up lanes. People who open a U.S. Bank checking account during the grand opening celebration next week, June 2 through June 6, will receive a $10 King Soopers gas card while supplies last. Visitors to the branch also can register to win a summer prize pack including a gas barbecue grill and a $50 King Soopers gift card. The branch will hold a free barbecue from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. June 6.

Drive-up hours are 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays. Lobby hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. weekends and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays.

Colorado Springs home prices down in the first quarter

Colorado Springs' median home prices dropped 1.6 percent to $208,900 in the first quarter of 2008 when compared with the same period a year ago, according to recent figures released by the National Association of Realtors. The Springs fared better than some other cities in the state, according to the NAR; Denver's first-quarter median home prices fell 6.6 percent to $223,500 and Boulder's prices declined 4 percent to $355,700. To see the entire list, go to www.realtor.org/research/research/ehspage, click on "metropolitan area prices" and follow the appropriate links.

Four local dealerships participate in Chrysler's $2.99 a gallon gas promotion

Four local dealerships have joined Chrysler's "Let's Refuel America" promotion: Lithia Colorado Springs Jeep-Chrysler, Perkins Motor Co., The Faricy Boys and Colorado Springs Dodge.

Here's how it works: With the purchase of an eligible new Chrysler, Jeep or Dodge vehicles, buyers can receive a gas card that immediately lowers the price of gas to $2.99 a gallon -- and keeps it at that price for three years.

The offer is good through June 2 and is available on a wide range of vehicles, including new compacts, crossovers, minivans and pickup trucks. The cards work at eligible gas stations, up to 87 regular octane, E85 or diesel fuel.

They say expressway, we say parkway

At the risk of being picky, why can't some large, out-of-town corporations get street names and other landmarks accurate when they're talking about Colorado Springs? A few months ago, Costco Wholesale Club, based in suburban Seattle, described the location of its first Colorado Springs store as Colorado Springs East -- a location that, like Colorado Springs North and Colorado Springs South, doesn't exist. Last week, Oregon-based Hollywood Theaters announced the opening of its new, 14-screen movie theater complex on the Springs' far north side and described its location as "Interstate 25 and Interquest Boulevard." Well, no, it's InterQuest Parkway -- and you can capitalize the "Q" in InterQuest while you're at it. This month, aerospace giant Northrop Grumman notified the news media of a ribbon cutting for its new office building "east of the Powers Boulevard and Milton Proby Expressway." Some people might drive as if it's an expressway, but, as a photo (above) from its April 2006 dedication shows, it's really Milton E. Proby Parkway. Everybody makes mistakes, of course. But let's just be glad that folks at these companies don't quit their day jobs to become map makers.

Online 'franchising basics' course offered

The U.S. Small Business Administration and FranNet are offering a free introduction to franchising course online.

The course covers 10 essential areas related to franchising, including How to Choose a Franchise and Is Franchising Right for You? Options, strategies for growth and pitfalls also are covered.

The course can be accessed from www.sba.gov, under the Free Online Training icon. Select Franchising Basics in the Starting a Business section. The course can be learned at the participant's own speed and on their own time. A certification of completion is given to participants who finish the course.

Google makes no-cost online medical records available

Google this week opened to the public an online personal health record service, www.GoogleHealth.

The move comes after 18 months of development and a pilot program with 10,000 patients at the Cleveland Clinic.

Google Health allows users to store their medical records and lab test results online, along with information about medications, vaccinations and allergies. Users can enter some information and have data pulled from clinical records. Users also can decide whether to share information in their histories with health care providers.

Patient privacy experts have expressed concern that despite password protection, sensitive health information could be compromised. Google has said the system has the highest level of security.

Colorado-Mexico trade booming

Colorado exports to Mexico have grown an average of 13.8 percent a year in the 14 years since the North American Free Trade Agreement was enacted and totaled $949 million last year, said Eduardo Arnal, consul general of Mexico in Denver, Tuesday.
The state's exports to Mexico have grown more than four times as fast as exports send to the rest of the world since NAFTA's 1994 enactment, helping Mexico to move up from being Colorado's seventh-largest trading partner to the state's second-largest trading partner behind Canada during the 14-year period, Arnal said. He was the featured speaker during the Mayor's Seventh Annual International Lunch at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Colorado Springs.
Mexico last year bought more U.S. goods -- $140 billion -- than the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands and Belgium combined -- $136 billion, Arnal said. Total trade between the the two nation's totaled $347 billion, ranking Mexico third behind Canada and China among U.S. trade partners.
"Trade is a win-win relationship for both countries," Arnal said, creating economic growth on both sides of the border. He cited a Goldman-Sachs study that predicted that Mexico would be among the world's five largest economies in 2040 along with the United States, China, India and Brazil.

