manda Russo lives in Moab and makes regular shopping trips to Grand Junction. So, when she needed to bring her car to Grand Junction to be serviced on Nov. 21, the trip doubled as a shopping excursion for her and Andrea Sierra, who accompanied her.
They made their way to Mesa Mall, 2424 U.S. Highway 6&50, where they spotted something that led Russo to immediately turn to Snapchat and post: “Look! My childhood!”
Sparking the reaction was Toys“R”Us, which marked its return to Grand Junction by opening that Friday morning in the Mesa Mall commercial space that previously housed fabric and craft retailer Joann, which closed in May.
Yes, Grand Junction, you can be a Toys“R”Us kids again. You can raise Toys“R”Us kids.
“This is my childhood, Toys’R’Us,” Russo said.
Russo and Sierra were Christmas shopping for their kids, and each has three to shop for. They stood in front of a display of Monster High dolls, trying to determine who among their children needed what.
See story Page 5
Cautious optimism for Christmas
Mesa Mall’s new owner expects holiday sales growth in line with industry projections of 3.7 to 4.2 percent— See Page 2
The Polarx kiosk near center court in Mesa Mall has been selling personalized Christmas ornaments for more than 15 years. Many of the ornaments are displayed in sections with themes, such as these family ornaments. Polarx owner Zar Ognyanov said he has built up a loyal customer base that comes back year after year. Photo by Tim
Harty.
at Toys “R”Us on Nov. 21, opening day for the newest store in Mesa Mall.
BELOW — Desiree Ruybal stands among the variety of colorful scrubs available at Scrubs Boutique and More on Nov. 20. The store opened in Mesa Mall on Nov. 14 and was a pleasant surprise for Ruybal, who is a student in the Medical Assistant program at IntelliTec College in Grand Junction. She said she came to the mall to shop, not knowing Scrubs Boutique and More existed. She said she’s going to tell all of her classmates about the store “after I get the colors I want.” Photos by Tim Harty.
First Mesa Mall Christmas for new owner
Mesa Mall has a handful of new stores available for Christmas shopping this year
Tim Harty The Business Times
or Mesa Mall’s new owner and a handful of tenants, 2025 marks their first holiday shopping season at the mall.
CBL Properties, which bought Mesa Mall from Washington Prime Group on July 29, enters the season optimistic based on national prognostications.
“We’re excited about our first holiday season at Mesa Mall,” CBL Properties’ Vice President of Corporate Communications Stacey Keating wrote in an email interview. “We expect results will be in line with industry projections from the National Retail Federation.”
The National Retail Federation, she added, is projecting holiday sales growth in the range of 3.7 percent to 4.2 percent over last year.
“Despite trade uncertainty and inflation, the consumer and the economy has continued to show resilience,” she wrote.
Of the Mesa Mall retailers, she added, “Overall, I think retailers are feeling cautiously optimistic about the upcoming holiday season.”
New stores this season
This is not a complete, official list, but Keating said the stores and restaurants that opened in Mesa Mall in 2025 include: Jjang Korean BBQ; Lupita’s Fashion; Miniso; Fragrance Outlet; Ko-Ni-Chi Claw; Dim Sum Bites; Pandora; Color Crew Salon; LO Nails; Scrubs Boutique and More; and Toys“R”Us.
Toys“R”Us is the most recent addition, opening Nov. 21 in the space that formerly
MORE ABOUT NEW MESA MALL OWNER
Chattanooga, Tenn.-based CBL Properties acquired Mesa Mall from Washington Prime Group on July 29 without any fanfare.
The deal flew under the radar of The Business Times, and our good friend Google didn’t show any reporting about it by other local media. So, it’s time to rectify that.
CBL Properties’ Vice President of Corporate Communications Stacey Keating addressed the acquisition in an email interview and wrote: “CBL acquired Mesa Mall as part of a four-mall transaction that included Ashland Town Center in Ashland,
KY, Paddock Mall in Ocala, FL, and Southgate Mall in Missoula, MT. We closed on this transaction on July 29, 2025.”
She then included a hyperlink to News & Views on its website, invest.cblproperties.com, for more details, which revealed a price tag of $178.9 million for the four malls. It also included the following excerpt from a couple paragraphs that went deep into the weeds:
“The transaction represents significant progress in the execution of CBL’s portfolio optimization strategy – to redeploy proceeds from non-core asset sales into stable and growing assets that generate
was home to fabric and crafts retailer Joann, which closed in May.
Among the earlier arrivals in 2025 were Miniso (Feb. 8 grand opening) and Fragrance Outlet (May).
Among the most recent Mesa Mall tenants are: Jjang Korean BBQ (grand opening on weekend of Nov. 15-16); Scrubs Boutique and More (Nov. 14); Lupitas Fashion (grand opening Nov. 8); LO Nails (Oct. 10); Color Crew Salon (Oct. 1); and Ko-Ni-Chi Claw (Sept. 1).
LO Nails, Color Crew Salon and Lupitas Fashion operated stores elsewhere in Grand Junction before relocating to Mesa Mall.
Holiday-seasoned veteran
This time of year the Polarx part of Polarized & Polarx takes the reins from sunglasses-seller Polarized at the kiosk near center court.
Polarx is an old standby for many Mesa Mall shoppers who come back year after year for its personalized Christmas ornaments. Owner Zar Ognyanov didn’t recall the exact number of years Polarx has operated at Mesa Mall, but he said it’s more than 15.
Ognyanov emphasizes he doesn’t sell just plain old ornaments. He said he tried that for a year, and it doesn’t work. What works, he said, is personalization of ornaments by hand, no machines. What he and the two artists on staff do requires skills, chief among them a steady hand.
“You have to really know what you’re doing,” he said, adding if the writing doesn’t look good, the ornament gets thrown out.
See MESA MALL on page 9
immediate accretion to CBL’s portfolio cash yield.” Back on point, Keating answered a question about what notable changes CBL Properties has made since buying Mesa Mall, and she wrote: “CBL acquired Mesa and the other three properties because we saw immediate and long-term opportunities in each of them. While nothing has visibly changed at the property, we’ve been working behind the scenes to onboard each mall onto CBL’s systems and platforms. Our leasing and redevelopment teams have been working to identify opportunities to bring in new and exciting uses.”
ABOVE — Amanda Russo, left, and Andrea Sierra, both of Moab, stand in front of the Monster High dolls display
It is being invested in, it is being expanded,” he said. “We are trying to be way ahead of that curve, so that we can be prepared when the growth makes its way through Grand Junction.”
