SEPTEMBER 30 - OCTOBER 7, 2026
VOLUME 33, ISSUE 39
THE DEFINITIVE SOURCE FOR GRAND JUNCTION BUSINESS & COMMUNITY NEWS SINCE 1994
City, county considering moratoriums on data centers Brandon Leuallen
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The Business Times
he City of Grand Junction and Mesa County are considering moratoriums on data centers while officials study the rapidly growing industry and determine how future facilities should be regulated. The city mentioned a moratorium, possibly for one year, during a Sept. 14 workshop. Then, Mesa County joined it, saying in a Friday, Sept. 25 news release that the Mesa County Commission “will consider a moratorium on applications for data center projects in unincorporated Mesa County.” The agenda for the county’s Sept. 29 Administrative Public Hearing listed the following as the first item in its Items Needing Individual Consideration: “Consider imposing a temporary Moratorium on the acceptance, processing, and approval of Land Use applications for data center facilities in unincorporated Mesa County, and suspending the negotiation of County inducements for such facilities.” Meanwhile, Mesa County also is considering data-center regulations through a broader update to its Land Development Code for unincorporated areas. Both processes will provide opportunities for residents, businesses and property owners to comment before local standards are adopted. Neither Grand Junction nor Mesa County currently has a formal application for a data center, according to local officials, but a commercialconstruction database contains a listing for a potential 44,765-square-foot data center in Grand Junction. See story Page 5
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Bookstore and beverages
New Fruita bookstore and lounge TBR Book Bar sells books and serves wine, beer and coffee— See Page 2 Brandy Remy stands in the spacious lounge area of her new business, TBR Book Bar, a bookstore and lounge that began its soft opening Sept. 21 and will host its grand opening Oct. 3 at 242 S. Mulberry St. in Fruita. Remy said she wanted the lounge area to be comfortable, “like you were sitting down with friends on your couch, but you didn’t have to clean up your house for it.” Photo by Tim Harty
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SePtember 30 - OctOber 7, 2026
A bookstore with wine? Why not?
TBR Book Bar offers new books, wine, coffee, beer and a place for community to gather Tim Harty
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The Business Times
ost people try to talk themselves into opening a business. They find reasons it will work. Not Brandy Remy. She did her darnedest to talk herself out of opening a business. Looked for every reason to not do it. But there was one really big problem with that approach. It actually convinced her that she needed to do it. Open a bookstore that also is a lounge and serves wine, beer and coffee drinks. So, on Sept. 23, Day 3 of the soft opening of TBR Book Bar, 242 S. Mulberry St. in Fruita, Remy explained how an idea she had in March made her the owner and operator of a new business that will host its grand opening Oct. 3, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. It started with her husband, Matthew Remy, taking over the family firesprinkler-installation business, Affordable Fire Protection, which Brandy said she and Matthew worked for “pretty much the entire time we’ve been married.” Matthew’s move into ownership made it so Brandy no longer needed to work there. “It kind of like hit this point where it’s like, ‘Well, now it’s my turn to do something cool,’” she said. “And I was chatting with my friend about it. She said, ‘Well, if you could do anything, what would it be?’ I’m just joking; I said, ‘Oh, open, you know, a ABOVE — TBR Book Bar owner Brandy Remy pours a glass of wine at the self-serve wine station. TBR Book Bar stayed in bookstore with wine in it.’” the Grand Valley for its wine offerings, which come from Colterris Winery, Carboy Winery, Mafia Princess Wines, Peachfork However, when she thought more Orchards and Vineyard, The Ordinary Fellow and Vines79 Wine Barn. about it, it was no joke. BELOW — The sign on the building for TBR Book Bar, which is located at 242 S. Mulberry St. in Fruita. Remy said the build“Weirdly, it just stuck with me,” Brandy ing is known by many Fruita residents, because it was once home to a pet-grooming business, Pet Particulars, until a fire in said. “I started losing sleep over it, because October 2022 severely damaged the interior. Photos by Tim Harty. it was all I could think about. So, I started trying to prove to myself all the reasons I couldn’t do it, and showed myself how I could. “So, here we are.” Amazed that her business idea stood up to the scrutiny intended to foil it, Brandy found what happened next to be equally amazing: The process of starting the business went smoothly. “It happened incredibly fast,” she said. “The idea kind of came about around end of March-ish, maybe mid-March, and I really stumbled into this, because I was trying to show myself that it was too expensive or too much. There was no way I could do it. “And I found this location, and it truly just came together so easily.” She said the building’s owner, Ed Cherry, “was wonderful and worked with me on getting a lease worked out and terms that I could do until we were open.” There was renovation that needed to be done, but it helped that the space was large and open, and it remains that way with the open concept for the lounge area. “We got rid of a garage door, added a bar for the coffee and everything, and so it probably wasn’t the most construction, but for me, it felt like a lot,” Brandy said. Because the business works foremost off the bookstore concept, it has an entire wall with shelves filled with new books for sale. Then, because it’s a lounge, it has tables and chairs, couches and love seats to accommodate groups or solo patrons. There’s a coffee-bar area and counter where people can order drinks and a small selection of food items, and before customers get there, they’ll walk past a station for self-serve wine. “In terms of furniture, I didn’t want it to be like every other coffee shop where you’re sitting on those metal chairs that we all kind of hang over,” Brandy said. “I wanted it to feel comfortable, like you were sitting down with friends on your couch, but you didn’t have to clean up your house for it, right? I wanted it to be very cozy. See TBR BOOK BAR on Page 6
September 30 - OctOber 7, 2026
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SePtember 30 - OctOber 7, 2026
SPARK Summit brings back high-level training Conference connects Western Colorado leaders with experienced practitioners Brandon Leuallen
or culture, while transactional leaders turn broader goals into daily operations. Referent leaders Organizational leaders from influence others through consistent across Western Colorado gathered example, and charismatic leaders at Colorado Mesa University on inspire through communication, Sept. 23 for a conference designed to passion and vulnerability. Autocratic provide the type of high-level training leadership provides structure and that often requires companies to send accountability during emergencies, employees to larger cities. safety concerns and other highThe second annual SPARK stakes situations. Summit brought speakers from Perea said effective leaders across the country to CMU’s move among the styles based on the Meyer Ballroom for keynote needs of their organizations. presentations and master classes “You can be one of any of these focused on leadership, executive five at any moment,” Perea said. finance, artificial intelligence, He also emphasized the communication, employee relationship between leadership and development and business growth. followership, arguing that strong The one-day conference was leaders recognize when others are organized by the C-Suite Initiative, ABOVE — Organizational Psychologist Dr. Rick Perea leads a breakout session on “The Big 5 prepared to lead. founded by business coaches Kristin Leadership Styles” during the SPARK Summit at Colorado Mesa University. Sessions included “You must share power,” Donahue and Bob Bever. Perea said. “You must be open and audience questions and time for attendees to identify ways to immediately apply what they