City sales tax revenues edge higher, still trail budget
Brandon Leuallen The Business Times
Grand Junction’s sales tax revenues are running slightly ahead of last year’s pace, but the city remains below its budgeted projections through the first seven months of 2025.
According to the city’s latest revenue report, total sales tax collections through July are 1.5 percent higher than 2024, yet remain 2.6 percent below the 2025 budget forecast. The city has collected just over $36.6 million for the general fund, about $1 million under projections.
City Chief Financial Officer Jay Valentine said that puts Grand Junction in a better position than many other metropolitan areas in Colorado, where sales tax revenues are declining.
“July 31st, the sales tax is 1.5 percent over last year, but it still is down from our budget projections,” Valentine said. “We’re keeping a close eye on revenue and holding back on some of the more major expenditures.”
He then clarified he was referring in particular to major hiring expenditures.
Valentine said Grand Junction is not considering furloughs and reductions like Denver. He said staff are scrutinizing open positions and weighing whether to delay hiring.
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Businesses beef with higher prices
Local restaurants, meat stores are doing what they can to avoid price hikes as beef prices keep climbing. — See story, Page 2
Phil Emerson, co-owner of Quality Meat Co., 340 North Ave. in Grand Junction, holds up a tray displaying various beef products his store sells. They’re mostly different cuts of steak, but also on the tray are a chuck roast and a package of Wagyu beef hot dogs. Photo by Tim Harty.
started happening really within the last couple of weeks – all my large caterings, I’m now starting to do catering for people
He had the perfect example on the day he was interviewed for this story, Aug. 28. Catering for an oil and gas company
Catering, Krug added, is the real money-maker for his business, and it has been a savior, because plate by plate
increases year over year was 5.6 percent for the price per pound of “All Uncooked Other Beef (excluding veal).”
The largest increase year over year is 15.9 percent for “Ground Chuck, 100 Percent Beef.” Eight of the subcategories increased at least 10 percent, and two others had increases of 9.9 and 9.4 percent.
And all of them saw an increase of at least 1.9 percent from June to July this year, led by the 4.9 percent increase for USDA Choice Sirloin Steak.
Enough about the numbers. Suffice it to say, anyone who buys beef in the United States knows the prices have increased noticeably, if not dramatically, at the grocery store, the butcher shop, restaurants, cattle auctions, etc.
What’s true for the nation is true for Grand Junctionarea consumers and businesses.
The Business Times asked a few area business owners/ managers how they’ve been affected by the higher beef prices, and what follows is a sampling of what they had to say.
Restaurants
Snooks Bottom Barbecue
Discussing beef prices with Snooks Bottom Barbecue owner Scott Krug is simple. It’s all about the brisket.
The effects on his restaurant, which has locations at 555 1/2 U.S. Highway 50 and 664 North Ave. (inside Mama Ree’s Cowboy Bar), reminds Krug of the not-solong-ago Covid-19 pandemic years.
“The prices are reaching a point to where they’re
Another issue with brisket is the price Krug pays is constantly going up, and in one recent week the amount was shocking.
“It jumped 14 percent basically overnight,” he said. “That was a hard pill to swallow. It’s hard to catch up with that.
“Our cash out has gone up tremendously. I mean, to refill one of our smokers you’re looking at between $2,000 to $3,000 just in cost of goods to put on the smoker. So, you try to be as efficient as you can, because it takes the same amount of wood to cook 28 briskets as it does two briskets. So, you always just make sure that smoker is loaded to the gills before you start the fire.”
Krug acknowledges he has raised his prices a few times as a result. He hates to do it, but he learned the hard way during the pandemic that he has take step increases.
“We’re definitely raising our prices quicker this time around,” he said.
He didn’t have the actual numbers at the ready, but he felt safe saying in the past year, “Our prices have easily gone up 15 to 20 percent.”
There also is a residual effect of the beef prices rising. Pork is getting a little pricier, too, just not as dramatically as beef.
“The pork prices are going up, because they can go up, because they know how much beef costs,” Krug said.
Still, pork is generally cheaper than beef, and that’s leading to a new phenomenon in Snooks Bottom Barbecue’s catering side of the business.
“What I’m seeing on the demand side – and this has just
“The marginal worker, the marginal customer definitely fell off,” he said. “The good thing is we have a very, very strong catering program, so catering saves the day, no doubt about it.”
Blue Moon Bar & Grille
Brad Brehmer opened Blue Moon Bar & Grille, 120 N. Seventh St., on July 20, 1987, and nearly 40 years in business has thrown enough at him that he knows how to adjust to adversity.
Higher-priced beef isn’t ideal, but it can be dealt with, because he’s been dealing with it.
“This has been going on for five years,” Brehmer said, referring to increases in beef prices during the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said Blue Moon has had to raise prices, but it’s more than beef that’s been the issue.
“The cost of doing business in general has escalated a lot over the last X amount of years,” he said, “and there’s a lot of factors attributed to that. Costs of everything we do … supply chains, labor costs, there’s a lot of factors involved.”
Regarding beef specifically, he said he designs the menus, and, “You might have to go more to the pork market. There’s chicken dishes. There’s things that are more affordable proteins out there. You know, it’s just a survival of the fittest, to be honest with you.”
Brehmer said price increases on menu items haven’t taken a toll, in part because Blue Moon has a lot of loyal customers.
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This smoker filled with beef briskets belongs to Snooks Bottom Barbecue and is set up at its Orchard Mesa location, 555 1/2 U.S. Highway 50. Snooks Bottom Barbecue also serves meals at Mama Ree’s Cowboy Bar, 664 North Ave. in Grand Junction. Snooks Bottom Barbecue owner Scott Krug said the increasing cost of beef has forced him to raise his prices, and he’s seeing catering customers skip brisket and opt for pork to save money. Photo courtesy of Snooks Bottom Barbecue.
Beef
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“It hasn’t really affected our volume,” he said. “They’re paying the price, and they understand it.”
