The Colorado Mesa Women’s Lacrosse Team had an amazing time visiting Lincoln Orchard Mesa Elementary (LOME) to promote higher education as part of the Where We Become Maverick's initiative where CMU athletic teams visit elementary schools around Mesa County School District 51 The team enthusiastically welcomed students into the gym for one of LOME's ROAR rallies They focused on relating LOME's value of respect to CMU's value of dignity The team provided real-life examples of how they respect themselves and others They also opened up with the elementary students about who in their life they respect and look up to the most.  Junior midfielder Ella Freemon closed out the presentation portion with a powerful sentiment just like you aren't just representing your school you are representing everything that came before you."  Freemon also prompted the 300-plus students attending the rally to share who makes them the most proud Hands shot up all around the gym.   After discussing respect and how it related to dignity the student-athletes shared a pledge of respect and had the gym repeat the three pillars of the promise To continue practicing respect and dignity towards one another the women's lacrosse team led LOME students through a compliment chain game Starting at one end of the gym, students were given a compliment by their partner and then gave one in return The compliment chain spread through the whole gym until all 300-plus kids gave and were given a compliment After the game concluded and the rally came to an end the students and athletes all took a group picture with Rowdy the CMU mascot CMU had so much fun visiting Lincoln Orchard Mesa students and fostering meaningful conversations about the importance of kindness The power of respect and dignity was alive in the gym that day inspiring all students that education opens doors to a life of opportunity Do you have a story you would like to share with Colorado Mesa University? Please share your good news by contacting Katlin Birdsall at [email protected] the Mesa County Commissioners have demonstrated a consistent commitment to preserving and enhancing water infrastructure and ensuring sustainable water management for the community Their actions have included financial investments such as a $1 million contribution to protect the Shoshone water rights and leveraging American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to support De Beque’s water treatment facility They have supported various grant applications and projects such as upgrades to the Orchard Mesa Check Infrastructure and efforts to establish secondary water sources the Commissioners have taken proactive steps to combat invasive species like zebra mussels in the Colorado River and Highline Canal by collaborating with local organizations and raising awareness These initiatives reflect a strategic focus on safeguarding water resources and ensuring water security for future generations A species of mosquito not previously found in Mesa County has been detected According to the Grand River Mosquito Control District (GRMCD) Aedes aegypti mosquitoes have been identified in traps located in the Orchard Mesa area they’ve collected more than 100 eggs and at least five adults of this species.  “We have had active surveillance in the county for the past month we’ve only detected the Aedes aegypti in a small area in Orchard Mesa and we are actively treating and fogging in this area,” says Tim Moore Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are most active during the daytime and they don’t travel as far as other species of mosquitoes Aedes aegypti will only fly about 50 feet in its lifetime and can be recognized by black and white markings on its legs.  These mosquitoes are more commonly found in tropical A challenging characteristic of these mosquitoes is their ability to lay eggs in the smallest amounts of water It makes them highly adaptable and difficult to control.  They can also transmit several viruses this does not mean these mosquitoes are currently transmitting these diseases.  “No cases of the diseases that can be associated with this species of mosquito have been reported in Mesa County we will notify the community,” said Kathleen Satterfield Epidemiologist at Mesa County Public Health GRMCD’s surveillance program will continue for both adults and larvae through September.  “Our technicians will continue to abate the Aedes aegypti by treating the larvae and fogging in the area until our trap numbers subside,” explains Moore As GRMCD works to eradicate this species of mosquito,  Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) tracks and responds to shifts in disease trends and works to detect any unusual disease patterns “We take the health of our community very seriously We have a strong public health system here in Mesa County- we are prepared and ready to respond to whatever health challenges may arise,” said Satterfield Prevention remains crucial this mosquito season The best way to keep you and your family healthy is to limit mosquito bites There are simple and effective precautions you can take to lower your risk: Both Spectrum and Verizon have entry-level plans for $50 per month but Spectrum’s price jumps after the first year Verizon 5G Home Internet includes equipment but finding an open slot at your address in Orchard Mesa may be challenging T-Mobile Home Internet typically costs $50 per month but frequent deals can bring it down to $35 -- with equipment included Spectrum’s 1,000Mbps cable plan is the fastest in town There’s a tiny bit of fiber in the broader Grand Junction area but you’re not likely to find it in Orchard Mesa itself Spectrum sneaks just past CenturyLink for the wired internet coverage crown in Orchard Mesa Spectrum’s cable network reaches over 98% of homes.  