learned “We created SPARK Summit from highly sought-after speakers with proven track records as practitioners in their fields. vulnerable with your followers, so that Western Colorado business BELOW — SPARK Summit attendees speak one-on-one with presenters in the conference’s because you want them to leaders can come together, ignite “Playground” area between sessions. The informal setting gave attendees direct access to understand they are developing the fire of curiosity, fan the flames speakers, some of whom typically work with major organizations, including professional sports leaders as well.” of innovation, spark new ideas and teams, Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies, technology companies, manufacturers, finan- Connecting finance with operations drive meaningful growth in the cial institutions and health care organizations. Photos by Brandon Leuallen. Kelly Johnston, president and business community,” Donahue said. CEO of JFS LLC, led an executiveDonahue and Bever designed finance breakout titled “Revenue Is the event to give attendees access Vanity. Cash Is Reality.” to experienced practitioners with JFS provides accounting, tax proven track records working with planning and financial consulting professional sports teams, hospitals, services, with a particular focus Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 on helping financially distressed companies, technology companies hospitals. Johnston said the and other major organizations. company works with 23 rural “We want you guys to have hospitals across the country. a personal experience with these “Accounting and data can speakers,” Donahue told attendees. be misleading if you don’t use it “We want you to get to interact correctly,” Johnston said. rather than being one of 10,000 in She used the turnaround of St. an auditorium.” Vincent General Hospital District Speakers sat with participants, in Leadville to demonstrate how answered questions and spent operational decisions and financial scheduled periods in an area called information must work together. the “Playground,” where attendees Johnston said the hospital had could approach them for individual conversations. Longer breaks allowed participants to meet overdrawn its bank account and was approaching payroll without enough money when she speakers and other business leaders. After presentations, attendees identified “SPARK moments,” became involved. After reconstructing its records, she found the hospital had a $5 million including ideas they found valuable and changes they planned to make in their organizations. loss and owed vendors $4.2 million, far more than the $300,000 its board believed it owed. Lessons from Broncos, Nuggets championships Johnston said the hospital has since reached a $7 million positive bottom line and Performance and organizational psychologist Dr. Rick Perea opened the summit with 152 days of cash on hand. It also rehired employees and is preparing to relaunch surgical a high-energy presentation focused on improving performance by concentrating on factors services. people can control. “It is doable, but it takes work,” Johnston said. Perea has worked with the Denver Broncos, Denver Nuggets, Colorado Rockies and The same principles apply to smaller companies, she said. Owners must understand the other NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball teams. differences among revenue, margins, profit and cash, because a positive income statement Perea distinguished an organization’s immediate climate from the culture it develops does not necessarily mean money is available in the bank. over time. Equipment purchases, debt payments and owner distributions can reduce cash without “The climate is right now. It’s today when you walk in that front door,” Perea said. “The appearing on a profit-and-loss statement. Businesses must also account for employee culture is over time.” downtime, future hiring, taxes and the cost of replacing an owner who wants to step away Using an energy stick and a chain of participants holding hands, Perea demonstrated from delivering services. how one person disconnecting could disrupt the group. He used the exercise to illustrate the Johnston said finance and operations are often treated as separate functions even though importance of cooperation, trust and shared commitment. decisions in one directly affect the other. Perea also encouraged attendees to distinguish between outcome goals, such as “Finance can’t operate without operations, and vice versa,” she said. “We tend to try to revenue or sales targets, and the daily processes that contribute to those outcomes. He make them work in silos, which is very ineffective.” said leaders should focus on preparation, communication, customer contact and other She encouraged owners to classify expenses as unnecessary, profit-producing or actions they can control. replaceable. Unnecessary expenses can be eliminated, replaceable expenses can be reduced Perea returned later for a breakout session on five leadership styles: transformational; or renegotiated, and resources can be directed toward products or services producing the transactional; referent; charismatic; and autocratic. strongest returns. He described transformational leaders as people who change an organization’s direction See SPARK SUMMIT on Page 8 The Business Times
September 30 - OctOber 7, 2026
The Business Times
GJ, Mesa County working to establish rules before formal applications arrive
Continued from Page 1 Data centers house computer servers that store, process and transmit digital information. They range from facilities serving a single business to massive hyper-scale campuses supporting cloud computing and artificial intelligence. Their effects vary by size and cooling system, but larger facilities can raise concerns about electricity and water use, noise, backup generators, infrastructure costs and compatibility with surrounding properties. County seeks community input Mesa County is rewriting its Land Development Code, which governs landuse decisions in unincorporated areas. The code determines which uses are allowed in different zones and which projects require additional review. Mesa County Commissioner Bobbie Daniel identified data centers as one of several emerging or complex land uses the county should consider in a Sept. 11 guest column in The Daily Sentinel, accompanying the launch of a county land-use survey. Other subjects include community solar, battery storage, subdivisions, commercial development and development near agricultural operations. Mesa County Community Development Director Greg Moberg told television station KKCO that the county has worked on the broader rewrite since early 2025. Its goals include making the code easier to understand and addressing types of development not covered by existing regulations. “Currently under the existing code, the 2020 code, we don’t have any regulations relating to data centers or battery facilities,” Moberg said. The proposed code would initially limit data centers and battery facilities to I-1 and I-2 industrial zones, keeping them out of Agricultural, Forestry and Transitional zones. Moberg said industrially zoned areas represent a relatively small portion of the county, and currently available parcels are not large enough for the massive data centers proposed in some other communities. “The lot sizes that we currently have or the parcel sizes that we currently have are fairly small,” Moberg said. “And so you’re not going to see the kind of data center that we’re hearing and seeing in other communities.” Moberg said the county could later consider allowing data centers in additional zones and adopt requirements addressing building size and other issues. The Mesa County Planning Commission is scheduled to consider the proposed code Oct. 15 at 6 p.m. The Board of County Commissioners is scheduled to consider it Nov. 17 at 1:30 p.m. Both meetings are scheduled at 544 Rood Ave. in Grand Junction. City considers moratorium The proposed one-year moratorium, discussed during the Grand Junction City Council’s Sept. 14 workshop, would give the city time to examine how other Colorado communities regulate data centers, evaluate potential effects on electricity and water supplies, coordinate with neighboring jurisdictions and utility providers, and account for anticipated state legislation.