Brehmer thinks supply and demand eventually will normalize beef prices, and he added, “I hope it gets back on track sooner than later.”
The Rockslide Brew Pub
Brian Oliver, co-owner and general manager of The Rockslide Brew Pub, is of a similar mind to Brehmer on beef prices. He, too, said the high price of beef goes back to 2020 and the pandemic, and increased costs are across the board, not confined to the one meat that shows up on about half of the menu items.
“Since COVID, I’ve probably taken a 20 percent increase across the board on my food,” Oliver said. “And it really just comes down to supply and demand.”
He added he does menu price increases once per year, then weathers what comes in the ensuing year.
“I’m into that product cost for usually at least 10 months, so I don’t get to pass that along to the guests until that time comes around,” Oliver said.
To address beef specifically, he said he could adjust what’s on the menu instead of raising prices. He gave the example of the price of chicken wings going up after McDonald’s decided it wanted them on its menu.
“If the demand is really high, the supply is really low, so I navigate somewhere else,” Oliver said,. “I don’t have wings on my menu right now. Because I don’t want to have to charge $20 for an appetizer of wings. So it’s off my menu.
“And the same thing will be with any beef products that I have, you know, other than burgers. It makes me choose, or pass on the price to the guests, which I don’t always want to do. That’s important to me.”
The Goat and Clover Tavern
The Goat and Clover Tavern, 336 Main St. in Grand Junction, is owned by GSN Hospitality, which owns several other restaurants in Grand Junction, including one that closed a couple months ago: Blade and Bone, 753 Horizon Court.
Goat and Clover General Manger Spencer Faupel said Blade and Bone was open about a year, and its demise was directly tied to high beef prices. He knows, because he said GSN Hospitality tasked him with turning that restaurant around about six months after it opened.
It wasn’t just high beef prices at issue, it was fluctuation of prices on varying cuts of steak, as Faupel said, “We would see, you know, a ribeye for 10 bucks a pound, and then the next week it would be 20 bucks. It makes it very difficult for a restaurant to print menus that are going to have a consistent price on it when you’re running food costs at one week, 20 percent, and the next week you’re running it at 50 percent.”
Faupel said Blade and Bone started off as “sort of a steakhouse and a Spanish-tapas-style food, kind of food conglomeration of those two concepts.” He said it tried to pivot to a family-style restaurant with more affordable options.
“Ultimately the steaks had to go,” he said, “but it was just too little, too late, really.”
With Faupel’s focus returned to Goat and Clover, beef prices remain a challenge, because on its Irish-food menu about “60 percent probably has some sort of beef product in it,” he said.
Faupel said Goat and Clover has resisted increasing prices on the menu, because “it’s a high priority of the owner and management to make sure that we keep our prices within an affordable range for our guests.”
However, some price increases had to be made.
“We were kind of hopeful that we would see a decrease at some point,” Faupel said of beef prices, “but it’s just continued to increase, and finally we had to pass that on to the consumer.”
The result, he said, was updated menus several weeks ago “and increased prices on basically everything to find
ways that we can make that profit. Everything ... because you can’t just do it all on one, you’ve got spread it out.”
Meat stores
Quality Meat Co.
Co-owner Phil Emerson said Quality Meat Co. was started by his father in 1946, and Phil has been at the store since 1979 or 1980. Historically, he said, many increases and decreases in beef prices are seasonal. For example, ground beef tends to cost more in the summer, then after Labor Day its price goes down. He expects it will be the same this year.
Of course, supply and demand plays its part, too, and Emerson acknowledges Quality Meat Co. is paying more for its beef and in turn having to charge customers more.
But Quality Meats’ increases don’t rival the grocery stores, where ground beef prices this summer suddenly shot up about $2 per pound.
“There was no $2 increase in ground beef,” Emerson said. “There was none. It didn’t happen.
“I mean, I could graph out my hamburger, my ground beef purchases along with price costs, and there was no $2 increase in ground beef. Why did the grocery stores decide to raise the price $2 a pound? I heard about it. You’re not the first one to walk in here and tell me that. I heard about it, and people were coming in here and buying ground beef like crazy, because they probably thought I was a damn fool, because I didn’t raise my prices. But I didn’t.”
Emerson said seasonal planning and having five suppliers allow him to get the better prices and keep his prices lower.
“We call up our suppliers, and we check prices – on not just how much is a head of beef, because we don’t care –but we get the price on prime ribs. We get the price on New York strips. We get the price on chuck roasts and coulottes and all that type thing, and they give us the prices.”
Then, Quality Meat Co. goes with the best price.
Emerson said he hasn’t seen any drop-off in demand for beef at his store.
“People are really doing pretty damn good right now,” he said. “The economy is really pretty good. People have money, and they keep spending it. I don’t see anybody cutting back on their ribeyes, on their prime New Yorks.
We’re having trouble trying to keep up with getting them in in order to keep up with the demand for high-end cuts.
... The demand is real strong.”
For people looking to save money on beef purchases, he offers this advice: Shop. And shop for quality, not just quantity.
“I used to say that buying in bulk was like money in the bank,” Emerson said. “Now it’s better than money in the bank if you’re buying beef, because prices are gonna go up.”
Another good option is buying in bulk.
“Buy in bulk, buy a half of beef from (local rancher Janie) Van Winkle. Buy a half of beef from Joe Schmoe,” Emerson said. “There are local people that do that.
“We have our meat bundles, our meat packages, check into that. That’s where people can fill up your freezer, because it’s a bargain, and it isn’t going to get any cheaper.”
Emerson also offered some parental wisdom he received a long time ago: “As my father would say, it’s kind of like squirrels. You want to put your nuts away for the winter.”
Fisher’s Market
Brandi Pollock, who owns Fisher’s Market with her husband, Jay, said they definitely have seen the increase in beef prices, estimating they’ve been around 10 percent this year.
Fisher’s Market carries higher-quality meats than typical grocery stores, so it starts at a higher price points, and its customers are used to that.
