2026 city budget focuses on core services, efficiency
Brandon Leuallen The Business Times
As the City of Grand Junction grapples with flattening sales tax revenue that came in lower than expected in 2025, it has started its 2026 budget deliberations.
During an Oct. 6 City Council workshop City Manager Mike Bennett said the process will continue through November and December, when the final budget is expected to be approved.
Throughout the workshop, an overview of each department was presented to explain how its proposals align with the council’s strategic plan.
Bennett said although revenue is expected to increase, the recommended $314.8 million budget represents a 12.3 percent decrease from the 2025 adopted budget, largely because the recreation center and wastewater treatment plant are nearing completion.
He said staff spent more than 3,000 hours preparing the proposal.
“Healthy Life Cycle” approach Bennett described what he called a “healthy life cycle” for communities, explaining Grand Junction has made large investments in recent years, but it must now focus on maintaining what it already has, especially as sales tax revenue is not increasing as quickly as prior years.
“Communities have a healthy life cycle,” he said. “We invest heavily and do these large projects, and then we hone in on maintaining what we have and make sure we are focusing on those core services.”
See CITY BUDGET on Page 5
Clean-Car Competition
Jeff Wagner said Champion
to build in Grand
because “we try to look for areas that we know there’s going to be growth in population. They’re destinations. We try to look for areas where we can get in, serve and be part of the community.” Champion Xpress also
Saphire Wheeler, assistant site lead at the Champion Xpress Car Wash at 2830 Patterson Road, preps a vehicle before it enters the car wash’s tunnel on Oct. 7. Champion Xpress built two, tunnel car washes in Grand Junction, opening at 540 Warrior Way on March 1, 2023, and at 2830 Patterson Road on May 22, 2024. Champion Xpress Chief Operating Officer
chose
Junction,
opened a car wash in Delta. Photo by Tim Harty.
Courting Car Wash Customers
Car washes try to stand out with customer service, different approaches
Tim Harty The Business Times
Club Car Wash opened two locations in Grand Junction this year, one at 691 24 Road in May and one at 2122 North Ave. in August.
Champion Xpress Car Wash built two locations in Grand Junction before that, opening one at 540 Warrior Way in March 2023 and one at 2830 Patterson Road in May 2024.
Take 5 Car Wash opened two car washes in the Grand Valley in October 2022 as part of a grand-opening event for 17 new locations in Colorado. One is at 2475 U.S. Highway 6&50, and the other is at 3228 F Road.
The point being: That’s a lot of large, tunnel car washes that came to town in a short time. And that’s a lot of competition now for the car-washing public’s cash.
So, what does a car wash in Grand Junction have to do these days to get customers to pull into their car wash? Then keep them coming back?
Customer service, the type of car wash (friction or touch-free) and branding all were mentioned by the likes of Van’s Car Wash owner Ben Van Dyke, Stop Wash Go owners Kriss Bergethon and Alex Moore, and Champion Xpress Chief Operating Officer Jeff Wagner.
Van’s Car Wash and Stop Wash Go are touch-free car washes with mostly self-serve bays, while Champion Xpress (and the aforementioned Club Car Wash and Take 5) is a friction car wash.
Wagner touted the Champion Xpress customer service that starts with an attendant guiding a vehicle toward the tunnel. That attendant stops the vehicle to prep it with a spray of soap and some scrubbing to remove bugs from the front bumper, grill and windshield. Then, the vehicle goes through the tunnel, and it exits to find another attendant, this one armed with towels to dry off the vehicle.
Wagner said Champion Xpress stands out in the car-wash crowd by sticking to its core values, that great customer service can win the day.
“We’re gonna give you a clean car, and we’re gonna work hard, but added to that you know we’re gonna get the customers what they expect there,” Wagner said. “Hopefully we’re doing it with a smile, a kind word, encourage them to come back and have a Champion’s day.”
He added, “Bottom line is it comes down to your people, and we feel like we have great team members and great people, and we think that’s gonna give us the Champion difference.”
The finishing flourish of towel drying the vehicle before it drives away is something Wagner said Champion Xpress tries to do across all of its sites.
“We feel that’s a nice way to make sure that we give you a clean car, we’ve taken care of things, and just to give you another nice wave and send you on your way,” he said. “Because who doesn’t feel good when you got your car clean?”
Moore said Stop Wash Go, which has locations at 2884 North Ave. in Grand Junction, 2767 B 1/2 Road on Orchard Mesa and 3240 F Road in Clifton, hasn’t been affected much by the influx of tunnel car washes. He said touch-free car washes “will always have a good market.”
That’s because not all vehicles can go through a friction wash, which means they have to go the touch-free route.
“Trucks, RVs, contractors who have a bed full of tools, they can’t go through. A bunch of people are gonna get kicked out of line because they’ve got a bike rack,” Moore said. Bergethon then added to the list, saying, “Or their
truck’s too long, or it’s a dually, or it’s pulling a trailer.”
Moore added cars that are too muddy aren’t allowed in a tunnel car wash, and to that Bergethon said, “We have a slogan: We love your mud. Bring your mud.”
In addition, Moore said anyone who has a bad experience at a friction wash will seek out car washes like Stop Wash Go, which have another advantage: They’re open 24/7.
The Stop Wash Go in Clifton is a stone’s throw from a Take 5 Car Wash, and Moore said having competition so close is welcome. He likened it to the “dealership effect” with auto dealers.
“Why do you want to be next to your competitor? Because that area becomes the place known to buy a car, and people can shop, shop, shop, shop,” Moore said. “Now, you see this with car washes. Self-serve car washes that are next to tunnels can do very, very well.”
A little psychology is at play, too.