Spectrum is CNET's pick for the best internet provider overall for most households in Orchard Mesa With wide coverage and gigabit download speeds Spectrum doesn't cover every corner of Orchard Mesa T-Mobile Home Internet or Optimum Broadband are excellent alternatives Looking for the cheapest or the fastest connections Spectrum's 500Mbps plan is the cheapest widely available internet plan in Orchard Mesa starting at $50 monthly for the first year Spectrum again takes the crown with its gigabit plan accessible throughout the town The best internet deals and top promotions in Orchard Mesa depend on what discounts are available during a given time but we look frequently for the latest offers.  may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time including Rise Broadband and Optimus Broadband tend to run the same standard pricing year-round.  For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.  Note that these are only guidelines -- and that internet speed service and performance vary by connection type For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need it's impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city availability and speed database that draws from our own historical ISP data partner data and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.  We go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP's service ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of publication.  To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page pricing and speed makes it the default internet provider for Orchard Mesa Rural homes outside of town can check into the fixed wireless ISPs but most residents will opt for cable from Spectrum If the price jump after the first year bothers you check into T-Mobile or Verizon for 5G home internet Both Spectrum and Verizon have entry-level plans for $50 per month but Spectrum’s price jumps after the first year Spectrum’s 1,000Mbps cable plan is the fastest in town There’s a tiny bit of fiber in the broader Grand Junction area but you’re not likely to find it in Orchard Mesa itself Spectrum’s cable network reaches over 98% of homes.  News | Mar 3 1 winds through 18 miles of rural agricultural farmland and residential backyards.  the Orchard Mesa Irrigation District was promised $10.5 million from the U.S Bureau of Reclamation to pipe the open canal — which has crumbling chunks of concrete and rebar poking out along its sides — and install more-efficient valves instead of headgates In addition to delivering water more easily to the 6,700 users in the district a goal of the project is to improve the irrigation system’s efficiency so more water could be left for endangered fish in a critical 15-mile stretch of the Colorado River.  But the future of the project is uncertain because about $151 million in funding for projects aimed at conservation and drought resilience on the Western Slope has been frozen by the Trump administration “We are on hold ourselves because we don’t have the revenue to move forward,” said Jackie Fisher manager of the Orchard Mesa Irrigation District.  during the final days of the Biden administration Bureau of Reclamation announced it had awarded $388 million in funding through the Inflation Reduction Act for projects throughout the Colorado River’s Upper Basin (Colorado The money was allocated through what the bureau called “Bucket 2 Environmental Drought Mitigation,” or B2E which is earmarked for projects that provide environmental benefits and address issues caused by drought But just three days later, the Trump administration issued an executive order, “Unleashing American Energy,” which said “all agencies shall immediately pause the disbursement of funds appropriated through the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.” Water managers say they are waiting on information from the bureau and have not heard anything about the status of funding since the Jan Most are operating under the assumption funding is still paused and The Trump administration has yet to appoint a new Bureau of Reclamation commissioner.  