Grand Junction City Manager Mike Bennett said the city has received questions from concerned residents about data centers. A local-real estate professional also contacted the city about its regulations, but Bennett said the inquiry did not involve a serious application. “Our idea would be to bring through to council a moratorium for a year period on data centers in a way that doesn’t prevent inadvertently other types of developments, like, let’s say, a bank wants to expand their … IT room or something to that degree,” Bennett said, adding those are not the same as large data centers that either use a lot of electricity or water. “There are no pending applications, there are no known applications coming in,” Bennett said. The city’s land-use code does not specifically designate or regulate data centers. Staff said that lack of clarity could create uncertainty about whether a proposed facility should be approved, denied or classified as another commercial use. During the moratorium, city staff would review best practices and develop standards addressing different types of data centers and their potential demands on local resources. Bennett noted that if the city received an application for a large data center before clear regulations were adopted, it could be difficult for officials to evaluate and process the proposal. Bennett said the city intends to work with Mesa County, neighboring communities, water providers and electricity providers, because a facility outside Grand Junction could still affect regional resources. Database lists potential project Questions about potential local interest surfaced after Mesa County resident Thom Copp posted on social media about an entry in the ConstructConnect Project Intelligence database. The database lists “Grand Junction Data Centers New Construction,” project No. 5406415. It describes a privately funded, $90 million project involving site work, paving and construction of a 44,765-square-foot, one-story data-center facility. The listing was updated May 13, 2026. It includes an April 8, 2024, event start date. It says completed plans call for the facility, but it also says the plans and specifications are not publicly available. The address, developer and contacts are available only to subscribers. The public entry lists the location as “Redacted Address, Grand Junction, CO.” The number 81506 appears in the page’s URL, but the listing does not display a ZIP code or establish whether the site is inside city limits. When asked about the project, Mesa County spokesperson Stephanie Reecy said the county has no information about the ConstructConnect listing. The Business Times also asked Grand Junction whether city officials were aware of the listing or had discussed the project with anyone connected to it. The city had not responded by the time the story went to press.
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TBR Book Bar
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Continued from Page 2
“Color wise, I wanted it to kind of feel like the Fruita desert, the greens, the oranges, browns. I wanted to pull from the desert themes in this area kind of in the design.” Because the lounge area is large and can get loud, Brandy had a small, comfortable room designed in the rear, where it’s quieter and small groups can gather. “Really the point of it was for book clubs to meet, people to have meetings, job interviews,” she said. In general the room is available on a first-come, first-served basis, but Brandy said she is going to set up a calendar, and people can reserve the room at no cost. The collection of books has the potential to grow, and Brandy said she reached out on Facebook in the Fruita message board to find out what people enjoyed reading. That led to “a little bit of everything.” Specifically, Brandy said, “We have fantasy, thrillers. There’s a pretty heavy religious section. Lots of kids books, TBR Book Bar evening manager Kylin Mitchell, left, and owner Brandy Remy, shown working at the coffee bar on Sept. 23. fiction, nonfiction. I feel like we touched Mitchell is one of three full-time employees at TBR Book Bar, which also has nine part-time employees. Photo by Tim Harty. on a bit of everything.” She also picked a selection of books the other drinks,” Brandy said, adding TBR Book Bar serves coffee all day. “We that she felt represented Colorado and specifically Fruita. also have non-alcoholic wine and champagne for those who want to partake, but Brandy said the initial turnout by the community has been amazing, especially are not wanting to do alcohol. considering, “I kind of sprung the soft open … I never announced it. I was like, “Kids are welcome all times of the day. We’ve noticed kids coming in after ‘Well, we’ll just open and see what happens.’” school, hanging out doing their homework. So, we’re definitely not turning anyone “I’ve been floored,” she added. “I had kind of in my mind my minimum sales away for that.” goal to keep the doors open, and we’ve doubled or tripled that every day. So, I’m The inclusiveness goes to one of the most important reasons for operating TBR absolutely blown away by the community and how they’ve shown up for us already. Book Bar in the first place. And that was before it went out on the news or anything, so it’s been great.” “I think the biggest thing is that I just want TBR to be a place for community TBR Book Bar hopes to stay busy by including everyone. Even though alcohol to gather, whatever that looks like,” Brandy said. “If that’s drinks with friends, if is served on the premises, there’s no age requirement to get in the doors. that’s study groups with kids, mom groups, whatever, I just really want TBR to be “Everyone is welcome all times of day. … It’s part of why we added some of community.”
More About TBR Book Bar What is the TBR for? TBR Book Bar owner Brandy Remy said the TBR in the name is a TikTok term that means To Be Read, and “it signifies the stack of books that you’re about to read.” She added, “My husband jokes that it stands for Totally Brandy Remy.” Making it grand The Oct. 3 grand opening will run from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and feature a lot of reasons to stop at TBR Book Bar in addition to the books and beverages. Remy said a local tattoo artist will do tiny tattoos for people; a baker will offer some book-themed cookies; someone will do permanent jewelry; there will be a place for people to build their own bouquets; and there will be a bar to build your own t-shirts. Glad to have her on staff Remy said TBR Book Bar has 12 employees, including three full-time. One of the full-timers is coffee manager Jen Snyder, whom Remy called a good friend. “Jen has been a huge help to me,” Remy said. “She always had a dream of opening a coffee truck. And so as I was starting this, I just wanted wine and books, and everybody’s like, ‘You have to do coffee, you have to do coffee.’ And so I reached out to her and said, ‘Do you still want to?’ And she said, ‘Absolutely.’ “So, she’s come on board. The coffee is really her baby that she’s put together with her recipes.” What do you have to drink? When Remy got the idea for TBR Book Bar, it was about a bookstore with wine in it. Then, other beverages got added to the drinks menu, such as coffee and beer and alcohol-free wine. For wines, TBR Book Bar keeps it local with varieties from: Colterris Win-
ery; Carboy Winery; Mafia Princess Wines; Peachfork Orchards and Vineyard; The Ordinary Fellow; and Vines79 Wine Barn. “People can come in and kind of taste around Palisade without going out to Palisade,” Remy said. “Our goal is to keep it entirely wines that are made in the Grand Valley.” For beer, it carries offerings in cans from Grand Valley microbreweries Base Camp Beer Works and Ramblebine Brewing Company. The coffee bar will do a regular cup of Joe or lattes and cold brews, with everything coming from Novo Coffee, a roaster out of Denver. And for those who prefer teas, such as chai, those will be available, too. For more non-alcohol options, Remy said TBR Book Bar eventually will add to the menu some lemonades, matcha, Italian cream sodas and energy drinks. Got anything to eat? Yes. TBR Book Bar carries baked goods from Baker’s Boutique in Grand Junction. “Also we’re making charcuterie boxes, chips and dip, naan and dip, just little snack things to have,” Remy said. Who doesn’t need a bike-repair kit? TBR Book Bar bookshelves will include some gifts, and among them is a bike-repair kit. “I actually have a kit up there, a bicycle repair kit, like a Swiss Army-knife thing,” Remy said. “And my daughter’s like, ‘Why did you buy this?’ I said, ‘How long have you lived in Fruita? Of course, we need this up here.’” Then, guess who was the first person to need one. “We actually took one off the shelf,” Remy said, “because there’s little parts on our (espresso) machine that needed the tiniest screwdriver, and so we grabbed one, and that’s how we fixed our espresso machine Night 1.”
