AUGUST 12 - 19, 2026
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Voters may decide if pool sinks or swims
VOLUME 33, ISSUE 31
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Forming CMU’s Future
Brandon Leuallen
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The Business Times
rand Junction voters could decide in November whether to approve a small sales-tax increase to renovate and continue operating the 43-year-old Orchard Mesa Pool after City Council members expressed broad support on Aug. 3 for placing the question on the ballot. According to City Manager Mike Bennett, the city does not currently have the revenue to absorb another long-term operating subsidy while also subsidizing the new Community Recreation Center, meeting debt obligations from previous projects and covering rising operational costs across city government. When Grand Junction voters approved the Community Recreation Center in 2019, the city’s long-term financial plan assumed many Orchard Mesa Pool users would transition to the new facility after it opened and the Orchard Mesa Pool closed. As construction of the Community Recreation Center progressed, many residents said they did not realize the long-term financial plan anticipated the Orchard Mesa Pool would close. That concern led a group of Orchard Mesa and other local residents to form the Save Orchard Mesa Pool campaign, which has spent the past several years advocating for preserving the facility through public meetings, City Council workshops and community outreach. See story Page 5
Colorado Mesa University’s Formation District is a campus quadrant, strategic development plan, community connector and expression of identity — See Page 2 This photo taken via drone in January 2026 shows construction being done in the southwest quadrant of the Colorado Mesa University campus, an area known as the Formation District. CMU has completed several structures in the Formation District in recent years, but when it comes to what the university ultimately wants to accomplish with the district, President John Marshall said, “We’re just scratching the surface.” Photo courtesy of Colorado Mesa University.
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Further Formation evident at CMU
Apartment building and dining hall featuring Panera Bread are the Formation District’s newest additions Tim Harty
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The Business Times
ith the Ember Eatery now open and students about to populate the new Centennial Village Apartments, Colorado Mesa University’s future continues to take shape. Or form. That’s the key word in the university’s strategic plan for the southwest quadrant of its campus, because it’s called the Formation District. Those new student-housing and campus-dining options are the most recent completed projects in that plan, which envisions Colorado Mesa further weaving itself into the fabric of Grand Junction. CMU President John Marshall is intent on that, because there’s great value in the integration for the university and the community at large. Both benefit from it, and it doesn’t require Colorado Mesa economics professor Nathan Perry to explain it, which he would do splendidly, by the way. The Formation District is the logical campus real estate for multi-use development that dissolves the conception that the university is an isolated community within the community. If you could pick up CMU’s campus, just drop it in any other city in America and it would go on with life as usual – as Marshall suggests you could do with many Ivy League universities – then he’d say he has failed as president. “I hope that is never true for us,” he said. “I hope that we’re so woven into the fabric of this place that you couldn’t take this university and city apart with a crowbar. Like, we are one.” The Formation District is designed to welcome the outside in. See a play at Asteria Theatre, which opened in 2024 and is touted as one of the district’s anchors. Dine among the college students at the Ember Eatery, which brought the likes of Panera Bread and Jamba (formerly Jamba Juice) to the Grand Valley. Stay at Hotel Maverick, another district anchor, which opened in 2020 and as a higher-end boutique hotel is something Marshall said the Grand Valley did not have previously. Marshall can and does wax poetic about the Formation District, whether it’s the district’s past (its conception goes back 20 years), present or future (the plan doesn’t come with a sunset date). He did that for The Business Times on Aug. 5, starting with, “We have envisioned that to be something very different than the rest of campus.” Then, he said, “And here’s what I mean by that,” and Marshall exhaled the following: “The rest of campus is a gorgeous, residential, very walkable, ride your bike, skateboard around campus, with very common architecture, very common design, very great spaces for students to gather and study and enjoy. We’re a Tree Campus USA. We have groundskeepers that love and are very passionate about their job. It feels good. “But this campus also needs an additional element, we think, which is something that looks like a commercial, residential, academic and retail, mixed-use district that will add vibrancy, not just to the campus, but to the city. And so it’s not intended to replace the big-box stuff out on (Highway) 6 and 50. It’s not intended to replace the historic Main Street. It’s intended to be additive for our community. See COLORADO MESA on Page 4
ABOVE — Colorado Mesa University is opening a new student-housing option, Centennial Village Apartments, to its second-year-and-above students. The apartment complex and Ember Eatery were completed in time for the 2026 fall semester, which begins Aug. 17. Photo courtesy of Colorado Mesa University. BELOW — People gather and dine near the Panera Bread restaurant inside CMU’s Ember Eatery on Aug. 5, the first day of the new dining hall’s soft opening. Photo by Tim Harty.