we have not heard a thing,” said Steve Wolff general manager of the Durango-based Southwestern Water Conservation District which was awarded $26 million for drought mitigation “We’re very happy we were successful but now we are in a no-man’s land.” Officials from the bureau did not respond to questions from Aspen Journalism about the status of the funding Seventeen of the 42 Upper Basin projects are in western Colorado and include things such as almost $3 million for dam removal and wetlands restoration at Fruita Reservoir; $1.9 million for studying the effectiveness of beaver dam analogs in the headwaters of the Roaring Fork River; and $4.6 million for drought resiliency on conserved lands The funding pause also affects six tribal water projects in the Upper Basin including $16 million for the Southern Ute Indian Tribe for drought mitigation on the Pine River a senior manager with Audubon Rockies’ Western Rivers Program said everyone awarded the funding is in limbo now Burk is involved with two of the projects awarded B2E money in the Grand Valley: the Fruita Reservoir dam removal and restoration as well as a project in Palisade that would convert wastewater lagoons into wetlands “We’ve got some great projects that are just hanging in the air waiting for a decision,” he said “We in the environmental community are trying to support our project partners; we are just at a momentary loss There’s just quite a bit of uncertainty.” The uncertainty surrounding B2E funding comes at a crucial time for the Colorado River basin which has been plagued by drought and dwindling streamflows due to climate change for more than the past two decades Representatives from the seven Colorado River basin states (California which comprise the Lower Basin) are in the midst of tense negotiations about how the nation’s two largest reservoirs — Lake Powell and Lake Mead — will be operated and how water-supply shortages will be shared in the future.  Some water managers said that without this once-in-a-lifetime federal funding they were promised, many of these projects probably won’t happen. Southwestern Water Conservation District was awarded the grant, but the district plans to distribute the money to smaller local entities for a variety of projects including invasive plant control through the Mancos Conservation District; to the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe for erosion control and restoration; and to Mountain Studies Institute for restoration of fens we absolutely need this funding,” Wolff said “I certainly hope it does shake loose.” The $10.5 million awarded to the Orchard Mesa Irrigation District would cover the entire cost of the canal piping project “We already run on a shoestring budget so a $10.5 million project is nearly impossible,” she added “We’re pinching pennies all the way around.” The Glenwood Springs-based Colorado River Water Conservation District is the recipient of the biggest B2E award in Colorado: $40 million toward the purchase of the Shoshone water rights The River District is in the midst of a campaign to buy the water rights associated with Xcel Energy’s hydropower plant in Glenwood Canyon for $99 million These water rights are some of the oldest nonconsumptive rights on the Western Slope and help keep water flowing to downstream ecosystems agricultural and recreational water users.  the River District’s general manager “While the timing of federal funding to secure the Shoshone water rights remains uncertain the River District is encouraged by key appointments within the Department of the Interior,” Mueller said “We are prepared to work closely with the next Bureau of Reclamation commissioner to advance this critical effort and other essential water projects that protect agriculture and the communities that rely on it — both in Colorado and across the basin.” This story is provided by Aspen Journalism, a nonprofit, investigative news organization covering water, environment, social justice, and more. Visit aspenjournalism.org Summit Daily is embarking on a multiyear project to digitize its archives going back to 1989 and make them available to the public in partnership with the Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection The full project is expected to cost about $165,000 All donations made in 2023 will go directly toward this project This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page 38 Road in East Orchard Mesa is about to become safer and more accessible for bikers and pedestrians At the May 21 administrative public hearing the Mesa County Commissioners approved a $638,636 agreement for the design of the 38 Road Bike and Pedestrian Project.  The Fruit and Wine Byway is a popular scenic route for bikers but the unincorporated Mesa County area of the roadway located on 38 Road currently requires bikers to ride on a narrow shoulder of the road.  The 38 Road Bike and Pedestrian Project aims to widen the two-lane road to include a grade-separated pedestrian/bike path on the west side of 38 Road and connect it to the existing bike path further south At the administrative public hearing on April 9 the Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved an $800,000 final payment to Mesa County Valley School District 51 The payment fulfills Mesa County's financial obligation for the pool and releases it of any future financial responsibilities for the facility There is some new construction happening on Orchard Mesa and you may have wondered what's going up There is no signage to indicate what is going in on an empty lot near 27 Road and Highway 50 but my somewhat reliable sources tell me the location is going to be a popular sandwich destination The empty lot I'm referring to sits next to Crosspoint Church and Hill and Homes Storage and across the street from the Maverick convenience store It's possible something used to be at this location and was taken down years ago but for as long as I can remember it's just been a big empty lot a new Subway restaurant is going in at this location presumably to replace the Subway located in the shopping center right across the highway The new Subway is just a stone's throw away from the one across the street.  