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Spark Summit
Continued from Page 4 Johnston also recommended monitoring unpaid invoices and unbilled work. She said JFS once had $390,000 sitting in accounts receivable during a period of rapid growth and identified about $8,000 a month in work that employees performed but did not bill to clients. Businesses should also evaluate which services they perform best, Johnston said. JFS eliminated or outsourced weaker service lines and concentrated more heavily on health care consulting. She said St. Vincent eliminated eight of its 12 service lines and became more profitable by focusing on work it could perform effectively. “Money follows culture, quality and really knowing your numbers,” Johnston said. Multiple tracks offer practical choices The summit included three keynote presentations and three rounds of master classes. It offered an artificial-intelligence session during each breakout period, allowing participants interested in AI to follow that track while others selected leadership, finance, communication, marketing or employee-development sessions.
SePtember 30 - OctOber 7, 2026
Dr. Elisa Janson Jones demonstrated how businesses can use AI and non-AI tools to turn spoken explanations into documented operating procedures, preserving knowledge that might otherwise be lost when an experienced employee leaves. Travis Hurst and Cameron Searle of Native GTM discussed building an AI “employee” and reducing time spent on repetitive administrative work. Other master classes included Denise “DT” Thomas on high-stakes communication, Carl Lubbe on employee development and Ross McDaniel of Fencepost on localbusiness marketing. Craig Weber, author of “Conversational Capacity,” delivered the lunch keynote on how leaders and teams can engage in productive conversations when pressure is high or participants disagree. Thomas closed the summit with a presentation about turning leadership insights into measurable action through intentional leadership, communication and accountability. A reception following the final keynote provided another opportunity for attendees to connect with speakers and other Western Colorado business leaders.
Animal Services, local veterinarians provide low-cost spay/neuter
Photo courtesy of Mesa County Animal Services. Mesa County Animal Services is Pet owners are required to provide collaborating with local veterinarians to proof of current rabies vaccination at offer low-cost spay and neuter vouchers the time of the procedure. The rabiesfor local pet owners through a grant from vaccination cost is not covered by the $25 the Colorado Pet Overpopulation Fund. co-pay. If your pet does not have a current Mesa County said in a news release rabies vaccination, you will need to pay that the cost of a spay/neuter procedure for that service before the spay/neuter is $25 for the pet owner, with a voucher procedure. present at participating veterinarians’ Participating local veterinarians are: offices. The vouchers are valid until April • All Pets Center, 970-241-1976. 27 next year. Pet owners can contact the • Arrowhead Veterinary Hospital, participating veterinarians to check their 970-858-8881. voucher availability. • Cottonwood Veterinary Hospital, The participating veterinarians have 970-245-0135. been given a limited number of vouchers for • Grand View Animal Hospital, 2026-27. Issuance of the vouchers is entirely 970-523-2060. at the discretion of each participating • Orchard Mesa Veterinary Hospital, veterinarian’s office. Individuals may be 970-241-9866. requested to verify they have financial need • Redlands Pet Clinic, 970-245-4060. or be able to communicate why they have a • VCA Tiara Rado Animal Hospital, unique circumstance that results in a need 970-243-4007. for the voucher. F
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D51 Foundation awards latest professionallearning grants
The D51 Foundation announced it awarded its 18th round of Professional Learning Grants, totaling $10,841, to School District 51 staff members. The foundation said in a news release that it received $39,050 in requests during the most recent grant cycle, reflecting strong interest among the school district’s educators and staff in pursuing professional-learning opportunities that enhance their work with students. Since 2018, the D51 Foundation has awarded more than $180,000 in Professional Learning Grants to 638 District 51 staff members, helping educators and staff members bring new knowledge, skills and ideas back to their schools and classrooms. Each year, the D51 Foundation uses proceeds from its White Iced Celebration For a and other fundraising efforts to address better und specific needs across District 51. This and thous year, foundation funding is focused on The technology and innovation for students, which is d professional learning for D51 staff, and at Distric student and staff wellness. The 15th Annual White Icedschools a Celebration will take place Saturday, Feb.together t The 6, 2027, at the CMU Ballroom. More information is available at d51foundation. org. The D51 Foundation’s 18th round of Professional Learning Grant recipients are: • Courtney Melgares, Central High School, $2,750 for National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Conference. • Emerald Vaca, BTK, $900 for Speech Language Pathologists training in new evidence-based strategies at the Colorado Speech Language-Hearing Association Conference. • Jenna Fairfield, Orchard Avenue Elementary School, $280 for National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Maintenance of Certification. • Kimberlee Castleton, Special Programs at Summitt School, $2,175 for Teacher Educators for Children with Behavior Disorders Training. • Krystyna Dillard, Bookcliff Middle School, $3,050 for Building Thinking Classrooms & Expanding Student Engagement in Mathematics. • Maribeth Flanagan, Redlands Middle School and multiple other schools where she works, $299 for Immersive Family Systems Therapy Immersion Program online training. • Megan Henry, Orchard Avenue Elementary School, $350 for Colorado Art Education Association Conference. • Scott Finholm, Central High School, $687 for National Council for Social Studies. • Sean Henry, Grand Junction High School, $350 for Colorado Art Education Association Conference.
