ith only about 24-48 hours’ notice, the adult homeless shelter operated by Homeward Bound of the Grand Valley on North Avenue closed for three days over the weekend of Oct. 10-12, leaving many people that take shelter there with nowhere to go as rain and cold temperatures moved through the area.
Homeward Bound said in a statement the closure was primarily due to grant-funding cuts and a lack of foundation support.
The organization announced late in the week its North Avenue shelter will be closed Fridays through Sundays until further notice. The partial shutdown caught the community and those staying at the shelter by surprise. No prior warning appeared on the nonprofit’s social media pages, and there were no public requests for donations or volunteers in the weeks or months prior, asking for community help in avoiding the indefinite threeday-a-week closure.
“I rolled up and got kicked out for staying between the dry box and the building,” said Catherine Moore, one of several residents interviewed outside the shelter. “They told us either last Wednesday or Thursday. We didn’t get advance warning. People have been scrambling to find places to stay. Somebody stayed under the river bridge on 29 Road.”
See story Page 5
bought three
relocate
Owning their future
Moon Mountain Minerals bought the building 2 doors down and is renovating its future home. — See story on Page 2
Jeremy Bergen stands in the middle of Moon Mountain Minerals, 338 S. Second St., a store he and his wife, Jessica,
years ago. Now, the couple owns the nearby building that used to belong to Simmons Lock & Key and will
Moon Mountain Minerals there once they finish renovating it, possibly in January. Photo by Tim Harty.
A Future Gem
Moon Mountain will get better retail space and some parking spaces in its soon-to-be new home
Tim Harty The Business Times
As the owner of a business that finds value in gems and minerals, Jeremy Bergen hopes to strike gold in property ownership downtown.
Leasing the building at 338 S. Second St. in Grand Junction since buying Moon Mountain Minerals three years ago, Bergen early next year looks to move two doors down Second Street into the former Simmons Lock & Key building, which he and his wife, Jessica Bergen, bought on June 13 for $485,000, according to the Mesa County Assessor website.
The property at 322 S. Second St. includes some parking, while 338 S. Second St. has no dedicated parking. So, parking is a precious commodity in that area between Ute and Pitkin avenues that stands to become more scarce as the City of Grand Junction works to complete its mobility-hub project in that area.
That mobility hub, however, will bring bus and train passengers, plus foot traffic from a pedestrian bridge linking the Dos Rios neighborhood to downtown, practically to Moon Mountain Minerals’ new doorstep. So, Jeremy Bergen expects that will be a boon for his business and a value enhancer for the property.
The road construction that has been ongoing on First Street and Ute and Pitkin avenues has been an obstacle in the meantime, but Bergen believes patience will pay off.
“We really see the large amount of growth which is going to happen down here,” he said. “And owning a piece of property, especially commercial property in this area is in our opinion a good financial move at this point.
“We really see that this lower downtown area is really primed for kind of exponential growth in the next several years.”
The former Simmons Lock & Key building comes with some challenges. It’s 125 years old, and it sat vacant – Simmons moved to 489 1/2 28 1/2 Road in 2022 – for the three years prior to the Bergen’s purchase of it. The renovation required for Moon Mountain Minerals to inhabit it is substantial, adding more expense to the investment.
“It is one of the oldest buildings in Grand Junction, which is also what kind of drove us to kind of fall in love with that building is. There’s a lot of history with the building,” Bergen said.
There’s also a significant risk, but Bergen sees it as worth taking.
“We are not looking at the short-term investments and the short-term costs and trying to recoup our investment in five or 10 years,” he said. “We’re looking at the longer term.
“Anytime that I do anything, I always look at like five-year, 10-year, and then later on, whatever it is. In a perfect world, we would own that building, everything would be paid off in 10, 20 years or whatever. Then, when I go to retire, I just liquidate everything, and I live-on-abeach-somewhere type of thing.
“And that’s kind of how we approach it is: Is it an expense right now? Is it a sizable expense? Yes. Is it something that we are comfortable taking on right now? Also, yes. Are we looking to immediately turn around and make a profit on that? Not necessarily. Would it be nice? Absolutely, but if we –and especially like right now as we’re going through the renovations and everything –we’re just spending money and not bringing money in on that particular building, and we’re looking at the longer term, we have-to-spendmoney-to-make-money type of mindset.”