Northrop Grumman to cut ribbon on new office building

Some ribbon-cuttings can be routine affairs, but not when one of the world's biggest aerospace companies is involved and when in it's in your own back yard. Top executives from Los Angeles-based Northrop Grumman Corp., along with state and city officials, will officially open Northrop Grumman's 130,000-square-foot office building at 4 p.m. Wednesday in Colorado Springs. The building is part of the Colorado Springs Airport's 1,000-acre business park, which is taking shape east of Powers Boulevard and Milton E. Proby Parkway on the city's far southeast side. Northrop Grumman will consolidate hundreds of its Springs-area workers into the new building. Among those expected to attend: Colorado Springs Mayor Lionel Rivera; Don Elliman, director of Colorado's Office of Economic Development and International Trade; John Faulkner, the city's assistant aviation director; Philip A. Teel, Northrop Grumman corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman Mission Systems sector; and Tim McMahon, Northrop Grumman corporate lead executive for the Colorado Springs region.

Springs Business Expo set for Thursday

One-stop shopping can be as important to business people as it is to consumers.
So, when more than 200 Pikes Peak region businesses gather Thursday for the 24th annual Springs Business Expo, they’ll have the opportunity to meet one another, sample new products and exchange ideas — all under one roof.
Hey, it’s better than a couple hundred power lunches, and nobody has to wrangle over who will pick up the check.
The Springs Business Expo, presented by the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce, will feature about 250 booths manned by Spring-area businesses.
About 2,000 attendees are expected throughout the day, she said. The expo isn’t limited to the business community; members of the public are invited to attend, as well.

WHAT: Springs Business Expo
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday May 22, 2008.
WHERE: Phil Long Expo Center, 1515 Auto Mall Loop, near Chapel Hills Mall and Wal-Mart in northern Colorado Springs
COST: Free to online registrants who sign up before noon Wednesday; $10 afterwardand at the door
MORE INFORMATION: 635-1551 or visit www.coloradospringschamber.org and click on “calendar of events.”

Apartment association to hold annual banquet

The Apartment Association of Southern Colorado will hold its annual installation and awards banquet at 6 p.m. June 5 at the Doubletree Hotel World Arena, 1775 E. Cheyenne Mountain Blvd., on Colorado Springs' south side. Amy Moore of Holland Residential Group will be installed as board president. The cost to attend is $50 per person. More information or to register: 264-9195; http://www.aacshq.org/; or carlene@aaschq.org.

Cripple Creek casino revenue plunges again

Colorado casino revenues in April fell for the fourth straight month since the smoking ban took effect in January, dropping 7.1 percent from March and down 12.5 percent from April, 2007.

It was the second-biggest year-to-year decrease ever, behind March.

In Cripple Creek, revenue fell 6.4 percent to $10.7 million in April, off 13.3 percent from April, 2007.

Cripple Creek casinos have brought in a total of $42.6 million in 2008, off 14.7 percent from this point in 2007.

Sparrow Hawk flying to new home

Sparrow Hawk Cookware is moving - but not very far. Sam Eppley, owner of Sparrow Hawk at 12 E. Bijou St. downtown, bought the Pendleton building, 120 N. Tejon St., a few months ago. After renovating the main level, he plans to move Sparrow Hawk there at the start of August or so. He also owns the building on Bijou and will lease that space out. An architect's rendering of the new Sparrow Hawk is above.

Apartment vacancies decline

The Colorado Springs-area apartment vacancy rate fell to 9 percent in the first quarter of 2008, down from the fourth quarter of last year and the first quarter of 2007, according to a new survey from the Apartment Association of Southern Colorado. But the area's economic vacancy rate is falling, too -- a sign that renter incentives are poised to disappear. The economic vacancy rate takes into account the percentage of vacant apartments and combines that figure with rent discounts and other concessions. In the Springs area, the economic vacancy rate in the first quarter averaged 21.3 percent. The figure was unchanged from the fourth quarter of last year, but was down sharply from 25.6 percent in the first quarter of 2007. The economic vacancy rate typically increases when there are plenty of apartments available to rent, and it declines as the apartment market improves. In late 2004, when the single-family home industry was going strong, mortgage rates were low and thousands of people were buying houses, landlord and apartment owners had to offer plenty of incentives. As s result, the economic vacancy rate soared to 30 percent in the fourth quarter of 2004.

