Small processors step up to ease beef supply-chain woes
When one of the largest outbreaks of COVID-19 shut down JBS USA's meatpacking plant in Greeley for nine days in April, it sent a shockwave through the beef supply chain.
Consumer
COVID-19 delivers bumpy ride for cannabis sales
Some in Colorado’s cannabis industry took a hit as the coronavirus pandemic prompted Gov. Jared Polis to shut down the state, but being considered an essential business has helped others.
Mask makers pivot back to pre-coronavirus products
Three Colorado companies — Dardano's, Knotty Tie Co., and Moore Collection — began making masks when stay-at-home orders started to go into affect. Now, the companies are figuring out how to get back to business
Olde Towne Arvada collaborates to help businesses survive
The close-knit community of independent businesses in downtown Arvada has always supported and looked out for each other, but the pandemic heightened those bonds.
Word is getting out about Florence's burgeoning arts scene
Thirty miles west of Pueblo, the small town of Florence is often associated with ADX Florence, or Supermax, the highest of high-security prisons. But it's not readily apparent that prisons are a dominant industry when you wander the streets of Florence. Public art abounds, as do antique stores and eateries, and there's charm and personality to the spare.
San Luis Valley keeps Colorado near the top in fresh spud output
The San Luis Valley, the world’s largest alpine valley, is often associated with the Great Sand Dunes, UFOs and vortexes. But its potato industry is another big, if more mundane, calling card.
In the COVID-19 era, farmers markets go online, curbside
Due to social-distancing restrictions brought on by COVID-19, the Boulder County Farmers Markets announced plans for a “virtual market,” with online ordering and curbside pickup at Boulder County Fairgrounds in Longmont. Other farmers markets are offering curbside pickup.
COVID-19 brings beer boom and bust
Beer sales are up, but not all breweries are benefiting. Here's what Colorado is drinking and how the state’s fabled craft brewers are innovating to stay afloat.
The future of restaurants is clouded by restrictions, fears
Along with travel-tourism, no Colorado industry has suffered more as a result of COVID-19 restrictions than restaurants. And as layoffs in state's restaurant industry surpass 150,000, uncertainty abounds. Here's what the head of the Colorado Restaurant Association had to say about it.
Luna Gourmet rebuilds and restores after fire, COVID-19
Not only is Luna Gourmet Coffee and Tea (which also owns Boyer’s Coffee) recovering from business disruptions due to COVID-19 closures, but they’re rebuilding after a fire took out their historic coffee roastery in North Denver. From lessons learned, to small victories achieved, here’s what the company’s owners, the Barrow brothers, are taking forward.
Mesa County breweries start to reopen and recover
After months of shutdown, initial Mesa County public health variances prevented breweries in the region from re-opening, causing sales to plummet even further than they already had. Now able to reopen, here is the story of how two Mesa County Breweries are dealing with the process of recovery.
Spark Grills aims to disrupt grilling with new funding round
Three years after its inception, Spark Grills is launching its sleek charcoal grill, app, and proprietary wood and charcoal Briqs system, which was invented by food and biomass scientists in Boulder. The startup’s system is meant to bring new precision and ease to charcoal grilling.
An Insider's Guide to the 2020 Fort Collins Startup Week
ColoradoBiz sat down with Nick Armstrong, CEO of WTF Marketing (the event organizer), to learn more about the event including insider tips, must-attend events and what’s new in the events fifth year.
It's a good time to be in the plant-based food business
Local entrepreneurs say consumers looking for variety in their diet are driving the current trend, and turning the nonmeat category into a booming business.
Flea Markets experience growth in the shadow of the circular economy
As the retail mix begins to shift from brick-and-mortar to online and from big department stores to locally-owned shops, one type of shopping experience appears to be rising — flea markets.
Area Colleges Help Students Prep for Careers in Beer
Since 2013, Colorado State University, Metropolitan State University of Denver, Regis University, University of Northern Colorado and Front Range Community College have all brought brewing to the curriculum in a big way.
5 emerging trends in business gifting
In recent years, significant trends and research in business gifting have emerged. Here are five of the biggest trends to keep in mind when gifting to clients and employees this holiday season.
Survey finds that good art is good business
Building a successful brand takes a lot and, according to a new report from art consulting and curation firm, Nine dot Arts, curating art that expresses an organization’s brand, mission and vision can help your company stand out in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
Trapped with your coworkers: Escape rooms offer unique team-building
As a team-building exercise, few experiences can beat “escape rooms,” hour-long games in which participants solve puzzles and perform tasks to free themselves.
Denver Ranks as the Best City for Women to Start a Business
The ranking was based off of the percentage of female-only owned businesses, the unemployment rate for women, the pay differences between women and men and the number of new businesses per capita.
A Practical Guide to Denver Design Week 2019
Kicking off Oct. 17 (and carrying through Oct. 25), Denver Design Week offers tours, panels, keynotes and discussions on how design contributes to the city’s economic, social and cultural quality of life.
Food Halls Cater to Evolving Tastes, Social Trends
Food halls are on fire in Colorado: There were about 10 in Denver at last count, several more on the Front Range, and projects in the works in Boulder, Golden, Colorado Springs and Edgewater.
Transforming Brick-and-Mortar Stores in the Online Era
Despite the ubiquitous impact of online shopping, brick-and-mortar stores are proving foundational to the contemporary shopping experience. Given the pervasiveness of online retailing, that resiliency may be surprising.
Gov. Polis Establishes Way Forward for Colorado Hemp Industry
Last week, the American Herbal Products Association hosted the first-ever Hemp-CBD Supplement Congress in downtown Denver. The event brought together professionals from across the industry — including farmers, producers, retailers and marketers — to discuss the quickly evolving regulatory and financial landscapes around hemp and CBD.
