DENVER-Two entrepreneurs are taking over 13 US Pawn Inc., in a move to become the largest chain of privately owned pawnshops in the nation. They are paying $4.2 million for the Colorado operation and eyeing another deal in Los Angeles.

DENVER-A Berkeley, CA-based consulting firm has opened a Denver office to support its active project list, which crisscrosses developments from rails to planning guides. It's the first office outside California for Economic & Planning Systems.

DENVER-Grubb & Ellis' third-quarter analysis presents a healthy picture for the city's largest industrial market. The Northeast corridor has experienced a slight decline in its vacancy rate from a year ago while year-to-date absorption stands at more than 3.4 million sf.

DENVER-A survey of 1,000 commercial real estate power players shows the industry will continue its bullish stance on projects. Half of those polled say their companies plan to increase allocations for real estate projects.

WESTMINSTER, CO-Sun Microsystems is staying ahead of the curve ball, leasing another 63,057 sf in this Denver suburb. The company already has offices in 266,000 sf in the town, situated close to its one million-sf Broomfield campus.

BOULDER, CO-Wild Oats Market Inc. plans to cannibalize eight of 111 stores nationwide and divert funds to beefing up its staff and training for the surviving stores. Net income has dropped $3.4 million in third-quarter accounting comparisons.

DENVER-The Front Range Christian School has paid $465,000 for 5.76 acres in Jefferson County to develop a ball field while eyeing the purchase of a nearby former theater. The theater will be retrofitted into classrooms, gymnasium and space for other school activities.

DENVER-The state's most powerful business lobby is working hard to defeat Amendment 24, a Constitutional change that goes before today's voters. The group claims the proposal is too rigid and will stifle most projects.