Medical Center of the Rockies with Grace Taylor
UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies is a 193-bed regional medical center in Loveland. They offer a full spectrum of services and specialize in heart and trauma care. They are also the region’s first and only Level I Trauma Center.
In this episode you will learn about what's new at MCR, what current challenges they face, Colorado’s economic forecast for 2025, regulatory and policy uncertainty and priorities they are focusing on with all the new growth.
Loveland.org
A Young Entrepreneur, Kinzie Sargent discusses life in business as a 11 yr old.
In 2020, during the uncertain and challenging days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kinzie turned her idea for service into action. With the support of her father, she learned the craft of candle making, and Kinzie’s Kandles was born. The idea was simple yet powerful: to create high quality, beautifully handcrafted candles, with a portion of every sale going to support those in need. Over the past five years, Kinzie’s vision has blossomed into a thriving business. She has sold nearly 5,000 candles, reaching customers across 28 states, including Alaska, and even internationally in Mexico. Her candles have been distributed in local businesses across Northern Colorado and she participates in craft fairs. One of her greatest joys is working on private events, where she customizes candles for special occasions such as weddings, baby showers, golf tournaments, and private equine events, adding a personal touch to each celebration. Kinzie’s creativity and passion for candle-making have led to some incredible opportunities. She partnered with the Colorado Eagles to create a one-of-a-kind Zamboni-wax scented candle—a perfect tribute for hockey fans—which is now available in the Eagles’ stores and at special events. Her talent was also recognized by the City of Loveland, where she was honored as the official candle maker for the Sweetheart City during their annual Valentine’s festivities. She crafted a warm and inviting cinnamon vanilla scented candle, aptly named “Sweetheart Spice,” to celebrate love and tradition in Loveland’s famous Valentine’s celebration. Kinzie’s commitment to giving back is at the heart of her business. She has contributed to several important causes, including the Kong Strong Golf Tournament, Greeley Stampede’s Big Buckle Ball, the Stopping of Child-Trafficking, the Glen Haven Fire Department, and, of course, the House of Neighborly Services, which was her original inspiration. Through these efforts, Kinzie continues to support local communities, using her business as a platform for good
Loveland.org
EPO4: Advocacy Update with Bill Becker
As it relates to HB25-1272 “Construction Defects”, The Loveland Chamber has been working on this issue for some years now. It has seemed an uphill climb since the legal forces earning substantial income from thwarting any reform on “construction defects” have won the day over the years. Some years ago, 28% of new construction was in the condominium space, great starter homes for people starting out. Now, it’s less than 5% due to insurers shying away from condo insurance due to the frequency and severity of lawsuit damages. In this issue we will discuss the support side as well as the opposing side to HB25-1272, as well as the Labor Peace Act.
Loveland.org
EPO3: Advocacy Update with Bill Becker
This weeks advocacy update with Bill brings you relevant content pertaining to the 1.2 Billion dollar state budget revenue shortfall, FAMLI leave program, County Lodging Tax, unintended consequences of legislation, and how the federal government changes are impacting Colorado.
Loveland.org
EPO2: Advocacy update with Bill Becker
This weeks advocacy update with Bill brings you relevant content pertaining to the 1.2 Billion dollar state budget revenue shortfall, HB25-1272 “Construction Defects and Middle Market Housing”, the “Worker Protection Collective Bargaining” bill, and the very controversial banning of some semiautomatic firearms. We're not quite halfway through the legislative session and there is no shortage of hot-button issues!
Loveland.org
L3 – Leveraging Local Leaders
Increasingly in Colorado, policy-making is happening at the local level under “local control.” City councils, county commissioners, mayors, and professional staff hold power over major issues like affordable housing, labor requirements, products and services regulation, economic development, water and energy policy, and transportation development and investment. Like any other job, holding elected office requires an understanding of impacted parties and functions in one’s role. L3’s mission is to strengthen Colorado’s communities by recruiting, training, and supporting pragmatic and solutions-oriented civic leaders.
Leveraging Local Leaders (L3 – 501 c3) seeks to identify, recruit, and train a diverse and promising group of citizen leaders in Colorado’s communities to run for office or otherwise engage meaningfully in local politics giving them the tools to be successful servants and their constituents effective policy-makers. We provide expert training and mentorship on how to run for office, while educating on top public policy issues to ensure citizens are prepared to run and govern well.
This six-month program meets one day per month from January through June, in which students learn how to run a local campaign while also learning about major public policy issues and governance processes from the most accomplished experts in the state. To date, L3 has trained 38 people in four cohorts between 2021 and 2024. Numerous graduates are in the pipeline to run for office, with five having been elected and four having led successful citizen initiatives.
Loveland.org
EPO1: Advocacy Update with Bill Becker
The topic of affordable housing seems a priority for the majority of legislators. It is mentioned as important in many speeches from the floor. However, there seems little focused effort for answers to the high cost of housing dilemma. Employers find their employees cannot live near where they work. The increased travel and stress costs are real but no easy answer seems on the horizon.
Proposed legislation to ease regulations on modular housing construction is planned but nothing specific yet.
We've mentioned the nearly one-billion-dollar revenue shortfall the State of Colorado is facing. I learned of an example this week of a program using AI to significantly improve wildfire detection in such a way that could save many millions in firefighting costs by early detection. A seven million dollars expenditure would be required to put the system in place, and most agree the savings would be huge versus the costs of another major wildfire. With no funds available, this “good idea” was scrapped for now.
The banning of semiautomatic firearms in Colorado continues to generate the most emotion at the Capitol. While tangential to some business interests, this “policy” debate is being fought hard on both sides. Even some anti-gun legislators feel this may be going too far.
What all this illustrates is that as we continue to monitor our legislative scene, navigating the often-choppy waters is a big part of what your Chamber does. And reporting back to our members in this and other formats is an important part of our work for you, our members.
Loveland.org
Loveland Downtown District Hip Streets Plan
Learn more about downtown and The Heart Improvement Plan which includes:
– Updating deteriorating infrastructure
– Replacing utilities
– Reconstructing the roads
– Improving sidewalk conditions to meet ADA compliance standards
– Installing new lighting
– Replanting trees, adding planters and seating
– Expanding existing patios as well as add new patios
– Other surface level improvements
Loveland.org
NCLA Legislative Update
Are you wondering…WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON AT THE COLORADO LEGISLATURE?
In this episode, we bring you an update on what’s been happening in the Colorado House and Senate. Thirty-nine days have passed, and several hundred bills have been introduced. We’ll explore potential legislation that could impact your business and personal lives. They say in politics: “If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.”
Loveland.org
Special Election Candidates for Ward 1
Ward 1 Candidates, Geoff Frahm and Jennifer Swanty are asked a series of probusiness questions and given the opportunity to allow listeners to learn more about them and their election platforms.
Loveland.org