September 30 - OctOber 7, 2026
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Western Healthcare Alliance tabs Sebenaler as new CFO
Western Healthcare Alliance announced it hired Ginette Sebenaler as the new chief financial officer for WHA and its family of companies. She will oversee and manage all financial functions across the organization. As CFO, Sebenaler will develop strategies and identify opportunities to maximize WHA’s impact for its rural members ounced itand clients, WHA said in a news release. She will join the ofessionalleadership team and be active in ensuring WHA continues to 0,841, tomeet the needs of those it serves. “Bringing Ginette on as CFO strengthens our leadership team at exactly the right moment,” WHA CEO Angelina ws release Salazar said. “She’s a strategic thinker who’s proven herself requests in rural healthcare finance, and she shares our commitment to nt cycle, the mission: collaborating to improve rural healthcare.” he school According to the news release, Sebenaler brings seniorpursuing executive experience in finance, administration, human ties that resources and information systems across healthcare and oundationprivately held companies, and she has a track record of Ginette Sebenaler 0,000 instrengthening internal controls and driving profitability. Sebenaler owns Key CFO Solutions LLC, which specializes in CFO services for to 638 healthcare entities. Before founding her company, she spent 16 years at Aspen Valley helping Hospital, joining as controller in 2004 and rising to CFO in 2016. There, she helped stabilize ring new k to their
Leadership D51 cohort accepting applications
tion uses elebration For anyone who has wondered what it really takes to run a school district, or wanted a o address better understanding of what happens behind the scenes to support nearly 20,000 students 51. This and thousands of staff members every day, School District 51 has a way for you to find out. cused on The school district is taking applications for its 2026-27 Leadership D51 cohort, students, which is designed to give parents, community members and local partners an inside look staff, and at District 51. Throughout the year, participants hear directly from district leaders, visit te Icedschools and programs, and get a behind-the-scenes look at the many pieces that come day, Feb.together to serve District 51’s students. The district said participants will dive into academics, student support, safety m. More
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the hospital’s finances, guided it through the COVID-19 pandemic and led its stand-alone adoption of Epic’s electronichealth-records system from a financial standpoint. Earlier in her career, she served as CFO for two Roaring Fork Valley firms, following corporate tax roles at two multinational companies, The Quaker Oats Company and Tellabs Inc. Sebenaler has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Illinois, is a certified public accountant, certified revenue cycle representative, and certified healthcare financial professional through HFMA. “Rural healthcare means doing more with less, and I’ve seen firsthand how hard WHA members work to stretch every dollar without compromising care. That’s why I’m excited to join the WHA team as the CFO,” Sebenaler said. “These organizations were built by rural providers who understood that no one should have to face these challenges alone, and that same spirit of collaboration is what will carry us into a strong financial future. “Through group purchasing, value-based contracting and dignity-centered revenue recovery, we’re helping independent hospitals thrive, not just survive. My goal: a financial foundation that’s sustainable, transparent and truly serves our communities. I’m so grateful to be part of this amazing team.”
and security, finance, facilities and operations, workforce readiness and more. And it emphasized this isn’t just a series of presentations. “We want participants to see the work firsthand, ask questions, meet the people doing it and better understand the opportunities and challenges of serving our community,” the district said in a news release. “Each session builds on the last and culminates in a behindthe-scenes experience that brings everything together, giving participants a much fuller picture of D51 than most people ever have the opportunity to see.” For more information or to apply, go online to: www.d51schools.org/departments111/ communications/leadership-d51. Deadline to apply is Oct. 9.
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SePtember 30 - OctOber 7, 2026
SePtember 30 - OctOber 7, 2026
The Business Times
COLORADO MESA UNIVERSITY
HOMECOMING OCTOBER 8-17, 2026
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8
Montrose Timberline Tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 am, CMU Montrose Quad
MONDAY, OCTOBER 12
Rowdy’s Birthday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 am, The CMU Plaza
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15
Timberline Bank Mav Mixer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 am, Timberline Bank Homecoming Parade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:30 pm, Downtown
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16
Victory Dinner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:15 pm, Asteria Theatre Bonfire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 pm, CMU Alumni Field
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17
Homecoming Football Game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 pm, Stoker Stadium
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THIS IS COOL!
If we at The Business Times see something business-related that we think is cool, we just might take a photo of it and run it in our newspaper. Why? Just because it’s cool. And it’s our prerogative.
That’s One Big Apple
If you recognize this metal apple sculpture from Downtown Grand Junction’s Art on the Corner and wonder why Terry Burnett has it in his home workshop, don’t worry. He’s not an art thief. Burnett is the creator of the sculpture, and he removed it from downtown Grand Junction a year ago to freshen up the paint on it. Its absence didn’t go unnoticed by a whole lot of people who know Burnett, as his wife, artist Carlee Burnett said, “People say they’ve missed it, and they want to know if it’s coming back.” Terry answered that with an emphatic, “It’s coming back!” He said it will be re-installed this weekend during the 2026 Downtown Grand Junction Art Festival. Photo by Tim Harty.
The Business Times
SePtember 30 - OctOber 7, 2026
September 30 - OctOber 7, 2026
The Business Times
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The Business Times
SePtember 30 - OctOber 7, 2026
Paranormal Cirque performing Oct. 2-5 in GJ
A Paranormal Cirque performer. Photo courtesy of Paranormal Cirque.
Paranormal Cirque returns to Mesa Mall, 2424 U.S. Highway 6&50, for four nights of shows, Oct. 2-5, with a claim it will expose attendees to a unique creation of combined theatre, circus and cabaret with a new European-style flare. Cirque Italia is presenting a brandnew show for a mature audience that loves thrilling, wicked, sexy and dangerous things, Paranormal Cirque said in a news release, promoting the show. Paranormal Cirque calls the show an innovative horror story, featuring different shades of sexy and an incomparable storyline. It adds, “You will fall into a
parallel world and end up surrounded by monstrous creatures with hidden talents that will amaze you with the circus arts. This show is NOT for the faint of heart. You may have to catch your breath or try to stop your heart from racing during this adrenaline-filled performance.” According to the news release, careful casting selection united artists from all over the world. A few of the circus arts you can expect to see in this new production include the jaw-dropping Wheel of Death, mystifying magic and more. For more information visit www.paranormalcirque.com or check Paranormal Cirque’s social media. Tickets start at $10, depending on availability for the restricted show, which has adult language and material. Anyone under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Paranormal Cirque is offering a special promotion: $5 off any full-priced ticket purchased in levels 1, 2, or 3. Call 941-704-8572 to get the promo code for Grand Junction. Tickets are available through the website, paranormalcirque.com/tickets, or by phone: 941-704-8572, and Paranormal Cirque will respond to text messages.
