MILESTONES

RAINBOW RYDERS, the nation’s largest hot-air balloon ride company, and the official hot-air balloon ride company of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, is celebrating 35

years in business. What began as Scott Appleman’s one-man operation out of his garage, now has more than 200 employees and seasonal contractors in three cities, with a fourth on the horizon. Headquartered in Albuquerque, the company also has offices in Phoenix and Colorado Springs, with plans to open an office in Las Vegas, Nev., later this year.