Bergen thinks the long game will be rewarding.
“I see, because of the growth that is going to happen down here, that building doubling in value in a couple of years,” Bergen said. “And at that point, that’s a great financial decision. If you can double your money in two years, I mean, anybody would probably take that chance.
“Now, have I been wrong in the past? Oh, yeah, absolutely. But it’s a calculated risk at this point.”
Regardless of the property value, Bergen sees Moon Mountain Minerals reaping rewards in its new home. The renovation allows the Bergens to set up the store differently than the configuration at 338 S. Second St., which is a long, narrow building.
“It will be a space that is designed specifically how we envision it,” Jeremy Bergen said. “Part of buying an established business means that that business, the way it’s laid out, the way that it operates, is kind of somebody else’s vision.
“And so over the last couple of years, my wife – and I do not claim to have contributed anything to the vision of how this looks and has been laid out; it’s all my wife – she’s made a lot of changes, which have been positively received.
See MOON on page 6
— Moon Mountain Minerals co-owner Jeremy Bergen stands next to
Sorry, Chicago, we didn’t know
With help from Chicago customers, The Hotdog House is mastering the Chicago dog and more
Tim Harty The Business Times
Les and Coreen Edwards readily admit they had never heard of a Chicago-style hot dog until they started considering what kind of food trailer they’d like to operate.
Then, when they opened The Hotdog House for business at the northeast corner of North Avenue and 28 Road in mid-July, they started serving Chicago-style hot dogs. Or so they thought that was what they were serving.
They had all of the ingredients: Vienna Beef hot dog on a poppy-seed bun, topped with a dill pickle spear, sweet pickle relish, tomatoes, sport peppers, white onions, yellow mustard and celery salt.
But Coreen used sliced white onion – Uh-oh! – to the horror of some transplanted Chicagoans in Grand Junction.
Les and Coreen quickly learned what they did wrong via social media.
“My first hot dog, I had sliced the onions, so many, beautiful, and laid them out on my hot dog, and the first (social media) post just crushed me,” she said.
A respondent said, “Everyone knows you do not slice onions on a Chicago dog. You dice the onions.”
Coreen added that person came to The Hotdog House the next day and said, “I don’t want to be mean to you, but you can’t serve a Chicago dog here with sliced onions. You got to chop them.”
Lesson learned. Correction made. Chicago customers happy.
Les and Coreen were glad to have the feedback. They want to get it right, and they said their Chicago following has their back.
“People have been really helpful,” Les said. “This old guy and his brother said, ‘We will not let you fail. We’re from Chicago, and we want you to make it here.’ So, yeah, they came down and told me to chop the onions.
“Just so many people have been so nice – you know, that do know how a Chicago dog was supposed to be –so we’ve got just overwhelming positive response off Facebook and so forth.”
The Hotdog House exists for several reasons. The fourth of their four sons, Alex Edwards, will soon open a toy store, Tic Tac Toys, on the lot where the food trailer operates. Alex is still working on getting the building zoned retail instead of office.
In the meantime, Les and Coreen are each 64 years old and nearing retirement. Les said he has sold building materials for Boise Cascade for 20 years, and Coreen has owned a daycare for more than 20 years.
Les said a food trailer on the same lot as his son’s toy store seemed like a good way to help Alex with some bills until the store gets established.
Les said he and Coreen considered selling handdipped corn dogs. Then, they learned about Vienna Beef hot dogs and thought maybe they can sell both.
Ultimately, Les said, “Without an extensive restaurant background, we wanted to keep things simple and just go with quality. So, we had the truck built in Boise and brought it down and then are selling Vienna Beef.”
The Chicago-style dog is just one of the varieties of hot dogs on the menu, joined by the likes of a chili dog and a Polish sausage, and Les said they plan to expand the menu.
See HOTDOG HOUSE on Page 12
Les Edwards stands outside The Hotdog House food trailer, which he and his wife Coreen opened in mid July.
Photo by Tim Harty.
Shelter closes 3 days a week with little warning
Continued from Page 1
Others echoed that sentiment.