“The demand can grow,” Bergethon said, “because when car washes are built, the awareness of car washes goes up from people driving by them and people see a car wash, and (think), ‘I need to wash my car.’
“So there’s a certain level where other car washes can actually increase the amount of cars that are being washed overall in a geographic area to a certain point. You know, everybody can do better for a while. And then there’s some breaking point where there’s too many, right? And then everybody’s going to kind of suffer, because there’s just not enough demand.”
With touch-free Van’s Car Washes at 305 Ute Ave. in downtown Grand Junction and 413 Monument Road on the Redlands,Van Dyke can echo Bergethon and Moore’s
points. He takes a similar marketing approach, too.
“We kind of branded ourselves as an alternative to a friction wash,” he said.
Furthering Bergethon’s thoughts about car-wash competition and perhaps saturation in the Grand Valley, Van Dyke said, “I’m a big believer in the free market, and I think at the end of the day the consumer kind of will eventually decide when enough is enough, and, you know, the cream rises to the top, and you see how it settles from there.”
Van Dyke said he has seen similar situations play out in other communities, and if a market is saturated, contraction will naturally occur.
“I think we will kind of hit a tipping point,” he said. “Usually what I see is a community will get a few different chains in at once and you’ll kind of see a survival of the fittest. Who essentially offers the best product kind of wins out and takes over the market for the most part, and the competitors will kind of fall off. And you’ll either see them change hands or some of them just kinda end up going vacant, unfortunately.”
While that might seem to favor chain stores over the little mom-and-pop car wash, Van Dyke said he has seen it both ways. Sometimes the little guy prevails.
“Some of them thrive and do exceptional,” he said, “because they’re able to offer a product that the national brand really can’t match, just because they’re so spread across the entire country. You get an owner of a direct site that has their hands on things very frequently, you’re typically gonna come up with a better product, and customer service can even kind of raise those companies above the others.”
A car waits its turn to use the touch-free automated bay at Van’s Car Wash, 305 Ute Ave. in downtown Grand Junction. Owner Ben Van Dyke also owns Van’s II Car Wash at 413 Monument Road in the Redlands. Photo by Tim Harty.
too. alternative to a car-wash Valley, Van and I think eventually the cream there.” play out in contraction point,” he said. different survival of the kind of part, and either see kinda end up over the has seen it he said, national so spread a direct frequently, you’re product, and companies
Serious training for serious athletes
YAP Training aims to fill a need for speed and strength training for teen athletes
Tim Harty The Business Times
Grand Junction, you don’t have this, and you need it.
That’s what a couple former Colorado Mesa University football players – Jeremy Harrison and Jarrod Wyatt, from back in the program’s Mesa State College days –believe when it comes to serious strength and speed training for middle school and high school athletes in the Grand Valley.
So, they’re now ready to provide it with the opening this week of their Youth Athletic Performance (YAP) Center, 2893 North Ave. in Grand Junction. Oct. 13 was Day 1 for the facility after open houses on Oct. 8 and Oct. 11 gave potential clients a peek at the facility and an introduction to YAP Training.
The center will be staffed by certified coaches and utilize technology to help young athletes increase strength and speed.
Jenn Langford moved from North Carolina to be the facility manager, and her husband, Mitch Langford, a certified strength and conditioning coach, also will be the head coach. YAP Training begins with a staff of eight coaches, and Jenn Langford said that number will grow.
Langford said Wyatt lives in Cortez and has a “general-population gym” there, but he has a Youth Athletic Performance Center built into it.
“Jarrod and Jeremy wanted to bring that same performance center to the valley just because there isn’t anything else like it in the valley,” Langford said. “So they just wanted to make sure that there’s a performance center for middle school, high school athletes here.
“They just saw the needs. Since they both played college football here, they know the community a lot. They both don’t live here anymore, but they definitely know the community and just felt there was a need for a performance center.”
Most middle schools and high schools have facilities for their athletes to train, but Langford promises that doesn’t rival YAP Training.
To answer what is different, she started with the Stray Dog Strength equipment, calling it “very different.” Then, she said, “We also have a lot of technology. So, each rack that we have where each athlete is going to be working out, we’re going to have a (computer) tablet, and we have our own app within our facility. (Harrison) actually created that app himself. So, it’s very customizable.”
Using the tablet and app is going to allow the athletes to track their progress with precision.
“That’s the biggest thing that we’re going to have,” Langford said. “We have these Speed Gate systems that will also integrate into the app. We have what’s called a SHREDmill, which is also a speed system that will integrate into the app. And then we have the OVR system. It’s a
More About YAP Training
The Youth Athletic Performance Center, 2893 North Ave. in Grand Junction, is now open.
For more information, go online to yaptraining.com.
The website describes YAP Training this way:
“YAP Training exists to level the playing field. We’ve brought the exact same caliber of programming, equipment and expertise that elite college programs and pros use and made it accessible to middle school, high school and college athletes who are hungry enough to chase it.”
velocity-based training system. That one doesn’t actually integrate into our app, but we can put what is going on in that system into our app itself.
“Each athlete during their workouts, they’re going to be putting in the app what weights they did that day, whatever their velocity was that day, so when we test them again, maybe in 12 weeks, in six months, they can see their progress.
“And it’s just really good visual feedback. We think kids nowadays really need that kind of visual feedback for what they’re doing.”
Each athlete will receive a wristband and can tap the tablet at a rack with the wristband, and it will call up the athlete’s profile. Then, they click on their workout for the day, and it will be displayed.
“When they go ahead and put in all of their weights in the system, it’s just super easy to use,” Langford said. “Athletes are going to be able to see their weights and compare themselves to other high school or middle school athletes, kind of around the country.”