“For the most part, we have not had to increase yet,” Pollock said her store’s beef prices. “Right now we’re not having to increase our prices on (beef), but obviously if it continues to go up, then we’re gonna have to increase our prices for our customers.”
During an Aug. 12 interview, she said “just this week, tri-tips went up 10 percent,” and one vendor’s prices on average went up 6.5 percent.
“I’m a little bit more worried about what’s gonna happen in the future as far as the next few months and how much harder it’s going to get, more expensive it’s gonna get,” Pollock said.
If beef prices continue to rise, Pollock said Fisher’s might stock more pork and chicken, but she’s not worried about losing beef customers, because many are beef loyalists. What they might do, she said, is buy smaller portions and supplement meals with vegetables to be more cost-effective.
Quality Meat Co. co-owner Phil Emerson, stands next to a section of the store’s refrigerated display cases that predominantly contains beef products. Emerson said Quality Meat Co. does a good job of avoiding or limiting price increases by taking into account the season and regularly checking prices from its five suppliers when it orders beef. Photo by Tim Harty.
City sales tax revenues edge higher, still trail budget
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Consultant and former finance director Jodi Welch said discretionary expenditures such as equipment purchases are also being deferred where possible to help align spending with revenues.
Valentine said Grand Junction and Colorado Springs are among the few metro areas in Colorado with sales tax revenues slightly up. Denver is flat, while Pueblo, Fort Collins and Greeley are down.
While early 2025 began “a little rocky,” Welch said collections in recent months have run ahead of last year.
“On a monthly basis, we appear to be trending higher than 2024. That’s a good trend and one that we hope will continue,” she said.
Welch noted Grand Junction’s tax structure makes it more vulnerable to changes in consumer confidence than some neighboring cities. Unlike Montrose and others, Grand Junction does not collect sales tax on groceries or residential utilities.
“When people pull back on discretionary spending, that directly impacts our sales tax revenue,” she said. “You’re still going to buy groceries and pay your utility bill, but you may cut back on dining out, clothing or big-ticket items like vehicles.”
Valentine said financial markets expect the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates in September, with traders giving it about an 85 percent chance. He said the cut is already priced into the bond market and could help loosen economic conditions, boosting local spending.
The report shows sharp contrasts across different sectors. Online and delivery-based sales, utilities and sporting goods are up, while business-to-business transactions, liquor stores, and accommodations have declined compared to 2024. Lodging tax collections fell between 12 and 15 percent compared to last year, while cannabis taxes surged 31 percent and are running 22 percent above budget.
Valentine and Welch said the city does not have five- or 10-year charts showing sales tax trends by category, explaining their primary focus is on how revenues impact the current year’s budget and planning.
At the district level, the city’s report shows mixed results compared to last year.
Economic Nexus collections, driven largely by online sales and commercial utilities, rose 5 percent, while the Interstate 70 Business Loop corridor climbed 14 percent. The Mesa Mall and 24 Road area edged up 1 percent.
Despite overall gains in citywide revenues and rising costs of goods, which result in higher sales tax revenue per unit sold, several key districts remain in negative territory. The Highway 6&50 corridor, which accounts for 21 percent of total collections, slipped 1 percent. Downtown fell 1 percent, and Horizon Drive dropped 3 percent.
A more detailed breakdown of district-level trends, including business owner perspectives, will appear in next week’s edition of The Business Times.
D51 test scores, graduation rates surpass pre-pandemic marks
Brandon Leuallen The Business Times
Mesa County Valley School District
51 students are continuing to post strong gains in literacy, math and graduation rates, according to newly released CMAS (Colorado Measures of Academic Success) and PSAT/SAT scores for the 2024–25 school year.
Elementary students are now exceeding state averages in five of six literacy and math categories, while middle school students continue to build momentum toward state benchmarks. At the high school level, District 51 students are meeting or exceeding the state in all six literacy categories and in half of math categories on PSAT and SAT exams. Freshmen led the way, outperforming the state by 7 percent in reading and writing.
District Superintendent Brian Hill said the results mark progress in areas where
the district has traditionally lagged.
“We were able to exceed the state average in five out of the six elementary CMAS categories, which is not something we’ve done before,” Hill said. “At the high school level, we were outpacing the state in nine out of 12 areas. That’s a highlight and something that we haven’t really been able to celebrate in the past.”
Hill acknowledged middle school scores continue to trail the state, even as growth is visible.
According to Hill, much of the improvement stems from early literacy investments. District 51 set benchmarks for K–3 students using DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) assessments, and last year those targets were met as students made above-average growth.
“That just means it’s building a stronger foundation for those kiddos, and as they move through our school district, ideally that’ll lead to better results down the road,” he said.
Hill credited teachers, principals and the district’s academic leadership team for unifying curriculum and training across schools.
D51 on Page 6
Brian Hill
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“Having a strategic plan with clear targets has helped us move forward as a district versus in the past, when you had pockets of excellence and not everybody was doing the same thing,” Hill said.
Hill also highlighted the district’s early-release program on Fridays, which gives teachers dedicated, structured time each week for professional learning, training on new curriculum, and team-based planning.
Hill said school-level data will be available within the next week to show how individual schools performed.
Graduation rates continue to rise
The Class of 2024 graduated at 83 percent, the highest rate in district history and one point below the state average. The dropout rate is 1.8 percent, while the statewide dropout rate is 1.9 percent.
Hill said strong academic outcomes in early grades should continue to boost graduation rates in years to come. He pointed to expanded opportunities in concurrent enrollment as a way to help more students see a pathway to their future.
Those options include taking classes directly at CMU, earning college credit through certified high school teachers, the D51 Career Center, and attending CMU Tech with daily bus service. Hill also highlighted the growing P-TECH program, which allows students to graduate with both a high school diploma and an associate’s degree while completing an industry internship.