I mean you'd have to have a pretty decent arm to get a stone from one to the other but it's not like you'd have to be John Elway There isn't a ton of fast-food restaurants on Orchard Mesa It seems like there's room for more and they would probably do pretty well The one problem with the new Subway location might be accessing it on Highway 50 as you're coming in from the east The highway is divided and there currently is no way to make a left turn between 27 Road and Linden Avenue where Dairy Queen is located There also doesn't appear to be a way to achieve access to the new Subway from 27 Road anyone with a hankering for a sandwich will find a way to make it happen I don't know the target date for the opening of the new Subway The only thing there at the moment is the concrete pad it's something to look forward to and should be a welcome addition to the Orchard Mesa landscape There is some new construction happening on Orchard Mesa and you may have wondered what's going up Read More Mesa County Regional Transportation Planning Office (RTPO) wrapped up the first Walk & Wheel Challenge since the launch of the mobile app in August Parents of students attending District 51 elementary and middle schools were encouraged to download the app and log active trips to and from school from September 12 to October 28 there were 1,400 trips logged in the app from 24 different schools Participating students could earn prizes for meeting three different trip goals; prizes included a Mesa County Safe Routes character sticker sweet treat from a local bakery or coffee shop and one free youth admission to the Fruita Community Center Each year schools around the country are encouraged to walk or roll to school twice per year for National Walk or Bike to School Day; the first Wednesday in May and the first Wednesday in October RTPO staff set up a challenge between D51 schools to encourage students to use active modes to get to school schools logged their participation in a Google Form; overall eight schools reported a total of 840 kids participating in the October Walk & Roll Day Congratulations to Lincoln Orchard Mesa Elementary who had 240 students participate the school received new recess equipment valued at $200 CMU’s mascot Rowdy surprised Melanie Monroe and her third/fourth grade class to announce that the CMU education major was the winner of CMU’s Future is Now scholarship award. The scholarship was created in connection with the university’s COVID-19 response effort.  “I was just so surprised and on the verge of tears,” said Monroe “I don’t know how the kids kept this a secret I entered the contest because a lot of my friends go to colleges that are still shut down and I just wanted them to see that at CMU we are still in person and open.” Colorado Mesa University was among the nation’s select campuses to remain open during the COVID-19 pandemic Strong Together pandemic response plan received national attention and attracted strategic partners including the Broad Institute and COVIDCheck Colorado Partnerships with these organizations allowed CMU to remain open for in-person learning and continue training student teachers who are important to Mesa County Valley School District 51 schools like Lincoln Orchard Mesa Elementary “We are excited to always be partnering with CMU and the teacher education program,” said Lincoln Orchard Mesa Elementary Assistant Principal Amy Shepherd-Fowler CMU has been able to enrich our student’s lives as well as provide a great experience for their students with a diverse population Student teachers are an amazing asset to our schools They bring in new research and learning from the university but they also cross train with our professionals and we all grow each other.” CMU President Tim Foster often speaks in the community about the importance of D51’s partnership with CMU A partnership that spans concurrent enrollment and PTECH schools to working jointly to create the next generation of local educators “I was happy to hear the Future is Now scholarship winner is also a future D51 educator,” said Foster “The selection of Monroe allows CMU to highlight how important the partnership is between CMU and D51 and her service to children a Lincoln Orchard Mesa helps us tell the story about how essential student teachers and interns from CMU are to local schools.” During the scholarship presentation each student in the class took turns telling Monroe what they liked most about her as a teacher Each child spoke about the virtues of Monroe and took turns hugging her as she received the scholarship Rowdy handed out CMU face coverings to each student and the classroom teacher Monroe will complete here student teaching at Lincoln Orchard Mesa Elementary and plans to continue on with a career in education Do you have a story you would like to share with Colorado Mesa University? Please share your good news by contacting Katlin Birdsall at [email protected]. Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInStudents at Orchard Mesa Middle School are getting settled into school. But, with construction underway, they will be in a new school building after winter break. Officials say that they designed the new building in a way that would encourage students to learn. The building has a lot more open space in classrooms as well as more natural lighting. The old Orchard Mesa school is 60,000 square feet and the new building will be 100,000 square feet. “Because of how it's designed, it's personalized for that school pride. But, it's also designed so it can be multi-functional, and so we'll be able to think even beyond what we could've thought about in the old building,” says Math Teacher Diana Ocheltree. Students will have full-access to the new building in January 2020. Animal Services, in partnership with local veterinarians, are pleased to offer spay and neuter vouchers to pet owners in Mesa County. This program has been made possible by the generous funding of the Animal Assistance Foundation (AAF). Starting March 1, 2023, and running through September 30, 2023, pet owners can take advantage of this opportunity to have their pets spayed or neutered for just $25 at participating veterinarians. This reduced rate has been made possible thanks to the collaboration between AAF and the veterinarians listed below: The number of vouchers available for 2023 is limited. The issuance of vouchers is entirely at the discretion of each participating veterinarian's office. Individuals may be required to communicate their financial needs or unique circumstances requiring the voucher. Pet owners must provide proof of current rabies vaccination at the time of the procedure. The $25 co-pay does not cover the cost of the rabies vaccination. If a pet does not have a current rabies vaccination, the owner must pay for that service. Thanks to the collaboration between MCAS, AAF, and participating local veterinarians, our community is contributing to longer and healthier lives for the animals of Mesa County. Managing overpopulation in our community helps ensure all pets, whether temporarily living in our shelter, a loving home, or as community cats, have access to the Five Freedoms: Freedom from hunger and thirst; freedom from discomfort; freedom from pain, injury or disease; freedom to express normal behavior; and freedom from fear and distress. you can be somewhere no one lives in a few minutes Colorado's drought conditions have worsened this week According to the U.S. Drought Monitor nearly 90 percent of the state is in a severe drought and more than half is considered in extreme drought Parts of Kiowa County in the Eastern Plains continue to struggle with the most severe category of exceptional drought Garfield and Pitkin counties are now also experiencing exceptional drought These areas could see widespread crop and pasture losses and water-shortage emergencies Jared Polis has expanded the second phase of the state's drought response plan to all Colorado counties This phase means a drought task force assesses initial damages and impacts of drought and recommends mitigation measures The Agricultural Impact Task Force is also activated which will conduct an assessment on physical and economic impacts as well as recommend mitigation opportunities Polis sent a letter to the U.S asking for emergency relief for Colorado producers "Farmers and ranchers in Colorado are suffering deep financial losses due to persistent drought conditions and compounding disasters," the letter reads "Our state’s producers report significant barriers to accessing financial relief from multi-year (2018 drought a first-generation ranch manager west of Durango in Mancos "I've been in the business for a decade and have gotten whiplash from how extreme all of our weather events have become." I think we need to change the semantics and management around drought Drought tends to carry a notion of impermanence We are essentially in our third year of drought feels more permanent and requires a different mindset and management of our beautiful resources," Stein wrote You want to know what is really going on these days We can help you keep up.  The Lookout is a free daily email newsletter with news and happenings from all over Colorado Sign up here and we will see you in the morning Colorado Postcards are snapshots of our colorful state in sound. They give brief insights into our people and places, our flora and fauna, and our past and present, from every corner of Colorado. Listen now. © 2025 Colorado Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. October 2017.Teachers assigned to online learning in Mesa County’s District 51 have been contending with class sizes far beyond what they ever faced in the actual classroom At a work session Tuesday night to address the challenges of online learning school board members heard that middle and high school teachers have up to 300 students each District 51 opened for in-person learning last month but gave families the option to go online instead “This is just unprecedented times,” said school board president Tom Parrish “Somehow all of us are going to have to work on our ambiguity tolerance and our flexibility and the realization that what we're dealing with this year is what we might be dealing with next year.” The board agreed Tuesday to shift up to 30 teachers from their current assignments to better manage class sizes Most of those teachers will go to online learning although some will move between physical schools director of professional learning at District 51 told the board that just weeks into the new school year online teachers are very much feeling the stress of large class sizes.  