Langford said the words speed and velocity frequently when detailing YAP Training, and she explained why:
“The biggest things that we are training these athletes to do is to be faster. Speed is one of the biggest things that we are working on, strength obviously is huge, and then velocity. It’s just a velocity-based training, so it works on explosiveness for these athletes. ... so when they use those systems, they get the automatic feedback from the OVR system that shows them how fast they’re working.”
YAP Training is for all athletes, male and female, regardless of sport, but there is one caveat.
“We’re just here for the athletes that are serious, that really want to take their training to the next level,” Langford said. She said the coaching staff is diverse, “which is going to help with that diversity in sport.”
Langford then rattled off the backgrounds of those coaches, saying, “We have a CMU wrestler, female wrestler. We have a D1 college football player. He played at South Carolina. We have a CMU soccer player. We have a baseball player that played in Arkansas, I believe at a D2 (university). I cheered professionally in the NFL (for the Carolina Panthers). One of our coaches is also a USA weightlifter, so he does the Olympic lifts.”
As much as YAP Training is about making serious athletes better athletes, Langford emphasized the performance center is not just a training facility.
“We’re trying to change student athletes’ lives in this facility,” she said. “We want them to gain confidence in themselves, in their sport, but also in life. That’s what strength training does. That’s what speed training does. That’s what explosiveness does.
“And we want to create that culture within Grand Junction, because I don’t think this is being done anywhere else.”
ABOVE — Facility manager Jenn Langford stands in front of the row of Stray Dog Strength rack systems that will be used at the Youth Athletic Performance Center, 2893 North Ave.
BELOW — Langford stands by racks of dumbbells and medicine balls used for YAP Training. Photos by Tim Harty.
City Budget
Continued from Page 1
Bennett said the budget strikes a balance between long-term investments and day-to-day operational needs.
“We have to make sure we are not outpacing ourselves, so that we can stay balanced each year,” he told the city council. “At the same time, we want to invest in a way that allows us to continue to progress as an organization and as a community.”
Police:
More officers, a new annex and upgrades
The Grand Junction Police Department will see a net increase of five officers next year, part of 29 new city positions overall. Public Safety Chief Matt Smith told council members the department now has 130 sworn officers and is targeting 165.
“We really struggled to get over that 110 or 115 mark, but we’ve found a good recipe,” Smith said. “We’re attracting people now. We’re retaining people.”
The budget also includes funding for a BearCat armored vehicle to replace the 17-year-old model shared with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office. Smith said the city uses the vehicle “two to three times a month, if not weekly,” and the new one will be purchased using impact fees.
Later in the workshop, during a discussion about the strategic plan, Smith said increased patrol numbers caused a decrease in traffic accidents.
Certificates of Participation:
Capital investment outside TABOR
During the police annex discussion, City Attorney John Shaver explained the city may use certificates of participation, or COPs, to finance construction. He told council members this form of borrowing is not subject to TABOR limits, because it is structured as a lease-purchase rather than voter-approved debt.
“It is a nontraditional debt,” Shaver said. “It doesn’t require voter approval, because it is an indenture of properties. It’s in essence a lease structure.”
Bennett added COPs have been used before for the police headquarters, city hall and the stadium project. Under Colorado’s Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, local governments must seek voter approval for multi-year debt, but COPs are legally defined as annual lease-purchase agreements.
The proposed $2 million feasibility study for the police annex in 2026 would be followed by an estimated $33 million COP-financed construction phase in 2027. Bennett told council that staff “ran the models to make sure we can afford those payments for the long run.”
The budget includes funds to continue upgrading the 911 regional communications center and replacing radios, consoles and tower equipment.
“We’re at the end of the useful life for many of these systems,” Smith said. “Some of our equipment is no longer supported by the manufacturer, so this is really about keeping the system reliable.”
Fire: Station 7, paramedic program, staffing gaps
The Grand Junction Fire Department is adding eight positions: three community paramedics, three firefighter emergency medical technicians, one fire inspector, and one battalion chief. Smith said the additions are designed to strengthen response and administrative capacity.
The community paramedic program will handle low-acuity calls that do not require a full engine and ambulance response.
“It won’t solve all our problems, but it’s a really good start,” Smith said. “It will have a significant impact on call demand.”
Smith said the program is modeled after the city’s co-responder mental health initiative and is expected to reduce unnecessary emergency transports and emergency-room visits.
“We’re reducing some of the calls for service at our really busy stations,” he said.
Smith said Station 7, which is across from Appleton Elementary School, is scheduled to be completed without traditional fire station staff and will initially house the community paramedic team. He said that at the time the bond was passed in 2018 to fund fire station 7, there were more single-family homes being built in that area, but the city instead changed its focus and began building more apartment complexes around the city core, which caused increased demand in those parts of town.
“We haven’t seen the growth that we anticipated back when we planned the station,” Smith said. “This gets people in the building and provides a presence in that area until demand increases.”
Recreation:
Renewal, upkeep and deferred parks
After several years dominated by large capital projects, Parks and Recreation staff are finishing the Grand Junction Community Recreation Center and shifting focus to more of what the presentation listed as “renewal and upkeep.” The 2026 budget dedicates $4.1 million to trails, playgrounds, irrigation systems and repairs at Canyon View and Lincoln Park.
One project that did not make the list for 2025 was Whitman Park. The proposed 10-year capital plan shows no funds allocated for Whitman Park until 2031.
Housing:
Task force and regulatory streamlining
The city’s Housing Task Force has met three times since forming in September. It is working with staff to streamline regulations and reduce permitting delays.