The Grand Junction City Council signaled strong support during its Nov. 17 workshop for allowing the city to apply for a $5.07 million federal grant that could finally restore the long-vacant Union Station Depot.
Although the city is not being asked to contribute funding, and the depot owners said they will handle nearly all of the grant preparation work, city staff noted a risk remains that the city could be responsible for repayment if the project falters.
The workshop marked a turning point for a project that has been under development for a decade. The city’s support is also contingent on the group securing bank funding to cover the difference.
Major turning point for facility
According to the presentation, the Federal Railroad Administration grant would provide roughly 80 percent of a $6.3 million rehabilitation and site expansion, including structural repair, historic preservation, design work and the purchase of land for a much larger parking area.
Union Station Depot co-owner Dustin Anzures told the council the depot project already has key commitments in place.
“We do have a lease agreement with Amtrak for three 20-year terms to return to the depot as the operating train station,” he said. “They have a commitment to relocate into Union Depot.”
He added the project has statewide support.
“We also have support right now from the Colorado Department of Transportation, and their grants team will be compiling the benefit-cost analysis that will accompany the full application,” Anzures said.
Inside the building, the development team plans a hospitality-centered redevelopment.
“It is going to leave us adequate room to program a full-service restaurant, activate the trackside patio, breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as an upstairs cocktail lounge, a retail place and a public social lounge in the main hall,” Anzures said.
Future rail opportunities
Anzures highlighted long-term rail investments occurring across the West.
“We are no longer in a climate where rail is contracting. In fact, it is the opposite.
He pointed to Utah’s efforts to build an intrastate commuter line that would terminate in Grand Junction, plus federal discussions about reviving Amtrak’s Pioneer Route, which once connected Denver and Seattle.
Parking and site expansion
Parking remains a major challenge.
“The parking lot that is attached to this parcel has 17 spaces. That is clearly not going to be adequate for the amount of activity and the amount of hours that we want to be open for business,” Anzures said.
The grant would allow the project to acquire eight land parcels across the street, creating an expanded parking area that would also serve the planned Colorado Department of Transportation mobility hub and long-term Amtrak travelers. Anzures said a future phase could include redevelopment of another historic rail building into a boutique hotel.
How the agreement may work
Anzures emphasized the depot team would handle nearly all of the grant preparation work, saying the application would be delivered to the city in a nearly complete form, so staff would only need to review it and provide feedback.
“We certainly are not asking the city to make a huge investment of time up front,” he said.
Anzures also emphasized match funding would be secured without city dollars.
“We are talking to private investors, and we are working with ANB Bank to secure the line of credit,” Anzures said, noting private financing and existing grants are expected to meet the 20-percent-match requirement.
City staff caution about risk
Assistant City Manager Jay Valentine told the council the administrative responsibility is significant if it becomes the federal grantee.
“It is a federal grant, so it is not just a couple-page application. There is a lot of work to be done,” Valentine said. “If awarded, the reporting requirements and all that are a heavy lift as well.”
City Attorney John Shaver said the project carries risk for the city. See TRAIN STATION on page 8
Brandon Leuallen
The Business Times
The century-old Union Station Depot in Grand Junction has remained out of operation for more than three decades. Depot owners are pursuing a federal grant, which the City must submit, to complete restoration work. Photo by Brandon Leuallen.
Toys“R”Us opens in Mesa Mall in time for holiday shopping
Three-year-old Ledger Higgs was enamored with the Jurassic Park dinosaurs display at Toys”R”Us in Mesa Mall on Nov. 21, the first day of the store being open for business. He was there with his older cousin, Mahaley Sutherland, who is an employee of the store but was off duty that Friday morning. Sutherland said when she first learned Toys”R”Us was coming to Grand Junction, she was excited. “I thought it was pretty cool, because when it closed down, I was pretty sad,” she said, referring to the closure of Toys”R”Us stores in Denver in 2018. She’s too young to have remembered the closing of Toys”R”Us in Grand Junction in 2006.
Photo by Tim Harty.
Continued from Page 1
Sierra has three daughters, and the oldest is 20, but she said, “She’s still going to get one.”
The return of Toys“R”Us to Grand Junction was more surprising, because when Toys“R”Us announced in September it was going to open 30 stores in the United States, Grand Junction was not on the lists being published by media outlets.
A Sept. 16 article by PR Newswire said: “In the U.S., Toys’R’Us is expanding in a big way this holiday season with its partner Go! Retail Group, opening 10 new flagship stores and 20 seasonal holiday shops by year’s end.”
That was monumental news for the big-box toy-store giant, which closed its Grand Junction location at 585 24 1/2 Road in January 2006 and was decimated by bankruptcy and closed all of its U.S. stores in 2018. Toys“R”Us remained viable internationally, though, and has been rebuilding its U.S. presence in recent years.
An Oct. 21 article by USA Today listed eight of the flagship locations, which included Denver Premium Outlets in Thornton, CO,
and all 20 of the seasonal locations. Grand Junction’s Mesa Mall was not on either list.
However, when remodeling work began in the former Joann location in the Dick’s Sporting Goods wing of Mesa Mall, Toys“R”Us did not hide it was them. Large windows that run the most of the stores length were not covered, so anyone could look into the store. Later in the remodeling, the back wall clearly displayed Toys“R”Us. Then, shelves were stocked with toys, and it was obvious the store was close to opening.
CBL Properties Vice President of Corporate Communications Stacey Keating said the goal for Toys“R”Us was to open by Black Friday, and the store opened a week earlier.
Keating initially thought Toys“R”Us was going to be a popup location for the holiday-shopping season, but she corrected the information the next day and said it is going to be a permanent store.
Toys“R”Us is using just half of the commercial space at the moment, and it will close the store in February and do a complete remodel that is expected to take up to three months.
County holds firm on sheriff budget
Budget cuts target unfilled positions, not active deputies
Brandon Leuallen
The Business Times
Mesa County staff recommend commissioners stand by their reduction to the Sheriff’s Office budget in 2026, arguing the focus is on vacant positions rather than active positions at a time when every department has been asked to model cuts of up to 10 percent.
During a follow-up budget workshop on Nov. 17, county staff walked commissioners back through the sheriff’s appeal and the broader fiscal picture. Mesa County Administrator Todd Hollenbeck said a top priority during this time is keeping “continuity of operations,” which means the goal is not to remove active positions that are vital for maintaining current operations.
“These targeted reductions in the Sheriff’s Office focus on unfilled positions and discretionary accounts that have historically gone unused,” Hollenbeck told the board, adding later that the list of 18 positions slated for removal are all vacancies.