Many of them are pretty overwhelmed,” he said “We had three long-term subs start on Monday and all three resigned by the end of the week.” © 2025 Colorado Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInFor Lyle Nichols was featured on the History Channel series "American Pickers" Monday night It caught the eye of producers after he sent them pictures of some of what he had during an open call of Colorado this past summer Show creator Mike Wolfe and his brother Robbie who was pinch-hitting for show regular Frank Fritz "Rob had been in the stone business," Nichols said a sculptor and collector has collected eccentric things ever since his wife died nearly 15 years ago to keep him busy and entertained They made deals on everything from license plates and signs to a large chair he made out of peach wood limbs and a jail toilet "I felt if I didn't pay a lot for it and they can make a little on it," Nichols said But there was no deal on the one item that was the namesake for the episode-- 'Cowzilla in Colorado,' his cow motorhome "That was the big cow from the Prime Cut Restaurant at 12th Street and Orchard Avenue back in the day," Nichols said "When you're coming at someone over a hill and that head pops up that made it worth building the whole thing." The pickers came up to the top of his silo to enjoy lunch and the picturesque view he has of Mount Garfield Nichols wouldn't say how much he made off the pick The items will go to the Antique Archeology locations Wolfe owns in Le Claire Lyle's been getting calls from people all over the world wanting to pick his property next "People have been all very polite," Nichols said "I sure enjoyed American Pickers putting a picture of Mount Garfield and the orchards on national TV." with a valid cable or satellite subscription October 2017.Students at Orchard Mesa Middle School in Grand Junction When asked about what a proposed property tax increase will pay for in the Grand Junction's Mesa County School District 51 advocates and teachers point to a plant growing out of a wall at Orchard Mesa Middle School the plant pokes sideways through an old heating vent and gets watered by way of a leaking roof or one of the teachers puts a crate of books over it “The students make light of the situation and I think it’s really sweet that the kids can find some levity,” said Kelly Flenniken, head of Citizens for School District 51 “But I don’t think it’s funny that we have middle school kids learning at the environment.” it will be the first financial boost for the public schools here since 2004 The proposed money will pay for additional student days per year Flenniken points out the district’s latest textbooks say that Bill Clinton is president have happened since President Clinton,” she said “I think it should just be up to teachers to supplement all of that information.” The campaign’s list of supporters — who have been canvassing the town and holding neighborhood meetings about the dire conditions in the school buildings — includes the local teachers union the chamber of commerce and several business owners you can always go down the road of money doesn’t make a good education and cite all kinds of examples,” said Colorado Mesa University President Tim Foster money is the fuel for any enterprise so it’s very difficult and challenging for a school district do not have funds to make things happen.” Foster has set aside money in his budget to fund counselors at Grand Junction’s four high schools so students can get pre-college help Despite the broad support among mixed political bedfellows it’s still a tall order to get tax increases passed in this conservative town Advocates last went to voters in 2010 for more money for schools and it failed Voters have not approved a sales tax increase here since 1989 has money that has come from previous mill levies has it been invested properly?” said Grand Junction Mayor Rick Taggart It’s an argument that is holding us back.” Taggart points out that Grand Junction kids are in school around 160 days a year compared to the Front Range — whose districts have between 170 to 180 days a year there is an additional 30 extra days of instruction per year But Grand Junction resident and former educator Phyllis Hunsinger said it’s all about outcomes Hunsinger has been an outspoken opponent of the tax proposals She said the school district can’t be trusted with more money because the administration is bloated “I think the support should be at the teacher level and that’s what makes a difference,” Hunsinger said “We are always told that this is