“We’re reducing costs with red tape,” Council member Ben Van Dyke said during the workshop.
Bennett said the city is pursuing the same artificial intelligence tools Mesa County uses to speed up development reviews. He added the housing budget funds the buildout of infrastructure at the Salt Flats Project.
Bennet said incentives for Capital A affordable housing at or below 100 percent Area Median Income will continue through impact-fee waivers for qualifying projects.
See CITY BUDGET on Page 8
HopeWest hires Gumpert as chief development officer
Breeana Gumpert, former development director at Colorado West Land Trust, is the new chief development officer at HopeWest.
The nonprofit organization, which provides hospice, palliative care and grief-support services, announced the hiring in an Oct. 7 news release.
With nearly a decade of experience in nonprofit leadership and fundraising, Gumpert brings expertise in fundraising strategies, donor relations, community outreach and event management.
In her new role, Gumpert will guide HopeWest’s philanthropy and communityengagement efforts.
“What stands out most about Breeana is her exceptional blend of vision, passion and relationship-building skills,” said Deneen Silva, president and CEO of HopeWest. “Her ties to our community and the relationships she has built over the years are key in driving our mission forward. She brings not only a strong commitment to advancing our mission, but also a proven ability to connect with people, inspire generosity and create
meaningful partnerships that will help shape
Gumpert said HopeWest’s mission is profoundly personal to her, “because it reflects the values of compassion, dignity and connection that I hold dear. I am grateful for the opportunity to cultivate relationships with our donors, volunteers and community members, and to help ensure that every family we serve feels supported and cared for during life’s most difficult times.”
As development director at Colorado West Land Trust, Gumpert led major donor engagement, capital campaigns and strategic partnerships to advance land conservation, safeguard water resources and expand outdoor access across western Colorado.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in human services with a minor in business administration and went on to get her master of business administration degree in leadership at Northeastern University.
For more information about HopeWest, visit HopeWestCO.org or call 970-241-2212.
GVP notifies customers of Nov. 1 rate increase
Grand Valley Power sent a Notice of Rate Change to its customers on Oct. 9, alerting them to an increase in rates necessitated by the rising cost of delivering electricity. The new rates take effect Nov. 1.
The notification reads as follows:
Dear Grand Valley Power Member,
As a member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative, Grand Valley Power is committed to delivering safe and reliable power and works hard to minimize the impact of increasing costs. Over the last two years, however, GVP and electricity providers across the nation have experienced inflationary pressure and the escalating cost of materials, power poles, transformers, and the natural gas that is used to generate electricity. At the same time, Grand Valley Power has seen a decrease in kilowatt-hour sales.
This all means that the cost of delivering electricity to our members has gone up. While we’ve controlled expenses, purchasing lightly used fleet vehicles rather than new ones, for example, cost recovery is no longer keeping pace with the increases.
At its September meeting, the Grand Valley Power Board of Directors approved a rate restructure for the General Service Time-of-Use (GS-TOU) rate class to become effective November 1, 2025. The changes will be reflected on bills that members receive in early December. The new rates will allow the cooperative to recover the costs of providing members with all the electricity they need when they need it. Grand Valley Power does not take these changes lightly and has done everything possible to minimize the effect on consumers.
General Service Time of Use
Grand Valley Power’s “General Service Time-of-Use” rate class is renamed General Service Time-of-Use/Demand. Changes to the rate include: A $1.50 increase in the Grid Connectivity charge, a lower off-peak Timeof-Use rate, and a new Demand charge of $1 per kilowatt. The average residential consumer is expected to see an increase of approximately 4% per month.
How can you save?
Participating in Grand Valley Power’s Shared Savings program could get you a bill credit of up to $50 at the end of the 12-month term. Enrollment is required.
As your hometown electric cooperative, Grand Valley Power is committed to minimizing the impact of rate changes on members by offering various resources such as payment programs, energy calculators, rebates, and more. If you have questions or are in need of bill assistance, please contact our main office at (970) 242-0040. You will also find useful tips for saving money and energy on our website.
Account Management the Smart Way
With SmartHub, you can view current and previous bills, energy usage and more. SmartHub graphs show how much power you use and when, identifying your hourly and total energy use per day. Visit gvp.org/ SmartHub. Our Commitment to You
We focus on providing members with sustainable, reliable, competitively priced electric service. This increase covers only what is necessary while protecting your investment in your cooperative.
Breeana Gumpert
County tightens belt for 2026 budget
Mesa County proposed budget extends hiring freeze, leans on creativity
Brandon Leuallen The Business Times
Mesa County is proposing a preservation-minded fiscal year 2026 budget that keeps the hiring freeze in place, trims department requests and still returns $2 million to taxpayers through a TABOR refund.
During the Oct. 7 Board of County Commissioners Administrative Public Hearing, Budget Manager Diane Dziewatkoski told commissioners the draft follows months of revenue forecasting. The budget process began in April and May with preliminary revenue forecasting, and the final adoption is scheduled for Dec. 9 after late-November assessed values and insurance quotes arrive.
“We’ll be back here on December 9 to certify mill levies and adopt the final budget,” she said.
County Administrator Todd Hollenbeck said the plan “really focuses on people, infrastructure, and stewardship” and stays cautious, because sales tax growth is flat, and state and federal revenues are uncertain.
“We are proposing to keep the (hiring) freeze through 2026,” Hollenbeck said. “We’re still projecting some flat revenues.”
He added the hiring freeze allows the county to work closely with the departments regarding core services, while protecting continuity of operations and public safety.
Tight conditions also spur new ideas, as Hollenbeck said, “When times get a little bit tougher, that pressure is put on you, and it’s amazing the innovation that comes out.”