He said these opportunities keep students engaged and on track to graduate, and the district has worked to better publicize them, because families were not always aware they existed.
“The research says that if a kid can see a path for their future, that actually helps them belong more in school,” Hill said. “Being able to expand those opportunities has helped keep kids engaged.”
Expulsions
The district is contending with a rise in expulsions, which reached 99 last year, up from 50 the year before and below 107 two years ago. The majority were related to felony assaults or dangerous weapons.
Hill said expulsions do not mean students are abandoned.
“When we expel kids, we actually enroll them in our expulsion program,” he said. “The idea is that we can help support them, so that we can ideally get them back to campus when they’re ready. They’re still getting academic instruction during that time.”
Hill said there were 99 expulsions last year out of about 20,000 students, with the largest share tied to felony assault. The district recorded 41 cases, including 22 at the high school level and 19 in middle schools.
Dangerous weapons were the next most common reason for expulsion, with 20 cases across all levels, including one in elementary. The rest of the expulsions were for other violations, and Hill noted substance-related incidents were relatively low. The district had no alcohol-related expulsions for the past two years and only six drug-related cases last year.
He said the expulsion increase reflects actual incidents and higher reporting through the Safe2Tell hotline, where students can report incidents anonymously.
“I just want folks to know we’re going to be vigilant with following through on when those things happen, that it’s going to lead to something like an expulsion, and we take it very seriously,”
Hill said. “If a kid’s doing something they’re not supposed to be doing, and it violates policy and what we have as a district expectation, then it’s going to lead to an expulsion. We’re not going to try to sweep things under the rug.”
Student-age population continues to decline
Enrollment trends pose a long-term challenge.
Preliminary enrollment reports show District 51 is down 449 students compared to the same time last year. Elementary schools account for a loss of 254 students and high schools are down 233, while middle schools gained 38 students due to a larger incoming class.
The district also reported net gains from outside sources: 87 students entering from private schools versus 41 leaving, 132 coming from homeschool versus 76 leaving, and 208 moving in from out of state compared to 211 leaving.
Hill said these numbers are unofficial and will be finalized during the state’s official October count. Still, he said the trend reflects demographics more than school choice.
The Business Times covered student-enrollment decline in depth in a Nov. 27, 2024 article. Find it online at: thebusinesstimes.com/myriad-reasons-drive-district-51s-declining-enrollment.
Historical comparison
In CMAS math, District 51 trailed the state in 2019 with 24.4 percent proficiency compared to 34.7 percent statewide. Scores dropped during the pandemic to about 22 percent in 2021, but by 2023–24 climbed to 29.1 percent, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
In English Language Arts, proficiency stood at 36 percent in 2019 compared to 45.8 percent statewide. Scores slipped to approximately 34 percent in 2021 but improved to 39.2 percent by 2023–24, again higher than before the pandemic.
SAT results followed a similar path. The mean score was 975 in 2019, dipped to about 955-960 in 2021–22, and rebounded to 974 in 2023–24, nearly matching pre-pandemic levels.
Graduation rates also illustrate the rebound. District 51 recorded a 79.6 percent four-year rate in 2019, dipped slightly during the first pandemic year to about 78.5 percent, but then rose to 81.2 with the Class of 2024 before reaching a record 83 percent with the Class of 2025.
Venue with a variety of views
Mesa View Venue provides panoramic perfection for events hosted at ranch on Glade Park
Tim Harty
The Business Times
Beautiful views in every direction, cool buildings on the premises and a little isolation make a strong case for choosing Mesa View Venue at Little Park Ranch to host a wedding ceremony and/or reception. Or a reunion. Or a retreat. Or just a relaxing weekend getaway.
Owners Cheryl and Scott Norton opened Mesa View Venue at Little Park Ranch in May of this year with visions of creating beautiful events for others.
When Scott found the property at 2729 S. 21 1/2 Road on Glade Park, Cheryl said, “We knew it was the perfect place to create a lasting legacy for our family while sharing this incredible landscape with others to create memories.”
They designed the ranch-style home and the venue’s interior spaces, “blending southwest-style décor with the high-desert-meets-the-mountains theme to create a setting that’s both warm and breathtaking,” Cheryl said.
And, of course, there’s the element that Mother Nature provided, what Cheryl said they call “the local trifecta: sweeping views of Grand Mesa, the world’s largest flat-top mountain; Colorado National Monument; and nearby Rattlesnake Arches.”
The reasons the Nortons bought the ranch in October 2024 and thought it was perfect for Mesa View Venue are the same reasons people live on
Glade Park. So, the residents weren’t thrilled about a business setting up in their midst, especially one that could bring large numbers of people to the area nearly every weekend of the year. That became a hurdle to clear, which the Nortons did.
It didn’t hurt that Scott has worked for the City of Grand Junction for 27 years, and as Cheryl said, “has a deep knowledge of city operations, infrastructure and project management.”
“Although our venue sits on a 35-acre parcel with generous distance from neighbors, the CUP (Conditional Use Permit) process required us to address potential impacts thoroughly – traffic, noise, dust, parking, fire safety, waste management and overall activity,” Cheryl wrote in an email interview. “It took more than seven months to gain approval, with final approval granted in May 2025.”
She said the County Commission authorized up to 42 events per year, with a maximum of 299 guests per event.
Larger events are intentionally limited to preserve quality, Cheryl said.
“Throughout the process,” she added, “we submitted detailed mitigation plans, a traffic study and operational protocols to ensure the venue operates safely, responsibly and respectfully. The process was far from a formality; it demanded careful planning to meet both regulatory and community expectations.”
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The Mesa View Venue at Little Park Ranch is decorated for an event inside the 60-foot by 80-foot barn-style venue. The space is designed to host weddings, corporate retreats, celebrations and community events. Photo courtesy of Mesa View Venue at Little Park Ranch.
Venue
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The Nortons original plan to open the business immediately after purchasing the property last October was dashed. But between then and getting the conditional-use permit in May, they found another way to put the ranch to use.