Mesa County Board of Commissioners and county staff meet Nov. 17 for a budget appeal briefing as administrators present the 2026 fiscal outlook and recommended responses to departmental appeals, including the Sheriff’s Office request.
Commissioner Bobbie Daniel noted all county departments were asked last spring to submit budgets that could absorb about a 10 percent reduction because of slowing sales tax growth, inflation and more than $10 million per year in unfunded state and federal mandates. Ultimately the Sheriff’s Office recommendation came in below that target, at just over 6 percent.
Fleet, other costs shifted to capital fund
Mesa County Sheriff Todd Rowell had primarily highlighted in a Nov. 6 meeting for his appeal that the Sheriff’s Department has been receiving a reduced percentage of the general fund compared to other departments since 2017, when the public-safety sales tax was approved by voters.
During the Nov. 17 meeting, Hollenbeck showed that the county was funding the Sheriff’s Department at $24 million in 2017 and current funding is more than $41 million out of the general fund.
“It’s pretty tough to say that the county has not been supporting the sheriff,” Hollenbeck said. “We’ve been doing a really good job in helping to support them and continue to fund their operations and make sure that the streets are safe.”
County Budget Manager Diane Dziewatkoski also spent time explaining how some of the costs that the county used to cover out of its general fund, including equipment and vehicles, have now shifted to the capital fund, which accounts for part of the reduction in general fund percentage that the Sheriff’s Department has received over the years.
In an email after the meeting, Deputy County Administrator Matt Lewis said Mesa
County Fleet now manages about 118 Sheriff’s Office vehicles that are purchased, maintained, depreciated and replaced through the county’s fleet budget. Each of those vehicles carries its own fuel and maintenance allocation on the county side.
In addition to that pool, the Sheriff’s Office operates 29 leased vehicles with a purchased maintenance program that is paid from the sheriff’s budget, while fuel for those units is still budgeted through fleet.
Sheriff’s appeal comes after recent unionization
Longtime local law enforcement supporter Mark McCallister, who helped pass the 2017 Public Safety Sales Tax, pushed back on claims that Mesa County is “defunding” the Sheriff’s Office in a statement to The Business Times.
“I’ve supported law enforcement from day one. I was there when we passed the Public Safety Sales Tax, because I believe in backing the men and women who serve this community,” McCallister said. “Since then, Mesa County has increased Sheriff’s Office funding every single year from about $22 million in 2018 to nearly $40 million in 2025, the highest in county history
“Commissioners approved 18 new positions and a 28 percent wage increase over the last two years. Sheriff Rowell never filled those positions. That’s not ‘defunding,’ that’s unfilled vacancies.
“The only thing that’s changed is that under Sheriff Todd Rowell’s leadership, the office unionized and is now asking for more taxpayer money to fund collective bargaining. Rowell has already announced he’s not running for re-election, and after leaving his own deputies exposed to an Attorney General lawsuit for simply doing their jobs, that’s probably for the best.”
Appeal rejected, for now
According to the county staff presentation, the Sheriff’s Department is projected to return up to $3 million in unspent funds to the county at the end of 2025, which factored into the overall budget reduction.
During the presentation, Mesa County staff disputed the claim that the County was “defunding law enforcement.
“We are fully funding, because we are not defunding anything that is currently being used,” Dziewatkoski said.
“Based on our review, we’re still recommending 6.2 percent for the sheriff’s office,” Hollenbeck said.
Commissioners must still adopt the final 2026 budget next month.
Tips for handling grief during the holiday season
The holiday season is a time of celebration and togetherness, but this time of year can also be emotionally challenging for those grieving the loss of a loved one.
“Grief is a natural and deeply personal process, and there is no right or wrong way to experience it,” said Lindsay Kampfer, vice president of hospice and palliative care at HopeWest. “The holidays can be a time of both joy and longing. As you honor your loved one’s memory, allow yourself to feel your emotions and seek encouragement and support when needed. With time and care, you will likely find ways to navigate the holidays while carrying their memory in your heart.”
Everyone’s grief journey is different, and the HopeWest team, which specializes in grief support, offers a few tips to help you through this season:
• Sit down and plan for how you want to approach the season. Consider setting boundaries, limiting social engagements and opting out of activities that may cause distress. Remember, you have the right to celebrate the holidays in a way that feels comfortable and emotionally safe for you.
• Make time for yourself. Take moments to relax, unwind and engage in activities that bring you comfort. Listen to music, treat yourself or simply sit quietly and reminisce about your loved one. These moments of selfcare can be simple yet extremely helpful during this challenging time.
• Incorporating meaningful ways to honor your loved one’s memory can also bring peace and connection. Light a special candle in their memory, create an ornament with their picture or prepare their favorite meal to share with
family and friends. These gestures can serve as a reminder of the love you shared and keep their spirit alive.
• Seeking support from others can also be beneficial. Connect with friends and family who understand your grief or join a grief-support group where you can share your experiences with others who are on a similar journey. If you’re struggling to cope with grief during the holidays, know that you’re not alone. HopeWest offers comprehensive grief-support services to anyone in the community, including individual and family counseling and monthly grief support groups.
To learn more about these low-to-no-cost support services, contact HopeWest at 970-257-2390, or visit hopewestcares.org/holidaygrief to explore grief-support opportunities near you.
Photo by Brandon Leuallen.
Train Station
Continued from Page 4
“It is a lift, and I would be remiss to not mention it is a risk,” he said. “If you receive the grant and the project does not go as planned, we would have to pay that back,” he said.
Shaver said the city can build protections into its agreement with the depot, but he cautioned that those safeguards are not absolute. If the project were to run into serious problems, the city could still face challenges enforcing the agreement or recovering costs, because legal remedies are not always guaranteed to be effective.
Council members express support
Council member Scott Beilfuss said the depot owners have demonstrated long-term commitment.
“We are looking at about three decades where that building has been deteriorating and slowly going back into the dirt,” he said. “Over the past 10 years, Dustin and Veronica have truly proven that they are going to take this project across the finish line.”
Council member Jason Nguyen said the depot represents major potential for revitalization.
“I think there is a lot of potential there,” Nguyen said. “I am excited to see, as downtown develops, what it becomes.”
Council member Anna Stout emphasized the significance of the deal’s structure.
“This is the first time the city is not being asked to put cold hard cash up,” Stout said. “This is the kind of partnership we should be eager to participate in.”
The other members of council also expressed support for the application.
Next steps before deadline
Grand Junction City Manager Mike Bennett said staff will put forth a resolution in December authorizing the city to submit the grant application. If the project is awarded, Bennett said the city will then finalize a subrecipient agreement with the depot to establish roles, responsibilities and compliance requirements.