The big numbers at a glance
The General Fund is proposed at about $90.5 million in revenues and about $98.6 million in expenditures, with a planned draw on fund balance sized to preserve healthy reserves, according to the FY26 budget summary presented Oct. 7.
Dziewatkoski said property tax is currently modeled at roughly 3.5 percent. She said sales tax, which makes up roughly 30 percent of total county revenue, is trending at about 1.5 percent growth over last year, while many departments expect lower intergovernmental revenues such as grants.
Capital spending reflects the timing of multiyear projects. The capital plan shows about $46.6 million in FY26 revenues and $57.3 million in FY26 appropriations, with several 2025 projects rolling into 2026. Dziewatkoski said that over six years, almost $268 million is planned across the program, with transportation and public works comprising more than half of that total.
Tight belt, targeted investments
Dziewatkoski said departments were asked to build to a 10 percent reduction target, and the county budget assumes a continued hiring freeze that can be relaxed midyear if reserves or needs allow.
“We are defunding a number of positions through that hiring freeze,” she said. “Those savings are partially offset by inflation and contracts.”
She noted placeholders were set for a 10 percent
increase in health insurance and a 10 percent increase in other insurance until final quotes arrive later in November. Looking back at early drafts, she said, “When I put the base budget together for 2026, we had over a $14 million deficit. Combined savings plus increases got us down to an $8 million deficit.”
Employees remain a priority even in a tight year, as Hollenbeck said the proposal includes about $3.5 million for the workforce to move employees one step on the pay plan.
Creative moves to make it through the tight budget Road and Bridge is shifting its maintenance mix to stretch dollars.
“They’re looking at preventive maintenance reallocation where they’re reducing our gravel by 30 percent, so they can double down on crack-seal work, as well as applying 50 percent more asphalt within each of our districts,” Hollenbeck said.
He said a dedicated preservation crew funded by the Highway Users Tax Fund would add three positions to run sweepers, a vactor truck, and stay ahead on culverts and bridge care to extend asset life.
“We’re keeping good roads in good shape,” he said, while acknowledging preventive maintenance is not a permanent fix.
Grants are helping fill gaps.
“Public Works is seeing some great success in revenues on getting grants,” Hollenbeck said, citing about $7 million that will support roughly $27 million in road and bridge projects next year while the $1 million annual surface-treatment program continues.
See COUNTY on Page 8
Todd Hollenbeck
City Budget
Continued from Page 5
Fiscal policy and tourism revenue
One proposal is the elimination of the vendor fee, a change that would cost small businesses an average of $53 per month, and when eliminating large storefront retailers the average is $30 per month.
Bennett said the move is a way to save the city money on a fee that used to pay for actions that most businesses automate now anyways.
Ordinance No. 4749 explains the fee: “The Grand Junction Municipal Code regulates the taxation, collection, reporting and remittance of sales and use taxes in the City. To alleviate some of the burden of those requirements the City has for many years provided to retailers that collect and remit the tax a credit of three and one-third percent of the sum of the sales tax collected to offset the expense to the retailers for the collection and remittance effort, provided that no credit is allowed for any sales tax that is not properly and timely reported and paid by the due date.
“The credit is a vendor’s compensation expense to the City and is known as a ‘vendor’s fee,’ (hereinafter “Fee”) and was established prior to the introduction of automated systems and accordingly the Fee was then more aligned with the cost of collecting, preparing and filing the tax returns and remitting the tax.”
The presentation noted approximately 30 percent of Grand
Junction’s sales tax revenue comes from what the city classifies as tourism, with most of it generated by visitors who drive into town rather than fly. That pattern has made the city’s revenue base more stable than Colorado’s mountain resort communities, which rely heavily on seasonal air travel and lodging.
According to a recent Business Times article, “Where the sales tax revenue comes from,” the City of Grand Junction does not collect sales tax on grocery food items, and roughly 21 percent of its revenue comes from online and commercial energy sales. Most of the remaining revenue is generated by brick-and-mortar retail stores, auto dealers and restaurants. The 24 Road (Mesa Mall) and U.S. Highway 50 (Rimrock) retail corridors together account for nearly 39 percent of the city’s total sales tax revenue. Unfunded requests and reserve balances
The council also discussed several unfunded items that can be added to the budget upon approval, including $350,000 for a homelessness Request For Proposal that went out to service providers in the wake of the shut down of the Homeless Resource Center, and $535,000 for Homeward Bound for operational expenses, which was not listed in the Request for Proposal process.
Bennett said that the city maintains a healthy fund balance, and the budget continues to meet or exceed the minimum reserve target established by council policy.
County
Continued from Page 7
Facilities is planning approximately $3 million in HVAC upgrades and about $2 million in asset preservation, and design work for the Justice Center expansion continues into 2026, according to the capital schedules. Unfunded mandates and volatile aid State finances and shifting aid are pressuring the county’s plan. Dziewatkoski said departments are budgeting lower federal and state grants for 2026 and noted the state’s retention of severance tax removes about $1 million that typically supports the General Fund.
To show the cumulative impact, the county has provided estimated annual costs of unfunded or underfunded state mandates that total $8,341,861.54 across departments.
The figures include $50,000 for the Assessor’s Office, $149,786.10 for the Clerk and Recorder’s Office, $325,000 for Community Development, $3,527,905 for the District Attorney’s Office, $15,000 for Facilities and Parks, $751,000 for Human Services, $1,250,000 for Information Technology, $200,000 for Public Works, and $2,073,170.44 for the Sheriff’s Office.
“Local government is doing more with less,” Hollenbeck said. “I’m proud of the innovation and the teamwork.”
