MESA COUNTY, Colo. (KREX) - Happiness, joy, a day of celebration! On Monday, community members like the chamber of commerce groups from Palisade, Grand Junction, Fruita and the Western Colorado Latino Chamber gathered to celebrate this milestone of 20 years of business on the Western Slope.
Kayla Bowers, executive director for the Fruita Chamber of Commerce, states, “Timberline Bank has really set the standard for what it means to be a part of your community. Their employees are involved in boards. One of their business bankers is on our board of directors, and has been for almost six years.”
Starting as a condo on Patterson Road in 2004, co-founders Jim Pedersen and Jeff Taets have watched their bank start as a seed and sprout into a beautiful tree, spreading its branches into the community.
Loise Goodman, Grand Junction branch president for Timberline Bank, states, “I was employee number five back in 2004 so I have been with the bank ever since and I feel like I have grown up with Timberline, as has the community. It is amazing how much has changed in Grand junction since the day we opened our doors.”
As the bank begun spreading its branches into the western side of Colorado. From Grand Junction to Aspen to Montrose, Pedersen and Taets looked to make a difference in those communities.
Candace Carnahan, president and CEO at the Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce, states, “Timberline understands that being a great cornerstone of our community means that they aren't just successful at business, but they give back in impactful ways.”
Bowers explains, “Community impact is so important locally, and especially to help keep those dollars local.”
To give back to the community, the bank also supports and sponsors nonprofits. Hosting community events and work closely with CMU to train students in bank. Goodman tells WesternSlopeNow when they built the new building back in 2020, 30% of the space was for the community alone.
Bowers states, “They've been such a huge asset in our community. They're actually one of our founding partners for our women's conference the Fruita chamber hosts annually. So we're really excited about the impact they bring and all of the local businesses and nonprofits that they support.”