Royal Spa brings relaxation, wellness to GJ
Bennett said the depot team must fully secure its matching funds before the city can submit the application, which is due Jan. 7.
Royal Spa, which touts itself as a luxurious wellness retreat, officially opened in Grand Junction at 2381 Patterson Road and plans to have a grand opening week Dec. 1-7.
In a Nov. 20 news release, Royal Spa said it is offering an elevated massage spa experience that blends modern techniques with timeless traditions. After being licensed in several states to run massage spas, owner Yana Zheng has come home to open her own spa in Colorado. Her team of licensed massage therapists practice Asian and Western massage techniques.
The menu of services includes body scrubs, holistic treatments, hot stones and essential-oil treatments. A unique eastern treatment uses the QuanTong Master, which integrates modern technology with meridian conditioning. It features 4 cutting edge technologies designed to restore personal balance and vitality.
“I created the Royal Spa to be more than just a spa; it’s a place where people can pause, breathe and reconnect with themselves,” Zheng said. “Every treatment, from our body scrubs to our tranquil design, is meant to nurture the whole person. I hope couples will come in together to share these experiences.”
To celebrate the grand opening, Royal Spa is offering complimentary body scrubs and exclusive massage packages for a limited time. The week also will feature big discounts, demonstrations, hot stone and essential-oil treatments and special giveaways, the news release said.
For more information: visit the website, www.RoyalSpaGJ.com; call 970-596-3633; or email RoyalSpaCo@yahoo.com.
Customers primarily want names put on the ornaments that they will turn around to give as gifts.
“Without personalization, no one would buy this stuff,” he said. “They want it personalized.”
And they want it from Polarx, because they know and trust Ognyanov.
“They know me. I’ve been here a very long time. They come for me,” he said in a way that wasn’t bragging, instead just telling it like it is. “They don’t come for ornaments. They know me. Every year I have new stuff. I innovate something new.” Christmas concern Ognyanov’s candor permeated the thoughts he shared about this year’s Christmas shopping season, what he has seen of it so far and what he anticipates going forward.
He doesn’t have hard data. Rather, he knows what past experience and his eyes tell him. Fewer people are making their way to the mall for holiday shopping. And
he said that’s in line with what he has seen for most of 2025.
During his Nov. 19 interview with The Business Times, which took place mid-afternoon, he said, “Look and tell him what you see.” The answer was just a few people, and he said that’s not normal, even for a weekday afternoon.
“It’s Nov. 19 and no one’s here,” he said. “(Mall retailers) wait all year for November, December, and this November no one’s here.”
Of course, December could be much better, but he thinks his revenues will most likely be lower this year than previous years, and he doesn’t think he’ll be alone.
Fragrance Outlet Manager Carmen Muro’s observations are similar to Ognyanov’s.
“I thought it would be busy now. It’s not,” she said. “Even on weekends, it’s not a lot of people buying. … but I’m praying.”
Ognyanov, knowing he has built up loyal customers, added he’s not worrying.
“I’m calm,” he said. “I’m good.”
F
Jayden Chapman, right, and Daeton Doherty tried their luck on the Spin & Drop machine at Ko-Ni-Chi Claw on Nov. 20. Spin & Drop is one of 25 offerings with chances to win prizes at Ko-Ni-Chi Claw, which opened Sept. 1 in Mesa Mall.
Photo by Tim Harty.
Moving on to bigger, better store
Natural Grocers thinks shoppers will notice expanded produce department and improved shopping flow
Tim Harty The Business Times
A lease expiring at the right time and an available building with better access and more room mean Grand Junction is about to get a bigger and better Natural Grocers store.
The exterior signage has been installed, and Natural Grocers is nearing completion of the interior renovation it had to do to its unit at 2405 Patterson Road, Ste. 300, in the building that housed lumber yard and homeimprovement retailer Sutherlands until 2019.
That puts Natural Grocers on schedule to close its existing location at 2464 U.S. Highway 6&50, Unit 124, in the Grand Mesa Center on Dec. 14 at 3 p.m. and open in its new location on Dec. 17 at 8:27 a.m.
The move was a product of perfect timing and opportunity and made sense, according to Katie Macarelli, director of public relations for Vitamin Cottage Natural Food Markets Inc., which does business as Natural Grocers.
“When our lease expired, we took a step back and looked at what Grand Junction shoppers were asking for: easier access; better parking; and more room for an upgraded shopping experience,” she wrote in an email interview. “The new site gave us the chance to stay close to our current customers while moving into a space that’s larger, more efficient and better suited to the way people shop today.”
The 18,799-square-foot unit, one of three commercial units in the former Sutherlands building, checked the right boxes for Natural Grocers, and Macarelli added, “We’re also hoping the proximity to the (Mesa) mall might help attract new customers.”
The new store is 3,589 square feet larger than Natural Grocers’ current location, and Macarelli said that allows for a more open layout and improved back-of-house space. She added, the expanded footprint “gives us more flexibility in areas like refrigeration, produce displays and storage.”
The large parking lot makes for “significantly better parking and traffic flow,” she said, and “accessibility, from navigation inside the store to simply pulling into the lot, is a key improvement.”
For things the new location will allow Natural Grocers to do better or offer for the first time, Macarelli listed:
• A larger 100 percent organic produce department.
• An open nutritional-education center.
• More space for more options of premium-quality products at affordable prices.
• A more comfortable, intuitive shopping flow.
“Overall,” she said, “it lets us elevate the Natural Grocers experience while staying true to our standards.”
Macarelli said Natural Grocers recently hired five more crew members, bringing the total to 37 employees.
She added, “This will help us match the increased size and service needs of the new location.”
When customers enter the store, Macarelli thinks the things customers are going to notice immediately are: the store’s larger footprint; a brighter layout and easier access, both inside and out; the expanded produce department; upgraded amenities; and improved shopping flow.
Those, she said, “will be big wins for current customers, and we hope they’ll inspire those who haven’t tried us yet to stop in and experience what a family-operated, Coloradogrown natural and organic grocery store can offer.”
NATURAL GROCERS MAKES REOPENING GRAND
Natural Grocers is hosting a Grand Re-opening Celebration on Dec. 17 as part of its opening day at its new location: 2405 Patterson Rd., Unit
The Grand Relocation opening festivities schedule is:
• 8:10 a.m. – Natural Grocers crew will hand out mystery gift cards with $5 to $500 value.
• 8:15 a.m. – Local food bank check presentation.
• 8:20 a.m. – Chamber of commerce welcome.