“We pivoted to offering our ranch-style home as a short-term rental,” Cheryl said. “While not our original vision, it turned out to be a wonderful opportunity to welcome guests, share the property (and the views), and refine our hospitality while preparing the venue for larger events.”
This is the 60-foot by 80-foot barn-style venue designed for hosting events at Mesa View Venue at Little Park Ranch. It features in-floor heating, a professional surround-sound system, twinkling overhead lights, and four large rustic chandeliers. Three expansive overhead doors open up to sweeping views of Grand Mesa, allowing guests to take in the scenery. Photo courtesy of Mesa View Venue at Little Park Ranch.
Having to wait until May to get officially permitted to host events cost the Nortons the ability to book weddings this year.
“Our focus is now on 2026 weddings, while still welcoming fall celebrations, holiday parties and winter events this year (the venue is fully heated),” Cheryl wrote. “Beyond weddings, we receive inquiries for fundraisers, retreats, performances and even commercial filming.”
Mesa View Venue did manage to open with a wedding-reception, as Cheryl wrote, “Our first celebration was especially meaningful. A couple from Carbondale, who had eloped in the Virgin Islands, hosted a small reception here with family and friends. They enjoyed ATV rides, BBQs, cocktails and sunsets while spending quality time together.
“That intimate gathering truly set the tone for the kind of experiences we want to offer – authentic, relaxed and connected to the land.”
Mesa View Venue is family-run, with Cheryl and Scott managing daily
operations and their son Kade helping out. Kade recently launched his own private-chef service, which is available for select rentals and events.
The Nortons do not employ an in-house team for events. Potential renters of the venue can hire their own vendors for catering, bartending, décor, entertainment and photography. But if they need help with anything, they are in good hands with Cheryl, who has more than 35 years of experience in floral design and large-scale event production. She said she has worked on major events like the Aspen Food & Wine Festival and Coachella, and her art education “fuels her creativity and attention to detail.”
The Nortons also tout a unique feature on the premises: the silo grain-bin bar. Cheryl calls it “a wow factor that adds rustic charm and a memorable touch to any celebration.”
MORE ABOUT MESA VIEW VENUE
Mesa View Venue at Little Park Ranch is located at 2729 S. 21 1/2 Road on Glade Park.
For details and availability, visit its website: MesaViewVenue.com or email Hello@mesaviewvenue.com
Worth noting: The venue is offering special pricing if you book your 2026 event before the end of the year.
Interested parties are welcome to schedule a site visit to see the venue and VRBO in person.
Short-term rental & private residence
In addition to hosting events, Little Park Ranch operates as a VRBO. The ranch-style home is also owners Scott and Cheryl Norton’s private residence. “We continually update and refine the property,” Cheryl said. “Recently, we brought in goats from Grazing Guardians for weed control and fire mitigation, an eco-friendly solution that keeps us and the goats entertained!”
GJ Chamber awarded $99,994 for apprenticeship programs
The Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce (GJACC) received a $99,994 grant through the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment’s Qualified Apprenticeship Intermediary Grant program.
The Grand Junction Chamber is one of six organizations in Colorado to receive funding and the only industry-focused intermediary selected on the Western Slope, the chamber said in an Aug. 28 news release.
The chamber said the grant money will enhance the its West Slope Works initiative, which serves as an umbrella for apprenticeship and other work-based learning programs in the region. Through West Slope Works, the chamber partners with local employers, educators and workforce providers to create stronger career pathways and provide businesses with innovative tools to address their talent needs.
With the grant, the GJ Chamber will support Registered Apprenticeship Programs by offsetting costs such as mentor
wages, instructor support and training expenses. It will expand technical assistance to help employers start and strengthen apprenticeship opportunities and broaden outreach to rural communities and diverse populations across the Western Slope.
The chamber said the investment will help increase the number of apprenticeship opportunities available across Mesa County and surrounding areas and ensure programs are accessible to jobseekers of all backgrounds. From youth and veterans to career changers and rural residents, apprenticeships will provide more pathways to good jobs in high-demand industries such as healthcare, construction, advanced manufacturing and IT. For employers, these programs offer a proven way to attract and retain skilled workers, creating long-term benefits for both businesses and the local economy.
The funding will run through the end of 2026.
McCook and
Born on the Uintah and Ouray Reservation, McCook grew up with the teachings of his father, who urged him to “walk in both worlds,” honoring traditional Ute ways while navigating the modern world. His path has led him from the canyons of his youth to the halls of the Smithsonian Institution, where he helped return sacred
A former tribal chairman, a gifted storyteller and an official historian of the Uncompahgre Ute, McCook has spent his life ensuring that the voices of his people are heard and remembered. The evening will feature McCook’s personal stories, historical insights and a chance for audience questions.
Seating is limited and advance registration is strongly encouraged. For tickets, go online to MOWC.CO. The event will take place from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Museum of the West, 462 Ute Ave.
Roland
Museums of Western Colorado Executive Director Shenna Hayden pose for a photo at Museum of the West. Photo courtesy of Museums of Western Colorado.
GJ-based Networks Unlimited expands into Wyoming, acquires 307 Tech Pros
Networks Unlimited, a Western Colorado IT provider for more than 25 years, announced its expansion into Wyoming through the acquisition of 307 Tech Pros, an established, managed-services company based in Casper, WY.
Founded and headquartered in Grand Junction, Networks Unlimited has long been committed to helping local businesses thrive by providing secure, reliable and personable IT solutions, according to a news release from the company.
The acquisition represents a new chapter in the company’s growth, as Networks Unlimited owner and founder Mark Swain said,
“We’ve always believed that strong communities deserve strong technology partners. This growth is not just about reaching new markets, it’s a reflection of the incredible support we’ve received right here in Grand Junction. Our success has
been shaped by the people and businesses in this valley, and we’re proud to take that same mindset to Wyoming.”