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After asbestos remediation concludes on those four buildings, Marshall said they Continued from Page 2 “So, you’ve got this mixed-use district that’s starting to take shape, where students in the probably will be “torn down for parking as soon as we can reasonably do that.” Parking is a precious commodity on CMU’s campus, which is why one of the next community, retailers and the like can set up shop, but then you could also inject into this some version of commercial and academic. So, right now, if you go to Boulder, you see this really Formation District projects people will see is a multi-use parking structure. It will add more than vibrant space where academics and startups and entrepreneurs and business people are taking 500 parking spaces, including spots for Grand Valley residents who come to the campus to dine advantage of that dynamism, right? Smart young people who are working on a mechanical or shop or go to the theatre, etc. Work is ongoing on the parking structure as well as another suite-style residence hall engineering degree, but maybe they’re also walking next door to a software startup, or something that will be immediately south like that maybe sets up shop here. of Asteria Theatre. Those two “That dynamism of a projects represent the Formation university campus is where District’s priorities of parking it really starts to crank as an and beds. engine for the economy. That’s “Because,” Marshall said, something that we see as a “I think any good developer will future in this Formation District. tell you that if you’re gonna do a So, it’s a place people want to mixed-use development, you gotta be. It’s a place people want to have humans. So we’ve got to work. It’s a place people want to have beds kind of anchoring that.” invent and build and create and After that, he anticipates a place people want to enjoy some retail pad sites in the culture and recreate.” near future, and “that’ll be And now you know what our opportunity to begin a Marshall means. conversation with potential While Colorado Mesa retailers that want to be interior has placed a few key pieces in to campus, want to have a the southwest quadrant in the footprint in the Formation past six years, that was only District and access to both possible because it started community and student traffic.” acquiring property 30 years ago Because the Formation (when CMU was Mesa State District has to be patient (more College) inside the rectangle properties still to buy to clear that is formed by 12th Street, North Avenue, Seventh Street A crowd of people associated with Colorado Mesa University gathered for lunch at the university’s space), it does not have strict and Orchard Avenue. Marshall Ember Eatery on Aug. 5, the first day of a soft opening for the new dining hall, which is part of CMU’s timetables or rigid plans. It has credited the likes of Mesa State Formation District. Ember Eatery features Panera Bread, Jamba (formerly Jamba Juice), Unbranded to be adaptable, take things as they come, but CMU’s braintrust president Ray Kieft, Enstrom Grill, Fire Ramen, EAT> Food Market and Tilt Tap Wall. Photo by Tim Harty. can still dare to dream. Candies owners Doug and Marshall said one of the concepts that’s been discussed with CMU’s development Jamee Simons and the City of Grand Junction for kickstarting the property purchasing. Then, after Tim Foster became Mesa State’s president in 2004, “that goes into partners and architect partners is the Seventh Street and North Avenue corner as a big, hyperdrive,” Marshall said. “Tim really had a vision for how to make that work and inviting pedestrian space that welcomes the community in. He thinks it would be ideal for a small grocery store, like a Trader Joe’s, maybe an Apple store, Sephora, just to name a few. started acquiring property.” He’s more certain about the next academic building that Colorado Mesa will build: While Colorado Mesa has attained most of the property in that Orchard-12th-NorthSeventh rectangle, properties owned by others remain. Among them were four properties “an engineering complex that’ll be anchored by construction management probably.” With a diagram of the campus in front of him, Marshall said, “All of those things are in the 700 block of North Ave. between Fiesta Guadalajara restaurant and the Subway sandwich shop. That was until CMU bought two of them in December last year, then just shapes on a page over here right now. But little by little, I think you’re going to see us start to build that out.” bought the other two in May this year. The Formation District has a distinct character in terms of the design elements of its “We’ve been in a conversation with those retailers for 20 years, and all of a sudden structures, and Marshall said that is intentional. all four of them hit,” Marshall said. “The idea,” he said, “is that when you’re in the Formation District, you know it, and “It’s funny,” he added, “these things sort of ebb and flow. … In some years, we don’t it has a very distinct feel in terms of attracting the community and businesses.” make a lot of progress. In other years it feels like the dam breaks, and we get a bunch.”
More About Colorado Mesa University’s Formation District What is the Formation District? Summarizing a Colorado Mesa University summary sheet: The Formation District is a developing mixed-use area in the southwest quadrant of Colorado Mesa University’s 141-acre main campus in Grand Junction. More than a collection of buildings, it is a deliberate expression of CMU’s identity, a place where the university’s deep connection to the Western landscape and the soul of the West comes to life through architecture, views, gathering spaces and daily experience. As CMU continues to grow, the Formation District will offer modern housing, vibrant dining and retail, arts and culture, and intimate gathering spaces. The Formation District serves as a southern gateway to the university, anchored by Hotel Maverick and the Asteria Theatre and situated near other arts, housing and campus-life facilities. The district is both a destination and a connective thread between campus and community. It is designed to foster connection, curiosity, and community. Creating a new North Avenue campus entrance Access to the Formation District will include a new Ninth Street entrance from North Avenue. It will tie in with the City of Grand Junction’s improvements to Ninth Street, such as bicycle lanes, and connect the downtown area and CMU.
The Ninth Street entrance to the Formation District also will create efficiency for visitors and Grand Valley residents to access amenities such as the Ember Eatery and Asteria Theatre. Colorado Mesa President John Marshall said the Ninth Street entrance was recommended by design architects. “So, we took that recommendation and kind of pondered it and started sketching up what that would look like, and for a whole host of reasons it makes a ton of sense,” Marshall said. “It makes more sense to have a traffic signal halfway between 7th and 12th, so you don’t create weird traffic and loading problems. “It makes a lot of sense to get rid of Cannell (Avenue). It’s just not safe. It’s got that dog leg in it. There’s a lot of cars in that area. There’s shopping. There’s not great visibility. It’s just not a safe ingress/egress onto a state highway like North Avenue.” Marshall added the Ninth Street entrance off North Avenue will bring drivers right to the front door of the Formation District. “Think front door of Asteria Theatre, the Ember Eatery, apartments and … a whole mixed-use shopping district,” he said. “All that, we think, is best accessed by this. And so we’ll be working with the city and CDOT over the coming years to try and bring all of those kind of sensible improvements into alignment.”