• 8:25 a.m. – Store manager welcome/ribbon cutting.
• 8:27 a.m. – Doors open to customers.
Rewarding shoppers
Gifts will be given to the first 500 shoppers as the first 250 will get handcrafted Ecuadorian ponchos, and the second 250 shoppers will get handcrafted Ecuadorian backpacks.
From noon to 5 p.m., customers can spin a prize wheel in the Nutrition Education Department.
300, in Grand Junction.
This photo taken on Nov. 19 shows the signage is installed on the exterior of the unit that Natural Grocers will occupy at 2405 Patterson Road. Natural Grocers is scheduled to open there during the morning of Dec. 17. Photo by Tim Harty.
Western Slope secures Shoshone water rights in historic agreement
Western Colorado elected officials celebrated what they called a historic show
which date to 1902, to be converted to permanent instream-flow protection when
The vote clears the way for the Colorado River District to take the final step of securing the rights in Colorado water court.
According to City Council member Anna Stout, who called into Wednesday night’s regular Grand Junction City Council meeting from the hearing in Golden, the Western Slope delegation had been in deliberations since early afternoon. Stout said communities throughout the region, including Grand Junction, Glenwood Springs and Mesa County, worked together for several years to support the acquisition and the long-term protection of river flows.
“The City of Grand Junction is participating in the acquisition to the tune of a million dollars,” Stout told the council. “Communities throughout the Western Slope have all given significant commitment. Glenwood Springs gave 2 million. Grand Junction was also one of the first in with official support.”
According to Stout, the Colorado River District and Public Service Company of Colorado negotiated the agreement that would allow the Shoshone water rights,
environment” and whether the proposed instream-flow use met the same standard. She said the board was “poised to make a favorable determination.”
Minutes later, Stout called back to confirm the vote had passed, adding the room was filled with tears and joy when the vote became official.
Collaborative Western Slope effort
Council Member Stout also said Mesa County Commissioner Bobbie Daniel was in attendance at the Colorado Water Conservation Board meeting representing Mesa County. Daniel, who testified at the meeting later, wrote in a statement on her Facebook page on Nov. 19 that the vote was “a historic day for Colorado and for the Western Slope,” adding the result was possible because “the region stood united.”
Colorado River District General Manager Andy Mueller told the Colorado Water Conservation Board during the meeting that the Shoshone agreement was “one of the biggest moments in Colorado River history in our state.”
See SHOSHONE on Page 14
Mesa County Commissioner Bobbie Daniel testifies before the Colorado Water Conservation Board in Golden on Nov. 19 during the hearing on the Shoshone water-rights agreement. Photo courtesy of Mesa County.
converted to protection when operating.
Colorado Water determining appropriate natural proposed standard. to make a back to adding the joy when effort said Mesa Daniel Colorado Water representing testified at the statement on her the vote Colorado and for result was stood united.”
General Colorado during the agreement was Colorado Page 14
Shoshone
Continued from Page 12
What does and doesn’t change?
The Colorado River District’s technical summary, included in the public-acquisition documents for the meeting, states the purpose of the agreement is to “preserve the historic operation of the Shoshone call” and to ensure the river continues to operate as it has for decades when the hydropower plant is offline. The summary also notes the agreement “formalizes long-standing cooperative practice” that has been maintained through temporary contracts.
The Colorado Water Conservation Board’s staff presentation contained in the Nov. 19 meeting packet states that Xcel Energy will continue diverting water for hydropower when the plant is operating. Staff explained that when the plant is not operating, the right will convert to instream-flow use under CWCB authority.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife, in its official written submission to the Colorado Water Conservation Board, concluded the proposed instream-flow right “will preserve and improve aquatic habitat conditions” and supported the environmental findings required for approval.
What was at risk if agreement failed?
If the right had remained solely in Xcel Energy’s hands, it would have continued to be subject to sale or change of use and could have been purchased by Front Range interests. The Colorado River District’s acquisition documents state that without watercourt approval, Xcel Energy would continue to own the Shoshone water right, which could be changed, sold or repurposed under Colorado water law.
The Colorado Water Conservation Board staff warned in the Nov. 19 meeting packet that “the existing operating agreements are sunsets with no long-term guarantee and may be terminated by mutual consent or changed unilaterally if the permanent conversion is not approved.”
The Colorado River District’s technical summary stated that “without entry of the final decree the Western Slope loses its only defensible mechanism for maintaining the senior 1902 Shoshone call in the river, exposing irrigation, municipal supply and recreation flows to diversion risk.”
Mesa County was adamant that joint management was part of the deal.
“If joint management is not adopted, Mesa County will withdraw its support for this acquisition. It’s not out of anger or politics, but because anything less would fail the people that we serve.” Daniel said, in “State says ‘yes’ to Western Slope’s plan for Shoshone water rights” (The Colorado Sun, Nov. 20, 2025).
Joint management ensures the Western Slope has a formal voice in how the Shoshone water right is administered.
The draft stipulation filed with the Colorado Department of Natural Resources states, “The State of Colorado through the Colorado Water Conservation Board and the Colorado River District shall be co-applicants for the change of the Shoshone water right to instream flow use, and shall jointly administer the instream flow water right in the Shoshone Reach in accordance with this stipulation.”
Duration of the agreement
According to the acquisition stipulation filed by the Colorado River District and the Colorado Water Conservation Board with the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, “The instream flow protection shall be perpetual upon entry of a final decree.”
The stipulation also says the parties must “diligently pursue approval in water court” until the decree is final and unappealable.
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
Denver vs. Grand Junction: Two very different retail stories
The latest GlobeSt analysis on Denver’s retail sector paints a striking picture: Leasing demand is slowing sharply even as rents hover near five-year highs. For Western Colorado observers, this invites the question: How does Grand Junction’s retail landscape compare?
The Denver metro retail market remains one of the tightest in the country, with vacancy around 4.3 percent, according to Colliers and Corken + Company. Prime corridors such as Cherry Creek and LoDo command rents in the $30 to $45 per-square-foot range. Yet GlobeSt’s October 2025 analysis notes that leasing velocity has fallen, absorption turned negative in several submarkets, and new store openings are not keeping pace with closures.
In short, Denver’s landlords are holding firm on pricing, but tenants are showing caution. Higher borrowing costs, construction expenses and consumer pullback are squeezing expansions. The result is a market where rents look strong on paper, but deal activity has cooled.
Grand Junction: Stable, Affordable, Adapting
Drive four hours west, and the picture changes dramatically. In Grand Junction and Mesa County, the retail environment is steady but soft, characterized by affordable space, modest demand growth and creative reuse of older centers.