“We weren’t notified about anything. It was spur of the moment,” another man said. “They might have known, but we didn’t. It shocked us. We had to go.”
The abrupt closure also comes as the City of Grand Junction finalizes its 2026 budget and considers an unprecedented request from Homeward Bound for $535,000 to help cover its operations. The city had sent out a request for proposals for all nonprofits in the homeless sector to share a pool of potentially $500,000 for expanding to new currently unmet services, and Homeward Bound did not apply. Rather, Homeward Bound sent in the request for operational expenses outside of the RFP process.
During the Oct. 13 Grand Junction City Council workshop, the council discussed Homeward Bound’s plan to close the Navigation Center, which the city funds and which opened June 16, 2025. The Navigation Center had been created in anticipation of the city shutting down the downtown day center, which itself opened after former City Manager Greg Caton ordered Whitman Park fenced off in September 2023. The park had long been a gathering place where many homeless residents stayed and volunteers regularly provided meals and other services. Whitman Park remains fenced off to the community currently.
Council member Anna Stout called for Homeward Bound’s leadership to appear at the next council workshop to explain the situation.
“Given the latest news and everything that’s going on, I would really suggest we bring them here,” Stout said.
City Manager Mike Bennett told the council he had met with new Homeward Bound Executive Director Dan Prinster, and the organization had not requested emergency funding from the city to avoid the weekend closure.
“They’re seeking private funding to get through the winter months,” Bennett said. Homeless residents caught unprepared
When asked if Homeward Bound had reached out to the community or launched any fundraising before the shutdown, several people who stay at the shelter regularly said they had seen no signs of it.
“They didn’t do a lot,” one resident said. “They weren’t out asking for help. We didn’t know anything until it happened.”
Moore said she came to Colorado from southern Iowa and was in Aspen when she suffered an asthma attack in her car, and it was recommended she come to Grand Junction for help. Of the three others interviewed, one was from Texas and two said they travel back and forth between Arizona and Grand Junction.
The Business Times reached out to Homeward Bound and has not received a response, but we will provide an update when we get one.
Other shelters step in
As word spread about the closure, other organizations in and outside the
People gathered in the evening rain after being turned away at the Homeward Bound shelter on North Avenue.
Grand Valley worked to fill the gap. Council discussed how The Joseph Center opened its doors to take in a limited number of women and families. Pathways Village offered space for some of the most medically fragile individuals. Mutual Aid Partners posted on Facebook that a church from Basalt had brought food to serve in the parking lot.
According to council member Scott Beilfuss, the Joseph Center took in 10 of the most vulnerable residents that weekend, while Pathways on 29 Road, which is also run by Homeward Bound of the Grand Valley, sheltered approximately 32 people.
“There are people that are so weak and fragile and disabled that they can’t be out there,” a city official said during the council’s workshop. “Their lives are at risk after one night.”
Beilfuss also noted the Joseph Center provides case management and transitional services that help people move out of homelessness.
City weighs funding
The Grand Junction City Council is expected to hold a follow-up workshop in the coming weeks to hear directly from Homeward Bound leadership about the weekend closures, the organization’s finances and its future plans for the winter season.
Mayor Cody Kennedy said he spent time speaking with the board and new executive director of Homeward Bound and agreed that having them come to a workshop would be a good next step.
The city’s proposed 2025 budget includes the request from Homeward Bound for $535,000, which would be the largest singleyear allocation ever given to the nonprofit.
“Homeward Bound had originally asked for the $531,000 broken out as 225 (thousand) for North Avenue operations and 306 (thousand) for the Navigation Center, then just recently asked us to just move that all as one for North Avenue,” Bennett said.
By comparison, Bennett said the city provided $150,000 in 2023 and $250,000 in 2024 and had traditionally given about $50,000 or less for operations.
In addition to Homeward Bound, the city partially funds several other organizations that support homeless residents, including the Joseph Center, Hilltop’s Pathways Village, and United Way’s coordinated entry system. These partners provide family sheltering, transitional housing and case-management programs that connect individuals to employment and permanent housing.
Photo by Brandon Leuallen.
Moon
Continued from Page 2
“And so over there (322 S. Second St.), we will have a larger retail section, which will allow kind of a more, hopefully, grander view of how the retail is laid out and how it all kind of flows together.”