Apartment renters prefer newer and larger buildings

Renters are more likely to flock to newer and larger apartment complexes, according to a new vacancy and rent survey by the Apartment Association of Southern Colorado. In its first-quarter survey of the Colorado Springs market, the Apartment Association found that apartments constructed from 1990 to 1999 had a vacancy rate of 5.3 percent and those built from 2000 to 2004 had a vacancy rate of 6.8 percent. Apartments constructed in the 1950s had a vacancy rate of 22.5 percent, while 1970s-era apartments were 12.2 percent vacant in the first quarter. Meanwhile, apartment complexes with 200 to 349 units were 8.1 percent vacant in the first quarter, while those with 350 and more units had a vacancy rate of 9.5 percent. The highest first-quarter vacancy rate of 11.1 percent was found in apartment buildings of nine to 50 units.

Foreign travel still expected to be brisk

In a first-ever summer forecast for foreign travel, AAA Colorado expects 508,000 Coloradans will travel internationally this summer. That represents a 3.6 percent increase over the 468,000 who were estimated to have traveled overseas last summer.

The report includes automobile and air travel outside the U.S. Colorado travelers will spend $622 million while traveling overseas in June, July and August, a 7.2 percent increase from last summer, according to the report, which was prepared for AAA by Global Insight.

Nationally, AAA estimates 25.1 million Americans will travel internationally this summer, a 2.6 percent increase over 2007. China and India will see the largest increases in travel from U.S. citizens, while Canada and Mexico will remain the most popular destinations.

Interquest theater opens for Indiana

The new Hollywood Theaters Interquest Stadium 14 on Interquest Boulevard will open May 21 (technically, midnight May 22) for "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull."

CarMax draws hundreds of applicants

CarMaxThe Auto Superstore will open its Colorado Springs store June 5 at 4011 Tutt Blvd., near Security Service Field.
This will be the 96th store in the CarMax Inc. chain and the first in Colorado for the 15-year-old publicly traded company.
“This is a growing community — it’s the right size for us — and with this addition we’ll be continuous from coast to coast,” said Craig Meeks, general manager of the new store, who most recently ran a CarMax in Albuquerque, N.M.
A six-week job recruiting session to fill 85 openings drew 900 applicants, he said, adding that many were attracted to CarMax’s listing on Fortune magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For.”

Steve Ducoff named executive director for lodging association

Steve Ducoff, former CEO of the Billiards Congress of America and CEO of the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation, was named executive director of the Pikes Peak Lodging Association.

Thin Film Metal parts moves

Thin Film Metal Parts has a new address, but the Eagle Electronics LLC subsidiary is still in the same northwest Colorado Springs building.
The company — which produces encoders, radio-frequency shields, electroformed mesh and other metal, glass and Mylar parts for the electronics, aerospace and medical industries — shared space until early February with former corporate sibling Photo Stencil.
After Boulder-based Kachi Partners bought Photo Stencil in June, Thin Metal Parts had to divide the space and operations the two companies shared at 4725 Centennial Blvd.The building was remodeled to separate the two companies and give each an entrance.
As a result, Thin Metal Parts is now located at 4733 Centennial Blvd. and has nearly doubled its space to give the company its own clean room and to accommodate additional support staff for accounting, information technology and other duties.
Thin Metal Parts now employs about 35 people, up from 25 before the split, and has acquired several new pieces of state-of-the-art equipment that will allow the company to expand its product line, said Craig Spitzfaden president of Thin Metal Parts.