How the TABOR refund will work
The county plans to credit $2 million back to taxpayers on 2024 excess collections.
“Two million will be refunded through property tax credits,” Dziewatkoski said.
Rather than paper checks, she said the refund will appear as credits on tax bills, because average amounts would be small, and issuing checks carries processing costs. Where the money goes
Public safety and justice remain among the largest operating lines, with the Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office leading General Fund appropriations at about $40.7 million and about $7.14 million, respectively, according to the FY26 schedules.
Roads and infrastructure funding is split between the Road and Bridge operating fund and a suite of capital projects supported by competitive grants and the capital sales tax, including $46.6 million budgeted into the capital program and $57.3 million in appropriations for 2026.
“Health and Human Services and Public Health continue to rely heavily on intergovernmental dollars that departments expect to tighten in 2026,” Dziewatkoski said.
She added the county expects to start 2026 with about $19.9 million in General Fund reserves after this year’s cashsaving measures, and the hiring freeze and supplemental tools give commissioners flexibility to adjust if conditions change.
AV Solutions triples its space in new location
Technology integrator AV Solutions recently solved the problem it had with warehouse space by moving west along the Interstate 70 Business Loop into downtown Grand Junction.
AV Solutions owner Neil Hajoglou liked where his business was, 3094 I-70 Business Loop, Unit C, because “it was nice and cozy. It was close to home.”
But lack of warehouse space in a unit that totaled about 900 square feet ultimately was a fatal flaw, as he said, “We were packed to the gills.”
Now at 215 S. 15th St., where Wilson Cabling previously resided, AV Solutions has 2,880 square feet that includes ample warehouse and showroom space for a business that specializes in installation of systems for audio/video, home theater, security and surveillance, automated lighting, and window shades and blinds.
Showroom space also was lacking at the previous location, and Hajoglou likes the idea of building out his new space, which currently is wide open, and having a much larger, nicer showroom.
“I’ve always wanted a traditional showroom, something like Listen Up in Denver has,” he said. “My goal was actually to buy a residential house that was zoned commercial and do it in a house where it would be a finished product that you would see in any other house that we would do. But that’s not so easy.”
If having an actual house for his business never materializes, AV Solutions now has space and options to emulate it in its commercial setting.
“I’ve seen some really cool spaces in Denver and other places that they take a commercial space and make it very residentialesque looking on the inside,” Hajoglou said. “We could build a small theater in a separate room. We could do buildouts.”
Hajoglou actually has more space than he knows what to do with, but that’s better than the alternative, and he’ll find ways to use the additional space eventually.
AV Solutions’ new home came with a conference room, making it a better meeting
place for consultations with customers.
Another way its better than the former location is it fronts the highway, which becomes Ute Avenue. While AV Solutions’ previous office address was on the business loop, it was offset from the highway and difficult to find.
If Hajoglou chooses to do some retail sales from the new location, the store is in a much better spot to attract foot traffic.
He hesitates to discuss that, though, because it’s not in his immediate plans.
“I tend to think that you probably have some benefit to it,” he said. “I think you would eventually reach those people, not because of direct foot traffic, but foot traffic getting the word out. I think you’d end up reaching the clientele we’re looking for eventually.
“I’m a little fearful that had we set up the showroom today and stickered everything up and made it bling-y, that it would take at least a year before we recoup the cost of just staffing the building to deal with the traffic.”
He’s sure people would come to look at the offerings, but will they actually buy, especially if it’s higher-end equipment?
“We certainly have some room to do that,” Hajoglou said. “I don’t know if we’re going to go that far.”
Whatever he decides to do, he has space, but it does come with one drawback: The larger location means a larger rent check for his business. But that’s OK, as Hajoglou said, “It’s worth it in the long run.”
Theater project completed by AV Solutions.
679 24 ½ Rd
MF Development Land
$865,000.00
Atten: Developers 5.28 acres of prime multifamily development land. In the path of progress. Zoned RH-24. Utilities on site or at property line. Possible income while in the development stage with building and shop on site.
Listed by Jalyn VanConett Broker/Owner
The Business Times
609 North Ave., Suite 5 Grand Junction, CO 81501 (970) 424-5133 www.thebusinesstimes.com
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Paranormal Cirque coming to town for 4 days, 6 shows
Paranormal Cirque will set up in the Mesa Mall parking lot, 2424 U.S. Highway 6&50, to perform six shows Nov. 7–10.
A news release from Paranormal Cirque describes its show as a “unique creation of combined theatre, circus and cabaret with a new European style flare.”
It also warns it is for a mature audience, say ing the show is restricted – anyone under 18 is re quired to have an accompanying parent or guard ian at the show. Also, the show has adult language and material.
According to the news release, “This innova tive horror story features different shades of sexy and an incomparable storyline. The only thing you can be sure of during this unique experience is that you will not know what to expect. It might be hard to divide reality and illusion.
“You will fall into a parallel world and end up surrounded by monstrous creatures with hidden talents that will amaze you with the circus arts. This show is NOT for the faint
of heart. You may have to catch your breath or try to stop your heart from racing during this adrenaline-filled performance.”
Paranormal Cirque also touts its performers’ abilities, saying, “A careful casting selection has united the best artists from all over the world.”
Show times are as follows:
• Friday, Nov. 7 – 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 8 – 6:30 p.m. & 9:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 9 – 5:30 p.m. & 8:30 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 10 – 7:30 p.m.
The box office opens on-site on Tuesday, the week of the show. Box office hours are: Nonshow days, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and show days: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased now, starting at $10, depending on availability. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.paranormalcirque.com, call 941-704-8572, or visit Paranormal Cirque’s social media accounts. Paranormal Cirque also will respond to text messages.