August 12 - 19, 2026
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Orchard Mesa Pool moves closer said they to November ballot
f the nextContinued from Page 1 The campaign’s efforts helped keep more than the issue before city leaders and ultimately pus to dine contributed to the council’s decision dence hallto consider placing the question before ely southvoters. Bennett said the new recreation center is expected to hose two be open toward the ormation end of September this parking year. Council members hall said, said they are willing loper will to move the proposal onna do a toward the ballot after you gotta a statistically valid ve got to community survey ring that.” Mike Bennett found residents were nticipates divided on whether s in the they would support hat’ll be a tax increase, but begin a they strongly favored potential allowing voters to e interior make the decision have a themselves. While ormation 43 percent opposed to both increasing taxes and t traffic.” Jay Valentine taking on debt to ormation renovate the pool, 38 percent supported ent (more it and 19 percent were neutral. However, to clear 66 percent said the city should place the ave strict question on the November ballot, while ns. It has only 16 percent opposed allowing voters things as to decide. braintrust Council member Cody Kennedy said the survey reflected what the council had elopment discussed for months. as a big, “I think we as a council had said deal for a that if there was community support on me a few. the survey, that we would put this on the will build: ballot,” Kennedy said. ably.” hings are Structural deficit limits city’s options Bennett said the Orchard Mesa Pool ng to see discussion should also keep in context the ents of itscity’s broader financial picture and that a new tax would be required to fix the pool ow it, andand pay for operations as the city is already short on operational dollars. “We are working through a structural deficit,” Bennett said. He said the city has reduced spending, found operational efficiencies and experienced revenue growth, but those improvements have not kept pace with rising operating costs or the increasing demand for city services. While Bennett outlined the city’s current structural deficit, some of the underlying financial pressures developed before he became city manager in December 2024. Those include commitments made under previous city manager Greg Caton and prior city councils, along with the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bennett also cited inflation and rapidly increasing construction costs as contributing factors. Among the existing financial obligations Bennett highlighted are approximately $1 million annually in debt payments associated with the Dos Rios development, where anticipated revenues have not yet materialized, and more than
$2 million each year subsidizing fire and emergency services provided under contract to the Grand Junction Rural Fire Protection District. At the same time, the city is working to increase police and fire staffing, maintain roads and parks, and address other infrastructure needs. Bennett said the city is facing a structural budget deficit, but it is not currently seeking a broader tax increase to address it, instead focusing first on restructuring, efficiencies and revenue growth. “I think we have to prove to the community that we’re doing everything we can,” he said. “First, we have to look at structural changes, things like how we work and partner with the rural fire district, how we adjust our economic development plans, and all those types of things, along with the efforts that we’re working on in economic development to increase sales-tax revenues. Likely, when we get to those places, when you boil it down, public safety in both police and fire, and transportation, tend to be the top priorities when it comes to those needs and the dollar amounts that we have.” City of Grand Junction Chief Financial Officer Jay Valentine said the proposed sales-tax increase would be relatively small, but he cautioned that every increase carries potential consequences. He said higher local sales taxes can encourage some shoppers to make purchases outside the city, and he warned that asking voters to approve additional taxes for the Orchard Mesa Pool could also contribute to “voter fatigue,” making it more difficult to gain support for future ballot measures. “I think as your sales-tax rate increases, there’s two things that possibly could happen,” Valentine said. “You could start to erode that tax base... Also, there’s just the voter fatigue with too many. If we do have a future vote for a tax increase, I think there’s the worry of voter fatigue on multiple issuances.” What would voters be paying for? The Orchard Mesa Pool is owned by Mesa County Valley School District 51, but it historically has been operated by the City of Grand Junction as part of a threeway partnership that also included Mesa County. Mesa County previously withdrew from that partnership, followed by District 51’s decision to leave the pool business. A previous City Council negotiated a two-year extension allowing the city to continue operating the facility while the new rec center was being built and exploring whether it could be preserved. District 51 plans to demolish the pool after the current agreement expires at the end of 2026 unless another long-term solution is reached. Parks and Recreation Director Ken Sherbenou emphasized the proposal is not intended to build a larger or more elaborate aquatic center. Instead, the project focuses on replacing aging mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems, repairing deteriorating infrastructure and extending the life of the existing pool by an estimated 40 years. See ORCHARD MESA POOL on Page 10
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Museums of Western Colorado plan for combined natural history museum
The Museums of Western Colorado plans to reduce its three locations to one, creating visitor experiences, improved accessibility and stronger stewardship of the museums’ a combined, multidisciplinary natural history museum campus in Fruita, where Dinosaur collections. Journey currently resides. ● Position Museums of Western Colorado for long-term financial sustainability by Museum of the West will move from its downtown Grand Junction location to the focusing resources where they can have the greatest lasting impact. Fruita site throughout 2027, and Cross Orchards Historic Site in Fruitvale will conclude ● Move forward through a thoughtful, phased approach supported by continued its public operations in 2027, the Museums of Western Colorado said in a news release. planning, fundraising, partnerships and community engagement. Deeming the changes a revitalization, Museums of Western Colorado said it is “This decision is about much more than a location,” Museums of Western Colorado designed to “strengthen the museum’s long-term sustainability, expand educational Executive Director Shenna Hayden said. “By selecting a clear direction, we can now move opportunities, improve stewardship of its collections and create a destination unlike any confidently into a healthy future for the museums of Western Colorado by continuing other in the Rocky Mountain West.” to engage our region, refine our vision, The news release said the board’s utilize resources sustainably and build vision is to create a destination that the partnerships needed to bring it to celebrates the interconnected story of life.” the Colorado Plateau, from deep time According to the news release, the and dinosaurs to indigenous cultures, Aug. 1 vote establishes the strategic early settlement, agriculture, water, direction for the Museum Revitalization industry and the communities that Initiative and marks the beginning of the continue to shape Western Colorado. next phase of planning. By bringing these stories together The first visible step in this vision has on one campus, Museums of Western begun. Museums of Western Colorado Colorado aims to strengthen education, is working with community partners to scientific research, tourism and bring a full-scale brachiosaurus to the community engagement while creating Grand Junction Regional Airport. The a lasting resource for future generations. installation will welcome visitors to the According to the news release, the region, celebrate Western Colorado’s Museums of Western Colorado Board extraordinary paleontological heritage of Directors on Aug. 1 unanimously and serve as a gateway to the Museum approved, with two abstentions due Revitalization Initiative and the future to conflicts of interest, the long-term combined natural history museum revitalization plan. The decision follows campus. more than a year of strategic planning, Over the coming months, the news facility analysis, financial evaluation, release said, Museums of Western stakeholder engagement and board Colorado will: discussion. ● Refine architectural concepts and “The board’s responsibility was facility planning. not simply to evaluate buildings,” ● Complete additional feasibility said Christina Harney, president of the studies and detailed construction cost Museums of Western Colorado board. estimates. “Our responsibility was to determine ● Continue developing exhibits and which direction best advances our Dinosaur Journey Museum, 550 Jurassic Court in Fruita, will become the sole loca- educational programming that integrate mission, creates the greatest long-term tion for Museums of Western Colorado after its board of directors decided on Aug. 1 the museums’ scientific and cultural impact for our community throughout that the best way forward for its three museums — Dinosaur Journey, Museum of the collections. the Colorado Plateau and provides a West, and Cross Orchards Historic Site — will be as a combined, multidisciplinary, ● Expand conversations with responsible path toward a sustainable natural-history museum. Photo by Jackie Young. community, education, tourism and future. We believe this decision museum partners. positions the museums to do exactly that.” The revitalization initiative will be implemented over approximately 13 years The news release said the board selected the Fruita campus, because it provides the through a phased approach that allows the museums to continue serving the community strongest opportunity to: while responsibly planning for the future. ● Advance the Museums of Western Colorado’s mission of inspiring and connecting “This decision gives us something we’ve needed for a long time: a clear direction,” the community by championing the scientific and cultural heritage of the Colorado Hayden said. “The work ahead will focus on thoughtful planning, collaboration and wise Plateau. stewardship of our resources as we build a museum that better serves our community and ● Create a combined, multi-disciplinary natural history museum campus that brings celebrates the extraordinary stories of the Colorado Plateau.” together paleontology, history, geology, archaeology, anthropology and education in one For updates on the Museum Revitalization Initiative, visit MuseumsofWesternCo. destination. org or follow Museums of Western Colorado on social media. ● Increase community impact through expanded educational opportunities, enhanced F