Cipoletti named president of new coin unit

Ousted American Numismatic Association leader Christopher Cipoletti has been named president of a new subsidiary of Rare Coin Wholesalers of Dana Point, Calif.
Cipoletti will head a new division for retail sales called Rare Coin Consultants of America. He will work out of Colorado Springs and attend financial services and investment trade shows, said Steven Contursi, president of Rare Coin Wholesalers.
“Chris Cipoletti is the ideal person to oversee Rare Coin Consultants of America. He’s knowledgeable about the numismatic marketplace; he’s a strategic, visionary thinker; entrepreneur and motivator,” Contursi said in announcing Cipoletti’s hiring.
Cipoletti was executive director of the Colorado Springs-based American Numismatic Association for nearly five years before being fired by the organization’s board last fall “with cause.” He also is a lawyer and served as the numismatic association’s legal counsel

Qwest teams up with Verizon

Qwest Communications signed a five-year agreement with Verizon Wireless on Monday to provide wireless service to its customers beginning this summer, replacing Qwest’s wireless deal with Sprint.
Qwest customers will be able to get Verizon services bundled with their home phone or DSL package. Customers with Sprint wireless plans will be transitioned to Verizon service.

Navsys hires firm to help develop GPS business

Monument-based Navsys Corp. has hired Core Capital Group’s electronics and semiconductor unit to help it develop a business around global-positioning system (GPS) technology it developed for military uses.
The technology, called “Tidget,” is a small device with low power requirements that captures GPS data for use later in a variety of ways and has been incorporated in missile defense systems, said Loren Lancaster, managing director of Colorado Springs-based Core Capital.
“They have patents, developed prototypes and found there is tremendous demand for these applications in the consumer and commercial markets,” Lancaster said. Among the potential commercial uses for the Tidget technology is tracking livestock, he said.
Core is completing market research, developing marketing materials, identifying strategic partners and a management team, putting together a funding strategy to raise “tens of millions of dollar" and launching the operation within three to six months, Lancaster said.

Qwest, Verizon sign 5-year deal

Qwest Communications signed a five-year agreement with Verizon Wireless on Monday to provide wireless service to its customers beginning this summer. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

The Verizon agreement replaces Qwest’s current wireless deal with Sprint, although that agreement doesn’t end until February, 2009.

Qwest customers will be able to get Verizon services bundled with their home phone or DSL package and buy Verizon phones and services at Qwest stores and call centers. Qwest customers who have current Sprint wireless plans will be transitioned to Verizon service, Qwest spokeswoman Jennifer Barton said.

Springs firm wins Wyoming contract

Colorado Springs-based Managed Business Solutions LLC won a $2.28 million contract last month from the Wyoming Department of Revenue to upgrade 11-year-old software that tracks collections of sales, use, lodging, cigarette and estate taxes.
The company doesn’t plan to hire additional employees to complete the 18-month contract, which requires development of new screens for users to input data and get information from the software as well as a way for those paying tax to file reports on the Web.
Dan Noble, administrator of the department’s Excise Tax Division, said Managed Business Solutions was selected among seven bidders because of its experience in developing such software, its financial stability and the expertise of its software development team.
Managed Business Solutions is a subsidiary of Sealaska Corp., one of 13 corporations formed under federal law to benefit native Alaskans.

Two local companies recognized for promoting corporate wellness

Colorado Springs Utilities, which provides all four utility services for local residents, and TRANE, which supplies commercial and residential heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems and services, have been awarded the American Heart Association’s top wellness honor. Both local companies made the list of the nation’s 2008 Fit-Friendly Companies.
Employers on the annual list promote a fit-friendly workplace that encourages wellness by providing walking routes and promoting walking programs, supplying online newsletters and tracking tools to motivate employees, offering healthy food options in cafeterias or vending machines, and creating a work environment conducive to physical activity.
Employers that sign on to the Start! Fit-Friendly Companies Program will be recognized at the Start! Colorado Springs Heart Walk June 7 and on the program’s national Web site. Interested employers can call the local office at 635-7688.

Q1 Tourism economic impact report

Just got the first-quarter numbers from Experience Colorado Springs at Pikes Peak (the convention and visitors bureau). I don't have the year-to-year comparison handy, so I'll just throw these numbers out there for now:

Total economic impact - $82,874,401

Lodging and rental tax - $423,630

Sports-related room nights - 16,136
Sports-related revenue - $7,213,660

Convention marketing room nights - 28,250
Convention marketing revenue - $13,889,260

Anthem employees participate in first national Community Service Day

More than 125 Colorado employees of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and their families and friends, volunteered for the parent company's first national Community Service Day, held April 26 to coincide with National Volunteeer Week.

Local employees volunteered at the Colorado Springs March of Dimes and Child Nursery Centers, said spokeswoman Sally Vogler. They helped staff the March of Dimes' "March for Babies," assisting with registration and the kids fun zone. At The Child Nursery Centers, the volunteers cleaned and beautified the grounds. Employees from Denver also worked on projects there.

