DENVER, Colo. — Inked Elephant Publishing, a dynamic, author-centered publishing house dedicated to empowering storytellers to create impactful, transformative works, is offering a free virtual writer’s workshop on January 3, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. MT.

The workshop will offer established, emerging and aspirational writers structured creativity hacks, opportunities to share challenges and community building.

“We’re thrilled to kick off the new year with ways for writers to make 2025 a breakthrough year,” said Melanie Sue Hicks, CEO of Inked Elephant Publishing. “This workshop will offer practical tips on setting writing goals, how to make time in your busy schedule and how to overcome imposter syndrome and writer’s block. It will also offer valuable resources and answer questions on the publishing process, as well as time to share work with others on the call in a collaborative space.”

Inked Elephant Publishing has recently published several new books, including:

“Shaking Off The Ashes”: A poetry collection that stands out for its inclusive approach, showcasing the voices of both neurodivergent and neurotypical poets, each bringing their own unique perspective on trauma, resilience and the courage to begin anew. Available for presale now.

“Disaffected”: Written by Sean Pittman and rated No. 1 New Release in Public Affairs and Administration, this thought-provoking book delves into the heart of political engagement, as well as the most pressing cultural issues of our current age, illustrating why each election is more critical than ever. Discover how apathy and access intertwine and learn why your vote matters more than you think.

“Incongruent”: Written by Melanie Sue Hicks, this non-fiction travel memoir takes readers along on her trek to Everest Base Camp. Along the way, she also reflects on other global travel and philanthropy adventures, and the lessons of resilience and human connection garnered along the way.

To learn more about Inked Elephant Publishing or to sign up for the free workshop, visit InkedElephantPublishing.com or visit their social media pages on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn.

About Inked Elephant PublishingInked Elephant Publishing is a dynamic, author-centered publishing house dedicated to empowering storytellers to create impactful, transformative works. Specializing in guiding and coaching first-time and emerging authors, Inked Elephant offers a uniquely personalized approach to the publishing journey, from concept to completion. With a team that acts as both a partner and advocate, Inked Elephant Publishing provides tailored support, expert strategies, and a commitment to showcasing each author's unique vision. Whether crafting stories that educate, entertain, or inspire, Inked Elephant ensures that every work they publish resonates deeply, offering readers an unforgettable experience.

###

[Photo 1 attached: Melanie Sue Hicks, CEO of Inked Elephant Publishing]

For more information, please contact:

Candice Brown-McElyea

[email protected]

A Denver-based mining company hired Kevin Crutchfield as its CEO and board director to replace its founding top executive who was injured playing in the U.S. Open Polo championship last spring.

Intrepid Potash, Inc. (NYSE: IPI) granted Robert Jornayvaz III a leave of absence from his injuries in April after he reportedly fell from a horse on the professional polo team he owns. Intrepid’s Chief Financial Officer, Matt Preston, has been serving as acting CEO since then.

The company announced hiring Crutchfield and his immediate start as CEO on Monday. He brings over three decades of global mining experience, according to a press release. This includes time serving as President and CEO of Compass Minerals (NYSE: CMP), CEO of Contura Energy/Alpha Metallurgical Resources (NYSE: AMR), and CEO of Alpha Natural Resources (ANR).

“Kevin is an accomplished and recognized executive in the mining industry who brings extensive leadership experience in navigating global industry dynamics," said Barth Whitham, chair of the board at Intrepid Potash. "He has a strong track record of driving growth and enhancing production within large-scale mining operations and has a deep understanding of our products and markets."

Crutchfield also worked for Pittston Coal Company, Denver-based Cyprus Amax Minerals Company and El Paso Corporation. He holds a B.S. in Mining and Minerals Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and completed the Executive Program at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business.

“I am excited to join Intrepid, a company that is recognized for its high-quality, essential product, hands-on customer service, world-class team, and service to its communities,” said Crutchfield.

Jornayvaz, Intrepid Potash's co-founder, officially stepped down from the company Sept. 30. The company paid him $2 million plus about $40,000 to cover health insurance coverage for 29 months and about $20,000 to cover the cost of an air ambulance taken from Florida to Colorado in May, the company said.

“Bob led numerous initiatives that strengthened our customer relationships, modernized our operations, and capitalized on our unique position as the only domestic producer of potash," Whitham said. “Bob and his family remain in our thoughts, and we continue to wish him well in his recovery.”