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Hood gets nod as new D51 Foundation executive director With more than two decades of executive-leadership experience in health care, education and community-based nonprofits, Logan Hood has been hired by the D51 Foundation to be its next executive director. Hood succeeds Angela Christensen, who led the foundation since 2016 and recently retired. The D51 Foundation said in a news release that Hood most recently served as executive director of Community Health Services in Aspen, where she led a community health center dedicated to expanding access to affordable health care. Previously, she served as program director for the Aspen Community Foundation, advancing educational initiatives and community partnerships in the Garfield Re-2 School District. And she was executive director of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, leading fundraising, community engagement and cancer-prevention awareness in western Colorado. Hood has a master’s degree in nonprofit management and a bachelor’s degree in communications. She has built a career focused on strengthening organizations, cultivating strategic partnerships and expanding opportunities that improve the health, well-being and educational outcomes of the communities they serve. The news release said Hood is setting a goal of visiting every District 51 school within her first 40 days on the job. She believes building relationships starts with listening, and she looks forward to meeting students, teachers, principals and staff across the district as the 2026–27 school year begins. “Logan’s strong strategic leadership experience and her passion for strengthening communities make her a great fit for our organization. We are confident she will build on the Foundation’s strong legacy while helping lead us into an exciting new chapter of impact for students, educators and schools in Mesa County,” said Tawni Kelley, president of the D51 Foundation Board of Directors. School District 51 Supt. Brian Hill expressed gratitude to Christensen “for her dedicated service and lasting impact as executive director of the D51 Foundation,” and he said Hood’s extensive experience in the nonprofit sector “will be a tremendous asset as the foundation continues its important work.” Christensen called being executive
After its new fu Junction The Coloramo The build union an services Colorado “The represent location,” release. vision fo relationsh modern to serve choose to “Wh a questio on their or cred Logan Hood one of members “I believe every student brings to technolog deserves access to opportunities that help everyday Colo them discover their owned c founded potential and thrive,” - Logan Hood, D51 Foundationis open Executive Directorworks or Delta, director of the D51 Foundation anOuray, G incredible honor, and she leaves knowingMoffat c the foundation is in excellent hands with Hood as she is “well-prepared to lead the D51 Foundation into a bright future.” She added, “I am deeply grateful to our dedicated board of directors and staff, our generous donors, our D51 staff and the entire community for their unwavering commitment to the students, teachers and schools we serve. Your generosity and partnership have made our work possible and have helped build the momentum the foundation enjoys today.” Hood said throughout her career she has seen the extraordinary impact that results from communities investing in public education. “I believe every student deserves access to opportunities that help them discover their potential and thrive,” Hood said, “and I’m excited to work with our dedicated board, generous donors, business partners, educators and volunteers to expand those opportunities. Together, we will strengthen the connections between our schools and our community, ensuring the foundation continues to be a catalyst for innovation, opportunity and student success across District 51.”
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Coloramo opens new headquarters on 24 Road
After a soft opening in July, Coloramo Federal Credit Union announced this month immediate family members. its new full-service branch/headquarters at 2392 Langridge Drive, off 24 Road, in Grand The news release added, “Coloramo believes banking should be personal. Decisions Junction is open. are made locally; employees live in the communities they serve; and every investment is The new three-story, approximately 21,000-square-foot building also is home to made with members in mind.” Coloramo’s contact center and administrative teams and has 32 employees working there. For more information, visit www.coloramofcu.org or call 970-243-7280. The building was constructed with additional space to accommodate growth as the credit F union anticipates expanding its services throughout Western Colorado. “The new headquarters represents far more than a new location,” Coloramo said in a news release. “It reflects Coloramo’s vision for the future, where local relationships, personal service and modern banking come together to serve members however they choose to bank. “Whether members call with a question, check their balance on their phone, use their debit or credit card, or meet with one of the credit union’s team members, the new headquarters brings together the people and technology that make those everyday moments possible.” Coloramo is a memberowned credit union that was founded in 1953. Membership is open to anyone who lives, works or attends school in Mesa, Delta, Montrose, Gunnison, Coloramo Federal Credit Union’s new headquarters and full-service branch is now open at 2392 Langridge Drive, off 24 Road. The new Ouray, Garfield, Rio Blanco or building is approximately 21,000 square feet and has space to lease to another small business. It also has: three conference rooms, among Moffat counties, as well as their them a board room; general working spaces on each of the three floors; a training room; and a third-floor deck. Photo by Craig Hall.
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Orchard Mesa Pool Continued from Page 5 Sherbenou told the city council the proposal is about preserving the existing facility rather than adding new attractions. “I think that’s probably the best language to use, that this is a fixing of the pool, and it’s not an upgrade. It’s not a revitalization. It’s a fixing of the pool, getting it up to standards, so that it can have another 40 years of life,” he said. Sherbenou acknowledged the systems would be upgraded and state-of-the-art, but not the services available other than getting the currently unusable hot tub back online. Current estimates place construction costs at approximately $10 million. Including financing and other project costs, Valentine said the city would likely issue about $11.6 million in debt. Valentine said a 15-year bond could be supported through a 0.07 percent citysales-tax increase, or about 7 cents on a $100 taxable purchase. Council members discussed allowing a smaller portion of the tax to remain after the construction debt is retired to help support the pool’s ongoing operating costs. Council members also discussed ways the Orchard Mesa Pool could complement, rather than compete with, the new Community Recreation Center. Ideas included keeping the pool as a more affordable neighborhood swimming option while allowing the recreation center to serve as the city’s full-service recreation facility. Sherbenou said staff would be cautious about committing to substantially lower admission fees, because the city also has a responsibility to recover operating costs. He
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said the 2023 operational study evaluated how fees would affect participation and revenue, and it is safe to say Orchard Mesa Pool fees would be comparable to those planned for the Community Recreation Center, including daily admissions, punch passes and annual passes. Sherbenou added that if voters approve the proposal, the pool would operate as its own standalone-cost center, supported by the dedicated sales tax and user fees. Although the project would not significantly expand amenities, several council members said preserving the pool could create opportunities for future partnerships and additional recreational opportunities in Orchard Mesa. Bennett said having a funded plan in place would make it easier to pursue partnerships, similar to those developed for the Community Recreation Center. Sherbenou noted that closing the pool would leave Orchard Mesa with a significantly lower level of recreational service than it has today. Next steps Council reached consensus Monday to move forward with drafting ballot language and an intergovernmental agreement with Mesa County for the November election. The agreement with the county is expected to go before council Aug. 19 ahead of the Aug. 25 deadline. Council is scheduled to review draft ballot language during its Aug. 31 workshop before taking formal action Sept. 2. The final ballot language must be certified to Mesa County by Sept. 4 in order to appear on the November ballot.