Kindness Creates offers $30K match for construction workforce training The Kindness Creates Community Foundation is offering up to $30,000 in matching funds to support construction education and workforce development for Western Slope students. The foundation, the charitable arm of the Grand Junction Area Realtor Association, will match contributions made to Careers in Construction Western Slope through the end of 2026. The match includes donations from individual GJARA members through Parade of Homes participation and other fundraising events. If enough contributions are made to receive the full match, the effort could generate $60,000 for the program. Careers in Construction Western Slope is supported locally through the Housing & Building Association of Western Colorado. The program connects area students with construction education, industry certifications and local professionals. “KCCF believes in investing in our future and what better way than investing in the local education of future tradespeople,” said Don Potter, president of GJARA and KCCF. Potter said Careers in Construction works with District 51 high schools to train, support and mentor students interested in construction careers. He also connected the investment in workforce development with the region’s need for additional housing. Shayna Heiney, executive direcotr of the Housing & Building Association of Western Colorado, said the matching grant gives the community an opportunity to increase the impact of contributions to the program. “This grant gives our community an incredible opportunity to double the impact of every donation made through the end of the year,” Heiney said. Donations made before the end of 2026 are eligible for the matching effort. For more information about KCCF or GJARA, contact M.H. Ripley at 970-2434422 or rip@gjrealtors.org, or visit the Kindness Creates Community Foundation website.
September 30 - OctOber 7, 2026
GJ
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The Business Times
Letters to the Editor
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Montessori school is Clifton’s newest opportunity for education
m all over Dear Editor, n include The pursuit of happiness requires the freedom to shape your family’s life and strengthen the community around you. In Clifton, Lavender Bee Montessori School leaders Lexi Brown ranormaland Megan Gil built a school to make that pursuit possible for so many more families. School District 51 operates several school locations in Clifton with passionate has adultand loving teachers. Still, Clifton parents lack diverse school options tailored to some guardian.children’s unique needs. Until now, eastern Mesa County hasn’t had a PreK–5th grade ced ticketschool that combines exploratory learning with proven methods to nurture a child’s Junction.natural curiosity. ts, or by Mesa County folks know Megan Gil for her help in opening Cactus Bloom Community School in Grand Junction in 2024, expanding Montessori options across the central valley. Prior to that, she taught with D51 at Clifton Elementary School. In the fall of 2025, Lexi Brown, a former Bookcliff Middle School teacher, felt called to launch a new school and reached out to Megan to co-found it. Both women knew the enormous sacrifices ahead to create such a unique opportunity for others, sacrifices far beyond the already admirable work teachers do every day. As micro-school founders, they aren’t endowed with large budgets for staffing. Lexi and Megan fulfill the roles of teacher, principal, administrator and community liaison all at once. After finishing lesson plans, they spend their hours navigating accreditation
standards, meeting building codes and talking with parents. Because micro-schools rely on voluntary enrollment, their weekends aren’t spent resting, but building community. There is no room for ego in the coordination of that many tasks between two loving mothers of young families. These women have welded a deep connection through every challenge they’ve faced together. Lexi and Megan are the very model of community and collaboration we want our children to see. Seeing what it took to build Lavender Bee reawakens our understanding of what a few individuals are able to accomplish on behalf of so many others in our valley. Ahead of us are countless stories to be told by families about how their child’s love for learning was nurtured at Lavender Bee Montessori. We’ll see futures rewritten simply because children stepped into a school designed with them in mind. You now have an opportunity to experience and share in this incredible accomplishment. Please join us to celebrate their ribbon-cutting event: evite.me/ mACHqbZ9nB. ● Date and time: October 23, 1:45 p.m. ● Location: Lavender Bee Montessori School, 3196 Hill Ave., Grand Junction. ● Details: Snacks, activities for all ages, and open doors for everyone. – Eric Gil, Grand Junction
Constitution Day reminder: Words on paper are not enough
mmunity 30,000 in nstruction pment for
To the Editor: Mesa County’s community speakers event was not a sideshow. It was one of the few able arm times residents were invited to speak in their own words instead of through a prepared Realtor agenda. I brought a written account of that evening, because the remarks deserved more tributions than a passing mention. What follows is what I heard in the room and why a business Western community that depends on public trust should pay attention to it. he match Words on paper are not enough. That was the lesson of Constitution Day at the old l GJARA Mesa County Courthouse on Sept. 17. Homes Mesa County and Grand Junction proclaimed Constitution Week. Mesa County Compass g events. hosted the program. Greg Haitz introduced it the right way. Before the founders told us how made to government would work, the Declaration told us why it exists. Rights come first. Government ort could is instituted to secure them. Lincoln called the Declaration an apple of gold and the Constitution . the frame of silver around it. The frame matters only if people keep the principle alive. ern Slope Haitz reminded the room that other constitutions have promised speech, press, ousing & assembly and worship. The Soviet document did. Those words did not produce a free Colorado. people. A republic depends on citizens who understand their rights and will practice them. students Three neighbors made that concrete. industry Barbora Hurd grew up in communist Czechoslovakia. Her parents refused the Party. Her als. mother typed forbidden religious books at night. People watched what they said. When she ng in our became a U.S. citizen near the Statue of Liberty, she cried over the oath to support and defend vesting in the Constitution. Citizenship, she said, is not only receiving rights. It is accepting responsibility. speople,” Ladis Visner left family and home when armored vehicles rolled into his town. He ARA and spent months in an Italian refugee camp and told the truth when asked if he had been a Party member. His book, “Escaping the Iron Curtain,” is the story of that choice. He put nstruction the economic question simply: Which system lets you keep the fruit of your labor? s to train, Eric Gil spoke as the son of Cuban parents who fled Castro’s revolution as children. Castro erested in did not campaign as a communist. Freedom was taken in pieces. Relatives put children on planes nected the ment with ousing. irecotr of iation of hing grant tunity to ons to the
munity an he impact he end of
e end of g effort. KCCF or 970-243visit the oundation
alone so those children could be free. Gil’s warning was local: There is nowhere else left to run. A constitution cannot make us honest or brave. That part is up to us. – Donald Hunger, Grand Junction
SHARE YOUR OPINION
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SePtember 30 - OctOber 7, 2026
September 30 - OctOber 7, 2026
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People first isn’t soft leadership — it’s smart leadership For too long, business has been treated like a math problem: Sell more, spend less, squeeze out profit. Leaders cling to this formula because it’s familiar, predictable and easy to measure. But here’s the truth most won’t say out loud: That formula is outdated, shallow and responsible for more disengagement, turnover and customer frustration than any competitor could ever cause. A business built only on numbers eventually collapses under the weight of its own short-sightedness. A business built on people becomes unstoppable. After 22 years working with companies across industries, I’ve seen the same pattern repeat itself. The organizations that really thrive Marcus are the ones that understand a simple leadership truth: Your business Straub is only as strong as the people who believe in it. When leaders ignore that, everything else starts to crack. Let’s start with your customers. They’re not targets. They’re not conversion rates. They’re not “traffic.” They’re human beings choosing to spend their hard-earned money with you. They want value, but they also want respect. They want to feel like their choice matters. When customers feel dismissed, manipulated or treated like walking wallets, they leave. And they don’t leave quietly. They take their trust, their loyalty and their referrals with them. But when you treat customers with dignity, something powerful happens. They don’t just buy from you; they also root for you. They become advocates. They become part of your story. That’s not luck. That’s leadership. Now let’s talk about your team. You know, the people who show up every day and carry your business on their backs. Too many leaders treat team members like interchangeable parts, as if talent is a commodity and commitment is automatic. It’s not. When people feel undervalued, they disengage. When they feel ignored, they stop caring. When they feel disposable, they leave. Your team members are not cogs. They’re human beings with families, ambitions and pride in their work. They’ve chosen to invest a significant portion of their lives in your business. That choice deserves respect. When leaders listen, support and empower