Casper and Grand Junction have similarities, such as resilient economies, independent businesses and tight-knit communities, that make Networks Unlimited confident the services it has refined over two decades will translate well to its new market.
Two team members from 307 Tech Pros will remain in Casper, ensuring local continuity and a smooth transition. Networks Unlimited is also making plans to grow its Wyoming-based team, according to the news release.
“As we grow, we remain committed to our roots,” Swain said. “This isn’t just a win for our company, it’s a win for Grand Junction.”
To learn more about Networks Unlimited and its IT services, visit www.networksunlimited.com.
Community Hospital receives recertification as
Community Hospital announced it has been recertified as a Level III Trauma Center by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
The recertification process, conducted every three years, includes a comprehensive review of staff readiness, clinical care and system performance to verify the hospital continues to meet rigorous state and national standards. On Aug. 7, a Level III triennial trauma designation review was conducted at Community Hospital, and review-team members from CDPHE included several clinicians from various areas of focus, including emergency department, general surgery, trauma care and more.
As a level III Trauma Center, Community Hospital provides highquality, 24/7 emergency care for seriously injured patients.
“Attaining our level III trauma designation is significant to not only our organization but more importantly how we support and meet the needs of the community, said Joe Gerardi, chief operating officer/chief nursing officer for Community Hospital. “A level III trauma designation allows us and requires us to be engaged with the greater community around emergency planning, emergency response, educating our community and finally prepares us to support the community in the event of a disaster. We are proud of our designation and what it means to Community Hospital, but more importantly what it means to the community.”
A Level III Trauma Center is recognized for its ability to:
• Deliver immediate emergency evaluation, resuscitation, surgery and intensive care.
• Ensure specially trained trauma staff and surgeons are available around the clock.
• Maintain formal transfer agreements with higher-level trauma centers for patients requiring advanced specialty care.
• Provide injury-prevention and community-education programs.
Pertinent factors in making a final decision include Community Hospital’s application, the evaluation and findings of the reviewers, the recommendation from the Designation Review Committee, and how the facility integrates into the statewide emergency medical and trauma care system.
To learn more about the comprehensive health care services provided at Community Hospital, visit YourCommunityHospital.com.
Commercial market shows steady volume for 2025
Commercial real estate sales in Mesa County continued to mirror first-quarter trends through the second quarter of 2025.
While overall sales volume increased 4 percent year over year from $94.9 million in the first half of 2025 compared to $91.7 million during the same period in 2024, the number of transactions were slightly less. Year to date, commercial transactions have decreased by 12 percent, dropping from 100 transactions in the first half of 2024 to 88 in the first half of 2025.
“Commercial product is still selling, but each deal is much more difficult and takes longer,” said Sid Squirrell, commercial broker at Bray Commercial Real Estate.
“Those selling must have patience and work through the struggles, whether it be appraisals, due diligence or financing, or in most cases, all three. Buyers’ confidence levels are lower than they have been in the past few years, but they can still see the opportunities. They are trying to be as cautious as possible in order to protect their assets and not make costly errors along the way.”
Several notable sales closed during the quarter, including the QSR sales of the KFC at 1111 North Ave. selling April 30 for $1.8 million and the Clifton KFC, 3219 F Road, selling May 21 for $1.65 million.
Infrastructure investment is also underway at the Grand Junction Regional Airport, where runway construction is in full swing. The airport recently received a $12.5 million Airport Improvement Program grant from the Federal Aviation Administration on Aug. 18 to support its ongoing runway expansion, which is currently about a year ahead of schedule and now plans to be complete in 2029. In addition, the airport announced the return of Delta Airlines, which will enhance connectivity, giving Western Colorado travelers more choices and improved access to major hubs.
“In Grand Junction and Mesa County, with rooftops growing, there is a positive correlation to employment growth ultimately reinforcing the fundamentals that support commercial activity growth.”
— Brian Bray, managing broker of Bray Commercial Real Estate
The Silver Sage Residences 24-unit multifamily property at 1251 Bookcliff Ave. sold May 1 for $5.23 million, followed by a portion of the Halliburton Campus that included 10.75 acres and a 58,275-square-foot industrial building at 365 32 Road, which sold May 2 for $5.6 million. In addition, 13.3 acres southwest of the Grand Junction Regional Airport at 2775 H Road sold for just under $1.6 million.
Active inventory increased over last quarter in both sales and leasing categories. Compared to a year ago, however, active commercial sales listings declined 6 percwent, from 222 in Q2 2024 to 208 in Q2 2025. The leasing market told a different story, with available properties up 16 percent year over year, an increase from 165 in Q2 2024 to 195 in Q2 2025.
“Tenants are cognizant of the costs of operating their businesses and are making calculated decisions on the product that is available on the market,” said Brian Bray, managing broker of Bray Commercial Real Estate. “The market is working favorably for landlords with good quality product that is priced for the market.”
Mesa County’s broader economic indicators showed modest but steady performance. Sales tax collections were up 1.1 percent, increasing from $26.7 million in the first half of 2024 to $27 million in the first half of 2025. Commercial building permit activity remained consistent, with 18 permits issued year to date compared to 17 during the same timeframe in 2024.
Colorado Mesa University, celebrating its 100th year of higher education, has begun several major capital projects. Following its $54 million Asteria Theatre investment, CMU announced plans for the Formation District Food Hall, a dining facility designed to serve both the expanding campus and the wider community, as well as the Centennial Village Student Housing Project, a 100,000-square-foot, 310-bed residence hall right next to Asteria Theatre.
Population growth continues to be a significant factor shaping the region. A recent Common Sense Institute migration study reported Mesa County’s net migration rose from 1,000 residents in 2019 to 1,806 in 2023, an 80.6 percent increase in just four years. The study projects this trend will continue, with net migration nearly doubling again to approximately 3,037 by 2035.
