Guest: Wes Allison President and CEO

Wes Allison is beginning his first year as President and CEO of the National Western Stock Show. He grew up in agriculture, showed livestock in Denver as a kid, and has spent 25 years working in stock shows. This year’s event will debut new facilities and continue expanding in the coming years. The Stock Show will award $650,000 in scholarships to students from Colorado and Wyoming. It remains the only major show that still features the historic yards, honoring its roots in beef cattle. The event runs January 10–25, with Pete Coors serving as Grand Marshal of the parade. With everything from dog and horse shows to the rodeo, the Stock Show offers something for everyone.

nationalwestern.com

Guest: Matthew Fritz-Mauer Executive Director

Denver’s minimum wage will rise to $19.29 per hour on January 1, and all employers must update their payroll systems to comply with the new rate, which increases annually based on the cost of living. Wage theft occurs when workers are not paid what they are legally owed—whether proper hourly wages, overtime, or paid sick leave—and Denver Labor offers free assistance to anyone who believes their rights have been violated, recovering $2.3 million for 7,200 workers in 2025 alone. As more people turn to gig apps for extra income, many are misclassified as independent contractors, leaving them without minimum wage protections, overtime, paid sick leave, or employer tax contributions, since workplace rights apply only to employees. Staying informed and speaking up ensures every worker receives the fair treatment they deserve.

denverwages.org

Guest: Paula Schriefer CEO

The immigration crackdown is having a devastating effect upon legal immigrants doing translation services for companies and government agencies. The Spring Institute provides these services while also assisting refugees with career pathways and assisting medical professionals to also become certified in America.

https://springinstitute.org/