Last year, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield associates in Colorado pledged more than $673,000 to help nonprofits throughout the state.

Air Force Academy film on hold

The Air Force Academy may be ready for a close-up, but Hollywood is holding off.
“Bring Me Men,” an independent film that was planned to begin shooting in May at the academy, will now be put off for a year, said Charles Morrison, the film’s producer.
“It’s very disappointing,” he said. “We were anxiously looking forward to working with the Air Force this summer.”
Morrison said the financing he had in place when he announced the $6 million project in November 2007, was no longer available. He tried to secure new financial backers, but couldn’t in time to meet the scheduled filming window that would capture graduation at the end of May and the start of basic training for new cadets in June. Instead, he asked the Air Force for an extension so the project could film next year.
Morrison said he’s still searching for funding.
“It’s just a difficult time this year to raise money,” he said.
“Bring Me Men” is a fictional retelling of the arrival of the first women cadets at the academy in 1976. The title refers to the famous motto at the academy’s Terrazzo entrance, which was removed in 2003 and replaced by the academy’s core values.
Academy spokesman Johnny Whitaker said the one-year delay was by mutual agreement.
Tom Como, the film’s co-producer, said the project would have meant 60 to 70 jobs for local crewmembers.
“To be honest with you, it’s one of the few feature films that was actually going to come here,” he said.
Como said he’s confident that “Bring Me Men” will be a go next year.
Colorado Springs film commissioner Kim Griffis said it will be better for the Springs that the producers wait until everything is in place to begin filming.
“Even though it’s a kink in the wheels, it’s still going to move forward,” she said.

Springs Business Expo coming May 22

The annual Colorado Springs Business Expo, sponsored by the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce, will take place10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 22 at the Phil Long Expo Center, 1515 Auto Mall Loop on the city's north side. The event, which allows businesses to gain leads and network with new and existing clients, is billed by the chamber as one of the largest area business expos. More information or to participate : 635-1551 or awhittaker@cscc.org

Centura's chief medical officer takes new job

Dr. Terry O'Rourke, chief medical officer for Centura Health and formerly a general surgeon in Colorado Springs for 28 years, has accepted a new job.

He will leave Denver-based Centura and on June 2 become executive vice president and chief medical officer at Trinity Health, based in Novi, Mich. Trinity Health is the fourth largest Catholic health care system in the nation with 44,000 employees.

O'Rourke practiced as a general surgeon primarily at Penrose Hospital, which is managed by Centura, a joint Catholic/Adventist venture. As the system-wide CMO for the past three years, O'Rourke improved quality measures and safety at hospitals in the system, founded the Physician Leadership Academy and the Clinical Leadership Council and served as the clinical leader for the organization's new electronic medical and financial records system.

An interim CMO will be named, and a search for a new CMO will begin soon, Centura officials said.

20 Mbps Internet now available in the Springs

Starting Thursday, some Qwest Communications customers in Colorado Springs now have access to the fastest Internet service available in the state.

The new plans offer a top speed of 20 megabits per second (Mbps) for $104.99 a month (with a phone plan bundle) or 12 Mbps speeds for $51.99 a month. Qwest said it is delivering the ultra-fast services to its 23 top markets, including Colorado Springs.

Travis Leo, Qwest’s director of high speed Internet services, said if customers can get Qwest’s 7 Mbps service now, they should also be able to get the new, faster speeds.

“Colorado Springs has one of the highest availabilities in any market,” Leo said. “Upgrading the network down there has proven to be very, very efficient.”

Qwest’s basic DSL service offers 1.5 Mbps for $34.99 a month and 7 Mbps for $41.99 (all of Qwest’s plans are $5 a month cheaper when combined with phone service.

Earlier this month, Comcast announced its own super-fast connections for heavy Internet users, offering 50 megabits per second for $149.99 a month, but that service is so far available only in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn.

Comcast’s current high-speed Internet plans deliver between 4 and 8 Mbps in Colorado Springs, for $52.95 to $62.95 (less when bundled with voice and video services) and Comcast offers a speed boost to 12 Mbps during especially heavy usage. Comcast spokeswoman Cindy Parsons said the 50 Mbps service would be available in 20 percent of its markets by the end of the year, but couldn’t say if Colorado Springs would be one of them.