He said the new location will have less storage, “so we will have to be creative on how we manage that storage, but we will have a larger retail section, which will allow us to kind of make things flow a little bit more.”
There’s also a business philosophy decision to make about inventory, display and rotation.
Do they take the luxury-brand approach of sparse offerings and open space, putting the focus on a few items? Or do they take a thrift-store approach where the store is jam-packed with everything?
“The phrase ‘less is more’ always comes to my mind,” Bergen said. “And my wife and I, we debate this on a regular basis: Do we need to have as much of this inventory out here, just kind of jammed in there to give people options, or do we shrink down the available offerings, so that people are more likely to kind of have that fear of missing out?
‘Oh, well, there’s only a couple of these left, I need to buy one of those.’ Whereas if we have 20 of them, then maybe they say, ‘Oh, there’s 20, there’ll be 20 when I come
back.’ or something along those lines.”
He said it’s a balancing act with more questions to answer.
“Do you add more stuff out there? Do you lay it out differently? I don’t know the answer to that, because there is not a great answer,” Bergen said.
He also wants to keep in mind the traditional customers. Moon Mountain Minerals has regular customers in the Grand Valley. It also draws heavily on tourists.
“I think that our wide selection and variety is attractive to a lot of people who come in here, and they have said that repeatedly, that we have a great selection, great prices, that sort of stuff,” Bergen said. “So, keeping that is important.”
Bergen said he and Jessica looked at moving things around, changing the layout and orientation of things in the store, thinking that makes it feel newer.
Ultimately, they may rotate inventory in and out, so there’s always new stuff displayed.
They have a little time to decide, and whatever approach they take will show up relatively soon. Bergen thinks Moon Mountain Minerals could be open in its new location as soon as January, but given the surprises and hurdles he has encountered, he added the actual date “is a big unknown.”
MORE ABOUT MOON MOUNTAIN GEMS
Didn’t quit their day jobs
Jeremy and Jessica Bergen own Moon Mountain Gems LLC, which does business as Moon Mountain Minerals.
They also work other full-time jobs. Jeremy teaches computer science and cybersecurity at Colorado Mesa University. Jessica is a radiologic technologist.
Jeremy said Jessica does CT scans (computed tomography).
“She’s the person that if you go in for a scan, she’s the one actually doing the scan, and then it goes to a radiologist who actually interprets the scan,” he said.
He also said he better have that right, because “she’ll flay me alive if I get this wrong.”
He knows what people tell him
The road construction that has been happening on First Street and Ute and Pitkin Avenues for much of the past year, has not been kind to Moon Mountain Minerals’ bottom line.
“Our sales are down about 30 percent year over year because of the construction,” Jeremy Bergen said. “Is that just because of construction, or is it because of the economy? Is it because people are changing spending habits? Is it because there’s a lot of variables for it?”
He doesn’t know exactly, but he said, “I know that I can directly point to several customers who have said they didn’t come in because of the construction.”
Whatever reason for shopping is fine
Bergen said Moon Mountain Minerals has a wide range of customers, but within that variety there tends to be be two groupings of people:
One, Bergen said, “is people who are interested in kind of like the geological properties, the formations, the history of those, which is why we have a lot of specimens around here, because a lot of people are wanting, like, a piece of Colorado. … They’re fascinated by the geological properties.”
The other group, he said, is interested in the metaphysical properties.
“There’s a large number of customers, significant number, which come in for the energy property of crystals and the healing-power stones and everything,” he said.
As a business, Bergen said, it’s important to try to balance the two.
“I’m not going to say that I ascribe to the metaphysical properties of crystals, like some people do, but I can still appreciate that somebody does hold those beliefs and those interests and everything, and so we want to provide whatever we can to them,” he said. “Because, well, that’s where their interest lies and what they want to participate in.”
Bergen then mentioned a third group, the “kind-of-in-the-middle people, who think “shining rocks are cool.”
“We get some of those, which is perfectly fine,” he said.
lines.” with more there? Do know the not a great mind the Mountain the Grand tourists. selection and people who said that selection, Bergen said. looked at the layout the store, inventory in displayed. decide, and will show thinks Moon open in January, but hurdles he has date “is a
Home winterization
Energy tips and practical fixes from local experts
With colder nights arriving on the Western Slope, White Star Electric and Housing Resources of Western Colorado shared practical, affordable ways to make homes more energy efficient before winter hits.