Photo courtesy of Paranormal Cirque.
Insectary begins work on new grow house
The Palisade Insectary, part of the Colorado Department of Agriculture, broke ground Oct. 3 on a new grow-house project.
The 880-square-foot building will expand the insectary’s ability to raise plants to feed biocontrol agents, which are supplied to agricultural producers and land managers across the state for control of noxious weeds.
“This new grow house will help the insectary rear more biocontrol agents, which helps the entire state of Colorado manage invasive plant and insect species that harm crops, rangeland and urban green spaces,” Palisade Insectary Director Dan Bean said.
The new building will allow the Insectary to control light and temperature for growing plants that feed the different biocontrol agents being reared. This includes the 14 types of insects currently cultivated through the Request-a-Bug program to help with invasive weeds such as field bindweed, puncturevine (also known as goat heads), tamarisk and leafy spurge.
The Palisade Insectary is the oldest biological control facility of its kind in the United States and has been instrumental in protecting Colorado’s agriculture and natural resources since its inception in 1945. Throughout its existence, the
insectary has partnered with farmers to develop and test biocontrol agents.
Initially established to combat the Oriental Fruit Moth, a destructive peach pest, with the release of the “Mac” wasp (Macrocentrus ancylivorus), the insectary has developed more than 90 different biological agents to control invasive weed and insect species over the past 80 years.
Noxious weeds provide poor habitat for livestock and wildlife and crowd out native species. Heavy infestations can make the land unusable.
The Insectary’s Request-a-Bug program provides biocontrol agents directly to the public. Coloradans can receive biocontrol agents for their use in their own farms, gardens, or backyards.
Each year, the insectary ships out more than 4,000 releases, which contain more than 4 million insects, to local weed managers, ag producers, gardeners, landowners, local governments and others to help stop the spread of noxious weeds and harmful pests.
The most popular insect available through Request-a-Bug is the field bindweed mite, frequently used by homeowners to combat field bindweed. These mites feed on bindweed, causing its leaves to curl, vines to stunt, and eventually leading to dieback.
Being healthy and fit equals freedom
Freedom means different things to different people. We would all agree that freedom in our country allows us to have freedom to learn, work, speak and enjoy life.
If you enjoy a healthy and fit lifestyle you also have freedom. This freedom allows you to perform things in life from daily chores to your favorite activities. Without it you may lose your freedom to do such things. It is never too late, and no one is ever too old to improve their fitness level.
Start with the basic four areas of fitness: flexibility; cardio; strength; and nutrition. When you combine these four areas you are on the right path.
Flexibility is more than just touching your toes. Daily chores such as getting in and out of a vehicle, walking through the grocery store, and housework all take movement from your body and muscles.
Doing exercises such as yoga will work on strengthening the core and improving posture. Your core muscles consist of the muscles in your pelvis, lower back, hips and abdomen. Think of all the small movements that you do in a day where you are using these muscles, from reaching for a glass from the cabinet to making your bed. Another major benefit of core strength is balance and can reduce the risk of injury from falls.
Cardio fitness keeps your heart strong and cardiovascular system working properly. Starting slowly, if you are beginner, will allow you to enjoy simple pleasures such as playing with your grandchildren or traveling. Walking, hiking and dancing are all forms of cardio exercise. Choose an activity that you enjoy. It will make you more apt to want to do it.
While starting slowly is a good idea, it is also important as you become more cardio fit to challenge yourself. Try different types of activities.
Strength training for all ages has become more popular in recent years and for good reasons. The benefits are numerous. There have been studies that show lifting weights two or three times a week increases strength by building muscle mass and bone density. It can also help reduce the signs and symptoms of many diseases such as arthritis, osteoporosis and depression.
Nutrition is also a key component in total health. Feeding your body the nutrients
that it needs will provide the fuel for you to not only feel better, but look better.
The first step toward freedom is to get started. Talk to your doctor about what is best for you and then, get moving.
Try a fitness class, such as a gentle yoga class. There are many beginner classes, as well as classes aimed directly toward the highly fit individual.
Ask a friend to join you.
Whether you are already on this fitness path or just starting, you will reap the freedom that comes from being healthy and fit.
F
Paula and Dale Reece own Crossroads Fitness Centers in Grand Junction with a downtown location at 225 N. Fifth St. and north location at 2768 Compass Drive. For more information, call (970) 242-8746 or visit the website crossroadsfitness.com.
Paula Reece
Craig
No, seriously, why are you running for D51 School Board?
Tell me you haven’t asked yourself this question for two reasons. Reason No. 1, it’s the obvious question to ask, and No. 2, it’s the question none of the current union candidates seem to have a good answer for – unless you count their answers stating they are running to maintain the successes of their incumbent opponents from the current Board of Education.
Because other than “I was a teacher” or “I have kids in the school district,” I really haven’t heard anything but platitudes and generalities from our (heavily) union-backed candidates trying to unseat our successful incumbents Andrea Haitz, Angela Lema and Will Jones.
And yes, I say that even though they’ve done several things I’ve disagreed with. Don’t think so? I’d urge you to just ask them if they’ve ever heard from me either personally or through this column. Truth is that every elected official is going to do something I don’t like, and chances are I’m gonna write about it. Yeah, that’s me admitting I just might be a local influencer.
But here’s the difference with the three public servants who are running for reelection on our school board: You can’t argue with their results.
Maybe that’s why when you look over the very professional, union-paid websites of the union candidates you see the same basic message: Either as a former teacher or now parent of a D51 kid or kids, they know what kids need and deserve for their education based in our values to create successful schools. Gee, even in its total generality, sounds a lot like what the current folks brought to the table and are already doing.