Comcast has announced that it’s working toward delivering speeds as high as 100 or 150 Mbps, although those aren’t yet available. Likewise, Leo said that Qwest’s 20 Mbps service is just a stepping stone en route to faster speeds.

“There certainly is lots of headroom from a future technology standpoint,” he said. “We’re not going to stand around and think that 20 is sufficient.”

Faster speeds are gaining popularity hand in hand with the growth of video streaming and online gaming, Leo said. Also, many homes now have several computers hooked up to a single Internet connection, placing greater demands on the amount of bandwidth available, he said

.“We’re seeing customers sign up for higher speeds at faster rates than we thought,” Leo said.

The faster speeds are made possible by installing fiber optic cable into more neighborhoods, meaning that only the last few hundred or thousand feet of connection is on slower copper cables. Qwest is spending $300 million to upgrade its network nationwide.

On a 20 Mbps connection, Qwest says a 2-hour movie can be downloaded in six minutes, or 20 songs could be downloaded in one minute.

Learn how to do business with government

A one-day, free workshop, "Doing Business with the Government," will take place from 8:30 a.m.to 2:45 p.m. Friday, April 25, at the University Center Theatre Room 302 at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. The event, open to students, faculty members and business people, will explore government sponsored research at universities, intellectual property matters, forming a team to seek government funded proposals, contracts, and other issues related to contracting with government. The workshop is being held in conjunction with the National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance (NCIIA) and hosted by EPIIC (El Pomar Institute for Innovation and Commercialization, formerly known as CITTI). More information: http://www.invention2venture.org/coloradosprings08, 262-3631 or bwasinge@uccs.edu.

Administrative professionals' group gives awards

Three local women were honored April 23 during the annual Administrative Professionals' Day luncheon hosted by the Pikes Peak Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals.

Linda Iverson of Farm Credit of Southern Colorado was named 2008 Administrative Professional of the Year. Iverson has worked at the company 21 years and has held various administrative positions in human resources, information technology and daily operations.

B.J. Scott, president and chief executive officer of Peak Vista Community Health Centers, received the Executive of the Year award. In nominating Scott, Dayna Dorobiala wrote that Scott's major strength is "her ability to motivate others to perform at their best, whether solving problems, addressing community concerns, securing relationships or expanding and building health care centers. B.J. sets the bar in ethics, respect for others and trust in leadership."

The Member of the Year is Rhonda Lavoie, who chairs the local chapter's community service program and is credited with a "can-do attitude, a wonderful sense of humor and personal drive to achieve perfection."

The chapter also awarded a $750 scholarship to Crystal Moreno, a receptionist for Honeywell and part-time student at Pikes Peak Community College. The scholarship was funded by corporate sponsors of the annual luncheon.

There are 4.2 million administrative professionals in the nation, according to the International Association of Administrative Professionals. April 20-26 is recognized as Administrative Professionals Week, and April 23 as Administrative Professionals Day.

Peak Vista expands with new Family Health Center

Peak Vista Community Health Centers recently hosted an open house for its newest Family Health Center at 225 S. Union Blvd.

The 34,000-square-foot building has been renovated from a former school into a medical facility with 48 exam rooms, a pharmacy, lab, well-child waiting area, registration center and a health education area.

Peak Vista also expanded hours at its Harrison School District 2 Entrada Health Center a few months ago and last summer opened a Family Health Center at the Myron Stratton Home.

The nonprofit organization established in 1971 operates 12 health centers in El Paso and Teller counties, offering primary medical, dental and behavioral health services to 53,000 low-income residents a year. The organization has immediate openings for employment at several of its locations.

Seminar focuses on learning and its impact on the bottom line

Strategically focused and well-executed learning can impact workplace productivity and profitability, believes David Vance, who will present a day-long seminar in Colorado Springs on "Manage Learning Like a Business."

Hosted by the American Society for Training and Development, the seminar will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., May 13 at the Garden of the Gods Trading Post, 324 Beckers Lane, in Manitou Springs.

Vance, founder and former president of Caterpillar University and 2006 Chief Learning Officer of the Year, holds a doctorate in economics, a master's degree in business and a bachelor's degree in political science.

The seminar will teach participants how to strategically align learning to business goals, create a business plan for learning with measurable goals, executive the plan, predict and measure results and establish a governance structure.

The registration fee is $99 for members and $139 for non-members before April 25, $109 for members and $149 for non-members after April 25. To register, go to astdppc@ctcm-acr.com, or call 380-1088.