Grand Junction to break ground Aug. 17 on Salt Flats development The City of Grand Junction will break ground on the Salt Flats development Aug. 17 at 10 a.m., marking the beginning of construction on one of the community’s largest mixed-income housing developments. The ceremony will take place at the Salt Flats site, 450 28 Road, and is open to the public. According to a city news release, at full buildout the approximately 21.78-acre Salt Flats development is expected to deliver an estimated 450 affordable and attainable apartment homes and for-sale homes. Those homes are available through a partnership between the City of Grand Junction, Grand Junction Housing Authority, Brikwell, Rural Homes, Volunteers of America with MGL Partners, and Vertikal. The development is designed to provide a variety of housing options for working families, seniors, veterans, retirees and first-time homebuyers while supporting the city’s long-term housing goals. According to the news release, the Salt Flats project has been made possible through a $2.2 million Proposition 123 Land Banking Grant, paired with a $1 million city investment for property acquisition. The project also received a $2 million More Housing Now Infrastructure Grant, matched with $800,000 in city funding to construct roads, utilities, sidewalks, drainage and other public infrastructure needed to support future housing development. Construction will begin with Juniper Grove, Salt Flats’ first for-sale neighborhood. Developed by Rural Homes, it will include 48 affordable homes for income-qualified home buyers. Those interested in purchasing a home at Juniper Grove can learn more during an information meeting Aug. 15, 10 to 11:30 a.m., at the Clifton branch of the Mesa County Public Library. Meetings will be held in English and Spanish. Information also can be found online at junipergrovehomes.com. For more information about the Salt Flats development, go online to engagegj.org, or email the city’s housing division at housing@gjcity.org, or call 970-256-4094.
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Western Colorado Community Foundation promotes Orbanek to president/CEO
Western Colorado Community Foundation Vice President Emily Orbanek was selected by the foundation’s board of directors to be the next president and CEO of the organization, effective Jan. 1, 2027. Orbanek will become the third president in the organization’s 29-year history, following Anne Wenzel’s transition into retirement at the end of 2026 after 25 years of leadership, the foundation said in a news release. “Anne has done an incredible job of leading and developing WCCF in the past 25 years. One of Anne’s most significant accomplishments has been the development of a strong staff, so our board is particularly thrilled to be able to fill her position from within the organization,” WCCF Board Chair Terri Chinn said. “Emily has a deep familiarity with western Colorado, extensive nonprofit experience and a track record of accomplishments since joining WCCF five years ago. We have tremendous confidence that she will be able to effectively lead WCCF into the future.” Orbanek said it is a privilege to lead Western Colorado Community Foundation into its next chapter and build on the strong foundation Wenzel created. “Western Colorado is my home, and I’m honored to work alongside generous donors, dedicated nonprofit partners, our board of directors and the WCCF team to continue strengthening communities across our region,” Orbanek said. During the coming months, Orbanek and Wenzel will work closely together to ensure a seamless leadership transition, the news release said. Following the transition, Wenzel will serve as president emeritus, providing strategic guidance to support WCCF’s continued success. “I don’t think you could find a better leader than Emily to move our organization into its next decade of growth and impact,” Wenzel said. “She is smart, thoughtful and very committed to the organization, its mission and the opportunity to serve her home community.”
Pictured left to right are Western Colorado Community Foundation incoming President and CEO Emily Orbanek, WCCF Board Chair Terri Chinn and current President & CEO Anne Wenzel at WCCF’s recent “Colorado 150: Highlighting Western Colorado Landscape & Spirit” event.
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Make time for family fitness Juggling work, school and family can be a difficult challenge these days for most families. By looking at your overbooked schedule you may feel there isn’t enough time for fitness. Try turning your quality family time into family fitness time. You may be surprised how much you and your family will reap the benefits. With a little planning, you can enjoy time with your family and maintain you and your family’s health. As parents, most of us have heard about the growing concern regarding the epidemic of childhood obesity among American children. Our children need to learn and practice healthy eating habits and fitness routines every day in order to combat this problem. Knowing the problem exists is the first step. Now, what are we going to do to make it a priority in our lives and lives of our children? Let’s begin with planning. Have a family meeting. Young kids can even participate. Paula Start with nutrition. We all have to eat, so make good nutritional Reece choices. Some ideas that help a busy family may include planning your meals for the week. Make a grocery list. Taking kids to a store can be a bit challenging, but having them learn at an early age how to shop is essential in their nutrition choices later on. Have them play the game, “choose this instead of that” game. Where they learn what a good choice to eat is. It works great for snack time. Your family can engage in many activities that will get everyone off the couch. Scheduling family fitness activity times at least three to four times a week will begin to create a routine. Many children are involved in organized sports. This may take the family supporting them, by attending games or meets. Not all activities have to be sports related. Be sure that everyone gets to participate. Living in the beautiful Grand Valley, there are many simple and low-cost options available. Try walking your dogs, taking a hike or riding your bikes. Jump ropes are a great cardiovascular option. Try jumping rope in the backyard (or the garage in the winter.) Make it a game. Keep track of each person and see how they progress. Other options may be going bowling or skiing. The list can go on and on. Be creative and find out what your family likes to do. Choosing activities that are age appropriate is important. Take into consideration your child’s skill level and maturity. Toddlers have mastered many basic movements. Choose an activity that is unstructured, like climbing, playing catch with a lightweight ball or pedaling a tricycle. As the children get older, they are able to do more activities that require coordination. They are also more able to follow directions. They could try soccer, gymnastics, or martial arts. Try new activities. Making family fitness time FUN is the key. Join a gym where families are welcome. There are many activity options such as family swimming and exercise classes for kids. When everyone wants to participate, you will be more successful in your quest. As a family, make fitness a priority. By doing this you will not only be more fit and healthy, you will be bonding as you spend time together in activities. Your children will remember those special bike rides and family outings, while building great health habits. Remember one of the laws of nature: You’ll get out of it what you put into it. So, what’s your family fitness activity today? F Paula and Dale Reece own Crossroads Fitness Centers in Grand Junction with a downtown location at 225 N. Fifth St. and north location at 2768 Compass Drive. For more information, call (970) 242-8746 or visit the website crossroadsfitness.com.
