Boulder Business Roundup

Options: Who has ‘em; What to do with ‘em; And what some do without ‘em.

By Mark Phillips, 9-25-06

Several encouraging reports in this week's business news point to the fact that Boulder-area folks have more options than others might. The Rocky Mountain News reports that the Denver Technology Job Market is creating more jobs than most of the country, and that the Rocky Mountain Region as a whole, outpaced the national average by 11%. Even better (or at least, more tangible), a U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis report released early this month placed Boulder 7th in the country for highest per capita income. How a person earning the Boulder average of $45,944 can afford Boulder's average home (I'm sure that I read a recent report that put the average home price at $500K, though I can't find a link to support this) is another matter entirely.

More jobs, more money, equal more options, right? What to do with the windfall? Why exercise your option to buy Green, of course! Xcel Energy did this week, in a dramatic way. Colorado's largest electricity provider announced a $60M project to build the state's largest solar electric power farm in the San Luis Valley.

Not in the market for enough sun energy to power 2600 homes? No worry. If you're like me, you've cringed every time you've filled up your gas tank this summer. If you're like me, many never-considered gas-conserving options are getting serious consideration. Think small. Think Smart. The Smart Car has landed, according to today's Denver Post. Several enterprising Front Rangers have inked deals recently to wholesale and/or retro fit the European sensation and, with promises of 40 MPG, I'm sure many will make their way into Front Rangers' hands, what with all of their jobs and 7th-highest-in-the-nation's earnings.

Nederland residents exercised the option to choose how their city looks this week. City Council fielded a proposal to put in a Subway sandwich shop and then, not surprisingly, fielded the calls from outraged citizens who are concerned that the town will lose its unique feel. A counter-proposal to ban all chain restaurants failed, but Subway won't be in Ned any time soon.


Miscellaneous
In the fallout following last month's faked-disappearing-Marine story, Sunday's Daily Camera has a nice cover story on other faked deaths in Boulder. According to Boulder Sheriff's Cmdr. Phil West, it's not uncommon for debt-ridden, unhappy folks to leave a suicide note, walk into the woods, and choose to begin anew with a new identity. "I wouldn't say it's a common thing, but it happens multiple times a year."

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