And you can add to the “I love kids” platitudes better teacher pay, improvement across the board in testing and grades and graduation, and fiscal responsibility for the current board. Which again begs the question: Why are you running? Because if the current board is already doing the job you are currently saying so desperately needs to
be done, why aren’t you out canvassing to get them re-elected?
So, it must be hidden on your websites, and if one looks hard enough, it can be found. What I found were these two things: To keep religion and politics out of the classroom. And while I am sure our union-based, leftist candidates will do everything in their power to keep religion (which isn’t there) out of the classroom, I would fully expect them to doggedly do the opposite in putting politics (DEI and other leftist agendas) into it.
It’s too bad another opposite is true. Our schools did better when religion (Christianity) was the basis in founding our education system and we kept politics (statism) out of it. Then again, that’s the difference between public service and public force. And in anything government today, it tends to be about force.
Except oddly, lately in D51, where for the past four years, public service, what’s best for the kids and fiscal responsibility has come to the forefront and is unquestionably working. When one is leading from those areas with a servant’s heart, there’s no question who to vote for. And that’s Will, Andrea and Angela.
I mean, the only other reason I’ve seen to vote for one of the union candidates was the “Dances with Wolves” op-ed in the “daily” from the triumvirate who desire to run the county behind the curtain.
D51 isn’t the Great Wolf Lodge. It’s a massive organization and employer that is responsible for our kids’ education with nearly a billion dollars flowing through it every four years that needs responsible people at the helm.
It’s a good thing we already have those folks in place. Let’s keep them 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
Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor,
Elections often come down to one question: Do we want strong leadership or weak leadership guiding our schools?
Our opponents have said they would have kept every school open and dipped into the district’s reserves to pay teachers. That may sound nice on the surface, but in reality, it would have left the district unstable and unprepared for the future. Once reserves are gone, they’re gone. And keeping under-enrolled schools open drains resources from classrooms where they’re truly needed. That’s not leadership; it’s avoiding hard choices.
Much of the misinformation in this election is coming directly from our opponents, who are backed by the Colorado Education Association. The CEA has endorsed them and is pouring money into their campaigns. Voters should take note.
The CEA has made it clear: Anyone who disagrees with their political and social agenda is considered “dangerous.” Their focus is not on better education for students; it’s on advancing social-justice causes and protecting their own interests. Don’t just take my word for it. Read it yourself at ColoradoEA.org under the “Advocacy” section.
This outside union influence should concern every voter. The CEA doesn’t have to live with the consequences of drained reserves or reckless financial decisions – we do.
Andrea Haitz, Will Jones and Angela Lema have proven they won’t bow to outside pressure. They’ve made the tough calls to protect students, staff and taxpayers. Colorado’s education funding isn’t getting better anytime soon, which means the road ahead requires strong leadership, not weak promises.
We cannot afford to let outside interests dictate the future of our schools. We need leaders with the backbone to put education, not politics, first. Andrea, Will and Angela have proven they are those leaders.
Stand with Andrea, Will and Angela. Stand with strong leadership. Stand for our schools.
Thank you,
– Ruth Kinnett, Grand Junction
Craig Hall
n Palisade Chamber targets all of its members with event
The Palisade Chamber of Commerce is hosting a member orientation with free admission and breakfast for its new and longtime members, on Oct. 17, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., at Wine Country Inn, 777 Grande River Drive in Palisade.
Palisade Chamber members can learn how to maximize their benefits, meet the chamber team, connect with other members, and get updates on recent projects, upcoming events and the many ways the chamber has been supporting the business community.
n ‘Run for Rivers’ to benefit Confluence Center
The Confluence Center of Colorado announced the inaugural Run for Rivers, a family-friendly fundraiser, will take place Nov. 8, 10 a.m., along the scenic Riverfront Trail in Grand Junction.
The event will feature a 5K run/walk, a 1K Fun Run for kids and activities, including a nature scavenger hunt and art project. All 5K participants will receive a commemorative T-shirt with registration.
Register online at confluencecenterco.org.
“We are excited to host this fun, family-oriented event and give our community the opportunity to see our new facility,” said Jenn Moore, executive director of EUREKA! McConnell Science Museum. “This run is perfect for all levels and will be a great opportunity to spend some time on the beautiful trails by the river as the seasons change.”
NO TRICKS. JUST TREATS.
The Run for Rivers will start and finish at the new Confluence Center of Colorado, 2596 Dos Rios Drive. The recently completed building is a hub for education, stewardship and collaboration around rivers, habitats and natural resources.
This is made possible thanks to the support of Shaw Construction, Grand Junction Sports Commission, One Riverfront, Mt. Garfield Wealth Management Group, RiversEdge West, Eureka! McConnell Science Museum, Camp Eddy and Amazon.
n Nurse-Family Partnership hosts Fall Celebration
The Mesa County Public Health Department’s Nurse-Family Partnership team is celebrating its clients at its annual Fall Celebration on Thursday, Oct. 16, 10 a.m. to noon at Long Family Memorial Park’s Mt. Garfield Shelter, 3117 F Road. The shelter is near the pond and children’s playground.
There will be free food, activities for kids, raffle prizes, community resource booths, and a baby clothing and gear swap. It’s also a chance for NFP families to connect with each other and share how the program has shaped their lives.
Given Halloween is close at hand, costumes are welcome.
The Nurse-Family Partnership is a program that helps first-time moms have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. It provides a specially trained registered nurse to support the mom-to-be during her pregnancy, and the nurse will stay connected with mom and baby via frequent meetings until the baby is 2 years old.
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