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Loyalty is built in the moments most leaders overlook Customer loyalty isn’t created through grand gestures or clever marketing; it’s earned through the steady, thoughtful execution of the basics. The businesses that thrive over decades aren’t necessarily the flashiest or the most innovative. They’re the ones that consistently meet, and often exceed, their customers’ fundamental wants and needs. They show up with reliability, warmth, and intention, day after day. Every customer arrives with a purpose. They’re looking for a solution, a delight or simply a sense of connection. When a business understands what matters most to its customers, and delivers on those essentials with unwavering consistency, it lays the foundation for satisfaction. Satisfaction becomes trust. Trust becomes loyalty. And loyalty becomes growth. The companies that rise above the rest don’t rely on sporadic moments of brilliance. They commit to elevating the customer’s Marcus experience through the simple things done well and done often. At Straub its core, business is about people. And people want to feel cared for. The small things aren’t small. Think about the businesses you return to without hesitation, the ones you recommend to friends. What sets them apart? It’s rarely the lowest price or the most elaborate features. More often, it’s how they make you feel. These businesses excel at the little things: a sincere greeting; a clean and welcoming environment; a consistent product; a sense that you’re known and appreciated. A warm, genuine welcome may seem minor, but it’s foundational. Customers form impressions within seconds. An indifferent greeting can make someone feel invisible. A prompt, friendly acknowledgment sets a positive tone that carries through the entire experience. Small moments accumulate. Over time, they become the story customers tell about you. Listening is a competitive advantage in business. In a world that moves fast, true listening has become rare. Yet every customer wants the same thing: to be heard. Too many businesses get caught up in transactions and miss the opportunity to connect. When that happens, customers don’t just feel neglected, they feel unimportant. And they leave. Listening well requires more than hearing words. It demands attention, curiosity and intention. When you listen fully, you give customers a sense of importance. That feeling builds trust and rapport. It turns casual buyers into loyal fans. Ask thoughtful questions. Seek to understand what people truly want. Then act
on what you learn. The better your understanding, the more accurately you can deliver solutions that solve real problems or even surprise and delight. Mistakes aren’t the problem, but your response certainly can be. Even the best businesses stumble. Mistakes are inevitable. What matters is how you respond. One of the fastest ways to erode credibility is to make your mistake the customer’s burden. Passing blame, minimizing the issue or offering a weak resolution creates frustration and damages goodwill. Instead, own the error. Apologize sincerely. Make it right. When customers see you act with integrity and transparency, they’re far more likely to return. In fact, a wellhandled mistake can strengthen the relationship. It shows character. It shows care. It shows that your commitment to the customer is real. Value is felt more than measured. Customers may not remember every detail about your product or price, but they will remember how you made them feel. Businesses that leave people feeling better than when they arrived stand out. They create emotional loyalty, which is something far more durable than promotional loyalty. Adding value doesn’t always require adding perks. Often, it’s about emotional generosity: making eye contact; remembering a name; expressing gratitude. When customers feel genuinely valued, they return, and they bring others with them. Excellence isn’t extra, it’s intentional. Great businesses don’t leave customer experience to chance. They build it deliberately, step by step, by honoring the basics with passion and consistency. They foster cultures of kindness, integrity and attentiveness. They coach their teams to care, communicate and take ownership. And they never stop refining. If this feels daunting, support is available. A seasoned consultant or coach can help you identify blind spots and turn weak areas into competitive advantages. Above all, remember this: Consistently meeting and occasionally exceeding your customers’ basic expectations is one of the most powerful drivers of long-term success. It’s not flashy. It’s not complex. But it works. When you get the basics right again and again, your customers become your advocates, and your business becomes unforgettable. F Marcus Straub owns Life is Great Coaching in Grand Junction. Reach Straub at (970) 2083150, marcus@ligcoaching.com or through the website located at www.ligcoaching.com.