According to the City of Grand Junction’s commercial market summary (ecode360. com), local retail lease rates average $15 to $24 per square foot, far below Denver levels. Vacancy hovers between 10 and 20 percent, concentrated along the North Avenue corridor and the Downtown area.
Bray Commercial’s Q2 2025 Market Report notes that overall leasing inventory in Mesa County rose about 16 percent year-over-year, signaling more options for tenants and competitive conditions for landlords. Despite that, transaction volume stayed healthy, and several major revitalization projects, such as the Valley Plaza renovation, underscore confidence in the market’s long-term potential.
Comparing the Two Markets
Here is a comparison of metrics for Denver metro and Grand Junction/Mesa County.
Retail Vacancy: Denver metro – approximately 4 percent (tight); Grand Junction/ Mesa County – 10-20 percent (ample space).
Average Rent: Denver metro – $27 to $46 per square foot; Grand Junction – $15 to $24 per square foot.
Leasing Trend: Denver metro – declining demand, slower absorption; Grand Junction/Mesa County – increasing inventory, steady activity.
Market Drivers: Denver metro – urban density, high costs, limited new supply; Grand Junction/Mesa County – population growth, affordability, adaptive reuse.
Risk Factors: Denver metro – tenant resistance to high rents; Grand Junction/Mesa County – aging stock, slower turnover.
Opportunities: Denver metro – prime space holds premium value; Grand Junction/ Mesa County – redevelopment and value-add investments.
What’s Behind the Differences?
1. Market Scale and Maturity: Denver’s size and national-brand presence magnify economic shifts when retailers pause expansion, vacancies quickly ripple through. Grand Junction’s smaller, service-oriented tenant base (restaurants, healthcare, local shops) creates a slower but steadier cycle.
2. Cost of Entry: High construction and land costs in Denver keep new supply limited, supporting rent levels even as demand eases. In contrast, Grand Junction’s affordability attracts small businesses and regional operators seeking lower overhead and com-
munity visibility.
3. Adaptive Reuse Momentum: Where Denver relies on infill and mixed-use vertical projects, Western Colorado’s retail growth often comes from repurposing: converting older big-box stores into medical, service or recreational uses. Bray Commercial has highlighted several such transitions, part of a broader “reimagine retail” movement transforming under-performing corridors into new community anchors.
4. Consumer Behavior: Front Range consumers skew toward experiential retail: entertainment; dining; and boutique concepts. Mesa County retail spending remains needsbased and local, buoyed by modest population and tourism growth.
Recent Economic Signals
• Sales-tax revenue in Mesa County was up 1 percent year-over-year through mid2025, per the Colorado Mesa University economic newsletter.
• Construction and renovation activity in existing Grand Junction centers (e.g., Valley Plaza, Rimrock Marketplace refreshes) continues despite higher financing costs.
• No significant new, ground-up, retail developments have broken ground since 2022, reflecting a focus on stabilization and reuse rather than expansion.
Together, these trends suggest a measured, sustainable retail cycle as a contrast to Denver’s more volatile pattern.
What It Means for Western Colorado Owners & Investors
For landlords, the message is encouraging. While Grand Junction’s vacancy rates appear high, quality space still leases and at stable, realistic rents. The competitive advantage lies in upgrading properties, improving signage and attracting essential-service or lifestyle tenants that serve local demand.
For investors, cap rates in Mesa County remain favorable relative to Denver, offering entry points for long-term hold strategies. With construction costs still high, purchasing and repositioning existing assets may deliver stronger returns than building new.
For tenants, the environment provides choice and flexibility. Compared with Denver’s premium rents and compressed margins, Grand Junction offers affordable expansion opportunities in a community with steady population growth.
Outlook
The next several quarters will likely reinforce this divergence. As Denver’s high rents meet slowing absorption, we could see pricing adjustments or incentives emerge in select submarkets. Meanwhile, Grand Junction’s moderate pace positions it for gradual, sustainable improvement, particularly if revitalization projects continue and local consumer spending holds firm.
Both markets underscore the same truth: Retail real estate today rewards quality, creativity and community connection. In Denver, that means curating the right tenant mix in premium corridors. In Grand Junction, it means investing in spaces that reflect how Western Colorado shops, works, and gathers.
Lori Long is a commercial broker for Bray Commercial Real Estate.
The Business Times 609 North Ave., Suite 5 Grand Junction, CO 81501 (970) 424-5133
www.thebusinesstimes.com
The Business Times is published weekly and distributed throughout Grand Junction, Fruita and Palisade. Advertising rates and deadlines are available upon request. Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the writers and don’t necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, editor or advertisers.
As the seasons change, it’s no longer summer, but not yet winter. Fall can be a time when exercise routines can waiver.
It becomes too cold to continue with many of the summer activities you may enjoy. You may even get a little blue, knowing that summer has come to an end and your favorite activities are over for a while.
Fall brings with it many other opportunities. Here are a few tips to keep you active and ready to embrace this beautiful season:
1. Take it inside AND outside
As the temperatures begin to drop, head back into the health club. Don’t miss out on a workout just because autumn is in the air.
Take a group-exercise class or work out with a training group. Mix it up! Fall is the perfect time to enjoy the beautiful Grand Valley.
With so many options to choose from like mountain biking and hiking, there is no reason not to get out and enjoy the scenery of vibrant colors. Go exploring. Hike a new trail or visit a park.
Raking leaves or doing some fall outdoor yard work is a great way to get the heart pumping.
Spending time out in nature and the fresh air does wonders for your mind as well as your body.
2. Layer your fall clothing
Learning proper fundamentals of layering for fall and winter activities can mean the difference between comfort or misery. It is important to layer while exercising in chilly weather. You may feel cold at first and then as your body warms up, you may feel overdressed.
Follow the “three layers” rule. Your first layer that is next to your skin should be made of a moisture wicking fabric, often called DriFit. This fabric wicks moisture away from your skin, so you don’t feel wet and cold. The second layer should be a warmth layer, and the third layer should be a protective layer, such as a windbreaker or something water resistant, depending on the weather.
Don’t forget your sunglasses.
3. Don’t be blue
Many of us get the winter blues as the weather gets colder and the days get shorter.
Waking up in the dark may tempt you to hit the snooze alarm, but don’t do it. With less sunlight you may want to avoid the blues with increased Vitamin D. Eat foods rich in this vitamin, such as fish, egg yolks and mushrooms. Remember, exercise releases the body’s endorphins that enhance a good mood and feelings of happiness.
