Housing, fuel costs among rural business challenges.

• Position: REGIONAL REPORT

Kipp Parker, president of Veris Environmental in Limon, says newcomers might be surprised to find no Walmart in town, but he says, "We feel darn fortunate and blessed to live where we do and operate a business where we do."

Parker calls himself "an old farm boy" who has grown his 25-year-old bio-solids service company to more than 50 employees across Colorado. Veris added 12 employees this spring following a merger. His 16,000-square-foot offices are housed in a former John Deere dealership.

Parker says business challenges include longer travel times and thus increased fuel costs to the municipal areas where his company recycles or...