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None of this was Sophie’s choice; it’s all on the W And no, I’m not talking about some movie from last century I had zero interest in seeing. I’m talking about the only Sophie who matters in the pitter-patter of my still beating (much to the dismay of many, including a few I’ll hear from after this column) heart. And that would be the beautiful, funny, outspoken (their definition as well), incredible, female specimen known as Sophie Cunningham. Yeah, I’m a little smitten about that kitten. And it’s mainly for two reasons. The first being the noncontroversial, yet controversial, talking point about trans boys (or is it girls?) in women’s sports in her common sense way she talks about things, and the second is because I just really like her style, which makes her even more attractive to me. But I doubt the second thing surprises anyone who reads me regularly. All that just Craig Hall proves is folks still don’t understand me. To that, and I’m pretty sure Sophie would agree, I just don’t care. Same way I think you should take my opinion on anything, unless it gets you thinking about something you do care about. In which case, I’ve done my job. In this instance, I will say Sophie made a potentially grave error in judgment. She granted an interview to ESPN in the thought the network had an interest in the phenomenon she’s become. Sophie should have thought long and hard about the network that promoted the thinking styles of Keith Olberman, Ryan Clark and Jemele Hill before saying yes. But that’s the risk one takes in life thinking there’s good in much of the world. Hey Sophie, while I luv ya, trust me on one thing: There’s little to no good on the “woke” left. And as I am wont, I’ll dig into what I think the premise of this whole charade brought to you by the network who funds the fiscal loser known as the WNBA. ESPN did the whole thing to ask Sophie that one “gotcha” question. To bring this closer to home, think about the MSM outlet (you know which one) saying it wants an impartial interview with a local conservative. It’s all about the “gotcha” because the story was written before the interview. Same with ESPN, only times infinity. I’ll take this a step further. I don’t think this was about a “gotcha” on Sophie. The network knew (or at least heavily suspected) what her answer would be, and Sophie being Sophie gave ESPN exactly what it lusted for, which by the way was about as benign as an answer on the topic could be. But not for the woker-than-woke tyrants at what used to be a pretty good, fun, sports channel(s) to watch for fans who are about the actual sports, not hearing about every perceived societal ill ESPN is promoting that week. So exactly who was ESPN trying to “get” with this whole (fake) kerfuffle? That’s right, the Indiana Fever. The one franchise the WNBA will not allow to win a championship as long as one player remains on its roster who the franchise had the nerve to select with the first pick in the 2024 WNBA draft. The one player who single-
handedly brought the league out of its own self-imposed second-class status (OK, the NBA subsidies helped keep it alive as well). The one player who is arguably the only one on the planet more popular than Sophie. And we all know who that player is. And the WNBA will take her down (and her team, and the league) if it means pushing its agenda above anything else, even when it should be promoting its product. I mean, there’s a lot of money making to be done if the people with cash like what you’re selling. And that’s a distinct problem for the WNBA. Then again, when you run your league like a high-school clique or sorority system of hate for the “regular people,” this is what you get. It’s just the folks running the WNBA could not care less about its fans. Well, most of its fans. Why else would they back the coaches with the non-answer “answers” to the “choice” they forced on Sophie, letting them get away with word salads that would make Kamala Harris blush? Why else would the league allow a coach to wear a shirt like the one the Lynx coach wore the other day but not allow the sign Riley Gaines held up? Why else hasn’t the league shut all of this down by saying, “Sophie is entitled to her opinion, and we support her right to it, and we defend that?” Oh that’s right, because keeping this alive hurts the Indiana Fever. Most importantly, the league can continue to destroy Caitlin Clark with it. It can only be explained if that’s the league’s major goal. Popularity be damned for the league if Caitlin is popular. She’s not allowed to be popular, because she just wants to play basketball, not promote the woke agenda. Frankly, we don’t even know what Caitlin thinks for the most part, because she doesn’t talk about it. Which is how it should be. Last I checked, Caitlin is paid to play basketball and sell products, and she does a damned good job on both. And while Sophie might not be as good on the court as Caitlin, she is way better in front of a camera last I looked, which I do often when it comes to Sophie. That’s not a knock on any WNBA player, Caitlin included. After all, if it’s only about looks, there are none (IMHO) in the WNBA who can best Sophie. Same for popularity (to the league’s dismay) where only Caitlin bests Sophie. No wonder the league can’t stand them. This all got so bad, Congress (like the idiots they are) got involved. Of course, the league complained. Yet it said nothing when President Biden traded the world’s biggest arms dealer for pot-smokin’ Brittney back in the day. And there’s your problem. A league that should be celebrating the accomplishments of all its women only wants to celebrate certain women, all while it can’t even tell you what a woman is. Confused yet? Then again, I know Sophie is a woman. And an incredible one, in so many ways, at that. In Truth and freedom. F Craig Hall is owner and publisher of The Business Times. Reach him at 424-5133 or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com
The time is now to secure Colorado agriculture’s workforce Colorado’s farmers and ranchers don’t ask for special treatment. They ask for the opportunity to grow the food, fiber and fuel our nation depends on. Agriculture remains one of Colorado’s foundational industries, contributing billions of dollars to our economy while supporting thousands of jobs in rural communities. From the San Luis Valley’s potato fields to the Western Slope’s orchards, from vegetable farms along the Front Range to the livestock operations that define our state’s rural heritage, one challenge rises above nearly every other: finding enough legal, reliable workers to keep their farms and ranches operating. Producers across the state increasingly face a workforce crisis that threatens not only individual operations but our nation’s longterm food security. Without a reliable workforce, crops won’t get planted, produce will rot in the fields, livestock won’t get fed or Joyce Kelly milked, and our country won’t eat. This is not a partisan issue. It’s an American issue that has economic and foodsecurity implications for every citizen. Colorado producers have embraced technology, conservation, precision agriculture and innovation. But no amount of technology can completely replace the skilled men and women who do the work required to bring food to our tables. Many agricultural employers advertise positions year after year with few, if any, domestic applicants. Existing visa programs are often costly, cumbersome, unpredictable and unavailable for many year-round livestock operations. Colorado’s pork producers understand this challenge perhaps better than most.
Unlike many seasonal crops, pigs require care every day of the year. Farmers need skilled employees who understand animal husbandry, animal welfare, biosecurity, nutrition, breeding and environmental stewardship. These are not temporary jobs; they are careers that protect animal health, safeguard our nation’s food supply and keep family farms operating. Congress now has an opportunity to modernize agricultural labor policy through legislation such as the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act. The proposal seeks to improve existing legal workforce programs while recognizing the unique needs of yearround livestock agriculture. No legislation is perfect. But maintaining a workforce system designed for a different era is no longer sustainable. Colorado’s agricultural producers deserve policies that reflect today’s realities. They deserve a legal, functional workforce system. And American families deserve the peace of mind that comes from knowing their food is being produced here at home by a resilient agricultural industry. Whether you’re enjoying Colorado-raised pork, beef, lamb, dairy products, fresh vegetables, Palisade peaches or Pueblo chile, every meal begins with hardworking people dedicated to producing safe, wholesome food. The future of Colorado agriculture depends not only on land, water and innovation, but also on people. Colorado has long demonstrated that practical, bipartisan solutions are possible when leaders focus on common goals rather than political divisions. The time to modernize agricultural workforce policy is now. F Joyce Kelly is executive director of the Colorado Pork Producers Council.