an investment in education Will the students become more efficient in math and English Will students have a better understanding of math and economics … Those are the things that a taxpayer expects from an investment in education.” old HVAC systems that hang so low that taller students’ heads bump into them and a half a million square feet of asbestos “You can’t run multiple pieces of technology at the same time or you’ll blow a fuse,” said Tanya Smith “Our building is full of exposed wires and overrun with breakers I’d like to teach them skills for the future and we’re not even in today.” principal of the middle school with Bartholomew said she has been worried about reaching all of the voters who don’t interact with the school district every day “But I really feel like our community is starting to understand the need and putting a lot more emphasis on the priority of a very sound high level education system.” Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInWednesday morning was met with joy at Orchard Mesa Middle School as students and teachers celebrated local election results Voters in Mesa County approved two measures that will give School District 51 a lot more money to update schools "We turned some music on this morning and students came out of their first period classes and celebrated the success of the bond," Cheri Vana School District District isn't wasting any time They hope to break ground on a new Orchard Mesa Middle School as soon as possible and want to have it ready for students in August of 2019 The new facility will be built on the south side of the property where there are some sports fields and courts Grand Junction donut lovers have another reason to be happy residents on the eastern side of Grand Junction were saddened when the Dairy Queen at 30 Road and the I-70 Business Loop announced it was closing the doors for good That left Grand Junction with just one Dairy Queen location and we wondered what I was driving past that location when I noticed the sign hanging on the old Dairy Queen building I have to admit my heart did a little pitter-patter happy dance to see the news Daylight Donuts has been serving delicious donuts on North Avenue and out on Orchard Mesa but those locations aren't exactly convenient for folks on the east side we all remember when Krispy Kreme came to town but the location was terrible- all the way out by Mesa Mall you're likely not going to drive 10 miles out of your way just to satisfy that craving I don't know the real reason Krispy Kreme didn't make it in Grand Junction but my personal feeling is that it had a lot to do with the location 2nd Location For Orchard Mesa Daylight Donuts What I learned this weekend is the  30 Road Daylight Donuts location is going to be a second location for the folks that own the Orchard Mesa donut shop The good news for Orchard Mesa donut lovers can still get their donut fix next to Mary's Restaurant We will be looking forward to the grand opening of the new donut shop Read More Dixson Park is no longer a part of the city of Grand Junction's park system The property at 287 27 Road on Orchard Mesa has been sold marking the end of its use by Grand Junction Parks and Rec The park has been used for various activities and most recently was rented to End Zone Sports for flag football parks crews have removed all city equipment and signage from the property The park has been in use since 1984. According to Grand Junction Parks and Rec the previous owner had leased the property to the city for $1 a year They say the new owner of the property did not want to continue the arrangement The city is in the process of trying to secure other options in the area and they say they will let the public know if and when they find an alternate location Grand Junction is so fortunate to have so many parks for residents to enjoy.  However The loss of Dixson Park will definitely be felt by those who have enjoyed the use of it for so many years Dixson Park is no longer a part of the city of Grand Junction's park system Read More The park has been in use since 1984. According to Grand Junction Parks and Rec Located in Western Colorado and extending into eastern Utah the Book Cliffs are a range of desert mountains and cliffs This geological feature near Grand Junction and Palisade spans more than 200 miles across both states allowing photographers to capture unique shapes and textures under the right lighting conditions From where the Colorado River enters the Grand Valley in De Beque Canyon near Palisade the Book Cliffs continue west through Price Canyon These cliffs are also one of the most well-known places for studying sequence stratigraphy and they got their name because they seem like a pile of books lined up against a shelf The Uncompahgre Uplift pushed up this relic of the Mancos Sea bottom forming the shale and Cretaceous sandstone cliffs It passes through gorgeous desert scenery and parallels steep gorges and wild rivers Fruita Campground and Island Acres Camping at G rand Junction’s James M Robb—Colorado River State Park are fantastic places to stay Read about the camping near Palisade, Grand Junction, and Fruita Hiking – You may stroll around the cliff’s base, or if you