Both emphasized one consistent message: Start with the simple, highimpact fixes first, then consider the larger upgrades only if they truly pay off.
Start with the building envelope
“Insulation is huge. Button up your house,” said Lee Eberhart, manager at White Star Electric LLC.
He explained that many winter comfort problems trace back not to highend systems, but to poor air sealing.
“People underestimate how much energy loss comes from gaps around doors, windows and under sinks,” he said.
Mike Stout, an energy auditor with Housing Resources also pointed to air sealing as a key.
“You can have tons of insulation, but if you don’t have air sealing to go along with it, the insulation turns into a filter,” he said.
His team often finds leaks under kitchen and bathroom sinks, where plumbing passes through walls or floors, in attic and crawlspace transitions, and around exterior doors.
“Weather stripping and sealing those gaps keeps outside air from being pulled into the living space,” he said. “It’s one of the simplest and most effective things a homeowner can do.”
Easy and inexpensive energy fixes
Eberhart and Stout went through several low-cost upgrades that make a big difference right away.
“Make sure you have LED lighting,” Eberhart said.
He noted modern LED bulbs can now be adjusted for color temperature, allowing homeowners to choose warm or cool tones without losing efficiency. For rooms that are often left lit by accident, like garages, laundry rooms and pantries, Eberhart recommends occupancy switches that automatically turn lights on when you enter and off when you leave.
“It’s a big thing for energy savings,” he said.
Dimmers in living rooms and dining areas also help tailor light levels to what’s actually needed.
Eberhart added another simple tip: Pay attention to phantom power use.
“Anything plugged into a wall is most likely using power whether it’s on or off,” he said.
Devices like chargers and cable boxes continue drawing electricity even when idle. He suggests using power strips that can be switched off when not in use.
Hot water use is another overlooked area.
“Wash clothes in cold water, most detergents are made for it,” Stout said.
He also advises homeowners to set water heaters between 120 and 125 degrees Fahrenheit and to install low-flow
showerheads and sink aerators to reduce the amount of hot water consumed daily.
As for windows, Stout said homeowners need to be realistic about payback with a limited budget.
“Windows can take 20 to 30 years to pay off,” he said. “Unless (the existing windows are) single-pane, you’re usually better off spending that money on insulation, air sealing.”
Stout mentioned using passive heat from the sun during the winter can really pay off. Open blinds and curtains during the day and close them up as close to air tight as possible during the night to capture and retain warmth.
Crawlspaces and attics: hidden problem areas
According to Stout, the crawlspace and attic are among the most neglected parts of a home.
“Crawlspace floor insulation needs to be touching the floor, no air gap, plus air sealing,” he said.
When insulation hangs loosely at the bottom of floor joists, it’s not performing effectively.
He also emphasized attic air sealing to keep warm air from escaping into unheated spaces.
“Stopping that air before it gets into the thermal boundary makes a huge difference,” he said.
Electrician-specific tips
Eberhart offered several additional suggestions from an electrician’s perspective. For homeowners who want to monitor their electricity use, he pointed out new breaker panels with built-in displays, including one made by Leviton, allow users to see real-time energy data without surrendering control or privacy through a traditional smart meter.
“They’re not cheap,” he cautioned, “but once you can actually see what’s using power, you start changing habits.”
He said automatic blinds set on a timer to close at night and open during the day can help trap heat after sunset and capture solar warmth in the morning. His company wires homes for powered blinds and other energy-efficient systems.
“Even a little bit of passive solar heating adds up,” he said.
No-cost energy audits and weatherization
For those looking beyond DIY fixes, Housing Resources offers no-cost home energy audits and upgrades for lowerincome qualifying residents through state and federal programs.
“It’s about a half day on site to assess the home, attic, walls, crawlspace, heating, water heating, lighting, and we run it through software that tells us what will save the most,” Stout said. After an audit, crews typically complete the recommended insulation and air sealing work within two to four days, followed by an in-house inspection and sometimes a state quality check.