their teams, employees respond with loyalty, creativity and excellence. They become protectors of your culture and champions of your mission. Leadership is not about extracting as much as possible from people. It’s about creating an environment where people can give their best, because they are supported, mentored and encouraged to be their best. When you operate from the understanding that everyone wants to be happy and successful just like you do, customers and team members stop being tools for personal gain. They become partners in a shared journey. This shift in perspective transforms the culture. It builds trust, strengthens relationships and creates an environment where success becomes sustainable. It’s no longer a zero-sum game. It becomes a rising tide that lifts everyone. But let’s be honest: Not everyone will align with your values. Some customers will never be satisfied. Some team members won’t thrive, even with support. Leadership requires tough decisions. You must be willing to part ways with people who don’t align with your mission. Not harshly. Not impulsively. But clearly and compassionately. Protecting your culture is part of protecting your business. The companies that embrace a win-win-win philosophy, one where customers, team members and owners all benefit, are the ones that outperform, outlast, and outshine their competitors. They give as much as they receive. They honor the contributions of every individual. They serve a purpose beyond profit. And because of that, they build loyalty that money can’t buy. In reality, your customers, your team and you are all in business together. You’re part of a shared ecosystem built on trust, respect and mutual benefit. When you embrace that truth, your business becomes more than a revenue engine. It becomes a place where people grow, relationships deepen and purpose is found. This is what modern leadership looks like. Not softer. Not gentler. Stronger. Smarter. More intentional. F Marcus Straub owns Life is Great Coaching in Grand Junction. Reach Straub at (970) 208-3150, marcus@ligcoaching.com or through the website located at www. ligcoaching.com.
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You can go home again, and the trip always surprises Yes, as I type, I’m back home again in beautiful Michigan. And you probably could guess if you know anything about me at all related to my favorite pastime, I’m in my home state playing golf. And as much as I enjoy the rounds I play in my now hometown of Grand Junction, there’s just something about playing in the Mitten that does my heart good. Maybe it’s because one of my favorite surprises always comes with just how green it is back home. Maybe that’s because they get a lot more rain in Michigan than we do in western Colorado, which is the obvious answer, since I know I live in the desert. But I will never get over the beauty of just how wonderfully green Michigan is. And I say that in spite of my golf ball finding its way behind much of that green on all too many shots. But that’s simply because there are just so many darned trees on the golf courses, and when Craig Hall you hack the ball around as I do, it doesn’t always go into places where there are no trees on golf courses. Something I hear they call the fairway. Oh, I hit it much more often than I used to, because for some reason known only to God himself, my golf game improved greatly after those nice docs at St. Mary’s split my chest open. For the record, I recommend practicing over open-heart surgery to improve one’s golf game. I also recommend hitting the fairway with one’s tee shot. Which surprisingly I did find most of the time during my first Michigan round I played on this trip on deadline day for this column. Now, if only I will be pleasantly surprised for rounds two, three and four. Then again, with every round of golf I play, there are plenty of surprises, both good and bad. It’s why I love the game so much. One hole I’m thinking of quitting, and the next hole I’m dreaming of joining the Senior Tour. The real secret is you just don’t get carried away with either feeling. Oh, the ying and yang of the game I love so. But it IS just a game, after all. Maybe understanding that is why I got better all of the sudden. Considering golf was literally the last thing I did before going to the doctor and having him order me to the emergency room, because I was having a heart “event,” perhaps the connection between golf and almost dying put things in my life into proper perspective. So, when my surprisingly poor golf shot ends up in nature, I focus more on the surrounding beauty than the ugliness of my lie or those tall green obstacles in between me and the other, more desired green destination, the one we putt on. But I have to say, it’s always the best surprise when I get together with my three best, home-state buddies for “The Match,” which occurs during one of the rounds of my trips, which so happens to be the round we played today. And when the venerable
Wizard and Craigy (the good guys) square off against the evil empire of Chaz and Big Wind (obviously, the bad guys) for golf supremacy, surprises are the name of the game. Well, maybe they aren’t really surprising surprises. Just pleasant ones. That is, unless Wizard and Craigy lose. Now, that would be a surprise. You see, the biggest surprise is always the blessing I receive with the camaraderie of three best buddies hitting the links again for the who knows how many times over the past 30-plus years. Because the true surprising pleasures in life come from good friends (I could say those you love, but we’re such guy guys) reminiscing, joking, teasing and friendly abusing one another over five hours of the most intense competition. Yes, I’m joking. But the losers do have to suffer through months of ridicule. It’s only months now, because we have been surprisingly lucky to get together now twice a year on these trips for a few years. Just so you folks understand, your favorite columnist doesn’t reach the ripe old age of 30 without Big Wind. That would be my buddy Steve, who was my first roommate after finally moving out of my parent’s home, and he literally took me under his wing for all things sorting out how to strike out on my own. Steve’s been paramount in my life for the decades since we became good friends. Few hugs mean as much in my life whenever we meet. As for Wizard and Chaz, that’s the brothers Dave and Charlie Orders, who I met through Steve. And, of course, we all first met at the golf course. Over the years and what must be a hundred or more rounds, Charlie and Dave have become best of buddies beyond golf. We’ve talked every week for years, especially blowing up texts over countless University of Michigan games. Dave and Charlie are a blessed constant in my life. But the best surprise is no surprise when it comes to these guys. We always pick up right where we left off. Every time. Even if the majority of golf course fun is sarcasm and joking, there’s always time before, around and between shots (sometimes during with the joking) and after our rounds to catch up on life. Only now we’re catching up less it seems on families (although there’s plenty of that) and more on getting signed up for Medicare and Social Security. But those come with the wonderful surprise of growing old with good friends. Got a few in my new home state as well. And yup, a bunch of it happens over golf. I pray we all have friends to count the years of blessings. In Truth and freedom. P.S. – Oh yes, Craigy and Wizard won. Again. F Craig Hall is owner and publisher of The Business Times. Reach him at 424-5133 or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com
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n GJ receives AA- credit rating from S&P Global S&P Global Ratings assigned its “AA-” long-term rating to the City of Grand Junction’s anticipated $9.1 million series 2026 certificates of participation. The rating is an independent assessment of the city’s financial strength and its ability to meet its financial obligations. The city said in a newsletter the rating reflects S&P’s view of the city’s stable operating performance, strong reserve position and manageable long-term liabilities, supported by well-defined financial policies and practices. The city said the strong credit rating can also help it access financing at more favorable rates, helping reduce borrowing costs over time.