have more time, climb the 2,000 vertical feet to Mt. Garfield on the rim for awe-inspiring panoramas This 3.6-mile out-and-back route may be completed in three to five hours At the trailhead off Interstate 70, hikers may enjoy breathtaking vistas of the Grand Mesa and the town of Palisade, known for its vineyards and orchards Horse Reserve – Just a few protected places in the western United States are home to wild horse populations, including the Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Reserve From eighty to one hundred and twenty mustangs wander the more than thirty thousand acres of rough valleys and plateaus northwest of Palisade although it is not ideal for any of these activities due to the lack of paved roads and the rustic nature of the streets that are there horseback riding and hiking are at their peaks and American bison are just a few of the large species that call the Book Cliffs home Black-footed ferrets are sometimes spotted in this region and a wide variety of trout may be found in the miscellaneous little streams Passes through these CO towns: (east to west) Copyright © 2025 · Free Colorado Travel Guide | Vacations, Travel and Tourism · All Rights Reserved This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInFor Lyle Nichols, what's one man's trash is his treasure. Nichols, of Orchard Mesa, was featured on the History Channel series "American Pickers" Monday night. His yard is full of hidden gems. It caught the eye of producers after he sent them pictures of some of what he had during an open call of Colorado this past summer. Show creator Mike Wolfe and his brother Robbie, who was pinch-hitting for show regular Frank Fritz, quickly connected. "Rob had been in the stone business," Nichols said. "He could relate to what I was doing." Nichols, a sculptor and collector has collected eccentric things ever since his wife died nearly 15 years ago to keep him busy and entertained. He said, "I’ve become a recluse, but I always wanted to make things, so here I am." They made deals on everything from license plates and signs, to a large chair he made out of peach wood limbs and a jail toilet. "I felt if I didn't pay a lot for it and they can make a little on it," Nichols said. But there was no deal on the one item that was the namesake for the episode-- 'Cowzilla in Colorado,' his cow motorhome. "That was the big cow from the Prime Cut Restaurant at 12th Street and Orchard Avenue back in the day," Nichols said. "When you're coming at someone over a hill and that head pops up, that made it worth building the whole thing." The pickers came up to the top of his silo to enjoy lunch and the picturesque view he has of Mount Garfield. he said. Nichols wouldn't say how much he made off the pick. The items will go to the Antique Archeology locations Wolfe owns in Le Claire, Iowa, and Nashville. "I didn't want to part with that much, but what can you do?" Nichols said. "There are no U-Hauls behind the hearse." Since the episode aired Monday, Lyle's been getting calls from people all over the world wanting to pick his property next. "People have been all very polite," Nichols said. "I sure enjoyed American Pickers putting a picture of Mount Garfield and the orchards on national TV." If you missed the episode, it re-airs on History Monday at 6:00 p.m. You can also watch the episode online, with a valid cable or satellite subscription, was shot and killed by a police officer on May 9 The shooting made her the 12th trans person to lose their life to fatal violence in 2020 but that fact remained unknown for weeks after Thompson was misgendered by police and local media Colorado after Thompson was reported unresponsive in the vicinity of Orchard Mesa Market a local grocery store located along a busy intersection According to details provided to local media by the Mesa County Sheriff's Office Thompson remained motionless for hours and did not respond when approached by passersby offering assistance Although the officer was not harmed during the interaction the majority of whom were Black trans women director of community engagement for HRC’s Transgender Justice Initiative claimed that Thompson’s treatment by the media and local authorities is “appalling.” She noted in a statement that it took local media outlets “over a month to correctly identify Jayne with her correct name and pronouns.” Cooper also suggested that Thompson’s death could have been prevented had the officer focused on deescalating the situation “[I]t is clear that Jayne was in crisis when she was approached by Colorado State Patrol,” she said the expectation is to protect and serve and not to be killed.” which has claimed that the 21st Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team is investigating the shooting did not return a request for comment prior to this story But HRC noted in its statement that “21st Judicial District Attorney Dan Rubinstein announced that no charges would be filed for Thompson’s death.” The original headline of this story claimed that Jayne Thompson lived in Colorado This story also originally misstated the date Thompson was killed; it was May 9 Get the best of what's queer. 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