By Lauren Tam, treasurer (RH Auto Brokers)
The Eastern Plains Chamber of Commerce welcomed a royal presence at its July meeting, kicking things off with a heartfelt message from Madi Finlay Wagner, the newly crowned 2025 El Paso County Fair Queen. Maddie spoke passionately about the July El Paso County Fair. She emphasized the fair’s role in celebrating agriculture, youth leadership through 4-H, rodeo excitement and fun family entertainment, all hallmarks of this community tradition.
Maddie’s remarks reminded attendees why the fair is one of the county’s most cherished events. It combines traditions like livestock shows and carnival rides with modern enhancements such as Sensory Awareness Day, tailored to neurodivergent and sensory-sensitive guests.
She then talked about those working to preserve and support these local traditions and expressed her gratitude for the community’s commitment to both heritage and inclusion.
Following Maddie’s introduction, the spotlight shifted to a timely and practical presentation by Gary Randolph, owner of Falcon Heating & Cooling, a respected family owned HVAC company. With summer’s peak upon us, Gary dove into an enlightening discussion on HVAC systems that left the audience both informed and entertained.
He explained that HVAC systems operate across three temperature categories: high, medium and low. Interestingly, air conditioning is actually classified as high-temperature because its goal is a comfortable 70 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit, not a frigid Arctic environment. Gary noted that the human body can sense a change of just one degree, which is why precise temperature control matters so much.
He also debunked the myth of cranking the AC to 60 degrees. Doing so can cause moisture in the air to freeze on coils, creating a block of ice that halts the system. Most homeowners eventually hit a temperature wall, and physics, as Gary reminded the group, won’t let you freeze your living room into an icebox.
The second half of his talk examined the evolution of refrigerant regulations over the last 30 years. He traced the environmental phase out journey from R-12 in the late 1990s to the move away from R-22 by 2008, culminating in its ban in 2020. The shift to R-410A was driven by stricter ozone protection laws. Gary stressed the real-world effects: refrigerant that once cost around $30 per jug now runs near $1,900, due to limited supply and government regulations.
Gary’s key advice was to work with licensed HVAC professionals who stay on top of both technical standards and regulatory updates, especially in light of recent refrigerant shifts and rising homeowner costs.
Between Maddie Finlay-Wagner’s community focused introduction and Gary’s technical insight, the meeting provided valuable takeaways for every homeowner and business leader in the room. It was a perfect blend of honoring local tradition and addressing modern challenges, the kind of balanced programming the Eastern Plains Chamber is known for.
Upcoming events
Aug. 6: Monthly Breakfast Meeting at Grace Community Church in Falcon
Aug. 11: Lunch & Learn with the Small Business Development Center
This informative session will focus on business development resources and support available through the SBDC. Members are encouraged to bring their lunch and come ready to engage with professionals who help small businesses grow and thrive.
For details or to RSVP for either event, visit https://easternplainschamber.com or contact the chamber at 719-352-2670.
