Construction
Holiday Season Brings Hope for East Colfax BRT Businesses
2024-12-01
Denver is witnessing the start of a potentially bustling season for locally owned shops and restaurants along East Colfax Avenue. Small Business Saturday holds great significance as construction on the East Colfax Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project continues. This is a welcomed time of year that brings both opportunities and challenges.

Embracing Growth in the Face of Construction on Colfax

Impact of Construction on Small Businesses

Navigating growth in a sea of orange cones is no easy feat. The 3-month-old Champagne Tiger restaurant welcomes this challenge with open arms. The $280 million East Colfax BRT project broke ground in October after over a decade of planning. It will run from Denver’s Union Station to I-225 on Colfax Avenue, with a dedicated transit lane in each direction. Currently, the corridor is at capacity with cars, and its bus routes serve more than 20,000 daily riders.

Even before signing the lease, the owner of Champagne Tiger, Chris Donato, attended all the town hall meetings and read all the available information. He was well-prepared for the construction and believes in the project long term. He said, "Even with the construction, crowds have been really great today. People are coming and going, and that's a positive sign."

Holiday Season as a Beacon of Hope

The holiday season serves as a ray of hope for small businesses along the first phase of construction. The Colfax Avenue Business Improvement District (BID) launched the "We Back The Fax" awareness campaign to highlight these shops and restaurants when the project first began. Officials hope it will continue to gain momentum as people shop for the holidays or enjoy a drink with loved ones.

The Colfax Ave BID also has monthly events on the calendar, starting with the first-ever Colfax Avenue tree lighting on Saturday. The idea behind these events is to bring people down to Colfax, show them how to navigate around, and encourage them to support the businesses in the construction zone.

Champagne Tiger's Holiday Spirit

Champagne Tiger is also getting into the holiday spirit. Starting on Dec. 2, the restaurant will go all out with holiday decorations. Owner Chris Donato said, "I think being on Colfax, with all the traffic we have, even with construction, it will look really cozy and celebratory. I hope people will stop and see us. We try to look at the positive."

Frank Locantore, executive director of the Colfax Avenue BID, told Denver7 that the BID and the City of Denver are doing everything they can to help businesses in need of financial assistance during the construction period. This includes a Business Impact Opportunity Fund grant of up to $15,000 starting in February 2025.

Attendees Check Out 2025 Kia Sorento & 2024 Toyota at 2024 Auto Show
2024-11-30
The Arizona International Auto Show held at the Phoenix Convention Center on Nov. 30, 2024, was a sight to behold. From the sleek 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid SX to the classic vintage cars and powerful racing vehicles, there was something for every automotive enthusiast. People flocked to the center, eager to explore the latest models and immerse themselves in the world of automobiles.

Uncover the Automotive Delights at the 2024 Auto Show

Exploring the 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid SX

The 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid SX stood out among the crowd. Its hybrid technology offered a perfect blend of power and efficiency. The sleek design and comfortable interior made it a favorite among attendees. They gathered around the hood, examining every detail, fascinated by the innovation. This vehicle truly represented the future of automotive design and performance. 2: The Kia Sorento Hybrid SX wasn't just about looks and technology. It also provided a smooth and enjoyable driving experience. On the roads, it handled with ease, making every journey a pleasure. Its fuel efficiency was also a major selling point, allowing drivers to save money at the pump while still enjoying the thrill of driving.

Racing Vehicles: A Blast from the Past

The racing vehicles on display added an extra element of excitement to the auto show. These powerful machines roared to life, reminding everyone of the glory days of motorsports. The sound of the engines and the speed of the cars were enough to get the adrenaline pumping. Attendees couldn't help but be drawn to these racing legends. 2: The history of racing was on full display at the auto show. Each racing vehicle had a story to tell, from its victories on the track to its evolution over the years. It was a chance for fans to connect with the past and appreciate the hard work and dedication of the drivers and engineers.

Vintage Cars: A Timeless Beauty

The vintage cars at the auto show were a sight to cherish. These classic beauties had a charm and elegance that modern cars could never match. The intricate details and unique designs made them stand out. People walked around, admiring the craftsmanship and imagining what it was like to drive these cars back in the day. 2: Vintage cars not only represented a bygone era but also served as a reminder of the progress made in the automotive industry. They showed how far cars had come while still maintaining their timeless appeal. It was a chance to appreciate the artistry and history of automobiles.

The Phoenix Convention Center: A Hub of Automotive Enthusiasm

The Phoenix Convention Center became a hub of automotive enthusiasm during the auto show. People filled the halls, chatting with each other and sharing their love for cars. The atmosphere was electric, with excitement in the air. It was a place where like-minded individuals could come together and celebrate the world of automobiles. 2: The convention center provided the perfect backdrop for the auto show. With its spacious halls and modern facilities, it allowed for a seamless display of the various vehicles. It was a testament to the importance of such events in bringing the automotive community together.
See More
Trump Warns BRICS Against Replacing US Dollar with 100% Tariffs
2024-12-01
President-elect Donald Trump took a firm stance on Saturday, cautioning BRICS countries against any attempt to replace the US dollar. This move has significant implications for the global economic landscape.

Trump's Stand Against BRICS' Currency Shift

Background of BRICS

BRICS, established in 2009, stands as a unique international group with the United States on the sidelines. Its member countries include India, Russia, China, Brazil, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. Over the years, some member nations, particularly Russia and China, have been exploring alternatives to the US Dollar and even considering creating their own BRICS currency. However, India has thus far remained on the sidelines of this movement.In a recent development, on Saturday, Trump issued a stern warning to BRICS nations. He emphasized in a post on Truth Social, a platform he owns, that the idea of BRICS countries moving away from the Dollar while the US stands by is unacceptable. "The idea that the BRICS Countries are trying to move away from the Dollar while we stand by and watch is OVER," he stated.He further added, "We require a commitment from these Countries that they will neither create a new BRICS Currency, nor back any other Currency to replace the mighty US Dollar or, they will face 100% Tariffs and should expect to say goodbye to selling into the wonderful US Economy." Trump's warning was clear and direct, leaving no room for ambiguity.

BRICS Summit and Currency Proposals

At the 2023 summit held in South Africa, BRICS countries committed to studying the feasibility of a new common currency. This proposal was put forward by the Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva. The potential impact of such a currency on the global trade system is a topic of great interest and debate.India, an important pillar of BRICS, has made its stance clear. It has expressed opposition to de-dollarization. During his appearance at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace this fall, India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was asked about de-Dollarization. He clarified, "We have never actively targeted the dollar. That’s not part of either our economic policy or our political or our strategic policy. Some others may have."Jaishankar further explained, "We often have trade partners who do not have dollars to take. So, we now have to look at whether we forgo dealings with them or do we find some settlement which works otherwise. There’s no malicious intent vis-a-vis the dollar in business. WE are trying to do our business."He also highlighted the challenges posed by certain policies that make the use of dollars difficult for some trade partners. "Sometimes you make it difficult in the use of dollars. We have some trade partners with whom trade in dollars becomes difficult because of your policies. We have to obviously look for workarounds. But for us, as we spoke about rebalancing, we spoke about multiple all of this is also going to reflect on currencies and economic needs," he said.In conclusion, President-elect Trump's warning to BRICS nations and the ongoing discussions within the BRICS bloc regarding currency alternatives have set the stage for a complex and dynamic global economic scenario. The future of the US Dollar and the potential emergence of a new common currency within BRICS remain key areas of focus and uncertainty.
See More