Hotdog House
Continued from Page 4
Several weeks ago, The Hotdog House added an Italian Beef sandwich, another item the Edwards had never heard about, but the Chicago crowd made sure they got it right from the outset. Les said the au jus and Chicago-style giardiniera (a spicy vegetable mix) are especially important, and some customers like enough au jus on their Italian beef sandwich that it runs down their arm when they eat it.
In addition, Alex has been working nearly full-time at The Hotdog House while waiting to proceed with the toy store, and he’s added some fun hot dogs to the mix.
“He’s kind of experimented with some stuff and came up with some creative ideas that are selling really well,” Les said. “He did a pineapple-mango dog and a hot Cheetos dog. He’s creative.
“We’re going to experiment a little bit, but we’re staying true to the Chicago stuff.”
Alex also is experimenting with super fries and using chicken, pork and beef in them.
And for anyone who wants plain ol’ fries, Les said, “Our fries have got really good reviews. Lots of people told us we have the best fries in Grand Junction.”
Les said The Hotdog House can travel to events and has done a few already. However, the super-high percentage of the time it will be parked at 2800 North Ave.
Winterization
Continued from Page 9
“Primarily it’s here,” he said, “because I didn’t want to be moving around, and I want people to kind of know they could come down here and we’d be here.”
“We want to be sure every job gets done right,” he added. Results homeowners have seen
The improvements can be dramatic. Stout recalled an 1884 Victorian home in Delta that had no insulation anywhere.
“We worked close to three weeks on that one,” he said. “Their bills dropped by over half, if not more.”
Another project in Montrose involved an elderly couple whose furnace ran nonstop to keep their home around 65 degrees.
“Once the walls, crawlspace and attic were insulated and air-sealed, the furnace barely kicked on,” he said. “They could set the thermostat to whatever temperature they wanted, and it held heat.”
For older or poorly insulated homes, he said, “Those results aren’t uncommon.” Options for those who don’t qualify
For homeowners who don’t meet income qualifications, Energy Outreach Colorado’s CARE program helps households that have already received weatherization or earn just above the qualifying threshold.
Stout said Housing Resources of Western Colorado also has interest in developing a market rate audit program for residents who want a professional evaluation but don’t qualify for free services.
Stout concluded by encouraging residents to look for practical ways to reduce energy use, noting unnecessary consumption strains the power grid, and following even a few simple efficiency tips can benefit homeowners and the wider community.
Les Edwards begins making a Chicago-style hot dog. Photo by Tim Harty.
Colorado’s earn just developing but don’t reduce energy few simple already. percentage of the North Ave. “because around, and I they could here.” a ChicaTim Harty.
in Delta dropped by over nonstop to the furnace temperature they uncommon.”
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Tesla presence puts charge in nearby businesses
Tim Harty The Business Times
Tesla installed eight new EV chargers in the northeast corner of the Village Fair Plaza, 2691 Patterson Road, but unlike the shopping center's retail and service tenants, Tesla doesn't pay rent.
“There's no lease, anything like that to have them there,” said Ken Richards, who owns Village Fair along with his wife, Cindy.
And that's OK, he said. There's an indirect benefit to be had from the chargers that became operational in early September.
“Tesla was looking for another location, because the only one they had in town was at the (Mesa) mall,” Richards said. “They were looking for another location, more into town on the north side of town, and we spoke to them about it and figured out where would be the best spot here at the plaza for them.
“And then all the members of the plaza, everybody agreed and then gave Tesla the OK, and (Tesla) actually did all the infrastructure to install them.”
A Denver man named Dex (no last name provided) stands between two Tesla superchargers while his vehicle charges at Village Fair Plaza on the southwest corner of the 12th Street and Patterson Road intersection in Grand Junction. Photo by Tim Harty.
Actually there is one fee for Tesla. It's from the shopping center's owners association to take care of the parking lot and the grounds.
“Tesla pays a fee to the association to maintain it, to make sure the garbage is cleaned up, the lots are kept clean along with all the other stuff that the association takes care of,” Richards said.
People who use the Tesla EV chargers are likely to be at the charging station for 30 to 45 minutes, and while the car is charging, they can frequent the shopping center's businesses, grab a bite to eat at The Ale House, pick up beer or wine at Full Monty Liquors, get a manicure at Mesa Spa and Nails, etc.