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n St. Mary’s Hospital makes U.S. News & World Report list
n Hospital remembers former employee with new bike rack
Intermountain Health St. Mary’s Regional Hospital has earned a ranking among the 2026-2027 Best Hospitals in the U.S. News & World Report’s latest edition of Best Hospitals. U.S. News evaluated nearly 4,500 hospitals nationally across 14 adult specialties and 23 procedures and conditions. Only 16 percent of evaluated hospitals earn a Best Hospitals designation. St. Mary’s ranked seventh in Colorado. “Having St. Mary’s named among the top hospitals in Colorado is a tremendous achievement,” said Bryan Johnson, Western Colorado market president for Intermountain Health. “This recognition speaks to the culture of excellence here and to the strength of our entire system.” To determine the Best Hospitals, U.S. News analyzed each hospital’s performance based on objective measures such as risk-adjusted mortality rates, preventable complications and patient experience. The Best Hospitals Specialty rankings and Procedures & Conditions ratings measure patient outcomes using data from more than 800 million records of patient care. “A hospital named among the U.S. News Best Hospitals has demonstrated its commitment to high-quality care, especially in achieving successful outcomes for patients,” said Ben Harder, U.S. News’ managing editor and chief of health analysis. “A Best Hospitals recognition reflects consistent top-tier medical care to its community.” In evaluations for specialties, St. Mary’s Regional Hospital ranked fourth in Colorado for rehabilitation. The hospital was rated high-performing in seven specialties, procedures and conditions including abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, transcatheter aortic valve replacement, heart bypass surgery, pacemaker implantation, lung cancer surgery, prostate cancer surgery and heart attack.
Family Health West honored former employee Andy Surface by dedicating a bike rack in her memory on July 31. Surface was a physical therapy assistant who worked at the FHW inpatient rehab department for eight years before passing away in September 2025. Family Health West said in a news release that Surface loved making any adventure or event with friends and family special. She could bring people together and make them smile and laugh. “The FHW Bike Rack is a wonderful tribute to Andy and the love and respect the team had for her,” said Taylor Surface, Andy’s Andy Surface younger brother. “She rode her bike to work often and would have loved this safe, covered place for her ride. Having this beautiful, custom bike rack will remind everyone who knew her what they shared.” The new bike rack is in the courtyard outside the hospital, allowing patients and employees access to a safe and meaningful place to store their bikes. The bike rack was designed to represent several different elements of Andy’s life. The sun as the centerpiece serves as a reminder of her love for the beauty of nature. The kayak paddles, the hiker, the Monument spire, and the skis were Andy’s outdoor passions. The panda is both one of Andy’s nicknames and the name of her last dog. “I am thankful for the team at FHW and the beautiful tribute they created for my sister,” Taylor Surface said. “I’m glad she found Fruita and the caring people at the hospital she got to finish her career with.”
n County motor-vehicle office stays in Clifton, changes buildings Mesa County’s Clifton Motor Vehicle office is moving from its location in the Peach Tree Shopping Center to the Clifton Community Campus at 3270 D 1/2 Road. The county said in a news release that the move keeps motor-vehicle services available in Clifton while allowing the county to use a county-owned building instead of continuing to rent space. Hours of operation and service will remain the same, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The current Clifton office will remain open at the shopping center through Sept. 4. The office will open at its new location at the Clifton Community Campus on Sept. 14. Motor Vehicle service in Clifton will be unavailable during the week of Sept. 7, while equipment is being moved from the Peach Tree location to the Clifton Community Campus. People can access Motor Vehicle services online at www.mesacounty.us or at the offices in Grand Junction and Fruita.
n County switching to flat-fee contract for legal services The Mesa County Commission on July 28 approved a legal-services contract with the law firm of Brophy Clauss, a move it expects will save money. Mesa County Attorney Todd Starr said the contracted, monthly flat fee of $27,500 will cost less than hourly billing. It pays for civil-litigation defense, federal and state constitutional claims, and claims arising out of law enforcement operations. “Our litigation spend swung by $253,813 between its high and low year, and I cannot tell you in January what any given year will bring,” Starr said in a news release from the county. “A flat monthly fee replaces that volatility with a fixed, budgetable line and shifts the risk of a heavy trial or appellate year to the firm instead of the county.” According to the news release, over the past five years the county paid $2,350,662 for legal work, billed hourly. The same five years under its new agreement would have cost $1,650,000, about $700,000 less. Litigation was previously done by Dinsmore & Shohl, where Andy Clauss and Chris Brophy worked and handled most of Mesa County’s cases. They left that firm and formed Brophy Clauss LLC.
n NFIB calls Taggart’s votes on small-business issues perfect The National Federation of Independent Business listed Grand Junction’s Rick Taggart among the three Colorado lawmakers who earned 100 percent NFIB voting records during the 2026 legislative session. In a news release, NFIB Colorado Director Michael Smith commended the lawmakers – Colorado Reps. Taggart, Scott Bottoms and Ryan Gonzalez – for standing up for small business owners. “Unfortunately, there’s no shortage of bad ideas in Denver, from the attempts to undermine the Labor Peace Act to overly broad employer mandates that come with hefty fines and increased legal exposure. As a result, Main Street Coloradans are struggling against higher costs and a complex regulatory environment,” Smith said. “On behalf of our members across the state, I want to thank these three lawmakers who earned 100 percent by standing up for small business owners.” The NFIB said in the news release its 2025-2026 voting record includes eight key votes on tax, regulatory and judicial reforms. For a complete copy of the voting record, go online to www.nfib.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-Colorado-Voting-Record.pdf.
n AGNC hosts economic-development summit Aug. 19 The Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado will host its 11th annual Economic Development Summit on Aug. 19 at Grand River Health Conference Center in Rifle. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and lunch will be provided. This year’s theme is The Next Frontier: Pioneering Advanced Industries, which will highlight real tools, real stories and real solutions to grow the area’s workforce, strengthen communities, and ignite the resources that power the next frontier. Find more information or register at agnc.org. Speakers will include: • Colorado Mesa University economics professor Natan Perry, discussing The Next Frontier Economy: Trends Shaping Northwest Colorado. • Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, discussing Advanced Industries: Accelerating Innovation, Investment, and Growth. • David Lopez of Elevate Quantum, discussing Quantum Frontiers: Talent, Innovation and Opportunity in Colorado. • DJ Summers of Common Sense Institute, discussing Common Sense for Advanced Industries: Colorado’s Policy, Growth, and Risk Signals • Kim Woodworth of Economic Development Council of Colorado will lead a regional roundtable, sponsored by the Colorado Workforce Development Council.
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