4. Watch the treats
It’s been said the average American gains between five and nine pounds during the holiday season. This begins at Halloween and continues until the New Year. Halloween is a time when you stockpile bags of candy from the store for the one evening when a few trick-
or-treaters may come to your door. The day after, there is leftover candy, and the kids have a sugar source that will surely fuel unhealthy eating habits into the holidays.
Then, people just put off losing weight until their New Year’s Resolution. You need to remember that Halloween is just one day.
5. Plan ahead for the holidays
Take out a calendar early – like now! Mark off time for exercise each day. Schedule a little exercise between things on busy days; 10 minutes is better than nothing.
Keep your goals in mind throughout the holiday season. The time you allow for yourself through exercise, sleep, nutrition and organization will make the busyness of the season more manageable. Remember to eat right and buy healthy snacks.
Don’t fall into the trap of “I’ll start after the new year.” This is really saying that you will find an excuse no matter what time of the year. There will always be birthdays, parties and special events.
Enjoy the change of seasons! Fall is a perfect time to keep fitness routines intact. Instead of using the cooler weather as an excuse NOT to exercise, try using it as an excuse TO exercise!
Happy Fall!
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
Congrats Jason, I’m sad to report your boycott is working
Hello to our old buddy (yes, that’s sarcasm) who should have a long time ago been referred to as “ex-council member” Jason Nguyen. Yeah, I’m putting you in the news again after calling for your resignation or, if the new council had any backbone, removal from your position on Grand Junction City Council.
For my readers who’ve forgotten – and for your supporters who don’t care what you say – permit me to remind exactly what you said that should have sent you packing, “I think a list of businesses that came out strongly against this project is warranted. I’d suggest anyone who cares about safety not spend money at these places.”
Put into even more context in just how inappropriate and vindictive this statement was, consider it came after the new council had voted to cancel the “project” you and your progressive buddies had implemented, which was already putting these same folks you didn’t desire to be in your Utopian version of your Ultra-chic downtown experience for the chosen few in a difficult position.
Little harsh Craig?
Well, no. As someone who worked for his fair share of privately-owned small businesses in downtown settings, I know targeted, anti-business, government when I see it. Heck, I experience it every day as a small business at the paper. And yes, I’ve got quotes from those folks in my records. But like the good folks fighting the good fight downtown, I just keep plugging away against the left and its anti-business machinations; even through the emails from “readers” hoping my kids don’t ever catch something “life-threatening” or worse, living their lives outside my conservative ways.
That’s because small businesses like us want nothing to do with the government. Something busybodies in government have a hard time with, especially when they think it’s for our own good.
Back to Jason and his wanting downtown to be rid of certain business. We really need to drill down on it. What makes his comment additionally reprehensible is that on the surface he’d be fine with these businesses as part of the new downtown Grand Bougie Junction – except for the fact they didn’t share in his cabal’s Xanadu-as-we-tellyou for our downtown vision.
That’s a mortal sin to the left. Hence, the order going out to hasten these businesses demise via boycotts since Jason’s Jolly Jesters’ justifications for cutting off access via paint and plastic pylons got permanently punted.
Yeah, I’m having a little (un)poetic license, but this whole things ticks me off.
The fact is: Part of the plan on the traffic test HAD to understand it would be the
demise of many businesses. The resulting drop in consumer traffic flow (which was immediate and certified in this paper and via city council surveys) had to negatively affect business downtown. So much for experts who came up with the plan, because even an expert who graduated last in their class would know this inevitable result.
And even after all the damage being done by the project was obvious to most of the people of Grand Junction and Mesa County, Just Jason basically told his pals something to the tune of: It’s just not enough; these enemies must be punished. And he got away with it after offering not even an apology or statement saying he was wrong and we need to support these businesses, just the old political excuse saying it was a statement meant to be private.
And here’s the other point: The poison of your project and pontification still permeates Main Street. I say this because my paper route takes me the length of Main Street from First to Seventh Streets and this time I can add there was no traffic and plenty of room to park on every block. That’s the first time in memory I can make that statement. So, I took advantage of the space to stop and talk to a few folks. Wanna know what I heard, Jason?
I bet you don’t. Then again, you might just smile when you do. Just another reason you should have been kicked to the curb from council.
Those businesses you despise are struggling. A few of them told me they are down upwards of 40 percent this fall season. They could have a record weekend after Thanksgiving and it still won’t salve the possibly fatal wound you and your council buddies inflicted on them.
The damage is done, Jason. Downtown is perceived as a not consumer-friendly destination. Too many in our community still think it’s a hassle to get there, and your minions, who would boycott a hospital when sick if you told them to, are all too eager, as always, to strike their perceived “enemy.”
And that’s on you, Jason. Because in my experience, conservatives don’t boycott. Then again, they do despise making their way through messes the government puts in their way. Congrats councilman, you hit downtown businesses coming and going.
So I’ll say what Jason should have. Hey folks, let’s get downtown and patronize the folks who survived the insanity of the plans of our previous council. After all, these good folks are in business to serve the community, unlike those previous (and current) pilot project council members whose special interest appears to be special interests.
Even if it’s to give Just Jason his Just Desserts. I can’t think of a better reason.
In Truth and freedom. F
Craig Hall is owner and publisher of The Business Times. Reach him at 424-5133 or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com
Support Main Street this holiday season
Before the trick-or-treaters even make it back home, big-box stores flood mailboxes and inboxes with Black Friday ads.
But the big-box stores aren’t the only place to find a good bargain. Small Business Saturday, the day after Black Friday, offers shoppers an opportunity to find great quality items at a competitive price and invest in their community.
Small Business Saturday has become a great way to kick off the holiday season. What began 15 years ago as a way to promote local businesses recovering from the Great Recession has blossomed into one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Last year, shoppers spent roughly $22 billion at their local businesses.
The holiday season is a time to celebrate and express gratitude. Here in the Centennial State, small-business owners are particularly grateful for how elected officials in Washington, D.C., have stood up for Main Street. Back in July, Congress and President Trump made the 20% Small Business Tax Deduction permanent, averting a major tax hike at the end of the year. This federal tax victory will go a long way in helping our small businesses navigate an uncertain economic environment.
There was less good news coming out of the statehouse, with lawmakers: passing more red tape for our job creators to navigate; increasing their litigation risk; and eliminating the sales tax vendor allowance. Unfortunately, during the regular and special sessions, the General Assembly made it more difficult to be a small business owner in Colorado.
Between rising prices, a tight labor market and a decline in sales, small businesses across the country are heading into the holiday season with a little less cheer. According to a recent NFIB survey, optimism among small business owners declined in October, as job creators reported reduced sales and profits. And while many small businesses want to hire, filling open positions is becoming nearly impossible.