“Having the superchargers there, as people come to Grand Junction from the east, that's the first spot they can pull off and
charge,” Richards said. “Most travelers, not local, are parking for a half hour or so, so all the businesses ... benefit when people are there charging and grab something to eat or something to drink or whatever. … That's the financial benefit for the businesses.”
That rang true for Denver couple Julie and Dex, who declined to give their last names, but they said they stopped in Grand Junction to charge their Tesla on their way to Utah.
Julie said they spent the night in Grand Junction and made their way to the EV chargers in the morning. She said it will take about 45 minutes to fully charge their vehicle, and that give them a driving range of about 335 miles.
Wherever they charge their vehicle, she said, “We always go to every shop that's around the charger.”
She added, “It makes people get to know Grand Junction a little bit more.”
Richards said the arrival of the Tesla EV chargers was about three years in the making, and the chargers are Tesla's newest generation of superchargers.
“They're what they call Version Four, so it's the fastest recharge there is, their newest, fastest recharging units,” he said. And there's another addition some Tesla owners may welcome. There's one pull-through charger.
“It's one of the very first in the state for vehicles like the electric trucks that are pulling trailers or whatever,” Richards said. “They'll actually be able to pull in and charge not having to disconnect their trailer.”
He said the busiest time of the day for charging has been late mornings, adding, “I drove by around 11 or 12 (on Oct. 7), and six cars were charging.”
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
Trust, loyalty are cornerstones of true business success
In today’s competitive business landscape, the importance of trust and loyalty within a team cannot be overstated. These two qualities form the bedrock of a thriving organizational culture, driving not only business success, but also the overall happiness and satisfaction of everyone involved.
Straub
Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or a new manager, understanding how trust and loyalty impact your business and how to foster them can make all the difference in your journey.
Trust and loyalty are deeply intertwined. When team members feel their leaders and colleagues have their best interests at heart, they are far more likely to reciprocate with dedication and commitment.
The simple philosophy of “If you have my back, I’ll have yours” encapsulates this dynamic.
However, trust is fragile. Once broken, the loyalty that existed can be severely damaged, sometimes irreparably. Rebuilding trust is a slow and challenging process, and in some cases, it may never fully recover.
Trust is most commonly eroded when team members are mistreated or undervalued. This can manifest in various ways: ignoring their input; speaking to them in a derogatory or condescending manner; humiliating them in front of others; failing to compensate them fairly; or neglecting to recognize their hard work and achievements. When such behaviors become habitual, they don’t just chip away at trust, they destroy it, replacing loyalty with resentment.
Another major breach of trust occurs when leaders break promises or lie to their team. Honesty is the foundation of any strong relationship, and when leaders fail to deliver on their word or manipulate team members for personal gain, it sends a clear message that they cannot be trusted. This breeds cynicism and disengagement, ultimately harming the individual and the organization.
One of the most effective ways to build trust and loyalty is through the “impeccability of your word.” This means saying what you mean and meaning what you say. Avoid making promises you cannot keep, and if circumstances change, communicate openly and honestly with your team. Transparency and accountability go a long way in demonstrating respect and fostering a sense of security among team members.
It’s also crucial to avoid taking advantage of people. Repeatedly asking team members to go above and beyond without meaningful recognition – whether verbal appreciation,
exploitation and mistrust. People want to feel valued, not used.
Reflecting on your own experiences can provide valuable insight into the importance of trust and loyalty. Consider times when you felt mistreated or undervalued. How did it affect your perception of the person or organization involved? Chances are, it diminished your trust and loyalty, and it may have even led you to seek opportunities elsewhere. Empathy allows leaders to see things from their team’s perspective and make decisions that nurture, rather than undermine, these vital qualities.
Treating people with dignity and respect is fundamental to building trust and loyalty. Team members are not just cogs in the wheel; they are human beings with aspirations, feelings and unique contributions. When leaders foster a fair and supportive environment, team members are more likely to respond in kind, valuing the organization and working to preserve the positive culture they enjoy.
A friendly workplace encourages people to give their best, collaborate effectively and remain committed even in challenging times. Recognition, appreciation and opportunities for growth are powerful motivators that reinforce trust and loyalty.