“In Grand Junction and Mesa County, with rooftops growing, there is a positive correlation to employment growth ultimately reinforcing the fundamentals that support commercial activity growth. Driving unemployment down is always a positive trend for the community that is trying to attract a workforce as well,” Brian Bray said. “The market is working through its adjustments, but by 2026 we anticipate a different landscape as the fundamentals fall into place for long-term growth.”
Overall, Mesa County’s commercial market is in a period of normalization, with sales activity slowing even as overall volume and leasing opportunities are holding steady.
Economic indicators such as a slight increase in sales tax collections and consistent construction permits point to stability, suggesting the base is being laid for long-term growth. While challenges in financing, the cost of capital, and buyer confidence continue to weigh on the market, the outlook for 2026 remains positive as adverse conditions gradually work themselves out.
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Darah Galvin is a real estate analyst for Bray Commercial Real Estate.
Darah Galvin
Let me think about that and I’ll get back to you
And in my world of overthinking even the most trivial of thoughts, that can be a very good thing, or a very bad thing. It’s kind of like the old proverb about the two wolves; it depends on which one I feed.
In other words, this brain was made for rabbit holes and common sense. And what a battle of wits (although many would argue the opposite) it is going on inside my head.
What I’m saying is: Now that I’m not being daddy every day, the mind will play. Also, in yet another reference to the adage, the cat isn’t away. She’s still in the house, when not at the emergency vet like she was this past Sunday at midnight. At least it was a trip to an ER that wasn’t all about me or my daughters. And not nearly as expensive. But I digress.
Did I mention this column is about my mind wandering?
So now, even though my mind has always wandered from the moment I get up in the morning to the first few minutes of laying my head on the pillow when I go to bed at night, my mind is focused not on the worries and concerns about the kiddos (although those do exist, but now they’re out of sight, so …), but rather it’s meandering through the fertile meadows of my own thoughts. Just what’s growing remains to be seen.
Over the years, you’ve read hints about what’s going on in the old noggin as this column is usually written on whatever is on my mind when I wake up on deadline morning. More than a few times, it’s been a potpourri of random musings simply because nothing, or everything, in particular stole the spotlight. Kinda like where I am as I type today.
But today’s musings, at least to me, come from a different source. Well, at least my new way of living as an emptynester. So instead of me worrying about much of the insanity and how it affects my kids (as I’m only sought out for advice as opposed to my old self-appointed role of advice giver whether my daughters wanted it or not) I’ll be spending my time thinking about how the insanity of the world affects the world.
And yes, I still believe most of it is forced via the government. Which to me will always be a bad, if not the worst, thing. So here’s your caveat for all my future columns: I’m not saying you have to do as I say or think, nor will I ever use the government to force what I say or think upon you. This is a voluntary exchange of thoughts and ideas, and it’s
your choice to partake, whether that’s in reading what I write or possibly adopting some of it into your life – after all, it could be of benefit because some very smart people are the source of what I write about – or, gasp, writing the paper with your take on my take. And yes, this includes you thinking I’m at my own, special level of insanity based on how you feel about what I write.
But the key aspect of every column I write is simple. It’s all up to you what you do with it.
Obviously, what I write has been rotating the ol’ hamster wheel in my noggin the past week. It’s because I’m even more aware my column has the ability to affect people. Remember, there’s no intent beyond hoping folks think about a topic, even if it’s only one of you folk. And with the growth and frequency of The Business Times since the beginning of the year, this means (to the dismay of some) more people than ever just might happen upon my column.
What’s on my mind today?
The Minneapolis shooting took it over above all else. It raises a lot of questions sure to never be raised in a serious conversation. The fact that most will never be offered is a huge problem itself. I mean, if I’m being told not to question gender status, it only brings one thing to mind: To ask how gender status influenced the shooter’s violent, evil behavior, because the person telling you not to ask knows it had a profound effect on the violent, evil behavior of the shooter. I think this is even more apparent when many in mainstream media appear more concerned about getting the declared gender of the shooter correct before looking into any other aspect of the shooting.
And yes, I think it’s because Minnesota has mandated and supported trans ideology into the mainstream of Minnesota law. Which also means we’ll never get the chance to talk about it in any meaningful manner for the worst possible reason: It’s a democrat voting bloc. Plus, it moves the conversation to attacking guns and gun owners. But that’s OK since that’s a Republican voting bloc that needs to be eliminated.
My thoughts? You should be free to be the person you believe you are and/or own as many guns as you’d like without any government interference, hurting others or violating their rights. Meaning, you’re not free to shoot up either constituency on a whim, fit of rage or because of your feelings. That’s evil and against the law. Maybe we start there.
In Truth and freedom.
F
Craig Hall is owner and publisher of The Business Times. Reach him at 424-5133 or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com
Parent concerned about teacher’s union involvement in November election
Dear Editor,
I recently read a widely shared social media post by a School District 51 teacher stating many things about the current school board and the negotiations with Mesa Valley Education Association, our local teachers union.
The teacher, whose spouse ran for school board in 2021 and lost, is a current union MVEA/CEA/NEA member and recently sat at the table during negotiations this past spring.
In the social media post and also in a printed communication for community members, it states untruths. The teacher claims the current school board did not agree with the Student and Staff safety part of the negotiations and went on to say the current school board does not care about safety and security.
This struck me as alarming. As a parent of several kids in our district, I wondered: Who would not want safety as a priority for our youth?
I started digging into what happened. After much research, reaching out and asking the correct people for clarification, I have found the why. In the language that the union brought forward and tucked inside the safety part of negotiations was the language that would limit disciplining a student. It went on to state all complaints had to be deemed valid and required mandatory union representation.
Approximately half of our district teachers are members of the union; even so, they would be required to go through this process before any statement is given legally by the board. In any situation, regardless, the union wanted to have a mandatory say in all proceedings.
The provisions of this proposed safety plan not only shifted decisionmaking from district administration and the District 51 Board of Education and put it squarely in the hands of the union, it was also illegal in places. It included a requirement of the district to guarantee legal defense to employees involved in any civil lawsuit without any
investigation as to whether the employee followed policy or not.