On Small Business Saturday and every day of the year, shopping small plays a big role in supporting our communities. In Colorado, Main Street businesses are the beating heart of our economy, accounting for more than 99 percent of businesses in the state and employing nearly half of working Coloradans, according to the Small Business Administration.
When you stop in at your favorite coffee shop, locally owned boutique or familyrun restaurant, your dollars go further. Nearly 68 cents of every dollar spent at a small business stays within the community where it’s spent and creates another 50 cents in local business activity.
Small businesses’ investment in the community goes well beyond providing goodpaying jobs for our friends and neighbors. Oftentimes, it is small business owners who sponsor Little Leagues, contribute to school fundraisers and help keep food-pantry shelves stocked.
This holiday season, don’t forget to shop small. Our local businesses keep our communities strong and our economy growing. When Main Street prospers, we all prosper.
Michael Smith is the state director of the National Federation of Independent Business in Colorado.
Craig Hall
Michael Smith
Permits can be purchased either online or at most BLM field offices. If you want to call ahead to check when helpers are in the workshop, you can find contact info on the BLM website: www.blm.gov/office/colorado-state-office.
The BLM suggests bringing a handsaw, eye protection, rope or twine, extra food, water and blankets. It’s also a good idea to have tire chains, a shovel and emergency supplies just in case. And be sure to use a map or a device with GPS to make sure you are cutting a tree in an area where it’s allowed.
Remember to attach a haul tag to your tree when you take it from BLM lands. After the holidays, please dispose of your tree properly. Many communities have compost collection sites for Christmas trees.
n Fruita council approves $15K donation to food bank
The City of Fruita has approved a $15,000 donation to Food Bank of the Rockies to help support Fruita residents experiencing food insecurity. The funding was unanimously approved by the Fruita City Council during its regular meeting on Nov. 18.
Food Bank of the Rockies serves as a critical resource for families across the Western Slope, providing fresh food, pantry staples and essential supplies through local distributions and Hunger Relief Partners, according to a City of Fruita news release.
“This donation reflects Fruita’s deep commitment to taking care of one another. Food Bank of the Rockies plays an essential role in supporting our community, and we’re grateful for the work they do every day. By partnering with them, we can make a meaningful difference for local families who need a little extra help,” Fruita Mayor Matthew Breman said.
For more information about Food Bank of the Rockies and how to get involved, visit its website at foodbankrockies.org/ws.
n Church hosts bi-annual jewelry swap Dec. 6
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Grand Valley will host the Third BiAnnual Jewelry Swap on Dec. 6 at 536 Ouray Ave. at 6 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring gently used treasures to the swap, where cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be available.
Items to bring to the swap include: jewelry; scarves; purses; wallets; belts; hats; and accessories. The suggested admission is $20, which serves as a fundraiser for the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Grand Valley.
You are welcome to bring items in advance and may drop them off at the church during normal office hours. Learn more at: www.grandvalleyuu.org/jewelry-swap.html.
Items remaining at the end of the evening will be donated to the Rainbow Closet.
Palisade seeks entrants in gingerbread contest
The Palisade Chamber of Commerce invites community members of all ages to take part in the annual Gingerbread Contest & Showcase, a sweet holiday tradition that highlights creativity and craftsmanship.
The Gingerbread Contest & Showcase is held in conjunction with Olde Fashioned Christmas on Dec. 6 in downtown Palisade. Participants are encouraged to build their best gingerbread houses or structures and display them for the public to enjoy during the event. Entries will be judged based on creativity, craftsmanship and overall presentation. Prizes will be awarded in several age categories.
“The Gingerbread Contest & Showcase has become a favorite part of our holiday celebration,” said Jessica Burford, president & CEO of the Palisade Chamber of Commerce. “It’s a fun, family-friendly way for everyone to express their imagination and be part of the community spirit that makes Palisade so special.”
Contest entry forms and guidelines are available at palisadechristmas.com.
Grants awarded for housing-related needs in Mesa County
The Bray Cares Foundation recently awarded a total of $30,000 to eight local nonprofit organizations. Grant amounts ranged from $1,500 to $5,000 to address housingrelated needs in Mesa County.
The following organizations received support through this year’s funding: Foster Alumni Mentors; Grand Valley Catholic Outreach; Grand Valley Peace and Justice; Habitat for Humanity Mesa County; Hilltop Community Resources – Permanent Supportive Housing; HomewardBound of The Grand Valley; Toilet Equity; and The Joseph Center.
The Bray Cares Foundation partners with the Western Colorado Community Foundation to raise funds and make grants annually to address this need as well as providing emergency funding throughout the year. Funding targets projects that provide emergency shelter and rent assistance, affordable housing and programs that help seniors, veterans and special-needs individuals stay in their homes.
In the six years since the Bray Cares Foundation was formed, it has provided funding to fifteen different housing related nonprofits and has raised a total of $580,000 which includes an endowment of $290,000.
n FHW adds robot assistance for general surgery
Family Health West’s new general surgery team, led by Dr. Andrew Morse, now includes robot-assisted surgery with a new Da Vinci 5 Surgical Robot. The da Vinci 5 robot system, produced by Intuitive Surgical Inc., is an advanced robotic-surgery system that allows for the most minimally invasive procedures possible, according to a news release from Family Health West.
General surgery is a surgical specialty that focuses on the abdomen and includes a broad range of services from colonoscopies to biopsies, vasectomies and gallbladder-removal surgeries. General Surgery at Family Health West, 300 W. Ottley Ave. in Fruita, will also include weight management and bariatric services and a vein clinic, the news release said. Family Health West patients can now receive gastric bypass and sleeve procedures, GLP-1 therapies (including Ozempic and Wegovy) and varicose and spider vein treatments.
One of the Da Vinci’s key features is its Force Feedback, which provides a more human sense of touch by allowing surgeons to feel the push and pull of tissue during procedures, the news release said. The 3D High-Definition Visualization magnifies the view of the surgical site and improves the surgeon’s view of details which might otherwise not be visible. As a result of these features, patients who undergo robot-assisted surgery can expect reduced procedure time, faster recovery and fewer complications after surgery.
The general surgery team is led by Dr. Morse, a board-certified general surgeon whose care emphasizes minimally invasive procedures, general surgical techniques with exceptional care, the news release said.
“I love working with my hands and helping patients get better, sometimes almost instantly,” Morse said.
For more information about Family Health West General Surgery, visit fhw.org/ services/general-surgery. Appointments are available by phone at 970-200-1740.
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