The company mines potassium, magnesium, sulfur, salt, and water products for customers in the agriculture, animal feed and the oil and gas industry. It is also the only U.S. producer of muriate of potash, which is a fertilizer and also is used in animal feed.

Intrepid is providing Crutchfield with a $600,000 base compensation, a one-time signing bonus and an equity award of restricted stock valued up to $3.5 million to be vested in annual increments, the company said.

The company's stock is currently trading at $26.60, down almost 2% from last week's market close.

Oil Producers in Colorado

2023 oil production (Bbls)

View this list

As the holiday shopping season kicks off, some small businesses are banding together to draw the community into their local stores with deals they hope will amplify the fun of in-person shopping.

DENVER — As the holiday shopping season kicks off, some small businesses are banding together to draw the community into their local stores with deals they hope will amplify the fun of in-person shopping.

On Tennyson Street in Denver’s Berkeley neighborhood, the annual Small Business Passport event is meant to keep the local economy thriving, while helping the community finds unique gifts.

“Shopping small and shopping local for us… it's not about people buying things or us selling things,” said Nicole Wolsey-Neech, who started the Small Business Passport more than a decade ago.

Creating opportunities for shoppers to buy local products from local shops “is like a complete domino effect in fueling the local economy,” she said.

This year’s shopping event – from November 30 to December 1 – is the biggest yet, with 40 businesses offering discounts.

“With a redemption of any deal, the business will give you a little red stamp, and each stamp is equal to one entry to win a gift basket,” Wolsey-Neech said. The gift basket is full of gift cards and products from the participating businesses with a total value of $1,600.

After shopping around the neighborhood and gathering stamps, shoppers can drop off their passport for a chance to win.

At the Jolly Goods gift shop run by Wolsey-Neech, almost everything on the shelves is locally made, much of it handmade by artists who live right in the neighborhood.

You’ll find everything from candles and cards to clothes and jewelry, like the Canned Goods jewelry line that local artist Thomas Paul Althaus crafts from recycled tin cans.

Jolly Goods is offering $10 off any purchase of $50 or more. But Wolsey-Neech hopes shoppers will take the chance to explore multiple shops on the passport.

“We love it,” said Katie Carrera, who runs the local flower and plant shop Fern & Bloom. “It brings out a lot of people… out of the big box stores and just to hang out in the neighborhood.”

And Carrera said this year, local shoppers are needed more than ever.

“It has been difficult,” she said. Prices for everything are rising, including the locally-made products in her shop and the fresh flowers and plants she arranges into bouquets.

“Having the community show up and support and shop with us is really important to get through the busiest time of the year,” she said.

For Wolsey-Neech, who is excited to kick off the eleventh year of this collaborative event, said it’s about more than keeping small businesses open, it’s about “keeping the community strong.”

In the weeks to come, there's many more opportunities to shop local, including at these holiday markets:

Cherry Creek Holiday MarketNov. 21 – Dec. 24

Cherry Creek North2401 E. 2nd AveSuite 150Denver, CO

Denver ChristkindlmarketNov. 22–Dec. 23

Civic Center Park101 14th AvenueDenver, CO

Mistletoe MarketNov. 30 – Dec. 22

Dairy Block1800 Wazee StreetDenver, CO

Holiday BAZAAR at Belleview StationNov. 30 – Dec. 1

Belleview Station6791 East Chenango AveDenver, CO

Horseshoe MarketNov. 30 – Dec. 1

Northwest Denver3550 Federal BlvdDenver, CO

Graveyard Markets: The Lemur and Friends BazaarDec. 1

Learned Lemur2220 East Colfax AveDenver, CO

Holiday BAZAAR at Larimer SquareDec. 5 – Dec. 15 & Dec. 17 – Dec. 22

Larimer Square1430 Larimer StDenver, CO

Holiday MercadoDec. 6 – Dec. 7

Museo de las Americas861 Santa Fe DrDenver, CO

It’s a RiNo-Ful Life Holiday MarketDec. 7

River North Art DistrictTruss House3400 Arkins CtDenver, CO

Vegan Holiday Market - BoulderDec. 7

6185 Arapahoe RdBoulder, CO

Vegan Holiday Market – DenverDec. 15

833 Santa Fe DrDenver, CO

YouthBiz MarketplaceDec. 7

Young Americans3550 East 1st Ave.Denver, CO

And here are a few more holiday markets outside of Denver:

Horseshoe MarketDec. 7 – Dec. 8

Breckenridge Brewery2920 Brewery Ln. Littleton, CO

Downtown Lakewood Holiday BAZAARDec. 7– Dec. 8 & Dec. 21– Dec. 22

Belmar Plaza439 S. Upham StLakewood, CO

Holiday Boutique at the Depot Art GalleryDec. 22

Depot Art Gallery2069 W. Powers AveLittleton, CO

6th Annual Mountain Toad Holiday MarketDec. 8

Mountain Toad Brewing900 Washington AveGolden, CO

Holiday Arts & Pottery SaleDec. 14

Washington Heights Arts Center6375 W 1st AveLakewood, CO

Boulder County Fairgrounds Winter MarketDec. 7 – Dec. 8

9595 Nelson Rs.Boulder, CO

Copyright 2024 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

PALMER LAKE, Colo. — A second Buc-ee's location is in the works in Colorado.

The Texas-based travel store and gas station chain is in the early stages of acquiring the land for a location in El Paso County, between Denver and Colorado Springs.

Palmer Lake Mayor Glant Havenar said last month that Buc-ee's had inquired about annexing land for a potential store at Interstate 25 and County Line Road, between Larkspur and Monument.

Members of Buc-ee's development team held a public comment meeting at Palmer Lake Elementary School on Tuesday night. More than 300 residents attended the meeting, many opposed to the idea of Buc-ee's building in the town.

At Tuesday's meeting, Buc-ee's representatives said the property has been zoned as a commercial property since 1955, and that there had been an intended plan for that space to be used for something like a rest stop. The latter statement was met by jeers and boos from the audience, according to KRDO.

In their presentation, Buc-ee's developers showcased the different foods and services that Buc-ees provides, as well as the job opportunities with positions that start at $20 dollars per hour.

Palmer Lake residents voiced concerns over traffic impacts, weather along the interstate, light pollution, property values, and impacts from wildlife migration in the area.

According to KRDO, Buc-ee's developers said they would follow all regulations required by the Colorado Department of Transportation to accommodate the traffic changes that would be necessary at an intersection for entry and exit, including making improvements to a bridge that goes over I-25, which some people expressed wouldn't be able to handle the amount of drivers. A Buc-ee's representative said that they would pay for a new bridge over the interstate and have built new bridges at other locations as well.

Other residents at Tuesday's meeting asked about winter weather impacts, within what is a unique meteorology corridor around Monument Hill, including accidents like in last week's storm. A developer said that at other Buc-ees locations where adverse weather is present, they haven't seen major traffic disruptions.

The property will have to be annexed before Buc-ee's will move ahead with the project.

Havenar said per state statute, an annexation hearing is afforded to anyone who asks for one. Palmer Lake Board of Trustees will hold the eligibility hearing on Thursday, Dec. 12.

Havenar said the hearing is not to annex the land, but is to determine if the owner is eligible to move forward in the process. Residents are encouraged to attend the meeting to learn more, ask questions and make comments.

Credit: KRDO

"If the owner is determined at the eligibility hearing on December 12 to be eligible for annexation, they would likely hold a series of community meetings where residents are urged to ask questions and learn more about the development," Havenar said last month. "This process could be followed by an eventual annexation hearing, which is also open for public input."

"At this stage, we cannot comment on the project, whether we believe it meets eligibility, or share any thoughts or opinions on its viability and merits. Commenting or issuing opinions would break our oath to quasi-judicial standing and neutrality, and we would be barred from voting on the development in any form."

"I want to learn as much as possible about the development and be able to vote on it, so I will only share this: I will gather the facts and information and hear from local residents to determine the best course of action when I am called upon to vote," Havenar said. "Until that day, I do not have enough information and am thus prohibited from breaking my oath."

Credit: Buc-ee's

Buc-ee's opened its first Colorado location, at Interstate 25 and County Road 48 in Johnstown, north of the Denver metro area, in March. The 74,000-square-foot travel center has 116 fueling positions and 12 EV charging stations.

The Colorado location signaled the first move outside of the South for Buc-ee's. Between Alabama, Florida and Georgia, Buc-ee's has more than 50 locations, with more than 40 in Texas alone.

Since beginning its expansion in 2019, Buc-ee’s has opened travel centers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Missouri.

Known for its award-winning clean bathrooms, all Buc-ee's operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The stores serve Buc-ee’s favorites including Beaver nuggets, Texas barbeque, fudge, kolaches, jerky and pastries.