n City revenue up for sales tax, down for use tax in July The City of Grand Junction’s August revenue report, reflecting retail activity in July, shows sales-tax collections up 5 percent compared with the same period a year ago, while use-tax collections declined 11.1 percent. Overall, combined sales and use-tax collections for July retail activity increased 4.2 percent year over year. National economic data were generally consistent with the city’s sales-tax results, the city said in a newsletter. U.S. retail and food-services sales were 5 percent higher through July than 2025. Inflation also accounts for a portion of the nominal growth in taxable sales. Although it is not a direct measure of the city’s taxable sales base, Core CPI, which excludes the more volatile food and energy categories, increased 2.5 percent over the 12 months ending in July. According to the city’s newsletter, this suggests that some portion of the increase in sales tax collections reflects higher prices, while the remainder may reflect growth in the underlying volume and mix of taxable activity.
n County hosts flu-vaccine clinic in October Mesa County Public Health is hosting a community flu-vaccine clinic for everyone six months and older on Oct. 17, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Health and Human Services, 510 29 1/2 Road. No appointment is needed. To serve families and individuals efficiently, the clinic will feature two service options: • Walk-in clinic for families and children: Head inside to the Public Health Clinic, so they can take care of your family comfortably. • Drive-through clinic for adults: Stay in your car and simply pull up to the convenient drive-through option in the parking lot. Mesa County Public Health requests that when you arrive, please have your ID and insurance card ready. If you don’t have insurance, don’t worry; they will work with you to ensure cost isn’t a barrier to keeping you healthy. “Getting vaccinated is the single most effective step you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones from the flu,” Mesa County Clinical Services Director Erin Andrews said. “It reduces the risk of severe illness, helping shield high-risk community members like older adults, infants and pregnant individuals.” If Oct. 17 doesn’t work for your schedule, please call Mesa County Public Health at 970-248-6906 to arrange a different time. Visit Mesa County Public Health’s Vaccine Services webpage on the county website, www.mesacounty.us, for more information about the vaccines it offers.
n Commissioners approve Q3 amended county budget The Mesa County Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 22 approved a resolution to adopt changes to the Mesa County budget. This supplemental budget is a tool used to update the budget throughout the year as grants are awarded, donations are received, and department needs change. These updates help ensure money is accounted for before it is spent and that funds are used for their intended purpose, the county said in a news release. After grants, revenue increases and invoices that weren’t in the original budget were
SePtember 30 - OctOber 7, 2026
Share your news! Has your business recently hired, moved or made changes? The Business Times welcomes submissions for free publication in Business Briefs. Email stories and photos to stories@thebusinesstimes.com or submit a news release online at www.thebusinesstimes.com.
(970) 424-5133 www.thebusinesstimes.com accounted for, the county’s general fund benefited by $65,645. Animal Services received a grant to fund a volunteer coordinator position, Facilities received rebate checks from Xcel Energy for efficiency upgrades, and the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office got invoices from the state for the Turner Gulch and Pine Gulch fires. The rebate from Xcel was $81,450, and the state invoices for fire services totaled $50,951. Criminal Justice Services also expects increases in revenue and food-service costs. The Regional Transportation Planning office is shifting the preventive maintenance of its vehicles to the Capital Fund, and Public Health has received a federal suicide prevention grant.
n Local contractors supporting construction management students The Western Colorado Contractors Association presented a check for $700 to the Colorado Mesa University Construction Management Club during an event Sept. 25 at CMU Tech’s Archuleta Center. The funds were raised from the annual WCCA Trap Shoot on Aug. 8 at the Grand Junction Trap Club in Grand Junction. The CMU Construction Management Club meets weekly on campus to provide construction-management majors with a place to meet other construction-management students outside of the classroom, help each other with challenging coursework and network with contractors to get a head start for when they graduate. For more information about the CMU Construction Management Club, email tlmiller@coloradomesa.edu.
n Greenbelt project completes safety, infrastructure improvements After five months of construction, major safety and infrastructure improvements are complete on Greenbelt Drive and 22 1/2 Road. Mesa County, the City of Grand Junction and School District 51 worked together on the Greenbelt project, creating safer, more accessible routes for students, families and the surrounding community. The county said in a news release that the project widened and resurfaced Greenbelt Drive, which was in poor road condition, and added sidewalks on both sides of the road. It added crosswalks and ADA-compliant pedestrian access to Broadway Elementary, and better drainage infrastructure to an area prone to flash flooding. Crews installed approximately 450 feet of new storm drain pipe along 22 1/2 Road and 475 feet along Greenbelt Drive, tying into the existing stormwater system. New curb and gutter systems, curb ramps, and valley pans were put in to improve accessibility and functionality at key points, such as Pine Terrace and Milena Way. The project was finished at the beginning of September, coming in ahead of schedule and just under its $1 million budget, the news release said.
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