Providing team members with opportunities to learn new skills, take on greater responsibilities and advance within the organization is another way to instill trust and loyalty. This demonstrates that you believe in their potential and appreciate their efforts. More importantly, it shows that you care about their personal and professional development.
It’s important to remember that trust and loyalty are reciprocal. Even the most integrity-driven and supportive leaders may encounter team members who do not reciprocate these values. In such cases, it’s wise to let go of individuals who undermine the culture you’re striving to build. Effective hiring practices and a commitment to fostering trust and loyalty from the outset can minimize these occurrences.
Ultimately, the responsibility for cultivating trust and loyalty begins with leadership. When leaders model these qualities, they inspire their teams to do the same. The result is a positive feedback loop: Loyal and trusting team members deliver exceptional customer service, drive satisfaction and contribute to the long-term success of the business.
Trust and loyalty are not just desirable traits, they are essential for any organization that aspires to true and comprehensive success. By prioritizing integrity, empathy and genuine appreciation, leaders can create a culture where everyone thrives.
Marcus Straub owns Life is Great Coaching in Grand Junction. Reach Straub at (970) 208-
Marcus
n Xcel updates its electric-outage map
Xcel Energy has implemented a new Electric Outage Map that can be found online at co.my.xcelenergy.com/s/outage-safety/outage-map. Xcel said in a news release it made user-friendly updates designed to help customers stay informed and prepared as part of its commitment to making energy work better.
Xcel said the new map is customers’ best resource for real-time information about power outages. Customers can quickly sort by county or state to find data points during severe weather events. As before, they will be able to see the number of customers out of power, along with the anticipated restoration time if available.
The outage map is available in English and Spanish, and Xcel said it made the map easier to use on mobile devices, and it will be available automatically in the Xcel Energy app.
n GJ Lions provide calculators for D51 students
More than 80 NumWorks calculators were recently delivered to high schools across Mesa County, funded by a Grand Junction Lions Club donation and matching funds from School District 51.
“This donation of calculators from the Lions Club means that every student has the same opportunity to learn math and not worry about technology. It gives every student a boost of confidence in a math classroom and when taking tests outside of the classroom. It gives students the needed resources to be successful each day,” said Sarah George, chair of the Fruita Monument High School math department.
Leonard Little, the Grand Junction Lions Community Betterment Committee chair, said the GJ Lions this year funded grants totaling $150,000, benefiting 14 Mesa County nonprofit organizations.
n 5K walk benefits Huntington’s Disease Society
The Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America will host the 2025 Team Hope 5K – Grand Junction on Oct. 25 at Imondi Wake Zone, 1583 Cipolla Road in Fruita.
Registration starts at 9:45 a.m., and the event starts at 10 a.m. All proceeds support HDSA’s mission to improve the lives of people affected by Huntington’s disease and their families.
Team Hope is HDSA’s largest national grassroots fundraising event, which takes place in more than 100 cities across the U.S. and has raised more than $28 million
since its inception in 2007. Thousands of families, friends, co-workers, neighbors and communities walk together each year to support HDSA’s mission to improve the lives of people affected by Huntington’s disease and their families.
For more information about the event, email Monica Mayerle at mayerlemonica@ gmail.com. For online registration and donation information, go to rockymountain.hdsa. org/events, and it’s listed under the EVENTS tab.
HDSA’s Team Hope Walk Program is nationally sponsored by Neurocrine Biosciences and Teva Pharmaceuticals.
To learn more about Huntington’s disease and the work of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America, visit www.hdsa.org or call 800-345-HDSA.
n “Superbloom” art unveiled at roundabout
The City of Grand Junction installed new artwork by artist Alex Bond in the roundabout at the intersection of 24 1/2 Road and Four Canyons Parkway
In the proposal submitted to the Commission on Arts and Culture, Bond wrote, “The sculpture, titled “Superbloom,” is a large, colorful and whimsical installation featuring a floral-inspired design meant to evoke a sense of awe and a strong connection to place for both residents and visitors.”
Funding for this project comes from the city’s 1% for the Arts Program, and artist selection was completed by the Grand Junction Commission on Arts and Culture.
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