Staff & Reader Submitted

Balfour Communities Host Dementia Training for Louisville Fire and EMS

Carly Herbert — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 10:15:16 Z

Louisville, CO (August 22, 2025)- Balfour Cherrywood Village Memory Care, a Kisco Collection, recently hosted a dementia training series for the Louisville Fire and EMS Department. In partnership with Balfour Louisville and Balfour Longmont, the training was designed to help first responders more effectively engage with individuals living with dementia during a crisis.

Seeing the staffs deep caring compassion for their residents made it easy to engage with the training, said Elizabeth Chase, Louisville firefighter-paramedic. They gave us simple yet incredibly helpful tips on how to interact with dementia patients and bring them the best possible care.

The training included a presentation that guided first responders on how to appropriately approach, communicate with, and assist individuals with dementia. It was highly conversational, hands-on and practical, covering a variety of real-life scenarios and proven methods. First responders also experienced the Virtual Dementia Tour (VDT), an immersive, scientifically developed method that simulates the sensory and cognitive changes associated with dementia.

Thank you to our community partners at Balfour for teaching our Louisville firefighters strategies to improve their interactions with people with dementia, said Shawn Stark, chief of EMS. Our crews came away from the training with a better understanding and empathy for this unique patient population. The training was engaging and interactive, but we were equally impressed by the obvious devotion and advocacy shown by the Balfour staff toward the people who live in their senior communities.

The partnership between Balfour communities and the Louisville Fire and EMS department is a unique and valuable offering that sets these communities apart. Balfour Communities are

committed to strengthening this partnership and plan to host additional dementia training sessions in the future.

It was an absolute honor to train our first responders and invest in a relationship that supports so many vulnerable adults in our communities, said Brenda Gurung, national director of memory care services at Kisco Senior Living. We shared insights, laughter, and meaningful conversations around how to better support individuals who are on a dementia journey. Working with Chief Shawn Stark and his incredible team was a true joy, and the experience continues to leave a lasting appreciation.

Kiscos trademarked Heirloom Memory Care program is based in human-centered research, empathy and connection. In addition to the first responders, all associates at Balfour Communities are required to complete this Virtual Dementia Tour training to deepen their understanding of residents. The program plays a vital role in enhancing care, engagement and services by fostering empathy and equipping staff with tools to better support residents and families.

For members of the media interested in covering this story or learning more, email Carly Herbert at cherbert@piercom.com.

ABOUT BALFOUR CHERRYWOOD

Balfour Cherrywood is a memory care community in Louisville, CO offering person-centered support in an environment intentionally built to promote independence, dignity and connection. Grounded in Kiscos signature Heirloom approach and Montessori-Based Dementia Programming®, the Cherrywood team meets each resident where they are - honoring their story, celebrating their abilities, and responding with compassion and expertise. With chef-prepared meals, daily rituals that promote dignity and enriching engagement seven days a week, Balfour Cherrywood delivers a truly holistic approach to memory care.

Colorados Small Business Boom: Trends and Talent Strategies for the Future

will_c — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 07:00:00 Z

Colorados small business scene thrives in Denver, Colorado Springs, and Fort Collins. This blog post examines specific trends, talent retention strategies, and wage expectations for 2025, offering you practical insights to grow your solo venture or small team.

Surge in Solo Entrepreneurship

Solo entrepreneurship flourishes in Colorados urban centers due to accessible resources. In Denver, you can launch a mobile spa with coworking spaces like Thrive Workplace, while Colorado Springs Pikes Peak SBDC offers free consulting and Fort Collins Innosphere Ventures supports tech ventures.

Low startup costs and vibrant communities fuel this trend. Denvers 1.2% annual population growth drives demand for niche services, per the U.S. Census Bureau, with 60% of Colorado Springs 2024 businesses being sole proprietorships, per the Colorado Secretary of State.

Technology Adoption for Efficiency

Small businesses in Colorado boost productivity with technology. In Denver, you can use QuickBooks for accounting, while Colorado Springs retailers adopt Square, processing $1.2 billion locally in 2024, per Squares report, and Fort Collins entrepreneurs use Zapier for automation.

Cost-effective tools help you compete. Denvers 70% cloud software adoption rate, per the Denver Metro Chamber, mirrors 65% in Colorado Springs and 68% in Fort Collins, with local SBDCs offering tech training to keep you ahead.

Focus on Local Supply Chains

Global disruptions push Colorados small businesses toward local sourcing. Denvers cafes partner with Fresh Farm Markets, cutting costs by 15%, per a 2024 Colorado Department of Agriculture study, while Colorado Springs breweries source hops from Palisade.

Local supply chains ensure stability. Denvers businesses reduced delays by 20% in 2024 by sourcing locally, per the Colorado Business Economic Outlook, and Fort Collins food trucks benefit from local dairy partnerships, enhancing quality.

Retaining Talent in Competitive Markets

Keeping skilled employees challenges Colorados small businesses. In Denver, hybrid work schedules attract 80% of workers, per a 2024 Colorado Workforce Survey, while Colorado Springs firms offer health benefits costing $300-$500 monthly, per Kaiser Family Foundation.

You can build loyalty with culture. Fort Collins cafes use profit-sharing, increasing tenure by 18 months, per a CSU study, while Denvers SBDC and Colorado Springs community college training programs help you retain talent.

City	Retention Strategy	Cost	Impact
Denver	Hybrid schedules	$0	80% preference
Colorado Springs	Health benefits	$300-$500/month	Matches larger firms
Fort Collins	Profit-sharing	5-10% of profits	18-month tenure increase

Expected Wages in 2025

Competitive wages attract talent in Colorados urban hubs. In Denver, sales roles pay $45,000-$55,000 and tech positions $65,000-$80,000, per 2025 Glassdoor data, with Colorado Springs slightly lower at $40,000-$50,000 and $60,000-$75,000.

Budget strategically to meet expectations. Denvers $1,800/month median rent, per Zillow, pressures wages, while Fort Collins 2.8% wage increase projection for 2025, per the Colorado Economic Forecast, helps you plan.

Challenges: Rising Costs and Funding

Inflation squeezes Colorados small businesses. Denvers operating costs rose 4.2% in 2024, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, while Colorado Springs commercial rent increased 3.8% and Fort Collins supply costs climbed 4%.

Capital access remains tough. Only 30% of Denvers loan applications succeed, per the SBA, but Colorado Springs CLIMBER loans offer up to $250,000 at 4% interest, and Fort Collins crowdfunding raised $1.2 million in 2024, per Kickstarter.

Opportunities for Growth

Acquiring businesses offers growth potential. In Denver, 15% of small businesses were for sale in 2024, per BizBuySell, with Colorado Springs and Fort Collins at 12% and 10%, ideal for solo entrepreneurs.

Women-led ventures surge, with 40% of Denvers 2024 businesses women-owned, per the SBA. Colorado Springs $50,000 startup grants and Fort Collins innovation hubs support your expansion in 2025.

Conclusion

Colorados 2025 small business landscape offers you exciting prospects in Denver, Colorado Springs, and Fort Collins. Stay strategic, use local resources, and build a thriving venture. Visit the Colorado Office of Economic Development for funding and training. Share your small business story in the comments to inspire others.

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