They also wanted to include a student’s behavioral history to be shared with all staff that has contact with the student. This alone is in direct violation with the Family Rights and Privacy Act. These demands seem totally out of line. This is anything but the transparency that they are asking for as we head into this fall’s school board election. As you can quickly see, there is little thought to actual student and staff safety and more about control of every situation of students and staff. I, as a parent, am glad our current board members stood against this.
MVEA is making a push for voters to vote for the candidates who MVEA backs. What I see is MVEA backing board members whom they can control. Their significant financial contributions to the candidates they choose should be a warning to voters to go the other way. They claim the current board members take “big, corporate” money. I would like to ask Kaci Cole about that. She has already accepted that big union PAC money. Mike Rathbone is the fiancé of a union member, and Vicki Woods is a retired teacher/principal also connected to the union. I am waiting to see who else accepts the “big, corporate” money. Join me in re-electing candidates who have common sense and are effective and open to dialogue: Andrea Haitz, Angela Lema and Will Jones. Our district is in the best shape it has been in, thanks to strong, principled leadership. They have already accomplished much in the district around safety, a mill-levy passage, accountability at all levels, the highest academic scores in years, maybe ever, and examining and updating buildings and policies that were forgotten for too many years.
I, for one, want them to continue making our district the best it has ever been. Join me in re-electing them Nov. 4.
Craig Hall
Michelle Gillilan Fruita resident
n Cotton joins Christi Reece Group as Realtor
The Christi Reece Group announced it hired Realtor Scott Cotton, a former Grand Valley resident with a diverse background in leadership, business development and public service, the agency said in a news release.
After retiring as a captain from a 20-year, fire-service career, he served as chief operating officer for a high-growth valuation tech firm focused on real estate across multiple sectors. He then funneled that real estate interest into becoming a Realtor prior to moving back to Colorado.
“We’re so excited to have Scott join The Christi Reece Group,” CEO Christi Reece said. “His real estate experience, entrepreneurial spirit and sense of adventure are a perfect fit for our team and the Grand Valley.”
n Mosquitoes test positive for West Nile Virus in GJ
Mosquitoes from two of 15 sampling pools in Grand Junction have tested positive for West Nile Virus, according to the Grand River Mosquito Control District in an Aug. 27 news release.
They are the first confirmed positive pools in Grand Junction this year, and the positive result was reported by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s state lab.
“We are seeing a high number of adult mosquitoes especially in areas near irrigated fields and drainage ditches. The most recent positive samplings came from the Grand Junction area. However, it’s important no matter where you live or recreate, you should not let your guard down,” said Tim Moore, district manager of Grand River Mosquito Control District.
To combat mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus the mosquito district will continue treating standing water with larvicides and will increase fogging operations within specific areas where data indicates above-average numbers of adult mosquitoes.
To date, there have been no human cases of West Nile Virus in Mesa County this year, but Montrose County confirmed its first West Nile Virus-related death on Aug. 26.
Encouraging the community to take proactive steps to prevent being bitten by mosquitoes, Moore said, “It’s important to drain all standing water on your property and use repellents when outdoors.”
Repellents with 10 to 30 percent DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus and IR3535 are the most effective repellents, according to the mosquito district, and it’s also advisable to wear long sleeves and pants when outdoors at dawn and dusk.
For more information, email the Grand River Mosquito Control District at officeadmin@grmcd.org, or call 970-257-0191.
n BLM sells 31-acre parcel of land to Mesa County
The Bureau of Land Management conveyed a 31.1-acre parcel of public land to Mesa County on Aug. 25, the BLM said in a news release. The land sale was directed by the Clifton Opportunities Now for Vibrant Economic Yields Act that was passed Jan. 4.
“The BLM identified this land as available for disposal, because it’s difficult to manage and has little opportunity for the public to access. It’s rewarding to know that this land will benefit the community of Clifton and the county,” BLM Grand Junction Field Manager Stacey Colón said.
The parcel is located between Interstate 70 and the Grand Valley Canal, and it is north and east of where northbound 32 Road ends in Clifton. The Bureau of Reclamation used the land from 1908 to 2024 for canal operations before transferring it to the BLM.
Per the CONVEY Act, the BLM sold the land to Mesa County at fair market value as appraised by the Department of the Interior’s Appraisal and Valuation Services Office. That amount was $31,000, and Mesa County also paid $50 (the standard charge) for the property’s mineral rights, according to BLM Colorado Realty Specialist Jana Moe. The funds will be held in a Federal Land Disposal Account under the custody of the BLM for in-state use.
n
For more information, please contact BLM Grand Junction Field Office at 970-244-3000.
Xcel invites volunteers to annual Day of Service
Xcel Energy invites the public to join employees and their friends and families from Sept. 11 through Sept. 13 for its 15th annual Day of Service, an opportunity to give back to their communities.
Volunteers can sign up for one of 45 nonprofit projects in Colorado. Many are based in the Denver metro area, with other opportunities in Grand Junction, Alamosa, Pueblo and Fort Collins. Indoor and outdoor projects are available, from land stewardship to packing and serving meals for those with food insecurities to packing and organizing learning kits for classrooms and youth programs to a fun field day with a nonprofit that serves adults living with intellectual disabilities.
“We have a long history of investing in the communities we are privileged to serve and we’re proud to give our time and resources to make a difference in the lives around us,” said Robert Kenney, president of Xcel Energy-Colorado. “People of all ages and abilities can participate. We invite you to come join us.”
Xcel Energy’s Day of Service has been an annual tradition since 2010 and is the company’s largest volunteer effort. Last year, nearly 2,200 employees, contractors, friends, family, retirees and customers across the eight states Xcel Energy serves contributed 7,900 hours of volunteer work. Day of Service was created as a tribute to the victims, survivors and first responders of 9/11, as well as all those who work to keep communities and the country safe.
Learn more about Day of Service and sign up for a volunteer project.
